Ji Renran's spring and autumn dream could not last much longer.
This was because Empress Zhong, who had been waiting for an opportunity in the palace, was about to make her move.
Xie Jinglan's letter to Ji Zizhao was intended to deliver this good news.
It had been quite some time since the incident.
Empress Zhong had been waiting for the Emperor to make a move first so that she could seize the opportunity.
However, instead of waiting for the Emperor's action, she received news that Consort Xi had attempted suicide by hanging and failed.
Empress Zhong, who had been struggling to find a breakthrough, finally had a reason to speak up.
Because Consort Xi's incident was very serious, Emperor Xiaochang went to Huaqing Palace immediately after the morning court. It wasn't until dinnertime that Empress Zhong invited him to Fengyi Palace.
Looking at the Emperor's somber expression, Empress Zhong couldn't help but curse inwardly, 'Your precious consort has bothered you all day, and now you come to me with your old face? Do you really think I'm easy to bully?'
Despite her inner curses, Empress Zhong maintained a benevolent facade and asked with concern, "Your Majesty looks so weary. Is Consort Xi's condition very serious?"
Emperor Xiaochang sat on a round stool and sighed, "The person is not in serious danger, but she keeps insisting that the Fifth Prince was framed."
Empress Zhong not only did not object but also followed his lead, saying, "I also feel that way."
"You also believe that someone framed the Fifth Prince?"
"The Fifth Prince was timid and indecisive as a child, not daring to make any decisions on his own. With such a disposition, how could he commit an act that would bring such disgrace to the royal family? However, if this matter is to be investigated thoroughly, it will inevitably delay the princes' weddings. Of course, I wish to see justice for the Fifth Prince, but I fear the court officials may have their opinions."
Whose daughter would be comfortable with being kept waiting after entering the palace?
You may dote on your consort, but you cannot drag everyone else down with you. I may be insignificant, but those old foxes in court are not easy to deal with. The court is in a period where people are needed. If Your Majesty is not afraid of losing popular support, you can roll up your sleeves and investigate to your heart's content.
Indeed, Emperor Xiaochang hesitated upon hearing this.
He might favor Consort Xi, but he wasn't so foolish as to confuse the inner palace with the imperial court.
Moreover, the Fifth Prince's matter was caught red-handed, with irrefutable evidence. If a major investigation were to be conducted, it might be difficult to appease the hundred or so mouths in the court.
After much deliberation, Emperor Xiaochang said, "I didn't expect you to agree with Consort Xi on this matter."
Empress Zhong: "..."
What did he mean by that?
"Although Consort Xi has always claimed that the Fifth Prince was wronged, she is unwilling to let me investigate thoroughly. Consort Xi is also considering you, the Empress, and wishes for the Fourth Prince to wait for the Seventh Prince's return for their weddings together. As for the other princes, they will marry first. Since the Fifth Prince has had an incident, we still need to give the Ji family an explanation. That Ji family girl can be considered a concubine."
Empress Zhong listened, slightly bewildered. "If that's the case, does Your Majesty already have candidates for the wedding partners of the Seventh and Fourth Princes?"
Emperor Xiaochang shook his head, then nodded. "The Seventh Prince is quite spirited. I cannot guess his thoughts. However, before he left, the Seventh Prince made a deal with me. He offered his merits in exchange for the Fourth Prince's marriage to Ji Zizhao of the Ji family."
Originally, Emperor Xiaochang intended to delay.
But now that Ji Zizhao held a position in the palace, if she were to marry someone else, it might lead to complications. It would be more reassuring to marry her to his own son.
After all, many things in the imperial palace could not be revealed to the outside.
And as for the Fourth Prince...
Emperor Xiaochang never paid him much attention. To put it bluntly, it was the same who he married.
Empress Zhong: "..."
She was greatly shocked!
Empress Zhong never expected that the Seventh Prince, behind her back, would make such a big decision with the Fourth Prince, trading the merits that everyone dreamed of for his fourth brother's wife?
If it were someone else, Empress Zhong would definitely think their brain was faulty.
But when the same thing happened to the Seventh Prince, Empress Zhong felt it was something her son would do!
Being somewhat overwhelmed, Empress Zhong took a long time to speak again. "I didn't expect that the Seventh Prince, who is usually so unreliable, would actually be thinking of his fourth brother. This shows the boy's thoughtfulness. I also think Consort Xi's suggestion is good. But now the Seventh Prince is out on his travels. If he returns to hear that the other princes have all married, and only he and his fourth brother are left behind, he might misunderstand His Majesty's intentions."
Emperor Xiaochang frowned. He hadn't thought that far.
However, now that the Empress mentioned it, Emperor Xiaochang felt it was a bit hasty.
The Fourth Prince didn't care; it was the same when he married. But he still cared about the Seventh Prince.
Moreover, all the other princes were watching this matter intently. If he really let his sons discover that he was not being fair, and their hearts grew cold, wouldn't that lead to chaos in the world?
Emperor Xiaochang himself had started as a prince and naturally understood what princes would do after being disappointed in their emperor.
Otherwise, where did the historical incidents of usurpation and regicide come from?
"What does the Empress think should be done?"
Empress Zhong: "..."
The Emperor is the Emperor; he never does the unpleasant tasks himself!
"I believe that since we are waiting for the Seventh Prince, why not have all the princes wait until his return for their weddings? This would show His Majesty's appreciation for those with merit and would also make the other princes wholeheartedly accept the decision. As for the Fifth Prince... since an explanation must be given to the Ji family, it would be reasonable to let a concubine from the Ji family enter the household first."
Emperor Xiaochang hesitated, "But what about Consort Xi..."
"I heard that the imperial consort Consort Xi chose for the Fifth Prince is a young lady from the Zuo family. I believe that with Prime Minister Zuo's magnanimity, he will surely understand His Majesty's painstaking efforts. Moreover, Prime Minister Zuo's brother is a reader in the Hanlin Academy. Such a scholarly family is undoubtedly noble and upright."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xiaochang found the Empress's words very reasonable. "Let it be as the Empress suggests."
Empress Zhong let out a sigh of relief in her heart.
When it came to marriage, her sons must not fall behind.
Although the order of imperial marriages might seem small, all the court officials were now paying close attention to the whispers. If her two sons were to marry after the Fifth Prince, wouldn't it be openly announcing that the Emperor still cared about the Fifth Prince?
At that time, Consort Xi would naturally use this momentum to win support for the Fifth Prince.
Fortunately, while Consort Xi was cunning, Empress Zhong was not someone to be trifled with.
Emperor Xiaochang, while calculating the date for the noble ladies to enter the palace, also knew that he could not delay any longer. After leaving Fengyi Palace, he summoned the Minister of Rites to the imperial study to draft an imperial edict.
Although the candidates for the imperial consorts had been decided, he still considered the Fifth Prince's reputation. He temporarily suppressed the names of the imperial consorts and only mentioned Ji Renran, ordering that a message be sent to the Ji family the next day.
Consort Xi, who was resting with her eyes closed in Huaqing Palace, was so stunned by this shocking news that she almost fainted.
She opened her eyes in a daze, feeling as if she were dreaming.
Otherwise, how could things have turned out this way?!