CHAPTER 334: CHAPTER 329: I AM THE MARQUIS MANSION DOWAGER 18

Anning looked at the Emperor with a smile that was not quite a smile: "Teacher, aren’t you afraid that I’ll take you for a playboy by saying that?"

With a single question, even the Emperor, who was quite advanced in years, blushed.

He had ascended the throne over twenty years ago, and now held the esteemed title of Emperor. He thought he had achieved a state of calm detachment, no longer swayed by any person or event. Yet, in Anning’s presence, he found himself unexpectedly nervous and uneasy.

"I meant no offense to the young lady."

The Emperor quickly explained, his nerves on edge: "I simply... simply am fond of you."

"What if I say I’m already betrothed?"

Anning grabbed a handful of dried fruit from the table, popped one into her mouth, and spoke somewhat indistinctly.

As soon as she said this, a hint of anger flashed in the Emperor’s eyes: "Engaged to which family?"

Anning shook her head with a smile: "I’m just teasing you, sir. I haven’t been betrothed yet, but..."

The Emperor was on an emotional roller coaster today, his gaze fixed intently on Anning: "But what?"

Anning, laughing, scattered the dried fruits across the table: "But, I have been married before. Sadly, my husband passed away early, and now I live a widowed life at home."

This did not concern the Emperor at all.

He also laughed: "That’s fine. Nowadays, there are many widows who remarry. May I ask if Madam would be willing to join me in wedlock?"

The smile faded from Anning’s face, and she looked seriously at the Emperor: "Do you mean to marry me?"

The Emperor nodded.

Anning grew even more serious: "Let’s be clear, we’re talking about marriage, not taking a concubine. If it’s marriage, then it means I would be the legitimate wife, carried into the house in a grand bridal sedan through the front door."

"Of course."

Oh heavens, oh earth.

Eunuch Wu, the Chief Eunuch attending to the Emperor, was already petrified.

The Emperor wants to get married?

Then, wouldn’t the woman he marries become the Supreme Empress?

There is already a Supreme Empress in the palace, and with two Empresses Dowager... this could lead to a great scandal.

The current Your Majesty has already ascended the throne, and now the Emperor suddenly decides to take a new wife. This means finding His Majesty a new mother. Emperor, please think thrice about this.

Eunuch Wu’s mind raced with thoughts, but he dared not make a sound.

The Emperor was known for his stubborn streak; once he made up his mind, no one could talk him out of it.

Anning looked the Emperor up and down: "I imagine at your age, you already have a wife and children at home. If you wish to marry me, how will you deal with your wife and children?"

This...

The Emperor also remembered that there was still a Supreme Empress at home.

However, she was not his legitimate wife; originally just a concubine, she was crowned Supreme Empress after the Seventh Prince ascended the throne.

Seeing the Emperor’s hesitation, Anning’s face turned angry. She slammed her hand on the table and stood up: "Are you playing games with me? If you already have a family, it is atrocious to speak of marrying me, you... this man..."

Fuming, she turned to leave.

The Emperor was terrified and hurriedly blocked Anning’s way: "Lady, Lady, please wait."

Anning stopped in her tracks but did not hide her anger: "Though I may not come from a prominent family, I understand the importance of honor and keeping promises. Someone who casually makes promises he can’t keep, deceiving us simple girls, I have always despised association with such people."

While speaking, Anning kicked the Emperor: "Men like you, I’ve always called them scum."

The Emperor was in such pain that he bent over, and Anning seized the opportunity to quickly slip away.

"Chase her, quickly."

Furious, the Emperor berated Eunuch Wu: "What are you standing around for? If that lady gets away, watch your head."

Eunuch Wu rushed to command the Hidden Guard to follow Anning and see where she went.

After giving his orders, he came back to support the Emperor: "Your Majesty really should reconsider... That lady is clearly not easy to deal with. The harem is also full of Imperial Concubines, each with their charms. Are you not content? Even if you no longer favor any of them, there are plenty of beauties in the world..."

The Emperor, infuriated, pushed Eunuch Wu away: "That lady has captured my heart, in her absence, I care for no other."

Eunuch Wu sighed. What was he to say?

Anning returned to the Imperial Censor’s Mansion, fuming with anger.

Tang Pei had just come looking for her, and seeing her livid, he quickly approached her with concern: "Great-great-grandmother, what has happened? Who has annoyed you?"

Anning sat down and gulped down some cold tea, then began venting to Tang Pei: "I really encountered a bizarre situation today. I was out and about, minding my own business, when out of nowhere, this man runs up to me declaring his love at first sight, wanting to marry me, asking if I was engaged. I told him I wasn’t, but that I’m a widow. He said he didn’t care and kept pressing for marriage. I actually thought he was sincere, but upon asking, it turns out he has a wife and children at home. What kind of person does this?"