Astute Princess: Married to be the Empress Novel - Chapter 37

Chapter 37 Enter the Palace on New Year’s Eve
Crown Prince Shuo pondered all the way to the entrance of the palace. He took off his sword and walked into the palace. On the way, the officials kept greeting and saluting. Each family’s daughter was also charming and seductive. He politely saluted back, but did not give any response. He just walked to Chengde Palace without any distractions.

As soon as he sat down, a young palace maid walked in front of him and bowed, “Your Highness, the Empress Dowager is invited to Shoukang Palace.”

Huyan Mingshuo immediately stood up and said, “I see. Lead the way.” Huyan Mingshuo couldn’t help but think in his heart, what could this Empress Dowager do for him? However, he had heard that the Empress Dowager was extremely fond of Fu Yingran. Perhaps they would leave for home in a few days, so there was probably something to explain later.

Huyan Mingshuo followed the little palace maid. After about a cup of tea, he arrived at Shoukang Palace. The little palace maid went in and reported, “Reporting to the Empress Dowager, His Highness the Crown Prince of Ye Lan has arrived.”

After the Empress Dowager heard this, she said, “Please.”

The palace maid turned around and came out to welcome Prince Shuo in. Inside, Prince Duan’s family and the Emperor were both present. Prince Shuo walked in and bowed, “Greetings to the Emperor, Empress Dowager, Prince Duan and Princess Duan.” The others were of the same generation, and their status wasn’t as high as his, so there was no need to bow.

When the Empress Dowager saw Huyan Mingshuo’s polite appearance, she was happy in her heart. She smiled and said, “There is no need for Crown Prince Shuo to be too polite. Hurry up and sit down.” Huyan Mingshuo walked over to Fu Yingran and sat down. The two of them looked at each other.

Then the crowd heard the Empress Dowager ask, “When does Crown Prince Shuo plan to return home?”

“Ming Shuo intends to leave for home in a few days.” Since they were all Ying Ran’s elders, they naturally had to tell the truth. It was a bit urgent for Chu Six to go back. However, Yelan was in an emergency and needed him to return as soon as possible. Otherwise, many people would starve to death. Fortunately, Great Wei was generous this time. He had given Yelan 100,000 stones of grain in one go. It should be able to resolve Yelan’s current crisis.

“Junior Sixth is a bit anxious, but there’s still time. According to the customs of my Great Wei Empire, when a princess marries, she has to get up from the palace and dress up as a bride. Only after she has worshipped her parents in heaven and earth can she be considered married.” As the Empress Dowager spoke, tears rolled down her cheeks.

So this is still happening? Ying Ran was confused. He thought that the wedding would be held after night, but he didn’t want to have another wedding in Great Wei.

So Ying Ran asked, “Do I have to wear a dowry to prepare for the dowry?” If that was the case, it would be troublesome. Then, when she left his Crown Prince’s Mansion in the future, would she still be able to take these dowries with her?

“Little girl, of course you have to wear a dowry to get married.” The Empress Dowager rolled her eyes at Ying Ran. What was this girl thinking? Others were worried that there would be no dowry, but she was unwilling to do so.

Fu Yingran was originally a straightforward person, so he immediately said to himself, “What if I’m not in his Crown Prince’s Mansion and don’t become the Crown Princess in the future, can I get back the dowry I sent in? If I don’t get it back, wouldn’t it be too unworthwhile for me to compensate my husband and compromise my troops?”

Everyone was speechless when they heard this. Huyan Mingshuo turned to look at her. It turned out that she had never planned to stay in his Crown Prince’s Mansion for long. Yes, she had said that once he married another person, she would leave. Everyone knew that with his status, it was inevitable to marry a concubine in the future. Therefore, she was planning for the future to avoid trouble in the future. Huyan Mingshuo felt a burst of anxiety in his heart, but there was nothing he could do about it.

In order to avoid embarrassment, the Empress Dowager finally said, “What did you say, child? Why did you leave his Crown Prince’s Mansion? Don’t talk nonsense.” The Empress Dowager suddenly remembered what Ying Ran had said that day. She did not want to be locked up in the courtyard and snatch a man from many women. However, this was all destined by fate. No one could dodge it.

Hearing that, Fu Yingran finally lost his temper and said, “Hmph … I don’t care anyway. I can wear a dowry, so there’s no need for the dowry. If it really doesn’t work, just fold it into silver notes for me, so that I can carry it with me in the future.” Yes, this is not bad. Once you leave the Crown Prince’s Mansion in the future, you won’t be able to sleep on the streets.

Prince Duan glanced at his daughter. He nodded and replied, “Alright. Your father will give you a hundred thousand silver taels. You will have a good time in Ye Lan. It is indeed inconvenient for you to travel such a long distance with large and small items. Besides, Crown Prince Shuo will also bring a hundred thousand stones of grain along the way. He really can’t spare any energy to take care of your dowry, and it is also flexible for you to bring the silver.”

“Alright, then the treasury will also offer 100,000 taels. Let Ying Ran take them away, so that we can manage them up and down in Ye Lan.” Your Majesty is also rare to be generous for a while. That’s also true. Finally, she sent away this Plague God. Fu Yingran is in the Great Wei Kingdom. That is a volcano that erupts from time to time.

The Empress Dowager then said half-jokingly, “The Ai Clan has already given you a lot of treasures last time, but now I don’t have any money to give you.”

“How about this, Auntie Huang? I’m not in the Great Wei Kingdom anymore. I don’t need those dowries anymore. I’ll return them all to you. You can give me a few days of rice and sweet potatoes and potatoes from other countries.”

Ying Ran thought to himself, Ye Lan is barren, Rice may not be suitable, Let’s just take it to buy people off, Sweet potatoes were different from potatoes. As long as the water and soil were suitable, they could be planted. Moreover, the yield of these two crops was extremely high, so she planned to bring some to see if they could be planted. Perhaps it would be a good opportunity to get rich. In modern times, she had seen farmers put sweet potatoes in rice, so that they could be preserved for a long time.

“Alright, you little girl. What did the Ai Clan think you wanted? Isn’t it just some rice, potatoes and sweet potatoes? What’s so difficult about that?” The Empress Dowager agreed straightforwardly.

This time, Fu Yingran laughed until his teeth went blind. He then said to the Empress Dowager, “Thank you, Auntie Huang. When the time comes, Auntie Huang will instruct them to put the sweet potatoes and potatoes in the rice. This way, it will be convenient to carry them around.” This had to be explained clearly. Otherwise, when Ye Lan arrived, the sweet potatoes would be rotten.

“Alright, I see. This matter is settled just like that. It’s getting late now. It’s time for us to go to Chengde Palace.” Seeing that the matter was settled, the Empress Dowager suggested going to Chengde Palace. After all, on New Year’s Eve, the officials above the fourth stage of the court had brought their families into the palace, so it was not easy to neglect them.

“Mother is right.” The Emperor answered and helped the Empress Dowager out. Everyone stood up and followed him to Chengde Hall. In Chengde Hall, the ministers were all present. Seeing the Emperor and Empress Dowager enter, everyone hurriedly stood up and saluted, “Long live the Emperor. The Empress Dowager is a thousand years old.”

On New Year’s Eve, the Empress, as the mother of the country, should also be present. However, because the Empress was too disappointed in the Emperor and was unwilling to face him again, the Empress did not appear except to worship her ancestors early in the morning.

The Emperor raised his arm slightly and said, “Get up, all of you. Don’t be too courteous during the Spring Festival.” Then, the Emperor helped the Empress Dowager to the throne and gave up Prince Duan’s family behind her.

The officials bowed and said, “Greetings, Prince Duan, Princess Consort, Crown Prince Shuo, Crown Prince Shi, Prince Shi, Imperial Daughter, and General Guardian.” Aiyo, shit, a big shot in the family.

“Don’t worry, it’s not a court meeting today. There’s no need to be formal.” Prince Duan’s entire body was dignified. Although he was only a prince, no one in the court dared to be disrespectful. After all, he was the Emperor’s Uncle.

“Prince Xie Duan,” the officials stood up and took their seats. The banquet in the palace was all about drinking, singing, and dancing. There was nothing new about it. It was almost Youshi time before everyone dispersed. Fu Yingran followed his parents and elders back to Prince Duan’s Mansion.

On the way back, Huyan Mingshuo still rode in the same carriage as Fu Yingran. Huyan Mingshuo suddenly asked, “Yingran, didn’t you plan to stay by my side forever?” He didn’t know how this could happen. As long as he thought that Fu Yingran would leave him in the future, he would feel very irritated.

“I said that once you marry another woman, I will definitely leave.” This was her bottom line. No one could trample on it, nor would they change it for anyone else.

“I know.” He only knew that he couldn’t give her any promises now, and the two fell into silence again.

Until the carriage stopped at the entrance of Duanwang Palace, the two of them did not speak. This question was like a boundary stele between two countries. No one could cross it, no one could cross it.