If fate had not intervened and brought misfortune upon Consort Hui's maternal family, the current Crown Prince would undoubtedly not be He Zhiyu.
He Zhiyu dared not openly defy his mother's wishes, knowing the power she wielded. "Mother," he said, his voice carefully measured, "Yi Huan may not possess the most illustrious background, but she is inherently gentle and kind, and I believe she will prove to be a qualified Crown Princess."
The Empress responded with a cold, dismissive snort. "Gentleness and kindness are easily feigned, and can be used to deceive even the most discerning eyes. Your principal wife must be a woman who possesses the strength and influence to help you consolidate your position and secure your future! If you insist on marrying a daughter of the Qiao family, then you shall marry Qiao Yihuan's younger sister, the legitimate daughter of the Qiao family."
He Zhiyu stood up, his voice firm and resolute. "Mother, I am unwilling to comply with that demand."
The Empress felt a surge of bitterness and helplessness wash over her, yet she stubbornly refused to yield.
In the past, as the Empress, she had endured countless humiliations at the hands of that vile Consort Hui. Despite holding the title of mother of the nation, she possessed no real power; every decision within the harem was dictated by Consort Hui's whims.
Zhiyu had witnessed these injustices firsthand during his formative years, and as a result, he harbored a deep-seated aversion to those vicious, power-hungry women who were consumed by jealousy and would stop at nothing to achieve their ambitions and elevate their status.
Otherwise, why would Zhiyu fall for someone as seemingly weak and naive as Qiao Yihuan? Her gentle nature was a stark contrast to the manipulative women of the court.
But a woman like Qiao Yihuan, the Empress knew, could never securely hold the positions of Crown Princess and Empress, nor could she provide Zhiyu with the strength and support he would need to navigate the treacherous political landscape that lay ahead.
She had been most impressed with the granddaughter of the Grand Tutor, the esteemed head of the civil officials. It was a pity that the girl had married at the beginning of the year, choosing a man from her hometown who, by all accounts, was unremarkable in every way.
"The eldest daughter of the Qiao family is second to none in both talent and appearance," the Empress argued, her voice rising in frustration. "How can she possibly be considered inferior to Qiao Yihuan?"
He Zhiyu remained steadfast in his resolve. "Mother," he replied, his tone firm but respectful, "I am not a man who is easily swayed by mere physical beauty. My affection for Yi Huan is genuine and heartfelt, and I will marry no one but her. While I acknowledge that the Second Miss Qiao is indeed a remarkable woman, I will only ever be her brother-in-law and would never entertain any feelings of covetousness towards her."
"You!" The Empress was consumed by fury, her head throbbing with anger. "You unfilial son! You unfilial son!" she repeated, her voice shaking with rage.
He Zhiyu offered a slight nod of his head, his expression unreadable. "Your subject will take his leave now," he said, turning to depart from the Kunning Palace.
"Wait," the Empress commanded, her voice softening slightly. "Your father has been deeply troubled lately due to the influx of refugees in Qingzhou. It is the dead of winter, and with the end of the year rapidly approaching, these displaced people have nowhere to turn for shelter and sustenance. I understand that this is no easy task, but now that Prince Jing has returned to the capital, you must do your utmost to assist your father in resolving this crisis!"
He Zhiyu's expression shifted subtly, a flicker of concern crossing his features. "Your subject is both the Crown Prince and the Emperor's child," he replied, his voice filled with a sense of duty and responsibility, "and it is my solemn obligation to share the burdens of the country and the Emperor."
He couldn't help but recall that Qingzhou was located not far from Yongzhou, and Yi Huan made it a tradition to travel to Yongzhou every year to spend the New Year with her family.
Within the Moon Gazing Pavilion, Qiao Wanyan sat comfortably in her private seat within a secluded room, her attention captivated by the opera performers on the first floor below.
The table before her was laden with an array of delectable fruits and colorful candied treats, a veritable feast for the senses.
Ziyuan, her loyal attendant, spoke up, "Miss, the end of the year is fast approaching. As we do every year, we will be returning to Yongzhou with Master and Madam to celebrate the New Year, and we will be making the journey again this year. When do you think we should venture out and purchase some gifts to present to your cousins back home?"
Every year, Qiao Wanyan would accompany her parents and Qiao Yi Huan on a trip back to her maternal grandfather's house in Qingzhou to celebrate the New Year festivities. Her mother was the only daughter in the family, and her father adored her so much that he naturally extended that affection to her family as well. The thought of the entire family being reunited filled her with warmth, and she knew that her maternal grandfather would be overjoyed by their presence.