Shui Yunyan admitted her feelings to the Empress Dowager, "Your Majesty is wise and has indeed seen through my thoughts. The first time I met Prince Chang was the day he returned from the Southern Kingdom."
The Empress Dowager was unaware of all the secrets between Mu Changxi and the Imperial Consort. She only thought Mu Changxi had lost his legs in the Southern Kingdom and had no idea that it was someone else who had gone there. Therefore, Shui Yunyan naturally knew nothing of this either.
Her eyes filled with admiration for Mi Cuxingxi, "From that moment, I felt that His Highness Prince Chang possessed an extraordinary demeanor. Even with his legs lost, his eyes held a determination and courage that others lacked."
She sighed, her gaze mournful, "It is a pity that I did not have that fortune later. Prince Chang directly chose a concubine's daughter to be his Princess Consort. My heart was filled with sorrow, and I fell ill for many days. My father, seeing my distress, sent me to the capital, hoping Your Majesty could help me."
"You are such a devoted child!"
After all, Shui Yunyan was the Empress Dowager's niece. The Empress Dowager patted Shui Yunyan's hand with affection, "If I had known of your feelings for Prince Chang earlier, I would have found a way to send you to Prince Chang's manor. Fortunately, it is not too late. That Song Chaoyu is merely of concubine's daughter origin. What can she compare to you? Rest assured, after today, I will ensure you rightfully enter Prince Chang's manor and become Princess Consort Chang!"
Shui Yunyan's eyes instantly lit up with joy.
She looked expectantly towards the outside, as if already envisioning a beautiful life within Prince Chang's manor.
The Empress Dowager, as if holding all the cards, summoned those waiting outside to pay their morning respects.
Everyone could tell that the Empress Dowager seemed to be in a very good mood today.
A noble lady spoke up, "Seeing Your Majesty's happy demeanor, is there some joyous occasion? Please share it with us, so we can all share in your happiness!"
"Hahaha!"
The Empress Dowager rarely laughed so heartily. She then gestured for Shui Yunyan to step forward.
"Oh, this young lady is truly stunning! But how is it that we haven't seen her in the capital before?"
Most of the noble ladies had not seen Shui Yunyan before, but many had.
Someone spoke on behalf of the Empress Dowager, "I know this young lady. She is the daughter of Your Majesty's maternal cousin, the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family, imperial merchants. Her name is... Shui Yunyan, isn't it?"
Today was a good day. Regardless of why Shui Yunyan was present, the noble ladies simply praised her, "Oh, what a lovely name! Truly, her name reflects her beauty, like water and smoke. She is indeed a beauty! Your Majesty was also incredibly beautiful in her youth. The Jiang family truly produces beauties!"
While praising her, the ladies couldn't help but murmur amongst themselves.
On such an occasion, the Empress Dowager bringing Shui Yunyan by her side likely had another purpose.
Indeed, after everyone had finished their praises, the Empress Dowager sighed with satisfaction, "Since you all like our Yan'er, then things will be easier. From now on, you will see her often in the capital. Please take good care of her!"
"Your Majesty, what do you mean?"
The noble ladies exchanged glances, naturally confused. "Does Your Majesty intend for Miss Shui to serve in the palace? Or perhaps to bestow her upon a young master of a noble family?"
Some noble ladies guessed, "With the Emperor's ascension, there will surely be a new imperial examination. Could Your Majesty be intending to bestow Shui Yunyan upon a future successful candidate?"
This seemed like the most reasonable explanation.
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, "No, no, no. I am here to tell you that from this moment forward, she is Princess Consort Chang. I ask you all to treat our Yan'er kindly in the future. She is young and may not understand everything. I hope you will all guide her, so she can assist and serve Prince Chang with peace of mind!"
Princess Consort Chang?!
As soon as the Empress Dowager spoke, the hall fell silent.
The noble ladies did not understand the Empress Dowager's intentions, especially those who were friendly with Song Chaoyu. They almost simultaneously frowned.
"Your Majesty..."
One of them spoke first. She was the wife of the heir of the Duke of Ning, around the same age as Song Chaoyu, and they often chatted.
She stood up, her gaze shadowed, "Your subject does not understand Your Majesty's intentions. Is the current Princess Consort Chang not well? Prince Chang married her with a proper matchmaker and a formal wedding. Prince Chang has not lost his wife, nor has the Princess Consort been divorced for any of the seven grounds. How can there be another Princess Consort Chang?"
The Empress Dowager had anticipated this question. She waved her hand at the heir's wife, "I know what you are thinking. However, Prince Chang is currently a vital minister to the Emperor. The person serving by his side naturally cannot be someone of an outsider's daughter origin. Princess Consort Chang has already left the manor. Someone must be there to serve and care for Prince Chang, mustn't they?"
She then glared at the heir's wife as if issuing a warning, "What? Does the wife of the heir of the Duke of Ning think that my niece is not worthy of the position of Princess Consort Chang?"
The Empress Dowager's demeanor suddenly became sharp, causing the heir's wife to lower her head, "Your subject dares not."
Her status was not enough to speak up for Song Chaoyu, but there were others.
After the heir's wife was dismissed, the wife of General Yongjia also could not remain seated.
She was a bit older than Song Chaoyu. Since arriving in the capital with her husband a year ago, her straightforward personality made it difficult for her to make friends.
It was Song Chaoyu who first befriended her, and they hit it off immediately, wishing they could be sisters.
Naturally, she had to speak up for Song Chaoyu, "Left the manor? How is that possible?! At yesterday's ceremony, I clearly saw Princess Consort Chang and the Prince showing great affection. How can Your Majesty say she is leaving the manor now? Even if they had some disagreement, they have two young children. Princess Consort Chang would never abandon her children and flee. I request Your Majesty to clarify the matter."
The wife of General Yongjia's words caused many in the hall to nod in agreement.
The Empress Dowager had not expected that in just two years, Song Chaoyu would have gained so many "helpers" in the capital!
Her expression also soured.
But she couldn't very well say that she had forced Song Chaoyu to leave.
So, she could only coldly snort, "With my current status, would I lie to you all? She is indeed leaving. Can anyone stop her? Regardless, this matter has been decided. I called you here today merely to instruct you to guide the new Princess Consort Chang in the future."
"Your Majesty!"
Someone still wanted to say a few words for Song Chaoyu.
The Empress Dowager waved her hand to interrupt, "Enough, do not be so surprised! It is not a big matter. She is merely an outsider's daughter, and you all care so much about her?"