Jing Xuan was extremely distressed, tears flowing from her eyes!

She didn’t forget to complain, “Since Mother Consort already knew, why didn’t you tell me earlier? You let your daughter make a fool of herself like a clown.”

“Xuan’er…”

“Now your daughter has lost all face—how can I show myself to anyone?” Jing Xuan wept.

Imperial Consort Xiao’s expression darkened. With a pained heart, she sat down beside Jing Xuan, her hand stroking her daughter’s heaving back. Her tone softened as well.

She said, “Mother Consort only found out later. I originally wanted to tell you after today’s events concluded, to make you give up completely.”

Jing Xuan only kept crying!

“Today you made Mother Consort unable to save face in public, and Mother Consort hasn’t even punished you yet. Alright, alright, stop crying. Now isn’t the time for you to cry.”

Having said this, Imperial Consort Xiao sighed deeply.

Only then did Jing Xuan wipe away her tears and glance sideways at her mother consort, seeing her looking troubled and full of concern.

She sniffled and asked, “Mother Consort, what’s wrong?”

“It’s all because of this Qujiang matter!” Standing up, she continued sighing, “Just now, I went to see your father emperor and learned that the Qujiang people came to the capital this time to seek a marriage alliance for the Prince of Qujiang.”

“Seek a marriage alliance?” Jing Xuan’s tears came quickly and left just as fast. She pressed on, “If it’s to seek a marriage alliance, why is Mother Consort so distressed?”

“This marriage alliance between the two nations, and with the other party being the Prince of Qujiang—your father emperor is deeply worried. Naturally he cannot casually designate just any woman. Back then, your engagement to the Yuanzu tribe was called off, and now you’re no longer young. From your father emperor’s tone just now, it seems he wants to marry you off there.”

Upon hearing this, Jing Xuan’s face immediately showed shock.

She rushed forward, grasping Imperial Consort Xiao’s wrist, and said urgently, “Mother Consort, your daughter will absolutely not marry into Qujiang. You also know that Prince of Qujiang is already over fifty years old. How can Father Emperor be so heartless? Mother Consort, you must help your daughter!”

Tears welled up in her eyes!

Imperial Consort Xiao raised her hand, stroking Jing Xuan’s head, looking at her with pained affection. “Xuan’er, of course Mother Consort doesn’t want you to marry there. But this matter relates to peace between two nations. As a princess, there are some things even Mother Consort cannot decide. However, rest assured, Mother Consort will discuss this properly with your father emperor.”

“Then, if Father Emperor insists on marrying me off there, does that mean…” Speaking to this point, Jing Xuan felt both anxious and miserable.

Although from the moment of her birth she had known that even though she was a lofty princess, her marriage would ultimately not be up to her.

First, she could be used as a chess piece, bestowed by the emperor upon some great minister or noble in the court to stabilize the political situation.

Second, she could be used as a sword, shot toward another country as a tool for marriage alliance.

This point had been true for princesses since ancient times.

Naturally, Jing Xuan couldn’t escape it either.

But she hadn’t expected that having escaped the marriage alliance with the Yuanzu tribe years ago, she now couldn’t escape the marriage proposal of the old Prince of Qujiang.

Clutching at her collar with one hand, she cried until her face was covered in tears.

Imperial Consort Xiao had only this one daughter and naturally couldn’t bear to part with her.

Grasping Jing Xuan’s hand, she said firmly, “Rest assured, Mother Consort will absolutely not let your father emperor marry you off there.”

“But if Father Emperor issues an edict, Mother Consort will have no recourse!”

“Then we’ll cut off this idea before your father emperor issues the edict.”

“Hm?”

Jing Xuan didn’t understand, but her heart was in distress. She only buried herself in Imperial Consort Xiao’s embrace and wept.

Early the next morning!

Imperial Consort Xiao personally prepared a bowl of ginseng soup and carried it to Fuyang Hall.

Emperor Qizhen was reading memorials but was distracted, his face gloomy.

The old eunuch Zhang serving at his side bowed and said, “Your Majesty, if you’re tired, why not rest for a moment?”

“I’m not tired, just troubled by the matter of Qujiang’s marriage proposal.”

“Could it be Your Majesty is considering which princess to send for the marriage alliance?”

“You old fellow, you understand my thoughts best.”

Eunuch Zhang smiled. “This servant has followed at Your Majesty’s side for decades. If I couldn’t discern even this much, what qualification would this old servant have to accompany Your Majesty?”

Emperor Qizhen set down the memorial and sighed, looking up at Zhang Quan.

He asked, “Then tell me, if I send Jing Xuan this time, is it good or not good?”

Eunuch Zhang thought for a moment, bowing his body lower. “Princess Jing Xuan is exceptionally intelligent, clever and adorable, and born beautiful. If married to Qujiang, it would naturally be acceptable. However, though the princess certainly has her merits, her temperament is somewhat undisciplined and rather lively. If married far away to another country with no one to rely on at her side, I fear she might cause incidents.”

Emperor Qizhen nodded but still looked troubled.

“But among my many daughters, only Jing Xuan has just come of age.”

This was truly vexing!

Just then, Imperial Consort Xiao entered.

“This consort pays respects to Your Majesty.”

She curtsied!

Emperor Qizhen raised his hand. “Imperial Consort Xiao need not stand on ceremony.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

She had servants bring up the prepared ginseng soup. Carrying the soup forward, she placed it on the desk and seated herself.

With an amiable smile, she said gently, “Your Majesty, this consort heard from palace attendants that Your Majesty worked through the night on memorials, so this consort personally prepared ginseng soup for Your Majesty.”

“Imperial Consort Xiao is thoughtful.”

Emperor Qizhen picked up the ginseng soup, took a sip, and set it down.

Imperial Consort Xiao glanced at the memorials on the desk and then said, “Yesterday Your Majesty mentioned to this consort that you wanted to marry Xuan’er off to Qujiang. I wonder, has Your Majesty made a decision?”

Emperor Qizhen was no fool. Imperial Consort Xiao was clearly here to sound him out.

His brow furrowed tightly. “This matter, I must still discuss with the ministers. For now, nothing is decided.”

Not decided yet—good!

There was still room for negotiation!

Imperial Consort Xiao’s phoenix eyes curved as she parted her lips. “Your Majesty, though Xuan’er is a princess and matters of marriage have always been decided by Your Majesty, you also know that at this consort’s side, there is only Xuan’er as a daughter. If she marries into Qujiang, this consort’s heart will be filled with immense sorrow.”

A bitter expression on her face!

“Among my many daughters, Xuan’er has a lively personality that I quite enjoy. But this matter involves friendly relations between two nations. I hope Imperial Consort Xiao understands this point.”

Whether influenced by Imperial Consort Xiao’s soft, gentle speech or not, Emperor Qizhen’s tone when speaking to Imperial Consort Xiao naturally lacked the majesty he displayed in court.

And Imperial Consort Xiao continued speaking miserably, “This consort naturally understands. But Your Majesty should know that the Prince of Qujiang is already forty years old, while Xuan’er is only seventeen. Since Your Majesty cherishes Xuan’er, how can you bear to marry her off there?”

“I don’t want to either, but aside from Xuan’er, there is no other choice.”

Helpless!

But Imperial Consort Xiao’s eyes suddenly sharpened like needles as she said softly, “This consort knows of one person.”

“Oh? Who?”

“Has Your Majesty forgotten Kong Yu, the niece of Empress Xuanshu?”

Between Imperial Consort Xiao’s brows, fierceness surged, though she concealed it well.

Kong Yu?

At this mention, Emperor Qizhen suddenly had a realization.

And Imperial Consort Xiao didn’t forget to add fuel to the fire.

“The Kong family is Empress Xuanshu’s natal family, which makes them half imperial relatives. Moreover, Kong Yu is no longer young and has remained unmarried all this time. Your Majesty could simply bestow upon her the title of princess and marry her to Qujiang—it would be perfectly natural and logical.”