Chapter 248: Arranging a Marriage
Then, Ying Bai and his mother returned to their seats. Princess Duanmin smiled and said, “I was just saying, Bai’er has truly become accomplished. He was always quiet as a child, I never expected him to be so refined.”
“Your Highness is too kind. This child is stubborn and playful; today was just good luck,” Princess Consort Chu said quickly. “In reality, he is far behind Prince Zhao’s Heir Apparent.”
“Consort, your perspective is flawed. In truth, luck is the most important thing. Have you not heard, ‘When fortune fails, gold loses its luster; when times are bad, jade loses its shine’?” The Princess spoke with a playful smile.
Many people present were moved by her words, but only Princess Consort Chu repeatedly shook her head and denied, “He is merely fortunate for this moment.”
After the banquet dispersed, Princess Consort Zhao found Wen Mingqian.
“Please, have a seat, Consort. I couldn’t speak with you much at the banquet, and I was thinking of giving these things I made for you to Sister Qingping to take out of the palace,” Wen Mingqian said as she offered Princess Consort Zhao a seat and personally went to brew tea.
Qingping was Princess Consort Zhao’s maid, who had accompanied her into the palace for the banquet.
“You sit too, no need to be busy. I just had tea at the banquet, I’m not thirsty right now,” Princess Consort Zhao stopped her. “I haven’t seen you in a long time, I’ve missed you and wanted to chat.”
Wen Mingqian then sat sideways, occupying only half of the chair.
Princess Consort Zhao sighed and said, “I have to leave the palace soon. I wanted to ask you to try and persuade Tong’er. This child is simply too thoughtless, always worrying me.”
“Please, do not use the word ‘entrust,’ it is too much for this servant. I have what I have today thanks to your kindness,” Wen Mingqian said quickly. “Perhaps Consort is worrying too much. In reality, we see that the Heir Apparent is doing well in all aspects here in the palace.”
“Alas, what do you know! I am his mother, I know him best,” Princess Consort Zhao shook her head and sighed. “This child is too rash and not cautious enough. He is also competitive, which is not good.”
“The Heir Apparent is still young, after all. At his age, he is already considered steady,” Wen Mingqian said. “Usually, I hear from Changan that the Heir Apparent is second to none in his studies. However…”
Wen Mingqian stopped speaking at this point. Her hesitant manner made Princess Consort Zhao even more suspicious, so she asked, “Just say whatever you need to say. I trust you.”
“This servant hesitates because there are some things I am unsure about, and I fear they might not be pleasant to hear,” Wen Mingqian smiled.
“What does that matter? Whatever we say will not reach a third person’s ears,” Princess Consort Zhao said. “As I said before, I am not often in the palace, so everything here relies on you.”
“This servant overheard Princess Duanmin and the Grand Princess speaking, and they vaguely mentioned something. Although they didn’t say it directly, it seemed to imply that King Fenye’s visit to the Capital this time had a purpose beyond paying respects to Your Majesty.” Wen Mingqian said, “It seems they are looking to arrange a marriage for Princess Zhuolahhan.”
“Really?” Princess Consort Zhao’s eyes widened involuntarily upon hearing this.
“This servant does not have absolute certainty,” Wen Mingqian did not want to be too definitive. “At the time, the Grand Princess praised Princess Zhuolahhan for being forthright and lovely. Princess Duanmin then said she was King Fenye’s most favored daughter, and that bringing her this time was to familiarize her with the Capital’s customs and make plans for her future.”
“She also said that women on the Grassland start getting married at nine or ten years old, yet King Fenye has not arranged a marriage for Princess Zhuolahhan. He even had her learn the Han language from a young age and become familiar with Han customs.”
Hearing this, Princess Consort Zhao recalled what had happened earlier. When they were welcoming King Fenye, Zhuolahhan had publicly declared she wanted to marry Gong Changan.
However, King Fenye had said that matters of marriage should be decided by parents, clearly indicating that Zhuolahhan was not betrothed.
Even if Gong Changan was a prodigy, his status could not match Zhuolahhan’s. Moreover, it was just a child’s words and not to be taken seriously.
“King Fenye’s influence has grown increasingly strong in recent years, and the Imperial Court is quite wary of him,” Princess Consort Zhao said. “Marriage alliances have existed since ancient times, so your speculation is not without reason.”
“The Imperial Court is wary of King Fenye, but they also rely on him,” Wen Mingqian said. “If it is a marriage alliance, both sides should be willing. However, this is merely this servant’s speculation. I will find an opportunity to investigate further later.”
“You are thoughtful. I knew you were reliable,” Princess Consort Zhao was very pleased. “As the Grand Princess’s adopted daughter, you can naturally visit her often, and thus you will also see Princess Duanmin frequently.”
Wen Mingqian nodded, then smiled again. “There is one more thing, I don’t know if I am being overly concerned.”
“Tell me whatever it is. If we know about it, we can prepare for it in advance, which is always good.” The Consort knew Wen Mingqian was always steady; if it were something without basis, she wouldn’t mention it.
“This servant feels that previously, Prince Chu’s Heir Apparent always avoided our Heir Apparent’s prominence. But recently, I don’t know why, he has been acting contrary to his usual self and is always trying to get ahead. Today’s events are like that. A few days ago, I heard from Changan that Prince Chu’s Heir Apparent is also very diligent in his studies, and Tutor Zhuge has praised him in front of Your Majesty several times.”
What Wen Mingqian said further stirred Princess Consort Zhao. Recalling how Princess Duanmin had so openly praised Prince Chu’s Heir Apparent at the banquet today, to the point of disregarding all propriety,
this had already made Princess Consort Zhao feel very uneasy.
“However, Consort need not worry too much. Everything is overseen by Your Majesty and the Empress. Our Heir Apparent is still more favored by His Majesty,” Wen Mingqian said softly.
But her words could not put Princess Consort Zhao’s mind at ease, though she did not say anything further.
She stood up and said, “I have been here with you for quite some time. I fear you still need to serve the Empress. I will go find Tong’er and speak with him for a moment, to give him some instructions. Then I will bid farewell to the Empress and should be leaving the palace.”
Wen Mingqian accompanied her for a long distance until they reached Prince Zhao’s Heir Apparent’s Imperial Chamber before returning.
Upon returning, she saw Gong Changan grimacing in the room, his shoulder bleeding from a bite.
“What happened? Who bit you?” Wen Mingqian quickly went to examine him and then sent Xiao Yue, “Go to the Imperial Hospital and ask Imperial Physician Su to come and take a look.”
“Who else could it be?” Gong Changan said, gasping. “Those two siblings are wild lunatics, raised on raw meat.”
“Did you provoke Princess Zhuolahhan?” Wen Mingqian brought warm water and carefully wiped the filthy blood around the wound.
“I shouldn’t have saved her in the first place,” Gong Changan said, enduring the pain. “Who knew she would latch onto me, and her clumsy bear of a brother. He drools whenever he sees Sister Sang Er. I really want to smash his head!”
“Princess Duanmin said that King Fenye brought his daughter this time to choose a husband for her from among the two Heir Apparents,” Wen Mingqian said in a low voice. “Her pestering you is temporary. After all, marriage is a matter of parental decree.”
“Amitabha! If that’s the case, it would be wonderful,” Gong Changan chanted. “I am not fortunate enough to accept it anyway.”
