Chapter 390: Volume 1 Chapter 390 Choosing a Good Family

Consort Xu Xian sat there dazed, and it took a while for her mind to start moving; she slowly sorted through her thoughts.

She didn't dare to think about marriage, but now that the Empress said so, if His Majesty really disbands the harem, wouldn't staying in the palace be even more awkward for her?

Moreover, she… she is still a virgin, and deep down she actually is willing.

It's just that she fears worldly eyes and fears her family's complaints.

She looked up, watching the Empress about to speak but hesitating.

Rong Luoge gently patted Consort Xu Xian's hand, speaking softly: "Consort Kang Shufei and the others are all going to leave the palace to marry; you are neither the first nor the last. I will see you off with great fanfare, and with me as your support you need not worry about anything else."

"Your Highness…" Consort Xu Xian's eyes instantly reddened, "What virtue does a concubine have to deserve such favor from Your Highness…"

"This is also fate between us. In fact, after you entered the palace you have never been favored. To be honest, I don't feel guilty toward you; everyone competes for favor based on their own abilities."

Consort Xu Xian nodded; the harem is just like that, she had long understood it.

"But we have been together for so long; honestly, we're no different from sisters. I cannot give His Majesty to you, that's impossible, but letting you continue to waste away in the palace also unsettles me. So if you wish to marry, both I and His Majesty fully support it; if you truly do not want to, then stay and help me with affairs, that's fine. However, once a decision is made, it cannot be changed later. Jingyi, life is long, there are still dozens of years ahead; think it over carefully."

Jingyi is Consort Xu Xian's name; hearing the Empress call her that, she couldn't hold back tears and began to sob.

"Your Highness, I want to marry, I want to have a child of my own, but who would be willing to take me as a wife?" Consort Xu Xian worried that after marrying into a husband's family, they would despise her, so she thought she might as well not marry.

Rong Luoge, hearing this, discussed with her: "If you're worried about that, Lord Xiao has many capable and battle‑ready subordinates, and there are also those whose parents are deceased. If you don't mind them being warriors, I can pick one for you."

Military officials differ from civil officials; civil officials mostly come from aristocratic families, with countless rules. Even though they now surrender lands and slaves, the core of their nature cannot be changed overnight.

If you marry a civil official, you might indeed have to endure hardships, but military officials are different; they are straightforward and direct. If they agree to the marriage, they will naturally take it seriously. Moreover, they are all virgins, so there's nothing to be picky about.

Jingyi's heart suddenly fluttered, and she tightly clutched her handkerchief, "Your Highness, is it really possible?"

Her family background was never good; after returning, she feared there would be no place for her. If she could marry someone who wouldn't despise her, what else would she need to worry about?

"I will select carefully for you. Jingyi, you are as beautiful as a flower, graceful and capable; who wouldn't be happy to take you as a wife?" Rong Luoge said with a smile.

Jingyi covered her face, "Your Highness, how could I be as you say?"

"In my eyes, you are already good." Rong Luoge had originally feared Consort Xu Xian wouldn't want to leave the palace; she felt guilty if she were to waste her youth there. Now that she wishes to marry, Rong Luoge is happy for her.

At just over twenty, she is like a blossom. No need to wither in the harem; she should have a better life.

Jingyi covered her face, laughing and then crying, then laughing again, "Your Highness, thank you; I never expected to have a day like this."

"There will be many good days ahead; right now you have a task for me, and only you can do it." Rong Luoge said with a smile.

"Your Highness, just give the order." Jingyi replied immediately.

"Go ask the other few consorts who originally entered the Hou Gong from the Dong Gong, see whether they are willing to leave the palace to marry. I'm afraid if I ask them, they won't speak the truth." Rong Luoge said.

Jingyi quickly nodded, "Your Highness, rest assured, I will see to it that this matter is done well."

Rong Luoge nodded, "Just as I told you, if they are willing to return to their natal families and wait to marry, that's fine; if they prefer to stay in the palace and marry from there, that's also fine. If they truly refuse to marry, then they can stay."

Jingyi nodded, stood up at once, "I'll go ask right away."

Rong Luoge nodded, "Go then; His Majesty plans to announce this after the spring court, and there are only a few days left."

Jingyi left Fengyi Palace and first went to Mu Guang's lady, Qin Wan. The two were best friends, like sisters, so she naturally asked her first about this matter.

Qin Wan was startled, and for a long while didn't know what to say.

Jingyi didn't press her, waiting for her to recover, and heard her say, "Sister Xu, is this true?"

"Of course, it's the Empress herself who said it." Jingyi laughed.

Qin Wan looked bewildered, "But, but if we have to leave the palace to marry and the family doesn't agree, what then? It's so shameful."

Jingyi knew Qin Wan's thoughts were the same as hers at the time, so she said directly, "Then are you willing to spend the rest of your life idling in the palace? His Majesty certainly won't take an interest in us, and there's nothing to hope for. Now the Empress is willing to pick a good match for us; if the family refuses, we can marry out of the palace, cutting ties with the natal family."

"Does the Empress truly intend to protect us?"

"Of course, when has the Empress ever broken her word? Moreover, she also said that if you truly don't want to marry, you can stay."

"I want." Qin Wan clutched Jingyi, "Sister Xu, I don't want to stay in the palace forever, I want to marry. But my family would certainly think it disgraceful. I want the Empress to pick a match for me, someone who won't despise me."

"Then, like me, choose a military officer to marry." Jingyi said with a smile.

Qin Wan nodded; being able to marry, not being despised, and being an official, she felt very content.

Jingyi then went to Zhou Shuyu and Luo Yunhui; they were far more cheerful than Qin Wan, thrilled at the prospect of marriage. Living in the palace was cramped; they had to bow and kowtow to everyone, and had once offended the Empress. Though the Empress didn't single them out, their days were always filled with dread.

Being able to marry in this lifetime, the Empress should support them; why not marry? Staying in the palace is just a solitary empty boudoir.

Finally, Jingyi went to Song Huihe, who was much calmer; she had already received some news from the Empress, and now simply said she wanted to marry, return to her natal family to await marriage, but also asked the Empress to pick a match for her.

Jingyi, having obtained the approval, let out a slight sigh of relief, returned to the Empress to report, and then went to ask the others.

She wasn't very familiar with the others, so she first sought Consort Kang Shufei, asking her to accompany her; she knew Kang Shufei was also planning to marry, and with her as a companion, the matter was easier to bring up.