Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

The Empress Dowager naturally did not refuse Jia Lian's request to see her.

However, when Jia Lian was led by the palace servants to Weiyang Palace again, he was told that the Empress Dowager was changing clothes and he could not see her for the time being.

Jia Lian had no objections and followed the instructions of the leading eunuch to go inside.

He thought the eunuch was going to take him to a side courtyard to wait, but after turning left and right, he came to a small garden with blooming flowers and a quiet, fragrant atmosphere.

Based on Jia Lian's sense of direction, this place is probably close to the backyard of Weiyang Palace.

Just as the Empress Dowager was wondering what she meant by this, the eunuch, as if he had completed his mission, bowed slightly to Jia Lian and withdrew without saying a word.

Having watched many palace dramas in his previous life, Jia Lian couldn't help but wonder if the Empress Dowager was trying to frame him and force him to submit.

Or perhaps someone is trying to frame the Empress Dowager… What if he walks a little further and accidentally stumbles into her dressing room, seeing something he shouldn't? Just as things are about to escalate, some concubine or something similar might lure the retired emperor to catch them in the act, causing the elderly emperor to die of anger and chaos in the country…

Before Jia Lian could fully speculate, he walked to an open area and glanced around, immediately understanding the Empress Dowager's meaning.

Reaching the pavilion with its four corners and upturned eaves, Jia Lian bowed to the palace-dressed woman standing inside with her hands behind her back and said, "Jia Lian greets Your Highness the Princess."

It must be said, the Empress Dowager really put her heart into it.

What's this? Creating opportunities to be alone with him to make him change his mind?

To be honest, if Wang Xifeng hadn't become increasingly obedient, and if marrying a princess hadn't gone against his lofty ideals and ambitions, he would have been tempted.

After all, this princess is not ugly at all. Marrying her would give you the Empress Dowager and the Emperor as strong backers, making your future actions as if you had divine assistance!

The person in the pavilion seemed unaware that Jia Lian would come; upon hearing this, she slowly turned around.

While not possessing unparalleled beauty, her slender figure and cinched-waist palace dress made her appear less heroic than the princess in her martial attire seen at the Crown Prince's villa, but more graceful and feminine.

"Long time no see, General Jia."

Princess Zhaoyang smiled slightly at Jia Lian, then gestured with one hand, "I have prepared a pot of tea here. Would General Jia do me the honor of sharing it with me?"

Although she had changed into palace attire, Princess Zhaoyang still exuded a free and unrestrained air, much like a man.

She didn't even bother with court etiquette, acting as if she were a long-lost friend to Jia Lian, simply inviting him into the pavilion for tea.

Princess Zhaoyang was renowned, and Jia Lian harbored no ill will towards her. Therefore, faced with the princess's warm hospitality, Jia Lian cupped his hands and smiled, saying, "It is my honor that the princess would offer you tea."

After saying that, he casually stepped into the pavilion.

Inside the pavilion was only a stone table inlaid with jade, surrounded by low stools. On the table was a pot of tea and a tea tray. On the tea tray were only two high-quality teacups, simple yet elegant.

Princess Zhaoyang was pleased to see Jia Lian being so sensible and straightforward. She made another "please" gesture, and after Jia Lian accepted, she generously sat down in the host's seat.

Princess Zhaoyang took out a teacup, picked up the teapot and gently poured tea into it. She smiled and said, "My grandmother gave me several complete tea sets, but I'm not very good at brewing tea, so I didn't take them out, afraid of embarrassing myself in front of the general."

Jia Lian laughed upon hearing this. He naturally understood that Princess Zhaoyang was explaining why she had invited him to have tea in such a simple and straightforward way by pouring tea from a large teapot.

"Your Highness is too kind. I'm a rough man, and this is how I usually drink tea."

My wives and concubines, on the other hand, enjoy fussing over complicated and elegant things, which I don't particularly like. I prefer to just pour myself a cup of tea and sip it down—that's much more enjoyable."

A host of wives and concubines...

Even if Princess Zhaoyang was unconventional, she was still a woman, and as a woman, there were certain things she couldn't possibly pay attention to.

However, when she looked up, she saw Jia Lian with a natural expression. He looked at her and nodded almost imperceptibly, as if responding to her question.

谷袅

Yes, I am such a libertine.

Princess Zhaoyang suddenly smiled knowingly and said, "What man would emphasize how many women he has in front of other girls? He was just saying it on purpose for her to hear."

She knew that her grandmother had questioned Jia Lian about his background in detail, and if he really was a man with many wives and concubines, her grandmother certainly wouldn't have kept it from her.

Thinking of this, Princess Zhaoyang felt both amused and regretful.

He truly had no interest in me.

"General Jia, could you tell me how you and your lady met? Was it an arranged marriage, or...?"

Princess Zhaoyang picked up the teacup and handed it to Jia Lian. Before Jia Lian could express his gratitude, she went straight to the point and asked.

When Jia Lian glanced at her, he saw the calm look in Princess Zhaoyang's eyes and knew that this princess was indeed no ordinary person. At least her composure and demeanor were far superior to Wang Xifeng's.

Since she was not coy and knew everything perfectly well without any intention of concealing anything, Jia Lian was happy to be honest with her.

"My wife and I are not simply a family match; we have known each other since childhood."

When I was little...

Jia Lian briefly explained the relationship between the Jia and Wang families to Princess Zhaoyang.

Princess Zhaoyang seems to be a reasonable woman. If we can persuade her to back down, it could be a breakthrough to turn the tide.

"Therefore, I and Lady Wang grew up together since childhood, and can be said to be childhood sweethearts."

After several years of marriage, although we wouldn't say we've known each other intimately and stayed together forever, we've certainly had a harmonious relationship.

She manages the household affairs, and I manage external affairs. Although we occasionally disagree, we always manage to compromise and preserve each other's interests.

Princess Zhaoyang listened with a smile while Jia Lian spoke, without interrupting.

Only after Jia Lian finished speaking did he smile and ask, "So, no matter what, you won't abandon her?"

Seeing Jia Lian nod sincerely, Princess Zhaoyang suddenly covered her mouth and laughed, saying, "General Jia, don't you know that women are all jealous? You described your marital relationship to me in such an enviable way, and acted so affectionately, which only makes me more eager to snatch General Jia away from her."

Princess Zhaoyang didn't believe that a woman as shallow as Wang Xifeng could become a soulmate with someone like Jia Lian.

Jia Lian said this on purpose only to make her back down and even to persuade her to help them get out of their current situation.

Therefore, Princess Zhaoyang smiled deliberately.

By saying this, she opened up the topic.

Looking at the cheerful and proactive man in front of him, who seemed unlike people from ancient times, Jia Lian smiled and replied, "I've heard a saying: things that can be spoken of openly are not hard-to-let-go obsessions."

I believe that with Her Highness's splendid appearance, she might not truly value my humble appearance.

Therefore, I humbly request Your Highness to lend me a hand and help persuade the Empress Dowager to rescind her decree.

"Giggle giggle."

Princess Zhaoyang smiled brightly, and after a while said, "General Jia, you are truly an interesting person."

However, the general is wrong about one thing. In fact, Zhaoyang really does think highly of the general's "plain and handsome appearance". Otherwise, she would not have gone to great lengths to beg her grandmother to ask her to bring you to her.

You've come to ask me to help you persuade your grandmother, which has left me at a loss for what to do.

Princess Zhaoyang squinted at Jia Lian's face, and for a moment, no one could tell what she was really thinking.