The concubine, An, naturally agreed with such flattering words.
The Empress’s smile deepened upon hearing this.
“Concubine sister, I heard from His Majesty that you are selecting a consort for Jinrong?” the Empress inquired.
“His Majesty said that Jinrong’s marriage cannot be taken lightly and must be carefully considered. I thought I would start looking now and observe for a period after a match is made,” Concubine An said with a smile.
“Jinrong is the apple of your eye and His Majesty’s, so indeed she cannot be rushed. Jin Yue also calls you her secondary mother. Have you paid any attention to her marriage prospects?” the Empress maintained her smiling facade.
“Your Highness jests. How could I presume to interfere with Jin Yue’s marriage before you?” Concubine An deftly deflected.
The marriages of princes and princesses, apart from those personally decreed by the Emperor, were all managed by the Empress, with the Emperor having the final say.
Concubine An, holding a rank second only to the Empress and deeply favored by the Emperor, handled the marriages of her own children. The Empress had no opportunity to intervene.
Thus, these exchanges carried not only their surface meaning but also a subtle competition for imperial favor.
Clearly, the Empress was at a slight disadvantage.
Qi Zhenzhen keenly observed that the Empress’s smile had faded slightly. “Then I shall not beat around the bush with you, sister. I believe you are aware of Jin Yue’s feelings. While a royal princess should not demean herself, sometimes emotions arise that neither you nor I can control. We are both experienced, and I believe you can understand Jin Yue’s heart better, sister?”
A cold glint flashed in Concubine An’s eyes. She hadn’t expected the Empress to speak so openly about such matters.
She knew of Jin Yue’s affection for Gu Sinian.
At the time, His Majesty had sounded her out, asking if she approved of the match. She had refused, without any pretense of politeness.
Afterward, His Majesty had reprimanded Jin Yue, stating it was impossible.
Now, the Empress bringing this up again could only mean ill intentions!
“How could I know Jin Yue’s feelings? I am neither her birth mother nor her嫡母 (consort of the highest rank). I have very little interaction with her throughout the year. Should I know?” Concubine An’s smile grew even gentler.
“If sister does not know, then I shall tell you,” the Empress said, her gaze fixed on Qi Zhenzhen.
Qi Zhenzhen met the Empress’s gaze calmly. She was not an ancient person, and attempting to intimidate her with imperial presence would only work if she chose to be subdued. After all, the Empress was not on the same level as Emperor Chongwen.
“Sister, Jin Yue has secretly fallen for your nephew. Although he is already married, since ancient times, men have taken multiple wives and concubines. Even consorts married to princesses are permitted to have concubines! Jin Yue’s situation is special, and our royal family would not resort to using power to oppress others. How about we allow her to be a co-equal wife alongside Ah Nian’s wife?” the Empress asked, looking at Concubine An and Qi Zhenzhen with a half-smile.
Even with Concubine An’s excellent composure, her heart was burning with anger. Was this how one caused trouble for others? By mentioning Ah Nian as her nephew, she was already stirring things up. Furthermore, the young couple had only been married for a few days! To say such a thing was to sow discord between husband and wife.
“Replying to Your Highness the Empress, if the Princess is willing to lower her status, then this humble one is naturally willing. However, a woman follows her father before marriage and her husband after marriage. This matter cannot be decided by my willingness alone; we must first ask the Heir Apparent for his consent before giving an answer to Your Highness. By the way, the Heir Apparent has been summoned by His Majesty. Perhaps Your Highness could send someone to fetch him and ask him directly if he is willing?” Qi Zhenzhen said slowly. “As long as the Heir Apparent agrees, this humble one will naturally consider the Princess as a sister.”