As dusk fell, the palace was enveloped under a gray-blue sky.
Inside Qianyuan Dian of the Eastern Palace, the lamps remained lit.
Xiao Mingche sat before the desk, intently reviewing memorials.
The lamplight flickered slightly in the hall. Changqing stopped outside the door and reported, "Your Highness, Aunt Ting Xia from Her Majesty the Empress's side has arrived. She says Her Majesty is ill and requests Your Highness to go over."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Mingche looked up from the memorials. His long brows were like swords, his handsome eyes like stars, his features emerging in the half-light and half-shadow.
It was an exceptionally handsome face—elegant features, distinct contours, captivating to the eye, yet carrying a subtle aura of authority befitting one in a high position.
"The Queen Mother is ill? Since when? Has an imperial physician been summoned?" Xiao Mingche lowered his brows slightly as he asked Changqing.
Changqing shook his head. "This subordinate is not entirely clear, but judging from Aunt Ting Xia's expression, Her Majesty seems quite unwell. The imperial physician has already been to Qiwugong."
Xiao Mingche's eyes narrowed slightly. After a moment, he stood up and said to Changqing, "To Qiwugong."
The Empress had long ordered someone to keep an eye on the movements outside. As soon as she caught sight of Xiao Mingche's figure approaching, she immediately lay down and closed her eyes.
Xiao Mingche walked around the floor-standing ivory screen and sat down by the bedside.
"How is the Queen Mother?" This question was directed at Ting Xia.
Ting Xia hurriedly replied, "The imperial physician was just here. He said Her Majesty is suffering from excessive worry and overwork, which caused her to fall ill. It's not serious; she just needs to rest and recuperate properly. Your Highness need not worry too much."
After speaking, Ting Xia stole a glance at the Empress lying on the bed.
The Empress slowly opened her eyes, as if she had just woken up, and looked at Xiao Mingche with a pleasantly surprised expression. "Che'er, you've come. Ah, this mother's health is deteriorating day by day."
The acting was too clumsy. Xiao Mingche remained silent for a moment. He already understood what was happening—the Empress had feigned illness to lure him here, surely with something to say. He quietly waited for her to speak.
Supported by Ting Xia, the Empress sat up, leaning against the pillow, observing Xiao Mingche's reaction. "The imperial physician said this mother is suffering from excessive worry and overwork. If this continues, the illness may worsen. Ah."
After saying this, she looked at Xiao Mingche.
Xiao Mingche finally spoke. "Then the Queen Mother should not worry or overwork herself. Rest well and recuperate."
Hearing this, the Empress immediately continued, "This mother doesn't want to worry or overwork either, but you always make this mother worry and overwork."
Xiao Mingche frowned. What did this have to do with him?
"What does the Queen Mother mean by that?"
The Empress said, "You're already twenty-two and still not married. How can this mother not worry and overwork? Your third brother is two years younger than you. He married last year, and just the other day, the third princess consort came to the palace to pay respects and mentioned she is with child. Tell me, how can this mother rest assured?"
Xiao Mingche fell silent again.
The Empress sighed heavily. "Tell this mother honestly, is there some unspeakable difficulty why you refuse to marry? If you have some hidden ailment, avoiding treatment is not good. It's better to seek treatment early."
"The Queen Mother worries too much." Xiao Mingche did not understand why the Empress would think in this direction.
The Empress was half-convinced, half-doubting. "Truly? I am your mother. You need not hide it from me."
Xiao Mingche stated firmly, "There is no such thing."
The Empress seemed relieved but then thought of another possibility. "Then… do you have a preference for men? No wonder you always keep Changqing by your side…"
Xiao Mingche's expression darkened as he cut off the Empress's speculation. "Queen Mother, you mustn't let your imagination run wild. That is even more impossible. Your son has no issues whatsoever; it's just that I have no interest in matters between men and women."
The Empress sighed again. "How can you know whether you're interested or not when you've never even tried? If you want to put my mind at ease, then promise me you'll marry immediately!"
Xiao Mingche was telling the truth—he truly found matters between men and women utterly uninteresting, nothing more than a waste of his time. He had no desire to marry, at least not for now.
Seeing his hesitation, the Empress immediately raised a hand to her head, feigning discomfort. "Ting Xia, my head has suddenly started aching. Hurry and summon Physician Qi back here."
Xiao Mingche pressed his thin lips together. He knew the Empress was putting on an act, but…
He had indeed reached the age for marriage. If he remained unmarried for too long, he would inevitably draw criticism from his ministers.
"Your son agrees. Is Queen Mother feeling better now?" Xiao Mingche said.
The Empress hadn't expected Xiao Mingche to agree so readily. She had thought she would need to persuade him further, and now she was overjoyed, all signs of illness vanishing instantly.
"I will begin making arrangements for this matter tomorrow."
Like a stone thrown into calm water, the news that the Crown Prince was selecting a consort quickly spread throughout the capital. For a time, it became the talk of every street and alley.
Jiangguogongfu was also thrown into an uproar. Everyone in the household knew that the second young lady was infatuated with the Crown Prince, and no one had expected her to actually get this opportunity.
Upon learning of the news, Jiang Sixian, who had always been proud, couldn't help but weep tears of joy.
She threw herself into Madam Sun's arms, crying, "I knew it, Mother. I knew I would wait for this day. In this lifetime, I will marry no one but the Crown Prince."
Madam Sun held her daughter, both shocked and delighted. She had thought they had lost a good son-in-law, but now an even better one had come along. Becoming the Crown Princess was a thousand times more glorious than being the wife of the Dingbeihou heir.
"Sixian, you are blessed. Even the heavens are looking out for you."
Jiang Sixian wiped her tears with a handkerchief and smiled. "Yes, Mother. The heavens are indeed looking out for me."
It wasn't just Jiang Sixian who was excited—Jiang Yuehua and Jiang Lanzhi were also thrilled.
Though they were concubine-born daughters, they too wanted to participate in the Crown Prince's selection. If chosen, it would mean a lifetime of wealth and honor. The current Crown Prince was both talented and virtuous, deeply favored by the Emperor, far surpassing the other princes. If nothing unexpected happened, the Crown Prince would become the future emperor. Even if their status prevented them from becoming the Crown Princess, they could still become palace concubines. Once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, they could become imperial consorts. With a bit of luck, they might even rise to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort or Noble Consort, or even Empress—none of this was impossible.
In stark contrast to their excitement, Ruoshui Pavilion remained very calm.
Tonight, Jiang Ping was coming again. Zou Ruoshui had already served him for a month and was growing somewhat impatient. The thought of having to go to Zhaohui Hall to see Jiang Ping later made her sigh.
Jiang Xuerong rested her chin in her hand, watching two butterflies frolic in the courtyard as she spoke to Yin Chan. "Now Second Sister will get her wish."
Yin Chan replied, "Indeed. Second Young Lady has been infatuated with the Crown Prince for a long time. She must be overjoyed by this news."
Jiang Xuerong gazed at the butterflies, puzzled. "Why does Second Sister like the Crown Prince so much?"
She had never been particularly invested in anything and found such an almost obsessive fixation rather strange.
Yin Chan was even more perplexed. "The Crown Prince is both handsome and talented. Who wouldn't like someone like that?"
Jiang Xuerong said, "Is that so? I don't like him."
Yin Chan was momentarily speechless.
Jiang Xuerong tilted her head to look at the two butterflies again and muttered, "Do I have to like him just because the Crown Prince is handsome and talented? That sounds even more casual than when my concubine mother chose my name."
Yin Chan: "…"
Jiang Xuerong's name was given by Zou Ruoshui. On the day she was born, it happened to be when the heavy snow was melting. Zou Ruoshui glanced out the window and decided to name her "Xuerong" (snow melt). However, as the character "rong" (melt) didn't sound very pleasant, it was changed to "rong" (meaning appearance or tolerance). It was all quite casual.
Just like Zou Ruoshui's way of living.
Jiang Xuerong sighed and decided to stop thinking about these meaningless things. Whether she liked the Crown Prince or not didn't matter anyway, since the Crown Prince wouldn't look twice at her, and it was impossible for her to be chosen.
It was better to think about what to eat tonight. Hmm, she wanted hot pot.
"Concubine mother, let's have hot pot tonight."
Zou Ruoshui responded, "Your father doesn't like that."
Jiang Xuerong rested her chin in her hands and sighed. Indeed, having an extra man around was troublesome—even food had to be compromised.
Zou Ruoshui changed her clothes, applied some makeup, and headed to Zhaohui Hall.
On the way, she ran into Concubine Su.
These days, with Zou Ruoshui gaining favor, Concubine Su had fallen out of favor. The tables had turned, and Concubine Su felt somewhat awkward. Not long ago, she had mocked Zou Ruoshui for losing favor, as Zou Ruoshui had been out of favor for years. She never expected her to suddenly regain it.
Maintaining a polite smile, Concubine Su spoke, "Sister Zou, are you going to see the master?"
Zou Ruoshui smiled, "Yes. It's been a few days, Sister Su, you look much younger. You've served the master for so long, and now you finally have a chance to rest. You should cherish it."
Sarcasm was something Zou Ruoshui was also good at.
Concubine Su struggled to keep the smile on her face.
Zou Ruoshui said, "I'll take my leave now, Sister. The master is waiting for me."
Concubine Su watched Zou Ruoshui's retreating figure and gritted her teeth. "She's only been favored for a month. The master is just finding her novel after not seeing her for so long. Hah, how long can she stay proud?"
After returning to her Qinglan Courtyard, Concubine Su was still fuming.
Jiang Yuehua saw her return and pulled her into the room. "What's wrong, concubine mother?"
Concubine Su said, "Nothing much. I just ran into someone from Ruoshui Pavilion. Her daughter is a good-for-nothing—how could she compare to you? By the way, how is your relationship with the heir these days?"
Jiang Yuehua bit her lip, about to discuss this with Concubine Su. "My relationship with the heir is quite good."
Concubine Su said, "That's good. Keep him steady and try to get him to marry you. In the future, you'll be a marquise, enjoying endless wealth and honor."
Jiang Yuehua hesitated before saying, "Concubine mother, do you think being a marquise is better than being an Imperial Noble Consort?"
Concubine Su was taken aback. "Yuehua, what do you mean?"
Jiang Yuehua said, "I also want to participate in the Crown Prince's consort selection."
Concubine Su said, "But you and the heir…"
Jiang Yuehua replied, "The heir and I are not engaged. If I am chosen, it wouldn't be considered betraying him. If I am not chosen, I can still become engaged to him. What do you think, concubine mother?"
Concubine Su was swayed by Jiang Yuehua's words. Indeed, it seemed like the best of both worlds.
Jiang Yuehua smiled gently. "Don't worry, concubine mother, I know what I'm doing. But as for Father, you'll need to speak to him on my behalf."
Jiang Ping was already convinced that the matter between Jiang Yuehua and Shen Ze was almost certainly true, and thus the Crown Prince's selection of a consort would definitely not consider sending Jiang Yuehua.
Concubine Su nodded: "Don't worry, I will go and plead with your father."
Meanwhile, Jiang Ping was discussing this matter with Zou Ruoshui.
"Ruoshui, for this Crown Prince's selection of a consort, I will certainly ensure our Rong'er goes as well."
Zou Ruoshui smiled gently: "Thank you, Ping Lang."
The Empress had long hoped for Xiao Mingche to agree to the selection of a consort, and now that he had finally relented and consented, she naturally proceeded with great haste.
All eligible young women from families of officials ranked seventh grade and above in the capital were registered. The Inner Court Department had initially intended to conduct a preliminary screening, but the Empress rejected the idea.
"No need, have them all come. Che'er has always been picky; having more people will offer more choices."
In the blink of an eye, the day of the Crown Prince's consort selection arrived.