Chapter 1554: Chapter 1561: Marriage Alliance (5)
“Imperial Mother, are you serious? What method do you have to make him accept me?” Nangong Yu murmured, her thoughts obviously becoming active.
Empress Dowager Mo said, “You don’t need to worry about what method your Mother uses; just remember that Mother can ensure you get married into Duke Li Guo’s Mansion in a grand eight-carriage procession. Just tell me, are you willing or not?”
Nangong Yu was certainly willing. She pursed her lips and said with difficulty, “Daughter has already written a letter to Helan Qi of the Xianbei, and it might be hard to take it back now…”
She spoke these words very tactfully, but Empress Dowager Mo immediately understood her meaning. She was willing to marry Mo Ziqi but was already starting to fret about that letter.
“You needn’t worry about that letter. Just obediently return to the palace and wait. It could be six months at most, or as little as three months, but Mother will ensure you fulfill your wish!”
Nangong Yi hesitated for a moment and said half-doubtingly, “Mother, are you not tricking me?”
Empress Dowager Mo said, “From childhood till now, has Mother ever deceived you once?”
“No, Mother has never deceived me!” Nangong Yu replied without even thinking.
Indeed, Empress Dowager Mo had never lied to her, so when she spoke of today’s matter, Nangong Yu quickly believed her.
She gradually dispelled the thought of marrying far into the Xianbei to escape the world and began to yearn for the new life her Mother promised her.
Before leaving, she couldn’t help but ask, “Mother, how do you plan to explain it to the Xianbei? Please don’t make things difficult for Brother!”
Nangong Yi no longer treated her as affectionately as before, and she dared not disappoint him again. Empress Dowager Mo, seeing that she had given up the idea of marrying far away among the Xianbei, felt much better. Thus, she patiently explained, “Rest assured, there will be someone to marry the Xianbei in your stead, and using your identity. When the time comes, Mother will give you a new identity.”
Nangong Yu said in astonishment, “Mother, who will marry the Xianbei for me? What do you mean?”
Empress Dowager Mo replied calmly, “Inside the palace, isn’t there a princess around your age? She hasn’t married a son-in-law either, so why not let her marry the Xianbei for you?”
“Zhao Gui? Mother, are you speaking of Zhao Gui?”
“That’s correct, it’s her. She is smooth and astute, far more deep-minded than you, and much more suitable to marry into a foreign nation for a marriage alliance.”
“But, Mother, don’t forget, she is Jin Guifei’s daughter. Aren’t you afraid that once she gains power in Xianbei, she will leverage Xianbei’s strength to avenge Jin Guifei and Nangong Shi?”
Empress Dowager Mo sneered, “Zhao Gui is the most realistic woman. Don’t mention that Jin Guifei is her adoptive mother—even if she were her biological mother—she wouldn’t recognize her in the face of profit. Moreover, back then, Jin Guifei usurped her custody and killed her biological mother. So, she absolutely won’t do anything to harm the interests of Great Jin. To establish a foothold in Xianbei, she still needs our Great Jin’s support. For this reason alone, she will never ruin the friendship between Great Jin and Xianbei!”
Nangong Yu, satisfied with Empress Dowager Mo’s explanation, returned to the palace.
Chen Shangxi, watching her figure retreat, worriedly said to Empress Dowager Mo, “Empress Dowager, this old servant feels that Young Master Zi Qi might not consent to marry our princess.”
Empress Dowager Mo said, “Of course he won’t!”
“But, why do you say that to the princess? After three or five months, how will you explain it to her?”
Empress Dowager Mo closed her eyes and said softly, “After three or five months, Zhao Gui will have already married Helan Qi; even if she wants to go back, it will be too late…”
It turns out the Empress Dowager plans to deceive, which made Chen Shangxi feel a bit uneasy. He cautiously said, “I recall the princess said she would cut her hair and become a nun. Aren’t you afraid she might act on impulse and enter the Shrine of Pregnant Women if you deceive her?”
Empress Dowager Mo said, “What is there to fear? At worst, let her marry to Zili. Anyway, it’s impossible with Mo Ziqi, but Zili is all alone with no family background. Marrying Zhao Yue suits perfectly!”