“To select an imperial consort?” Feng Qiongcang’s words left Feng Jiu’er momentarily stunned.

Feng Jiang, for his part, was entirely unaffected — he sat to one side and had even picked up an apple to munch on.

“Jiu’er is already past sixteen. It is indeed the right time to select a consort.” He smiled.

Once the princess selected a consort, that person would very likely become the Imperial Consort in the future — a position equivalent to that of the current Empress. Though, speaking of which, Father Emperor’s palace had left the Empress’s seat vacant for so many years. Father Emperor had never seemed to give any thought to filling it. If there was not even an Empress, and now a princess was to select a consort — did Father Emperor intend to abdicate?

But this Princess Jiu’er had barely returned, not long at all. Could she truly take over the realm?

What exactly was Father Emperor thinking?

“Third Imperial Brother, is it that you have found someone you fancy yourself — and you are hoping that I will hurry through the selection of my consort so that you too can marry? Is that it?”

Jiu’er still remembered what Feng Jiang had said to her before. Her several imperial brothers would have to wait until she, as the prospective ruler, had completed her consort selection and married before they could consider their own affairs. This fellow must have someone he was fond of, and was eager to push her forward. Though, in all their time together, she had not actually seen him pay particular attention to any young woman. His capacity for secrecy was thoroughly accomplished.

“You have a girl you fancy?” Feng Qiongcang’s gaze settled on Feng Jiang, and in the very next moment, his eyes turned razor-sharp.

Feng Jiang was startled. He hastily dropped the apple in his hands, stood up, and bowed. “To reply to Father Emperor: this son has never been one to dwell on matters of the heart. How could I possibly have a girl I admire?”

He cast a sideways glance at Feng Jiu’er, his eyes full of reproach. Saying such things in front of Father Emperor — was he looking to die?

Feng Jiu’er naturally did not know the full significance of what she had said, but even before Father Emperor, she could not afford to seem clever.

Even Third Imperial Brother’s reproachful look was visible to Father Emperor. She could only pout and grumble resentfully, “Third Imperial Brother, why are you glaring at me? I was only making a joke!”

Feng Jiang truly wanted to throttle her — she had just openly told Father Emperor, right to his face, that he had been glaring at her. Though it was the truth, she was very soon going to be the crown successor — and he was, in terms of rank, not in a position to glare at her. This girl was truly a menace.

Feng Jiang hurriedly lowered his head and said gravely to Feng Qiongcang, “Father Emperor, please judge with clarity. This son’s heart is wholly devoted to protecting the Imperial Princess. I harbor no other intentions.”

Jiu’er pressed her lips together, snuck a glance at him, her eyes dancing with smug satisfaction — yet a shadow flitted across them the next instant. It seemed that her several imperial brothers were truly very careful and guarded in Father Emperor’s presence — nothing at all like a father-and-son relationship.

But then, that was probably how life in the imperial family was. The saying — serving the ruler is like serving a tiger — passed through her mind again, and a faint chill quietly brushed across her heart.

To be born into the imperial family looked like having the wind and rain at one’s command — yet to live with such constant caution and self-abasement, truly, it was no better than an ordinary commoner’s life.

Feng Qiongcang’s expression was not particularly pleasant. He waved a hand, and only then did Feng Jiang return to his seat, quietly exhaling a breath of relief. He wanted to shoot that girl a glare as a warning, but after a moment’s thought, thought better of it.

It was strange — at ordinary times she seemed bright and quick-witted. When she had treated Fourth Imperial Uncle and himself with acupuncture, she had been cold and composed, like a wise elder. Yet why was it that in front of Father Emperor, she always seemed to be missing a crucial piece of sense?

Jiu’er paid him no mind and continued eating her pastries.

“Then, Jiu’er — what is your view on the matter of selecting a consort?” Feng Qiongcang asked.

Jiu’er thought for a moment, shook her head, then nodded. She looked up and met Feng Qiongcang’s gaze, blinking. “Father Emperor, in this matter — may I have a say?”

“Hmm?” Feng Qiongcang raised an eyebrow.

Jiu’er immediately said, “For instance — who to select as consort, how many consorts to select — is all of that mine to decide as well?”

“Naturally, whatever Jiu’er says, goes.” Feng Qiongcang’s eyes were full of doting warmth. Yet that warmth was so overwhelming it gave one an almost unreal feeling.

Jiu’er, however, acted as though she noticed nothing, and beamed with delight.

“Wonderful! So — when does it begin? What do I need to do?”

“The imperial edict will be issued today, and the selection will take place in the hall seven days from now.”

“Then…” Feng Jiu’er seemed to think of something, bit down on her fingertip, and hesitated, caught in a moment of apparent difficulty.

“Does Jiu’er still have concerns?” Feng Qiongcang watched her face intently — whether it was because he was simply so fond of this daughter of his that he could not stop looking at her, or because he was scrutinizing the expressions on her face, no one could say.

Jiu’er appeared to be genuinely hesitant, and stole a glance at Father Emperor. Seeing that he was still staring fixedly at her, she felt even more self-conscious.

“Speak. There is no need to hide anything from your Father Emperor.”

“I…” Feng Jiu’er wavered for a long moment before finally saying, “Father Emperor, then… what manner of background would be required to participate in the selection? Would… would ordinary common people also be permitted?”

She seemed to lack confidence in asking this, and could not bring herself to look directly at Feng Qiongcang as she spoke.

Feng Jiang, afraid that her words would anger Father Emperor, quickly said, “Common people — how could they be worthy of your standing? Naturally, it would not be allowed.”

But Feng Qiongcang was watching the anxious flash of disappointment between Feng Jiu’er’s brows, and after a moment, he suddenly let out a hearty laugh.

“Is Jiu’er thinking of the strikingly handsome young man who came to see you tonight?”

Feng Jiu’er startled, then immediately looked down — flustered, anxious, and tinged with a faint shyness.

Feng Jiang did not know what words he could offer in her defense anymore. Father Emperor seemed to see through everything, yet Jiu’er was foolish in a way that was completely impenetrable to him. As the exchange played out, it was he who appeared the most frantic, unable to guess at either person’s true thoughts.

Was it really as straightforward as it appeared on the surface? Had he not witnessed Jiu’er’s calm — even cold — side, he would certainly have thought nothing of it. But the Jiu’er he knew in ordinary interactions was not this simple-minded. Could it truly be that when someone had fallen for a person, they became foolish?

Feng Qiongcang reined in his smile and said with composure, “There is no need to be flustered. Father Emperor could not, of course, allow just anyone the chance to become your consort…” Seeing Feng Jiu’er instantly fall into an expression of disappointment, Feng Qiongcang smiled again. “But — as long as he has ability, or surpassing strategic talent that could aid you in governing the realm, or extraordinary martial prowess that could protect your safety, then there will be a chance for him to become your Imperial Consort.”

“Father Emperor, is that truly what you mean?” Feng Jiu’er looked up and met his gaze, and in her eyes, countless rays of hope instantly returned.

Feng Qiongcang smiled and nodded. “It is truly so.”

“Thank you, Father Emperor!” She seemed not to know herself why she was thanking him, but perhaps it was simply the joy of the moment that let the words slip out.

Then, Feng Jiu’er asked again, “Then — how does one register to participate in the selection?”

“Father Emperor will have people issue an imperial proclamation. Anyone of capable talent may enter the selection.” Feng Qiongcang’s eyes flickered with a gleam that no one could decipher, and he smiled. “The Grand Master will conduct the first round of screening. Seven days from now, there will be a second round of selection in front of the hall — at which time, you may personally oversee the process.”