As a woman herself—especially a woman of the inner palace—the Empress Dowager understood more than anyone just how important a good husband was to someone like her. Imperial women were born into nobility and enjoyed endless wealth and status. So for them, money and rank were secondary. Although the Empress Dowager wasn’t particularly familiar with Qin Yan, she had heard about everything he had done for Xiao Wanyu over the past three years.
In her eyes, a man like Qin Yan was undoubtedly the ideal choice for a Prince Consort. The sole duty of a Prince Consort was to care for his wife and help her manage household matters. Nothing else really mattered.
As for someone like Ji Yuanyi—yes, he was talented—but because of that talent, he would never be content simply living under his wife’s shadow. He would naturally seek achievement and ambition, which meant he would never be fully devoted to his wife.
“Mother, perhaps the real Qin Yan isn’t inferior to Ji Yuanyi in talent either,” Xiao Chuo said with a soft smile as she looked at the Empress Dowager.
“Oh?” The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow, glancing at Xiao Chuo with some surprise. Her words suggested that there was more to Qin Yan than met the eye.
“Mother, in time you’ll see. Some people may seem dazzling, but it’s all a superficial shine. Others may look unremarkable, but are hidden dragons lying in the depths. Who will truly rise and who will fall… it’s far from certain.” Xiao Chuo continued calmly.
“Hehe, with how you speak, I’m now even more curious about this Qin Yan,” the Empress Dowager smiled gently. “But since it’s you saying it, I’ll choose to believe it.”
“Go ahead and do what you must. If anything goes wrong, I’ll support you.”
The Empress Dowager looked at Xiao Chuo with a doting gaze, assuring her that she needn’t worry. If any trouble arose, the Empress Dowager would take responsibility.
“Don’t worry, Mother. I have Father’s imperial edict. No one can interfere.” Xiao Chuo understood the Empress Dowager’s intentions and wasn’t concerned. She had already shown the decree left by the late Emperor. Who could stop her now?
…
“Has the Princess returned yet?”
At Princess Changning’s residence, Nanny Rong wore a dark expression as she anxiously questioned the palace servants.
She was in a rush to find Princess Changning and tell her something critical—Princess Jinyang had gone to see the Emperor, Xiao Yuanwu, earlier that day to request a marriage decree. And the person she wanted to marry was none other than her former Prince Consort, Qin Yan.
But after rushing out from the palace, Nanny Rong was shocked to find that Xiao Wanyu hadn’t returned yet.
The sky was already darkening, and Nanny Rong’s anxiety only grew. If they waited until tomorrow, it would be too late. Once the Emperor issued the marriage decree, nothing could be undone.
“No, she hasn’t returned yet.”
“What nonsense! Have the people sent to find her come back yet? Didn’t they go to the Eastern Market? Why aren’t they back?”
Nanny Rong became even more agitated, like an ant on a hot pan. Her tone grew sharper as she demanded answers from the staff, her face turning increasingly grim.
Just then, a few people came rushing in from outside.
“Well? Did you find the Princess?”
Recognizing them as the ones she sent to the Eastern Market to search for Xiao Wanyu, Nanny Rong immediately asked.
“No!”
They all shook their heads.
“We searched many places, but there was no sign of the Princess.”
“Nanny, the Eastern Market is huge. It’s not easy to find someone in there. Besides, the Princess has guards with her, and she’s in the capital, not to mention she’s with Young Master Ji. There shouldn’t be any danger. She’ll likely return soon.”
The servants were a little confused by Nanny Rong’s extreme concern. Xiao Wanyu often went out, but Nanny Rong had never been this anxious before.
“What do you know? Something major concerning Her Highness is about to happen. If we’re late, it’ll be too late!”
Nanny Rong snapped at them. They had no idea that Princess Jinyang had requested a marriage decree. She couldn’t say it outright to avoid spreading rumors—she just wanted to quickly find Xiao Wanyu and inform her in private.
“Could she be at the Minister of Revenue’s estate? Didn’t she go out with Young Master Ji? Maybe they went there?”
At that moment, someone suddenly suggested that Xiao Wanyu might be at Ji Yuanyi’s family home.
“Right! How could I forget that?” Nanny Rong’s eyes lit up. “Quick, send someone to the Minister of Revenue’s estate. See if the Princess is there. If she is, tell her to come back immediately. I have urgent news related to her former Prince Consort, Qin Yan!”
“Yes!”
Without delay, several people rushed off toward the Ji family estate.
…
“Brother Yuanyi, how are you feeling? Does it still hurt?”
Inside the estate of the Minister of Revenue, Xiao Wanyu sat in a room, looking with concern at Ji Yuanyi, who was lying in bed. Get faster updates on g.com.
“Much better. Thank you for bringing me back. I’m sorry we missed out on trying ‘Hai Li Lao’ today. I must’ve ruined Your Highness’s mood.”
Ji Yuanyi looked apologetically at her.
“It’s nothing. That restaurant isn’t going anywhere. As long as you’re alright, that’s all that matters.”
Xiao Wanyu replied gently. Seeing that he seemed much better, the heavy weight in her heart was finally lifted.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
“Princess, Young Master, a servant from the Princess’s residence is here. Nanny Rong is looking for you. She says it’s an urgent matter.”
The Ji household’s steward entered and, seeing both Xiao Wanyu and Ji Yuanyi present, didn’t dare delay. He quickly reported the situation.
“Looking for me? Do they say what it’s about?”
Xiao Wanyu was surprised and furrowed her brows slightly as she looked at the steward.
“Uh… they said it’s about the former Prince Consort, Qin Yan,” the steward replied honestly. Although he knew Qin Yan was considered his young master’s rival, he didn’t dare hide the truth. If something went wrong because of it, his life wouldn’t be worth much.
“About Qin Yan?”
Xiao Wanyu’s eyes widened slightly. She hadn’t expected Nanny Rong’s urgency to be because of something involving Qin Yan.
“Yes!”
The steward nodded and added, “The servant from your residence said exactly that. Should I invite them in so you can ask directly, Princess?”
“Alright. Bring them in.”
Xiao Wanyu agreed. She couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to make Nanny Rong so anxious—and that it was related to Qin Yan.