Actually, Consort Jing is the birth mother of Prince Yan, so this matter should be decided by her. However, everyone present is of higher status than her, and no one cares about her opinion. The Empress summoned her today as an announcement, not a discussion.
Bai Chuxiao spoke calmly, "Oh? How come I didn't know that the Prince of Yan had agreed to marry Princess Minke?"
Empress Li smiled and said, "Princess Changning, you are mistaken. Such an important matter as marriage should naturally be decided according to the wishes of one's elders."
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow. "I just came from His Majesty's place. His Majesty did not say that I should annul my engagement with Prince Yan."
Consort Wei, holding a handkerchief, smiled and said, "You silly child, who said we were going to break off the engagement? Princess Minke doesn't mind that Consort Ping is willing to serve the Seventh Prince with you. That's a good thing."
Bai Chuxiao's lips curled up. "In our Great Xia, there's no such thing as a concubine of lower rank. It's strange that Princess Minke is so eager to become someone's concubine."
Yuwen Minke was furious. "Princess Changning, what do you mean? When did I ever say I wanted to be a concubine?"
Bai Chuxiao blinked. "What else? My marriage to the Prince of Yan is clearly stated in the imperial decree. What do you have to offer?"
Empress Li spoke calmly, with a hint of reproach, "Princess Changning, please watch your words. Princess Minke has come from afar for the sake of diplomatic relations between our two countries. As the future Princess Consort of Yan, you should be magnanimous. Even if you are unwilling to be on equal footing with Princess Minke, you don't need to insult her. Princess Minke's status is already beneath her to be a concubine of the Prince of Yan."
Seeing this, Yuwen Minke took the opportunity to back down. She had never intended to become the principal wife, so if it didn't work out, so be it, but taking a concubine was absolutely out of the question!
"I beg Your Majesty's permission to grant this request. Min Ke truly loves His Highness Prince Yan. Since he is already engaged, Min Ke will not force the issue and is willing to become a concubine to serve His Highness Prince Yan."
Empress Li's face showed some satisfaction. "Princess Minke, I am very pleased with your magnanimity. In this respect, Princess Changning, you should learn a lot from Princess Minke."
Bai Chuxiao didn't want to be polite anymore, and immediately said calmly, "In short, I disagree with all of them, whether they are concubines, secondary consorts, or maids. Otherwise, Your Majesty and the Empress can issue an edict to annul my engagement with the Prince of Yan."
Envy flashed in Liu Shuyao's eyes. She liked Bai Chuxiao's personality very much. She lived more freely than Bai Chuxiao. She hadn't spoken up just now because she didn't agree with Empress Li interfering in this matter. The Prince of Yan's attitude was very clear. What good would it do them to force Yuwen Minke into the Prince of Yan's mansion?
It's a good thing that the Second Princess, as the Crown Prince's younger sister, is marrying into Bei Yan. With this relationship, Xiao Chen and the Crown Prince are natural allies. Both are legitimate sons, and they can help each other in the future. What's wrong with that? It would be unwise to create a rift with Prince Yan, Bai Chuxiao, over this marriage.
Empress Li's face darkened with anger. "How dare you! You haven't even married into the Prince of Yan's household yet, and you're already stopping him from taking a concubine! Have you no manners? I think you should really learn what the Three Obediences and Four Virtues are!"
A sneer flashed in Bai Chuxiao's eyes. "If the Prince of Yan is willing to marry me, this princess won't stop him. I'll just write a letter of annulment and sever all ties."
Consort Jing, who had remained silent until now, suddenly stood up and said calmly, "Princess Changning's meaning is the Seventh Prince's meaning. Both the Seventh Prince and I only recognize Princess Changning."
Seeing this, Consort Xian smiled and said, "Sister, be careful what you say. This matter concerns both countries and is not something you can decide on your own."
Empress Li said sternly, "Consort Xian is right. Although you, Noble Lady Jing, are the seventh prince's birth mother, this matter is not for you to decide. Get out of my sight."
Bai Chuxiao sneered, "Princess Minke can enter the Prince Yan's residence if she wants..."
Seeing her suddenly agree, everyone looked at her with some confusion, but Consort Jing, who had just sat back down, had a strange smile in her eyes.
Then she slowly spoke, "This princess happens to be short a foot-washing maid..."
Aside from the Empress, the crowd of onlookers couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Yuwen Minke could no longer maintain her composure; she was consumed by rage. "Bai Chuxiao, how dare you humiliate this princess like this!"
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "Yuwen Minke, you've lowered yourself so eagerly to serve me and the Prince of Yan. I'm already doing you a favor by giving you this opportunity to be a foot-washing maid. Aren't you going to thank me properly?"
Yuwen Minke pointed at her, too angry to speak for a long time, and could only bow to Empress Li at the head of the table.
"Your Majesty, is this how the Great Xia Dynasty treats its guests?"
Empress Li was naturally displeased with Bai Chuxiao's arrogant attitude, and moreover, her own daughter had been sent away by Bai Chuxiao for a political marriage; she was determined to vent her anger.
So she said in a deep voice, "Since Your Majesty has entrusted this matter to me, then it is my decision. I agree to Princess Minke marrying the Seventh Prince as a concubine. Princess Changning, you must stop making trouble."
Bai Chuxiao's eyes turned slightly cold as she pulled out the mirror image from behind her hand, her fingers gently tracing the patterns on it, her expression inscrutable.
She suddenly pulled out a dagger, startling everyone. Consort Wei looked flustered, "Princess Changning, what are you doing? This is Zhaofeng Palace!"
After all, the sixth brother still had a grudge against her. What if Bai Chuxiao suddenly went berserk and killed them? They had all heard of Bai Chuxiao's martial arts skills; if she suddenly attacked them, they definitely wouldn't be able to escape.
Empress Li was also greatly alarmed and said sternly, "Princess Changning, put down the dagger!"
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "As I've said, don't even think about becoming a concubine. If you insist on this, then only one of us, Yuwen Minke, can leave the main hall today."
Yuwen Minke was also a little panicked. They had fought before, and if it really came down to a fight to the death, she would definitely be the one to die in the end.
"I am the daughter of General Yuwen of Beiyan. Bai Chuxiao, how dare you kill me? Aren't you afraid of provoking war between our two countries?"
Upon hearing this, Bai Chuxiao's smile widened even more. "Stop talking nonsense. Do you want to be a foot-washing maid or a ghost? Choose one."
Yuwen Minke's face turned ashen. She didn't believe Bai Chuxiao would really dare to kill her, so she sneered, "Bai Chuxiao, don't think that this princess is afraid of you."
Bai Chuxiao's eyes flashed slightly, and without saying any more, he took the photo and stabbed Yu Wen Minke. She really wanted to take her life, and beating her if she didn't obey was her motto in life. In the capital, she did have a better temper. If you kill her, kill her. There is no place in the world that she cannot go.
Yuwen Minke hurriedly defended herself. She hadn't expected Bai Chuxiao to be serious. In front of everyone in the Great Xia Imperial Palace, she really dared to kill her? She was a madwoman.
Everyone in Zhaofeng Palace was stunned. No one had expected Bai Chuxiao to be serious. However, no one dared to speak, lest they anger her...
The sharp blade of the mirror grazed Yuwen Minke's neck several times. Sensing the threat of death, Yuwen Minke shouted, "Stop! This princess will not marry!" Her voice trembled with fear.
Upon hearing this, Bai Chuxiao withdrew the image, took a few steps back, sat back in her original seat, leisurely took a sip of tea, and smiled faintly, "That's more like it."
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