SGEIRS -Chapter 548 A Princess’s Political Marriage

After entering the palace, the titled ladies attending the banquet proceeded to Weiyang Palace to pay their respects to the Empress.

It was Meng Jinyao’s first time entering the palace. Though she was curious about the imperial grounds, she did not look around indiscriminately. Apart from what lay directly before her, she did not glance elsewhere. Following beside Old Madam Gu, she walked with measured, graceful steps, dignified and proper in every regard.

Seeing this, Old Madam Gu gave a barely perceptible nod. This youngest daughter-in-law of hers was steady and composed at all times—someone truly capable of shouldering great responsibility.

On the way to pay respects to the Empress, Meng Jinyao encountered quite a few familiar faces—ladies with noble titles. These women were all wives of high-ranking officials. The families of officials without formal titles could not attend today’s palace banquet unless they had received special permission from the Empress.

Upon arriving at Weiyang Palace, Meng Jinyao followed Old Madam Gu and, according to palace protocol, respectfully paid her respects to the Empress:

“This subject’s wife pays her respects to Her Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless fortune and peace.”

Perhaps because Gu Jingxi had once saved the Emperor, the Empress was especially gentle toward both Meng Jinyao and Old Madam Gu. She quickly told them to rise and then granted them seats.

After sitting down, Meng Jinyao finally caught sight of the Mother of the Nation. She did not dare stare directly, mindful of propriety, and only glanced briefly before lowering her eyes again. The Empress wore a formal crimson palace robe and a nine-tailed phoenix hairpin. She was noble and magnificent, dignified yet gentle. Every movement displayed the bearing of a true empress. Though nearly forty, traces of her youthful beauty could still be seen in her graceful, mature features. In her younger days, the Empress must have been a soft and captivating beauty.

The Empress studied Meng Jinyao with interest for a moment, smiling as she said, “Old Madam Gu, your daughter-in-law is truly lovely. She is very well matched with the Marquis of Changxing—a talented gentleman and a beautiful lady, a perfect pair.”

If it were another elder, they would surely respond with some modesty when their junior was praised.

This time, however, Old Madam Gu did not bother with humility. Turning to look at her daughter-in-law, her eyes full of affection, she replied, “A-Yao is filial and sensible. Our family truly struck gold—we were fortunate to gain such a fine daughter-in-law.”

Praised so openly, Meng Jinyao felt a little embarrassed. She lowered her head and said nothing, looking every bit the shy, gentle young wife.

The titled ladies present were somewhat surprised. Old Madam Gu had always been known for her modesty. For her to praise Meng Jinyao so highly in front of the Empress—how much must she like this daughter-in-law? In the past, when people praised Gu Jingxi’s exceptional talent, saying he had the makings of a top scholar, Old Madam Gu would always respond humbly, claiming he merely had a bit of cleverness and was nowhere near as outstanding as others said.

The Empress spoke warmly, “The Marquis of Changxing went many years without marrying, only taking a wife after meeting Madam Gu. This is fate ordained by Heaven.”

As she spoke, she glanced at the woman seated beside her—the Crown Princess Huizhao, who sat silently holding a child. A fleeting sadness crossed the Empress’s eyes. Once, her own son and daughter-in-law had also been a loving couple. After her son was murdered, the Crown Princess lost all vitality, becoming as still as stagnant water—far too quiet. Fortunately, there was still a young child in her care; otherwise, she might have chosen to die for love.

Hearing the Empress speak so, the other titled ladies quickly echoed her sentiments, lavishly praising Gu Jingxi and Meng Jinyao—the couple whose marriage had once been considered absurd.

When the time came, the ladies gradually made their way to the main hall where the banquet was to be held, taking their seats according to rank. Men and women were seated separately—the ladies on the right, the men on the left. The Empress would not arrive so early; she would enter together with the Emperor when the banquet officially began. The Empress Dowager was still at Xiangguo Temple offering prayers and had not yet returned to the palace, so she would not be attending today’s banquet.

Before the Emperor and Empress arrived, the assembled ladies did not simply sit in silence but chatted with those they were acquainted with.

“His Majesty the Emperor arrives! Her Majesty the Empress arrives!”

The shrill announcement of a eunuch rang out. Everyone immediately fell silent and ceased their conversations. They saw Emperor Jingwen and the Empress entering side by side, followed by a pair of young men and women dressed in splendid brocade—presumably the Third Prince and Seventh Princess of An State.

All eyes were quickly lowered as everyone respectfully paid their respects:

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Long live, long live, long live! May Her Majesty the Empress live a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand thousand years!”

The voices echoed throughout the grand hall. Emperor Jingwen walked to the throne, said “Rise,” and took his seat. The Empress sat beside him, and the princes, ministers, and titled ladies all followed suit and sat down.

The Third Prince and Seventh Princess of An State were arranged at seats of honor for distinguished guests.

Meng Jinyao, slightly curious, discreetly observed the siblings. The Third Prince looked about seventeen or eighteen, with thick brows, bright eyes, and handsome features. The Seventh Princess was around fifteen or sixteen, with delicate features and skin as smooth as congealed jade—a lively, charming beauty.

This banquet was held to welcome the Third Prince and Seventh Princess. After Emperor Jingwen exchanged a few cordial remarks with them, he announced the start of the feast.

Music and dance filled the hall, silk strings and bamboo flutes weaving a pleasant melody.

Cups were raised and set down in lively succession. As the banquet neared its end, the Third Prince suddenly stood up, bowed respectfully to Emperor Jingwen, and spoke in somewhat halting Zhao-state language:

“Your Majesty, my sister and I have come this time not only for the friendship between our two nations, but also for my sister’s marriage. Since childhood, she has loved Zhao-state culture and has studied its writing, poetry, and arts. Now that she has reached marriageable age, and Zhao is rich in talent, my sister hopes to find a suitable husband from Zhao.”

That they had come seeking a political marriage was something some ministers had already heard. The Third Prince and Seventh Princess were full siblings of the same mother. It was said that the Third Prince of An State was, aside from the Eldest Prince, the most likely to inherit the throne. Sending his younger sister for a marriage alliance was likely meant to borrow Zhao’s influence to gain an advantage in his struggle for succession.

Although An State was a vassal state, a princess sent for marriage would naturally be wed into the imperial family.

Emperor Jingwen had long understood their intentions and was not surprised. With a gentle tone, he asked, “Zhao has many outstanding young men. Does the Seventh Princess already have someone in mind? I will grant the marriage.”

The Third Prince looked toward the Seventh Princess and gave her a meaningful glance.

The Seventh Princess stood, bowed to Emperor Jingwen, but instead of following their original plan and professing admiration for the Emperor, she said, “Your Majesty, yesterday on the street I encountered a young gentleman and fell in love at first sight. I did not know his name and thought I would never see him again—yet I did not expect to meet him here today.”

Her Zhao-state speech was fluent; without listening carefully, one might think she was a native of the capital.

Hearing this, the Third Prince frowned in displeasure. This was not according to plan—what was she doing now?

Their original plan had been for the Seventh Princess to become one of Emperor Jingwen’s consorts. As a princess of An State, her rank would not be low.

As for the other princes: the Second Prince already had a principal wife and could not take her as a concubine; the Third Prince was not favored; the Fourth Prince was sickly and had no chance at the throne, offering no advantage. The remaining princes were still too young and not yet of marriageable age.