Chapter 363 – I Won’t Let You Off So Easily

Chapter 363 - I Won't Let You Off So Easily

Hekinli's eyes shimmered with amusement. "Your father knows that these matters are not your concern. Go and have fun."

"The Emperor shouldn't be cooped up either. Why not go horseback riding? If you raced, you'd definitely win," the Ninth Prince said.

"Haha, silly child. How old is Father now? How can he still compete with you?" Hekinli chuckled.

"Well, even if you don't compete, you're still the best in our hearts," the Ninth Prince said with a grin before dashing off.

Hekinli shook his head and smiled, resuming his work.

Of course, he knew that the Ninth Prince wasn't truly advocating for the Second Prince.

However, the prince's genuine concern for him was real. The words about not punishing oneself for other people's mistakes were likely something Yun Li had said.

At the thought of Yun Li, Hekinli paused in his writing.

In the end, he put down his pen.

"Where is Concubine Xian's letter?"

Meng Chang hurriedly retrieved it and presented it: "Your Majesty."

The emperor had already read this letter once.

Hao Jinli opened the letter again, smiled, and said, "Only she could hold a grudge like that."

After finishing it for the second time, he put the letter away. "Is there any suitable woman in the capital for Zhang Zhiyi?"

Meng Chang had no idea what was written in the letter and thus sounded a little perplexed. "I… I wonder if Your Majesty means for the Duke to… remarry?"

He Jinli nodded.

Meng Chang hurriedly spoke up, "This servant remembers that there's a girl from the Rui Guo Gong family, the granddaughter of the duke. She's also from the legitimate line. A few years ago, her marriage was delayed due to her grandmother's passing. Later, when she was ready to marry, her own birth mother passed away. She's probably in her early twenties now."

In ancient times, this was a major concern.

For young women, if they couldn't settle their marriage by the age of sixteen or seventeen, and then someone in their family passed away, their prospects would be severely hindered.

The Marquis of Rui's residence held a noble title in name only, devoid of any actual power.

Thus, Meng Chang dared to speak his mind.

He Jinning continued, "How about her looks and talents?"

"Your Majesty, this servant has heard that she is quite decent. Not exceptional, but certainly not bad," Meng Chang replied. In a prominent family, the girls were generally well-versed in both education and appearance.

"In that case, draft an imperial edict. It's settled. Send it back to the capital immediately," He Jinning instructed.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Meng Chang acknowledged before he set off to find someone to draft the imperial decree.

A few days later, the Zhang family in the capital received the edict.

Zhang Zizhi was scheduled to wed Yang from the Marquis of Rui's residence on an auspicious date.

The Zhang family was overwhelmed with gratitude and astonishment. However, Niu Shi remained rational. "It wouldn't be appropriate to visit Empress Xiaohui at the palace right now; it might appear insincere. Here's what you should do: try to meet Seventh Young Master Qi. When you see him, mention this matter and express your endless gratitude. They will understand."

This Seventh Young Master was Empress Xiaohui's own brother, regardless of their closeness or not. At the very least, he was her blood relative.

Zhang Zizhi acknowledged, and the following day, he went to visit Qi Xiaoming.

Upon hearing this, Qi Xiaoming also instructed her mother and daughter-in-law to choose a date to enter the palace – details omitted.

Now, upon hearing the imperial edict, the Empress Dowager felt a burning resentment in her heart.

This person was simply selfish.

Since Hua Ying was gone, Zhang Zizhi should have remained devoted to her memory.

Of course, there were no such rules or principles in the world, but who could defy the Empress Dowager?

In fact, had it been in the past, He Jinning would naturally have acquiesced to the Empress Dowager's wishes.

Thus, matters concerning the Zhang family had not been mentioned over the years.

He Jinning did not forget, but even if he remembered, he chose not to speak of it.

Between him and the Empress Dowager, he could still yield on such trifling matters.

But how could Zhang Tong tolerate such self-destruction and shamelessness? This act of self-destruction only fueled He Jinli's anger. He planned to address it when he returned.

But how could Yun Li endure it? She was naturally furious.

She raised her hand, ready to slap the Empress Dowager across the face.

Was there anything that could make the Empress Dowager more unhappy than Zhang Zhi's remarriage?

Either way, if the Empress Dowager was unhappy, Yun Li found pleasure in it.

The imperial edict, once issued, could not be altered. Empress Dowager immediately summoned Concubine Xian to Cihang Palace.

This time, Yun Li refused not to comply.

"Empress Wei, it seems I was unaware of your immense influence, capable of instigating the emperor to bestow a marriage upon the Zhang family," the empress dowager said angrily.

Yun Li observed the streaks of white in her hair, finding it somewhat amusing. She genuinely chuckled. "Empress Dowager, Your Majesty's actions are not something this concubine can take credit for. The Emperor is the Emperor, while I am merely Concubine Xian. How dare I attempt to influence him?"

"Would the Emperor have suddenly bestowed a marriage upon the Prince Consort if not for your instigation?" The Empress Dowager's expression was less than amiable.

"You're referring to that. Lady Zhang came to the palace on behalf of her son, Zhang Tong. An elderly lady kneeling in shame for not properly disciplining her child. I'm still young, how could I accept such a gesture? It was a momentary slip of the tongue, mentioning that Zhang Tong lacks the guidance of a stepmother, which is indeed inappropriate. That's why I brought it up to His Majesty. Perhaps he considered the young age of the children and decided to arrange the marriage."

Yun Li smiled. "Look who you've chosen. I've heard that the girl is twenty-one, with an attractive appearance and a calm disposition. She's just right for the match."

"Qi Yunli!" The Empress Dowager's voice turned cold. "There's no need to act ignorant around me."

"My apologies, Empress Dowager," Yun Li's tone also cooled. "If one fails in their schemes, they must face the consequences. I admit no fault."

The Empress Dowager sneered. "No fault? You, as an adult, are nitpicking with a child. Isn't that a sign of narrow-mindedness?"

"If my son is wronged, of course, I am narrow-minded. Why else would the Empress Dowager protect those two children so fiercely? Princess Hua Ying grew up at your side, but she is the daughter of Concubine He. In terms of closeness, His Majesty is your biological son, and the Ninth Prince is your direct grandson. Why favor Princess Hua Ying's child? What logic is there in that?"

"For so long, you haven't asked about the Ninth Prince's well-being. He was drugged and then fell into the water. As his biological grandmother, you didn't inquire once. Yet, you are so angered by Zhang Tong's lack of self-respect. Why is that?"

Each word Yun Li spoke was aimed at piercing the Empress Dowager's heart.

The Empress Dowager's face flushed with anger. "You! Qi Yunli, you truly have great audacity!"

"Haha, I only have one child. He is the essence of my life. Anyone who dares to harm him, even a single strand of hair, will face my wrath. And yet, I showed mercy to Zhang Tong, who caused my son to be drugged, fall into the water, and nearly ruin his reputation. If Empress Dowager feels discontent, you may very well stand up for her." Yun Li lifted her head. "It was I who mentioned this to His Majesty, so feel free to bear a grudge against me."

With that, she left.

Despite the Empress Dowager's fury, it was highly unlikely for her to directly punish Concubine Xian.

After all, Concubine Yun Li was favored, had an heir, and her family held power.

No one dared to accuse her of wrongdoing in the Emperor's absence.

Yun Li's words had truly stripped the Empress Dowager of her dignity.

By saying that Lady Niu knelt in shame, it implied that the Empress Dowager herself was devoid of shame.

Saying there was no proper maternal guidance suggested that the Empress Dowager raised but did not educate.

You could never openly declare that you were not the emperor's birth mother; if you did, what would that make you?

Since you can't say it, I can ask you – why do you favor Hua Ying's child over your own grandson? Are you mentally deranged?