Concubine Yan did not think it was a big deal. “Your Majesty has been busy. Her Majesty empathize with you and did not instruct the internal attendants to report to you. It is pardonable.”
The Emperor shook his head. “The Empress cannot be blamed for this. Recently, she has always been ill. However, the group of internal attendants have become more and more bold, they even dare to make their own decisions now. And you, even if they did not report it, why didn’t you remind me?”
“Your Majesty was troubling over Lu Yunji’s act of ransacking the citizens. Ge’er said that he did not want to add any more troubles to you.” Concubine Yan remained gentle.
The Emperor sighed, “You have taught this child to be too considerate. It makes me frustrated yet my heart aches for him at the same time.”
“There are so many princes and princesses in the palace. Your Majesty has so many things to handle daily, how can you care about every single one of them? Ge’er has received Your Majesty’s benevolence to stay in the palace temporarily to accompany me. We are very grateful.”
“Concubine Yan, you have attended to me for so many years and have always been attentive and cautious. I know that you have received quite a number of grievances because of your birth origin. You even suffered as you brought Ge’er up.”
“I am the daughter of Emperor Yang of Sui. Although Great Sui has already fallen, I am still able to enjoy the luxuries in the palace. This is all because Your Majesty loves and protects me. Ge’er does not care about suffering a little, he knows that Your Majesty loves him.”
“The more understanding he is, the more I feel like I owe him as a father. Although his birthday has passed, I want to make it up to him.”
“Does Your Majesty truly want to make it up to Ge’er?” Concubine Yan raised her brows.
“I cannot be biased.” The Emperor’s words held enormous weight.
“Since Your Majesty has the intentions, forgive me for being bold and asking on his behalf.” Since her son was not going to ask for it, then she shall do it as his mother. After all, this concerned his lifetime happiness.
Chapter 38.2: Peacock Screen
The next day, Xinnan was in great spirits as she went to see her Imperial Father.
The Emperor asked if she had reflected. She expressed clearly that there was a reason why she could not marry Lu Qi. The Emperor was unhappy, “Tell me your reason.”
“The reason is--” Xinnan breathed in deeply, “Fu Siyan!”
The Emperor froze for a while before summoning Fu Rou.
“Fu Siyan, Princess Xinnan has a reason for not being able to marry Lu Qi but she is not willing to tell me the reason. She said that you would be able to help me understand the situation.”
Fu Rou was completely oblivious and looked towards Princess Xinnan. However, no matter how she looked, she could not catch Princess Xinnan’s eyes.
The Emperor pressed on, “Since Xinnan is not willing to say it, then you shall say it on her behalf. Why can’t Xinnan marry Lu Qi?”
“Your Majesty, I…” Fu Rou could not carry on. No matter how clever she was, she could not work without the right equipment. She didn't even know what was going on, how was she to make up a story? “Your Majesty, may I speak to the Princess in private?”
Although the Emperor found it strange as to why the two of them needed to speak, he agreed.
As soon as they walked out of the palace hall, Fu Rou asked her what was going on.
Xinnan chuckled, “Simply put, Imperial Father wants me to marry Lu Qi but I am not willing. However, I don’t know how to convince my Imperial Father. Therefore, I called on you to help me think. Fu Siyan, you are Sheng Chuling’s future sister-in-law. As a sister-in-law, you should take on some responsibilities right? Sheng Chuling is responsible for me and you are responsible for Sheng Chuling. Hence, I am your responsibility.”
Fu Rou was speechless. Xinnan pleaded, “Fu Siyan, please help me.”
“Since you already put it this way, I have to help you even if I don’t want to. But how can I think of anything with so little time?”
As they spoke, a peacock strutted towards them. Sunlight shined on its jade green tail feathers. Fu Rou’s eyes lit up. She thought of an idea!
Fu Rou walked back into Ganlou Palace alone.
“So?” The Emperor did not bother asking why Xinnan did not enter along with Fu Rou and waited for Fu Rou to tell him the reason.
Fu Rou remained composed. “Your Majesty, the reason why Princess Xinnan is not willing to marry Lu Qi is related to someone else.”
“Oh? Who? Who is so bold as to influence the Princess’ marriage? Tell me, I want to see how many heads he has.” The Emperor pulled on his sleeve.
Fu Rou replied, “This person is Grand Empress Taimu.”
The Emperor froze. “My Imperial Mother?”
“That’s right. Grand Empress Taimu is brilliant and kind beyond belief. When she passed away, the Princess was still young. However, in the Princess’ heart, she has always longed, revered and even have a deep admiration for the Grand Empress. Grand Empress Taimu had a legendary and blissful marriage. The Princess has made a vow to the spirit of Grand Empress Taimu. She promised to be like her Imperial Grandmother and find a consort that is both good at martial and literal arts.”
The Emperor did not understand. “Lu Qi is someone that I have chosen as her consort. He is talented in both martial arts and literature. Which part of him is not up to standards? Since Princess Xinnan wants a well-rounded person, all the more she should agree to the marriage happily.”
“Your Majesty, the Princess is not willing to marry Lu Qi because he has yet to pass the most important test.” Fu Rou was neither subservient nor overbearing.
“What test?” The Emperor found it weird.
“The Peacock Screen Selection.”
“That’s right! The Peacock Screen Selection!” Xinnan supported the Grand Emperor as he entered.
The Grand Emperor smiled, “If he wants to marry a wife, he has to go through the Peacock Screen Selection. If not, he cannot be chosen!”
Xinnan gave Fu Rou a suggestive look. Luckily Fu Rou had thought of asking her to invite this saving grace.
The Emperor immediately walked down and greeted respectfully, “Grand Emperor.”
The Grand Emperor accepted his greeting. “I remember when numerous men came for your mother. There were so many of them the doorstep broke from being stepped on too many times. Your grandfather cherished your mother dearly and would never dare to easily agree to a marriage. He then made a Peacock Screen. Those who wanted to marry your mother were given two arrows to shoot at the peacock’s eyes. Many tried but none managed to pass. At that time, I was just a small guard. I received the news late and when I got there, there were quite a number that tried already.”
Xinnan held onto the Emperor’s arm. “What’s the point of being first? What matters is ability. When Imperial Grandfather came, he took the bow and simultaneously shot both the peacock’s eyes.”
“That’s right! My two arrows shot both the peacock’s eyes.” The Grand Emperor reminisced about the old days and his voice was light. “My father-in-law appreciated me and immediately betrothed your Imperial Grandmother to me. Xinnan, I never thought that you would be the only grandchild of mine to miss your Imperial Grandmother.”
Xinnan spoke carefully, “Imperial Grandfather, don’t say that. I am not the only one that misses Imperial Grandmother. Imperial Father misses Imperial Grandmother as well.” She turned to look at the Emperor. “Right, Imperial Father?”
The Emperor was emotional as he recalled the past. “Of course I miss Imperial Mother.”
Xinnan suddenly kneeled. “Imperial Father, on account of Imperial Grandmother, please help me set up the Peacock Screen for my marriage. I really want to be like Imperial Grandmother and entrust my life with someone worthy.”