714 Grant a Marriage (5)
Consort Dong was trying to smooth things over, but Luo Xueyan and Shen Miao did not say anything.
Consort Dong was a little shocked. Previously, when Shen Miao was infatuated with Fu Xiuyi, Consort Dong thought that Shen Miao was a brainless idiot. Later, when she met her, she felt that it was not the case. She felt that Shen Miao was actually smart. Unexpectedly, today, Shen Miao struck her as both tough and unwavering just like her mother.
The empress wasnât worried. Today, she just wanted to test the Shen family and let the Shen family be prepared. She did not care about the Shen familyâs attitude at all. No matter how bold Shen Xin was and how much he doted on his daughter, it was impossible for him to defy the imperial edict.
Therefore, after chatting for a while, she asked Luo Xueyan and Shen Miao to go back.
On the way back, Luo Xueyan did not say a word. Shen Miao was also thinking about her own matters. This silent atmosphere frightened Jingzhe and Gu Yu, who thought that something bad had happened.
When they returned home, Shen Qiu and Luo Ling had just returned from the Ministry of War. They asked why the empress summoned them to the palace. Luo Xueyan vaguely answered them and pulled Shen Xin back to the room.
As soon as they entered the room, Luo Xueyan told Shen Xin what the empress said to her today. In the end, she asked, âI think the empress wants to matchmake Jiaojiao. What should we do?â
Shen Xinâs face darkened. He said, âJiaojiao is our daughter. Why should others have the right to interfere in her marriage?â
âI guess the empress wants Jiaojiao to marry the crown prince.â Luo Xueyan said, âToday, she mentioned openly that the crown princeâs health is improving. That wonât do. The crown prince already has a crown princess. If Jiaojiao marries him, she will at most be a secondary consort. A secondary consort is just a concubine of a higher status. I donât want Jiaojiao to have to serve tea to other women and live under the nose of others after marrying him. At the thought of that happening, I feel suffocated.â
âNo matter which prince it is, Jiaojiao canât marry them!â Shen Xin slammed his fist on the table, making the cup shake.
âAre you afraid that if Jiaojiao marries one of the princes, the Shen family will inevitably be involved in the competition for the throne?â
âThatâs not all.â Shen Xin let out a long sigh. âThe sons of the royal family are heartless. They have many wives and concubines. If Jiaojiao really marries them, she wonât be happy. So what if the crown prince becomes the emperor in the future? So what if he becomes healthy? I donât want Jiaojiao to live that kind of life. Moreover, as you said, they donât really want to marry Jiaojiao. My son-in-law doesnât have to be a king or an emperor. However, he has to treat Jiaojiao sincerely and wholeheartedly. If he canât do this, there is no way I will allow him to marry my daughter.â
When Shen Miao, who was eavesdropping outside the door, heard this, a warm feeling suddenly surged in her heart. In this world, there were still people who supported her unconditionally. They were willing to offend the rich and powerful just to protect her.
Luo Xueyan continued, âThatâs right. We canât let Jiaojiao marry the crown prince. However, when the imperial edict is issued, what should we do?â