The Emperor, supported by a servant to lean against the pillows, spoke slowly, “The physicians say my illness came suddenly, and it might affect my speech and movement in the future. Today, with all of you here, I need to arrange some matters.” Qingqing glanced around covertly, noticing Li Qin, the Empress, several princes and princesses, and even Prime Minister Chen and Yuzhen standing to one side. Next to Li Qin was a handsome young man, presumably the Fourth Prince. Although she didn’t look closely at how he had changed, she heard the crowd let out some meaningless sobs as the Emperor spoke. The Empress, serving by his side, choked up, losing her usual composure, “Your Majesty, please do not speak such nonsense, you must live to a hundred!”
The Emperor managed a weak smile, “Who among us does not die? However, there are still some matters I can’t let go of.” The Empress dared not speak, listening intently to the Emperor’s directives.
“The most important matter is the marriage of the Second Prince.” The Emperor glanced at Li Qin and continued, “I know what’s in your heart, so in front of Master Lin, I ask for your daughter’s hand.” Master Lin immediately knelt down, his voice respectful yet excited, “Your Majesty’s favor is immense, I thank you on behalf of my daughter for your great kindness.” Yafu also knelt down, only knowing to bow without daring to breathe.
The Emperor smiled at Qingqing, “Qingqing, why do you not thank me?” Not daring to think much, Qingqing also knelt down, “Your servant thanks the Emperor on behalf of my sister.” The Emperor’s smile now carried a hint of bitterness, “Why do you not thank me for your own favor?” Everyone was puzzled, waiting for the Emperor’s explanation.
He said, “In the future, the Crown Prince will inherit the throne, and he will not have just one consort. I also need to ask Prime Minister Chen for Yuzhen.” Prime Minister Chen dared not say much and bowed in thanks along with Yuzhen. Li Qin suddenly knelt down, his tone firm and earnest, “Father, your son knows you have always valued me, but while I can have many concubines, I only need one wife. I dare not neglect any of the three young ladies, so let us proceed with the wedding according to tradition.”
Chapter 94: Not Daring to Climb High
Qingqing also spoke, “Your Majesty, I am aware of my own lack of virtue and beauty, and I dare not aspire so high. Please, Your Majesty, withdraw your decree.” The Emperor did not respond immediately, only giving a wry smile, then said, “You are the best candidate for the Crown Princess. I have always believed in the saying ‘beware of marrying someone too beautiful.'”
Qingqing bowed again, “I would rather marry the most ordinary man than agree to this marriage. Please, Your Majesty, withdraw your decree.” Her tone was sincere yet carried a hint of finality, like prey facing its hunter, ready for a desperate struggle. Li Qin turned around in surprise, not expecting Qingqing to think this way.
The Emperor waved his hand, telling the crowd, “Qingqing stays, the rest of you wait outside.” Everyone knew the gravity of the matter and hurriedly left. Yafu’s heart, which had been soaring, now sank to its lowest. The Empress wanted to say more but dared not overstep at this time. After half an hour, an eunuch summoned everyone back inside. Qingqing’s face no longer showed the earlier anxiety, standing calmly to one side.
The Emperor’s eyes seemed to flicker with something, but it was too quick to discern, his tone soft as he beckoned Li Qin, “Second Son, since neither you nor Qingqing are willing, I will not force you. I’ll have the Astrologer’s Office choose an auspicious date for your wedding.” Li Qin gave a bitter smile internally, still unsure who he would marry.
The Emperor continued, “The matter of the Crown Princess, you decide in the future. Both Yafu and Yuzhen will be made side consorts. But remember, even if I am no longer here, your Crown Princess must be unparalleled in virtue.” He looked at Qingqing, “I trust Qingqing.”
Li Qin, who had only Yafu in his heart, understood the Emperor’s meaning. He was still young, and after ascending the throne, he would need Prime Minister Chen’s full support, not just Lin Pu’s. He also sensed Yuzhen’s affection for him and could not refuse the Emperor’s wishes, so he nodded in agreement.
The Emperor then said, “There is one more thing, Qingqing will serve in the study from now on, as your companion.” At this, everyone understood the Emperor’s intent. He was planning to foster a relationship between the two in private. Although Qingqing’s status was only that of a companion, it was still somewhat demeaning, but no one knew how she had persuaded the Emperor, nor dared to ask. Li Qin also dared not; the Emperor had already stepped back, so he had to agree. Sometimes, even a prince could not have everything his way, not even the Emperor.
Chapter 95: The Jade Song
“Qingqing…” Yuzhen, walking out of the palace with Qingqing, seemed to want to say something but hesitated.
“Yuzhen, are you wondering how I convinced the Emperor?” Qingqing gave a light laugh, being straightforward. Sometimes, trust and understanding are key between friends.
Yuzhen nodded, waiting for Qingqing to speak.
“I read the Emperor a poem.”
“What poem?”
“Emerald jade, a humble girl, dare not aspire to noble grace. Grateful for the lord’s golden heart, ashamed for lacking stunning beauty.” Qingqing’s voice was distant and deep. Could such a poem really convince the Emperor?
“Qingqing, I know that’s not your whole intention?” Yuzhen’s smile was mysterious and deep, with a hint of strangeness.
Qingqing chuckled, “Oh? Does my sister know me so well?”
Yuzhen said, “Perhaps you disdain sharing a husband with three thousand others, but I know you care about your feelings. So, you must have reached some kind of agreement with the Emperor.” Her statement was affirmative, not a question.
Qingqing just kept smiling, neither confirming nor denying.
“I naturally can’t ask what agreement you have with the Emperor, but I know you don’t care about your appearance because you’re sure to find someone who truly appreciates you.”
She spoke with such sincerity and earnestness that anyone could see she was speaking from the heart, “Because the greatest characteristic of a humble and virtuous woman is ‘graceful without being seductive, cool but not aloof.'” “Yuzhen, are you content with this?” Qingqing seemed unwilling to continue this topic and asked abruptly, “What if I’m not content? After all, this is my most ideal refuge.” Yuzhen understood what she was asking, “The new crown prince must pacify the populace, and my family and the Lin family are the best reassurance for this.” Qingqing suddenly turned around and took her hand, “But I genuinely hope you find happiness; will marrying him truly make you happy?” “What is happiness? If only I am happy, but those around me are not, from where would my happiness come?” Happiness, it turns out, does not come from oneself alone. If she didn’t marry Li Qin, the court would be unhappy, the people would be unhappy, her father and the emperor would be even more unhappy; if opportunists took advantage of the situation, the whole nation would be unhappy. But must the happiness of the world come at the cost of one woman’s lifetime? “A woman, marrying the man she likes, who happens to be the most noble man in the world, what more could she ask for?” Sometimes, satisfaction does not equate to happiness. But can marrying the one you love truly bring happiness?
Chapter 96-105
Chapter 96: Qingqing as a Study Companion