SWDnovel Chapter 922 - 758: Punished by Copying the Women’s Rules
Chapter 922 - 758: Punished by Copying the Women’s Rules
"Empress, I am here on behalf of the Emperor to convey his decree: the luncheon will be served in Guangning Palace."De’an personally came to Guangning Palace to deliver the message. After all, she is the future Empress Dowager, and how could De’an dare to slight her?
Upon hearing this, the Empress’s face finally showed some joy. Yesterday, the Emperor stayed overnight in Jinghua Palace and did not step foot in Guangning Palace.
Today, rumors spread within the inner palace, saying that the Emperor was forced to choose the Second Prince as the Crown Prince.
However, he was extremely dissatisfied, which is why he didn’t show the Empress any favor and was unwilling to step into Guangning Palace even once.
Because of this matter, she had severely punished a few gossips, but the source had yet to be found.
In fact, there was no need to investigate; she knew where it came from, just one of those other three families.
Princess Consort Jing and Consort Xian are highly suspicious. The Empress does not believe they would give up easily.
As for Prince Jing, the Empress dared not underestimate him. Since her son told her that the Fourth was secretly manipulating the court, the Empress has been very wary of Prince Jing.
A biting dog does not bark; the more harmless it seems, the more insidious and cunning it is.
Although Prince Jing lost his mother, he certainly has many scouts in the palace. It’s possible that it was the Fourth who spread the news.
"Thank you, Chief Chen, for personally making the trip." Even with the Emperor’s favored person, the Empress had to show some face.
The Empress glanced at the nanny by her side, and Nanny Jiang immediately understood, stepping forward to hand a pocket to De’an.
De’an did not decline, quickly tucking the pocket into his sleeve.
"The Empress is too kind. This servant will take his leave now!"
De’an squeezed the pocket earlier and felt it lacked weight; it certainly wasn’t Silver.
If it’s not Silver, what could it be? Of course, it’s a silver note. It’s no wonder he spoke well of the Empress in front of the Emperor; the Empress surely knew this at heart.
After obtaining the Empress’s nod, De’an left with a broad smile.
Upon hearing that her grandfather was coming to Guangning Palace today, Qin Yingyuan breathed a sigh of relief while simultaneously worrying.
Even for her, it’s not easy to see her grandfather. Now that her grandfather is finally coming to Guangning Palace, can she really bring up her matters in front of her grandmother?
She hadn’t discussed this with her grandmother before; bringing it up rashly might lead to her grandmother blaming her later.
After all, her mother had previously hinted that her grandmother wanted to find her a good match, perhaps already having an aristocratic gentleman in mind.
Moreover, if this matter succeeds, even if her mother finds out afterward, she will be unable to do anything about it.
But if it fails and her mother learns of it, she will certainly not be pleased with it.
Qin Yingyuan, being a lady, should originally have her marriage matters decided by her parents, yet her thoughts deviate from societal norms, causing her to worry.
"What? You say you’ve already privately pledged your life with Gu Chengyu?" The Emperor had just finished his lunch and was digesting in Guangning Palace.
Yesterday, he neglected the Empress’s feelings to soothe Princess Consort Jing. So today, he deliberately came to Guangning Palace to dine to quell those rumors.
Unexpectedly, after calming the Empress, he heard his granddaughter say something utterly astonishing.
"Yes! I humbly ask Grandfather for your approval." Qin Yingyuan bit her lip and knelt on the ground, afraid to look at their shocked faces.
"You! This is sheer folly. Have you lost your senses? How crucial is a lady’s reputation? How could you do such a self-ruining thing?"
The Empress pointed at Qin Yingyuan, kneeling, with her chest heaving in anger.
Gui Zhu hurriedly stepped forward to soothe her, but the Empress pushed him aside.
"Your Majesty, Yingying is thoughtless; she just doesn’t fancy the gentlemen her parents chose for her, so she spoke nonsense. Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will discipline her properly from now on; this lack of propriety is too much."
The Empress hastily explained, looking anxiously at the Emperor.
"I humbly ask Grandfather for your approval!" Qin Yingyuan gritted her teeth and refused to yield. Since it was already out, she could not retract it midway; otherwise, it would all be for nothing.
The Empress was maddened by Qin Yingyuan’s stubbornness, pounding her chest with tears streaming down her face.
"You foolish girl, what did your mother instruct you before she left? Are you so willful that you ignore your family, parents, and brothers? How can you live up to your mother? She worried herself sick for you, and you still made trouble for her outside."
The Empress wiped her tears with a handkerchief before saying to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, don’t listen to this girl’s nonsense. How could she have ever met that Gu Chengyu, except perhaps seeing him once at the literary gathering held at the estate? How could she promise herself to him?"
"Her mother manages her strictly; she rarely leaves the estate." The Empress noticed the Emperor’s unclear expression, and her heart tightened.
The Emperor, however, wasn’t as flustered as the Empress. Recovering from his initial shock, he sighed.
"You said you’ve already privately pledged your life with Gu Chengyu? Then why not summon Gu Chengyu for a confrontation to see if what you say is true?"
The Emperor’s face was stern, but his tone was not harsh.
The Emperor had always doted on this granddaughter, showing more patience with her.
Usually, his granddaughter was sensible; though pampered, she wasn’t disliked. On the contrary, he enjoyed her lively and clever nature.
However, today’s words challenged the Emperor’s understanding; he never expected this girl to be so daring.
Qin Yingyuan’s face stiffened; Gu Chengyu wasn’t aware of her affection for him. If summoned for a confrontation, wouldn’t her feelings be exposed?
"Grandfather, if summoned, he would be intimidated by both you and grandmother’s presence, how could he speak the truth?"
"Hmph! If he doesn’t even dare to admit it, is such a person worthy of having you marry him?" the Emperor snorted coldly.
Seeing his granddaughter’s expression, he knew what she said about a private pledge was groundless.
He knew something about Gu Chengyu’s character; not to mention whether he would engage in clandestine meetings, if he did, there’s no chance he wouldn’t admit it.
Previously, when Liang Zhirui came to the Imperial Study Room to propose Yao Mengxian for Gu Chengyu, Gu Chengyu didn’t mention Ying even once.
If something truly existed between Ying and Gu Chengyu, Gu Chengyu wouldn’t stay silent.
Furthermore, between a favored commandery princess and an unfavored aristocratic daughter, anyone would know which to choose.
It’s likely this granddaughter has unrequited feelings, and he isn’t even aware of Princess Rong Jia’s silent affection for him; it’s simply absurd.
Qin Yingyuan suddenly fell silent, thinking of a strategy; her grandfather was wise and perceptive, not one to be easily deceived by a few words.
"Hmph! You, a young lady, disregarding your reputation, speaking recklessly, it’s simply a violation of the Women’s Rules. Where have you learned those Women’s Rules? I see you’ve been wielding your whip all day, forgetting them entirely. From today onward, you will be punished by copying the Women’s Rules in your grandmother’s palace. Only when you’ve come to your senses will I let you leave the palace."