The Double

Early this morning, Princess Yongning went to see Empress Dowager Liu. Although she often visited the palace, she wouldn’t usually come so early. Princess Yongning was accustomed to waking up late, so as soon as Empress Dowager Liu saw her like this, she knew that her daughter must have something to ask of her.

"I just missed my mother," Princess Yongning cooed.

Though she was no longer a child, Princess Yongning still retained her girlish demeanor in front of Empress Dowager Liu, who chided her affectionately. Empress Dowager Liu, in her youth, was favored when accompanying The Late Emperor, and was flamboyant in her actions. Both of her children had grown up by her side, thus indulged excessively. Prince Cheng and Princess Yongning were showered with abundant affection. Prince Cheng was better in this regard, being older and having more concerns to ponder. Princess Yongning, however, was almost an exact replica of Empress Dowager Liu in character; she even resembled her mother in her youth, which led Empress Dowager Liu to be especially indulgent toward her daughter, almost granting her every wish.

"As if I don’t know your temperament," Empress Dowager Liu feigned impatience, "if you don’t speak now, I will leave."

"Ah! Ah! Mother, I’ll speak," Princess Yongning hurriedly caught the sleeve of her mother and said, "Mother, I want to be wed to Shen Yurong."

Upon hearing this, any joy in Empress Dowager Liu’s expression immediately cooled. She said, "Why bring this up out of the blue? There are so many young talents in the court, and I really don’t see Shen Yurong as anything special." Even though Shen Yurong appeared to be a rising star, he lacked family support. For imperial kinsfolk and nobility like them, she wouldn’t insist on an exceptional match, but the partner must not be mediocre either. Empress Dowager Liu, particularly proud and arrogant, could not accept the idea of marrying her beloved daughter to a commoner who was of plain background before.

"But mother, you had already agreed before," Princess Yongning whined, "how could you go back on your word?"

"Before, it was because your brother was also persuading me. Although I didn’t like him, I couldn’t argue with both of you. But Yongning, consider what time it is now, your case with Xue Huaiyuan is still unclear, and getting involved with Shen Yurong at this time, wouldn’t it be giving people something to talk about?" said Empress Dowager Liu. She wasn’t clear about what Princess Yongning had done concerning the Xue Family, but she knew her daughter’s character well enough; to get Shen Yurong, she would resort to doing anything. Empress Dowager Liu believed the rumors were not unfounded, but she also chose to turn a blind eye. For families like theirs, they must get what they desire, and any obstacles in their way should simply be removed.