Chapter 220 – I Am The Empress Dowager, Who Am I Afraid Of? (part 13)

When Emperor Long’an came to Peaceful Age Palace, Zhao Defang had already answered everything Li Su asked.

When Emperor Long’an arrived, Zhao Defang looked at him like he saw his savior. “Imperial brother! You are finally here.” Then, he ran to Emperor Long’an’s side quickly, held onto Emperor Long’an’s sleeve, and refused to let go.

Emperor Long’an gave him a sympathetic look, but pulled away his sleeves. “Okay, okay.” Then he greeted Li Su.

Li Su already knew everything he wanted to know, and happily said, “No need for such formalities. Defang has a crush. Hurry up and decree the marriage. I can’t let my daughter-in-law run away.”

Zhao Defang blushed. “Empress mother!” Could she stop talking? She didn’t even know who the girl was! How could she be his wife?

Emperor Long’an frowned. “What’s going on?” Defang had a private life with someone? Which lady was so ignorant? Could it be that she knew Defang’s identity and did this on purpose? No, he had to carefully think about how to deal with this matter so as not to hurt Defang’s heart, but also to mitigate the danger.

“Imperial brother, don’t listen to empress mother’s nonsense. It’s nothing. I only said a few words to her, and she doesn’t know who I am.” Zhao Defang saw what imperial brother was worried about and immediately explained things.

But Emperor Long’an still heard the meaning of his words, “Oh? Who is the other party?”

Zhao Defang was a little apprehensive. The empress mother was easy to bypass. As long as he liked it, empress mother would definitely agree. On the other hand, he was afraid that imperial brother would not agree easily.

“She… She is the daughter of a local scholar.” Zhao Defang was a little embarrassed. He also knew that Wan’er’s status was too low. With such a status, her being a concubine was considered high. But he was also reluctant to let Wan’er be his concubine. She was so cute and good, and he wanted to give her the best.

“The daughter of a scholar?” Emperor Long’an frowned. This status was too low! Defang’s wife, no matter how bad she was, must be the daughter of an official! “How is her father’s knowledge?”

Zhao Defang coughed a few times in embarrassment. “The probability of her father ranking high in the exams is similar to that of emperor father being reborn!” He was also very helpless. Ever since he understood his own feelings, he had also thought about this. But after contacting him, he found that, If Wan’er’s father was able to become a scholar, then that was already through the blessings of his ancestors. If he wanted to take a step forward, it was basically impossible in this life.

Fortunately, the other party was also quite self-aware, and his temperament was optimistic. He opened a private school in the countryside and took in some students. In his leisure time, he enjoyed the scenery of the countryside and lived comfortably.

Emperor Long’an glared at Zhao Defang. What kind of eyes did he have?!

Li Su said with a smile, “Her status is lower, but it’s fine. As long as she has a good character, it’s fine. A-Xu, We trust you the most. Go and see the little girl for Us. If she is really good, then We will decree for them to be married!”

Emperor Long’an quickly said, “Empress mother, why don’t you think about this matter?! If Defang really likes her, then it’s fine for her to be a concubine.” Defang should marry a talented daughter to be his wife. If emperor father knew about this, then he would certainly tug at his ears and scold him in his dreams! Those court officials would likely have a lot to say.

Zhao Defang’s expression changed slightly, and he pulled on Emperor Long’an’s sleeve. “Imperial brother!” He only wanted Wan’er. He didn’t want any concubines.

Li Su glanced at Zhao Defang. “You flatter your imperial brother all day long, but at critical moments, you still have to count on your empress mother!”

Zhao Defang immediately released his hand from Emperor Long’an’s clothes and ran behind Li Su. He massaged her shoulders and back attentively.

Li Su proudly enjoyed her son’s hospitality, and her eyes stopped Emperor Long’an from saying anything. After enjoying it for a while, she said, “Okay, sit down. Wait until A-Xu has seen this girl. If she is really good, then your empress mother will deal with it for you!”

“Empress mother!” Emperor Long’an called helplessly.

Li Su waved her hand and motioned for Emperor Long’an to sit down. After Emperor Long’an sat down, Li Su clapped her hands. “Emperor, empress mother knows what you are worried about. But this is Defang’s decision and we should respect his intentions. If he regrets it in the future, then it is his business. Everyone has to be responsible for their own decisions. Besides, so what if she is a daughter of a scholar? Your grandfather wasn’t even a scholar back then! Do you still dislike your empress mother?”

Emperor Long’an hurriedly stood up. “How would your son even dare?”

Zhao Defang looked on in agreement. “Empress mother is right!”

Li Su glanced at Zhao Defang. “Listen to me and don’t interrupt. Emperor, sit down.”

Emperor Long’an had to sit down again.

“In the beginning, your marriage was decided by your father and it was what your father wanted.” Li Su shook her head incomprehensibly.

Wet Nurse Xu stood beside her. She was so speechless that she almost wanted to roll her eyes. Emperor Long’an raised his head slightly and glanced at Wet Nurse Xu.

“That Mrs. Jiang I chose for you at that time… Well, it’s a long story. At that time, I thought that your father should not decide on Defang’s marriage. As a result, I chose a few girls for Defang, and Defang didn’t like any of them. Since that was the case, then let him choose! Let him call the shots for once,” Li Su continued.

Emperor Long’an was still a little unhappy. His brother deserved better. But empress mother and Defang both said as such, so he had to agree.

“Since that’s the case, your son will also send someone to investigate the situation of the family. If the family is clean, then that’s fine. If there is anything wrong…”

Zhao Defang’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, imperial brother. Don’t worry, their family is the most harmonious family I have ever seen. Although they are not rich, their father is kind and filial. They are all peaceful and smile all day. I have never seen them argue.”

Li Su glanced at him. “Didn’t you just say that you only exchanged a few words with that Wan’er? How come you know so much about them?”

Zhao Defang laughed. Li Su and Emperor Long’an didn’t understand when they saw him do this.

Li Su said angrily, “Was that why you were unwilling to come back? So it was that!” Li Su said as she got increasingly more angry. He found something in private and she wanted to slap this stinky boy. Emperor Long’an did not have much to say.

“You won’t come back when empress mother is injured. Do you still even think about empress mother?” Emperor Long’an took out a horsetail whisk from the vase behind him and handed it to Li Su.

Zhao Defang ran quickly, while Li Su chased after him with the horsetail whisk.

Emperor Long’an thoughtfully asked Qin Li to take everyone out, fearing that it would not sound good. When Qin Li was leaving, he closed all the doors and windows, thus preventing Prince Bao from escaping.

Wet Nurse Xu brought melon seeds and tea with a smile. The two of them ate the melon seeds and drank tea. They also threw out some advice. “Defang, run slowly. Don’t tire out empress mother!”

“Empress dowager, please be careful. If you hurt the prince, then you may feel bad again.”

After several hits, Li Su stopped and threw the horsetail whisk aside. She was out of breath.

Emperor Long’an hurried over and helped Li Su to sit down. Wet Nurse Xu thoughtfully offered a cup of milk at just the right temperature, as well as a few plates of snacks to replenish Li Su’s stamina.

Emperor Long’an waved his hands. “Look at you. Empress mother is tired! Can’t you just stand there obediently and let empress mother blow some steam for a bit? I really don’t understand your actions!”

Zhao Defang rolled his eyes. Ever since he was a child, he would behave like this in front of empress mother.

Emperor Long’an glanced over. What kind of eyes did this little brat have? Did he still want to marry that girl?

Zhao Defang was immediately persuaded. He walked over and obediently admitted his mistake. “Empress mother, it’s all your son’s fault. Don’t be angry.”

Li Su could also see that this brat probably really liked the girl, Wan’er. “Since you have chosen her, then cherish her and don’t regret it in the future.” In the original story, Zhao Defang’s consort was personally selected by the original owner, so she was naturally the daughter of a powerful official. Although she didn’t make many appearances, she and her mother’s family were obsessed with power. They were the most attentive to Zhao Defang behind the scenes.

Now that Zhao Defang has chosen his own princess, things should be different!

Zhao Defang’s expression was serious. “Empress mother, I know. I have seen how father emperor got along with you since I was a child. I was very envious and want to have that kind of relationship. Wan’er is really a good girl. Empress mother, I will not regret it.”

Li Su and Emperor Long’an listened to him and looked at each other. Emperor Long’an said, “Wait until Wet Nurse Xu and Our people have seen that Wan’er.”

Zhao Defang smiled. He was not worried at all. Wan’er was so good, empress mother and imperial brother would definitely like her.

Things went very smoothly after that. After Wet Nurse Xu came back, she didn’t say much. She just nodded slightly. Li Su understood.

Similarly, Emperor Long’an also got the information he wanted. What he cared about was not what Qin Wan’er was like, but more about what the Qin family was like. He didn’t want the Qin family to drag down Defang.

Fortunately, he was quite satisfied with the results.

Then, Zhao Defang began to look forward to his wedding.

However, the Qin family, who received the decree for marriage, were all stunned, especially Qin Wan’er. What happened?

It wasn’t until Qin Wan’er saw An Hui, older brother A-De’s companion, did she finally calm down.

When the messengers who issued the decree were sent away, the Qin family surrounded An Hui, “Brother An, what is going on? Didn’t A-De come to propose marriage? What, what…”

Qin Wan’er also looked at An Hui with a concerned expression.

An Hui stroked his hair. “This is a long story. I couldn’t explain it for a while. Girl, he has written you a letter, and you will understand after reading it. But, no matter what, don’t be angry with him. He has his own problems.”

Then he handed her a letter.

Qin Waner quickly took it and read it. The Qin family surrounded her and looked at her anxiously. “What the hell is going on?”

Qin Wan’er read the letter. Her face was red and white. She couldn’t tell whether she was happy or not. It was very complicated, and it took a long time before she put down the letter. Her father immediately snatched up the letter.

Afterwards, Father Qin burst into laughter. “Hahaha! It turns out that A-De is Prince Bao, and my daughter is going to be a princess consort! Hahaha, that’s great!”