Chapter 458 Agree To Marriage Proposal
"Your Royal Highness…" Her awkwardness lessened considerably.
Empress Jia smiled again.
After taking a look at her daughter, she said to Qin Xiaoyao, "I also have to thank you for bringing Xiangyang into the palace."
Qin Xiaoyao also smiled.
"It's what I should do."
She looked at Princess Xiangyang and saw that the girl was smiling happily. She wondered when she should bring up the matter of the Liu family's marriage proposal to Empress Jia.
Empress Jia also looked at Princess Xiangyang.
When she saw that her daughter seemed to have lost some weight compared to her earlier self, she could not help giving a sigh.
"I deserved everything that happened to me.
"It's just that this girl…" As she said this, her eyes were filled with heartache.
After hesitating for a moment, Empress Jia looked at Qin Xiaoyao.
"Does Marquis Xiaoyao truly care for this girl?" she asked.
Previously, her daughter had often praised Marquis Xiaoyao in front of her. Her words also revealed that she had a good relationship with her Master.
Back then, she simply thought that Marquis Xiaoyao was just trying to please her.
Now, it seemed that Marquis Xiaoyao truly cared for her daughter.
Qin Xiaoyao looked at Princess Xiangyang and saw that the young girl was also looking at her.
"Of course, I care for her," she said to Empress Jia.
Empress Jia's expression immediately relaxed a little and she nodded.
"Since that's the case, I have a presumptuous request." As she spoke, Empress Jia stood up.
Then, she bowed to Qin Xiaoyao.
Qin Xiaoyao was shocked and quickly stood up to stop her.
However, Empress Jia still bowed.
Qin Xiaoyao frowned.
"What request do you have, Your Royal Highness?" she asked.
This woman was such a proud person in the past, but now… Empress Jia straightened up and looked at Qin Xiaoyao.
Then, she looked at Princess Xiangyang.
"I would like to ask Lord Marquis to plead with Prince Huaiyin to let Xiangyang follow Lord Marquis in the future.
"In the future, whether it's her marriage or anything else, Lord Marquis will make the decision for her."
She had already been deposed as Empress, and the Emperor was going to abdicate soon.
Other than Marquis Xiaoyao, she could not think of anyone else who could protect her Xiangyang.
As for the Crown Prince, she was no longer able to do anything for him.
And right now, it was best for the Crown Prince if she didn't do anything.
Qin Xiaoyao got a big shock.
She never dreamed that Empress Jia's request could be this.
"Empress Mother…" Princess Xiangyang called out to Empress Jia. Tears had already welled up in her eyes.
Empress Jia looked at her daughter and quickly looked at Qin Xiaoyao again.
"Now, the only thing I am still worried about is this girl.
"It is indeed my just deserts to have fallen to this plight today. But this girl is innocent…"
Qin Xiaoyao felt moved.
"I…"
"I will follow my husband back to Mountain Spring Town," she said.
Empress Jia was astonished.
Then, a smile appeared on her face.
"You two are indeed bold in action and decisive in letting go. Good for all of you," she said.
After looking at Princess Xiangyang, she turned to Qin Xiaoyao again.
"It's good to let Xiangyang follow you two to Mountain Spring Town."
Qin Xiaoyao was slightly startled.
Empress Jia smiled again.
"Right now, how I wish this girl is just a commoner." The identity of a princess was an honor but also a restriction.
A princess whose mother was a sinner would find it difficult to lead a good life.
Qin Xiaoyao felt relieved at once.
"Someone asked me to bring her here to discuss marriage with Your Royal Highness," she finally said.
Princess Xiangyang got a shock.
Empress Jia raised her eyebrows slightly.
Then, she thought of something and gave a sigh. "Is it the Liu family?" she asked.
"Mm-hmm. Yun Niang wants to ask for Princess Xiangyang's hand in marriage from Your Royal Highness on behalf of her younger brother, Liu Ling," Qin Xiaoyao said.
Empress Jia remained silent.
When Princess Xiangyang saw this, her palms started to sweat.
Sister Yun Niang actually went to ask her Master for help in this matter.
Furthermore, her Master actually brought up this matter to her Empress Mother.
Would her Empress Mother agree?
Empress Jia was silent again.
She looked at her daughter.
Just as her gaze met Princess Xiangyang's eyes, she saw her daughter lowering her head.
At this moment, Empress Jia understood everything.
Since her daughter didn't say anything to object, it meant she was also agreeable to this matter.
After giving another sigh in her heart, Empress Jia finally looked at Qin Xiaoyao.
"Will the Liu siblings, because of me…"
"Your Royal Highness, don't worry. Yun Niang is truly sincere in asking for Xiangyang's hand in marriage for her younger brother Ling. She will not mistreat Xiangyang in the future." Before Empress Jia could finish her question, Qin Xiaoyao had already answered.
"As for Younger Cousin Ling, he won't treat Xiangyang badly either."
Empress Jia looked at her daughter.
Xiangyang quickly nodded.
"Sister Yun Niang treats me very well," she chimed in.
Only then did Empress Jia's brows relax a little.
"Since that's the case, then I will agree to this marriage.
"However, this girl is still young. Can the wedding date be postponed to a later date?"
It was not good for the woman's body if she got married too early.
As for that Liu Ling, it was fine if his status was slightly inferior. The most important thing was that her daughter liked him.
Moreover, given the current situation, it was good that the Liu family did not transfer their hatred onto her daughter.
Qin Xiaoyao was delighted.
"Of course!" she quickly answered.
"When we go to Mountain Spring Town, my husband and I will be Xiangyang's family. I think, when this girl turns eighteen, I will arrange her marriage with Younger Cousin Ling." As soon as she answered, Qin Xiaoyao began discussing the details with Empress Jia.
In the past, Empress Jia was in a high and lofty position, and Qin Xiaoyao would watch what she said very carefully.
Now, there was nothing for her to worry about.
When Empress Jia heard Qin Xiaoyao speak to her in such a tone, she wasn't angry. Instead, she became a little more cordial.
"That's good," she replied with a smile.
Thereafter, she looked at her blushing daughter.
"Daughter…" Then, she gestured to her daughter.
"Empress Mother." Princess Xiangyang raised her head and called out with a flushed face.
Empress Jia sighed in her heart. Girls should be married off once they were big enough.
When her daughter came toward her, she held the girl's hand and walked toward Qin Xiaoyao.
Thereafter, she handed Xiangyang over to Qin Xiaoyao.
"Today, I will hand my daughter over to you, Marquis Xiaoyao.
"I hope that Lord Marquis will not forget what you said today."
Qin Xiaoyao tilted her head and smiled at her precocious disciple.
She then nodded at Empress Jia with a beaming smile.
"I will definitely keep my word," she replied.
Empress Jia nodded and pulled Qin Xiaoyao to one side to ask about the details of Mountain Spring Town.
Qin Xiaoyao answered her truthfully.
Princess Xiangyang didn't interrupt at first, but gradually, she also started to interject.
From time to time, she would interrupt her Empress Mother and ask Qin Xiaoyao about things that happened in Mountain Spring Town.
The more they listened, the more intrigued they became.
In the end, Empress Jia even felt a little regretful that she could not go to Mountain Spring Town for a visit.
The three of them chatted until noon.
Then, Qin Xiaoyao and Princess Xiangyang stayed in Guan Ju Palace for lunch.
Princess Xiangyang was completely relieved when she saw that Empress Jia's meals were not bad at all.
After lunch, Empress Jia finally expressed that she wanted to see the guests out.
Before leaving, she gave Princess Xiangyang many instructions and personally sent her daughter and Qin Xiaoyao out of the main hall.
She watched until her daughter and Qin Xiaoyao disappeared around the corner before she finally sighed and turned around to return to the hall.
The palace maid hurriedly went forward to support Empress Jia.
"Her Highness is full of filial piety. Your Royal Highness should feel gratified," she said to comfort Empress Jia.
Empress Jia turned her head to look at the palace maid, and the corners of her mouth curled up into a smile.
"You're right.
"It's just that this time, once she leaves, I'm afraid we won't be able to see each other again." After saying that, Empress Jia's footsteps became heavier.