Princess Shengping glanced at the consorts and shyly lowered her head. “Shengping likes all of you. Every one of the ladies is wonderful.”
The Third Prince looked at his sister and repeated the same words.
The Empress Dowager said, “There’s no need to be afraid. Whichever consort you like, you may have her become your mother.”
The Emperor, seated to one side, frowned and spoke up. “The Noble Consort and Consort Liu cannot be chosen.”
Princess Shengping widened her eyes, tears still glimmering in them. “Why?”
The Emperor’s expression darkened slightly. “The Noble Consort and Consort Liu already have children of their own.”
Princess Shengping lowered her head in disappointment, twisting her hands together. “But Shengping really likes the Noble Consort.”
The Empress Dowager’s expression also turned somewhat unpleasant as she looked toward Cui Huaiyin. “Noble Consort, what do you think?”
Cui Huaiyin’s expression did not change in the slightest. She rose and bowed before saying, “Your Majesty, I have a daughter.”
The Empress Dowager said, “Shengping is such a well-behaved child. Are you truly unwilling to reconsider?”
The Emperor said, “Mother, do not force her.”
Cui Huaiyin said, “Your Majesty, I already have a daughter. If I had another child by my side, I would be unable to treat that child as my own. You are choosing a mother for the Second Princess and the Third Prince, so naturally you must choose someone who will sincerely care for them. I have my own selfish interests, and therefore I cannot sincerely become their mother.”
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager naturally lost all desire to pressure Noble Consort Cui. She waved her hand and said, “Enough, enough. Since you are unwilling, I cannot force you.”
Cui Huaiyin said, “Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty.”
The Empress Dowager once again looked lovingly at Princess Shengping and the Third Prince.
Only then did she notice that Princess Shengping had begun to cry.
The Empress Dowager held Princess Shengping close, her heart aching for the child. “Good girl, it isn’t because there’s anything wrong with you. Some people simply aren’t worthy. Choose again. They are all good consorts, and they will all sincerely care for you.”
Princess Shengping wiped her tears and looked up at the several consorts. Her gaze then fell upon the Empress. “Then Shengping wants Mother.”
Yet the Empress did not look as happy as expected. She merely forced a smile, called Shengping to her side, and did her best to coax her. “I have no daughter of my own. From now on, I will treat you just like my own daughter.”
Princess Shengping called out eagerly, “Mother!” Then she stepped forward and hugged the Empress.
Everyone who saw this could not help frowning. They all found it somewhat strange, yet could not say exactly what was wrong.
Even the Empress Dowager gave Princess Shengping another scrutinizing look.
Then it was the Third Prince’s turn.
Among the several palace consorts, Lady Yin, Lady Ma, and Lady Lü were all willing to raise the Third Prince. In the end, the Third Prince chose Lady Yin, whose rank was the highest among them.
Lady Yin was overjoyed. When she heard that the Third Prince had chosen her, her smile nearly split her face, and she was so excited that she almost cried.
And with that, the matter was settled.
Princess Shengping would stay with the Empress.
The Third Prince would stay with Lady Yin.
The Empress Dowager then spoke at length about the responsibilities involved, essentially telling the Empress and Lady Yin to raise the two children properly.
The Empress and Lady Yin both declared that they would take good care of the children and raise them as their own.
However, compared with Lady Yin’s excitement and delight, the Empress’s expression looked rather unpleasant…
…
Rong Yao calculated the date, then glanced at the drizzle falling outside. She quickly jumped down from her chair and hurried toward the Hall of Literary Depths, where her Imperial Father was.
If her calculations were correct, the Marquis of Zhenxi would flee back to the capital tomorrow, only to be shot dead by the soldiers guarding the city gates.
The Marquis of Zhenxi could not die! She had to protect him!
Fortunately, tomorrow was the fifteenth day of the month, when her Imperial Father would leave the palace. She could go with him!
Rong Yao trotted toward the Hall of Literary Depths in the outer court.
Many palace maids, eunuchs, and guards saw the little princess running through the palace corridors, but none of them found it unusual.
There was no need to ask. They all knew she was Princess Fuxi.
Princess Fuxi often went to the outer court. Sometimes she would sneak into the rear hall of the Golden Hall to eavesdrop on the court assembly; other times, she would go to the Hall of Literary Depths to listen in on the Emperor’s discussions with his ministers.
The Emperor doted on Princess Fuxi and had never punished her. Naturally, the servants did not dare say anything, much less try to stop her.
Rong Yao reached the Hall of Literary Depths without hindrance.
Outside the hall, she spotted Eunuch Wang Zhong. She ran over and tugged at his sleeve.
“Eunuch Wang Zhong, I want to see Imperial Father.”
Eunuch Wang Zhong had just been scolding a young eunuch. When he lowered his head, he saw little Princess Fuxi looking up at him with her large eyes.
He hurriedly put away his stern expression, replaced it with a smile, wiped his hands, and bent down. “This servant pays his respects to Her Highness the Princess.”
“This servant will take Your Highness to see the Emperor at once. His Majesty instructed that if the princess came, this servant was to lead you inside.”
With that, Eunuch Wang Zhong bent over and led the little princess inside through a side door, holding her hand.
At that moment, the Emperor was discussing state affairs with Grand Secretary Zhang, so he could not go to the front hall.
However, the Emperor had instructed that if Princess Fuxi came, she was to wait in the rear hall with some snacks.
Rong Yao obediently sat on a soft cushion, eating fruit as she waited for her Imperial Father.
Besides her Imperial Father, the hall also held the Grand Secretary and the Minister of Revenue.
Through the screen, Rong Yao secretly took a look and noticed that the Grand Secretary did not seem very happy.
Her Imperial Father did not look happy either.
Rong Yao’s heart skipped a beat.
If Imperial Father was unhappy, would he refuse to let her leave the palace?
No, no! She had to leave the palace and protect the Marquis of Zhenxi!
Rong Yao crept closer to listen and heard her Imperial Father and the Grand Secretary discussing the disaster in Duzhou.
Her eyes widened, and she continued to press herself against the screen, listening intently.
Fortunately, Chen Yunxiang had not caused any trouble, and no one had falsely accused her grandfather.
However, the relief funds had still been stolen.
Grand Secretary Zhang said, “Your Majesty! If we wait until the embezzlers are found and punished, who knows how many people will die? Your Majesty, the investigation has yet to yield any leads, but the people of Duzhou cannot wait any longer!”
The Minister of Revenue said, “There is hardly any money left in the national treasury. You are making things difficult for this old minister—and for His Majesty! If we allocate the funds to Duzhou, what will we do if another disaster strikes somewhere else? My Ministry of Revenue will have no money left to provide relief.”
Grand Secretary Zhang said, “The people are the foundation of the state! How can human lives be weighed against money?”
The Minister of Revenue retorted, “Without money, how are we supposed to provide relief to the people?”
“You…”
“Enough!” the Emperor interrupted, frowning as he swept his gaze over the two men. “The Ministry of Revenue will allocate funds to Duzhou to provide relief for the disaster victims.”
Grand Secretary Zhang fell to his knees. “Your Majesty is wise!”
Since the Emperor had spoken, the Minister of Revenue could only sigh and no longer argued. Still, he added, “Then we must find the person who embezzled the relief funds as soon as possible!”
Grand Secretary Zhang said, “The Grand Court of Justice, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate are working together on the investigation. That thief will reveal a flaw sooner or later.”
The Minister of Revenue said, “Let us hope so.”
The Emperor said, “If there is nothing else to report, you may both withdraw.”
The Grand Secretary and the Minister of Revenue did not linger and left together.
Only after the two men had departed the Hall of Literary Depths did Rong Yao run out from the rear hall and come before her Imperial Father. She tugged at his sleeve.
Only then did Dantai Ji realize that his daughter had arrived. His eyes softened, and he swept her up into his arms.
“Why has Yao’er come here?”
