The Empress was clearly taken aback that Qi Zhenzhen had shifted the blame onto Gu Sinian, leaving her momentarily speechless.
“Jin Yue is a royal princess. To lower herself in such a manner tarnishes the royal family’s reputation. Jin Yue has several younger sisters…” Noble Consort An said unhurriedly.
If the eldest princess could be a secondary wife, did that mean other princesses could also be secondary wives? Furthermore, could anyone who already had a wife marry a princess?
“Even if the eldest princess doesn’t consider herself, she should think more about her younger sisters,” Noble Consort An added.
Jin Yue glared venomously at Noble Consort An. If it hadn’t been for her insistence on disagreeing back then, she might have already married Gu Sinian as she wished. She was beautiful and of noble status. Gu Sinian might have disagreed verbally, but if her father, the Emperor, decreed the marriage, could he defy the imperial edict?
The Empress’s expression suddenly changed. She had only been thinking of annoying Noble Consort An and had forgotten to consider this aspect.
Setting aside the royal dignity, she also had a daughter. Although not yet of marriageable age, her support for Jin Yue in this manner would also affect her own daughter.
“Marriage is ultimately about mutual consent. The young couple has just married and are in the honeymoon phase. I am not an unreasonable person, so naturally, I cannot do anything that would cause a rift between them,” the Empress said calmly.
“Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty,” Qi Zhenzhen said with gratitude. “However, it’s best to ask the young lord. Perhaps he would be willing.”
The Empress thought Qi Zhenzhen would drop the matter, not expecting her to persist.
“His Majesty must be discussing important matters with the young lord. Let’s not disturb them with such trivialities,” the Empress managed to say after a long pause.
“How can this be a trivial matter? The eldest princess’s marriage concerns the royal family’s reputation. How can it be trivial?” Qi Zhenzhen stood her ground.
Noble Consort An was initially a little confused by Qi Zhenzhen’s meaning, but upon deeper reflection, she understood her intention.
If Gu Sinian refused Jin Yue in front of the Empress, the Emperor, and herself, then Jin Yue could no longer use Gu Sinian as a topic of discussion.
Although it would slightly damage the royal family’s face, it could resolve the issue permanently and extinguish Jin Yue’s hopes.
Jin Yue’s face showed eagerness, and she was smug about this unexpected ‘opportunity.’
Qi Zhenzhen felt a pang of sympathy for the girl. She was so beautiful and came from the most noble family in the world, yet she couldn’t see things clearly. If Gu Sinian had even the slightest interest in her, she wouldn’t be Gu Sinian’s wife now.
The Empress cast a cryptic glance at Jin Yue. If Noble Consort An and Qi Zhenzhen were not present, she would have slapped Jin Yue twice to make her come to her senses.
Noble Consort An sent someone from her retinue to fetch them, and soon, the Emperor arrived with Gu Sinian.
“A’le, your people said there was an important matter in the Empress’s palace that required my judgment. What is it?” Emperor Chongwen asked loudly.
Everyone bowed to Emperor Chongwen, who waved his hand, signaling them to rise.
Emperor Chongwen had a smile on his face, appearing to be in good spirits.
The Empress smiled gently, “It’s nothing much. We had all agreed, but my sister A’le has always been a serious person. So, she invited you here?”
The unspoken meaning was that Noble Consort An was being too pedantic and disturbing Emperor Chongwen with a trivial matter.
Emperor Chongwen seemed not to understand the Empress’s complaint, “A’le has a sincere nature, and I am accustomed to it.”
The Empress’s fingernails dug into her palm, but she seemed not to feel the pain, her smile unwavering. “Your concubine heard that Noble Consort An is selecting a consort for Jin Rong, and thinking that Jin Yue is also of age, I thought we could select a consort for her as well. However…”