“Not only has Northern Wei sent their Crown Prince, but also a prince and princess. Western Liang only sent one prince and a general. Although both Northern Wei and Western Liang maintained good relations with Great Zhou, there was friction between them. Originally, Northern Wei was to arrive first, but Western Liang, fearing Northern Wei might curry favor with Great Zhou first, departed right after them.”
Madam Hu was no ordinary housewife, and with recent court discussions about this matter, once Qin Shu returned home and spoke of it, she knew the details thoroughly. Qin Wan listened quietly, remembering what her father had said before.
When her father had taken office in the capital, he had experienced two diplomatic visits, but Qin Wan remembered that neither time included princes or princesses. Why now did both sides send royal family members? Why had Northern Wei even sent their Crown Prince?
“Northern Wei sent their Crown Prince this time, supposedly to seek marriage.”
Qin Wan looked at Madam Hu, but Qin Chaoyu spoke first, “Mother, does the Northern Wei Crown Prince wish to marry our princess?”
Madam Hu nodded. “Marrying a princess would be ideal, but His Majesty and the Empress only have one princess, and whether they’re willing to part with her is uncertain. So the Northern Wei Crown Prince might settle for marrying someone from the imperial clan, or perhaps a commandery or county princess.”
This matter had no connection to the Marquis’s household, and none of the princes had daughters, making even finding a commandery princess difficult. Thus, the Northern Wei Crown Prince was likely still aiming for the princess.
While Qin Wan listened, her mind wandered elsewhere. Madam Hu continued, “The Northern Wei Crown Prince comes seeking marriage, and both the Northern Wei Prince and Western Liang Prince seem to be here for the same reason. Not being crown princes, they would be satisfied with marrying Great Zhou’s noble ladies.”
Madam Hu and Qin Chaoyu exchanged glances, then both looked at Qin Wan.
Still thinking about the Ninth Prince’s writing and drawing, Qin Wan was startled by their sudden attention.
“Great Aunt… means…”
Madam Hu smiled, “Wan’er, your Great Aunt thinks you’re among the finest noble ladies in the capital, and marrying into royalty would be natural. Our Qin family couldn’t produce a second imperial consort after having the Crown Princess, and since Prince Cheng has chosen his consort, you seemed to have lost that opportunity. But now it’s different. Though Northern Wei and Western Liang are distant, they’re still royal families. Do you have any thoughts about this?”
Qin Wan’s lips pressed tightly together. “I have no such thoughts.”
Seeing Qin Wan’s directness, Madam Hu’s smile became awkward. “None? Well, that’s fine too. I was just mentioning it. Northern Wei and Western Liang are indeed far away…”
What Madam Hu suggested was indeed possible. Usually, selected noble ladies would be titled commandery princesses and married off with imperial princess ceremonies. Though marrying thousands of miles away meant likely never returning to their motherland, such marriages brought supreme glory to their families. The Emperor would remember such sacrifice and devotion, greatly benefiting the family’s future imperial favor. However, what did any of this have to do with Qin Wan?!
Firstly, Qin Wan wasn’t someone who craved power. Secondly, did Madam Hu want her to marry far away to bring more glory and support to the Marquis’s household? Qin Wan couldn’t help but laugh coldly inside – they would be using her quite effectively.
Marrying far away to Northern Wei or Western Liang, no matter how many people she brought with her, she would be in unfamiliar territory. Not to mention the character of the Northern Wei Crown Prince or those princes, such marriage seekers all came with ulterior motives – how many would truly care for their wives? Eventually, she would be thousands of miles from home, at odds with her husband, facing various open and hidden conflicts. Even if that country maintained good relations with Great Zhou, what would happen if they became hostile? Throughout history, Great Zhou had never actively sought to marry off its princesses – it was either done from a position of weakness or in response to allies’ requests to strengthen alliance relationships…
Without even seeing the people from Northern Wei and Western Liang, Madam Hu’s suggestion truly chilled Qin Wan’s heart.
Qin Wan looked at Madam Hu with cold eyes. “What makes Great Aunt think I would have such thoughts?”
Madam Hu’s smile grew more uncomfortable. She didn’t necessarily want to sacrifice Qin Wan, but given Qin Wan’s excellent qualities and the favor of the Empress Dowager and Emperor, she truly had the potential to marry into royalty. With no options in Great Zhou, she had thought of Northern Wei and Western Liang. Moreover, if someone from the Qin family could substitute for the princess in a diplomatic marriage, it would surely bring much imperial favor!
This would help Qin Chaoyu, who was about to become Crown Princess.
Qin Wan instantly understood Madam Hu’s intentions. While there was nothing wrong with finding ways to gain advantages for Qin Chaoyu, it was completely inappropriate to set her sights on Qin Wan so quickly!
“No, no, no, I just thought that no noble lady in the capital compares to you, Wan’er, and not everyone can marry a foreign prince. You’re superior to them all, so why couldn’t it be you?”
Qin Wan’s eyes narrowed. “So Great Aunt admires me this much. I should thank you then. However, while this matter appears glorious on the surface, the suffering is borne by the one who marries. It seems only the family benefits.”
Seeing Qin Wan’s pointed words, Madam Hu’s smile became strained. “Wan’er, you misunderstand, that’s not what I meant…”
As she finished speaking, Qin Chaoyu said, “What do you mean, Ninth Sister? As Mother said, if the Northern Wei Crown Prince can’t marry the princess, other noble ladies will certainly compete for this opportunity. Everyone sees this as fortunate, which is why Mother thought of you. You surely don’t think Mother truly wants to marry you off far away?”
Qin Wan lowered her eyes. “Since coming to the capital, I’ve relied on Great Aunt’s care, so naturally I wouldn’t think that.” Then her tone grew firm. “However, since we’re discussing this, I want to express my intentions. Royal power and wealth are not what I seek.”
Madam Hu also felt her earlier suggestion was inappropriate and quickly changed the subject. “Alright, alright, I just suddenly thought of it and asked casually. If Wan’er’s aspirations lie elsewhere, we’ll drop the matter. Speaking of which, the Empress Dowager hasn’t summoned Wan’er to the palace for a while. I wonder if her health has truly improved.”
Since Madam Hu showed awareness, and Qin Wan wasn’t one to dwell on things, she said, “During my last palace visit, the Empress Dowager had recovered well, so I suggested that regular pulse-taking wasn’t necessary. If the Empress Dowager feels unwell, she can summon me. Since there’s been no summons these days, I assume the Empress Dowager must be in good health.”
Madam Hu smiled, “Wan’er curing the Empress Dowager is a great achievement. Has the Empress Dowager mentioned any rewards?”
Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly. “The Empress Dowager said I could decide my future marriage myself.”
Madam Hu and Qin Chaoyu exchanged glances, and Madam Hu’s smile immediately brightened. “Ah, that’s wonderful! A girl having a marriage of her choosing is most fortunate. With the Empress Dowager backing you, no one can force you – even the Emperor will defer to the Empress Dowager’s wishes…”
Qin Wan nodded without responding, and Madam Hu quickly began discussing other matters with Qin Chaoyu. They continued thus until reaching Zhenghua Gate.
Due to the two countries’ envoys, the grand banquet was held in Chongming Hall. Qin Wan followed Madam Hu and Qin Chaoyu into the palace, heading toward Chongming Hall. Just reaching the entrance, they saw the hall was already full. When Madam Hu reached their seats, they found themselves again with Madam Yu and her daughter. Feng Chenbi was already seated, and seeing them arrive, she smiled sweetly.
With both Qin Chaoyu and Feng Chenbi’s positions settled, they were destined to be rivals, yet they didn’t engage in their usual cold mockery and bickering. Soon, Yuan Qing’s loud announcement indicated today’s main characters had arrived.
Yan Huai supported the Empress Dowager at the front, followed closely by the Empress and Crown Prince. Behind them were several magnificently dressed men, two wearing purple garments with azure bird patterns – clearly from Northern Wei. Northern Wei valued purple, and the azure bird was their royal emblem. Qin Wan glanced over; the one walking in front must be the Northern Wei Crown Prince, and the one behind, naturally the Northern Wei Prince. As her gaze moved, a brilliant flash of red suddenly caught her eye.
The next moment, a delicate and vivacious red-clad lady who looked like a lotus flower entered.
Feng Chenbi smiled and said, “Oh my, Chaoyu’s dress matches the Northern Wei Princess’s today. Both are red, but the Northern Wei Princess truly wears it more stunningly…”
Just as she finished speaking, seemingly having noticed someone wearing the same color, the Northern Wei Princess looked directly at Qin Chaoyu.