C5 His Conscience Would Not Hurt

The Imperial Palace, Changle Palace.

The Empress Dowager gazed at Jing Yeli, who stood respectfully across from her. After a long pause, she sighed, "Yeli, what am I to do with you?"

Jing Yeli lowered his eyes, offering no response.

The Empress Dowager felt a bit helpless, yet the affection in her eyes was unmistakable. "I had Assistant Minister Hua bring over his daughter's birth chart to compare with yours. They match remarkably well. I'm not asking you to marry her, so why did you have to embarrass Miss Hua?

A perfectly good young woman was willing to come to your mansion without any title, and you just sent her away!

Now, Miss Hua is so ashamed she tried to take her own life. She nearly died because of you! Doesn't your conscience hurt?"

Jing Yeli touched his chest and bowed slightly. "Mother, my health is already fragile. If I were to take that good young woman, my conscience would truly ache."

The Empress Dowager pursed her lips, her face showing a hint of anger.

"Yeli, don't you care about my pain? Your third brother left me to bury my own child, and you—doctors keep issuing critical warnings about your health! Don't you brothers ever think about me?" She began to sob.

In the end, the Dowager Empress wiped away her tears, crying with deep sorrow. Jing Yeli's expression softened slightly as he watched her, his demeanor relaxing a bit. "Mother, it's my fault for being unfilial, but about that young lady—"

"Don't worry, your bride won't run away. I've got my eye on her! I've spoken with Assistant Minister Hua, and I've made it clear that I want her as my daughter-in-law. If anything goes wrong, he'll have to answer for it! Yeli, as long as you're willing, the Hua family's daughter will be here in no time!"

After she finished speaking, she looked at Jing Yeli with hopeful eyes, tears still clinging to her eyelashes. Jing Yeli pressed his lips together, his white attire making him appear noble and aloof. Yet, in front of the Dowager Empress, his expression softened a little.

"Mother, I don't want to be involved with someone I have no feelings for. How about I visit the Hua Mansion myself to get a sense of what the young lady is like?"

The Dowager Empress was momentarily taken aback, but she understood her son's temperament. Jing Yeli had always been reserved around unfamiliar women, maintaining a cool distance. If someone he didn't know approached him, he would at least scold them a bit. Now, if he was willing to make an effort to get to know her and build a connection, then she would let him do just that.

The Dowager Empress felt a bit relieved; it was better than having a stubborn tree in her garden that never bloomed. With this thought, she nodded, quite satisfied, and said, "Well, that's something good—"

"What's the good news?" Xiuyuan quickly entered, bowing first to the Dowager Empress and then to Yeli. "Xiuyuan greets Imperial Grandmother and Seventh Royal Uncle."

After speaking, Xiuyuan hurried to the Dowager Empress's side, playfully whining, "Imperial Grandmother, are you giving some good news to Seventh Uncle? I want in on it too!"

The Dowager Empress smiled, her mood visibly lifted. "You silly child, asking for things without knowing what they are! But Xiuyuan, you're already sixteen; it's time to think about getting married!"

Xiuyuan's face fell, and he quickly waved his hands. "No, no, if it's about that, count me out—"

The Dowager Empress chuckled, glancing at Yeli standing nearby. "Alright then, Xiuyuan, I'll give you a task. If you do well, I'll let you skip getting married this year. But if you don't—"

Her expression turned serious. "I'll have the ministers bring in portraits and birth details of eligible young ladies, and I'll find a match for you—"

Xiuyuan's face froze, and he eagerly nodded. "Imperial Grandmother, please tell me what you need!"

Jing Yeli's brow furrowed slightly, sensing an inexplicable bad feeling.

"I want you to keep an eye on your Seventh Uncle and make sure he visits Miss Hua at the Hua family home to develop a relationship with her. If he doesn't go on time, you must report back to me," the Dowager Empress said, giving a sly smile. She added in a low voice, "Xiuyuan, remember how Mr. Wen mentioned his daughter is quite fond of you!"

Jing Xiuyuan's mouth twitched, and he quickly waved his hands. "No, no, I can't handle Mr. Wen's daughter. I'll make sure Seventh Uncle visits Miss Hua and builds a connection. Don't worry, Grandmother!"

Jing Yeli: "..."

The Dowager Empress nodded in satisfaction and turned to Jing Yeli. "Yeli, you understand what I said. Since you agreed, you must follow through. Otherwise, I'll send ten young ladies to keep you company every day, and you won't have a choice then—"

For the first time, a ripple appeared on Jing Yeli's usually calm face, and he finally lowered his head in compromise.

"I will keep my promise, Mother. Please rest assured."