spend time

Chapter 474 Heredity
After these words were spoken, Zheng Chen, who was standing aside, looked cold, but he did not make any move, let alone open his mouth.

He has no position and no right to speak.

Speaking of Cui Du, Jiang Shaohua's eyebrows softened visibly, and he replied softly, "Your Majesty, Cui from Boling has come to discuss the engagement. I'm not in the palace, so the engagement will proceed as usual."

Nowadays, when getting engaged, the woman does not need to show up in person. It is all decided by the elders, who will exchange the engagement card, give the betrothal gifts, and establish the marriage contract.

Empress Dowager Zheng said with some regret: "I wanted to pick a good husband for you, but unfortunately you insisted on marrying into the family. I can only make do with it reluctantly."

A disciple of the Cui family's side branch, without even the title of a scholar. If he hadn't made some achievements in farming, how could he be worthy of the noble Princess of Daliang?
Jiang Wanhua and Jiang Yuehua, who were already engaged, thought of their fiancés and straightened their backs proudly.

Li Boyuan is the eldest grandson of the Li family, the cousin of Emperor Taihe, and the future head of the Li family.

Young Master Zhang is the eldest grandson of Minister Zhang, and the Zhang family is also a prominent family in Daliang. Minister Zhang holds a high position and has great power. Young Master Zhang has been known for his talent since he was young, and he passed the provincial examination last year, so he will have a bright future.

They are not as good as Jiang Shaohua. Their future husbands will be much better than the Earl of Changning who can only work on the farm.

"It's not forced," Jiang Shaohua smiled brightly, "Cui Du is very good, the best young man in the world."

Everyone: "..."

Anyone can see that Jiang Shaohua's words come from the heart and are not false. The light between her eyebrows is also the look of a girl when she mentions her lover.

She actually really likes Cui Du!
This marriage was not a consideration after weighing the pros and cons, but a choice she made willingly!

Princess Baohua looked at Zheng Chen subconsciously.

There was no extra expression on Zheng Chenjun's face. Only those who were familiar with his temper could detect the anger in his eyes.

Empress Dowager Zheng did not look back to see how her nephew looked. She laughed and said, "Okay, okay, as long as you like him. He is the husband you chose, and when he enters the palace, you just need to treat him well."

When a son-in-law enters the family, it is like a woman marrying into the husband's family. He has to be cautious and watch his husband's face. Therefore, a good man with ambition does not want to be a son-in-law.

Jiang Shaohua pursed her lips and smiled, and replied generously: "Cui Du and I have agreed that we are engaged and have a legal status, so we are not in a hurry to get married. We will get married in three years."

Princess Baohua was nineteen and still unmarried, while Jiang Wanhua and Jiang Yuehua were eighteen and seventeen respectively, both not young anymore. Royal girls were noble, so it was common for them to stay a few more years before getting married.

Empress Dowager Zheng said with a smile: "I will definitely prepare a generous gift when the time comes."

While talking in a roundabout way, Empress Dowager Zheng never mentioned Emperor Taihe, and it was obvious that she had no intention of letting Jiang Shaohua meet Emperor Taihe immediately.

There was no point in being anxious. Fortunately, she had already arrived in the capital and entered the palace, so she was very close to the emperor and would have time to respond to any changes.

Jiang Shaohua suppressed his restlessness and patiently chatted with Empress Dowager Zheng.

After a while, Empress Dowager Li sent her maid Lanxiang over.

After Zhuxiang's death, Empress Dowager Li fell into a mud pit and could not get out of it. The relationship between Empress Dowager Zheng and Empress Dowager Li became visibly tense.

Lanxiang, as a maidservant of the Empress Dowager Li, did not even dare to raise her head when entering the Jingyang Palace. She was extremely respectful and docile when she saluted and spoke: "I am here to greet the princess on the orders of the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager asked the princess to go to Ning'an Palace to sit and chat when she is free."

Jiang Shaohua stood up and said, "I will go to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager tomorrow." Lanxiang breathed a sigh of relief after hearing the reply, and bowed and took her leave.

After Lan Xiang left, Empress Dowager Zheng snorted coldly: "Like master, like servant. This Lan Xiang looks gentle and submissive, but she is actually very active."

This is not a veiled criticism of the mulberry tree, but a veiled criticism of the locust tree.

When it comes to the fight between the two palaces and the grudges between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law, no one dares to say anything. Even Princess Baohua can only remain silent.

Jiang Shaohua didn't have so many concerns. She didn't live in the palace, she had her own territory and power, she was very strong and confident. The Queen Mother Li took the initiative to send someone here, which meant to win her over and show goodwill.

"A lot of things have happened in the palace recently." Jiang Shaohua said softly, "I was far away in Nanyang County, and the news was delayed. I couldn't share my worries with my great-aunt in time, and I was really anxious. Later, I heard that the emperor was ill, and I was even more worried. That's why I wrote this letter to ask my great-aunt to allow me to stay in the capital for a while."

Once the name was changed, the relationship immediately became more intimate.

Empress Dowager Zheng's brows relaxed and she sighed, "You always keep me and the Emperor in your heart. I know how filial and loyal you are."

"Some things cannot be explained in a letter. I'm glad you're here. I now have someone to share my worries with."

Having said that, it is not appropriate for outsiders to be present.

Princess Baohua and the other two tactfully withdrew.

Zheng Chen also bowed and left. As he turned around, he looked deeply at Jiang Shaohua. Jiang Shaohua sat upright, his eyebrows and eyes did not move.

The hall suddenly became quieter with fewer people. Empress Dowager Zheng no longer concealed her anger: "You should know about the changes in the court."

"The border troops were defeated, Pengcheng was massacred, and it is only natural that General Zuo should be held accountable. Wang Yi was corrupt and demanded bribes, and no one wronged him. Prime Minister Wang hated me and the Zheng family because of this incident, and used despicable means one after another. It is better not to talk about this matter in the palace. I know I am innocent and I am not afraid of gossip."

"Duke Anguo was impeached by his subordinates and had to reflect on himself behind closed doors. The emperor was so angry that he fainted and has been lying on his dragon bed ever since, with no signs of improvement."

Jiang Shaohua's heart sank, and he looked up at Empress Dowager Zheng: "Grandma, how is my cousin now?"

Empress Dowager Zheng was so excited that she told the truth. Now she didn't hide it anymore and sighed, "Your cousin is still lying on the dragon bed. He can move his hands and feet and can barely eat something. But he can't get off the bed. Once his feet touch the ground, he will feel weak all over, dizzy and nauseous."

"The doctors consulted and said that the emperor might have inherited the illness from the previous emperor. He must not be too tired, must not be too emotional, and must not faint again."

Emperor Taikang fainted twice, and the third time he closed his eyes forever.

Who would have thought that the young Emperor Taihe would inherit this terrible disease.

Jiang Shaohua's heart sank.

She had always suspected that there were many conspiracies behind Emperor Taihe's fainting. Perhaps it was Jiang Yi, perhaps it was Zheng Chen, or perhaps it was Prime Minister Wang who did something behind the scenes...

However, no one expected that Emperor Taihe was really ill, and it was a serious illness inherited from the previous emperor.

This is more terrifying than conspiracy!
Conspiracies can be guarded against and dealt with. What should be done with a serious illness that is difficult to cure? How can one be the emperor if he cannot stay in bed, sit on the dragon throne, or worry about anything?
(End of this chapter)