"Is it really that big of a deal?"
Song Jiyun was surprised yet maintained a respectful demeanor, saying, "I, a humble girl, do not know."
Noble Consort Wan didn’t let her off easily, asking, "Now that you know, what do you plan to do?" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
Song Jiyun liked to respect others, because by showing respect, she received respect in return. Wasn’t everyone happier with such mutual exchanges?
However, if she was the only one making efforts continuously, over time, she too would grow tired.
"Young Master Yuan has sacrificed so much for me, how could I possibly let him down?" she said a bit rebelliously, "I would naturally go through fire and water without hesitation."
To her surprise, Noble Consort Wan was not displeased but rather, upon hearing this, she seemed taken aback, slowly teared up, and said, "You’re right. Because of this matter, Lord Xiao Yuan came to the palace looking for help and he hasn’t compromised a single word. He has given up so much for you, naturally, you can’t let him down either. Even if it means crossing mountains of blades or seas of fire, you must forge ahead."
Song Jiyun bit back her words.
She suddenly remembered that Noble Consort Wan had always been impeached by those court officials.
Could Noble Consort Wan actually be empathizing with her?
As she pondered, Noble Consort Wan had already taken her hand enthusiastically, saying, "My dear child, don’t be afraid. The Emperor has already agreed to grant you marriage. You just wait to become a newlywed. No one can tear you two apart now."
This was truly... leaving Song Jiyun at a loss for words.
Regardless, she and Yuan Yunzhong’s situation had indeed troubled these important figures, and she wasn’t someone who failed to appreciate kindness. She immediately bowed deeply to Noble Consort Wan, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Your Majesty."
At this moment, Noble Consort Wan seemed to find her agreeable in every aspect, smiling at Qin Fang, saying, "Look at this child, her words are so sweet. Thanking me first, and then His Majesty. I wonder, when she meets the Emperor later, whether she’ll thank His Majesty first, or still me."
Song Jiyun simply laughed, "Of course, I’ll thank you first. His Majesty is preoccupied with endless affairs, how could he find the time to deal with a subject’s marriage. If not for Your Highness speaking for us, how could His Majesty have arranged this marriage for Young Master Yuan."
Noble Consort Wan was overjoyed upon hearing this and then gently inquired about her family size, what her family members did, how she met Yuan Yunzhong, and so forth.
Song Jiyun answered each question, even deliberately mentioning the incident with Prince Ning retaliating against Yuan Yunzhong when talking about how she met Yuan Yunzhong, saying, "If not for the severe injury Young Master Yuan suffered for me, I could never have firmly decided to be with him."
She even pretended to wipe away a tear.
Noble Consort Wan probably heard about the incident for the first time, looked surprised, then scoffed, and told Qin Fang and the palace maids, "I always said that Prince Ning is not an honest person. Just the other day, he was crying before me, saying how he didn’t understand hardship in the past and spent money extravagantly, resulting in huge debts. In his desperation for money, he turned to smuggling porcelain. He even asked me to speak well of him to the Emperor, promising he’d repay his gratitude to me."
That was an unexpected gain.
Song Jiyun was immediately shocked and asked, "Your Highness didn’t believe him, did you?"
"Of course not," Noble Consort Wan replied dismissively, "He thinks I’m one of those women secluded from the world without any worldly experience. Even if he’s broke, he’s digging at the Emperor’s wall, coveting the Emperor’s silver, why would I speak well of him."
"Exactly, exactly," Song Jiyun quickly agreed, "You are wise not to be misled by his sweet words. Under the heavens, all is the Emperor’s land. What isn’t His Majesty’s, and what right does he have to overstep?"
"You’re right," Noble Consort Wan felt as though she found a kindred spirit, speaking more earnestly, "Frustratingly, some high officials still speak favorably of him. Telling tales about how His Majesty, owning the world and riches of the four seas, should be magnanimous. They argue that as long as Prince Ning stays quietly in his feoff, a slight punishment would suffice."
Song Jiyun would not miss this opportunity.
She would certainly press Prince Ning as hard as she could!
"I may not understand much about these matters," she sincerely said, "But in our place, we call the ’Lord County Magistrate’ the ’parent official’, then the Emperor is the greatest ’parent official’ and His subjects are like His children. However, if a child misbehaves and the parent does not discipline him properly, he might not consider it a big deal and would likely repeat the offense. Other children, seeing this, might think that since it’s not a big deal, perhaps they could do the same."
"You think so, and he thinks so too. Wouldn’t that lead to chaos among the people?"
"If the Emperor were to intervene, people would wonder, ’Why is it that when Prince Ning commits an offense, he is only slightly reprimanded, yet when I commit an offense, the law is strictly applied?’ They would feel it unfair. If the Emperor does not intervene, even his wealth of gold and silver cannot support their actions. As a parent, wouldn’t this be a great loss for him?!"
Noble Consort Wan said nothing.
Song Jiyun was somewhat uncertain, unsure if she had spoken too plainly.
Suddenly, Noble Consort Wan slapped her thigh, saying, "You make sense. We certainly cannot let this matter go."
She instructed one of the palace maids, "Go and see what the Emperor is doing. If the Emperor is free, have the attendant from Qianqing Palace give us a signal."
The palace maid complied and left.
However, in her heart, Song Jiyun wondered about Yuan Yunzhong’s situation. What was he doing now? When Noble Consort Wan mentioned that he had requested the Emperor to grant them a marriage, was it because his parents strongly disapproved of their marriage and he had no other choice but to resort to this measure?
Her mind preoccupied with numerous thoughts, she saw a palace maid serving tea to Noble Consort Wan and instinctively reached out to help.
The palace maid certainly would not let her lend a hand.
Seeing this, Noble Consort Wan had someone bring a stool for her to sit and even offered her cherries to eat.
Song Jiyun expressed her thanks repeatedly, complimented the cherries for being delicious, and took the opportunity to start a conversation. "This is my first time in the Capital City. In Jingde Town, we are already wearing light clothes at this time, but here in the Capital, one still needs to wear an extra layer... The city towers are so majestic, unlike anything I’ve heard of... and I wonder how the Manufacturing Office is arranged? If there is any chance to go out for a walk? I came here in such a hurry that I haven’t had the chance to see what kind of food, drinks, and entertainment are around me."
She wanted to know if her entry into the Capital was because Noble Consort Wan had falsified an imperial decree or if it was merely a coincidence.
Noble Consort Wan looked towards Qin Fang.
Qin Fang responded gravely, "I will ask about the arrangements by the Manufacturing Office later."
It was evident that the matter with the Manufacturing Office was genuine.
Fortunately, her entry into the Capital was not just a farce.
She quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
The palace maid who had gone to Qianqing Palace returned with a message, "The Emperor is speaking with the three Lord Yuans. I have relayed the message. The Emperor said that after he bids farewell to the three Lord Yuans, he will come to see you immediately."
Three Lord Yuans?
Song Jiyun guessed which three Lord Yuans they could be.
Upon hearing this, Noble Consort Wan’s expression began to shift slightly.
Song Jiyun’s heart suddenly hung in suspense.
Noble Consort Wan cleared her throat softly, hesitating, "Miss Song, calling you to the palace, besides arranging your marriage with Lord Yuan, there is another matter."
Song Jiyun respectfully said, "Please give your commands."
After a moment of silence, Noble Consort Wan finally spoke, "It’s like this. Lord Xiao Yuan, who is Yuan Yunzhong’s father, does not disapprove of your marriage. Instead, when he married Madam Wang, he had promised Lord Wang Jinghu that he would adopt a son for the Wang family. But having been married to Madam Wang for so many years, they only had Yuan Yunzhong. Knowing he misspoke, he once promised Lord Wang to let Yuan Yunzhong be the adopted son."
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