Although the Empress Dowager had ordered her to enter together with Prince Jing, there were still distinctions between men and women, and ranks had to be observed.
Holding her pipa in her arms, Jiang Zhuo quietly slowed her steps, entering Longevity Palace slightly behind Zhao Mingjing.
From the gilded bronze incense burner drifted thin curls of sandalwood smoke. The hall’s furnishings were elegant yet undeniably luxurious.
Jiang Zhuo lowered her gaze, not daring to look around.
She stopped before a carved purple-sandalwood screen of entwining lotus patterns. Through the gaps between the carved designs, she could faintly see the Empress Dowager reclining against a soft couch.
“She does have some sense,” the Empress Dowager’s lazy voice carried an undertone of authority. “Since you’ve brought a pipa, play something to ease Our fatigue.”
Seeing that the Empress Dowager had not指定 any specific piece, Jiang Zhuo lightly plucked the strings and took the liberty of choosing Six Modes.
The piece was adapted from Buddhist ritual music and carried a sense of Zen tranquility.
Even if the Empress Dowager didn’t like it, she would not blame her for it.
The melody was clear and refined. The Empress Dowager paid little attention to Jiang Zhuo; instead, she turned her head and began speaking to Zhao Mingjing beside her.
She asked about everything—from food, clothing, and daily life, to his studies and political discourse—her questions very detailed.
Zhao Mingjing answered each one respectfully.
After circling around several topics, at last she reached the main point.
“Since the Qionghua Banquet is over, do you have anyone in mind for your princess consort?”
“I do, but…” Zhao Mingjing looked troubled and cast a glance at Jiang Zhuo, who was bowing her head over the strings. “It is just that this son wishes to first establish his career before establishing a family. I have yet to accomplish anything; if I indulge in romance now, I fear I will fail to meet the expectations of my elders.”
“If all you seek in a wife is beauty, that would indeed make you a hero lacking in spirit. But if you marry a virtuous woman, she may well aid you in your endeavors.” The Empress Dowager’s gaze shifted toward Jiang Zhuo. “Miss Jiang, what do you think?”
“I do not dare to speak out of turn.”
Hearing her own name, Jiang Zhuo stopped playing. She rose and bowed.
“If We tell you to speak, then you may speak.” The Empress Dowager waved her hand. “Since you also attended the Qionghua Banquet and met the young ladies of various families, tell Us who you think is suited to be Prince Jing’s consort.”
“The Grand Chancellor’s daughter, Shangguan Xue—she is refined and elegant, and her family background is a good match for His Highness. As for my close friend Shen Guanzhi, she is quick-witted and gentle in nature; I believe she would also be well aligned with His Highness in temperament.”
Jiang Zhuo remembered that in her previous life, after the Jiang family fell, the person chosen to be Prince Jing’s consort was still not Shen Guanzhi but Shangguan Xue.
Unfortunately, Shangguan Xue was domineering by nature. Before she even married into the palace, she relied on her status as the future princess consort to act recklessly, eventually earning the censure of the court.
Her engagement was annulled, and her father was demoted.
Indeed—whoever opposed Shen Guanzhi ended up miserable.
Shen Guanzhi, originally set to be a secondary consort, was raised to main consort before the wedding due to Prince Jing’s insistence.
Jiang Zhuo felt a twinge of embarrassment.
Prince Jing’s expression, however, was gradually darkening.
“You manage not to mention yourself at all,” the Empress Dowager sneered. “Truly the daughter of Vice Minister Jiang—able to wash yourself clean at critical moments.”
A chill of sweat beaded on Jiang Zhuo’s forehead.
“My father already expressed a desire to retire to the countryside last month. Should His Majesty grant him permission, then I, his daughter, would naturally fall from privilege and be far removed from His Highness. Moreover, I am solitary and unyielding in temperament—not a suitable match.”
“He may be willing, but now that Jiang Dun stands at the height of influence, this so-called resignation is nothing more than a pretext to force His Majesty into enacting the new policies.”
The Empress Dowager’s淡淡 remark left Jiang Zhuo momentarily bewildered.
New policies? What new policies?
In her past life, her status had been low. She never touched politics and knew nothing of court matters.
For a moment, Jiang Zhuo did not know how to respond.
“The new policies benefit the people. Vice Minister Jiang considers only the welfare of the common folk. Imperial Grandmother must not take offense, and should not harm your health over this matter,” Zhao Mingjing said softly in persuasion.
Seeing Prince Jing speak up for her father, Jiang Zhuo felt a surge of gratitude and glanced at him.
In her previous life, after that single pipa performance at the Qionghua Banquet, she had barely interacted with Prince Jing again. When her family was later confiscated, she even suspected it was because Prince Jing disliked her and the Jiang family—that this was the calamity that befell them.
Now, much of that suspicion dissipated.
“A plan lasting a hundred years—how could Jiang Dun abolish it merely because he wills it? Moreover, as a subject, he should put loyalty and good counsel first, dedicating himself to relieving His Majesty’s burdens. What does this behavior amount to now?”
The Empress Dowager’s tone clearly held dissatisfaction with Jiang Dun.
When the atmosphere began to cool, she nodded slightly in indication, and Jiang Zhuo resumed plucking her strings, continuing the unfinished melody.
“Shangguan Xue’s family background is indeed good and advantageous to you, but her temper is not small. Shen Guanzhi, though gentle and talented, comes from a rather low family. Look again at the ones listed later in the registry—what do you think of them?”
The Empress Dowager remained reclining casually, discussing candidates for the princess consort.
“In this son’s opinion, background is not so important. Imperial Grandmother just said it herself—a wife should be virtuous. There is no reason to marry simply for noble birth.”
Zhao Mingjing answered obediently, yet his gaze continued drifting toward Jiang Zhuo as she played.
Speaking of candidates for Princess Jing—whether beauty, talent, or family—Jiang Zhuo was clearly the most suitable.
He did not understand why, since his Imperial Grandmother also favored Jiang Zhuo, she had deliberately summoned her into the palace to serve as a palace woman.
As the two spoke idly, a senior maid hurried in behind the screen, whispering something to the Empress Dowager.
“He really resigned?” the Empress Dowager said in mild surprise.
Seeing she had no intention of concealing it, the maid reported openly:
“Your Majesty, Vice Minister Jiang submitted his resignation yesterday. His Majesty saw that his words were sincere and his resolve firm, and granted approval. By now, it is likely that everyone at the Jiang residence is packing to leave the capital.”
Twannng—
Lost in thought for a moment, Jiang Zhuo snapped a string. The pipa let out a sharp, mournful sound.
She had no time to mind the sting in her fingertip. Realizing her loss of composure, she immediately knelt to beg forgiveness.
“Imperial Grandmother—”
Zhao Mingjing rose at once as well, about to plead on her behalf.
“Enough. Do you think We are some stone-hearted, venomous woman?” The Empress Dowager gave Jiang Zhuo a look. Though her expression was complex, her tone was far gentler than before. “You’ve played enough today. Go and rest.”
“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.”
Holding back her tears, Jiang Zhuo saluted and quickly left Longevity Palace.
Zhao Mingjing was about to take his leave as well, but the Empress Dowager stopped him.
“Jing’er, stay a while. I have something to say to you.”
Though she was aging, her former authority and forcefulness remained. Even the Emperor often had to defer to her wishes.
“This son obeys.”
Lowering his head, Zhao Mingjing still appeared obedient and well-behaved, yet he could faintly sense Jiang Zhuo’s footsteps growing farther and softer.
Any noble lady he met at the Qionghua Banquet could become his princess consort.
Zhao Mingjing now realized belatedly—
Everyone except Jiang Zhuo.