Chapter 179: The Edge of Intrigue

Chapter 179: The Edge of Intrigue

Hearing De Fei's words, the consorts, who were quietly sipping tea, all pricked up their ears. In the dull palace life, it was natural to be curious about the second princess's marital prospects.

Yi Jieyu smiled in response, "De Fei, the matter of the second princess's marriage is for His Majesty and the Empress to decide."

Hearing this, De Fei countered, "You are the mother of the second princess, don’t you have a say? Stop being secretive, has a suitor been chosen for the second princess?"

Yi Jieyu maintained her composure, speaking gently, "It’s not that I'm being secretive; the decision really hasn’t been made yet."

De Fei, a bit disappointed by this response, was met with Shu Fei’s enthusiasm from across her, "What kind of person does the second princess like? Yi Jieyu, tell us."

"This…" Yi Jieyu smiled wryly, waving her hand, "…The second princess is still young and shy. Let’s not discuss this."

"Ah, I forgot, Central Plains women are like that," Shu Fei sighed regretfully, not pressing further.

In the suddenly quiet hall, Rou Pin, dressed in an apricot-red floral brocade skirt with a dark blue plain silk shawl, suddenly said, "I heard Yi Jieyu visited Langhuan Pavilion to read yesterday. In this palace, no one loves books more than you, sister."

When Rou Fei spoke, Xue Jieyu slowly sipped her tea, hiding a smile behind her cup.

In this palace, there were indeed many "talented women," but with the Empress and Jing Fei leading, Rou Fei's assertion that no one loved books more than Yi Jieyu was a blatant mockery.

Moreover, with the training of the selected ladies in progress at the Shuxiu Palace, Yi Jieyu's choice to read near the Shuxiu Palace at Langhuan Pavilion at this time was quite telling.

Yi Jieyu had become increasingly restless over the years. Eager for a royal son, her hopes were dashed during the southern tour, and the only opportunity in recent years, the Seventh Prince, had perished. Now with the older princes aged over ten, her urgency was understandable.

Xue Jieyu sighed inwardly, composed herself, set down her cup, and looked towards Yi Jieyu.

Yi Jieyu, despite Rou Fei's veiled praise and criticism, remained composed, responding with a smile, "Rou Fei is too kind. Since the Empress and Jing Fei wrote 'The Chronicles of Women,' all women have taken pride in reading it, inspiring a trend of learning. I am merely influenced by this trend and enjoy reading at Langhuan Pavilion. How can I claim to love books the most?"

Yi Jieyu deftly used the Empress’s name to deflect Rou Fei's mockery, who didn't lose her poise but nodded in agreement, "Indeed, I failed to appreciate Yi Jieyu's noble character. My mistake!"

Hearing this, Shu Fei couldn’t help but laugh, drawing everyone's attention. Unfazed, she picked up a piece of hawthorn cake from the table, commenting with a smile, "This cake is delicious, why isn’t anyone eating?"

The other consorts returned to their own affairs as if nothing had happened.

At this moment, Empress Jiang emerged from the warm chamber, noticing Shu Fei's uncontrollable laughter, and slowly seated herself on the phoenix throne.

"Your Highness the Empress, may you be blessed with peace and prosperity!"

A chorus of greetings rose, and Empress Jiang sipped her tea. Setting down the cup gently, she said, "You may all rise."

As everyone took their seats, Empress Jiang's gaze settled on Gao Zhaoyi. In a calm voice, she asked, "How is the Sixth Prince feeling today? He has been ill for some days now."

The sudden change in weather had caught the young Sixth Prince off guard, leading to his illness.

Today, Gao Zhaoyi was dressed in a soft smoky-colored pomegranate pleated skirt with a Shuangdao hairdo and a gold flower on her forehead. Hearing the question, she leaned slightly towards the phoenix throne and respectfully replied, "Responding to Your Highness, after one more dose of medicine prescribed by Doctor Yan, he should be much better."

Empress Jiang nodded slightly: "That is good to hear."

She then turned to Yi Jieyu, "Yesterday, His Majesty discussed the matter of the Second Princess's marriage with me. Yi Jieyu, please stay behind after."

"Yes," Yi Jieyu quickly replied.

After some casual conversation, Empress Jiang gestured for the group to disperse.

Seeing Yi Jieyu still respectfully seated, Empress Jiang instructed Qiuqiu, standing by her side, "Bring the list for Yi Jieyu to see."

"Yes," Qiuqiu replied and handed the list, which was beside Empress Jiang, to Xia Chan, who was standing next to Yi Jieyu.

Yi Jieyu took the list, glanced at it, and looked up in surprise at Empress Jiang, "Your Highness, does His Majesty mean...?"

The list she received didn't just have one candidate, but listed five or six suitable young men.

"His Majesty wishes me to make a selection for the Second Princess from this list. However, as her mother, your opinion matters too. What do you think of these candidates?" Empress Jiang inquired.

Yi Jieyu, after pondering, replied, "I defer to His Majesty and Your Highness's decision."

Empress Jiang took another sip from her plum blossom cup of Shouzhou Huangya tea, noticing Yi Jieyu's flattering intent and said softly, "This concerns the Second Princess's lifelong happiness. Wouldn't you discuss it with her?"

Yi Jieyu's smile faltered slightly, then she quickly responded, "You are right, Your Highness. I shall discuss it with the Second Princess, though I might need to ask for a day's delay from Your Highness."

"There's no rush. Neither His Majesty nor I are in any hurry to marry off the princess," Empress Jiang said with a slight smile. "Inform us at the Fengyi Palace when you have made your decision."

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Additional note: "I know what you all want to see."

"Dental Sequence Chart (Already Appeared Princes and Princesses)"

"List of Imperial Harem Characters Post-Jianzhao Year Sixteen (Already Appeared and Still Alive) ← Every time I put these brackets, I feel like I'm writing some battle royale game."

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Additionally:

"Thank you to @Fengyuewan for suggesting the book title. The female protagonist's book is finally decided to be called 'The Chronicles of Heroic Women'! Also, thanks to other babies who nominated titles! ✿✿ヽ(°▽°)ノ✿"