Wei Shengxian then had lunch at the Jintong Courtyard. In the afternoon, she returned home with mixed feelings and dismissed everyone except for her two daughters. She spoke to them privately, "Your cousin suggested that it would be better not to marry into the Deng Family. I think she has a point now she has explained it to me."

Song Xiyue blushed, saying, "I'll leave it all to you to decide, mother." She didn't ask the reason.

Wei Shengxian was satisfied with her daughters' politeness and understanding, so she explained it to them, "Your cousin said that Deng Zongqi is a very good person. However, his parents have passed away and he is protected by the Honored Consort, so it is inevitable that the Honored Consort might become his burden in the future." She then spoke about the feud between the Empress and the Honored Consort and the current situation in the palace, sighing, "Honestly, when your cousin just started to speak of it, I felt that I shouldn't marry you to him. Since ancient times, things have always been complicated in the palace. What we have in this family is difficult enough to deal with, so why would I find you a husband whose family has many problems? Yesterday, your second aunt also secretly told me that Deng Zongqi's father had a grudge against other people in the family when he was alive, without mentioning the situation in the palace. This causes his children to suffer greatly..."

While listening, Song Ruxuan couldn't help but ask, "Mother, since we don't plan to promise my sister to the young master of the Deng Family, what if the Honored Consort really likes my sister, what is there to do?"

Wei Shengxian was troubled, saying, "I know. This happened when your cousin is pregnant and it is not convenient for her to walk around! Your second aunt can't find a suitor right now, either. Fortunately, Deng Zongqi is in Western Liang presently, and he is only the Honored Consort's nephew, not a prince. The Honored Consort has to listen to the Empress. Even if she has the intention, it isn't easy to get an imperial edict for the marriage. We can look for someone else during the time. If this really doesn't work, I'll take you back to Fengzhou to see your elders! Your grandmother will be in charge of everything by then!"

Though she had said this, Wei Shengxian was worried that she might be putting pressure on her daughters, so she kept quiet about Wei Changying’s final few words. Wei Changying had actually said, "The young master of Deng Family is now far away in Western Liang, so his marriage won't be considered until three years from now when he returns. The Honored Consort has started to look for a suitor for him now, suggesting that either Mr. Deng entrusted his marriage problem to the Honored Consort when he left, or the Honored Consort has decided to take full charge of Mr. Deng's marriage! Whichever it is, we need to stop the Honored Consort from promising Xiyue to him!"

This made Wei Shengxian even more worried. Although Deng Zongqi was fulfilling his duty in Western Liang and had seized a great opportunity, he would have to go onto the battlefield. Wars were ruthless. Even if the lineal son of the Liu Family in Eastern Hu had died on the battlefield in his hometown, the same thing might happen to Deng Zongqi, a boy of an aristocratic family who had no support in Western Liang.

If something happened to Deng Zongqi in Western Liang, her daughter would be a widow who had never met her fiancé, not to mention that she would be involved in the fights in the palace and bullied by the Deng Family after she married Deng Zongqi. Wei Shengxian only had two daughters. She had nurtured them for more than ten years and they had turned out to be gentle and splendid. She would never want to exchange her daughters' happy lives for a couple of cold monumental archways celebrating their chastity in widowhood!

Having tried to stay calm herself in order to calm her daughters, Wei Shengxian still felt her heart was beating too fast as if there had been a bad omen. However, if she wanted to stop Honored Consort Deng from proposing marriage for her nephew, she had to find a suitor for Song Xiyue before the Honored Consort could bring it up. Otherwise, since Deng Zongqi was an excellent person and the Honored Consort's position was high, Wei Shengxian really could not think of any solid reason to refuse them.

"I'd better quickly send someone over to my husband and tell him..." Wei Shengxian mused, thinking to herself, "If something goes wrong, I'll take them back to Fengzhou on the pretext of visiting the family and I’ll beg mother to do something about it. Mother is always intelligent and wise. She'll have a way!"

Thinking of her perfect mother, Wei Shengxian let out a sigh of relief. She told her maidservant to find servants to send letters to her husband and to pack their luggage to prepare for leaving at any time.

She had made a quick plan here but she did not know that someone in the palace had also noticed it.

Empress Gu took the osmanthus glutinous rice porridge presented by a maidservant, tried some of it, and then shoved the bowl into the maidservant's hand, "It's yours."

Having thanked the Empress with joy, the maidservant took the porridge and moved to the side. Granny Yun tried to be persuasive, "Your Imperial Highness, you have been busy with the Crown Prince's wedding for days. This morning, you were up early to receive the respects paid by the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess. You are wasting away. You should take food full of nutritious now, but you only have eaten this much today. How can your body take this?"

"Maybe I'm too tired." Empress Gu sighed, saying, "I've been looking forward to my son's wedding and thought I could rest after it. Though I'm free now, I've lost my appetite."

"The kitchen has been stewing chicken soup since last night. It's made with ginseng so it doesn't smell too much like herbal medicine. Your Imperial Highness, if you don't want the porridge, how about some soup?" As Granny Yun was speaking, a clever maidservant went out along the wall, going to the kitchen to fetch the soup.

Empress Gu didn't want the chicken soup either, but she could not refuse Granny Yun's repeated suggestion. When the maidservant fetched it, she had most of the soup and rewarded the maidservant with the reminder.

The chicken soup was truly tonic. The Empress looked a lot better after having the soup. She then wanted to talk about something serious, so she dismissed all the other palace people, except Granny Yun.

"Many things happened at the banquet yesterday. I had no time to ask for more detail. I have heard that Honored Consort Deng called a Miss Song to her side and kept asking her questions. Is that true?" Empress Gu asked, "Which Miss was she from the Song Family? Don't tell me she is that one!"

Granny Yun said, "The Miss Song from the lineal branch of Jiangnan Hall has been staying in the mansion since the accident. As Mrs. Wei of the Shen Family is pregnant and she is her cousin, exceptionally, she paid a visit to her, but she was wearing a curtained hat, covering everything and not letting anyone see her. If she had never had that accident, she would have been the one whom people gave their congratulations to and envied yesterday. Why would she come to the palace to give her congratulations? It was like before. They said she was sick."

"Then which one is she?" By now, when they talked about Song Zaishui, Empress Gu still felt sorry for her. This was not the first time the Empress showed how satisfied she had been with Song Zaishui, her original daughter-in-law to be. She had had to replace her with Liu Ruoyu from the Liu Family as Crown Princess. People from the outside thought this was what Honored Consort Deng had done. The Song Family and the Wei Family might think this was their choice, but Granny Yun knew Empress Gu had imposed her will in this, too.

Granny Yun was confused by this, but since Empress Gu didn't want to tell her more, Granny Yun knew she should not ask too much, so she said, "She is the oldest daughter of Song Tong, the governor of Ruanzhou. Her name is Xiyue."

"Ruanzhou is a central state, and the governor's position is above the fourth official rank." Empress Gu pondered, saying, "If there were no Honored Consort Deng, the girl would be too good a match for Deng Zongqi! After all, his father was only an official below the fourth official rank when he died."

Granny Yun said, "I also agree that Honored Consort Deng is interested in Song Xiyue because of Deng Zongqi, but Deng Zongqi is in Western Liang now. When he accomplishes his tasks and returns with success in three years' time, he can grasp the opportunity to marry a girl from a nobler family to strengthen his power! Honored Consort Deng is looking for a suitor for him now, which seems a bit weird. Otherwise, Song Xiyue isn't mean to be chosen for Deng Zongqi by her, is she?"

Empress Gu squinted, suddenly asking, "Shenbo requested to take Wei Lingyue as his wife... Has he changed his mind recently?"

"No!" Granny Yun quickly answered, "Your Imperial Highness, you are saying that Honored Consort Deng wants Song Xiyue to..."

"Actually, I'm thinking about it now. Giving Wei Lingyue to Shenbo is fine." Empress Gu pondered, saying, "After Wei Qi lost to Wei Huan, they both stay in Fengzhou to enjoy the rest of their lives. There seems to be a lot of children in Zhiben Hall, but there isn't anyone who is excellent. It will be fine for these two years. But if Wei Qi still can't recover his power, his family will certainly display the signs of being in decline. As for Ruiyu Hall, it is said that Wei Changfeng is excellent and her sister, Wei Changying, is Shen Cangfeng's wife! Shen Xuan has given many opportunities to Ruiyu Hall over the years. The vice-premier's position has been given to Ruiyu Hall. Even if Wei Changfeng doesn't take over the Ruiyu Hall in the future and Wei Shengyi alone is in charge, he will be able to manage everything with his abilities."

Granny Yun asked, "So, Your Imperial Highness, do you want to try to persuade His Majesty to allow him to do so?"

"Actually, Song Zaishui's issue has delayed everything." Empress Gu frowned, saying, "Shen Xun should have been married last year. Shenbo will be sixteen in October this year, so I should allow him to take his wife and send him to his fief. However, Shen Xun was just married yesterday. Shenbo said he did not dare to do things more quickly than his elder brothers, so he has stayed here, not willing to leave, until now! It seems that he is going to delay his leaving by his marriage, but perhaps he may not necessarily have to marry Wei Lingyue."

The Empress pondered, saying, "But if Honored Consort Deng's interested in Song Xiyue because of Shenbo, what does she want to do? Does she want Shenbo to ask His Majesty to allow him to take Song Xiyue as his first concubine instead? No matter whether it is Wei Lingyue or Song Xiyue, either of them can become the queen. After all, their fathers and brothers are in the high official ranks, and they are both the lineal daughters of gentlefolks! If she only wants him to replace her with another person, that won't waste that much time!"

She then asked, "Has Shenbo met Song Xiyue? Has he noticed her?"

Granny Yun said, "It is actually a bit odd. His Royal Highness has never met Song Xiyue."

"Song Xiyue and Honored Consort Deng aren't familiar with each other. Even if she wants to be related to Shenbo by marriage, she should marry Deng Wanwan to him. How could it be Song Xiyue?" Empress Gu was totally confused, asking, "Yesterday I met too many imperial madams and young ladies, so I cannot remember who Song Xiyue is. How old is she? How does she look? You tell me again!"

Granny Yun said, "This young lady seems to be sixteen years old? She looks very beautiful, and she is..." As she was about to describe her in detail, Granny Yun suddenly thought of a person. She did a gentle clap, saying, "I don't have to describe her like that. I can compare her with someone. Your Imperial Highness, do you still remember Mrs. Wei? Shen Cangfeng's wife?"

Empress Gu nodded, saying, "The future Family Mother of the Shen Family in Western Liang. I, of course, remember."

"Song Xiyue and Wei Changying are cousins, and they look alike as if they were sisters from the same father and mother." Granny Yun said, "But Song Xiyue is more gentle and quieter. She isn't as radiant as Mrs. Wei."

"Looks like Wei Changying?" Empress Gu smiled, saying, "She is a beauty. Although Shenbo has seen many beautiful girls, he is only fond of Wei Lingyue..." Having said that, the Empress suddenly became thoughtful. A moment later, she said, "I remember that Honored Consort Deng sent Yao Tao to two weddings amongst the ones in the capital during the second half of this year, didn't she?"

Granny Yun didn't understand why she asked, saying honestly, "Yes, there were two. She went to the wedding of Infanta Chengxian from King Run's. And because of Old Madam Deng of the Su Family, she went to the wedding banquet of the second Miss from the Su Family."

"What about the First Miss from the Su Family?" Empress Gu asked again, "The two young ladies of the Su Family got married one after the other. Honored Consort Deng didn't send Yao Tao to the First Miss's wedding, but she sent her to the second Miss's wedding, didn't she? Don't you think that was suspicious?"

Granny Yun was stunned, saying, "I heard that the eldest branch and the third branch of the Su Family hold a grudge against each other..."

"I have never noticed that Honored Consort Deng was so close to the Su Family." Empress Gu sneered, saying, "Although His Majesty certainly does not like to be disturbed by all the affairs of state all the time, he generally knows what is happening within and without the palace! Honored Consort Deng is the lineal cousin of His Majesty, so she knows well what His Majesty thinks! Although His Majesty is kind and tolerant to the gentlefolks, in fact, he is wary of them! If Honored Consort Deng dares to have close contact with gentlefolks, how can His Majesty still trust her? Besides, there is infighting in the Su Family, but no one knows who will win in the end, so why would she interfere? Su Pingzhan is not someone she can mess with! And he will not allow Honored Consort Deng to manipulate his children into killing each other!"

The Empress looked quiet, saying, "Queen Run is from Ruiyu Hall. When it was Infanta Chengxian's wedding, almost everyone from Ruiyu Hall was invited. Song Xiyue must have been there!"

Granny Yun was stunned, saying, "Your Imperial Highness, you are saying that Honored Consort Deng's fancy for Song Xiyue started in King Run's Mansion? The next day, her sending Yao Tao to the mansion of the Su Family to congratulate their second Miss on her wedding was just an excuse. Her real intention was to have Yao Tao meet Song Xiyue, wasn't it?"

She said in surprise, "But in terms of her background, her looks, and her talents... Although Song Xiyue is good, she is not good enough to have caught Honored Consort Deng's attention like that, is she?"

"You forgot one thing!" Empress Gu sneered, raised her hand to rub her forehead, and then said, "Perhaps this is the most important thing! This Song Xiyue looks similar to her cousin, Wei Changying!"

Granny Yun was shocked, thinking quickly. She then said immediately, "Does His Royal Highness... But he has never seen Mrs. Wei before, has he? Wei Lingyue who His Royal Highness likes doesn't look like Wei Changying..."

"Shenbo?" Empress Gu squinted, saying, "Wrong! It's not for him! It's for Deng Zongqi! Have you forgotten? Last fall, Deng Zongqi and his men were ordered to go to Qingzhou to pick up the Zhong Family. When they passed by Little Bamboo Hill outside Fengzhou city, they stopped due to heavy rain and asked for help from the people of Ruiyu Hall who happened to be staying on the hill. The next day before they left, Deng Zongqi and Gu Yiran went up the hill to thank them and say goodbye. Because of this, Deng Zongqi saved Wei Changying who was resting in a bamboo pavilion outside the house! It is said that Wei Changying was shocked to see a green bamboo snake near her, so she especially told her maidservants to stop Deng Zongqi and Gu Yiran and went to thank them personally after she tidied up herself! Probably, Deng Zongqi saw Wei Changying's face at that time. He then fell in love with her at first sight! Honored Consort Deng didn't go to King Run's mansion to congratulate Infanta Chengxian on her wedding. Only Yao Tao and Deng Wanwan went to King Run's mansion! When they were at King Run's that day, Yao Tao didn't see Song Xiyue. Perhaps Deng Wanwan spoke to her, so Honored Consort Deng sent Yao Tao over to see her. That confirmed what Deng Wanwan has said. So during Shen Xun's wedding yesterday..."

Granny Yun was dumbfounded. Only after a moment could she say, "If so, Your Imperial Highness, we..."

"This is such a good opportunity. How can we miss it?" Empress Gu slightly curved her lips, speaking with a faint smile.