Empress Dowager Tian hadn't been so happy in a long time. When she talked about Su Yao, she always felt that she had endless words to say and countless questions to ask.
Xiao Heng could naturally see this kind of care, so much so that he felt proud in his heart. He was happy that the person he liked was so likable and was valued so much.
Therefore, when Queen Mother Tian patted the back of his hand and talked about marriage, Xiao Heng was stunned and did not react for a while. It was not until Queen Mother Tian mentioned the word "marriage" that he asked in surprise: "Queen Mother, what marriage are you talking about?"
"Of course it's your marriage!" Empress Dowager Tian also looked at Xiao Heng with some surprise: "You have achieved so much now, shouldn't you get married and have children? Since ancient times, offspring has been the standard for measuring the crown prince. The previous dynasty's Prince Duanrui lost the throne because he had no offspring. Young men of your age in the capital have already married, and some of them married earlier have children who are six or seven years old. Before, you were suppressing the rebellion in Yunnan, and you could say that you were devoted to the country and had no time for personal matters. But now that you are back, the first important thing is to choose a concubine for you. Even if your royal grandfather doesn't mention it and I don't mention it, those ministers will bring it up. Aren't you prepared at all?"
Xiao Heng was a little dazed at first, as he had misheard and thought that Empress Dowager Tian was asking him when he would marry Su Yao.
He was even a little surprised, thinking that Queen Mother Tian had seen something.
Now it seems that the Queen Mother was just urging her naturally.
He was a little amused and said, "You scared me. I thought that my grandfather had already chosen a wife for me before I came back."
Queen Mother Tian looked at him with a smile and said, "It's not impossible. After all, you are so outstanding and you are the treasure in your grandfather's heart. He must have made far-reaching plans for you. How do you know if he has already chosen his wife?"
Xiao Heng became serious, for he knew that Queen Mother Tian was not the kind of person who would make a fuss.
It seems that Empress Dowager Tian was not just urging him to get married just now, but she really saw something and was reminding him implicitly that Emperor Yuanfeng might have already chosen a candidate for his grandson's wife.
This is a bit troublesome.
Xiao Heng frowned. He had submitted a secret memorial before. In the secret memorial, he had told Emperor Yuanfeng the reason why Su Yao went to Yunnan and his feelings.
Emperor Yuanfeng did not reply.
He thought that Emperor Yuanfeng was waiting for him to come back to discuss this matter.
Unexpectedly, Emperor Yuanfeng even had his eyes on the candidate.
Seeing him lost in thought, Empress Dowager Tian smiled slightly and said, "Well, I am old, and I just said this in passing. I just want to see my great-grandson's wife soon. If I am lucky enough, it would be best if I could hug my great-grandson again. Then I will be willing to die."
Xiao Heng hurriedly shook his head: "Don't say that, Queen Mother. You are in good health. Not to mention your great-grandson, even your great-great-grandson can still see you."
After all, the Empress Dowager is not much older than Emperor Yuanfeng.
After a while of such jokes, Empress Dowager Tian couldn't help but burst out laughing: "After going out, I'm really different. My mouth has become much sweeter."
Xiao Heng didn't feel embarrassed at all. After going out and seeing a bigger world, experiencing life and death and countless joys and sorrows, he had become indifferent to many things that happened before.
If you can make people around you happier, it won't hurt to say a few more nice words.
Empress Dowager Tian liked Xiao Heng, so she naturally liked him. After she finished speaking, she reminded him, "When you come back this time, you should also go to Concubine Pang and Concubine Xian's places. They also miss you very much. You should go and pay them your respects. You must be polite."
The affairs of the Pang family also spread back to the capital. Emperor Yuanfeng was very angry at the time. He got angry in front of Concubine Pang and directly reprimanded Pang Yuan for being ignorant of the overall situation.
Concubine Pang did not have any resentment. She just scolded Pang Yuan a few words. It was said that she also invited the wife of Duke Pingguo to the palace. In front of her family, she could no longer tolerate Pang Yuan's impulsiveness and asked her family to discipline him strictly.
No matter what Concubine Pang thinks, and no matter whether this matter is entirely Pang Yuan's fault, Pang Rou was indeed kidnapped by someone disguised as a servant of the Su family. When it comes down to it, it is understandable that the Pang family is angry. Of course, Xiao Heng doesn't have to be afraid of them, but there is no need to make a big deal out of such a small matter.
Xiao Heng agreed very naturally.
This attitude made Empress Dowager Tian feel a little relieved. Recalling Xiao Heng's performance when his life experience was just exposed, she suddenly felt that things in this world always change so fast.
Who could have imagined at that time that Xiao Heng would be where he is today
She waved her hand and said, "Okay, go visit the Imperial Concubine and the Virtuous Concubine, then go and rest first. Tomorrow we have to reward the three armies, and then there are things like ancestor worship. I'm afraid we will be too busy to stop. Take advantage of the time and rest more."
Xiao Heng replied respectfully, and turned around to go to Concubine Pang's Fengzao Palace.
Concubine Pang was also very happy to see him. Before he could greet her, she had him supported and said, "We are a family. There is no need to pay attention to these empty formalities."
Concubine Pang, who has always been a good person, did not hide anything. As soon as she finished speaking, she directly told Pang Yuan about the matter and said, "This matter is all Pang Yuan's fault. You must not take it to heart. No matter what others mean, I know that girl Yaoyao very well. She is definitely not the kind of person who schemes against others. Therefore, I have to apologize to you."
She smiled and said, "As for that girl Yaoyao, let's wait until she comes to the palace. I'm sure the Queen Mother misses her a lot, not to mention Eleven, who has been clamoring to call her back to be a study partner, saying that it's really boring without Yaoyao. I'll apologize to her when she comes to the palace."
Concubine Pang's attitude was frank and sincere. Xiao Heng had already made up his mind not to pursue the matter. Even if he was really a little angry, Concubine Pang was so humble that he couldn't get angry. He smiled and shook his head: "Forget about the rest. I just think he was a little too much. How can he treat a woman like that? Even if he is caring for his sister, he should also think about it. Others have brothers too."
Concubine Pang frowned.
She had noticed before that Xiao Heng had special feelings for Su Yao.
Now it seems that it is really unusual, so unusual that even in such an occasion, Xiao Heng has to speak up for Su Yao and is still brooding over Pang Yuan's attitude.
She sighed softly in her heart, and said calmly, "Don't worry, I have asked the Duke's wife to discipline him well."