Chapter 686: Favor

When Gu Jiu Ling received the news from the Li family side, it was already the next morning.

She never expected that the seemingly straightforward matter of selecting a prince consort for Princess Fu Qing would encounter such a major variable.

Initially, Princess Fu Qing told her that her maternal family's background was modest, so when choosing a prince consort they should pick someone of lower status to make life easier later.

Even if they chose someone low, she never imagined they would go as low as selecting a son from the Li family, and now it's even more unbelievable that this Li family son is unwilling as well.

Jiu Yue was furious enough to sputter while serving Gu Jiu Ling with dressing and washing, and she recounted everything that had happened the previous night.

"Last night things were in an uproar; Her Highness went to sleep early, and I didn't dare to bother her with a report.

"That Li family young man is truly outrageous—the Emperor's marriage edict hasn't even been formally delivered to the Li family, and they only sent the wife of the Ning An Marquis to sound things out first.

"The Princess herself said that if he's unwilling, she won't force him; the Li family could just send someone to quietly tell the Ning An Marquis Manor, so why all this fuss? It feels as if the imperial princess is actively forcing him."

"In fact, relying on his drunkenness, he actually bawled loudly in the plaza outside the Eastern Si Ma Gate, begging the Emperor to turn a blind eye and not grant him marriage to Princess Fu Qing, claiming he doesn't want to be a prince consort and ruin his official career."

"It's laughable—who said being a prince consort means you can't take the civil exams? You just can't hold a very high office; even ordinary women know this, yet he's a complete fool!"

Gu Jiu Ling's brows knotted tightly, her voice dropping a few degrees: "Fool? More like utterly corrupt."

"What is he? He's only managed to become a Expectant Scholar after three straight years of exams—the lowest rank in the Classics category, far from a Presented Scholar."

"If it weren't for his father being a Ministry of Works Staff Officer, his birth characters wouldn't even reach Princess Fu Qing's hands."

"Since he's so unwilling, why make a big show of feasting and celebrating? If he's unwilling, just send someone politely to decline at the Ning An Marquis Manor; making such a scene, how can Princess Fu Qing ever show her face again?"

Jiu Yue said: "Exactly, even such a clueless person doesn't want to be Princess Fu Qing's prince consort, so those noble clan heirs certainly won't dare to marry her."

"Who would want to marry the leftovers others have rejected?"

Jiu Yue's words trailed off; she was also furious, causing her to speak without restraint.

"It's not a servant's place to comment on the Princess's affairs," she hurriedly stepped back and knelt behind Gu Jiu Ling: "Your Highness, forgive me, I spoke out of turn—I deserve punishment."

Gu Jiu Ling turned, took her hand with one hand and helped her up: "You've followed me for years; I know what kind of person you are—venting a bit in private is nothing to worry about."

Jiu Yue rose but dared not say anything else; this affair really is rather awkward.

Gu Jiu Ling sighed: "Princess Fu Qing and Consort Rou are too insecure; they thought that with a lower family background there would be fewer mishaps, but instead they're being unreasonably obstinate."

Jiu Yue whispered: "Your Highness, what should we do?"

"Now that the Li family has kicked up such a fuss, I fear the Princess's marriage will be hard to arrange."

Gu Jiu Ling frowned tightly, inhaled, rose slowly, and gazed at the leaves outside turning yellow—another autumn has arrived, bringing a hint of desolation.

"Leave the palace! Go to the Princess's residence."

"Yes!" Jiu Yue hurriedly withdrew to pass the order and prepare the palace carriage.

Inside the Princess Fu Qing's residence, however, a gloomy misery hung over everything; sobs came from the warm chamber where Consort Rou was weeping.

Princess Fu Qing's complexion was no better—pale and frail.

Neither mother nor daughter could have imagined the Li family would cause such a scene; initially the Empress hadn't sent a direct order from the palace to the Li family, precisely because she feared this most unlikely disastrous turn of events.

That's why they invited the wife of the Ning An Marquis Manor to act as an intermediary, to probe the Li family's stance; if they agreed, they'd request the Emperor issue the marriage edict; if not, the matter would be dropped.

Who would have thought the Li family would cause such a commotion that everyone in the capital knows? Passersby outside the Princess's residence still keep pointing and whispering.

"What on earth is the Li family trying to do?" Consort Rou wept, covering her mouth with a handkerchief: "We mother and daughter haven't offended anyone, whether outside or inside the palace—why must they ruin my Qing'er?"

"Now that the Li family has stirred things up, how could those noble clans possibly still agree to be our prince consort? Would we really have to pick someone from the common folk? What are we to do?"

"If a nation's princess really had to choose a prince consort from among commoners and lowly folk, her face would be trampled underfoot by all—how could she ever hold her head up again?"

The Li family really is ruthless—actually making things this absolute!

Princess Fu Qing's lips curled with a bitter smile; she hadn't offended that Li Zhao at all, merely glanced at his portrait and thought he looked rather ordinary, never expecting he'd have a heart of venom and spite.

She slowly closed her eyes, a tear slipped from the corner, and she hastily lifted her hand to wipe it away.

Though she said she wouldn't suffer humiliation, in truth it was impossible; she had once told Jiu Yue that if the Li family disagreed, she wouldn't force them.

She had put it so gently, yet that person still wouldn't let her go!

In that case, perhaps that person looks down on her even more.

Apart from the slight favor she'd once earned by speaking for the Empress a few days ago in Shang Jing, and her own status as princess, she had nothing else to rely on in this capital.

Now even a mere fourth-rank capital official's son can treat her like this?

Her pale, slender fingers clenched little by little into a fist, the nails painted with bright balsam digging deep into her palm, a thread of blood seeping out.

"Qing'er!" Consort Rou exclaimed, hurriedly rising to seize Princess Fu Qing's hand.

"Mother, it's fine, it'll pass!"

Princess Fu Qing forced a bitter smile, grabbed the handkerchief to wipe the blood from her palm, had just helped Consort Rou sit down when the attendant hurried in, announcing: "Master! The Empress's procession has arrived at the gate!"

"What did you say?" Consort Rou froze on the spot.

The attendant's face flashed with joy as she hurriedly said: "It's the Empress! The Empress has come to uphold justice for our Princess!"

Princess Fu Qing's expression startled, then she suddenly understood what the Ninth Imperial Aunt meant.

The fact that she'd been humiliated by the Li family has already spread throughout Shang Jing; now the Empress herself has come in person to back the Princess's residence, which is a proclamation to the world that Princess Fu Qing is under her protection—no one may dare to slight her.

Thus the Princess's residence can regain its dignity; although the Princess's marriage prospects aren't great from now on, they won't be utterly disastrous either.

"Quick! Quickly go receive her!"

Consort Rou, heedless of her own frailty, seized her daughter's hand and hurried toward the front hall.

Gu Jiu Ling's actions truly saved her daughter's life; Gu Jiu Ling now enjoys endless favor, and there's absolutely no need to expend such effort on a princess from the former court who is weak and isolated.

Know that this is the first time Gu Jiu Ling has left the palace since becoming Empress—not a madame paying her respects, but she herself taking the initiative to call, and this favor bestowed upon Princess Fu Qing is of great significance.