"The position of Crown Princess..."
The moment these four words flashed through her mind, Jiu Yue understood everything!
Of course—what Consort Ning longed for most now was for her son to be named Crown Prince.
And the only way to save Muling from the fate of a political marriage was to appoint her as Crown Princess.
A Crown Princess held equal status to a Crown Prince—who would dare send the heir of a nation into a marriage alliance? If the old khan insisted on demanding the Crown Princess as a bride, the entire Great Yan would oppose it. Such a demand would clearly overstep boundaries.
So... Consort Ning feared that Emperor Yan, in desperation, might name Muling as Crown Princess. That was why she had struck first, whispering something into Muling’s ear.
Round and round, it all came back to one word: power.
"So it’s about the Crown Princess’s position," Jiu Yue murmured.
Yan Lingshuang tightened her grip on Jiu Yue’s hand. "My father would never let you become another Muling... but you must still be careful. Once the edict is issued, my mother will no longer hold back."
Throughout Great Yan’s history, there had never been a Crown Princess—nor an empress regnant.
After a long silence, Jiu Yue steadied herself and returned the squeeze of Yan Lingshuang’s hand.
"Pleasure working with you."
Yan Lingshuang’s breath hitched, her lashes trembling slightly. The tension in her nerves finally eased.
"...Thank you," she said sincerely.
......
In the Forget Worries Palace.
Consort Ning, however, was restless. Her left eyelid kept twitching, and for once, she felt unusually agitated.
"Leave, all of you, leave!" She impatiently dismissed her attendants before retrieving materials to prepare incense.
Only with the aid of the fragrance did her heart gradually calm.
But then, a hand suddenly rested on her shoulder. Consort Ning opened her eyes to see the man who had been absent for days.
"You’ve returned just in time," she sighed.
The man dressed as a eunuch lounged casually on the daybed. Consort Ning approached, frowning. "Without you here, my heart has been uneasy."
"What are you afraid of? That an assassin might sneak in to kill you?" Eunuch Lü chuckled. "The most skilled warriors in all of Great Yan are at your side. What could you possibly fear?"
Consort Ning shook her head. "That’s not what I meant..."
"You worry too much." Eunuch Lü toyed with a lock of her hair before suddenly asking, "How many days until your daughter leaves for the marriage alliance?"
"Five." Then she shot him a reproachful look. "Don’t get any ideas about her. The Star Moon Palace is heavily guarded now, and no matter what, she is still a princess of Great Yan."
"Women are so fickle. As if it wasn’t you who practically handed her over to me before..." Eunuch Lü couldn’t help but laugh. "What, did she just become a princess today?"
Consort Ning didn’t argue. "I’m only thinking of Heng'er. If she were no longer... intact, and the marriage alliance fell through, wouldn’t Heng'er suffer the consequences?"
"Right, right, right..." Eunuch Lü had only asked casually. "I’ll be away for some time starting tomorrow. Behave yourself while I’m gone. I’ve arranged for people to protect you—don’t take any risks."
Consort Ning froze. "Where are you going?"
Eunuch Lü stroked her cheek. "To handle some matters. Two unknown factions have recently emerged within Great Yan. I’ll investigate."
Consort Ning nodded. "Be careful."
Lately, Jiu Yue had been spending her nights at Yan Lingshuang’s place.
Yan Lingshuang appeared to be an aloof beauty, but once she got excited—especially when discussing her plans after the marriage alliance—she became as energetic as if she’d downed several bottles of energy drinks, her enthusiasm seemingly endless.
Watching her radiant with newfound hope, Jiu Yue played the role of a patient listener... only to end up with a trendy panda-eye makeup look.
Jiu Yue silently set down the mirror and rubbed her face.
With so much on her mind lately, her sleep had suffered.
Lianqiao hurried to brew her a pot of invigorating tea.
Soon, court would adjourn, and she was expected to join her "father-emperor" for lunch.
And the day after tomorrow—Yan Lingshuang would depart for the marriage alliance.
As she pondered the plans for the steppe journey, Lianqiao suddenly rushed in.
"Princess, Consort Ning is here." Lianqiao stood stiffly, visibly nervous.
Jiu Yue turned slowly, her gaze landing on the palace-robed woman now in her line of sight—this was Consort Ning.
Elegant and well-maintained, she carried an air of refined grace as she seated herself.
"I’ve long wished to meet you since your return, Princess Zhaoning, but my schedule has been too packed." Consort Ning smiled faintly. "I hope you won’t take offense."
Jiu Yue didn’t bother rising to greet her. She simply stared at Consort Ning, not even shifting in her seat.
"Offense? How could I? Since you’ve gone out of your way to visit despite your busy schedule, it would be ungrateful of me to complain." Jiu Yue smiled back.
Consort Ning’s smile deepened. "The princess is so understanding. No wonder His Majesty dotes on you—even I find you delightful."
Jiu Yue feigned sincerity. "Thank you for your praise."
After a moment, Consort Ning moved closer, seating herself near Jiu Yue.
"Ah, I came in such haste that I didn’t prepare a proper gift..." She removed a bracelet from her wrist and offered it. "If the princess doesn’t mind, please accept this small token."
Jiu Yue studied the bracelet with interest. "The design is quite unique."
Consort Ning brightened. "I’m glad you like it."
But Jiu Yue handed it back.
"I only said it was unique, not that I liked it." She tilted her head. "You’ve worn this for a long time, haven’t you?"
Consort Ning assumed she was being polite. "It’s true, but it’s nothing too valuable. Please—"
"If it’s something you’ve worn for years, why give it to me as a gift?" Jiu Yue’s expression turned odd, her gaze piercing. "As you said, it’s not particularly precious..."
Consort Ning’s smile faltered.
Jiu Yue sighed in mock sympathy. "His Majesty really is too much. After nearly twenty years in the palace, you still can’t part with decent gifts? Don’t worry—I’ll make sure he showers you with treasures later!"
Consort Ning’s smile stiffened, but she clung to it stubbornly.
"You misunderstand, Princess. I lack for nothing..."
Jiu Yue gasped in realization.
"So you have plenty of valuables..." Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. "Which means, in your eyes, I’m not worthy of them?"
Consort Ning: "..."
Consort Ning could no longer force a smile, even a fake one.
Suppressing her irritation, she tried to deflect with practiced pleasantries, but Jiu Yue refused to play along.
"Oh, don’t take it so seriously! I was just joking." Jiu Yue grinned innocently. "Since you have so many fine things, I’ll gladly await your real gift."
Consort Ning: "...Of course."
Consort Ning had reached her limit.
After a few hollow exchanges, she turned to leave—only for Eunuch Mao to arrive with an entourage outside the Glazed Palace.
"Ah, Consort Ning is here too!" Eunuch Mao greeted her briefly before addressing Jiu Yue, who still hadn’t risen.
"Princess Zhaoning, receive the imperial decree—"
Everyone present dropped to their knees.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: We, recognizing Zhao Ning's wisdom, benevolence, and filial devotion, her virtue and talent unparalleled, find her worthy to bear the weight of ancestral duties. Now, in accordance with Heaven's will and the counsel of the court, We hereby appoint her as Crown Princess, granting her residence in the Eastern Palace to assist in governance. May she cultivate virtue, strengthen resolve, and secure the foundation of our realm."
"Let this be proclaimed throughout the land, that all may know. Respect this decree—"
Jiu Yue's heart trembled.
Yan Lingshuang had guessed right.
The position of Crown Princess… had truly come to pass.
