Chapter 162 Persuasion
After Xiao Deyin left, Jiang Li returned to the house. Tong'er couldn't help but ask, "Miss, why did Mr. Xiao suddenly come to see you? I don't see him being very attentive to you on weekdays."

"Yeah, you don't take it seriously on weekdays, but at the critical moment of life and death, you use me as a shield." Jiang Li smiled.

Tong'er was shocked: "Life and death moment? Shield? What life and death moment? Is the girl okay?"

"It's okay." Jiang Li said, "Your daughter is not stupid."

Tong'er was relieved, but still a little indignant, and said, "He is really not a good person."

Jiang Li looked out the window and smiled in her heart. Yes, Xiao Deyin didn't seem to be a good person.

She asked Ye Mingyu to send people to intimidate Xiao Deyin in order to break the alliance between Xiao Deyin and Princess Yongning. But something happened, or maybe Jiang Li was thinking wrongly from the beginning. Xiao Deyin didn't think about protecting herself, but took the initiative to attack and eliminate Princess Yongning forever.

In this regard, Xiao Deyin is much more capable than her former self. Jiang Li thought that when Xiao Deyin faced something that might threaten her, she would just eliminate it. But she also knew that it would be difficult for her to move Princess Yongning by herself, so she had to find an ally. Jiang Li didn't expect that the ally Xiao Deyin found was actually herself.

Xiao Deyin had a good plan. He had said in the court that the person who instigated Feng Yutang was Princess Yongning, so he must not be afraid of Princess Yongning's power. From beginning to end, Xiao Deyin was regretting that he was not as powerful as others, and he also talked about Xue Fangfei's pity in an attempt to arouse Jiang Li's sympathy.

In Xiao Deyin's view, as long as she handled the Xue Fangfei case in the same way as she handled the Tongxiang case, she would definitely stand up for Xue Fangfei. If she gained the upper hand, Xiao Deyin would stand up and identify Princess Yongning as the one who murdered Xue Fangfei, confirming the affair between Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong. Princess Yongning would be completely overthrown, and she would be able to live in Yanjing City without worries.

If Jiang Li was at a disadvantage, Xiao Deyin would most likely not stand up at all, but would instead change his attitude according to the situation, and might even offer his head as a gift to please Princess Yongning.

This person is really too cunning.

Bai Xue took the books that had been dried in the sun and put them into the box one by one. She asked, "What are you going to do with her, girl? Are you going to ignore her?"

"That's not the case." Jiang Li said, "She seems to know a lot of things. If possible, it would be a good deal to get more truth from her."

"That's right," Tong'er interrupted and said, "Our girl never loses money in business. Wasn't that Ferghana horse worth ten thousand taels of gold in the East Market bought by our girl for five hundred taels of silver? No matter whether it's silver or human life, anyone who plays tricks on our girl will be dead." She said it viciously, and Jiang Li couldn't help laughing.

She didn't agree to Xiao Deyin right away, for this reason. Xiao Deyin was eager for her to confront Princess Yongning and divert the trouble. In order to make Jiang Li fall in love quickly, Xiao Deyin would definitely throw out many unknown truths to attract Jiang Li's interest. Many of these words may have been beautified by Xiao Deyin, but without the beautified part, it is equivalent to the truth.

And these truths are exactly what Jiang Li needs.

……

The boundary between winter and spring seems to begin with a rain.

After a light rain, the bare land under the window had sprouted some tender grass. The green grass was very pleasing to the eye. Farmers who knew the weather said that it looked like the snow in Yanjing would not fall again.

Winter is over and spring is coming.

In the palace, the dull winter days became particularly prosperous in spring. The gardeners in the imperial garden began to get busy again, selecting some new seeds to plant. When the weather gets warmer, there will be colorful flowers everywhere, and it will be lively and bustling. In summer, there will be countless beautiful scenery.

The side hall of Concubine Liu was the most lively. She was different from the Empress Dowager, who liked to be simple and chant Buddhist scriptures. She didn't like to have flowers and plants in the palace, and even if there were flowers and plants, they were mainly simple and elegant. Concubine Liu, on the other hand, was flamboyant as her true nature. Before spring came, the garden in the palace was already bustling.

From the side hall came the laughter of women. Concubine Liu sat on a soft couch, with exquisite snacks on a plate beside her. The palace maids who were playing the zither had all gone down. Concubine Liu looked at her daughter, Princess Yongning, who was sitting on the side, and said, "What do you want to talk to me about?"

This morning, Princess Yongning came to see Concubine Liu. Although she often went to the palace, she would not come so early. Princess Yongning was used to getting up late, and when Concubine Liu saw her like this, she knew that her daughter probably had something to ask of her.

"I just miss my mother." Princess Yongning said coquettishly.

Although she is no longer a child, Princess Yongning still retains her girlish side in front of Concubine Liu. Concubine Liu laughed and scolded her a few times. When Concubine Liu was young, she was favored by the previous emperor and acted flamboyantly. Both her children grew up in front of her, so she was particularly pampered. Prince Cheng and Princess Yongning were also loved by everyone. Prince Cheng was better. He was a little older and had some plans. Princess Yongning's temperament was almost another Concubine Liu. She looked 70% similar to Concubine Liu when she was young. Therefore, Concubine Liu was particularly indulgent to this daughter and almost responded to her every request.

"I don't know your temper yet," Concubine Liu pretended to be impatient, "If you don't say anything, I'll leave."

"Hey, hey, hey, mother, let me tell you." Princess Yongning hurriedly pulled her sleeve and said, "Mother, I want to marry Shen Yurong."

Hearing this, Concubine Liu's originally happy face suddenly turned cold. She said, "Why are you talking about this?" There were so many young talents in the court, and Concubine Liu really looked down on Shen Yurong. Although Shen Yurong looked like a new noble, she had no family support. For royal relatives like them, it was not a good marriage, but at least it couldn't be too bad. Concubine Liu was particularly picky, and she couldn't accept marrying her beloved daughter to a commoner.

"Mother, you promised before," Yongning said coquettishly, "How can you go back on your word?"

"It was your brother who tried to persuade us before. Although I don't like him, I couldn't persuade you. But Yongning, what time is it now? The case between you and Xue Huaiyuan hasn't been clarified yet. If you are involved with Shen Yurong at this time, won't it give people something to blame?" said Concubine Liu. Concubine Liu didn't know what Princess Yongning did to the Xue family. But she knew Princess Yongning's character. In order to get Shen Yurong, she would do anything. Concubine Liu believed that the rumors were not groundless, but she just turned a blind eye. For a family like them, they must get what they want, and as for the obstacles in front of them, they can just remove them.

"It's been a long time since this happened." Yongning said nonchalantly, "Besides, if anyone dares to spread rumors again, I will have his tongue pulled out! I am a princess, who dares to say anything bad about me, mother, I really like him. Now that I am old enough to stop laughing, I hope to marry him soon, mother--"

Concubine Liu was unmoved and just said, "Nonsense!"

In her heart, she still felt that Shen Yurong was not a good choice.

Princess Yongning looked at Concubine Liu, who was really impatient. Her eyes fell on her belly, which was now flat and nothing could be seen, but Yongning knew that a new life was being nurtured there, which was related to her and Shen Yurong's lives. For the sake of this child, she had no way out and had to go all out.

Yongning's heart was set on edge. She suddenly raised her hand and saw a flash of knife light. She didn't know where she had hidden the dagger, but it was now across her neck. "Mother!"

Concubine Liu was caught off guard by her actions and was startled. She immediately stood up and said in panic, "What are you doing? Nonsense! Yongning, put down the knife quickly, someone come!"

Yongning just knelt on the ground holding the knife. She was a princess, and no one dared to search her body when she entered the palace, so she could easily hide the dagger on her body. She rarely knelt in front of others, and she would never do such a thing between Concubine Liu and her daughter.

"Mother," Princess Yongning stared at Concubine Liu's Yanjing, and spoke word by word with a firm tone, "If mother does not agree to my request, I will die in front of her!"

Concubine Liu was shocked.

Although Princess Yongning was spoiled, it was because she could get anything easily without threatening others, let alone her own life. Since she could do this, it was clear that in her heart, there was no room for bargaining and this matter had to be done.

She saw the desperation in her daughter's eyes.

In silence, Concubine Liu and Princess Yongning confronted each other. After an unknown amount of time, she finally sighed and said, "Have you really made up your mind?"

Princess Yongning said: "I have absolutely no second thoughts!"

Concubine Liu sighed deeply and said helplessly: "I promise you. Put down the knife quickly."

"Mother," Princess Yongning put down the knife and said seriously, "I am not just impulsive. I have spent too much energy on Shen Yurong. Even if I want to do it in vain, he must become my consort. Mother, please don't think that you can just appease me temporarily. If it doesn't work, there is no point in me living like this. I will eventually find a way to die."

This is an undisguised threat.

Concubine Liu was almost angry, but when she saw Princess Yongning's stubborn eyes, her heart softened again. Whatever, her daughter had always wanted to get whatever she wanted since she was a child. If that was the case, why not let her marry someone she loved? If she was not satisfied in the future, there were naturally countless ways to change her. Anyway, sooner or later, the world would belong to their family, so what did Shen Yurong count for?
"You don't have to threaten me. Since I said it, I will definitely do it." Concubine Liu said firmly.

Hearing Concubine Liu's agreement, Princess Yongning knew that the matter was settled. She immediately smiled brightly, threw away the dagger in her hand, stood up and ran to Concubine Liu, hugged her arm and said with a smile: "Mother loves me the most! I knew that Mother would agree to my request!"

Concubine Liu looked at Princess Yongning's happy expression, and it was neither a joke nor a joke that she was angry for a moment, so she said, "You really racked your brains for him! You even dared to threaten your own mother!"

"That's because I know that mother will definitely feel sorry for me and think about me." Princess Yongning sat up straight and said to Concubine Liu: "Mother, let's talk about this matter with the emperor tomorrow and ask him to grant the marriage. Or let the queen mother grant the marriage." The queen mother almost doesn't care about worldly affairs, so it's easy to persuade her. As for the emperor... He is so optimistic about Shen Yurong, because of the relationship with Prince Cheng, he may not want Shen Yurong to become Yongning's son-in-law.

"Tomorrow?" Concubine Liu frowned. "So soon?"

"It's not fast enough, mother." Princess Yongning said, "I'm already seventeen years old, and next month I'll be eighteen. An ordinary lady should get married at this age, not to mention I'm a princess. I've been pestering Shen Yurong for a year, and I don't want to waste time. I'm still thinking that if the marriage is granted, I'll get married next month."

"You..." Concubine Liu frowned and looked at Princess Yongning, "You are in such a hurry to get married, has something happened?"

Princess Yongning panicked, but smiled and said, "Nothing has happened. Mother, just assume that I can't wait to get married and enter the Shen family!"

"You!" Concubine Liu shook her head. In the end, she could not resist Princess Yongning's flattery and agreed to mention the matter to the Queen Mother tomorrow.

They talked for a while longer, and then had lunch with Concubine Liu in the palace before Princess Yongning left.

After leaving the side hall, she looked at her belly and smiled slightly.

Things are going very smoothly. When Concubine Liu talks to the Queen Mother about this tomorrow, the Queen Mother will grant the marriage. In this way, she will marry into the Shen family next month. The "good news" will be heard soon, and the baby in her belly will be born openly.

No one can find fault with it.

As she thought about it, Princess Yongning couldn't help laughing out loud.

……

After receiving Princess Yongning's instructions, Concubine Liu sat in a side hall and thought for a long time. Finally, she decided to go find the Queen Mother.

She thought about it. It seemed that Princess Yongning really liked the man named Shen Yurong. Even if she didn't try to satisfy her, Princess Yongning would resort to other means. Instead of doing that, it would be easier to do it herself.

Secondly, King Cheng and Princess Yongning had advised him before, saying that Shen Yurong was not bad, although her family background was a little poor, she was very talented. Concubine Liu suspected that her daughter had fallen in love and lost her mind, but she believed in her son's vision. Since King Cheng praised Shen Yurong, it can be seen that Shen Yurong is still good. As for her poor family background, at most she can start accumulating from this generation, and when King Cheng becomes emperor in the future, at most she can help him more. Concubine Liu did not even wait until tomorrow, and went to see the Queen Mother.

The Empress Dowager's Cining Palace is in the east. When the Empress Dowager was alive, the Cining Palace was no different from other Cining Palaces. After the Empress Dowager passed away, the Empress Dowager moved into the Cining Palace, and the Cining Palace almost became a Buddhist temple.

In the palace, only when you enter the Cining Palace can you smell the rich Buddhist incense.

When Concubine Liu went in, the Queen Mother was copying scriptures in front of the hall.

She was dressed very simply, in an autumn-colored silk dress, and had a calm demeanor. Although she was no longer as beautiful as she was, she did not look old. The sunlight shone through the window on her face, and she could vaguely see the gentleness and charm of her youth.

Even the spoiled Concubine Liu had to admit that the Queen Mother was beautiful.

Speaking of which, the late emperor loved beauties, and there was not a single woman in the palace who was not good-looking. The Empress Dowager, who was still the Empress at the time, was gentle and charming, Concubine Liu was bold and beautiful, and Concubine Xia, the biological mother of Emperor Hong Xiao, was smart and cunning. Each had her own beauty. The late emperor respected the Empress Dowager and doted on Concubine Liu, but the one he really appreciated was Concubine Xia.

Even though Concubine Xia died, the late emperor raised Emperor Hong Xiao under the name of the empress dowager and eventually made him the emperor. However, his own two children, who seemed to be loved, finally missed the opportunity to hold a high position.

Concubine Liu shook her head, put aside the distracting thoughts in her mind, walked up to the Queen Mother, and said, "Sister."

The Queen Mother paused with the pen in her hand and looked at her: "You are here."

The relationship between Concubine Liu and the Empress Dowager was not warm at all. When the late emperor was alive, Concubine Liu relied on her favor to cause trouble for the Empress Dowager. However, the Empress Dowager's family was powerful, so Concubine Liu could do nothing about it. After the late emperor passed away, Concubine Liu and the Empress Dowager had been living in peace for so many years. But Concubine Liu didn't believe that the Empress Dowager would really believe that she had no intention of replacing him.

In fact, Concubine Liu couldn't understand the Queen Mother. Raising someone else's son, helping someone else's son ascend to the throne, working hard for many years just to make wedding clothes for someone else, was the Queen Mother really willing? What was the point of her hiding in the Cining Palace copying scriptures all day? Concubine Liu didn't think the Queen Mother was a fool. Everyone from that family was smart.

Therefore, Concubine Liu was still a little afraid of the Queen Mother. She could be arrogant in front of the Queen Mother, but she never crossed the line.

"I came here today to ask you for a favor." Concubine Liu said, "Please agree to it, sister."

"What's the matter?"

When the two of them talked, they even skipped the superficial greetings. Perhaps they knew that no one would come to see the Queen Mother unless there was something important. If there was really nothing important, Concubine Liu would not take the initiative to come to see the Queen Mother.

"Yongning is now of marriageable age. I have chosen a suitable match for her and would like to ask you for help in making this event come true," said Concubine Liu.

The Queen Mother finally raised her head from the scriptures, looked at Concubine Liu, and asked, "Who are you talking about?"

"Mr. Shen Yurong, the Secretary of the Central Secretariat."

"Master Shen?" The Queen Mother was surprised. "Didn't Master Shen have a wife?"

"Yes." Concubine Liu smiled, "It's just that the previous marriage was really unfair to Lord Shen. I think Lord Shen has a clean family background and a sincere heart. He still has deep feelings for his late wife who was unfaithful to her husband. It can be seen that he is a man who values ​​love and loyalty. Yongning has been spoiled since she was a child. If she marries into the Shen family, I think Lord Shen will take good care of her and will not let her suffer any grievances. I am relieved."

Concubine Liu almost spoke this conversation with a breath held in her throat.

"Shen's family background is not a good match for Yongning." The Queen Mother said, "You should know this. There are many talented young men in the court who are well matched."

Concubine Liu's smile was extremely forced. She knew that she also hoped that Yongning could marry a man with a wealthy family, but no one in the world is more stubborn than their children's parents.

"Although the Shen family's family background is a little thin, it is precisely the reason why I feel at ease handing Yongning over to them. They will not despise Yongning because of this. Not to mention treating Yongning like a pizza, at least they dare not neglect him. Sister, I know that you have always loved Yongning, and I have also asked Yongning about this marriage. She also thinks that Lord Shen is a good person."

The Queen Mother looked at Concubine Liu for a while, nodded and said, "Since she is very satisfied, I will talk to the Emperor about this matter."

"Or..." Concubine Liu said, "You can also grant the marriage directly. The emperor is busy with government affairs, and I'm afraid he doesn't have much energy to take care of these little girls' affairs."

The emperor really likes Shen Yurong. If Shen Yurong becomes Yongning's consort, she will become a member of Cheng Wang's faction. What if the emperor considers this and tries to hinder it?
The Queen Mother said gently, "No. No matter how busy Your Majesty is, this is a royal affair. Besides, there is no secret between my family and Your Majesty's family, so I cannot make decisions on my own."

Concubine Liu almost cursed in her heart. The Queen Mother meant that she should not sow discord. The Emperor did not want Shen Yurong and Yongning to get married, but the Queen Mother turned around and granted the marriage. There would definitely be a rift between the Emperor and the Queen Mother.

Sure enough, those who survived in the palace, even if they pretended to be indifferent, were still cunning in their hearts. Concubine Liu thought angrily, forget it, even if Emperor Hong Xiao really didn't allow it, it really satisfied her. She didn't like Shen Yurong in the first place, but she couldn't get rid of Princess Yongning. If Princess Yongning knew that she had tried her best, but the emperor just didn't agree, she wouldn't blame herself.

Thinking of this, Concubine Liu felt relieved. She said, "Since you have agreed, I will not disturb you from worshipping Buddha and copying scriptures." She stood up, bowed to the Queen Mother, and walked out leisurely.

After Concubine Liu left, the Queen Mother did not continue copying the scriptures, but just looked at the scriptures and wondered what she was thinking. After a while, she stood up, and the palace maid came over to support her. She said, "Bring me the outer garment."

"Where are you going, madam?"

"The Imperial Study." replied the Queen Mother.

……

Jiang Yuanbai walked towards the imperial study with a memorial in his hand.

The eunuchs in the palace greeted him and saluted him. It seemed that he was still the respected Prime Minister, but Jiang Yuanbo knew that the affairs of the Jiang family might have become a joke among these people. He didn't know what they said about him behind his back.

But he still had a faint smile on his face, looking quite dignified. Being watched by the court was like being a man wearing a mask. Whether high or low, his posture had to be good looking.

He went there to deliver a memorial to Emperor Hong Xiao.

When he arrived at the imperial study, he saw someone coming out of the study. It was none other than the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother usually never interfered in government affairs. Why did she suddenly appear in the study? What happened? Jiang Yuanbai thought so in his heart, still smiling. The Queen Mother also saw him and nodded to him. Jiang Yuanbai stepped forward to salute, and the Queen Mother left quickly.

The eunuch went in to report, and Jiang Yuanbai walked into the imperial study.

Emperor Hong Xiao was reading a memorial.

The young emperor grew up to be a young king. He became diligent in government and loved his people. Although outsiders seemed to think that he was controlled by King Cheng and was still immature, Jiang Yuanbo knew that this young eagle had gradually grown up.

He felt a little sentimental.

Emperor Hong Xiao raised his head and said, "Please take a seat, sir."

He was once the Taifu of Emperor Hong Xiao, so in private, Emperor Hong Xiao always called him Sir. This "Sir" contained sincere respect many years ago, but now, how much sincerity is there, Jiang Yuanbo does not understand.

It was impossible for him to guess the king's mind.

"Sir, when you came in just now, you saw the Queen Mother, right?" Emperor Hong Xiao asked, "Sir, do you know why the Queen Mother came here?"

Jiang Yuanbai was puzzled: "I don't know."

"It's about Yongning's marriage." Emperor Hong Xiao smiled, "Empress Dowager Liu went to see the Queen Mother, hoping that the Queen Mother could find a marriage for Yongning. They have set their sights on Shen Yurong, the Secretary of the Central Secretariat, and want Shen Yurong to be Yongning's consort."

Jiang Yuanbai was stunned. Before he could speak, Emperor Hong Xiao looked at him and asked, "What do you think of this matter, sir?"

"I am so frightened that I dare not speak nonsense." Jiang Yuanbai said hurriedly.

"You can speak freely." Emperor Hong Xiao said, "I think this matter is of great importance, and I would like to hear your opinion."

Jiang Yuanbai looked at Emperor Hong Xiao, and Emperor Hong Xiao looked at him with a serious look. Every time he looked at Jiang Yuanbai with this look, Jiang Yuanbai seemed to have returned to many years ago, when Emperor Hong Xiao was still a child and wanted Jiang Yuanbai to give him guidance.

"I think that Lord Shen had a wife before, and if the princess marries him, it will be considered as a second wife... It is really unfair. If the princess is of marriageable age, there are many young talents in the court, and Lord Shen is not the best choice." Jiang Yuanbai said. He knew that Emperor Hong Xiao would be reluctant to give up Shen Yurong, a new noble, to King Cheng for nothing. He had to follow Emperor Hong Xiao's wishes.

Emperor Hong Xiao nodded: "I think so too. But apart from Shen Yurong, I can't think of anyone else for the time being. Do you have any good candidates?"

Jiang Yuanbo's heart suddenly started beating wildly.

Just the other day, Jiang Li came to his study and said to him, "Father, if there is any discussion about Princess Yongning's marriage in the court recently, please express your attitude and tell me who this person is."

He originally thought that Jiang Li's words were groundless, why would the court suddenly discuss Princess Yongning's marriage. But this thing is happening right in front of him.

He didn't understand where Jiang Li got the news, and it was even faster than him, the Prime Minister. But since Jiang Li was right, the next candidate would naturally be the same. Besides, Jiang Li at that time also convinced him. Indeed, no one is more suitable to marry Princess Yongning than this person. I guess Emperor Hong Xiao also thinks so.

Jiang Yuanbai looked calm, thought hard for a while, and said, "I have a question for you, Your Majesty. What do you think?"

"explain."

"There are indeed many talented young men in the court, but there are very few who are of the same age and family background as the princess. I think the eldest son Li from the right prime minister's mansion is a perfect match. He is handsome and talented, and he looks like a perfect match for the princess. It couldn't be better."

(End of this chapter)