Chapter 39

Qin Imperial Palace, Palace Ci Xiang.

This was the place that the Empress Dowager resided in. It was away from the imperial court and the lodgings of the Emperor’s many concubines.

The Empress Dowager was the Emperor’s biological mother.

After the Emperor took over the state, she moved out to Palace Ci Xiang.

Normally, it was hard to enter Palace Ci Xiang without the Empress Dowager summoning them. However, the Palace Ci Xiang’s door was completely open. It seemed like someone was here.

A series of laughter was heard from the depths of Palace Ci Xiang.

The kind laughter had a tinge of authoritativeness that came from the many years of experience.

However, even if so, the people in Palace Ci Xiang did not dare to tease the owner of the voice. Even Jiang Imperial Consort, who was greatly loved by the Emperor, could only hide her lips and laugh along, as she carefully watched the person’s change in expression.

Apart from the palace maids, only four people were in the main hall.

The old lady amongst them sat on the main seat and even though her five features were old, they could not hide her beauty from before. Her luxurious robe was embroidered with a phoenix pattern, which symbolized women in the royal family. There were not many accessories on her hair, other than her hairpin, which was decorated with extremely valuable jades in a simple manner. She wore a string of Buddhist beads, which were meticulously engraved with a religious pattern, on her left wrist.

An old nanny stood behind her, and her face had light smiling intentions, as she accompanied the old lady silently.

One could simply tell what kind of status the old nanny had in front of the most distinguished woman in the Kingdom of Qin.

Two women sat on the left side of Empress Dowager. From the similarities in their appearance and inference of their ages, they were mother and daughter.

However, the elegant young lady looked more pristine and cold, compared to her mother’s natural coy look.

“Empress Dowager, don’t make fun of Yao’er. She’s still young and I want her to accompany me for a few more years.” Jiang Imperial Consort held a handkerchief in her hand as she covered her lips and giggled. She looked like she was wheedling.

Perhaps only this flirtish Jiang Imperial Consort could wheedle to the Empress Dowager in front of her children.

Princess Changle, Qin Yiyao, who was sitting beside her mother, did not reveal many emotions. The calmness on her face made it seem like the Empress Dowager did not previously talk about her.

The Empress Dowager turned the beads on her and as she jokingly scolded Jiang Imperial Consort, “What do you mean by young? Women in the Kingdom of Qin reach marriageable age when they’re thirteen. Yao’er is already fifteen and she’s old enough. If it wasn’t because she had to wait for Mu Qingge to come of age, you would’ve had grandchildren already!”

The corner of Jiang Imperial Consort’s lips froze, as she secretly glanced at her daughter but saw that she was very calm, just like a beautiful statue. She did not even have the shy nature of a girl hearing about her own marriage, and this made Jiang Imperial Consort’s eyes darken.

It was lucky that the Empress Dowager did not notice this, as she continued, “Coming to think about it, that kid from the Mu family is going to come of age soon.”

Her words seemed to be for herself, but it also seemed like she was asking someone else.

The nanny, who was very familiar with the Empress Dowager’s habits, immediately bent down and whispered, “Yes, Little Lord Mu will turn twenty in a year’s time.” That meant that he would be of age, and the marriage agreement between the Mu family and the royal family should be completed.

The Empress Dowager nodded undetectably and had her own plans.

In her eyes, Mu Qingge was the only one left in the Mu family’s bloodline and he was a good-for-nothing, so he was destined to cause the fall of the Mu family when he inherited it. Now, the royal family wanted to marry their princess into the Mu family. Not mentioning how the Mu family’s bloodline would be infiltrated by the royal family, they would have a good reputation as well. There was no need to use secret manipulations and get them all in trouble.

The Empress Dowager looked at the quiet Qin Yiyao. She had a very small face and inherited her parents’ good genes, as she looked as pretty as a flower and as perfect as snow, truly an outstanding beauty in the world. The rarest thing was that she was born with an elegant and proud demeanor, which made her even more attractive than an average lady.

It was not taking advantage of them by letting the Mu family’s good-for-nothing to marry such a girl.

The Empress Dowager sighed in her heart, as she revealed a kind smile to Qin Yiyao. She asked, “Our Yao’er looks increasingly prettier. That Mu family kid is so lucky!”

“Grandmother, you’re being too kind,” replied Qin Yiyao quietly and by the book, after she was pointed out by the Empress Dowager. However, her face was still nonchalant.

The nonchalance and lack of care in her words made Jiang Imperial Consort anxious. She was afraid that her daughter’s attitude would offend the Empress Dowager, and she would have to be very mindful of herself in the palace.

Hence, she scolded, “Yao’er, how can you reply to Empress Dowager like that? Did you forget all the manners I taught you?”

“I wouldn’t dare,” replied Qin Yiyao in a tone that was neither humble nor condescending, as she lowered her eyes.

The Empress Dowager waved her hands. “Okay, okay. It’s nothing big. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen Yao’er’s nonchalant attitude. I told you to come here because the Emperor summoned the Mu family kid into the palace.”

Jiang Imperial Consort was dazed and muttered in her heart, Why didn’t I know that the Emperor called for Mu Qingge to enter the palace?

Qin Yiyao, who had acted as if she was an outsider all along, finally had a small reaction at this point. Her butterfly-like lashes trembled slightly.

Before Jiang Imperial Consort said anything, the Empress Dowager continued, “I’ve already sent someone to get the Mu family kid here. I heard that he had suffered the past few days. One of you is his future mother-in-law, and the other is his future wife. You must take good care of him today, especially Yao’er. You’ve kind of grown up with Qingge, but after the male and female differences, you’ve grown apart. You have to marry into the Mu family sooner or later, so you should work on your relationship with him. The deeper your relations, the happier you’ll be in the future. Today, just accompany Qingge around the palace and you can go out with him when he exits the palace. Then, you can return to your Princess Changle Residence afterwards.”

The Empress Dowager had made her decision without any room for arguments.

The Kingdom of Qin’s laws stated that princes and princesses had to live in their mansions outside of the palace. The only one that could live in the palace for long was the nine year-old Seventh Prince.

“Empress Dowager, this… Yao’er haven’t married him yet…” Jiang Imperial Consort was originally upset with her daughter’s marriage. In her eyes, she could use this marriage to make use of Mu Qingge, but she could not lose her daughter. Her daughter deserved better.

For example, she could have a marriage alliance with other countries and use that to exchange for other countries’ support. Or, she could use her beauty and talent to charm the capable men in the world.

No matter what, her daughter could not be married to a good-for-nothing.

However, the Empress Dowager ignored her and said, “Okay, everyone knows who Yao’er’s future husband is. The two of them have a very good relationship and everyone else can’t help but envy them, let alone talk about others.”

Then, she wisely looked at Qin Yiyao and asked, “Yao’er, do you understand my words?”

Qin Yiyao pressed her lips against each other tightly and her lashes trembled. Then, she nodded and said, “I understand.”

“Now you’re a good girl, and my obedient granddaughter, the Kingdom of Qin’s princess.” The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction.