"Your Majesty, you must not think this way. You are the Son of Heaven," Eunuch Wei said quickly.
"Eunuch Wei, I know my own body. That is why I wish to make arrangements for Xingyue before I depart."
He sighed, "But Xingyue is not a man. Otherwise, I would not need to go to such lengths."
"Your Majesty... His Highness will take care of herself. It is you who..."
"No... *cough cough*..." He coughed, "Eunuch Wei, I must settle Xingyue's affairs. This is what Father and Mother entrusted to me. I must do it well."
"Your Majesty, the Heir of the Duke of Ning has fainted," a voice called from outside the carriage.
Xue Xingchen nodded, "Guards, relay today's events to Noble Consort Ning."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
He sighed, "Xingyue is strong-willed. I cannot imagine anyone worthy of her. If I could live much longer, I would let Xingyue have her way, for I am her backing. But now, I cannot. I can only find her a support."
"Your Majesty, the Heir of the Duke of Ning seems rather..."
"A bit weak, perhaps? But Eunuch Wei, you do not know that only in this way can Xingyue control him. Moreover, Noble Consort Ning is from the Duke of Ning's household. Even if I perish, for Xingyue's sake as the Heir's wife, they will not trouble her."
Eunuch Wei's eyes reddened with shock. He choked out, "Your Majesty, His Highness will understand your kind intentions."
"No, I do not want her to understand. I am merely selfish. I do not want her to ascend to my throne. I... *cough cough*..."
"Your Majesty..." Eunuch Wei stepped forward to support his back.
"This position carries too much burden. I only wish for Xingyue to be happy and live a safe and peaceful life."
"Your Majesty, actually, His Highness..."
"Your Majesty, Princess Xingyue has returned to the capital," a voice from outside the carriage interrupted Eunuch Wei.
Xue Xingchen's eyes lit up with joy. "Good, excellent! Return to the palace. I shall ride out to meet Xingyue."
After the carriage departed from the Duke of Ning's residence, two figures emerged from a nearby spot. One was a refined young man in a moon-white robe, while the other, clad in dark attire, spoke respectfully, "Your Highness, the troops have arrived outside the capital. You should return."
"Good, I understand." This person was none other than Princess Xingyue, Xue Xingyue, who was supposed to be on her way back to the capital.
"Your Highness, the Heir of the Duke of Ning initially resisted the imperial decree, and then..."
"I know everything. There's no need to say more."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Feng Wu, return and tell the camp that no one is to spread word about my disgrace that day. Otherwise, they will be dealt with by military law."
Feng Wu was startled. "Your Highness... have you made up your mind?"
She nodded. "It's just marriage. I'm not afraid of fighting battles, so why would I be afraid of marriage?"
"But..."
"But what?" She looked at Feng Wu coldly. "If you have something to say, say it. Hesitating is not like you."
"Your subordinate has made inquiries. The Heir has someone he likes," Feng Wu said.
"And so what?"
Feng Wu grew anxious. "Your Highness, isn't the Heir embarrassing you by doing this?"
"What is there to be embarrassed about? It is merely settling a score. I lost my purity, and he has someone he admires. We are even."
Feng Wu was somewhat speechless.
"Alright, don't worry. I am not someone who lets herself be taken advantage of."
"Your Ladyship, the wife of the Duke of Ning requests an audience!"
Noble Consort Ning gestured for the palace maid to stop putting hairpins in her hair. "Let her in. All of you, withdraw."
"Yes, Your Ladyship." Zi Luo and the palace maids retreated.
Soon after, a woman in ornate attire entered. She curtsied and greeted, "Your humble subject pays her respects to Your Ladyship."
Noble Consort Ning glanced at the wife of the Duke of Ning and said indifferently, "Sister-in-law, rise."
Madam Jiang stood up. To be honest, she was somewhat afraid of meeting this Noble Consort Ning. Although they were sisters-in-law, she had felt a sense of apprehension towards her younger sister-in-law when she was still merely the Duke of Ning's wife, let alone now that she was the Emperor's favored consort.
"Sister-in-law, you will not have come to see this palace merely to look at me?" Noble Consort Ning was not pleased with Madam Jiang. She always felt that Madam Jiang was indecisive and could not handle important matters.
"Your Ladyship, your humble subject wishes to implore you to persuade His Majesty to withdraw the imperial decree for marriage," Madam Jiang said.
Noble Consort Ning smiled upon hearing this, but the smile was somewhat cold. "Sister-in-law, I do not know whether to call you foolish or stupid?"
Madam Jiang's hidden surprise surfaced as she asked, "Your Ladyship, this statement..."
Noble Consort Ning said coldly, "The imperial decree for marriage was something I requested for the Heir. Does Sister-in-law not know?"
Madam Jiang instinctively took a step back, her face filled with disbelief. "You... you mean..."
Seeing Madam Jiang's shock, Noble Consort Ning felt a sense of satisfaction. She enjoyed seeing Madam Jiang in such a flustered state. "Has Elder Brother not told Sister-in-law?"
Madam Jiang shook her head. "You... how could you do this to Ming'er..."
"Sister-in-law, I do not understand why you have reservations about this marriage. Princess Xingyue is His Majesty's only sister and holds a noble status. If the Duke of Ning's household marries Princess Xingyue, it will only bring benefits and no harm to Elder Brother and Jiang Ming in the future."
Madam Jiang smiled at this, a smile devoid of warmth. She looked up at Noble Consort Ning and said, "Your Ladyship, it is likely you are employing this tactic for the sake of the First Prince, aren't you?"
Noble Consort Ning frowned. She slowly walked towards Madam Jiang and looked at her coldly. "Sister-in-law, the Duke of Ning's household has enjoyed my favor for many years, including Jiang Ming's position as Heir, which I helped secure. Now that there is an opportunity for Jiang Ming to contribute to me, does Sister-in-law not wish to?"
Madam Jiang trembled all over. "I... I..."
"Sister-in-law, go back and think carefully. Do you wish for the Duke of Ning's household to continue its glory, or do you wish to sever ties with me? You must know that once Tianyue becomes Crown Prince, the Duke of Ning's household will surely have boundless wealth and power."
Noble Consort Ning glanced at Madam Jiang and continued, "Sister-in-law, you may go back! Make your decision after you have thought it through. I have supported the Duke of Ning's household for so long. It is time for you to do something for me."
With that, Noble Consort Ning called out towards the outside, "Send the wife of the Duke of Ning back to her residence."
Madam Jiang did not know how she returned to the Duke of Ning's residence. In just one night, she suddenly fell ill and could no longer get out of bed.
Outside the capital, a group of people dismounted. The woman in the lead wore armor and exuded an air of heroic spirit. She took off her helmet and was about to kneel in greeting when Xue Xingchen quickly stepped forward to support her. "Xingyue, you do not need to be so formal with me. Quickly, rise."
"Imperial Brother," Xue Xingyue said, her voice choked with emotion.
Xue Xingchen patted her shoulder. "Come, get into the carriage with Imperial Brother."