Seeing Princess Yongning on the verge of breaking into tears, Empress Dowager Liu explained once more, "I did indeed speak with the Empress Dowager, expressing my hope that a marriage could be arranged for Shen Yurong and you, and she agreed. For all these years, even though I looked down on her, I know she wouldn't go against her word; she doesn't care about these palace affairs. The one who changed the person secretly was Emperor Hongxiao." As she reached this point, a trace of ruthlessness flashed through Empress Dowager Liu's eyes, "That wily pup, seizing any chance to throw a spanner in the works. I've said it long ago, he's a disaster waiting to happen!"
"Why would His Majesty do such a thing?" Princess Yongning asked, "I just want a Prince Consort, how does that get in his way?"
