Jing Xuan had been waiting at Zhaixian Hall, wringing her hands, pacing back and forth anxiously.

“Princess, you should sit for a while. Miss Kong has only just entered the palace. She’s probably still at Fuyang Hall right now.”

The moment that palace maid finished speaking, another palace maid beside her jabbed her with an elbow.

Reminding her, “What Miss Kong? The Emperor has now conferred upon her the title of Princess Huiwen. You can’t address her carelessly anymore.”

“I… I’m just not used to it yet.”

“When Princess Huiwen arrives later, don’t call her wrong again. This is a matter that could cost you your head.”

“I know, I know…”

Jing Xuan shot them both a glare. “What are you two squabbling about? This Princess is anxious to death right now, and you still have the mind to discuss such things.”

The two palace maids immediately lowered their heads and knelt down.

“It’s this servant’s fault. We beg the Princess to forgive us.”

“Get up, all of you!” Jing Xuan scolded angrily, waving her sleeve!

The palace maids had just risen when Jing Xuan saw Kong Yu.

“Sister Yu!”

She rushed over quickly.

Grasping Kong Yu’s pair of ice-cold delicate hands in one swift motion.

Kong Yu seemed to have guessed that Jing Xuan would be waiting for her here. She wasn’t surprised at all. Instead, she smiled faintly and reached out to touch that face flushed red from anxiety.

“Jing Xuan.” She called out to her.

Jing Xuan immediately burst into tears.

Full of guilt, she said, “I’m sorry, Sister Yu. I didn’t know Mother Consort actually wanted you to take my place going to Qujiang. If I had known earlier, I definitely wouldn’t have let Mother Consort do this.”

“Jing Xuan, you don’t need to feel guilty. I haven’t blamed you.” She smiled.

“I know you like Imperial Brother in your heart. I’m sorry, Sister Yu. Rest assured, I’ll definitely plead with Mother Consort not to let you marry into Qujiang.”

“It’s too late. The Emperor’s decree has already been issued. No one can change it.” Kong Yu’s tone remained calm and even.

Jing Xuan sniffled, tears still streaming out, shaking her head excitedly. “No, it can be changed. Father Emperor’s decree hasn’t been announced yet, has it? There’s still time, definitely still time. I’ll plead with Mother Consort, have Mother Consort petition Father Emperor. If Mother Consort doesn’t agree, I’ll go plead with Father Emperor myself. Even if I have to threaten with death, I won’t let you marry over there.”

“It’s useless, Jing Xuan. Don’t anger your Mother Consort and Father Emperor for my sake. I’m willing.”

“You’re lying. Can you bear to leave Imperial Brother?”

When this question was asked, Kong Yu lowered her eyes and smiled.

She opened her palm to reveal that petal. Despite her careful protection, it had still been crushed somewhat.

Slowly parting her lips, she said, “From childhood to now, I’ve never wanted to make things difficult for him, never wanted to force him to do things he doesn’t like. As long as I could accompany him, watch over him, I was already content. I also know that even if I said a thousand times, ten thousand times that I wanted to be his Princess Consort Rong, as long as he’s unwilling, I would never force him.”

“Sister Yu…”

“Jing Xuan, I’ve already agreed to this matter. From the moment I received the decree to enter the palace, I’d already accepted it. Actually, going to Qujiang is quite good. When I was at Qingshan Residence, I heard people say that Qujiang has endless grasslands and also has poetic, picturesque places like Jiangnan. You know I’ve always liked places like that.”

Speaking to this point, the corners of her mouth lifted in a shallow arc.

Jing Xuan’s tears rolled down even more fiercely. The more Kong Yu didn’t blame her, the more she smiled so brilliantly, the heavier her guilt became!

Gritting her teeth, straightening her chest, she said resolutely, “No, I can’t let you marry into Qujiang. Your heart clearly holds only Imperial Brother. I can’t separate you two.”

Having spoken!

She rushed out of Zhaixian Hall, completely ignoring Kong Yu’s attempts to stop her from behind.

Seeing that figure dash out, Kong Yu’s eyes carried a trace of sorrow. After a long while, she finally let out a soft sigh.

Actually, she knew very clearly in her heart that this matter was already beyond redemption! She had to marry!

Jing Xuan ran back to Zhangqi Hall. Consort Xiao had just returned from Fuyang Hall.

Her bottom had barely touched the seat, the tea in her hand not yet brought to her lips, when she heard hasty footsteps approaching from far to near.

Her brows furrowed!

Which dog slave was so presumptuous?

Just as she was about to lose her temper, she saw Jing Xuan rushing in anxiously, wiping tears, throwing herself beside her.

“Mother Consort, Xuan’er begs you, begs you not to let Sister Yu take my place in the marriage alliance. I beg you, Mother Consort, please go speak with Father Emperor.”

Eyes brimming with tears!

Full of guilt!

The hand with which Consort Xiao was holding the teacup trembled. Her fingertips turned forcefully white. Because Jing Xuan had suddenly lunged over, some tea spilled, splashing precisely on the back of her hand, scalding her.

After setting down the teacup, Consort Xiao stroked Jing Xuan’s face, saying, “Xuan’er, Mother Consort knows you feel terrible inside. But tell me, do you want to marry into Qujiang?”

“Of course your daughter doesn’t want to, but if Sister Yu has to marry in my place, your daughter absolutely refuses no matter what.”

“This matter has already been decided.”

“The decree hasn’t been announced yet. There’s still time, Mother Consort. Please help your daughter once more. I beg you, go speak with Father Emperor, ask him not to have Sister Yu marry into an alliance.”

Consort Xiao let out a sigh, her expression also becoming somewhat unpleasant.

Grasping Jing Xuan’s hand, she said, “Xuan’er, your Father Emperor has already conferred upon Kong Yu the title of Princess Huiwen. That’s equivalent to announcing the decree. Even if Mother Consort goes to speak with your Father Emperor now, it would be futile. Be good and obedient. Don’t make a scene.”

Jing Xuan shook her head desperately. “No, your daughter doesn’t want to wrong Sister Yu unjustly. She’s treated me so well. I can’t just watch her marry in my place and do nothing.”

“Why can’t you understand? This is your Father Emperor’s intention. Mother Consort merely made a suggestion. Moreover, Kong Yu isn’t young anymore. Marrying into Qujiang is the Kong family’s good fortune. Even she herself hasn’t resisted. Why must you speak up for her?”

“That’s not true. She’s unwilling. She likes Imperial Brother Jingrong. Mother Consort, you know this too.”

She knew!

Of course she knew!

Probably the entire palace knew!

Before this, everyone believed that the position of “Princess Consort Rong” could only go to Kong Yu.

Consort Xiao put on an act of looking troubled. “Foolish child, your Imperial Brother could never marry her. If he were going to marry her, he should have done so long ago. Perhaps Kong Yu knows this very point, which is why she agreed to this marriage alliance.”

“That’s not true. Imperial Brother treats Sister Yu so well. He must like her too.” Jing Xuan was extremely certain.

Childhood sweethearts who grew up together!

Jingrong treated Kong Yu so well—he must like her too.

It must be so!

But in the next moment, her face took on a pained expression. She grasped her Mother Consort’s hand in return. “Mother Consort, your daughter truly begs you. Please go speak with Father Emperor.”

“I’ve already said this matter has been decided. Mother Consort has no way at all. Tomorrow evening there will be a banquet held in the palace, inviting those people from Qujiang. At that time, your Father Emperor will publicly announce that he’s sending Kong Yu, with princess status, to marry into an alliance with Qujiang. Everything has already been decided.”

Consort Xiao’s attitude became somewhat firmer.