The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family-Chapter 1199 - 276: The Imperial Edict for a Marriage_3

Princess Xiyun nibbled on a piece, which melted in her mouth—soft, fragrant, flaky, yet sweet without being cloying. "Go ask Father if they’ve left some food for them! See if there are any leftover desserts in the kitchen!"

Liu Xiang chuckled, "Yes!" It wasn’t leftover desserts at all, but rather special treats made just for the princess.

The first New Year’s meeting between the two families concluded harmoniously.

Early the next morning, Pei Qin climbed out of bed, had breakfast, dressed both Little Radishes properly, and together with Mo Heng, led them to the Cihe Palace to pay New Year’s respects.

The Grand Empress Dowager was already waiting, and other noble ladies and concubines were present in Cihe Palace.

Pei Qin signaled to Jiujiu and Xixi with her eyes, instructing them to not speak out of turn after they paid their respects, and led them to greet the Grand Empress Dowager.

Jiujiu and Xixi nodded, then proceeded with the etiquette they had learned before the New Year: they bowed, paid respects, and offered New Year’s greetings.

The Grand Empress Dowager nodded and beckoned, "Come closer and let me have a look at you."

Jiujiu, pulling along Xixi, approached.

Several of the noble ladies and concubines praised the two Little Radishes for their good manners and beautiful looks.

"Ancestress! Just look at Miss Jiujiu, as pretty as a fairy child!"

The Grand Empress Dowager scrutinized Jiujiu, nodded in approval, and smiled, "She really does have all the best traits of her parents!" She then turned to Xixi, "This little one is also carved from pink jade, chubby and adorable!" She gave each of the Little Radishes a heap of gifts.

Since she had given, the other noble ladies and concubines were also generous, each bestowing various items.

The Palace Maids helping to collect the gifts were soon holding a pile.

Jiujiu, who was already seven, was still a child. She would be petulant only in front of her mother and was becoming more reserved and cool in the presence of others, much like Mo Heng.

Xixi was younger and had always grown up carefree. When presented with something delicious, she’d open her mouth to taste it without hesitation.

Pei Qin stood by, listening to the continuous stream of compliments, smiling until her face nearly stiffened.

However, the conversation turned and veered towards the subject of marriage arrangements.

"Miss Jiujiu and the Seventh Prince truly are like a pair of celestial beings, the more you look at them, the more suited they appear! Madam Pei! Miss Jiujiu isn’t betrothed yet, right?"

"I think she and Prince Xi’an are more like a golden boy and jade girl; both children have such compatible temperaments!"

"I actually think the two of them being so alike in temperament might make their marriage dull. Miss Jiujiu seems better matched with the Sixth Prince!"

Pei Qin’s expression darkened, and she looked towards the Grand Empress Dowager.

Jiujiu had an expressionless face and clenched her little fists secretly. At just seven years old, these people were already eyeing her, harboring what calculations towards her parents?

Xixi, not understanding the situation, thought they were praising her sister. She grinned, revealing her small white teeth in a smile.

The Grand Empress Dowager ordered the Palace Maids to take the two girls to a side hall for some desserts, then turned to speak with Pei Qin.

Jiujiu gave her mother a reassuring look and led Xixi with the Palace Maid to the side hall.

Soon, the other concubines were dismissed by the Grand Empress Dowager too, and only Pei Qin was left for a conversation. "I’ve heard before that you arranged a marriage between Jiujiu and Xiao Yi, although it was just a verbal agreement, you did exchange tokens, didn’t you?"

Prince He Qing had become a thing of the past, and Xiao Yi had been exiled along with all the female relatives; discussing marriage or such matters seemed even more remote. Pei Qin replied with a cool gaze, "Did the Grand Empress Dowager hear it from the traitor Xiao Guangbi?"

"No matter who I heard it from, is there such a marriage arrangement or not?" the Grand Empress Dowager asked without answering, pressing the question.

"It’s true that Xiao Guangbi used the marriage proposal to try to win us over to his side, and he even forcibly left behind a Jade Pendant. However, no one in our family agreed. When he was encoffined, Mo Heng returned the Jade Pendant to his coffin as well!" Pei Qin had no fondness for that unruly child.

The Grand Empress Dowager nodded and declared, "Then I shall decree a marriage for her."

Pei Qin’s gaze sharpened, "Grand Empress Dowager..."

She gestured with her hand to stop Pei Qin, "Prince Xi’an is the late emperor’s youngest son and practically raised by me. His character and appearance are outstanding, and he is the one who most resembles the late emperor. If you are dissatisfied with him, you may take him to raise yourself. He’s only twelve now and not too old. I have discussed this matter with the emperor, and he views it favorably as well." She directly brought up Xiao Guangjing.

Pei Qin disagreed, "Grand Empress Dowager! I still hold a blank imperial edict sealed with the late emperor’s Jade Seal! I don’t wish for my child’s marriage to be manipulated by anyone!"

The Grand Empress Dowager, however, was firm, "I am not manipulating your daughter’s marriage. I like both children, and that’s why I want to decree the marriage. I know about the blank imperial edict, and you may keep it for another use. I promise you, no one else will meddle with your younger daughter’s marriage."

Pei Qin looked at her coldly. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

The Grand Empress Dowager was unyielding. Apart from Xiao Guangzhao who had escaped and whose whereabouts are still unknown, Chonghua is the only whole and sound son left by the late emperor besides the emperor himself and is also the most like the late emperor. She had to secure his position for the late emperor.

"Pei Qin! The gracious decree for the marriage has already been drafted, and you may meet the boy if you wish."

With those words, was she left without a choice, merely to obey? Pei Qin clenched her fists, "I, do, not, agree!" Her precious daughter would choose someone she liked and wanted to marry in the future!

The Grand Empress Dowager, supported by her old maid, rose and walked towards her, bending over, "Consider it my one and only final wish! I beg you!"