Chapter 314
**Chapter 312: Selecting a Husband**
Princess Donglin not only bore a resemblance to Princess Zhaoyang in appearance, but her bright and innocent demeanor mirrored that of Zhaoyang as well. A princess raised in a golden nest was perhaps destined to remain naive.
Shen Wei composed herself and offered a warm smile. "Princess Zhenmin, there's no need for formality. You’ve traveled a long way, and it’s only right that I extend my hospitality. A banquet has been prepared in the palace; please join me."
Princess Donglin nodded eagerly. "After the long journey, I find myself quite hungry. Thank you, Consort Chen."
The two exchanged pleasantries, and Princess Donglin followed Shen Wei into the grand and majestic Daqing Palace. The palace path was long, with eunuchs and palace maids moving in an orderly fashion, while the guards stood tall and vigilant. Princess Donglin marveled inwardly; Consort Chen was indeed extraordinary. The harem of the Qing Kingdom was managed with remarkable precision under her watch.
Stealing glances at the famed Consort Chen, Princess Donglin noted her resplendent attire and the gentle sway of her hairpin. Shen Wei was strikingly beautiful, her eyes always glimmering with a hint of a smile, as if everything was under her control.
Princess Donglin thought to herself, I must not offend Consort Chen. If I can align myself with her, I might find a support system in this foreign land.
...
...
In Changxin Palace, night fell, and the lanterns flickered to life. Delicate dishes were served on the table. Lu Xuan picked up a pair of white jade chopsticks, gazing at the feast before her. After just a couple of bites, she found herself unable to eat any more.
Xiao Qin, concerned, said, "My lady, you’re with child; you should eat more."
Since discovering the Emperor's favoritism towards Shen Wei, Lu Xuan felt as if she had fallen into an abyss. No matter how hard she tried to convince herself not to care about the Emperor's bias, the more she pretended to be indifferent, the more her heart ached. Her appetite waned, and food became hard to swallow.
After sipping some nourishing soup, Lu Xuan asked Xiao Qin, "What about Princess Donglin? How does she look?"
Xiao Qin replied, "I caught a glimpse of her today. Princess Donglin is stunningly beautiful, with an innocent demeanor that suggests she’s sheltered from the world. Consort Chen has organized a welcome banquet for her; she should still be dining in Qinghua Hall at this hour."
Lu Xuan lowered her eyes, a hint of sarcasm curling her lips. "Consort Chen must be anxious. When a new face enters the palace, the Emperor will always be intrigued for a while."
Even the most devoted man craves novelty. A beautiful and lively newcomer might just steal some of the Emperor's affection.
Lu Xuan continued, "Make sure to keep an eye on the Imperial Medical Bureau."
Xiao Qin's face showed concern. "My lady, it seems Consort Chen has noticed that we are watching Doctor Mo. The guards stationed at the Imperial Medical Bureau have been instructed by her to replace our people with those assigned to the Yeting."
Lu Xuan's expression hardened.
In the palace, she had also placed and bribed some guards responsible for security patrols. Previously, when Lu Xuan had incited Lan Pin to take revenge, the guards had turned a blind eye, allowing Lan Pin to wield a knife without consequence.
This matter had been handled flawlessly by Lu Xuan. Yet, it still hadn’t escaped Shen Wei’s keen eyes. The guards and palace maids Lu Xuan had bribed were gradually being removed by Shen Wei. Lu Xuan felt increasingly frustrated; dealing with Shen Wei, who held the power of the six palaces, was far more challenging than contending with the former foolish Empress.
"I can’t wait any longer." Lu Xuan had a premonition that if she didn’t strike back soon, she would eventually be crushed by Shen Wei.
Her voice turned dark as she instructed Xiao Qin, "Find a way to keep watching the Imperial Medical Bureau. It would be best to catch evidence of a secret meeting between Consort Chen and Doctor Mo, and take them down in one fell swoop."
Xiao Qin nodded. "I understand, my lady."
...
...
The arrival of Princess Donglin stirred many emotions. In the Yan residence of Yanjing, the night had deepened, and a maid entered her master’s bedroom with a basin of foot-soaking water.
Dantai Rou helped Yan Yunting remove his shoes and socks, joining him in soaking their feet. The water in the wooden tub was at a perfect temperature, and as they submerged their feet, a sense of relaxation washed over them.
However, Yan Yunting appeared lost in thought. Several times, when Dantai Rou spoke to him, he didn’t seem to hear her.
Concern etched on Dantai Rou’s beautiful face, she took his hand and said gently, "Husband, you’ve worked all day; you must be tired. After you drink a bowl of calming soup, you should rest well."
Yan Yunting snapped back to reality, offering a faint smile. "I am indeed a bit tired."
After they finished soaking their feet, the maid took the basin away. Dantai Rou helped Yan Yunting out of his outer robe and into a warm nightgown.
He drank the calming soup and lay back down, but sleep eluded him. The image of Princess Donglin’s smile kept replaying in his mind, merging with the face of Princess Zhaoyang from his memories.
Princess Donglin and Princess Zhaoyang bore some resemblance, especially in their lively and charming demeanor.
Men often linger on the women they cannot have. Since Princess Zhaoyang’s distant marriage to the Yue Kingdom, Yan Yunting had been unable to shake his thoughts of her, and today’s fleeting glimpse of Princess Donglin stirred up a tempest in his heart once more.
"Husband, what’s wrong?" Dantai Rou’s voice broke through his reverie. Yan Yunting turned to see her beside him, her hair cascading over her shoulders, her delicate features framed by worry-filled eyes beneath her gently arched brows.
A wave of guilt washed over Yan Yunting. He already had a wonderful wife by his side, yet his thoughts wandered to a foreign princess. He pulled Dantai Rou closer and whispered, "It’s nothing. Let’s get some rest."
Dantai Rou nodded softly, leaning against him in trust.
As he held his beloved wife, the image of Princess Donglin resurfaced in his mind. Slowly, he closed his eyes, fatigue overtaking him, and he drifted into a deep sleep.
In the quiet of the Yan residence, the servants had retired for the night. Dantai Rou, however, slowly opened her eyes, expressionless as she gently removed Yan Yunting’s arm from her, lifted the bed curtain, and carefully made her way to the desk.
She lit a small lamp, its flame flickering like a tiny star.
Taking a fine charcoal pencil, she wrote a few lines on a small piece of paper. A gray pigeon perched on the windowsill, and Dantai Rou rolled the letter into a small scroll, tying it to the bird’s leg.
The pigeon took flight, disappearing into the vast moonlit night.
Dantai Rou returned to the bedroom with practiced ease, glancing at the sleeping Yan Yunting, a flicker of disdain in her eyes.
She closed her eyes and nestled back against Yan Yunting, drifting off to sleep once more.
...
...
Princess Donglin had been in the palace for two days.
Li Yuanjing had no intention of taking her as a consort, so he instructed Shen Wei to select a suitable husband for Princess Donglin from among the royal relatives and officials of the fifth rank and above.
In Yongning Palace, Shen Wei sifted through the documents of the nobles and officials in her hands, feeling perplexed. Although Donglin was a small nation, a princess could not be married off as a concubine to a subject.
However, in Yanjing, all eligible officials were already married. Those who were not were mostly serving in the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Personnel, or the Ministry of Works. Princess Donglin could not marry an official from these departments, as Shen Wei feared she might glean military strategies from the Qing Kingdom.
It would be best to marry Princess Donglin to an official from the Ministry of Rites. The Ministry of Rites managed state ceremonies and was less involved in state secrets.
As Shen Wei perused the list of officials in the Ministry of Rites, she found no suitable candidates. Sighing, she prepared to look through the roster of young lords from the dukes and marquises. Marrying Princess Donglin to a son of a noble without real power would also be appropriate.
Cailian came to report, "My lady, Princess Zhenmin requests an audience."
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