Chapter Nine
"Your Highness?" Li Zhiwei looked at Xu Heming with confusion, thinking to herself—weren't they saying the southern floods had left the imperial court short on funds?
Could the news be wrong?
Otherwise, how could her substantial dowry fail to secure two imperial favors from the Emperor?
She hadn’t even made any particularly difficult requests, had she?
"Father, did the Emperor refuse?" Xu Qingshi asked, puzzled. He wondered if the Emperor was reluctant to let his father remarry.
Even The Old Princess gazed at her son with bewilderment.
"Hm." Xu Heming found it difficult to speak. His pride made it hard for him to voice the matter.
"Father, what do you mean by 'hm'? Just tell us—what happened?" Xu Qingshi pressed impatiently.
After all, that Ruan Marquis had been making a scene at the palace gates earlier. He refused to lose face to the Ruan Marquis Residence.
At this thought, Xu Qingshi glanced at Li Zhiwei. If all else failed, he’d just marry her himself!
Better him than letting Lin Jitong have her.
"Fine, Father. If you won’t marry her, then I will. I was the one who brought her here anyway," Xu Qingshi declared outright, having made up his mind.
Li Zhiwei was startled. She wanted to escape her predicament, yes—but not at the cost of dragging a child into it.
Besides, someone of Prince An's Heir’s status could have any noble maiden he desired. Why settle for a merchant’s daughter like her, who was already on the verge of being cast aside?
Not to mention, she was practically old enough to be his mother.
She had no intention of ruining Xu Qingshi’s future.
"Your Highness, Young Master, The Old Princess—this is absolutely unacceptable. This humble woman knows her lowly status makes her unworthy of the Young Master," Li Zhiwei pleaded, dropping to her knees in distress.
The Old Princess hesitated, unsure how to respond. The idea of Xu Qingshi marrying Li Zhiwei displeased her greatly.
Not only was Li Zhiwei older, but her background was far beneath her grandson’s station.
"Perhaps… I should marry her instead?" Xie Yanzhi suggested uncertainly.
If his father found out he’d encouraged Xu Qingshi to abduct Li Zhiwei, his legs would be broken for sure.
"Yanzhi, this matter doesn’t concern you," The Old Princess said with a strained smile. There was no reason to hold him responsible. At worst, she could arrange a match for the girl—surely someone in the capital would be willing to marry her.
"Mother, I ask for your blessing to arrange my marriage to Madam Li," Xu Heming finally said with a sigh, his tone solemn.
He didn’t explain why.
The Old Princess studied her son before sighing in resignation.
"Then I shall have someone select an auspicious date..." She didn’t press for reasons. As long as her son was willing to marry, she wouldn’t question the bride’s background.
"Mother, there’s no need to wait. I’ll marry her today," Xu Heming interrupted firmly.
"Today? Isn’t that too rushed?" The Old Princess glanced at Li Zhiwei. Though the girl was lovely, her son’s eagerness left a sour taste in her mouth.
"Madam Li, you said your dowry would secure those two conditions. Does that still hold?" Xu Heming asked, watching her closely.
He didn’t want to take advantage, but this was the Emperor’s will. He couldn’t interfere with imperial plans.
"Mother, let’s proceed as I’ve said," Xu Heming insisted.
The Old Princess stared at him before relenting, instructing steward Liu Ming to carry out his orders.
Li Zhiwei was stunned. Why was no one asking if she consented?
"Your Highness, this is improper!" She hastily grabbed Xu Heming’s sleeve in protest.
"Does Madam Li still wish to marry into the Ruan Marquis Residence instead?" Xu Heming frowned. Hadn’t he already resolved her engagement for her?
"This humble woman knows her place. I am unworthy of Your Highness," Li Zhiwei said through gritted teeth. She refused to become his concubine.
"You… refuse me?" Xu Heming’s frown deepened. He hadn’t expected rejection.
"Beautiful Sister, do you dislike my father because you prefer me?" Xu Qingshi brightened, stepping forward eagerly.
"I know my status is too low to aspire to the Prince’s household," Li Zhiwei said, bowing her head.
She wouldn’t be a concubine—not to the Prince, and certainly not to a child.
But anxiety gnawed at her. The Prince had clearly gone to the palace earlier.
If even the Emperor wouldn’t intervene, and the Ruan Marquis Residence came for her again… would she have no choice but to return to that beast Lin Jitong?
The thought filled her with bitterness. Had fate given her a second chance only to leave her powerless again?
"If I don’t mind, why should you?" Xu Heming asked irritably.
He was already sacrificing his reputation for this. People would forever accuse him of stealing the Ruan Marquis’ betrothed.
Yet this woman dared to act coy?
His expression darkened further.
"I refuse to share a husband with another woman," Li Zhiwei murmured.
In her past life, Zhou Yutang had oppressed her for years. She’d sworn never to endure that again.
Xu Heming’s face darkened.
This wretched woman truly looked down on him.
"You have no choice in the matter today," he snapped before storming off.
"Zhiwei, you… Madam Zhou has been gone for years..." The Old Princess eyed her with displeasure. Such audacity—did the girl expect her son to divorce a dead woman?
The former princess’ grave was older than Li Zhiwei herself. How could she be so petty?
"The Old Princess, I didn’t mean it that way. I simply don’t wish to be a concubine," Li Zhiwei quickly clarified.
She wouldn’t dare compete with a long-deceased princess.
Xu Heming, overhearing, relaxed slightly. Had she truly meant disrespect, he wouldn’t have kept her, no matter how favorable his impression of her.
The Old Princess sighed but mused privately.
This merchant’s daughter was ambitious. In the past, she’d never have chosen such a bride for her son.
But after years of failed attempts to persuade him to remarry, she wouldn’t let this opportunity slip away.
However, the Old Princess's attitude was no longer as warm as before. Deep down, she still found this scheming merchant's daughter somewhat off-putting.
Yet, she also gave Li Zhiwei a strange look, unable to understand why the girl would assume her son intended to take her only as a concubine.
