“Even if the empress indulges the Eastern Palace, wouldn’t His Majesty know about this?” Her words echoed my doubts. “The current emperor is wise; how could he allow such a thing? It seems more like the entire royal family wants to tear us apart…”
Miaoyin’s reasoning was sound. Moreover, I recalled another layer of complexity. Years ago, when the Seventh Princess was infatuated with An Jin, the emperor never agreed to their marriage. I had thought it was because he learned An Jin was unwilling. Now, it seemed that wasn’t the case. If they were going to force a marriage, why not grant the princess’s wish instead of arranging Xue Miaoyin, who had no connection to An Jin?
Was the entire royal family determined to tear us apart? How had our marriage provoked such anger?
Miaoyin comforted me, saying this matter wouldn’t be so simple. An Jin was not someone who could be manipulated, and she would find ways to resolve this marriage. If all else failed, she could imitate the Eastern Palace’s consort and elope, refusing to marry An Jin and become this so-called Hehuang and Nüying.
Her expression was resolute, her smile more brilliant than a pink peach just beginning to bloom. My future sister-in-law’s optimism brightened my mood, and I politely greeted the Eastern Palace on my way out.
The Eastern Palace was touring the garden with favored concubines, holding Fei Wu. He merely nodded with a smile when he saw me, extremely proper. I had thought he would be furious after his previous setback, but he seemed unperturbed, even asking me to send regards to An Jin, as if he had never tried to steal my wife.
I estimated that after being confronted by An Jin, the Eastern Palace had reflected and understood the importance of “keeping a low profile.”
I have a peculiar habit: when my mind is full of thoughts, my appetite increases. That evening, my meal portion doubled. My father-in-law and An Jin kept adding dishes to my bowl, and my usually calm mother-in-law glanced at my lower abdomen, seemingly misunderstanding something.
An Jin praised my submissive approach before the empress and promised to resolve the royal marriage arrangement. No matter my worries, they were dispelled by his single statement. He had never failed to keep a promise.
