"I am but a lamb in the tiger's jaws, unable to advance or retreat. I can only defer, saying, 'Matters of marriage are decided by parents. This humble subject dares not speak rashly.'"
Zhen Pin chuckled.
While others might be believed when saying such things, the Liang family had produced a son like Liang Pan, who chose his own marriage. Was it not a case of whistling past the graveyard to say this now?
Liang Luo knew why she was laughing. Her face flushed red, and for the first time, she felt her brother's engagement was so embarrassing.
Consort Wei also knew that some things were best left undone. She stepped in to protect Liang Luo.
"Enough, my sisters have accompanied me for quite some time. We can discuss other matters another day."
When the words were spoken, everyone knew they were being dismissed. Liu Xian Fei was quick to rise and offer her greetings before leaving. The others, seeing this, could not linger and departed as well.
After the consorts had all left, Consort Wei spoke to Liang Luo properly.
"I always liked you when you came to pay respects with Lan'er. It's a pity that Yun Li was engaged at the time, and I didn't want to trouble you. Now, I venture to ask, Miss Liang, do you favor my son?"
Liang Luo never expected Consort Wei to ask so directly. After a moment of stunned silence, she nodded with a flushed face, displaying a touch of maidenly shyness.
"Very well. If you can marry Yun Li, I would be at ease. It's just a pity, as you know, that the First Prince's Consort, no, the Prince Ke's Consort, has already given birth to a son. That is His Majesty's eldest grandson. The Empress and Prince Ke have thus gained much favor. If Yun Li cannot marry a consort whose maternal clan is powerful, I fear he will be suppressed his entire life."
"Your Highness... the Ninth Prince is no ordinary person; he will naturally transform into a dragon."
Liang Luo had long cherished the Ninth Prince and spoke in his defense. In her eyes, he was perfect in every way.
"While that may be so, the imperial family is not like ordinary households. A slight misstep can lead to eternal damnation. Miss Liang, you are perfect in every way, but unfortunately, your maternal family's influence is not enough to protect Yun Li. Do you understand what I mean?"
Hearing Consort Wei's words, Liang Luo's heart grew cold. She had thought coming to the palace today was to foster a connection with Consort Wei, but instead, she received such a statement. Seeing her excitement from earlier completely gone, Consort Wei knew it was time. She feigned a look of heartache, pulling Liang Luo's hand as if she were a loving elder.
"I like you, and I believe Yun Li will also like you. However, the issue of status is real. The position of principal consort cannot be promised to you. If you truly favor Yun Li, you could perhaps condescend to be a secondary consort. Once you give birth to a son, even the principal consort will not be able to outshine you! I have already had someone examine your birth chart. It is most auspicious for your husband. If you can indeed marry into the prince's mansion, I guarantee that if my son eventually inherits the throne, your rank will be no lower than mine!"
Liang Luo was thrown into turmoil by Consort Wei's words.
With her status, it would be difficult to even be an unfavored prince's consort, let alone the highly favored Ninth Prince. However, she was genuinely unwilling to be a secondary consort.
Sensing her hesitation, Consort Wei did not press her for an immediate decision. Instead, she offered some comfort and then changed the subject.
One was lost in thought, the other absent-minded. Their conversation could only be brief.
By the time Liang Luo came to her senses, she was already seated in the carriage heading home. Jin Xiu, seeing her pale face, thought something major had happened and asked with concern.
"Miss, what's wrong? Did Consort Wei say something unpleasant to you?"
Liang Luo shook her head. By all rights, becoming the Ninth Prince's secondary consort would be a tremendous fortune for her, especially with Consort Wei's personal guarantee of support for her future.
Yet, her heart pounded like a drum, and she felt something was amiss.
Consort Wei's attitude towards her today was completely different from before. In the past, when she accompanied Wei Lan Xuan to pay respects to this favored consort, she had barely exchanged a few words. But today, she was as affectionate as mother and daughter.
She was not exceptionally clever, but she was not foolish either.
Could it be, as Consort Wei claimed, that she was interested in her birth chart?
"Jin Xiu, I remember my maternal cousin works in the Imperial Observatory. He should still be there. Have the coachman take me there. I need to ask this cousin something."
"Yes!"
Jin Xiu lifted the curtain and relayed the order to the coachman outside. She then turned back, bringing a chill that made Liang Luo shiver.
In Han Zhang Hall, Yue Shi looked at Consort Wei with some confusion. "Your Highness, why would you stoop to curry favor with a daughter of a third-rank official? Let alone a secondary consort, she should be overjoyed to be a mere concubine to the Third Prince, shouldn't she?"
Consort Wei's lips curved into a smile. "Her father will soon be appointed Governor of the Grand Canal Transport in Liangzhe, making her a daughter of a second-rank official. However, it is not her, nor her father, that I have set my sights on, but her maternal grandfather, the Earl of Changyi."
Yue Shi frowned, completely failing to understand Consort Wei's actions.
The Earl of Changyi had offended His Majesty years ago and had been neglected for a long time, his influence greatly diminished. What benefit was there in trying to win him over now?
Seeing Yue Shi's confusion, Consort Wei looked down on her. A maid is just a maid; after serving her for so long, she still lacked brains.
"A centipede dies but never stiffens. What I want is not the Earl of Changyi himself, but his prestige among the civil officials. My father has held power in the court for many years and is irreconcilably opposed to Prime Minister Bai and Grand Secretary Xu. These matters have now torn them apart. Most civil officials in court are dissatisfied with our Wei clan. If Yun Li is to gain the support of the officials, he will need someone to vouch for him. After much consideration, the most suitable person is the Earl of Changyi."
The Earl of Changyi had studied classics and philosophy under a great scholar in the court years ago, holding a high position among scholars and literati.
After entering the court, he had promoted many officials. Although he could not compare to Prime Minister Bai and Grand Secretary Xu, he could still win the hearts of some civil officials.
This was something Princess Qian Ling could not achieve.
If one wishes to enter the Ninth Prince's mansion, not a single person can be a wasted piece. Even a concubine or a bed warmer must have a clean background and be of assistance.
In this regard, Consort Wei had been planning for twenty years, naturally acquiring some experience.
"Just watch. Given Liang Luo's personality, she will most likely go to the Imperial Observatory to verify. I have already made arrangements. All we have to do is wait for her to obediently agree to enter the mansion as a secondary consort."
"Your Highness is wise! This servant is immensely impressed."
Consort Wei closed her eyes, enjoying the comfort of Yue Shi massaging her shoulders. Thinking of her plans, she felt increasingly pleased.
In Han Zhang Hall, Liang Luo received the answer she sought.
Her maternal cousin specially invited an official who specialized in celestial fates to meticulously calculate her birth chart. As expected, it was indeed extremely auspicious for her husband. Hearing this, Liang Luo's suspicions were completely allayed.
So, it was this that Consort Wei valued, which made her so amiable towards her.