activa-t Chapter 458
Chapter 458
“Is that so? I’ve heard that the Ninth Princess and the Third Prince are full siblings, so the Third Prince must be a graceful and handsome man as well,” the Empress said, seemingly ignoring the refusal in Li Zhiwei’s tone, deliberately making the remark.Li Zhiwei lowered her head, saying nothing.
In truth, when it came to matters of the Shangguan siblings, Li Zhiwei felt it best to steer clear whenever possible.
After all, she had no desire to become entangled with either of them.
Seeing that Li Zhiwei was clearly unwilling to discuss Shangguan Mu any further, the Empress felt somewhat irritated.
Li Zhiwei was merely the daughter of a merchant family. The Emperor, out of consideration for the Li family’s contribution of most of their wealth, had appointed Li Tianyou as a second-rank Vice Minister of Revenue.
The Li family ought to have been prepared to sacrifice everything for the Kingdom of Lannuo.
Instead, they were being so stubborn.
Even she, as the Empress, had personally humbled herself to speak with Li Zhiwei about this matter, yet the girl still acted ungrateful.
If it weren’t for the sake of the Kingdom of Lannuo, why would the Empress stoop so low to speak this way to a minor official’s daughter?
“Miss Li, what do you think of the Third Prince?” the Empress pressed, unwilling to let the matter drop.
Li Zhiwei’s heart sank. She understood perfectly now.
So the Empress had summoned her to the palace precisely because of the Third Prince.
Did the Empress intend for her to marry Shangguan Mu?
This realization filled Li Zhiwei with deep disappointment in the Empress.
“Your Majesty, the Third Prince is indeed outstanding, but I am about to be married. My betrothal was personally decreed by the Emperor,” Li Zhiwei said in panic, kneeling down.
“Li Zhiwei, I know you are a sensible and righteous child,” the Empress said, setting down her teacup and casting a cold glance at her.
Clearly, she was displeased with Li Zhiwei’s lack of cooperation.
Li Zhiwei’s heart was fraught with anxiety.
“Back then, you willingly donated all your dowry to the court. Your Li family showed great kindness to the dynasty, and for that, I am truly grateful,” the Empress said slowly, her eyes fixed on Li Zhiwei.
“I am well aware that, at the time, to shield you from the censure of the Ruan Marquis’ household, the Emperor bestowed upon you a marriage to Prince An. It was indeed a compromise,” the Empress added deliberately, emphasizing that the betrothal was arranged solely to help Li Zhiwei evade the engagement with the Ruan Marquis’ family.
It was not because Li Zhiwei and Xu Heming had feelings for each other.
Li Zhiwei should not use that small favor as an excuse to cling to her engagement with Prince An.
After all, what the Emperor granted, the Emperor could just as easily revoke.
Li Zhiwei pressed her lips together tightly, forcing back her tears, and dared not utter a word.
Her engagement to Prince An had indeed begun as a means to escape the Ruan Marquis’ family.
But that was no longer the case, was it?
She had looked forward with all her heart to becoming Prince An’s wife, and Prince An had promised to cherish their bond.
Yet now, in the Empress’s words, this imperial decree was reduced to nothing more than a way to shake off the Ruan Marquis’ household.
Now that the Ruan Marquis’ household no longer existed and posed no threat to her, did the Empress mean that this betrothal was void?
Then what of the grand wedding ceremony the Ministry of Rites was preparing nine days from now?
Li Zhiwei felt a swell of grievances, but the woman before her was the Empress—mother of the nation. She dared not argue.
She feared that one wrong word would bring disaster upon the Li family once more.
At that thought, Li Zhiwei was overwhelmed with despair. Could the Li family truly not be protected?
“Miss Li, the Third Prince has set his heart on you. That is a blessing. He is the legitimate son of the Qinling Kingdom’s Empress. If you marry him, the Emperor will surely bestow upon you the title of Princess Dingguo, ensuring your position as his rightful wife,” the Empress said, her tone softening as she tried to persuade.
Li Zhiwei’s face turned pale. She had hoped that if the Empress did not make her intent explicit, she could pretend ignorance.
But now, the Empress’s words were like a dagger piercing her heart.
Marry Shangguan Mu?
“I know this is difficult for you, Miss Li, but you are a kind-hearted person. Surely you wouldn’t want to see the people of Lannuo suffer displacement and hardship if war breaks out between the two nations, would you?” the Empress urged gently.
Li Zhiwei did not reply, but her eyes could not help but redden.
She knew the Empress was trying to guilt-trip her.
But if she dared to refuse, she dared not imagine what consequences would follow.
Even her parents might face punishment.
“Miss Li, whether in national strength or military power, Lannuo is no match for the Qinling Kingdom. Once you marry into Qinling, do not forget the parents and friends you leave behind in Lannuo,” the Empress said, assuming Li Zhiwei’s silence meant consent.
She was already thinking of how to keep Li Zhiwei under control, ensuring she would still look out for Lannuo’s interests after she moved to Qinling.
After all, her parents and friends would remain in Lannuo.
She must do her best to persuade the Third Prince not to wage war against Lannuo.
“Elder Sister!”
Cheng Qingli rushed in urgently, only to overhear these hurtful words from her own sister.
She could hardly believe that her ever-gentle elder sister would say such a thing.
Li Zhiwei was about to marry Prince An, yet her sister actually wanted to send her to the Qinling Kingdom for a political marriage.
How sinister was this intention?
“Qingli, what are you doing here?” the Empress asked, flustered upon seeing her younger sister.
She knew perfectly well that what she was doing was less than honorable, but as Empress, she had to consider the entire Kingdom of Lannuo and its people.
Even if it was disgraceful, she felt compelled to do it for the sake of millions of citizens.
She had no regrets.
“If I hadn’t come, I would never have known that my good sister would stoop to such coercion!” Cheng Qingli’s eyes were bloodshot, her gaze filled with disappointment in her sister.
Since childhood, she had admired and loved her elder sister the most.
But at this moment, she felt as if the pedestal she had placed her on had shattered.
Her sister was no longer the towering figure in her heart.
“Qingli, that’s not true. Your sister has her own difficulties,” the Empress said sorrowfully, looking at her little sister.
“Difficulties? If someone must go to Qinling for a political marriage, then let me go!” Cheng Qingli declared, staring at the Empress, enunciating each word.
“Nonsense!” the Empress refused without a second thought.
After all, her little sister had just become engaged to General Pingxi.
She knew that Wen Zhaonan was the man Qingli had long dreamed of marrying.
She had gone to great lengths to get the Emperor’s approval for their match.
How could she bear to send her sister to Qinling for a political marriage now?
“Hah, my dear sister, why is she allowed, but not me?” Cheng Qingli demanded, her eyes red as she pointed at Li Zhiwei, who was kneeling on the ground, and questioned the Empress.
“Qingli, you are already betrothed!”