After Emperor Xiaochang returned to his temporary palace, he ordered an imperial decree to be drafted.
The speed was so astonishing that Feng Gu, standing beside him, couldn't help but marvel. The Emperor had drafted thousands, if not hundreds, of imperial decrees over the years, yet he had never seen His Majesty so impatient.
Impatient as if…
He was afraid the Liang family’s daughter would latch onto the royal family.
Although it was a well-known secret that all the princes’ consorts were predetermined, the Emperor’s sudden decree of marriage for the Eighth Prince’s consort still startled everyone.
Predetermined or not, a public announcement of this magnitude was unprecedented.
Instantly, the temporary palace erupted in an uproar.
These past few days, the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau had been worrying about his daughter’s marriage. His daughter’s portrait had been left with Consort Sun Xian, but it turned out to be a wasted effort. Consort Sun Xian had merely used his daughter as a shield; the true Eighth Prince’s consort had absolutely nothing to do with his daughter.
Now that the imperial decree of marriage had been delivered, the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau felt both relieved and exasperated.
He had been worried about how to explain things to everyone when the truth came out. Unexpectedly, the good fortune had finally fallen upon his daughter, bringing honor to his ancestors.
Of course, the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau owed this favor to Her Majesty the Empress. Su Dan Novel Network.
As for Consort Sun Xian?
Heh…
Hehehe.
We'll just have to wait and see!
Consort Sun Xian, who was kneeling outside the Empress’s temporary palace, felt as if she had been struck by lightning upon hearing this news.
Wasn't the Emperor here to plead on her behalf?
How could this be…
From the very beginning, Consort Sun Xian had no intention of becoming in-laws with the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and had not paid any attention to their daughter. She recalled that the last time she entered the palace, she hadn't even glanced at the girl. Now, even if she racked her brains, she couldn't recall what the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s daughter looked like.
Consort Sun Xian had never taken the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau seriously. Even if he hated her, what did it matter? Once her son married the Liang family’s daughter, she would have no further dealings with the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.
But now, such a girl was about to become her daughter-in-law?
And the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, whom she had thoroughly offended, was about to become her in-law?
The mere thought of having to face a daughter-in-law whom she had previously ignored, and having to deal with in-laws whom she disdained, made Consort Sun Xian's head feel like it was about to explode.
Liang Lanyi was stunned, kneeling on the ground, unable to snap out of her daze.
She disbelievingly looked at Consort Sun Xian beside her, her eyes filled with an unspeakable yearning for knowledge. How could she not know that provoking the Empress’s niece was highly offensive? Yet, she had done it, wasn't it because Consort Sun Xian had told her they were all family?
But now she was being told that the Eighth Prince’s consort was someone else!
What in the world was going on?!
Consort Sun Xian avoided Liang Lanyi’s gaze, unsure how to answer, or if she could answer at all.
Liang Lanyi, seemingly deeply stimulated, couldn’t help but grab Consort Sun Xian’s sleeve and burst into tears. Her heart-wrenching cries pierced the heavens, startling even Nanny Dai inside the hall.
Looking at the sobbing Liang Lanyi, Consort Sun Xian wished she could faint right then and there for some peace!
Liang Lanyi’s tragic cries lingered in the Empress’s temporary palace for a long time.
Ji Zizhao, who also heard the crying, only had to spend a little money to find out the reason.
When she heard that the Emperor had already decreed the marriage of the Eighth Prince’s consort, Ji Zizhao was also taken aback.
While both were used as shields, the daughter of the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and Zhong Xinyi were worlds apart.
When the Empress had Zhong Xinyi act as a shield, she had already planned for all possible outcomes for Zhong Xinyi.
In essence, even if Zhong Xinyi did not end up marrying the Seventh Prince, her status would not become a laughingstock.
However, Consort Sun Xian had used the daughter of the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau as a mere pretense, likely never even considering the girl herself, let alone planning any way out for her.
Now, Consort Sun Xian had completely alienated the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, yet she had to force herself to watch her son marry the Director's daughter. What was most infuriating was that with the Emperor’s decree, even if Consort Sun Xian was distressed, she had to greet them with a smile…
The taste of this was truly exhilarating to contemplate.
Her Majesty the Empress was indeed Her Majesty the Empress; her actions always struck with devastating force.
Ji Zizhao was truly fortunate that the Empress was her powerful backing and not her enemy.
Unknowingly, Liang Lanyi’s cries gradually faded.
When the palace servants came to serve dinner, Ji Zizhao learned that Liang Lanyi’s throat had been made hoarse by crying. It was estimated that she had been so wronged that she had even torn half of Consort Sun Xian’s sleeve.
Consorts in the harem paid great attention to their demeanor, and Consort Sun Xian was no exception.
Seeing her sleeve literally ripped in half, Consort Sun Xian truly fainted from anger.
Ji Zizhao resided in the Empress’s temporary palace as an official. She was usually amiable and approachable, so the palace maids serving her were happy to chat with her.
Now, while Ji Zizhao was eating, several young palace maids chattered incessantly, vividly describing even Consort Sun Xian’s unseemly state when she was carried away. It was only when Nanny Dai entered that these young maids dispersed and retreated.
“Why has Nanny Dai come at this hour?” Ji Zizhao quickly stood up.
Nanny Dai was very fond of Ji Zizhao’s reserved and amiable nature. Her previously solemn face instantly broke into a smile. “Her Majesty the Empress just finished stewing bird’s nest with white fungus. Calculating that Miss Ji would have finished her meal by now, she specifically instructed this old servant to invite Miss Ji over to try some.”
Ji Zizhao did not believe that Her Majesty the Empress would specifically ask her to drink bird’s nest at such a late hour. She nodded and said, “Please lead the way, Nanny Dai.”
Nanny Dai smiled and nodded. She preferred dealing with intelligent people; there was no need for unnecessary words.
Ji Zizhao followed Nanny Dai into the Empress’s temporary palace. She did not enter immediately but waited outside for a moment longer. Only after Nanny Dai had dismissed the palace maids inside did she smile at Nanny Dai and step over the threshold.
Nanny Dai: “……”
She truly found Miss Ji more and more pleasing to the eye!
In the sleeping quarters, Empress Zhong was speaking with someone. Upon seeing Ji Zizhao enter, she smiled and said, “You’ve arrived quite quickly. Come, I’ll introduce you to someone.”
As Empress Zhong finished speaking, a figure slowly stood up.
Ji Zizhao glanced over and recognized the woman who had informed her of Liang Lanyi’s identity today.
The woman offered Ji Zizhao a kind smile and voluntarily bent her knees to salute, “Xing Jiqiu, greetings to Miss Ji.”
Ji Zizhao quickly stepped forward and helped Xing Jiqiu up. “Miss Xing, there’s no need for such formality. Or perhaps, I should say… future sister-in-law, there’s no need for formality.”
Xing Jiqiu: “……”
How did Ji Zizhao know?
Empress Zhong: “……”
Ji Zizhao… knew again?!