The Queen Mother smiled helplessly, "This girl, it's been a long time since I've seen her so lively."

Seeing that the Emperor and the Empress Dowager were very satisfied with Ye Qingyu, Concubine Liu's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness, but she still smiled sweetly and said, "If His Royal Highness the Prince of Chu agrees to this marriage, it will be a great joy. The Prince of Chu has had a difficult time these years. Having someone who understands his feelings by his side will also make His Majesty and the Empress Dowager feel more at ease."

Seeing that Concubine Liu was not angry because the daughter-in-law he favored was unwilling to marry, the emperor showed her even more favor, "My beloved concubine is right."

After a while, Princess Changning came pushing Shen Yanli.

As the grandson, he would naturally come to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday, but he would never go to the men's section. He would usually celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday alone, and would not return home until the family had a reunion dinner in the evening.

Princess Changning went to the side hall of Shoukang Palace and pushed him here without saying anything, leaving Shen Yanli completely confused.

Princess Changning breathlessly replied, "Father, Grandmother, my third brother is here."

Shen Yanli looked at Ye Qingyu sitting beside the Empress Dowager and was stunned. "Your son greets His Majesty, Father and Grandmother. I wonder what you want me to do?"

The Queen Mother smiled and said, "Didn't Changning tell you?"

Shen Yanli shook his head, "Changning pushed her grandson over here in a hurry, and she refused to answer my grandson when I asked her anything."

The Queen Mother looked at her granddaughter and saw her sticking out her tongue mischievously. She knew that the child was deliberately keeping silent and was teasing her third brother.

The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Today, I have arranged a marriage between you, Xiaowu, and the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Qingyuan. Miss Ye said she has someone she loves and is disobeying my order."

The Queen Mother saw that her third grandson's indifferent expression changed when he heard her words.

She continued, "Miss Ye said that you are the one she loves. Your father and I cannot make you the master, so we have invited you here to ask you, are you willing to marry Miss Ye?"

Shen Yanli looked at Ye Qingyu, who was sitting next to the empress dowager with a shy look on her face. He never expected that she would say so frankly that she liked him.

Isn’t she afraid of being rejected? How will she deal with it then?

Shen Yanli's expression darkened as he said, "Grandson, I wish to marry Miss Ye. I ask the Empress Dowager to grant us a marriage."

The Queen Mother was delighted to see that he had not refused. "Very well, I will grant you two a marriage."

The emperor was very happy to see that his son did not refuse and seemed to be very satisfied with Miss Ye.

Concubine Liu smiled and said, "This is truly a joyous occasion, Empress Dowager. Taking advantage of this joyous occasion, please arrange the marriage between the Fourth Prince and Xiao Wu."

The Queen Mother's face was full of joy. "That's natural."

"I see that Xiaowu and Yongjia grew up together and are of similar age. What do you think of arranging a marriage between them, Concubine Liu?"

Concubine Liu smiled happily, "The Empress Dowager has good taste. It is a blessing for Xiaowu to have a good girl like Yongjia."

The Empress Dowager nodded. "I've heard that the granddaughter of Minister Zhao of the Ministry of Rites is virtuous and dignified. What do you think of giving her to the Fourth Prince as his consort?"

The emperor nodded, "Mother's vision is naturally the best."

"You two, why don't you come over and thank your Royal Grandmother."

The Fourth and Fifth Princes bowed and expressed their gratitude, "Thank you, Grandmother, for granting me the marriage."

After the business was done, the emperor left with the princes.

The birthday banquet was coming to an end. The Empress Dowager was old and very tired after such a long time. Princess Changning helped her back to the back hall of Shoukang Palace.

The ladies and young ladies from each family also dispersed.

As soon as Ye Qingyu walked out of Shoukang Palace, she heard someone calling her.

"Miss Ye."

Ye Qingyu turned around and saw Princess Yongjia looking at her with a warm smile.

Ye Qingyu smiled faintly and said, "I wonder what the princess wants to talk to me about?"

Princess Yongjia smiled and said, "I came here specifically to thank Miss Ye. Miss Ye refused the Queen Mother's marriage proposal, which allowed me to have such a good marriage with the Fifth Prince. Since we are all relatives from now on, if Miss Ye needs any help, I will do my best to help."

"I believe that His Royal Highness the Prince of Chu's leg will definitely get better. My mother knows a doctor who is very good at treating leg problems. I will send him to the Qingyuan Marquis Mansion. If I can be of any help, it will be my gratitude to Miss Ye."

Ye Qingyu's lips curled up into a faint smile, "In that case, thank you very much for your kindness, Princess."

Ye Qingyu could hear the sarcasm in her words. She didn't choose the Fifth Prince, who had a good chance of being promoted, but instead chose a man with disabled legs. She was calling her a fool in front of her.

Even Xu, who was standing by, understood the meaning of Princess Yongjia's words and her face was filled with anger.

Ye Qingyu held Xu's hand with a faint smile on her face, as if she didn't hear the hidden meaning of the words.

The coldness in Princess Yongjia's eyes grew thicker. "If Miss Ye needs anything, you can find me at the Princess's Mansion."

Ye Qingyu said: "The princess has given me such a generous gift, I will definitely keep it in mind."

Ye Qingyu looked up at her with a chuckle. Princess Yongjia's pupils shrank sharply, and the smile on her lips almost disappeared.

"In that case, I'll leave first."

Ye Qingyu bowed, "Princess, please."

Princess Yongjia quickly left Ye Qingyu. The maidservants around her could see that she was really angry, but they didn't know why she was angry. Didn't the princess want to become the fifth prince's consort? Now that it has become her wish, why is she still angry?

Xu watched Princess Yongjia walk away quickly, her teeth itching with hatred. She whispered, "Bah, what a thing! If it weren't for Qingqing, you looked down on the Fifth Prince, how could she be so proud and show off in front of you? I thought she was truly magnanimous, but it was all fake!"

Ye Qingyu tugged at Xu's sleeve and said, "Aunt, we're still in the palace. If you have anything to say, let's go back and talk."

Xu curled her lips and said, "I'm just really angry."

After taking a few steps, he saw Shen Yanli and others not far away.

Seeing them coming, Shen Yanli said, "Third Madam, I will take you back on the way."

Xu pursed her lips and said, "Then I'll trouble you, Your Highness."

She glanced at Ye Qingyu, but Ye Qingyu walked to Shen Yanli without any hesitation, took over his wheelchair and pushed it.

Xu and others consciously moved a step away from the two of them.

Shen Yanli was silent, as if he was sulking, but also as if he was waiting for Ye Qingyu to speak.

Ye Qingyu saw a hint of depression on his jade-like face, and the tightly pursed corners of his lips revealed that he was angry.

Ye Qingyu knew that he was angry at her for rejecting the marriage proposal and expressing her feelings in Shoukang Palace, leaving her with no way out.

Ye Qingyu said softly, "Your Highness, are you angry?"

Shen Yanli was silent for a moment, then said, "No."

Ye Qingyu teased him, "Then smile."

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