When the Empress summoned the female family members of court officials, and among these female family members was an unmarried young lady, shouldn’t unrelated outside men be dismissed?
What exactly did this mean?
As Qin Yining walked, she thought: Outside men who could appear in the Empress’s palace before the Emperor must certainly be people close to the imperial couple, very likely the Empress’s relatives.
“This subject’s daughter, Qin Shi, pays respects to His Majesty, pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress.” In the span of these racing thoughts, Qin Yining had gracefully knelt in salutation.
Having studied with Nanny Zhan for so many days, she had developed habits regarding conduct and etiquette. Not only was her protocol standard, but her bearing was also pleasing to behold.
The Empress’s slender willow-leaf eyebrows rose slightly, her peach blossom eyes containing assessment and scrutiny. She extended her right hand adorned with three-inch-long gold-carved nail guards and gestured upward: “Rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Qin Yining stood up, still keeping her head lowered.
The Empress smiled: “Your Majesty, see how well Grand Madam Qin manages people. In just this short time, she’s refined a girl who grew up in the mountains into someone fresh and tender as a young onion, making this subject feel fondness just looking at her. This girl’s appearance is truly exquisite. It’s always been said that the Qin family produces beauties—seeing her now, isn’t that exactly right?”
The Emperor nodded with a smile: “Yurou speaks truly. We see this girl has somewhat of Qin Meng’s character from his youth. What is your name, how old are you? Raise your head to answer Us.”
Hearing this, Qin Yining responded “Yes,” raised her head, but still kept her long lashes lowered without directly viewing the true faces of the Emperor and Empress, replying: “Your Majesty, this subject’s daughter’s informal name is Yining, age fourteen.”
The Emperor and Empress examined Qin Yining.
The girl before them was tall and slender, with delicate features, tender white skin, and raven-black hair. She was beautiful as if she had stepped out of a painting. Standing there earnestly, she appeared very composed, but being young, she still carried an air of innocence and childishness—truly an extremely endearing little girl.
“Qin Meng is someone We watched grow into what he is now. Over twenty years ago, We thought: if Qin Meng were a woman, what kind of beauty would she be? Who would have thought that today We would see such a female version of Qin Meng! Haha!”
The Emperor slapped his thigh and laughed heartily.
The Empress narrowed her peach blossom eyes and glanced sideways at Qin Yining.
Old Madam and Sun Shi were already so nervous their palms were sweating. The Emperor’s words could be understood as teasing about Qin Meng, but they could also be understood another way.
This man was nearly seventy years old. Having an alluring Empress wasn’t enough—was he now interested in Qin Yining, a fourteen-year-old girl?
If someone like Qin Yining entered the palace, she probably wouldn’t last two days before the demon empress devoured her completely.
Old Madam hurriedly smiled: “Indeed, who would have thought so many years have passed in a flash. Your Majesty is in the prime of life, diligent in governance and loving toward the people. My unworthy son is also wholeheartedly loyal. The sovereign-minister bond between Your Majesty and my son, Your Majesty’s patronage toward my son—this old woman is endlessly grateful!”
The Emperor was somewhat moved by Old Madam’s words. Being elderly, in recent years he often fell into reminiscences. Grand Madam Qin’s words made him recall not only twenty years ago, when he was still in his prime, when the court wasn’t as chaotic as now.
Thinking this, the Emperor’s smile became somewhat warmer.
Seeing that Old Madam Qin was so eloquent, the Empress chuckled lightly: “Your Majesty, Grand Tutor Qin is loyal to the country. Your Majesty should certainly bestow some favor upon Grand Tutor Qin. Girls of fourteen can also discuss marriage. This subject wishes to matchmake for Miss Qin. Please see if Your Majesty finds it suitable.”
The Emperor patted the back of the Empress’s hand with his large hand: “Which family’s son does the Empress speak of? Tell Us first—with the Qin family girl being so beautiful, if he’s not worthy of her, We won’t permit it.”
The Empress smiled as she extended her hand to one side: “Jun’er, why don’t you come over.”
“Aunt.” A clear young voice came from the side—it was the eighteen or nineteen-year-old youth who had been standing nearby.
The Empress smiled: “Now Your Majesty can’t say this subject chose inappropriately. This nephew of mine is nineteen, also handsome and talented, and being a relative, this marriage with Grand Tutor Qin would be truly well-matched.”
The Emperor smiled and nodded repeatedly, looking toward Cao Chengjun.
But Cao Chengjun’s gaze was fixed dumbly on Qin Yining beside him, murmuring: “Just seeing her silhouette, I knew she was a beauty…”
Qin Yining frowned and stepped back two paces.
Cao Chengjun then pursued two steps, smiling: “You’re called Yining, right? My aunt is correct—we two are a perfect match of talent and beauty, naturally suited. Since that’s the case, let’s marry immediately. I’ll go home and dismiss all my concubines.”
As he spoke, he reached to grab Qin Yining’s hand.
If this were any ordinary time, with someone daring to treat her this way, Qin Yining would definitely break this lecher’s wrist.
Did he dare harass a court official’s daughter before the throne just because he was the demon empress’s nephew!
But in the span of racing thoughts, Qin Yining settled on a plan.
She retreated in panic, looking at Cao Chengjun with terror: “You, what are you doing?”
Large teardrops instantly poured out, her whole person crying like pear blossoms in rain. She turned and hid behind Old Madam: “Grandmother, I’m scared, I don’t want to marry this person. You might as well let me become a nun instead.”
The little girl had just been composed and dignified, yet was frightened into crying like this by a reckless lecher. Hiding behind Old Madam afraid to come out, she looked like a startled little rabbit.
Cao Chengjun’s heart jumped seeing this, and he hurriedly lowered his head.
But the Emperor was glaring at Cao Chengjun, rebuking: “Outrageous! Why don’t you withdraw!”
Cao Chengjun came to his senses, his face pale as he retreated to his parents’ side.
The Empress’s smile was somewhat stiff, but her voice became even more delicate: “Your Majesty, see how well-matched these two children are? Just meeting for the first time and already so fond of each other—Jun’er must truly like this child to lose composure like this.”
Cao Chengjun didn’t forget to nod in agreement: “Yes, yes, such a beauty—I was completely entranced watching her. Raise her a few more years and she’ll be a kingdom-toppling great beauty!”
The Empress’s expression stiffened, and she glared at her sister-in-law through gritted teeth.
Cao Chengjun immediately shut his mouth.
The Emperor’s expression also looked unpleasant.
Even if arranging a marriage, if one inadvertently arranged an incompatible match, that would be the Emperor being deceived—it couldn’t be counted as the Emperor’s fault.
But it was obvious that Cao Chengjun was a wastrel lecher. At only nineteen, his house was already full of concubines, and he acted without propriety, speaking inappropriately. He even dared harass Grand Tutor Qin’s daughter before the throne, frightening the young lady into crying and saying she wanted to become a nun.
With such a commotion, the Emperor simply could no longer issue an edict.
The Emperor’s face was dark as water.
Old Madam held Qin Yining, gently comforting her. Qin Yining still buried her face in Old Madam’s shoulder, crying with intermittent sobs.
In the quiet hall, only the girl’s suppressed weeping could be heard.
Sun Shi was so nervous her forehead was sweating. What she was thinking differed from Old Madam’s thoughts.
Right now they were before His Majesty and the Empress. Usually in the mansion she was domineering and tyrannical like a overlord—how could she be frightened into crying like this by just a few words from someone!
Shedding tears like this before the Emperor—if it displeased the imperial couple, that would be troublesome!
Sun Shi couldn’t help but viciously pinch Qin Yining’s arm from the side, rebuking in a low voice: “Still crying!?”
Qin Yining’s body shook from the pain. She knew Sun Shi would react this way. Anyway, Sun Shi wouldn’t dare act outrageously before the throne, so Qin Yining simply sobbed even louder.
A perfectly good imperial audience was disrupted by Cao Chengjun harassing the young lady.
The Emperor’s good mood was completely gone. After reprimanding Cao Chengjun a few times, he had everyone withdraw.
Once people left, the Emperor complained: “Yurou, can’t your family handle even such a small matter? You said you’d find Us a suitable person and definitely make this marriage succeed, but what kind of thing did your family send!”
“Daring to be so reckless before Us—one can see how dissolute he usually is. Qin Meng has only one daughter. It would be strange if he agreed. We are a wise ruler, not a foolish one. Do you want Us to force them into marriage? That little girl was so frightened—if she really hanged herself or left home, then a whole group of people would misunderstand Us!”
The Empress hurriedly patted the Emperor’s chest to apologize: “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This subject was momentarily careless. This subject has been by Your Majesty’s side all these years, rarely seeing family relatives. I only remembered Jun’er being clever as a child—who would have thought he’d become like this when he grew up? This subject failed to observe properly, but this subject also had no choice. This subject isn’t at home and can’t often attend to parents—I see my siblings and relatives perhaps once a year…”
Originally apologizing to the Emperor, as she spoke she actually began sobbing pitifully. The Emperor felt heartache seeing this, his attention was also diverted, and he immediately began holding the Empress, coaxing her with “darling” and “sweetheart.”
On the other side, after Imperial Uncle Cao and his wife took their son out of the palace and boarded their own carriage, all three let out long breaths.
Imperial Uncle Cao gave his youngest son a thumbs up, saying in a low voice: “Today you were truly clever!”
Cao Chengjun chuckled softly: “It’s just a pity. Though I was reckless, what I said was also true—she really is a beauty.”
Imperial Uncle Cao said: “Don’t say beauty—even if she were a heavenly immortal, this marriage cannot be made. Your grandfather is confused, but your father isn’t! I’ve already inquired privately. Do you know where today’s events originated?”
Both the Imperial Uncle’s wife and Cao Chengjun looked at him inquiringly.
Imperial Uncle Cao lowered his voice even more: “Wasn’t it because Her Majesty the Empress planted someone in the Eastern Palace and discovered that His Highness the Crown Prince painted a beauty’s portrait that he gazes at day and night, obviously smitten? After investigation, they learned that the person the Crown Prince painted was Grand Tutor Qin’s legitimate daughter…”
“No wonder.” Cao Chengjun understood: “So that’s why we were suddenly called to the palace!”
The Emperor had only the Crown Prince as heir and was already advanced in years. Having controlled the realm for half a lifetime, he was naturally reluctant to transfer power. The relationship between Emperor and Crown Prince had maintained a delicate distance for many years, but secretly they were in competition.
If the Crown Prince’s relationship with Grand Tutor Qin grew closer, he would be even harder to control in the future.
So today’s events occurred—the Emperor wanted to marry Grand Tutor Qin’s daughter into the Cao family for easier control.
Imperial Uncle Cao said: “Her Majesty the Empress thought too naively. This country will certainly fall, I believe. Our family’s roots aren’t in Great Yan either. Some day we don’t know what will happen—how can we form marriage ties with the Qin family now? Then we’d be even more unable to distance ourselves.”
Both the Imperial Uncle’s wife and Cao Chengjun nodded.