Quick Transmigration: The Cannon Fodder is Very Leisurely

"Mother, what do you want to see me about?"

Shen Yan had originally planned to leave the palace with everyone, hoping to see Yu Nuan again. However, before he could even get up, a eunuch informed him that his mother was looking for him.

Having no other choice, Shen Yan had to go see the Empress Dowager first.

"By the way, Mother, could you please stop holding matchmaking banquets in the future? I really don't like those people." Shen Yan didn't see the Empress Dowager's angry expression and was still grinning.

"Shen Yan, kneel down!" the Empress Dowager shouted angrily.

Although Shen Yan did not know why the Empress Dowager was angry, he still obediently knelt down.

The Empress Dowager always felt sorry for Shen Yan, who was away fighting battles all year round, so even if Shen Yan angered her, she never scolded him.

So Shen Yan looked up at the Empress Dowager's angry expression, feeling utterly bewildered.

"Shen Yan, do you know what you did wrong?" the Empress Dowager asked.

At this time, only the Empress Dowager and Shen Yan were in the room. When Shen Yan arrived, Granny Gui led the palace maids and eunuchs out of the room.

"I do not know."

Shen Yan genuinely didn't know why the Empress Dowager was angry. Reflecting on his time back in the capital, Shen Yan felt he hadn't done anything wrong, except perhaps resisted the Empress Dowager's attempt to find him a princess.

Logically speaking, after so many years, the Empress should have gotten used to his willful refusal and wouldn't be so angry about this.

"You dare to talk back!" The Empress Dowager said, and was about to hit Shen Yan, but before she could touch him, she couldn't bear it and stopped, gently touching Shen Yan instead.

"Mother, I am truly innocent! Your son has been staying obediently by your side all this time and has not gone anywhere."

The Empress Dowager sighed, sat down in her chair, and asked, "Then tell me, why don't you want to get married?"

"I..." Shen Yan was speechless, not knowing what to say.

"You won't tell me, huh? Then I'll tell you: Shen Yan, do you like Jiang Yunuan?"

"Mother, how did you know?" Shen Yan suddenly raised her head, her eyes wide with shock.

After saying this, Shen Yan realized something was wrong and quickly corrected himself, saying, "No, Mother, please let me explain. I don't want to get married because I haven't met someone I like."

"So you've encountered it now?"

The Empress Dowager continued to press for answers.

Shen Yan fell silent. He couldn't deceive his mother, nor did he want to deceive himself. In the end, he could only nod and admit, "Mother, Yu Nuan is a very outstanding person, and I truly like her."

Although she already knew the answer, the moment she received confirmation, the Empress Dowager's anxiety finally died.

"Yan'er, your mother knows that Jiang Yunuan is a very outstanding woman, but you two cannot be together! Do you know how many rumors and gossips you will face and how much pressure you will have to endure if you insist on being together? Have you thought about these things?"

"Mother, I've thought about it. The moment I fell in love with Yu Nuan, I knew that being together would require overcoming many difficulties, but I'm not afraid of any of them."

"If you're not afraid, what about Jiang Yunuan? Do you think she might be afraid?"

The Empress Dowager's question stumped Shen Yan. Shen Yan had never discussed these things with Yu Nuan, and he didn't even know if Yu Nuan had any feelings for him now. But no matter what, Shen Yan had already decided that Yu Nuan was the one for him in this life.

"Mother, I have made up my mind. If I really marry Yu Nuan, I will take her away from the capital and stay in Liangzhou City for the rest of my life. There, no one will know about the past, and no gossip will reach Yu Nuan's ears."

When the Empress Dowager saw that Shen Yan was determined to marry Yu Nuan, she said angrily, "Shen Yan, just give up on that idea! As long as I live, I will never agree to you marrying Jiang Yu Nuan."

"why?"

"Just because she was your brother's concubine, you two can never be together."

“But she’s not anymore. She has no contact with my brother at all. My brother has so many concubines, and they’ve all gotten married. Why can’t Yu Nuan marry me?”

"Because you are the Emperor's younger brother, if Jiang Yunuan wants to marry someone else, I won't stop her, but that person cannot be you, understand?"

"I don't know."

Shen Yan stood up angrily from the ground and said loudly.

Shen Yan knew he might encounter many obstacles in marrying Yu Nuan, but he didn't expect that even his mother would be so difficult to get past.

Shen Yan knelt at the Empress Dowager's feet again, pleading bitterly, "Mother, I have only ever loved Yu Nuan in this life. Please grant my wish! If I cannot marry her, I would rather live out my days alone."

"Are you threatening me?" The Empress Dowager looked at Shen Yan sadly and questioned him.

"No, Mother. That's not what I meant. I was just expressing my thoughts."

Even so, the Empress Dowager remained unmoved and said coldly, "Shen Yan, there is no possibility between you and Jiang Yunuan. You should give up as soon as possible."

Finally, the Empress Dowager had no more to say. She closed her eyes and said, "I'm tired. You should go back now!"

"Then Mother, you should rest early. I'll be going now."

Seeing the Empress Dowager's exhausted expression, Shen Yan dared not continue speaking.

The Empress Dowager is currently in poor health and cannot withstand too much stimulation. Shen Yan only learned upon his return that the Empress Dowager fainted upon hearing his news and it took her half a month to recover her complexion.

Not long after Shen Yan left, Shen Mu also arrived at the Empress Dowager's palace. Seeing Granny Gui standing outside, Shen Mu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is the Prince of Yan inside?"

"Your Majesty, Prince Yan has just left. The Empress Dowager said she wanted to be alone and asked us servants to be driven out of the house."

"Is Mother alright?" Shen Mu asked with concern.

Granny Gui shook her head and said, "The Empress Dowager is not in a good mood."

"Go and ask the Empress Dowager if she wants to see me since I've arrived."

Granny Gui knocked on the door and said, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, the Emperor has arrived."

"come in!"

The Empress Dowager's voice came from inside, somewhat low and hoarse.

Granny Gui pushed open the door and invited Shen Mu in.

Shen Mu waved to Li Sheng behind him, signaling them to wait outside, and then went into the room alone.

Inside the room, the Empress Dowager lay on the chaise longue, resting with her eyes closed. Hearing the sound, she looked up at Shen Mu and asked, "Your Majesty, is there something you need from me?"

"Mother, I heard you're in a bad mood. I wanted to ask what's troubling you?"

The Empress Dowager glanced at Shen Mu, hesitating whether or not to mention it to him.

Finally, Shen Mu spoke up and asked, "Mother, are you worried about my younger brother's marriage?"

"Yes and no."

"That's a troublesome matter between my younger brother and Jiang Yunuan," Shen Mu said with a smile.

The Empress Dowager looked at Shen Mu in shock, as if asking: How did you know?

"Mother, I know what you're worried about, but I assure you, no matter what happens, I will never hold a grudge against my brother."