The Empress did not bow to the Emperor, but naturally stepped forward. "Your Majesty, why have you come?"
The Emperor said, "When you sent someone to summon the Crown Prince, he was in the Imperial Study discussing matters with me. Hearing that Nannan was here, I thought I'd come and see. Nannan, sit down. Why are you standing there foolishly? We don't need to observe those vulgar formalities."
As he spoke, he glared at Situ Yao. "How can you be so unobservant?"
How to put it? Although the Emperor had always been gentle towards us juniors, he had never been as affectionate as he was today. He clearly considered me his daughter-in-law now.
But didn't they think my status was unsuitable?
As the Emperor had spoken, Situ Yao and I also sat down after the Emperor and Empress were seated.
However, as soon as his bottom touched the stool, the Empress said, "Situ Yao, stand up."
Situ Yao: ...
The Emperor also looked at her strangely. "Empress, what's wrong? Has the Crown Prince committed a crime?"
"Heh heh, he's been incredibly capable. Situ Yao, I ask you, when you sought marriage with Nannan from your father, did you get her consent?"
Situ Yao quickly glanced at me and said, "Mother, you've wronged me. I didn't seek marriage, I merely informed you that I already have a Crown Princess in my heart."
"Bah, stop playing word games. If you truly thought that, why did you remain silent when your father wanted to bestow a marriage upon you? You were just counting on using the imperial decree to force Nannan into submission. Fortunately, Xiao Er came out of the palace to deliver a message, otherwise, if the imperial decree had been issued and Nannan was forcefully married into the palace by you, how could I face your Aunt Qing?"
I was further convinced that the Empress and my mother were not ordinary mistress and servant.
And Situ You would probably be punished again.
Situ Yao shot me a mournful glance, then suddenly knelt down straight and said, "Anyway, besides A Chun, I will marry no one else."
"Hey, you're getting stubborn now," the Emperor said, crossing his legs. "Oh, so you think if you want to marry her, she *must* marry you? This isn't seeking marriage, it's snatching a civilian girl. It's fortunate I didn't bestow a marriage upon you, otherwise I would have been an accomplice."
He then swept him a look of disdain. "Back then, your father was just a humble constable, and with only a hundred taels of silver, I managed to get your mother to agree to marry me. Look at you, the heir apparent of a nation, actually relying on me to issue a decree to help you snatch a wife! I'm stating it here and now: marrying a wife requires skill. If you can win Nannan over, I'll prepare the betrothal gifts and bestow the marriage. Otherwise, you'll remain a bachelor for life!"
"Nannan, don't be afraid. I'm backing you up. If he dares to use force, you just slap him."
I was dumbfounded.
Situ Yao, however, was very pleased. "Father, don't worry, I will definitely work hard to marry A Chun."
How did things develop into this?
The Emperor and Empress's reactions were too contrary to common sense!
I had successfully prevented the Emperor and Empress from bestowing a marriage, but from that day on, Situ Yao began reporting to my house openly every day, under the guise of "under imperial decree, pursuing his wife."
My mother was summoned into the palace by the Empress. I don't know what they discussed, but when my mother returned, she was deeply moved and said to me, "Nannan, the Empress said that if you don't like the Crown Prince, she cannot force you. But for her sake, please give the Crown Prince a chance to propose to you, and begged me not to stop you."
"Ah? Then what did you say?"
"The Empress has spoken, how could I refuse? Nannan, I see you're probably going to marry into the Eastern Palace. Alas, the dowry needs to be increased by another twenty percent."
Me: ...
"Mother, didn't you even consider refusing? From childhood, you've repeatedly instructed me to remember my own status. And now? You're happily preparing the dowry?"
"Circumstances have changed. As I said, it's wrong for you to covet the Crown Prince. But if the Crown Prince fancies you, refusing would be ungrateful. Moreover, the Emperor has spoken, saying that if the Crown Prince cannot marry you, he will remain a bachelor for life. Such imperial grace, can you bear for the Empress not to have a grandson?"
I took a deep breath and after a long while, said, "So, everything you told me from childhood was just for fun."
"It's just that I've read too many storybooks, and I was afraid you'd pester the Second Prince based on your childhood friendship and break him up with his true love." My mother felt embarrassed saying it herself, but still tried to prove her innocence. "Really, there are so many stories like this in the books. Your status is practically tailor-made for the villainous supporting character..."
Is there a mother who scams her own child like this?
I was so angry that I disregarded propriety and pushed my mother out of the room.
If I listen to her again in the future, I will, I will...
Damn it, I realized I couldn't do anything at all.
I became even more depressed.