ebookland Chapter 453: Giving Up
Chapter 453: Giving Up
Only after the Empress Dowager said she was tired did the Emperor speak again.
"I know that the Empress Dowager wants him to have many children, but if you do this, I'm afraid it will all be for nothing."
"Nonsense, he's so smart, doesn't he know what's good for him?"
I know that, but if I go against Li Jingyang's wishes, things might get out of hand.
But the person in front of him was, after all, the Empress Dowager. If the Emperor said such a thing, it would surely arouse her dissatisfaction, so he naturally did not make any definitive statements.
Fearing that the Empress Dowager might do something unexpected, they had to find another way to express their feelings.
"Mother, this matter cannot be rushed. Why don't you think about it again before making a decision?"
"There's nothing to say. If he doesn't want to, am I supposed to force him into marriage?"
The Emperor thought the Empress Dowager had given up, and breathed a slight sigh of relief. He stood up, bowed to her, and then looked at the palace maid at the door.
"You all must serve the Empress Dowager well. If I find out that you have neglected her in the slightest..."
The palace maids and eunuchs standing at the door all knelt down, fearing that if they made any further movements, they would be dragged out and beheaded.
But the Empress Dowager didn't see any concern in all of this; she saw it more as a threat, which made her so angry that she almost slammed her fist on the table again.
Fortunately, the Empress Dowager managed to restrain herself and stared intently at the Emperor as he left before turning her gaze to the palace maids and eunuchs on the ground.
"I would like to sit here for a while longer. All of you, please leave."
"Yes."
No one dared to object. They crawled out of the door on their knees, hunching over and hiding to the side, too afraid to move.
Once everyone in the room was gone, the Empress Dowager swept the teapot off the table and onto the floor.
The crisp cracking sound made everyone outside the door freeze in place, almost causing them to fall to the ground.
The Empress Dowager paid no heed to the reactions of those behind her, her cold gaze sweeping towards the direction of the Crown Prince's residence.
"I am his grandmother. Even if he is extremely rebellious and doesn't listen to me, he shouldn't blame me."
A cold laugh echoed through the silent room, but it wasn't loud enough for anyone to hear.
On the other side, Zhuang Lijuan waited until the Emperor left before peeking her head out from the side room.
A palace maid stood outside, looking at her with a nervous expression.
"Speak, what did the Emperor say?"
“Miss, the Emperor said that the Crown Prince has his own ideas and does not allow the Empress Dowager to make decisions on his own.”
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Lijuan smiled instead.
Although she didn't understand why Li Jingyang was so fixated on Lin Rusi, she still knew the Empress Dowager very well.
Such disobedience only makes people angrier and more inclined to make a scene to show others their methods.
Zhuang Lijuan noticed the palace maid's scrutinizing gaze, immediately coughed twice to cover the smile on her lips, and looked up at the Empress Dowager who was still in the room.
The door was tightly closed, but the sounds coming from inside were still quite noticeable, easily revealing the current situation.
Zhuang Lijuan waved to the palace maid and strode quickly inside.
"Didn't I tell you to give me some peace and quiet? Can't you understand? Should I drag you out and give you a few lashes before you're satisfied?"
"Your Majesty, it is I, Juan'er."
Zhuang Lijuan quickly stepped forward and presented the freshly poured tea to the Empress Dowager.
He watched as the person drank it, then rubbed his shoulders and massaged his hands, which were red and swollen from slapping the table.
"You don't need to do that."
"What, you don't want to marry the person you love anymore?"
Zhuang Lijuan slowly raised her head, revealing a bitter smile, but that expression quickly disappeared and was replaced by a forced smile.
And seeing someone you've practically watched grow up, how could the Empress Dowager not feel heartbroken seeing them with such an expression?
He reached out and pulled her to sit down beside him, patting Zhuang Lijuan's thin back repeatedly until he finally heard a sound again.
"I just don't want the Empress Dowager to be troubled because of my affairs. After all, the Crown Prince is your grandson, while I am just a cousin from your maternal family."
The voice grew softer and softer until only a faint sigh remained.
The Empress Dowager understood that they didn't want to give up, but they gave up so that the family could return home in harmony. She also felt sorry for this sensible child.
"You really don't want it anymore?"
"Juan'er should just find a man who treats her well. Maybe things will get better in a few years."
The Empress Dowager looked at her head, which was always lowered, and knew that she was definitely unwilling, but had no choice but to give up. She then slapped her hunched back hard.
"Rest assured, with me by your side, I will absolutely not let you marry the wrong person."
“But Juan’er doesn’t want the Empress Dowager to worry too much about this matter. After all, the Emperor has always been like that, and besides, it seems that my brother, the Crown Prince, doesn’t remember me.”
"He doesn't not remember; he's just playing hard to get."
"Desire to feign affection?" I've never seen this phrase used before.
Zhuang Lijuan naturally wouldn't refute the Empress Dowager's words; she simply stared at the other woman with a thoughtful expression.
When their eyes met, her slightly reddened eyes made the Empress Dowager even more determined.
"I've been through this before, I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice, don't you still not believe me?"
"Of course I believe you, but I'm still a little scared, after all, the Crown Prince's eyes were so frightening back then."
The Empress Dowager did not see what the other person looked like at that time, but she was a little puzzled. She patted the other person's back as usual.
After finally calming the person down, he turned his gaze to the other side.
"She is my granddaughter. No matter how rebellious she is, she will have to obey. It will just take some time."
"Juan'er can wait."
Hearing Zhuang Lijuan's impatient tone, the Empress Dowager didn't find anything wrong. She smiled slightly and then looked away from the teacup beside her.
With just this small gesture, she immediately understood what it meant and picked up the teapot to pour tea.
"You know my preferences best. Only if you stay can I feel at ease."
"Your Majesty is too kind. Juan'er has only learned a few things by observing you closely. But to say that I am far from satisfying you is a question I cannot answer."
One sentence smoothed out the Empress Dowager's furrowed brows, and she even smiled.
She casually put down her teacup, but then suddenly let out a sigh.
"But you should pay more attention to Lin Rusi; she's not as simple as she seems on the surface."
"But if you let her know your strengths, she should know what to do."
Zhuang Lijuan was still somewhat confused about the Empress Dowager's meaning, staring blankly at the direction the finger was raised.
Seemingly sensing her situation, the Empress Dowager did not remain a riddle-maker as she would with others, but instead stated her thoughts directly.
“Li Jingyang cares a lot about her opinion, so just do your best. As long as she understands your feelings, it should be easy.”
Even though she is the Crown Princess, she still needs to have some magnanimity, otherwise she will be criticized sooner or later.