Empress Dowager Liu was seething inside, hardly able to refrain from cursing aloud. The implication from the Empress Dowager was for her not to sow discord; the Emperor did not wish for Shen Yurong to marry Princess Yongning, yet the Empress Dowager turned around and granted the marriage anyway. It was certain to breed resentment between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
Sure enough, those who survived in the palace, even if they pretended to be without desires, harbored cunning and shrewd hearts. Empress Dowager Liu thought resentfully, so be it, even if Emperor Hongxiao truly disapproved and really heeded her wishes, she never liked Shen Yurong. It was only because she could not oppose Princess Yongning. If Princess Yongning knew she had done her best, but the Emperor did not agree, she would not blame her.
