After entering the palace, under the guidance of a young palace attendant, the two of them first went to an audience with the Emperor.
Inside the Hall of Supreme Unity, Emperor Yongkang immediately understood why Pei Zheng had suddenly chosen a minor official’s daughter from Jinling as his wife upon seeing Jiang Yao.
As expected, even heroes could not resist beautiful women. It seemed that his capable and composed minister was no exception.
However, this actually made the Emperor even more at ease in reusing Pei Zheng.
After all, no emperor wished for his minister to be flawless—neither indulgent in women nor greedy for corruption. Otherwise, what room would there be for control?
The Emperor smiled warmly and said, “My dear minister has changed like this—there is more human warmth now. In the future, you must live in harmony with your noble wife and grow old together in mutual devotion.”
Hearing this, Jiang Yao glanced sideways in curiosity. So he had no “human warmth” before? What kind of warmth was that supposed to be?
Pei Zheng bowed and replied, “This subject obeys Your Majesty’s decree.”
He turned to look at his wife, his gaze softened with rare tenderness. Jiang Yao then also put on a shy smile and said, “This wife obeys Your Majesty’s decree.”
Seeing their affectionate demeanor, the Emperor grew even more pleased, already imagining his daughter Princess Luanhua becoming heartbroken upon seeing this couple’s harmony.
He immediately rewarded them generously.
Just after the decree was issued, a palace attendant reported, “Your Majesty, Consort has prepared a tea banquet in the Fragrance Hall and invites Madam Pei to join for tea and conversation.”
The Emperor’s smile faded slightly. The news had spread quickly to the harem the moment the couple entered the palace. The palace’s information flow was faster than expected.
“Is Luanhua also there?” he asked.
The attendant nodded. “Yes, Your Highness the Princess is also present.”
The Emperor stroked his beard and, after a brief pause, said, “Very well. Since Consort has invited her, Madam Pei may go. Pei Zheng, stay and play another round of chess with me.”
Jiang Yao blinked, already expecting this.
After leaving the hall, a palace maid in pale green led her toward Consort Zhuang’s residence, the Fragrance Hall.
The maid was unusually quiet. Jiang Yao also did not ask questions—after all, in the palace, who knew whether a casual word would be reported back to the Emperor?
The journey remained quiet until they passed the imperial garden. Several palace servants were seen searching the ground for something. One maid almost bumped into Jiang Yao.
Curious, Jiang Yao asked, “What are you looking for?”
The maid hurriedly replied, “Please forgive us, Madam Pei. We are searching for the earring lost by Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess Consort.”
Jiang Yao paused slightly, a trace of doubt flashing in her eyes.
How did this maid know who she was?
Before she could think further, she nodded and was about to leave when she suddenly felt something under her foot. She stepped back and bent down, picking up a white jade earring.
She turned to the maid. “Is this what your Crown Princess Consort lost?”
The maid’s face lit up with joy. “Yes, yes! This is it!”
Her voice, though not loud, reached the nearby pavilion where the Crown Princess Consort was resting. She walked over.
The maid quickly explained everything.
“So it was Madam Pei,” said Crown Princess Consort as she approached.
Jiang Yao was about to bow, but the Crown Princess Consort quickly held her hands and stopped her, thanking her sincerely.
“This earring was a keepsake from His Highness. Losing it caused me great distress. I never expected Madam Pei to find it.”
Jiang Yao smiled lightly. “It was just coincidence. It’s good that the earring wasn’t damaged.”
The Crown Princess Consort looked at her with admiration. “Even so, without your good fortune, I would not know when it could have been found.”
She then asked, “Where are you headed? To the Consort’s tea banquet?”
Jiang Yao nodded.
“I am also going,” the Crown Princess Consort said. “I was delayed just now…”
After exchanging a few words, they continued together and soon met the Princess Consort of Rui along the way.
When they entered the hall, Consort Zhuang looked slightly surprised and joked, “What kind of lucky day is this? Everyone is coming to my Fragrance Hall at once.”
After hearing the explanation, she dismissed it with a smile and invited them to sit and drink tea.
Her gaze then landed on Jiang Yao.
“She is indeed as beautiful as the rumors say. No wonder Pei Zheng personally sought marriage.”
Jiang Yao smiled politely. “Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness.”
However, she soon felt a burning gaze fixed on her.
Unable to ignore it, she finally looked toward the source and asked, “Princess, is there something on my face?”
The one who had been staring was Luanhua Princess. She lifted her chin arrogantly and sneered.
“How do you know this Princess is looking at you?”
Jiang Yao replied calmly, “Your gaze is too obvious to ignore.”
Luanhua Princess scoffed. “I am willing to look at you—that is your honor.”
Jiang Yao nodded thoughtfully. “I see. Then please continue looking.”
Her reaction made the Princess even more irritated.
The Consort Zhuang glanced at her daughter in disapproval, silently warning her.
The Consort then changed the topic and praised the flower in Jiang Yao’s hair.
Jiang Yao smiled. “It is a real flower. My husband picked it from our courtyard and placed it in my hair.”
The Crown Princess Consort and others praised it in admiration, turning the hall lively.
Only Luanhua Princess remained displeased, staring at Jiang Yao before finally speaking.
“Do you think you are worthy of Pei Zheng?”
The hall instantly fell silent.
Everyone turned to Jiang Yao, waiting for her answer.
Jiang Yao remained calm and replied, “Of course I am worthy.”
Luanhua Princess sneered. “Shameless. What makes you worthy of him?”
Jiang Yao did not become angry. Instead, she smiled brightly.
“I am twenty-one years old, beautiful, talented, well-mannered, and understanding…”
She continued listing her merits confidently until she ran out of words, then concluded with satisfaction, “I am so excellent. The Marquis choosing me as his wife only proves his good judgment.”
Her words struck a nerve.
Luanhua Princess’s expression changed instantly. “How dare you!”