The hall was dead silent. With a mocking smile, Wang Nie said to Xiao Chengjing, "To think that the Emperor of Dongzhao, the esteemed Son of Heaven, cannot even dictate the marriage of a single woman."
Just as the courtiers were debating whether to retort, the Minister of Rites, Kang Zhibo, who was standing at the front left, stepped forward.
Looking at Wang Nie, he said, "Chief Envoy, you are mistaken. Our Dongzhao was founded on propriety, and His Majesty loves his people like his own children. When it comes to a lifelong matter such as marriage, it is only natural to respect the County Princess's own wishes."
As soon as his voice faded, Dongfang Shaoting strolled out.
He offered a faint smile, though a hint of coldness lingered in his eyes.
"Although County Princess Linghui comes from the common folk and lacks royal blood, her talent and character are superior. Furthermore, she has repeatedly rendered meritorious service to the benefit of our Dongzhao people. She is the supreme treasure of our nation, and those in this world worthy of her can be counted on one hand. Now, you ask her to marry far away to Shuobei to become a concubine to your Emperor. Naturally, we must ask the County Princess about such a grievance, lest it chill the hearts of the people and the County Princess herself."
Wang Nie's face darkened. "The status of an Imperial Consort is incredibly noble. How can it be compared to an ordinary concubine?"
The newly appointed Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy, Cai Qiong, stepped forward and said, "An Imperial Consort is still a concubine. If your Emperor were to propose to the County Princess with the position of Empress, only then would it be considered sincere."
If looks could kill, Cai Qiong would already be dead.
The Empress of a nation could never be a foreign woman. Making Song Jinzhao the Empress—was he crazy, or were they?
Soon, the well-prepared Song Jinzhao and Song Qiming were brought into the palace.
The moment they stepped into the hall, everyone turned to look at Song Jinzhao.
She was dignified, elegant, and perfectly composed in the face of the unexpected.
To remain entirely unfazed in such a situation, perhaps only County Princess Linghui could manage it.
"Your subject, Song Jinzhao, greets Your Majesty. Long live, long live, long live Your Majesty."
"Your humble official, Song Qiming, greets Your Majesty. Long live, long live, long live Your Majesty."
The siblings knelt and bowed simultaneously, one slightly ahead of the other. Neither their voices nor their movements betrayed a trace of nervousness or panic.
"Rise," Xiao Chengjing said, extending a hand with a smile.
"I summoned you siblings to the palace today because there is an important matter on which I wish to ask your opinion."
"County Princess Linghui, the Emperor of Shuobei intends to ask for your hand in marriage to make you his Imperial Consort. I wonder, are you willing?"
Wang Nie stared unblinkingly at Song Jinzhao, ready to retort at any moment.
But just as everyone was waiting for Song Jinzhao to speak, Song Qiming, standing beside her, reacted like a dog whose tail had been stepped on. He opened his mouth and began to bark fiercely.
"How could that work? Grandfather said that my sister is to take a live-in husband, not marry out."
Everyone looked at Song Qiming in unison, their eyes filled with astonishment.
A live-in husband? Really? The Song family seemed to have two male heirs already.
Sitting on the dragon throne, Xiao Chengjing paused. Why was this different from what they had agreed upon?
He seized the opportunity to play along and asked, "Is this true?"
Song Jinzhao nodded. "It is indeed true."
"After my parents passed away, I made a vow before my elders that I would not marry until my younger brother started a family of his own."
"When I returned to my hometown last year, my grandfather discussed my marriage. Considering that I am growing older, he relented and agreed that I could marry, but demanded that I take a live-in husband. Otherwise, it would have to wait a few more years. After all, my youngest brother is only five years old and needs someone to take care of him."
Xiao Chengjing said, "So that is how it is. In that case, a marriage alliance is out of the question."
Seeing Wang Nie preparing to speak, Song Qiming hurriedly opened his mouth to add more weight to the matter.
His voice boomed from his mouth like thunder, loud enough to shatter a person's eardrums.
"It's not entirely impossible. As long as the Emperor of Shuobei is willing to marry into our family as a live-in husband, this marriage can proceed."
