Three years had passed, and she seemed a little more composed, but there was a faint shadow of melancholy between her brows, as if she were troubled by something. Leading her personal maid, Lan Yi, she gracefully curtsied to Qing Yao.
"Xing Zhu greets the Imperial Sister-in-law."
"Mm, rise," Qing Yao nodded, beckoning Xing Zhu to sit. She reached out, took her hand, and examined her from head to toe, her face wreathed in a gentle smile.
"Xing Zhu has grown up. Why hasn't His Majesty betrothed the young lady? She should be of age for marriage."
She remembered Xing Zhu was nineteen today. At this age in ancient times, one would have long been married. Why hadn't His Majesty arranged a marriage for her?
As soon as Qing Yao's words fell, the usually composed Xing Zhu's eyes suddenly misted over. Sniffling, she looked up at Qing Yao with a pitiable gaze, startling everyone. What was wrong with the princess?
"What's wrong? Xing Zhu, did someone bully you?"
It shouldn't be the case. Even with Xi Men Xin Yue in the palace, His Majesty doted on this young lady. How could anyone dare to bully her?
Then it must be something else. Several pairs of eyes were fixed on her. Xing Zhu forcefully sniffled, knowing she had become a little too emotional. She quickly suppressed it, and after a long while, spoke slowly.
"Imperial Sister-in-law, I have something to tell you."
She didn't say more after that, likely not wanting to speak in front of so many people. Qing Yao waved her hand, "You may all withdraw."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Mo Chou and the others responded. Although they were curious, it must be something difficult to speak of, which was why the princess was unwilling to say it in front of everyone.
Could that matter be related to the princess's beloved? Mo Chou guessed as she retreated, followed by the others.
However, Little Yu'er did not leave. Firstly, she had a good relationship with her aunt Xing Zhu. Secondly, she was a genuine gossip, and she wouldn't want to miss such juicy gossip. She perked up her ears, her beautiful phoenix eyes fixed on Aunt Xing Zhu without blinking.
Seeing that there were no extraneous people in the grand hall, except for her Imperial Sister-in-law, her little niece, and her own maid Lan Yi, Murong Xing Zhu breathed a sigh of relief. She reached out and tightly clasped Qing Yao's hand, speaking softly, "Imperial Sister-in-law, you must help me."
Qing Yao raised her eyebrows curiously, "Alright, speak."
Xing Zhu took a deep breath and said persistently, "Imperial Sister-in-law, I actually have someone I like."
As soon as she finished speaking, Qing Yao and Little Yu'er exchanged glances, then smiled at her together, "That's a good thing! Let His Majesty bestow a marriage upon you then."
"But..."
Xing Zhu paused hesitantly, then finally spoke calmly, "But he has no good family background, his status is low, and he's also just a common martial artist."
When Xing Zhu finished speaking, Qing Yao and Little Yu'er's eyes widened, their mouths gaping, and they stared at her without blinking. It wasn't that they were snobbish, but it was hard to imagine that a princess of the royal family would fall in love with such a person.
No family background, low status, and a martial artist – they immediately pictured a burly man. Qing Yao simultaneously placed her other hand on Princess Xing Zhu's forehead, checking if she had a fever.
"What do you like about him then?"
No family, no status, no character – this was clearly a man with nothing. A princess had status, position, and character. Could she be sure that man loved her for herself and not for her status?
"Who is that person?"
Qing Yao and Little Yu'er were curious. Their probing gazes fixed on the princess. Little Yu'er, being naturally impatient, had already reached out and shaken her aunt's arm, "Who? Who is it?"
Qing Yao glared at her. Why was this little girl so agitated? Could she be having a crush? Although her body was that of a four or five-year-old, her mind was that of an adult, perfectly capable of having a crush.
Who knew that Murong Xing Zhu would shyly refuse to reveal who the person was? After a long while, she stammered nervously, "He, he is?"
"Who is it?" Little Yu'er cried out again. Seeing that the princess couldn't say it, Lan Yi stepped forward and said seriously, "The princess likes the Guard Commander Hua Li Ge."
"Hua Li Ge?"
Qing Yao's mind immediately conjured Hua Li Ge's appearance. Hua Li Ge was ethereally beautiful and also extremely cold, with formidable martial arts skills. Qing Yao let out a sigh.
That man is not bad. What is the princess agonizing over?
Little Yu'er beside her immediately widened her eyes and cheered, "The princess and the knight! So romantic."
"Knight?" Princess Xing Zhu was startled, not knowing what a knight was. However, she cautiously glanced at Qing Yao, fearing she might see disapproval in her Imperial Sister-in-law's eyes. Fortunately, there was nothing amiss in her Imperial Sister-in-law's gaze, and she felt relieved.
"Imperial Sister-in-law, what do you think?"
"It's fine. Hua Li Ge is a good man, handsome, and a first-rank guard. Although Xing Zhu is a princess, as long as the man loves you, that's all that matters. The imperial family lacks nothing. Go and speak to His Majesty, let him issue a decree for the marriage."
Qing Yao said matter-of-factly. She knew the Emperor doted on the princess. As long as he saw that Hua Li Ge truly loved the princess, he would surely grant the marriage. He was not the type to care about superficial formalities.
"But I already told Imperial Brother that I have someone I like, but he flatly refused and immediately betrothed me to Young Master Ruan Zi Mo of Yong Ning Marquis's estate.
But I don't like Ruan Zi Mo. Fortunately, I didn't tell him I liked Li Ge, or Li Ge would surely be in trouble."
Xing Zhu's pretty face was grim. She had met that Ruan Zi Mo. He was an arrogant fellow, and she detested him the moment she saw him. To her anger, her Imperial Brother had ordered her to marry Ruan Zi Mo.
These past few days, she hadn't been able to eat or sleep, and had almost eloped with Li Ge. Fortunately, her Imperial Sister-in-law had returned to the palace, and she hoped she could prevent this, as she truly did not wish to fall out with her Imperial Brother.
Imperial Brother, who had doted on her the most since childhood. Although he was only a brother, his love was no less than that of their Emperor Father and Empress Mother. Therefore, she wished to gain her Imperial Brother's blessing.
"Yong Ning Marquis?"
Qing Yao's eyes flickered. She knew of the Yong Ning Marquis's estate. It was said to have been a favored important minister of the late Emperor, on par with Xi Men Zheng Hao, and one of Xian Yue's Twin Knights.
However, when the late Emperor was on his deathbed, he had stripped the military power of both families, and so he had gone into seclusion. Now, the Emperor marrying the princess to the Yong Ning Marquis's estate clearly indicated his favor towards the Ruan family. What did this mean?
He favored not only the Xi Men family but also the Ruan family.
Qing Yao's unease grew heavier. Was he trying to suppress the Mu family and the current high-ranking officials in the court? Was he planning a blood transfusion?
Qing Yao's pupils flashed with fire, a fleeting glint of coldness in her heart.