The Imperial Palace.
The Study.
The Empress, looking at the unworldly new top scholar before her, nodded with satisfaction. However, she maintained a stern expression and said, "Why do you refuse to join the court as an official? Do you not look down on the official ranks bestowed upon you?"
Nian Jiaojiao respectfully replied, "Naturally not, Your Majesty. The official position you granted me is that of a fifth-rank official, which is already the best treatment for a top scholar. It is just that with the invasion of celestial demons, I am concerned about Qingzhou and thus wish to return to Qingzhou to protect its people."
The Empress stared at Nian Jiaojiao, their gazes meeting.
Seeing the clear eyes of Nian Jiaojiao, the Empress knew her words were from the heart. Even though taking a post in the royal city was something many scholars yearned for, especially with the ongoing invasion of celestial demons making the royal city arguably the safest place in the entire Great Moon, this person showed no hesitation or reluctance to leave.
The Empress fell silent for a long moment before slowly speaking, "It is unprecedented for a top scholar to refuse an official post."
Nian Jiaojiao's expression turned somewhat awkward. She had just received the Yong Shen Pill from the Empress, and now she was throwing in the towel. Her intentions were too obvious. However, she had no backing, and it was a sensitive period. She did not wish to be entangled in courtly struggles.
At this moment, the Empress continued, "Since you wish to go to Qingzhou, then you can take up your post in Qingzhou. After all, you are to marry my imperial child, and it would not be fitting to have no official title."
The implication was clear: the marriage to the imperial child was decided, no room for negotiation.
Nian Jiaojiao knew this was the Empress's final concession, so she bowed respectfully, "Thank you for your fulfillment, Your Majesty."
The Empress asked, "Which of my imperial children do you favor?"
Nian Jiaojiao did not answer immediately.
The Empress naturally knew the background of her new top scholar. She assumed the person did not know the imperial children well and had no preferred candidate, hence the indecision.
Rarely did the Empress act with such "democracy." She suddenly said, "Go and meet the imperial children before we discuss this further."
In truth, it wasn't that the Empress wanted her to "choose" an imperial child. It was that all the imperial children awaiting marriage had taken a liking to this new top scholar. The imperial consorts had also begun whispering in her ear, and even her most favored imperial concubine had pleaded with her to bestow the marriage upon his nephew. Her already not-so-sound body felt progressively worse...
Therefore, she decided to place the choice in Nian Jiaojiao's hands. This way, no matter whom she granted the marriage to, no one could complain to her.
...
The Imperial Garden.
Nian Jiaojiao's mouth twitched as she looked at the elaborately dressed imperial children before her. She never imagined that the highlight of her life would be at this moment.
"Top Scholar, according to the Empress's decree, you will have one cup of tea's time to converse with each person. We hope you will seize the opportunity," the old eunuch said in a high-pitched voice.
Knowing that he was a favored eunuch of the Empress, Nian Jiaojiao did not slight him for being a eunuch. Instead, she showed him great respect. She cupped her hands slightly and said politely, "Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch. This minister will certainly manage the time well and not cause you any trouble."
These words made the old eunuch feel extremely pleased. "You are too kind, Top Scholar." Indeed, a top scholar who knew how to speak.
The old eunuch stood far away by the lake with the palace attendants. They could see what was happening here, but they could not hear the conversations.
The first was the Eighth Prince. He was dressed in a brocade robe embroidered with swirling clouds and linked peacock patterns. A simple silver-white dark-patterned sash was draped over his shoulders. His hair was partially tied up and secured with a jade-green hairpin. His skin was like white fat, his lips like petals, and his alluring fox eyes held a peaceful demeanor. Despite appearing as a harmless, gentle scholar, Nian Jiaojiao knew that beneath the luxurious robes lay firm pectoral muscles and well-defined muscles in his arms. Thinking of such a scene, Nian Jiaojiao looked at him again, seeing him as a coiled leopard, full of dangerous aggression.
"Top Scholar, thank you for your help last time," the Eighth Prince said, seeing that Nian Jiaojiao was looking at him without speaking, and time was tight. He spoke first.
Nian Jiaojiao, appearing unconcerned, replied, "Your Eighth Highness has already thanked me. There's no need to be so polite."
The Eighth Prince nodded slightly and got straight to the point, "What are your thoughts on us?"
Nian Jiaojiao replied with a hint of helplessness, "With only the time it takes for a cup of tea, I am afraid it will be difficult for me to make a judgment."
The Eighth Prince stared at her. "I do not wish for the Top Scholar to regret her choice later. Perhaps Yue Ran can briefly introduce everyone's situation."
As the cup of tea's time was nearing its end, the Eighth Prince objectively introduced everyone's situation. During his explanation, he did not emphasize himself, which earned Nian Jiaojiao a degree of favor. Through the Eighth Prince's introduction, Nian Jiaojiao learned that among the imperial children awaiting marriage, only he and the Tenth Prince's father held the rank of Consort. The Ninth Prince's birth father was of a slightly lower rank, and the rest were from minor consorts. The Eighth Prince had an elder sister, the Seventh Princess, who was conferred the title "Prince Hui" upon reaching adulthood and moved out of the Imperial Palace. The Ninth Prince's birth father had also fathered Prince Duan. The Tenth Prince's elder sister was Prince Ying.
After listening, Nian Jiaojiao understood that the Eighth Prince was indeed her best choice. However, what made her hesitate was her ignorance of Prince Hui's personality and whether she was involved in the struggle for succession. Before she could ask these questions, the Ninth Prince was already approaching the pavilion.
Nian Jiaojiao knew it was time and could only let the matter rest. The Ninth Prince had curly hair, and though his face had a light application of powder, Nian Jiaojiao's sharp eyes could discern faint freckles around his nose. In Nian Jiaojiao's opinion, these freckles were not a drawback but rather an enhancement, as they added a touch of innocent, youthful vulnerability, much like the "little deer" makeup of her past life.
Having already understood the situation, Nian Jiaojiao was not particularly curious about the Ninth Prince himself. She merely asked indirectly, "Speaking of which, I have been in the royal city for almost a year. I have met Princess Ying and Princess Duan, but why have I seen so few of the other princesses?"
Facing the devastating beauty of Nian Jiaojiao, the Ninth Prince was eager to quickly resolve her query and thus told her everything. It turned out the Eldest Princess had died young, and almost everyone in the palace dared not speak her name casually, lest the Empress be saddened. The Second Princess, Prince Ying, was the Tenth Prince's elder sister. Her birth mother was Consort Shu, and Consort Shu's maternal clan was the Prime Minister's household, hence Prime Minister Huang was of Prince Ying's lineage. The Third Princess, Prince Duan, was the Tenth Prince's birth mother. According to the Tenth Prince, his birth mother's appearance was ordinary among the consorts. However, through her daughter's noble status, she was conferred the rank of "Pin" after giving birth to the Third Princess. The Fourth Princess had committed a crime and was now exiled to a remote area to be a carefree prince. The Fifth Princess was valiant and fond of fighting, conferred the title of General, and fought on the frontier. Although she was a prince, she seemed to prefer the title "General."
By the time the introduction concluded, the cup of tea's time had passed. Nian Jiaojiao could only turn her attention to the Tenth Prince who was approaching.