The Emperor was still in the Xuanzheng Hall. Yanyu knew she was about to meet the Son of Heaven, and her heart was inevitably nervous. For her, the Empress and Empress Dowager were secondary—the Emperor was the one who held the power of life and death.
Once you entered the palace gates, it was like plunging into the sea. Within those high walls lay endless struggles.
The Shao family had followed Emperor Taizong in his campaigns, earning military merit. Later generations became scholars, known as a refined family of letters. Yet even in such households, internal strife was unavoidable.
Beneath a clear surface lay a deep abyss—life-and-death struggles for fame and profit, with casualties along the way.
In the royal family, the stakes were even higher. At the top hung the position of Crown Prince—second only to the Emperor, destined to rule the realm. Such disputes were fiercer, bloodier.
When Yanyu entered the palace gates, supported by her maids, she only brought Ruidong and Ningxia with her. Huo Ha led the way, and soon she saw Xiao Chengji’s tall figure.
Yanyu curtsied: “Your Highness.”
Xiao Chengji nodded: “Let’s go.”
The Emperor had just finished discussing matters with his ministers and was now taking breakfast. Since Prince Qin was his son, there was no need for strict formality—he allowed them to enter directly.
Yanyu followed Xiao Chengji in, bowing to the Emperor. Xiao Chengji did not kneel, but Yanyu dared not copy his liberties. She knelt and performed a full formal salute.
Emperor Jianxing was surprised. He had expected the Duke Zheng’s daughter to be either sickly and pale, or plain and bookish, as Xiao Chengji had described her. He had not expected such a delicate, lively beauty.
He glanced at Xiao Chengji, feeling somewhat speechless. He had truly believed his son was indifferent to women. Now it seemed the boy was simply choosy—he would touch no one but a peerless beauty.
The Emperor said: “Princess Consort Qin, rise. Are you settling well in Prince Qin’s residence?”
Yanyu answered softly: “Thank you for Father Emperor’s concern. Everything is well.”
The Emperor nodded: “Yue’er, the Princess Consort is much younger than you, with little family around her. Do not bully her.”
Xiao Chengji replied coldly: “Yes.”
Emperor Jianxing smiled: “Speaking of which, I met the two young masters of the Marquis Anqing’s household some days ago. Both are well-learned. Princess Consort Qin, your uncles have taught you well. I haven’t seen them in years—how are they now? And how are the officials and common people of Ling City?”
Yanyu replied: “Before leaving Ling City, I paid respects to my uncles. They are in good health and instructed me to serve His Highness well after marriage, to repay Your Majesty’s care for the Wen and Shao families. When I was in Ling City, I mostly stayed in the inner residence and only saw my uncles during festivals, so I am not clear about the state of officials and commoners. However, the old madam often mentioned that Ling City has been prosperous and lively in recent years, with neither natural disasters nor wars. She frequently expressed gratitude for Heaven’s great mercy.”
Emperor Jianxing looked at Yanyu with a smile: “Good. Princess Consort Qin, manage the Prince’s household well. If anything arises, you may send word directly to me.”
“Yes.”
The Emperor then said: “Yue’er, stay behind to discuss the Ministry of Justice case. Huo Ha, escort the Princess Consort to pay respects to the Empress and Empress Dowager.”
Huo Ha answered: “Yes.”
As Yanyu departed, Xiao Chengji said: “That violent brawl case has been concluded. If Father Emperor wishes to see the files, I will have them sent.”
“There are details I don’t understand. Explain the investigation process carefully.”
Xiao Chengji recounted the case in detail.
When he finished, Emperor Jianxing said: “The Wen girl is good. The Shao family raised her well. Now that you are married, don’t stir up trouble. Have children early and raise them.”
Xiao Chengji, hearing the Emperor repeat this again, turned to leave.
“You intend to go to the Empress Dowager as well?” Emperor Jianxing snorted. “Stay here.”
Xiao Chengji said: “It is her first time meeting the Empress Dowager. She will surely try to make things difficult. Even a dog is judged by its master—how much more my Princess Consort? I must go.”
“Princess Consort Qin knows how to conduct herself. You will only make matters worse,” Emperor Jianxing said. “Yue’er, how many losses have you suffered over the years? Have you learned nothing? A gentleman’s stature can be great or small; his ambition can bend or stretch. To insist on breaking like jade rather than yielding like tile will only cause you to shatter too soon.”
Xiao Chengji’s face turned cold. Some words hovered on his lips—he knew they bordered on defiance, yet he spoke them anyway: “Father Emperor, I am not like you. Whether I like her or not, as long as she is my Princess Consort, in that position, I will protect her.”
In Shoukang Palace—
Empress Dowager Zheng sat smiling at the head: “Quick, Manqing, bring the Princess Consort Qin forward so I may see her.”
Nanny Zhao hurried to guide Yanyu before the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager took Yanyu’s small hand, her face blooming like a chrysanthemum, her clouded eyes examining her: “Look at this girl—so beautiful! Even more beautiful than Consort Bo in her day!”
Below, Empress Zheng listened and a flash of disgust and resentment passed through her eyes. Beside her, Wei Ruxuan was dumbfounded, unable to believe this was the same frail, pitiful invalid.
The Empress Dowager seemed utterly taken with Yanyu, seating her at her side: “Good girl, marrying Prince Qin must have been a grievance for you. That child, sigh, from youth he has been cruel and merciless, like a demon, spoiled by the Emperor! If you ever suffer injustice before him, you must tell me. I will uphold justice for you!”
Yanyu smiled and replied: “If I ever suffer grievance, I would never dare hide it from Your Majesty. Prince Qin may be cold and proud, but in truth, he is a man of good nature. To marry him is my blessing—how could there be any grievance?”
The Empress Dowager’s eyes narrowed with a laugh: “Good, good. If you and your husband live in harmony, I am pleased.”
Yanyu smiled: “Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern.”
The Empress Dowager’s smile faded: “Princess Consort Qin, your body is rather frail. For the royal family, children are most important. This year, I must see offspring in the Prince Qin’s household. Whether born of you or of concubines, there must be some. Without children, you would not be a competent principal wife.”
Yanyu nodded with a smile: “Yes, Your Majesty speaks rightly. I will do my utmost.”
From the moment she entered, Yanyu knew the Empress Dowager was not easy to deal with. Whether her kindness was genuine or feigned, anyone not aligned with Prince Qin’s household had to be treated with caution.
As for children—whether possible or not—she would agree for now, to avoid giving the Empress Dowager an excuse to make trouble.
Whether it could be fulfilled or not, that was a matter for the future.