The Empress Dowager, as if not noticing Consort Wei's thunderous expression, said with a smile, "I do have a candidate in mind. See if you think she's suitable."
Wang Qingyao's interest was piqued. "Who?"
The Empress Dowager lowered her voice, "Princess Nange!"
Feng Jiangduo?!
Wang Qingyao's mind reeled.
It had to be admitted, the Empress Dowager had excellent taste.
Looking at the entire capital, Feng Jiangduo was indeed the most distinguished, apart from the Wei family's daughters, and the most beneficial to the Crown Prince.
Even Consort Wei, who favored Ban Ruoxuan, showed a flicker of indecision.
Princess Nange was a highly sought-after match.
The only granddaughter of the Prince of Dingnan!
If Princess Nange herself weren't so low-key and unsociable, she would have already been famous throughout the capital.
However, even with her discretion, she had caught the Empress Dowager's eye.
Consort Wei stirred.
But she quickly remembered that the old scoundrel, the Prince of Dingnan, would never agree to let his precious granddaughter marry into the imperial family.
Furthermore, Feng Jiangduo's aloof, almost deathly demeanor was not to her liking.
Never mind, the Eastern Palace could not accommodate such a distinguished figure as Princess Nange.
Consort Wei breathed a sigh of relief.
If the Empress Dowager had favored someone else, she might have been troubled.
But with Feng Jiangduo, she didn't need to worry.
Princess Nange's marriage was not something that could be decided by a mere imperial decree from the Empress Dowager.
"The Empress Dowager's judgment is truly excellent," Wang Qingyao began with flattery.
The Empress Dowager's face lit up. "You think Princess Nange is a good choice too?"
Before Wang Qingyao could answer, she added with a smile, "I am being foolish. You and Princess Nange are close friends, so of course, you think she's good."
Wang Qingyao smiled and got straight to the point, saying softly, "Princess Nange is suitable as a friend, but not as the Crown Princess."
The Empress Dowager looked at her with surprise, waiting for her to elaborate.
Everyone else also pricked up their ears.
Some even suspected Wang Qingyao of being jealous of Feng Jiangduo's favor and deliberately causing trouble.
Wang Qingyao said earnestly, "Princess Nange is naturally indifferent and dislikes restraint. She once told me that her greatest wish is to travel the famous mountains and rivers of Dasheng. She is a bird that flies freely; wouldn't making her the Crown Princess clip her wings?"
Wang Qingyao's words were bold.
Who didn't love freedom?
But once one entered the palace, it was like a deep sea, from which it was difficult to see the blue sky outside, let alone for Consort Wei, or even the Empress Dowager, without special circumstances.
The Empress Dowager seemed to recall something, her expression dimmed, and then she sighed heavily.
Everything required a price.
"Princess Ding'an speaks with reason," the Empress Dowager was immediately persuaded and said with a smile, "I must look carefully later for other suitable young ladies."
Wang Qingyao hummed, "I will help you look."
The Empress Dowager lowered her voice, this time genuinely so that no one could hear, "We need to choose someone who is fertile."
Wang Qingyao couldn't help but laugh. The Empress Dowager was eager to have a great-grandchild.
Speaking of which, among her grandchildren's generation, only Xiao Yun had children.
But Xiao Yun had yet to acknowledge his ancestors.
The Empress Dowager was naturally very anxious.
They then chatted about Pingping and An'an. When mothers spoke of their children, they could not stop. The Empress Dowager listened with envy.
"Why don't you bring them into the palace for me to see?"
Wang Qingyao smiled, "They're still a bit young, and they can't speak properly yet! When they can say anything, it will be more fun!"
The Empress Dowager listened with longing.
Wang Qingyao naturally steered the conversation towards Consort Chen, "Consort Chen, are you about five months along?"
"Five and a half months," Consort Chen replied calmly.
The Empress Dowager looked at her with satisfaction. She was always happy to have a child born, and if she couldn't have a great-grandchild, having another grandchild was good.
"Are you tired? If you are, go lie down in the side hall." The Empress Dowager asked with concern.
Consort Chen showed a touch of appropriate emotion, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. This concubine is not tired."
The focus immediately shifted to Consort Chen. Seeing the Empress Dowager's concern for her, the others also asked perfunctorily.
"Is it a boy or a girl?"
"When is the due date?"
"Is Imperial Physician Lu the one attending to you?"
Consort Chen answered each question, pressing her hands to her waist as if she were lacking strength.
Wang Qingyao sat down and gently massaged her.
Consort Wei sneered, "Princess Ding'an is quite good at serving people."
Wang Qingyao was not annoyed. "It is my fortune to be able to serve Consort Chen."
Consort Wei was so angered by her shamelessness that she was speechless.
For so many years, Consort Wei had maintained an innocent and pure demeanor. Even when she had been suspicious and prone to outbursts recently, she had never been as sharp-tongued as she was today.
The others looked surprised, and even the Empress Dowager glanced at her displeasedly.
Wang Qingyao smoothly moved closer to Consort Chen, and while massaging her waist, she gently reminded her, "Your Highness's pregnancy seems difficult. Please ask Imperial Physician Lu to take extra care."
She glanced at Consort Chen, giving her a significant look.
Consort Chen was surprised. She hadn't expected Wang Qingyao to notice.
"Do not spread it around," she whispered to Wang Qingyao.