The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 250 - 249: Belittlement
Empress Wei mentioned Xie Yunling, everyone understood what it signified.
Mingzhu’s expression changed slightly.
Instinctively, she gripped tightly onto Xie Yunzhen’s hand.
Xie Yunzhen had long expressed his stance, he would not allow Xie Yunling to enter into a marriage alliance.
He returned Mingzhu’s grip, signaling comfort.
He stated straightforwardly, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Your Majesty and Your Highness, but Yunling’s marriage is for her second uncle and aunt to decide. She does not need to marry for family alliances, only to find a well-matched husband."
Empress Wei’s face showed a moment of embarrassment.
She knew Xie Yunzhen was arrogant, but she hadn’t expected him to dare disrespect her in such a setting.
Her heart was aflame with anger.
This couple was truly outrageous!
One seduces the Emperor.
The other publicly embarrasses her.
If she were to be led by the nose by Xie Yunzhen, once the banquet ended, her dignity would be lost!
Empress Wei ignored Xie Yunzhen’s words, turning to look at the man beside her.
"Your Majesty, Yunling struck me as pleasing to the eye, what do you think about letting her join the Wei family?"
Choosing between a meritorious minister and his wife, the Emperor’s decision would surely disappoint one party.
He gave Empress Wei a meaningful look, feeling quite displeased in his heart.
She clearly could have let the matter slide, yet she had to make things awkward, forgetting who today’s banquet was for.
Though he felt dissatisfaction with Mrs. Wei, to directly disregard Empress Wei’s dignity would also harm the Royal Family’s face.
He could only turn the question to Xie Yunling.
The Emperor asked in a teasing tone, "Lieutenant General Wei might be a bit rash, but his fervor is as clear as the sun and moon, Yunling, what do you think of him?"
Xie Yunling was not fond of men who engaged in battles, and Lieutenant General Wei, being robust and unrefined, was just a brute.
She wished to marry a gentle, scholarly man.
In another setting, Xie Yunling would have outright refused, but here she felt a bit frightened.
Afraid a wrong word might cause trouble.
If it brought trouble to her family, she would be the sinner.
She hung her head, tugging at her clothes, filled with helplessness, unable to answer the Emperor’s question immediately.
Mrs. Guan was also very anxious, as it was Empress Wei who had spoken, and to refuse would surely offend both the Empress and the Wei Family.
By then, even if Yunling didn’t marry Lieutenant General Wei, it would be difficult to find a good match.
After all, who dared to offend Empress Wei and the Wei Family?
The Emperor’s move seemed to grant Yunling the right to choose, but it also put this young girl on the spot.
Mrs. Guan gripped her daughter’s hand, finding her palm already sweaty.
She felt a deep pang of heartache.
If she had known, she would not have come to the banquet today.
Not willing to see her daughter be troubled, nor wanting to wait for her nephew and niece-in-law to stand out only to be talked about.
Mrs. Guan stood up and respectfully saluted.
She replied with a bright smile, "Your Highness, you may not know; Yunling has not yet come of age, and marriage is still far off. Each of the young ladies present today is talented and charming, Your Highness, please do not favor just our Yunling."
Anyone else would have expressed gratitude by now.
Having been rejected once more, Empress Wei was genuinely angry.
Though not of great age, her high status granted her an authoritative air.
The look she gave Mrs. Guan was full of pressure.
"Madam, do you mean you don’t fancy my elder brother?"
Mrs. Guan indeed did not fancy him.
If he were an ideal match, would Mingzhu and Ah Zhen be so eager to refuse?
But she couldn’t say it outright.
After all, he was the Imperial Uncle, the Empress’s own brother—being blunt would offend people.
Under the scrutiny of many eyes, Mrs. Guan’s legs felt weak.
But marriage is a matter affecting a woman’s entire life.
Ah Zhen had already declared against a marriage alliance for Yunling; if she hesitated and failed to stand up for her daughter, how could she be worthy of being a mother?
Xie Yunzhen opportunely spoke up, "If one knows, it seems like gifting a marriage, creating a golden match; if one does not, it would seem like forcing someone into prostitution!"
Someone at the far end of the banquet couldn’t hold back a chuckle.
The family immediately knelt down to plead for forgiveness, as if facing an imminent disaster.
The Emperor shook his head helplessly, "On such a joyous day, there’s no need to be so strict, rise."
With the Emperor’s words, the family nervously returned to their seats.
With such an incident, no one dared to view the situation as mere entertainment.
For fear of inadvertently laughing out loud and angering those in high positions.
The Emperor did not scold Xie Yunzhen, leaving Empress Wei feeling humiliated.
Even having ascended to the Empress’s position, becoming part of the Imperial Family, facing a powerful minister like Xie Yunzhen, she still felt lacking in confidence.
Unable to reprimand Xie Yunzhen, nor blame the Emperor for not supporting her.
Empress Wei quickly adjusted her demeanor, smiling as she said, "Princely Heir Xie misunderstood; regarding marriage, if Yunling does not consent, does Her Majesty intend to force her?"
She then glanced at Xie Yunling, "My brother entered the battlefield at a young age, having slain numerous enemies, holding many military accolades, deserving of the best girl; Yunling...is indeed still young and not yet steady."
Though subtly disparaged, Xie Yunling felt that as long as she wasn’t being granted a marriage, a few words of criticism weren’t much to worry about.
Mrs. Guan, however, was not as optimistic.
The Empress’s words, once spread, would hinder future marriage proposals for Yunling.
She was coming of age next year.
According to the original plan, they would be selecting a match for her at the start of the year.
After finalizing a marriage, once her coming-of-age ceremony was over, wedding preparations could begin.
Mrs. Guan felt a chill in her heart.
After this event, if Yunling ever had conflicts with others, this incident would surely be used against her.
The mere thought of this made Mrs. Guan feel even colder.
Being part of the Xie Family meant sharing honor or shame together.
Princess An He’s greatest virtue was never to undermine her own son in front of outsiders.
She said, "Yunling grew up in the capital, having seen many fine young men; her standards are very high. Fortunately, Lieutenant General Wei deserves the best girl, and our Yunling equally deserves the best gentleman."
Mingzhu was listening, secretly sweating with anxiety.
She subconsciously looked at the Emperor’s expression.
A ruler could not be devoid of suspicion.
This matter could either escalate or dissipate; holding onto it could even lead to charges against the Xie Family.
Just as she cast her gaze upon the Emperor’s face, someone pinched her palm.
Xie Yunzhen’s eyes were full of accusation and rising jealousy.
As if saying, do not look at any man but him.
At such a moment, Xie Yunzhen could still concern himself with such triviality; Mingzhu truly did not know how he could be so nonchalant.
Then she heard Xie Yunzhen say, "The Emperor once praised Yunling for her pure and lovely nature—she naturally deserves the best gentleman."
Indeed, the Emperor had complimented Xie Yunling before.
But that was in private.
Now that Xie Yunzhen brought it up publicly, even Empress Wei lost the courage to refute.
She feared overstepping would provoke the Emperor.
That would be counterproductive and not worth the loss.
Young General Wei, seeing his sister being troubled and the Emperor not siding with her, felt deeply distressed.
If others gave his sister no face, he would!
He abruptly stood, walked to the front of the hall, and kneeled in salute.
He declared, "I fell in love with Miss Xie at first sight, willing to use my military prowess to ask Your Majesty to grant a marriage!"
