Chapter 189: Princess

Chapter 189: Princess

The Jun Prince, without any official duties, spent his days idly, flirting and indulging in frivolities. His household, full of sons and daughters, was bustling today as the Jun Prince's wife brought her unmarried daughters to the palace to pay respects, filling the ten chairs in the Mingluan Hall's flower hall.

The palace maids served the brewed Maojian tea, then quietly stood aside. The Jun Prince's wife, glancing at the Empress's expression, felt a bit uneasy.

She had received the edict to bring her daughters to the palace the previous evening. Normally, palace visits were not so rushed, especially given their awkward status in the royal family. They wouldn't visit the palace unless it was a festival or celebration. What could have prompted this sudden summon?

The Jun Prince's wife, merely a minor official's daughter, managed to keep her composure outwardly but couldn't help recalling the Jun Prince's words from last night: "Whatever the Empress says, just agree."

With this thought, she steadied herself and, with a forced smile, said, "I've been too lazy lately and haven't visited the palace to pay my respects for many days. I truly deserve reprimand."

Jiang Hui smiled and said, "Jun Prince's wife, there's no need for such formalities. I've summoned you here specifically to discuss a marriage proposal for your daughters."

"A marriage proposal?" The Jun Prince's wife was taken aback. Although the Jun Prince was not a court official, she was aware of the recent commotion regarding the Huns' request for a Zhou princess. At this time, to talk about arranging a marriage for her daughters, the implication was clear.

She only hesitated for a moment before breaking into a smile, playing along, "I have indeed been worrying about finding suitable matches for my daughters. I'm embarrassed to say, with their father's reputation, finding a good family is challenging."

The Jun Prince's wife wasn't just saying this; she genuinely believed it.

The Jun Prince relied solely on his stipend, with no other source of income, and was extravagant with money. Having many children to provide for and needing to maintain appearances in the household, their finances were tight. The wife's dowry, not substantial to begin with, was mostly spent in managing these expenses.

Now that her daughters were of marriageable age, she was reluctant to provide dowries, a significant expense.

Moreover, given the Jun Prince's household's sensitive status and the prince's lackluster character, marrying off the daughters was a difficult task.

Now, with the Empress showing interest in arranging marriages, she wouldn't have to worry about choosing suitable grooms or the dowries, potentially even receiving additional rewards. After all, her biological daughter had already married and moved away.

Jiang Hui didn’t respond to the overly enthusiastic words of the Jun Prince's wife. After taking a sip of tea, she observed the slightly nervous daughters and said softly, "I won't hide it from you; this marriage involves being honored as a princess and marrying into the Huns."

Hearing this, most of the girls' eyes lit up. Even the eldest legitimate daughter of the Jun Prince hardly had a chance at becoming a county princess, let alone them. The opportunity to become a princess naturally brought great anticipation.

However, two girls seated at the sides furrowed their brows briefly before resuming their composed smiles, appearing as excited as their sisters.

Jiang Hui noticed their reactions and continued, "You will not be marrying just anyone, but the Huns."

At these words, the faces of the girls, who were smiling just a moment ago, turned pale. They looked at each other, then unanimously lowered their heads.

No matter how difficult life was in their own home, it was better than being married off to the distant Huns!

The two girls at the sides also lowered their heads, but Jiang Hui had already noticed the understanding in their eyes.

She asked, "Jun Prince's wife, the girl in the green dress, who is she and what's her name?"

The Jun Prince's wife turned to look and replied with a hint of surprise, "Empress, this is the fourth daughter, Xiao He, her mother is..."

She lowered her voice: "... her mother was a woman from the Imperial Music Bureau, who has passed away."

A woman from the Imperial Music Bureau, descendant of a criminal, and part of the Jun Prince's household; perhaps her background was connected to the court's turmoil during Emperor Gaozong's seizure of power.

"Xiao He, the fourth lady," Jiang Hui called out, "step forward."

Upon hearing this, Xiao He stood up and approached, performing a respectful bow. Although nervous, her eyes reflected unmistakable calmness.

"I pay my respects to the Empress, may the Empress be blessed with peace and prosperity."

Jiang Hui asked, "Have you studied?"

Xiao He's appearance likely inherited from her mother was quite attractive. She replied quietly, "To answer the Empress, I learned a bit from my aunt when I was young."

She didn't intentionally conceal the fact that she could read and write.

Jiang Hui nodded and then turned to the Jun Prince's wife, "And the lady in the chrysanthemum-colored dress, who is she?"

The Jun Prince's wife quickly responded, "She is the sixth lady of our household, Xiao Lian."

This time, there was no specific mention of her mother, implying she was born to a regular concubine.

Xiao Lian, less beautiful compared to Xiao He, also stepped forward to greet Jiang Hui, saying, "I only know a few characters."

Jiang Hui then asked, "If you two were to decide who will marry into the Huns, who would you choose?"

The two sisters were caught off guard by the Empress's unexpected question, exchanging glances without speaking immediately.

Was the Empress testing something?

If one chose herself, would the Empress favor the selflessness shown and select the other for marriage?

But what if the Empress truly wanted them to decide? If one chose herself, would she really have to marry into the Huns?

If… both I and my fourth sister choose ourselves, not each other, that would be the best outcome…

Xiao Lian, the sixth lady, hesitated momentarily, biting her lip while looking at Xiao He for cues.

However, Xiao He wasn't looking at her, seemingly weighing her options. Then, with a decisive look in her eyes, she suddenly knelt and said, "Empress, I am willing to go."

With such a specific summons, this marriage must be significant. Rather than being wedded off to some unknown man and wasting away in a household, it's better to marry into the Huns as a revered princess, reclaiming my mother's dignity. If I can serve the Great Zhou loyally, it would honor my maternal grandfather's legacy.

Jiang Hui didn't respond immediately but waited before asking, "Xiao He, are you sincere in this decision?"

Xiao He repeated, bowing her head, "I am willing to go, only requesting that the Empress restores my aunt's family's reputation."

The Jun Prince's wife, hearing this, couldn't sit still and reminded in a low voice, "Empress, her mother was a Liu, and her great-grandfather was the Grand Tutor of Prince Min."

Liu, the Grand Tutor, condemned Emperor Gaozong's usurpation in the Taiji Hall, leading to his family's exile and the women being sent to the Imperial Music Bureau.

Restoring his reputation would imply he was right in his accusations.

As descendants of Emperor Gaozong, such an action, regardless of personal beliefs, is not permissible.

Thus, Jiang Hui said, "You should understand that this request is impossible. Think carefully about what you truly desire before speaking."

Xiao He, startled, stepped back and said, "My aunt has a younger brother exiled to Qiongzhou. Please allow him to leave Qiongzhou and live as a commoner."

Jiang Hui realized that Xiao He's initial request was for this cause.

She nodded, stating softly, "Granted."

The next day, Jiang Hui issued an imperial decree recording Xiao He under the Jun Prince's wife and the emperor bestowed her the title of Yanping Princess, to marry into the Huns. She was to leave at the end of May, escorted by General Yun Hui and accompanied by the Great Zhou envoy.

After settling the marriage and Jinzhou matters, the emperor issued another decree for the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue to inspect Jinzhou's granaries, rivers, and ponds, and ordered the second and third princes, Xiao Xuan and Xiao Xin, to accompany them.