Everyone fell silent, and suddenly Consort Shu seemed to have thought of something and proposed,
"Your Majesty, why not hold a ceremony to bring good fortune to His Majesty?"
Bring good fortune?
"I heard in the country of Qingli that in the Great Jin, there is a custom of bringing good fortune. If an elder in the family is ill, the younger generation will marry early to bring good fortune to the elder. Some even recover slowly. I think this method can be tried!"
In the current situation, what could bring good fortune to His Majesty?
"While that may be so, where will the person to bring good fortune come from?"
Consort Shu's eyes flickered, and she immediately thought of a suitable candidate.
"I heard that Princess Fulin's eldest daughter recognized the granddaughter of Grand Secretary Xu as her goddaughter. This means she has some connection to the royal family. Wasn't her marriage to the second son of the Feng family already settled? Why not, under the guise of Your Majesty marrying off her daughter, invite Miss Xu to the palace and have the wedding from within the palace? Wouldn't that count as bringing good fortune?"
Her words brought a sudden clarity to the Empress.
Currently, the Feng family's influence in the imperial court was on the rise.
Grand Secretary Xu had only this one granddaughter, and a grand wedding for her was only natural. If she could be bestowed the title of a county princess and marry from the palace, it would not only give Grand Secretary Xu face but also bestow unparalleled honor upon the Feng family.
It was indeed a good plan.
The Empress nodded, finding the matter quite agreeable.
"Immediately summon Princess Fulin's eldest daughter to the palace. I have important matters to discuss with her!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Consort Shu's suggestion was adopted, and she felt a surge of pride.
Regardless of what happened in the future, the Xu and Feng families would owe her this favor, and it would surely be useful someday!
After the incident that day, Princess Fulin's eldest daughter had been staying at her residence and had not gone out. Upon learning of the Empress's summons, she was filled with confusion but had no choice but to enter the palace.
Her initially uneasy heart finally settled when she understood the Empress's intentions.
She said with a slight assurance, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. This matter is also a great blessing for the Xu and Feng families. I will mediate this."
"In that case, I will trouble my elder sister. If it can be settled within these few days, that would be even better. Tell the Xu family that I will personally ensure the arrangements are proper and dignified, and that nothing will be done carelessly."
If it were other officials, she would not have said this. Bestowing such honor upon their children was a royal grace.
However, facing Grand Secretary Xu, and with this being the wedding of the Xu family's only granddaughter, it was better to say a few more words to reassure him. Lest the good fortune ceremony fail and instead damage the harmony with Grand Secretary Xu, affecting the Crown Prince's standing in the court, which would be a loss.
Princess Fulin's eldest daughter nodded, assuring that she would handle the matter with care.
The Xu Residence.
Upon learning of the eldest princess's intentions, the people in the Xu residence fell silent.
The wedding was originally set for the twelfth lunar month, and now it was being moved up by nearly two months. Many things were not yet prepared, and marrying off now would likely be too hasty.
However, it was for the well-being of His Majesty, and Grand Secretary Xu found it difficult to refuse outright. He only said that he needed to discuss it with the Feng family.
Entrusted with the task, Princess Fulin's eldest daughter naturally wished to fulfill her duty.
However, when facing Grand Secretary Xu, she could not afford to put on airs of a princess and left respectfully.
As soon as she left, Grand Secretary Xu uttered, "Don't rush. I will go and discuss countermeasures with the Prince."
In his heart, his granddaughter's marriage was a matter of utmost importance. Although bringing good fortune to His Majesty was a good deed, he was simply unwilling.
Feng Bai Xu's influence was already strong enough. To add more would be like adding fuel to the fire, which was not a good sign.
Thus, he quickly sought out Prince Ding.
Before he could even speak, Xiao Tingyi knew what he was going to say and offered comfort.
"Grand Secretary, there is no need to worry. The Empress's move is merely to prevent His Majesty's demise from affecting the Crown Prince's reputation. However, tomorrow they will have no time to concern themselves with these matters."
"What do you mean?"
"Qian Ling has sent news from Southern Yue. Southern Yue and Jiao Ren have joined forces and assembled an army of six hundred thousand. They are stationed by the West Water River, and it is estimated that war is imminent."
"What!"
Grand Secretary Xu had no good feelings towards these ambitious individuals who, for their so-called eternal glory, disregarded the lives of the common people and the devastation that war would bring to both regions. It meant the loss of many more soldiers' souls. Thinking of this, he wished that the commander would self-destruct.
"Then will Your Highness be going to the Southwest?"
"Yes. Ten years ago, I was able to drive them back, and I will do so again this time."
But ten years ago, you were also seriously injured because of it and almost didn't survive.
This thought, Grand Secretary Xu dared only to entertain in his heart, fearing that speaking it aloud might bring about such an outcome.
"Has Miss Feng heard about this?"
"She has."
"What did she say?"
"She is waiting in the capital for my triumphant return!"
"Excellent, excellent! As expected of the person personally chosen by Your Highness. In the face of national righteousness, personal affections are secondary. Then, this old man also wishes Your Highness invincible might, to crush Southern Yue and Jiao Ren, and let them witness the might of the Great Jin's God of War!"
Xiao Tingyi smiled. Frankly, compared to the treacherous schemes in the capital, he preferred the true clash of swords and sabers on the battlefield.
Therefore, the journey to the Southwest was certain.
The next day, as expected, the Empress did not receive a reply from the Xu family. Instead, the imperial court erupted.
The Crown Prince, burning with rage, said fiercely,
"We have not yet settled the matter of the assassination attempt on Father Emperor, and they dare to assemble an army to threaten our Great Jin! This is outrageous!"
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, please calm your anger. Prince Ding's army has been guarding the Southwest for so many years, and there should be no problem. The current situation is, which general should the court dispatch to take charge?"
The Crown Prince suddenly frowned, but then Xiao Muqian stepped forward to volunteer.
"This humble general is willing to go to the Southwest and leave no enemy alive."
The thought was good, but if he left, what about the Capital Garrison?
Compared to the distant Southwest, he was more concerned about the safety of the capital. This was the first line of defense under the Emperor's feet. If it could not be defended, wouldn't he be in danger?
Therefore, he quickly dismissed the idea in his heart.
"General Xiao has just married. It is not appropriate to go at this time. Let us discuss other candidates."
"Your Highness."
"Retire."
"Yes."
Xiao Muqian was unwilling but could not refute.
The Crown Prince considered General Su, but he was always in Jizhou and had little understanding of the Southwest's war situation. Sending him rashly might not be wise. Thus, he considered letting a general from the Southwest army temporarily assume the position of marshal and make a decision based on the situation later.
And just as the officials were in heated discussion, a voice suddenly announced from outside,
"Prince Ding has arrived!"
It had been more than ten years. Since Prince Ding requested to go to the Southwest to fight Southern Yue, he had not appeared in court again.
In the first few years, they hadn't even seen him, only hearing that his health was fluctuating.