Chapter 24: The Empress Dowager Plays Matchmaker

The Empress Dowager?

Xie Ning finally opened his eyes, his brows knitting together slightly.

According to the memories of the original host, ever since the late Emperor passed away, this Empress Dowager had lived in seclusion, devoted entirely to Buddhist devotions, and had almost never concerned herself with worldly affairs.

Why would she suddenly emerge at such a critical juncture? There was likely more to this than met the eye.

"Why has she come out?" Xie Ning asked.

"This old servant does not know." Nanny Rong shook her head. "But word has come out that the Empress Dowager has summoned Yuwen Yue, the second son of the Chancellor, Yuwen Taiji. Her Highness the Princess is just about to enter the palace; worried that things might change, she sent me to inform you so you could be prepared."

Yuwen Yue?

Xie Ning searched his memory for the name. The second son of Chancellor Yuwen Taiji, he was a famous scholar in the capital, renowned for his vast learning and literary talent. He was also remarkably handsome—the dream lover of countless maidens in the capital. Most importantly, it was no secret in the city that this young master Yuwen had harbored a deep affection for Li Qingning since they were children.

Now, the Empress Dowager had summoned him to the palace.

A thought flashed across Xie Ning's mind. He sat up from his rocking chair with a sudden jerk.

"This is bad. Is that old woman planning to bestow a marriage upon the Princess?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Nanny Rong’s expression changed. She hadn’t considered this angle before, but now that Xie Ning pointed it out, she realized it was highly likely.

"This..." Anxiety clouded Nanny Rong's face. After all, the Grand Princess was entering the palace precisely to discuss a marriage arrangement. "If the Empress Dowager truly plays matchmaker on a whim, then..."

"Why the panic?" Xie Ning waved his hand, signaling them to remain calm.

Although he felt the situation was tricky, he was not yet at the point of panic. He lay back down on the rocking chair, tapping his fingers on the armrest as his mind raced. The Empress Dowager hadn't emerged early or late, but precisely when the struggle between the Grand Princess and the Virtuous Prince was at its most intense. And as soon as she appeared, she summoned Yuwen Yue.

The intention was far too clear. It was obvious she intended to interfere in the Grand Princess's marriage, hoping to use a political alliance to consolidate imperial power and balance the court. Yuwen Yue's father, Chancellor Yuwen Taiji, had protégés and former subordinates across the government; he was a force that could not be ignored.

If Li Qingning were to marry Yuwen Yue, the Chancellor's faction would naturally be bound tightly to the Imperial family. This was indeed a brilliant tactical move to stabilize the young Emperor's throne and counter ambitious royal relatives like the Virtuous Prince. From the perspective of a mother and an Empress Dowager, her actions were beyond reproach.

However... she had overlooked the most important point.

Her daughter, Li Qingning, did not like Yuwen Yue at all. Moreover, her heart already belonged to someone else—to him, Xie Ning.

Thinking of this, the corners of Xie Ning's mouth curled upward. Interesting. It was getting more and more interesting. Wolves in front and tigers behind. A romantic rival who was a wealthy, handsome, and talented man with deep family roots. This was quite a challenge.

"Young Master, say something," Nanny Rong urged, growing frantic as she watched Xie Ning smiling inexplicably. "Aren't you worried?"

"Worried?" Xie Ning glanced at her. "What is there to worry about? You know better than I do what kind of person the Princess is. If she has made up her mind, not even the Heavens could change it, let alone the Empress Dowager. Besides, even if the Empress Dowager tries to force her, do you really think she would just submit?"

Xie Ning had absolute confidence in Li Qingning. That woman was prouder and stronger than anyone else. Forcing her to marry a man she didn't like would be worse than killing her.

A warm feeling welled up in Xie Ning's heart. A woman as proud and formidable as Li Qingning could blush at just a few words from him. Outwardly decisive and ruthless, she was, in her heart, just a young girl who had never been in love. No one would believe it if he told them.

"But..." Nanny Rong was still uneasy. "The Empress Dowager is, after all, Her Highness's biological mother. If she uses filial piety to pressure her, the Princess cannot openly defy her. And that Yuwen Yue is truly persistent. Back when the Princess was in the capital, he followed her around like a fly—it was incredibly annoying. Now that he has the Empress Dowager’s backing, he will surely become even more insufferable."

"So what?" Xie Ning smiled dismissively. "A fly that only knows how to buzz behind a woman's back—what kind of future could he have?"

"The Princess..." He paused, changing his choice of words. "My lady has high standards. For someone she doesn't fancy, even if the King of Heaven himself were to descend, it would be useless."

My lady? Nanny Rong was stunned. This young master was truly bold. Yet, his confident, almost arrogant demeanor strangely put her at ease.

That was true. The person the Princess had chosen—how could he be anything but exceptional? Since he was so confident, he must have already formulated a plan. With that thought, the stone in Nanny Rong's heart finally settled.

"Alright, stop fretting," Xie Ning stretched and stood up from the rocking chair. "Let's not just sit around. Nanny, please go back and bring me that list I gave you earlier. Most of the supplies have arrived, and I need to carefully consider how to turn Qingning’s new courtyard into one of the most auspicious feng shui sites in all of Jian'an. When she returns from the palace, I want to give her a grand surprise. As for the matters in the palace, let her handle them herself. We must trust her!"

Xie Ning’s tone was relaxed and firm. He didn't need to worry blindly; he needed to do his own job well. Demonstrating his own value was an essential part of capturing a woman's heart. This was the greatest support he could offer her.

At the same time, in the Imperial Garden.

The Imperial Garden was filled with exotic rockeries and winding streams, a truly elegant sight. The Empress Dowager, the "Old Buddha" who had spent years in the Fu'an Palace fingering Buddhist beads and ignoring the world, sat today in a pavilion, dressed in magnificent, dark gold court robes.

Her face was impeccably maintained, revealing no sign of her true age, yet the air of authority accumulated from years at the peak of power made people afraid to look directly at her.

Sitting below her was a young gentleman in a moon-white silk robe. His face was like polished jade, his eyes like bright stars, and his every movement carried a natural scholarly grace. This was none other than Yuwen Yue, the second son of Chancellor Yuwen Taiji.

"Yue'er, look at the scenery in this garden. How does it compare to that of the Chancellor's estate?" The Empress Dowager sipped her tea, her tone gentle, as if chatting with a family member.