"Your Majesty, someone from the Moon Palace requests an audience."
Zhu Nian had almost forgotten the name "Moon Palace." After a moment's thought, she realized it was Qiao Yu's residence. "Let him in," she commanded.
Shortly, a palace attendant from Qiao Yu's retinue entered, bowed to them, and presented a palace seal.
"What is this?" asked Su Dan Xiao Shuo Wang.
"The Empress's Palace Seal," replied Chong Yan.
Zhu Nian looked at the kneeling figure on the floor. The person looked up slightly and said, "Your Majesty, the secondary consort... Young Master Qiao claims he is lacking in virtue and can no longer hold the palace seal. He sent me to give it to Secondary Consort Chong."
Zhu Nian took the object and examined it. It was a piece of jade. Holding it would grant temporary authority over the empress's affairs. Her harem currently had no Empress, and Qiao Yu had entered the palace first, so he had been in possession of it.
"Is he planning to leave the palace?"
"This... I do not know."
She turned to Chong Yan. "Do you want it?"
Chong Yan seemed hesitant. The item represented status, and he was, of course, tempted. However, he worried she would perceive him as too ambitious. He gently shook his head.
Zhu Nian pushed the jade seal back. "First, go and ask him if he intends to leave the palace. If not, he can keep it for now. When Secondary Consort Chong is enfeoffed as Empress, a new one can be made. If he plans to leave, then it shall remain here."
These words startled everyone in the palace chamber. Chong Yan, in particular, wondered if his ears had deceived him. He had heard her mention enfeoffing him as Empress. Was this true? No, it was impossible. His status was so low, the illegitimate son of a minor official's family. How could he possibly deserve such an honor?
The kneeling figure on the floor was equally astonished. He even forgot himself and looked up at the Emperor, his pupils widening in disbelief as he stared at the two of them, remaining motionless for a long time.
Zhu Nian, seeing his dazed state, said, "What are you still waiting for? Go back and ask."
He jolted back to reality. "Yes, Your Servant will go now." He rose, bowed, and withdrew from the palace.
Zhu Nian muttered, "Why do they all seem so unintelligent?" Was it because this era was too backward, and they hadn't evolved yet? She turned and saw Chong Yan in a state of distant contemplation. She waved her hand in front of him. "What are you daydreaming about? Come back to yourself."
Chong Yan snapped back to awareness but dared not inquire about the matter.
Meanwhile, Qiao Yu, upon hearing the words of the attendant who delivered the palace seal, felt both surprised and a sense of inevitability. The Emperor's demeanor was always unruffled, except when it came to him. The first time he had shared her bed, she had made him a secondary consort. She dined in his palace daily, and even when he lowered his stance and extended an invitation, she had unequivocally refused. Palace attendants had also mentioned that when they were trapped at the pavilion on the lake, it was the Emperor who had carried him back. All these signs pointed to his special status. He had resigned himself to it.
"Secondary Consort, the Emperor asks if you intend to leave the palace. If not, should this servant retrieve the palace seal?"
"No need." Things given away were never taken back. Even if it were retrieved, what use would it be? She had said she would have a new one made for him, and that one would soon lose its relevance.
"Yes."
---
Qiao Yu did not have the Empress's Palace Seal retrieved, nor did he intend to leave the imperial palace. He ordered his palace gates sealed, intending to live a secluded life. However, Zhu Nian still wanted him to resolve Nangong Haoxuan's marriage. She sent people to urge him every few days. Qiao Yu's palace gates were opened and closed repeatedly. After a few days of this, they finally gave out and broke. After that incident, many in the palace felt he had no hope for the rest of his life and were unwilling to serve him. The palace gates, damaged, were not repaired, and thus, they could not be fully closed.
Nearly ten days later, Nangong Haoxuan and Nangong Cai finally provided a response. They had chosen one of the individuals Qiao Yu had previously identified: the granddaughter of the Marquis of Yong'an. The Marquis of Yong'an was a hereditary title with no real power. The legitimate daughter of that marquis's mansion was not particularly well-known, and by all accounts, rather ordinary, nothing outstanding.
Zhu Nian looked at the portrait of the woman and then at the people before her. "Are my imperial brother and sister certain they wish to choose her?"
Nangong Haoxuan replied, "Yes, please bestow the marriage, Your Majesty."
Zhu Nian said, "There's no hurry. Although Miss Chu is very suitable, we must first inquire about her willingness. Someone, summon Chu Xiangyin of the Marquis of Yong'an's mansion."
They waited in the palace for about half an hour before the heir of the Marquis of Yong'an entered the palace with her daughter. After the customary greetings, Zhu Nian directly conveyed the intentions of the other two. The heir of the Marquis of Yong'an was visibly excited. "Your Majesty, this matter has already been discussed by the two princes with the marquis's mansion. I have no objections. My daughter has also admired the young prince for a long time and is willing to live with the prince in shared hardship and be united in heart forever." She then nudged her daughter beside her.
Unfortunately, Chu Xiangyin did not seem as willing as her mother claimed. A palpable coldness emanated from her, as if she were wearing a sign that read "I am unwilling." She showed no reaction to her mother's words.
Zhu Nian stood up. "What are Miss Chu's thoughts?"
Without looking up, Chu Xiangyin replied, "This humble subject will abide by Your Majesty's decision."
Zhu Nian chuckled. "I cannot make this decision alone. However, I see that Miss Chu does not seem very willing. My brother's favor is your fortune, and the fortune of the Marquis of Yong'an's mansion. According to the laws of the land, if Miss Chu marries my brother, she can only have him as her sole spouse for life."
Chu Xiangyin seemed to waver. The Marquis of Yong'an immediately added, "This subject knows the laws, Your Majesty. Please be assured. My daughter has always been well-behaved and has never transgressed propriety. She is still a virgin, pure and untainted, worthy of Prince Haoxuan. I beg Your Majesty to bestow the marriage upon them."
Chu Xiangyin appeared somewhat embarrassed. Zhu Nian looked at Nangong Haoxuan. "Imperial brother, do you also insist?"
Nangong Haoxuan also hesitated. He did not actually like Chu Xiangyin, but he felt he could not marry the person he loved. That person, that family, was already too powerful. If he were to marry her, it would be an open declaration to everyone that his sister intended to rebel. He did not want to place her in a position of injustice, nor did he want to bring disaster upon his only remaining family and the one he loved.
"Imperial brother is the sole prince of the Vermillion Bird Kingdom. All the good daughters in this world are yours to choose from. You need not be concerned about anyone else. Follow your heart."
Nangong Haoxuan glanced at Nangong Cai. She remained silent. Neither trusted Zhu Nian. She might already be aware of their ambiguous relationship and was waiting for him to agree so she could apprehend them both. He could not agree. Yet... this might be his only opportunity.