Qin Imperial Palace, within Cixiang Palace.
This is the residence of the Empress Dowager, far removed from the court and the Emperor's three palaces and six courtyards.
The current Empress Dowager, the birth mother of His Majesty the Emperor.
Since the Emperor ascended the throne, she has secluded herself in Cixiang Palace.
On ordinary days, unless summoned by the Empress Dowager, no one could enter Cixiang Palace. Today, however, the gates of Cixiang Palace are fully open, suggesting that someone has arrived.
Laughter resonates from the depths of Cixiang Palace.
The laughter carries a dignity forged by the passage of time, tempered with a modest restraint.
Yet, even so, those who have come to pay their respects dare not easily provoke the owner of that voice. Even Consort Jiang, who enjoys the Emperor's favor, can only cover her mouth and smile, attentively observing the expressions of the one seated at the head.
In the main hall, besides the palace maids, there are but four people.
Among them, an elderly woman sits at the head, her features showing signs of age but unable to hide her former elegance. She is clad in luxurious robes, with gold thread embroidering the Phoenix Totem symbolic of Imperial Family women, though her hair is adorned with only a few plain but priceless Jade Hairpins. Hanging from the thumb of her left hand is a string of delicately carved Buddha Beads.
Behind her stands an old nurse, a faint smile on her face, quietly accompanying her.
From this stance, one can discern the prestigious status of this nurse before the most dignified woman in Qin Country.
Seated below the Empress Dowager's left hand are two women sitting upright. Judging by their similar appearance and age, they have a mother-daughter relationship.
However, compared to the natural charm in the mother's brows, the noble girl possesses a more restrained dignity, aloof and cold.
"Empress Dowager, please don't tease Yao'er. She's still young, and I hope to keep her with me for a few more years." Consort Jiang holds a silk handkerchief over her mouth and laughs lightly, her demeanor full of coquettishness.
It seems that feigning coquettishness in front of her child and towards the Empress Dowager is something that the famously charming Consort Jiang could deliver.
Regarding her mother's display, Qin Yiyao, the Changle Princess seated beside her, shows little emotion. Her composed brow seems as though the person spoken of by the Empress Dowager just now was not herself.
The Empress Dowager twirls the Buddha Beads in her hand, laughingly chiding, "What still young? Women in Qin Country come of age at thirteen. Yao'er is already fifteen this year, a full-grown woman. If not for waiting for the Mu Family's lad to come of age, you would long have held a grandchild."
Consort Jiang's mouth twitches, secretly glancing at her daughter, only to see her as serene as a beautiful statue, showing none of the shy expressions a girl should have after hearing about her own marriage. Her eyes darkened slightly.
Fortunately, the Empress Dowager doesn't seem to notice these things, instead speaking to herself, "By my reckoning, that Mu Family boy should be nearing his coming-of-age ceremony."
Her words sound as if she is speaking to herself, yet also seem like a question for others.
The nurse, accustomed to the Empress Dowager's routines, leans slightly and quietly responds, "Yes, the young Lord of the Mu Family will come of age in another year." Coming of age marks adulthood, and hence the long-negotiated marriage between the Mu Mansion and the Imperial Family could proceed accordingly.
The Empress Dowager barely nods her head, having made up her mind.
In her view, the bloodline of the Mu Family rested solely with Mu Qingge, who was a frivolous dandy. His inheritance of the Mu Family only foretold its decline. Now, with the Imperial Family marrying a noble princess to the Mu Family, regardless of future bloodline assimilation by Imperial prominence, the mere reputation itself is beneficial. Why bother scheming to invite trouble?
Having thought this through, the Empress Dowager looks at Qin Yiyao, who hasn't said a word. Her small face—an array of parental virtues—bloomed with beauty like a radiant flower, possessing an unparalleled allure. What's rarer was her innate noble arrogance that made her more captivating than usual ladies.
Bestowing such a person upon the frivolous of the Mu Family would not be an unjust loss for them.
The Empress Dowager sighs inwardly and smiles affectionately at Qin Yiyao, asking, "Our Yao'er just keeps growing more and more elegant. That Mu Family boy is truly blessed."
"You overpraise me, Grand Empress Dowager." Being addressed directly by the Empress Dowager, Qin Yiyao remains indifferent, adhering to court etiquette in her reply.
The dismissive and indifferent tone causes Consort Jiang some anxiety. Afraid her daughter's attitude might displease the Empress Dowager, potentially leading to repercussions within the palace.
Thus, she chides, "Yao'er, how are you speaking to the Empress Dowager? Have you forgotten the manners taught to you?"
"Yao'er dares not forget." Qin Yiyao lowers her eyes, her reply steady yet respectful.
"Alright, alright, it's nothing serious. I am not the one aware only today of Yao'er's distant personality. Summoning you here today is because the Emperor has called that Mu Family lad to the palace." The Empress Dowager waves her hand dismissively.
Upon hearing this, Consort Jiang is momentarily stunned, thinking: The Emperor has summoned Mu Qingge to the palace; how have I not received this news?
Both Consort Jiang and the usually detached Qin Yiyao, seemingly an outsider, finally show a subtle reaction, her lashes as long and curled as butterflies, tremble faintly.
Before Consort Jiang can speak, the Empress Dowager continues, "I have already sent for the Mu Family lad to come over. I hear he has suffered some hardships recently. You two, as his future mother-in-law and wife, should show some concern, especially you Yao'er. You may have grown up with Qingge, but as the differences between men and women arose, you drifted apart. Eventually, you will marry into the Mu Family, and the deeper your marital affection, the happier you'll be in the future. Today, accompany Qingge around the palace, and when he leaves, see him off from the palace, after which you can return to your Changle Princess Mansion."
There's no room for dissent; the Empress Dowager has already stated her decision.
Qin Country's law dictates princes and princesses move out and establish residences upon reaching adulthood; now, only the nine-year-old Seventh Prince might reside in the palace regularly.
"Empress Dowager, this... Yao'er is yet not married..." Consort Jiang was already displeased with her daughter's marital arrangement. In her opinion, she could leverage this marriage with Mu Qingge, but not at her daughter's expense. Her daughter deserved a better future.
For instance, marrying a neighboring country to secure support, or leveraging her beauty and talent to draw wise men from across the land.
In any case, her daughter shouldn't be taken advantage of by a useless dandy.
Nonetheless, the Empress Dowager brushes it off, saying, "Alright, throughout the land, who doesn't know of Yao'er's prospective match? How many envy such childhood innocence; who will idly gossip?"
With eyes full of wisdom, she looks directly at Qin Yiyao, asking, "Yao'er, do you understand your grandmother's words?"
Qin Yiyao purses her lips, fluttering her lashes for a moment, then nods, "Yao'er understands."
"That's good, my well-behaved granddaughter, Qin Country's princess." The Empress Dowager nods approvingly.