allonlinenovel Chapter 205 Princess Shuzhen and Princess Xunzhen
Chapter 205 Princess Shuzhen and Princess Xunzhen
Empress Dowager Cheng and Eunuch De knew a thing or two about Princess Huizhen's nature; she was not one to be easily subdued.
Arrogance and domineering are her nature, and she may bully others by abusing her power. Not many people can tolerate her.
Even those promising young men who aspire to marry an imperial princess dare not bring such an ancestor into their homes.
Too difficult to please.
Moreover, she also liked good-looking men and had kept several handsome young men with red lips and white teeth. Although these things were all kept secret in the princess's mansion, it wasn't entirely unknown.
If it weren't for the worry about a marriage alliance, Empress Dowager Cheng wouldn't have bothered with these trivial matters.
Marry or not, it's better not to marry at all; live a carefree and unrestrained life.
Thus, finding a consort with poor health, merely occupying the title of husband and wife while living separate lives, might be a good deal.
Empress Dowager Cheng pondered the feasibility of this matter and thought it seemed quite good: "Another day, I will meet with General Sima and his brother. Even if this marriage is a business transaction, it should be based on mutual consent to be the most appropriate thing to do."
Eunuch De said, "This servant just suddenly thought of this one. The princess is of noble birth, and to be able to marry into the family of the princess is a blessing from heaven, no matter whose family it is. This person is not suitable, we can find another one. There will always be someone willing."
"However, I think the candidate should be good-looking, as the princess likes good-looking people."
Empress Dowager Cheng recalled Princess Huizhen's fondness for Xie Zhan's face and shook her head helplessly: "She's just clever because she has a pair of eyes that know to look for good-looking men."
It looks good, at least it makes you want to eat, so it's not a bad deal.
......
While Empress Dowager Cheng was worrying herself sick over Princess Huizhen's marriage, Qin Yizhen slept soundly in Yuzhang Palace.
Just as she fell asleep, Princess Shuzhen and Princess Xunzhen arrived. Upon learning that Qin Yizhen had already fallen asleep, the two did not want to disturb her, so they sat in Yuzhang Palace drinking tea and eating snacks while waiting.
Princess Shuzhen is thirteen years old this year. She has an oval face, a pointed chin, and a pair of peach blossom eyes that seem to hold spring in them. When she speaks, she is gentle and melodious, truly graceful and charming.
Princess Xunzhen, the eleventh princess, was Emperor Taizong's youngest child. Among the princesses, she had the most ordinary appearance, with a round face and chubby cheeks that she had never lost since childhood. She looked like a delicate and soft little bundle, very cute.
Princess Shuzhen sipped her tea, and as she drank, her expression turned somewhat unwell. She asked the palace maid beside her again, "When exactly will Third Princess be able to get up?"
After bowing, the palace maid honestly replied, "This servant does not know. The princess will wake up whenever she wants. Why don't you two princesses go back first, and we will invite you to come and sit down when the princess wakes up?"
"When will she leave the palace?"
"The princess said she would stay in the palace today and have dinner with the Empress Dowager and His Majesty later."
Princess Shuzhen's expression became particularly subtle upon hearing this, her fingers gripping her handkerchief tightly.
Not everyone is qualified to dine with Empress Dowager Cheng and Emperor Jing'an, and for Empress Dowager Cheng and Emperor Jing'an to give her this honor is truly rare.
Princesses are not all the same; they are the family, while others are just outsiders.
Although Empress Dowager Cheng and Emperor Jing'an did not mistreat them, they did not interfere much either. People's hearts are always biased, and Empress Dowager Cheng was no exception.
She would painstakingly plan and pave the way for her own children's lives, but she didn't scheme against other children, nor did she interfere much; everything depended on her own luck.
When they reach a certain age, they may be destined to marry into a powerful family to consolidate their rule. If they are lucky, they may marry a noble official. If they are unlucky, the court may need a princess for a marriage alliance, and they will probably be the first to be pushed forward.
These are principles that even the young and still childlike Princess Xunzhen understands.
Therefore, Princess Shuzhen was filled with envy and jealousy, and she could not sleep at night and almost twisted her handkerchief to pieces. However, Qin Yizhen had really returned to the inner palace, so she had no choice but to put aside her pride and come closer to her. She just wanted to get closer to this favored imperial sister so that she could be betrothed in the future and have someone to talk to.
What she didn't expect was that Qin Yizhen went to bed as soon as she returned, causing them to wait here for a long time without seeing her.
"Then let's wait..." Princess Shuzhen forced a smile, and seeing Princess Xunzhen eating pastries with her head down, she was speechless. "Why are you only thinking about eating?"
Princess Xunzhen looked up: "If you're not thinking about food, what are you thinking about? The pastries here are delicious, Third Princess. Besides, what's the use of being anxious? We might as well eat something. These are things that the Imperial Kitchen might not even have on ordinary days."
Princess Shuzhen glanced at the pastries on the table, her hand holding the handkerchief tightened, and a wave of jealousy welled up inside her.
These are all new pastries from the Imperial Kitchen. If they wanted to eat them, they would have to send someone to the Imperial Kitchen to get them early, and they could only get one or two at a time. But Qin Yizhen didn't have to do anything; someone would naturally bring them up.
The variety of dishes is dazzling; anything that the imperial kitchen has, it is also available here.
She's really lucky.
Princess Shuzhen was feeling sour when she heard a palace maid report that Cheng Yan had arrived. The two of them were stunned for a moment, and just as they got up, they saw Cheng Yan walking in from outside the palace.
Today he was dressed in a dark blue round-necked robe with a leather belt around his waist. He was tall and imposing, and when he strode forward, he exuded a mountain-like aura of pressure.
Their hearts skipped a beat, and for a moment they didn't know what to do with their hands and feet.
"Greetings, Princess Shuzhen and Princess Xunzhen." Cheng Yan stepped forward to pay his respects, his demeanor calm and composed.
"Marquis of Pingxi..."
"Brother-in-law."
The two sides exchanged greetings, but their forms of address were all over the place.
Upon hearing the address "brother-in-law," Cheng Yan glanced at Princess Xunzhen again, quite pleased with the form of address: "Are the two princesses here to see Yizhen?"
Princess Shuzhen held her breath and nodded: "Yes, but I don't know why, as soon as my third sister came back, she went to rest. Perhaps she was too tired and didn't have time to see her younger sister."
Princess Shuzhen's name was Shuzhen. She appeared virtuous and gentle, but in reality, she was very vindictive and her words were sharp and sarcastic, making her unlikable.
Her little schemes were exposed, not only to Empress Dowager Cheng Yan, but also to Emperor Jing'an.
Cheng Yan was not annoyed: "The princess must be a little tired from rushing to the palace today. If she has offended you in any way, please forgive her."
What do you mean by forgiveness?
How dare they use that word on Qin Yizhen?
Princess Xunzhen blinked, as if she didn't understand.
Princess Shuzhen's face turned green, and she quickly changed her words: "No, no, Marquis Pingxi is joking. It was unfortunate that I and Xunzhenli disturbed my elder sister. It was really inappropriate."
"Lord Pingxi, my sister Xunzhen and I have other matters to attend to, so we will take our leave now..."