Love Lock

Chapter 59 Begging for Marriage
Upon hearing this, the Empress was taken aback for a moment, then a playful smile appeared on her lips as she teased, "Oh, this is truly strange. When did our Princess Chang Le become so concerned about marriage? Could it be that the sun has really risen in the west?"

Princess Chang Le's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. She tightly twisted the embroidered handkerchief in her hands, her shyness tinged with a hint of determination.

“Aunt, I am serious this time, this is not a joke.”

The Empress nodded slightly, her gaze becoming more serious.

"If you are truly willing, then it would be a wonderful thing. However, your aunt is very curious. In the past, your parents selected so many talented young men for you, but you were never satisfied with any of them. Why have you suddenly changed your mind now?"

Princess Chang Le lowered her eyelids and said in a voice barely audible, "Because... Zhao Zun has returned. He used to guard the border, but now he has finally returned to the capital."

"You want to marry Zhao Zun?"

The Empress's words carried a hint of surprise, but more so, curiosity about her niece's choice.

"Pfft!"

Emperor Jing was drinking soup when this sudden news struck him like a thunderbolt, causing him to spit out all the hot soup in his mouth with a "pfft," splashing soup stains onto his clothes.

"Your Majesty!" The Empress quickly rose and called out with concern, handing over a clean white handkerchief.

"Uncle!" Princess Chang Le was also startled and quickly lowered her head, not daring to look directly at Emperor Jing's disheveled appearance.

Just as the eunuch behind him was about to come forward to serve him, Emperor Jing waved his hand, indicating that he was fine.

He pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve, wiped the soup stains from the corner of his mouth, and then asked, "Changle, you just said, who do you want to marry?"

Princess Chang Le took a deep breath, mustered her courage, and said again, "Uncle, I have admired Prince Zhao Zun since I was a child. His bravery and wisdom have left a lasting impression on me. I humbly request that you grant me your blessing and bestow a marriage upon me with Prince Zhao Zun."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing frowned slightly and looked intently at Princess Chang Le.

"Haven't you always loved poetry? There are so many powerful and wealthy young men in the capital, many of whom are talented and come from prominent families. Why did you choose to fall for that warrior, Zhao Zun?"

Princess Chang Le raised her head, her gaze becoming even more resolute.

“Uncle, there are many sons of powerful and wealthy families, but there is only one Zhao Zun. He is a hero on the battlefield, a guardian in the hearts of the people, and the only young hero in my heart. I will marry no one but Zhao Zun in this life.”

The hall fell silent for a moment. The Empress and Emperor Jing exchanged a glance, both reading a complex and thoughtful expression in each other's eyes.

It seems that Princess Chang Le's admiration for Zhao Zun is not something that happened overnight, but rather has penetrated to the bone.

This is how to do?
"But..." Emperor Jing felt troubled, but after thinking for a moment, he said, "Zhao Zun already has someone he loves, who is said to be the niece of the magistrate of Qingshui County. She is as beautiful as a fairy. Moreover, I have already promised him that I will bestow a marriage upon them on New Year's Eve tomorrow."

"Ah? How could this be?"

Zhao Zun already has someone he loves?
What about all those years of waiting?
Upon hearing this, Princess Chang Le was struck dumb, frozen in place, overwhelmed by an indescribable bitterness and resentment.

She even felt a strange resentment towards the woman she had never met.

She shook the Empress's arm with both hands, her eyes filled with tears, and her voice tinged with grievance.

"Aunt, look at this! A mere county magistrate's niece dares to dream of rising to a high position. Zhao Zun is a pillar of the nation, a man of such noble birth. How could he possibly marry a woman of such lowly status? Even if he were to marry her, she would only be fit to be a concubine!"

Upon seeing this, the Empress instantly understood.

She gently patted Princess Chang Le's hand, her eyes filled with tenderness and helplessness.

"Although His Majesty has verbally agreed, he has not yet formally issued an edict to grant the marriage, so there may still be room for maneuver. But you should think it over carefully and not make a decision that you will regret in the heat of the moment."

"Really?" Princess Chang Le's eyes lit up upon hearing this, as if she had grasped the last straw. "Aunt, you must help me. I can't live without Zhao Zun." The Empress sighed softly and turned to look at Emperor Jing, who was staring intently at the soup bowl in front of him, seemingly lost in thought.

"Your Majesty, what do you think..." the Empress asked tentatively.

Emperor Jing remained silent, seemingly lost in thought, while Princess Chang Le beside him grew anxious.

"Uncle, say something!"

Only then did Emperor Jing raise his eyes and look intently at Princess Chang Le. "You... really want to marry Zhao Zun?"

Seeing that there was a chance, Princess Chang Le quickly went around the table and walked to Emperor Jing, pleading with him with a sense of superiority that was typical of royalty.

“Yes, Uncle. I have loved Zhao Zun since I was a child. I have been unwilling to talk about marriage all these years because I am waiting for him. I am a princess, after all. Wouldn’t it be better for Zhao Zun to marry me than to marry the niece of a minor county magistrate?”

"Yes, Your Majesty. Please agree to Chang Le's request! Look at her, she's already twenty-three this year, practically an old maid. She's finally found someone she likes, and if she doesn't marry soon, her brother and sister-in-law will be stuck with her." The Empress quickly seized the opportunity to chime in.

"Hmm! Let me think about it carefully."

Emperor Jing pinched the bridge of his nose, gently closed his eyes, and began to quickly calculate in his mind.

Princess Chang Le is a member of the royal family. If Zhao Zun marries Princess Chang Le, he will become her nephew-in-law. They will then be family.

After Zhao Zun and Chang Le have a child, even if Zhao Zun is allowed to lead troops to guard the border again, he will not be able to hold power and will not have any disloyal intentions.

With their children, the marriage alliance and kinship with the royal family would become Zhao Zun's weakness, allowing him to confidently and boldly reinstate Zhao Zun.

Conversely, if Zhao Zun married the niece of the magistrate of Qingshui County without any constraints, even if the magistrate saw a valiant and resourceful talent like Zhao Zun, he would not dare to employ him.

He could only use the imperial court's salary to support this idle prince for nothing.

Besides, Chang Le is indeed an old maid, and if Zhao Zun could take over at this time, it would indeed solve a problem for the Marquis and his wife.

Emperor Jing was deep in thought, and no matter how anxious the Empress and Princess Chang Le were, they dared not interrupt his train of thought, much less influence his decision.

The two could only look at Emperor Jing with anxious yet expectant expressions.

After a long while, Emperor Jing slowly opened his eyes and looked at Princess Chang Le.

"Alas! You've put me in a very difficult position!"

Emperor Jing sighed, looking genuinely troubled, which instantly made Princess Chang Le's heart clench.

"Your Majesty! No, Uncle. You are the Emperor, isn't this just a matter of your word? Chang Le begs you." As Chang Le spoke, she knelt down with a thud and began to kowtow.

"Hey! Okay."

Seeing that Princess Chang Le was truly deeply in love with Zhao Zun, this suited him perfectly. As for that niece of the magistrate of Qingshui County, let her go cool off somewhere else!

Emperor Jing then reluctantly said, "Tomorrow night is the New Year's Eve palace banquet, and Zhao Zun will be attending. At that time, I will bestow marriage upon you two in front of everyone!"

Princess Chang Le was overjoyed and banged her head, which was adorned with pearls and jade hairpins, on the ground.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty."

It was recommended on the 13th, so let's increase the interaction!
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(End of this chapter)