So, she reflexively looked up to find the source of the voice, and immediately locked onto the young man behind the group of handsome uncles.

At her first glimpse of him, even though her heart already belonged to someone, Princess Grace still paused, instinctively looking away, not daring to gaze at those striking features.

In that moment, all thoughts of her beloved and her plea for help vanished; her mind was filled with only one thought: So... men can be this good-looking? Compared to him, her consort seemed utterly plain.

Then, Princess Grace suddenly realized something.

This person... didn’t seem to open his mouth when he spoke?

Princess Grace looked closely. Those beautifully shaped lips, under the sunlight, indeed never parted, yet the youthful voice still reached her ears.

[Before marriage, he thought the princess was too domineering and fierce, impossible to refuse. But after marriage, why is he no longer afraid of the princess? He bullies and mistreats her in every way—why isn’t he worried this vicious woman will run to the old emperor for support now?]

Is this... ventriloquism?

What nonsense is he spouting!

Princess Grace widened her eyes, about to speak up in defense of her consort. But her father slapped her on the shoulder.

She turned to look, and her father, lowering his voice and speaking unhurriedly, said, “Listen.”

Listen carefully to Evan Foster and that mouth of his that makes people love and hate him!

The Old Emperor was feeling quite pleased inside.

When Evan Foster criticized him, he wanted nothing more than to drag the man out and behead him, but when Evan Foster criticized others, he was delighted.

[Saying he was forced and helpless—he’s just fooling people with no social experience. If he really felt forced, afraid of being oppressed by imperial power, wouldn’t he behave himself even more after marriage? And he still took a concubine? If he wanted to, he’d at least wait until the old emperor died, right?]

The Old Emperor: “...”

Princess Grace: “...”

Princess Grace looked seriously at The Old Emperor, trying to convey with her eyes: Dad, is this really what you want me to hear?

Hear him talking about how you’ll die?

Chapter 6: Eek! The emperor’s question—consort can’t answer!

The Old Emperor ground his teeth in secret.

This little brat, just because it’s all in his head, dares to say anything.

The other ministers: “...”

They kept their eyes down, pretending they hadn’t heard a thing.

Chancellor Dawson quickly glanced at Princess Grace, and saw that although she was silent, the thoughtful look on her face clearly showed she had taken in Evan Foster’s words.

“...”

Is this why His Majesty wants to grant Princess Grace a title?

To have Evan Foster wake her up?

Chancellor Dawson thought about it, and felt...

Honestly! Truly! With all those taboo-breaking thoughts in Evan Foster’s mind, even if others understood these truths, they wouldn’t dare say them out loud to persuade the princess. Only Evan Foster...

[Besides, the princess is way too naïve. The Duke of Song is a founding noble, the old emperor’s right-hand man. The old emperor would have to be crazy to force the duke’s son to give up a bright future just for the princess’s marriage. Is this a marriage alliance or a vendetta?]

[If your consort was truly unwilling, the old emperor would just bestow gifts to appease him, then comfort the Duke of Song, making it clear this wouldn’t affect their relationship as ruler and subject.]

[Only if he agreed would the old emperor grant the marriage!]

The Old Emperor’s mood instantly improved, and a smile appeared on his face.

Exactly. He had specifically asked the Duke of Song, and that side hadn’t refused the princess, nor said anything about having someone else in mind, so he issued the marriage decree. Otherwise, he wasn’t stupid enough to risk alienating a key minister just for a princess!

Princess Grace was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at her father. That trust in her own father made her accept Evan Foster’s words without hesitation.

When her father was conquering the realm, for a time he had only one son—now the Crown Prince. When the Crown Prince was young and led troops, he once acted rashly and overconfidently, causing three of her father’s top generals to die or be wounded saving him. Her father nearly beat the Crown Prince to death—though he didn’t, he did cripple one of his legs. The Crown Prince still limps to this day.

So...

Princess Grace suddenly understood.

What could she possibly force the Duke of Song’s second son to do? Could she compare to the Crown Prince’s status?

She suddenly recalled the moment she’d always thought she had forced her consort.

Eight years ago, in the Treasure Pavilion, beside the antique shelves, she was only sixteen, disguised as a man and sneaking out of the palace, cornering the then-unmarried second son of the Duke of Song.

The slender porcelain vase reflected the girl’s radiant face.

“Would you... be willing to marry me?”

Before that, they’d met two or three times and spoken; the princess thought he had feelings for her. But she didn’t see the disgust in his eyes, only heard him coldly reply, “Of course I am willing, Your Highness.” She then happily went to her father to request the marriage.

After they married, her consort was cold to her every day. Princess Grace, hurt, reflected—was it... was it her attitude or approach when she asked that made him feel she was using her power to force him?

But... what if that wasn’t it?

With mixed feelings, Princess Grace looked at Evan Foster.

Could this person give her an answer?

Evan Foster happened to have just finished watching this backstory.

After seeing it, he couldn’t help but let his inner critic loose.