Chapter 628 - Mother of the Country
Even if she created chance encounters, Concubine Xiao knew that the Qizhen Emperor was not easy to deal with. After all, she had shared his bed for many years.
Ji Muqing stood there, maintaining an ever-present smile. [1]
“At ease.” Qizhen Emperor said.
The palace servants quickly brought over a chair for her. Just as she sat down, Concubine Xiao was already tugging on her hand and asking intimately, “How have you been lately?”
“This commoner is very well. At home, my two brothers dote on me as well.”
“If you ever feel bored, feel free to come into the palace at any time to accompany this concubine.”
“Yes, it’s this commoner’s fortune to be able to accompany Concubine Xiao.”
“Such a sensible girl.”
Damn! Could you not speak in such a disgusting manner? Qizhen Emperor glanced at the two of them and drank a sip of tea. He had no idea what to talk about so he casually asked, “Is Miss Ji’s health better these days?”
Ji Muqing replied softly, “Many thanks for Your Majesty’s concern. This commoner’s health is much better, without major issues.”
“That’s good. If you’re bored in the General’s mansion, We permit you to enter the palace anytime.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Ji Muqing was elated when she heard that.
When Concubine Xiao heard Qizhen Emperor say that, she seized the opportunity to bring up the matter. “Your Majesty, Miss Ji is sweet-tempered and virtuous, and has grown into a model young lady that exemplifies the demeanor one of the Imperial Family should have.”
“Mn.”
“This concubine thinks that…” Before she could finish speaking, Qizhen Emperor suddenly stood up. Concubine Xiao quickly asked, “Your Majesty? This…”
“We are rather tired and will return. Concubine Xiao should take good care of Miss Ji.”
Concubine Xiao tensed, but could only agree.
After the Emperor left, Ji Muqing asked anxiously, “Your Highness, is the Emperor dissatisfied with me? What about the matter of Prince Yi and I?”
“Muqing, this seat has already said that I would find a way to marry you to Yi’er. You’re the Princess Consort this seat has chosen; no one else will do.” Concubine Xiao held her hand and patted it comfortingly.
With her words, Ji Muqing’s eyes gleamed as if she had picked up a large bag of treasure. In her heart, she was determined that, since she couldn’t be the Crown Prince Consort, she must become Prince Yi’s Consort. When Prince Yi becomes the Crown Prince, and later the Emperor, then she might become the Empress. At this thought, her heart was filled with joy.
Ji Muqing had no idea that Concubine Xiao’s heart was slowly sinking instead. She had noticed every little change in the Emperor’s expression just now, and knew that he was deliberately avoiding the matter.
Everyone knew that by marrying Ji Muqing, Prince Yi would also gain the support of the entire Ji family, including Ji Li and Ji Huan, both of whom held important positions in the military. Once Jing Yi married her, his position as the Crown Prince was practically secured; accordingly, the throne would be in arm’s reach for him. By then, there would be nobody who could counterbalance Jing Yi’s power and influence!
However, Concubine Xiao could not understand just what Qizhen Emperor’s views on this were.
Ji Muqing didn’t think about this as deeply; as far as she was concerned, Concubine Xiao had already planned out a delicious meal for her and all she had to do was open her mouth to eat it. Who cared about the details?
“Your Highness, I heard that the princess will be marrying soon?”
“That’s right.”
“Her Highness is fortunate to be able to marry the Huyi Third Prince. When the Third Prince succeeds the throne as the Huyi King, the princess will be the Queen.”
Concubine Xiao was delighted with her words. “After you marry Yi’er and become his Consort, you’ll also be the Mother of the Country.” Mother of the Country, crowned in glory!
Ji Muqing’s eyes were filled with the thirst for power. She had set her eyes on the position of Empress. After spending a little while more time with Concubine Xiao, she left the palace to head home as it was getting late.
However, just as she reached home, she was summoned by Ji Li and Ji Huan. The two of them sat solemnly in the hall, looking down at Ji Muqing standing between them as if she were being questioned. As he took in her attire, Ji Li’s expression turned even more sombre. “You went to the palace?”
Ji Muqing did not detect the slightest inkling of trouble, replying happily, “That’s right! Concubine Xiao summoned me into the palace.”
“What did she say to you?”
“What else could she say? We were merely talking about everyday topics, and casually asked about the family.”
Thud! Ji Li slammed his fist on the table, face a mask of fury.
Ji Muqing jumped in fright and took a step back, looking at her dearest brother in trepidation. Her lips trembled slightly, “Big brother, what… what’s wrong?”
“Are you still not going to tell me the truth?”
“I… “ She bit her lip as her eyes darted around nervously. Truth? What great truth do you want?
With how furious and demanding Ji Li was, of course Ji Huan had to play the ‘good cop’. He asked gently in a lowered voice, “Muqing, there are no outsiders here. Just tell the truth. What did you do with Concubine Xiao when she summoned you into the palace?
“...”
“Speak.”
Thoroughly intimidated, she hesitated for a long while before she replied, “Concubine Xiao said that she… had already suggested to the Emperor to have Prince Yi marry me as his Consort.”
What?! Ji Li and Ji Huan were astonished. They glanced at each other. “Did you say that Concubine Xiao asked His Majesty to let you be Prince Yi’s Consort?”
She nodded, not daring to speak.
Ji Li’s expression turned extremely ugly as he seemed to recall something. He got up and walked in front of her, staring intently at her lowered eyelids as he questioned, “Then tell me. Just what happened back then when you went to the palace to participate in the Crown Prince Consort Selection? You had prepared so many years for the Selection, how could you have been so careless as to fall sick? And after you hurried back home, you didn’t make a fuss either. Tell me, is there something that you have been keeping from Big Brother?”
“I… I didn’t!” She was obviously faltering.
“Are you still unwilling to speak? What is there to hide now that the Crown Prince is already dead?”
She didn’t dare to lift her head and started backing away.
Ji Li continued to press her. “Why won’t you tell me?”
She had been forced into a dead end. She lifted her chin obstinately and replied, “Alright, enough. Nothing at all happened in those few days. It was also unavoidable that I had lost the chance to participate in the Selection after contracting an illness. Was I supposed to cry and threaten to hang myself? Moreover, as my big brother, shouldn't you be happy for me that Concubine Xiao likes me and has a good enough opinion of me and our Ji family that she wants me to be Prince Yi’s Consort? If I become Prince Yi’s Consort, I’ll be Empress and Mother of the Country when Prince Yi becomes the Emperor.”
“You…” Ji Li raised his hand, about to deliver a slap, but was stopped by Ji Huan. “Big Brother, don’t be too impulsive,” he coaxed.
Looking at the arm arrested mid-air, Ji Muqing’s eyes immediately turned red. She turned to her brother incredulously, “Why? Just what did I do wrong? Ever since I was young, Father and Grandmother have always told me that they would send me into the capital when I grew up. I would become the Crown Prince Consort, then the Empress. However, the useless Crown Prince is now dead. I was lucky that I didn’t marry him. Now that Prince Yi is gaining power, if I marry him as Prince Yi’s Consort, I’ll become the Crown Prince Consort and the Empress all the same! It’s fine if you’re not happy for me, but you even want to hit me?” She was so aggrieved that tears rolled down her cheeks like raindrops on pear blossoms.
Ji Li restrained his fury and told her grimly, “You can be the Crown Prince Consort of whoever you’d like, just not Prince Yi.”
[1] Reminder: This is JYS's sister.