Chapter Nineteen: Childhood Sweethearts

The Empress naturally understood the meaning behind the Empress Dowager’s words and replied with a smile, “In truth, among the noble sons, there is one whom I have always favored for Guli.”

“Oh?” The Empress Dowager asked with curiosity, “Which family’s young lord?”

“Of course, it is the legitimate son of the Duke of Dingguo, Zhou Siyuan.”

Now, the Duke of Dingguo belonged to a family of great merit and honor, having accompanied the present Emperor across battlefields and accumulated countless military exploits. The duke himself was a man of imposing presence, upright and loyal, highly valued by the Emperor.

As for his son, Zhou Siyuan, the Empress Dowager had some impression of him. In his childhood, it seemed that Guli was fond of him, and he was often summoned to the palace to play. By that account, the two could be considered childhood companions.

However, as the Duke of Dingguo was always strict with his children, and even more so with his legitimate son, the future heir to the title, he had sent Zhou Siyuan to Tianming Mountain for martial training and study when the boy was eight. He remained away for six or seven years.

With her eldest son absent, the duchess devoted herself to Buddhist practice, which was why, during this retreat to the Southern Garden, it was the second lady and the younger son, Zhou Ningyuan, who accompanied the duke.

The Empress Dowager sighed with some regret. “What a pity that Zhou Siyuan is still at Tianming Mountain. Otherwise, if he were here today, I could have met him myself.”

“Mother, you need not be impatient. Zhou Siyuan is only a year or two older than Guli. Once both reach the age for marriage, I am certain the Duke will send for him to return. You will surely have the chance to meet him then.”

The Empress Dowager nodded with a smile. “Indeed, I have great faith in the Duke’s character. His son must surely be outstanding as well. He would be the perfect match for our Guli.”

As she spoke, the Empress Dowager seemed to envision Guli’s wedding, gently patting her hand, her smile growing ever more satisfied.

Guli felt her head ache—wasn’t the purpose of this gathering to discuss Jian’an’s marriage? How had the conversation turned to her? How did things end up like this?

Flustered and upset, her fair face flushed a deep red as she protested, “Mother, grandmother, please don’t tease me. I’m still young and have no wish to marry yet. Besides, I don’t even know Zhou Siyuan. How could I possibly marry him?”

“Nonsense, how could you not know him?” the Empress chided with a hint of annoyance. “When you were little, you played with him all the time, pestering him to call him Brother Siyuan, even saying you wanted him to be your prince consort and that you would be his bride when you grew up. Have you forgotten?”

Guli saw her mother becoming ever more enthusiastic, and she stamped her foot in distress. “Those were childish jokes made in ignorance, how could they be taken seriously?”

“Why shouldn’t they be taken seriously?” The Empress stroked Guli’s forehead, her smile gentle and teasing. “Childhood bonds and innocent affections—what could be better?”

After speaking, the Empress glanced, almost imperceptibly, at Princess Jian’an, noting how she stood quietly behind the Empress Dowager, her eyes lowered in perfect obedience, betraying nothing of her thoughts.

A faint, cold smile flickered across the Empress’s heart.

This Princess Jian’an certainly had a lofty air about her. Even with the Empress Dowager personally choosing a match for her, she dared refuse. None of the distinguished sons among the nobility had caught her eye—could it be that she fancied someone even more exceptional?

She recalled how, in childhood, Guli and Zhou Siyuan would play together, and sometimes Jian’an would be nearby…

The Empress’s hand unconsciously tightened.

No one truly knew whether this seemingly gentle and harmless Princess Jian’an was, like her birth mother, ruthless and cunning beneath the surface. If that were the case, then she must ensure Zhou Siyuan was kept firmly by Guli’s side!

Guli was still young and innocent, but she would protect her daughter and pave her way, or how could she ever face her departed elder sister?