He was racking his brains trying to persuade the Emperor, when suddenly he received a secret report that Ah Jiu planned to make a public proposal of marriage. He was frantic and annoyed, immediately entering the palace to see the Emperor. After a lengthy private conversation, the Emperor finally relented.
Yang Mengchen...
Striding over to Yang Mengchen, Long Xuanmo seemed not to see the curious onlookers with their ears perked up, as he counted off the qualities that made him an ideal partner using his fingers: "I have power, prestige, and substance; I have no concubines, no secondary wives, and no flings.
I know a thousand and one ways to dote on a wife, having mastered the husband's principles of 'three obediences and four virtues'. I can grace a hall as well as a boudoir, warm a bed, and fight off monsters... In short, only I, this peerless good man, am worthy of you!"
The guards covered their faces and wept: Oh wise and valiant Prince, is it really okay for you to be undermining marital principles?
Yang Mengchen's beautiful face was as calm as still water, however, her lips curved into a faint smile, her heart filled with sweetness and tenderness.
She had once talked to Long Xuanmo about the 'three obediences and four virtues,' and to her surprise, he actually took it to heart. As for the art of doting on a wife, she didn't know where he learned that from; she would have to ask when she had the chance, to see what it entails. Who could be so talented?
"Well said!" While everyone was stunned by Long Xuanmo's words, Old Lady Qin stepped forward, slapping Long Xuanmo on the shoulder with gusto: "As a man, you should dote on your wife unconditionally, not even giving a glance to another woman. And a woman as exquisite and unparalleled as Jiujiu, only our Momo is worthy of her!"
Aside from Yang Mengchen, Long Xuanmo had kept at least a three-foot distance from any woman since he came of age, not to mention any physical contact, including with the Empress Dowager and several others. Now, being slapped on the shoulder, he naturally felt annoyed and was just about to flare up when he heard the old lady's words.
His expression froze, and then he stared intently at her for a moment: "Royal Grandmother, how come you are here?"
Royal Grandmother?
The only person that Long Xuanmo could be calling 'Royal Grandmother' was the current Empress Dowager. After a brief shock, everyone present knelt down and paid their respects.
When wiping off the bloodstains from Old Lady Qin's face, who is the Empress Dowager, Yang Mengchen had realized that she was in disguise. Mo Mei's unusual reaction also caught her attention. After returning home, she summoned Birdy and inquired about it.
Combined with Sister Jin and Old Hai's observations of the Empress Dowager's unusual expressions, her suspicions were confirmed; therefore, she was not as astonished and excited as the others at this moment.
"Everyone, please rise." The Empress Dowager said with a smile, lifting her hand: "We are outside the palace, there is no need for such formalities here."
Following her words, everyone stood up in succession.
Seeing her family somewhat at a loss, Yang Mengchen had no choice but to invite the Empress Dowager and everyone else to enter the courtyard first.
Although Long Xuanmo had scared off all the suitors, in the village, only the village chief and Lizheng, each with their wives (even though the villagers were concerned for Yang Mengchen, the village chief and Lizheng had strictly ordered the villagers not to come and watch), remained. However, so many people standing at the entrance was indeed too conspicuous.
Back in the garden, the crowd had yet to recover from their surprise, especially the village chief and Lizheng. After all, the Empress Dowager was the most venerable person in the world, and now she had come to their village and lived there for quite some time, which was an immense honor for them.
"Royal Grandmother, was this another disguised private visit?" Looking at the Empress Dowager, Long Xuanmo's face was filled with understanding and helplessness.
The aging face wore a gentle smile, her gaze serene and kind, yet her visage bore an air of noble determination. Such was the true countenance of the Empress Dowager.
As Yang Mengchen knew, the Empress Dowager was born into the Qin family, a family of generals, and had followed her father into battle several times as a child, being straightforward, strong, and loathing evil.
The Empress Dowager and the late Emperor were childhood sweethearts, and after she saved his life during a hunting trip, the Emperor personally requested a decree to marry her. After their marriage, the couple enjoyed a deep, loving relationship, leading a truly blissful and satisfied life.
However, as the late Emperor took other women over time, even though he continued to love and cherish the Empress Dowager, her heart could never be the same as before. With the continuous struggles within the court, the Empress Dowager's personality gradually became more reserved and restrained, and even cold and decisive.
It was not until the current Emperor succeeded the throne that the Empress Dowager began to show glimpses of her former self, occasionally leaving the palace incognito to visit the outside world.
"It's all for your sake that I do this!" Giving her grandson a stern look, the Empress Dowager said with some annoyance, "At first, you begged me tirelessly to grant the Holy Ancestor Gold Medal to Jiujiu. I wanted to come and visit Jiujiu, but it never worked out. The last time I came, Jiujiu was not here due to other matters.
Now that you suddenly request to marry Jiujiu, of course I must come to check on things, lest you deceive her."
When she heard Momo swear to only take Jiujiu as his wife in this life, she was both shocked and comforted. Having gone through such heartache herself, she hoped neither her daughters-in-law nor granddaughters-in-law would have to walk the same path.
However, her son followed in the late Emperor's footsteps and she couldn't stop him, thankfully having significantly fewer concubines than the late Emperor.
Now that her most beloved grandson had such determination, she naturally supported him, but she still had to see if Jiujiu was truly worthy. Therefore, she used the excuse to go to Huangjue Temple to pray, but in reality, she came here. After spending time with Jiujiu, she was especially satisfied.
"Royal Grandmother, I am truly sincere about Ah Jiu, please don't say such things to mislead her," Long Xuanmo said urgently. If he had not arrived in time, Ah Jiu might have become someone else's, and if she believed the Empress Dowager's words and refused to marry him, he would die wronged.
The Empress Dowager looked at Yang Mengchen, "Jiujiu, I believe that Xuan Mo is genuinely in love with you, don't misunderstand him."
"Empress Dowager, be at ease, I trust the Prince and will not lightly lose faith with him," Yang Mengchen said with a smile.
"I know you are a determined and good child," said the Empress Dowager, bringing together the hands of her grandson and Yang Mengchen, and speaking with deep emotion, "I hope that no matter what happens, neither of you will let each other down."
"Grandson (I) will bear in mind the teachings of the Royal Grandmother (Empress Dowager)," Long Xuanmo and Yang Mengchen were moved by the Empress Dowager's enlightenment and support.
The Empress Dowager nodded with satisfaction, "Jiujiu, I'm now entrusting Momo to you, you must treat him well. Of course, if he dares to bully you, just tell me, and I will punish him severely without letting you suffer the slightest grievance."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager," Yang Mengchen's eyes misted lightly with emotion.
In ancient times, which grandmother or mother didn't wish for their children and grandchildren to prosper and multiply? Many would go to great lengths to add more people to their children's households, especially in the esteemed royal family.
Yet, the Empress Dowager, not caring about her lowly status, showed such love and protection. She was truly moved and decided she would honor and respect the Empress Dowager in the future.
Seeing this, everyone was reassured; with the love and protection of the Empress Dowager, Yang Mengchen's life would not be too difficult.
"Momo, has your father, the Emperor, given any decree?"
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