After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Chapter 363 The Empress Dowager Makes a Dazzling Appearance

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Princess Deqing requests an audience."

"Oh? What brings you here today? Please come in."

A lady-in-waiting from Empress Dowager Ouyang's side led in an elderly woman with a kind face and a dignified and elegant demeanor.

It is evident that the old lady was extremely beautiful when she was young, and even now that she is older, her appearance is still remarkable.

Years have passed, but Princess Deqing is now an extremely beautiful and gentle old lady.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May Your Majesty be well."

"Get up! How many times have I told you to use such unorthodox language between us?"

"Yes, it was my younger sister who was being disrespectful. Please don't be angry, elder sister. I've come all this way with my old bones, not to upset you, elder sister!"

The Empress Dowager spoke reproachfully, but Princess Deqing visibly relaxed after bowing. Etiquette should not be disregarded; bowing signifies the relationship between ruler and subject, but afterwards, they can chat like sisters without any issues.

Princess Deqing was such a person. Even though she was of noble status, she always remembered that the Empress Dowager was the "ruler" and her family was the "subject".

"You, how old are you? You're still as unreliable as when you were a child. Tell me, you rarely come to the palace, did you have another argument this time? Do you want me to settle things for you?"

Princess Deqing and the old Prince Deqing were childhood sweethearts, the kind who fought each other since they were little.

Even after marriage, things didn't calm down. They were better when they were young, but as they got older, their tempers worsened, and they often caused trouble in the palace. It's no wonder that the Empress Dowager asked this question.

"Hey~ no, I can't be bothered with that old geezer. The younger generation is all filial, and I don't expect that old geezer to support me in my old age. Let him go wherever he wants and do whatever he wants."

I came here on another business, and I was hoping my cousin could help me make a decision. I don't trust anyone else.

"Oh? What is it? Why did you make this special trip?"

"Hehe, it's my nephew. He's getting on in years, but he's still not married, it's driving me crazy. His parents specifically told me to take care of him when they entrusted him to me."

Sigh... So many years have passed, and I still haven't been able to fulfill their last wish. It truly weighs on my mind.

Princess Deqing shed two clear tears at just the right moment, looking utterly pitiful.

"Oh dear, you're just talking, why are you crying? How come you haven't changed after all these years? You were such a crybaby when you were little, what do we call you now?"

"Crybaby? That sounds awful, stop crying!"

What?! Princess Deqing was stunned. Crybaby is fine, but why add "old"? My cousin is really something! She knows I can't stand hearing about old people.

The Empress Dowager is in her fifties this year, and Princess Deqing is a little younger, but she is also over fifty. She is most afraid of people saying the word "old".

Actually, Princess Deqing is quite well-maintained. A few years ago, she also bought a few pills by chance.

He looks to be in his early forties now, but he still has wrinkles and a few gray hairs.

However, compared to the Empress Dowager, she was clearly much younger.

The Empress Dowager didn't care much about appearances. After all, she had absolute power and no husband to serve her, so she cared even less.

After all, beauty fades with time, and no one can escape it.

Princess Deqing finally stopped crying. Thinking of her troublesome son, she frowned and said, "Acheng is almost thirty. What good girl would want him?"

Sigh~ He's old enough to be a father to some girl, but I'm not willing to let him marry a divorced woman or a widow.

Ah Cheng is a bit older, but he's still a young man, and it's a bit unfair for him to marry a divorced woman.

"You, you really know how to give me a hard time. What? He's thirty years old and still wants to marry a young lady in her late teens?"

I feel sorry for that young lady. Just because she is the nephew of Princess Deqing, she can find an old man who can be her father.

What's the point? Is it his age?

The Empress Dowager was somewhat speechless. If this were a daughter from an ordinary family, there would definitely be many people lining up to marry her.

However, Princess Deqing would never agree to her nephew marrying a daughter from a humble background, so the only option was to find a suitable match in the household of a minor official.

"Oh dear, we've only just come to the Empress Dowager for help. I don't know anyone else who can do this for us besides you."

With your imperial decree of marriage bestowed, who would dare disobey?!

"Nonsense! A marriage alliance is meant to foster goodwill between two families, not enmity. And you're talking about bestowing a marriage upon him? I'll arrange for him to marry a peasant girl. Would you be willing to do that?!"

Upon hearing this, Princess Deqing quickly waved her hand, "This is unacceptable! How can a country bumpkin like her enter our home!"

The Empress Dowager snorted, "If that's the case, then don't mention the arranged marriage again. You're quite clever; let me be the bad guy."

However, I am curious why your nephew is still unwilling to get married. Is there some hidden illness among him?

"Cough, cough, cough, cough, no way! Absolutely not!"

"Acheng is handsome, but he's only focused on reading, writing, and painting, and doesn't care much about matters of the heart," Princess Deqing said anxiously.

"I see. Then you, as his aunt, should give him some advice. Getting married and starting a family are important matters."

If we delay any longer, in a few years, we won't even need to look for a suitable young woman anymore; wouldn't it be more appropriate to just find a companion for our old age?"

The Empress Dowager picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and secretly curled the corners of her mouth upwards, concealing it with the teacup lid.

Princess Deqing opened her mouth. What she said was unpleasant to hear, but it made perfect sense.

She nodded helplessly, "I know that, but that child is very stubborn and can't be left alone without being forced to do something."

"Why don't you organize a poetry gathering or something? Doesn't he like to compose poems, write calligraphy and paint to express his feelings? Then find some talented young people and have them get together."

What about making friends through poetry or painting? Perhaps it's at a poetry gathering that "a kindred spirit finds its soulmate"?

Once you've made a good impression, create a few opportunities to bump into each other, spend time together, and cultivate feelings; things might just fall into place naturally.

Princess Consort Deqing's eyes lit up. "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is truly wise! This idea is absolutely brilliant! How could I not have thought of it? I'll go back and get to work on it!"

"Oh, what's the rush? It's perfect timing. Several princes in the palace are reaching the right age. I'll hold a flower viewing party in the palace later and give you an invitation so your nephew can come."

The families of officials of the fifth rank and above are all invited. Whether or not your nephew will gain anything depends on his own efforts.

"What an outstanding and talented young man! Even if he's older, he'll still have a chance. Some young ladies, however, don't care about age or appearance; they only love talented men."

"Oh dear, that would be even better! Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty! I am deeply grateful!"

High-level hunters often appear as prey themselves. Princess Deqing inwardly praised herself repeatedly, chuckling to herself, "I've finally accomplished what my nephew asked me to do!"

Although she accidentally tricked her nephew, isn't this the result she wanted? Hehe, as expected, she's the smartest!