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Consort Xian lamented, "Your Majesty remembers that this concubine was unwell. But have you forgotten how many days it has been since your last visit to my palace?"
Emperor Jingxuan smiled and said, "I have been too busy the last few days and neglected my beloved consort. It is my fault."
Eunuch Fu gestured to the other attendants in the study. They understood and quietly filled out.
Eunuch Fu could not leave since he had to attend Emperor Jingxuan.
Unless Emperor Jingxuan explicitly ordered him to withdraw.
Consort Xian said, "Your Majesty, today I come to report an important matter."
"Oh?" Emperor Jingxuan set down the memorial and glanced at Eunuch Fu.
Understanding the signal, Eunuch Fu immediately brought over a stool for Consort Xian to sit beside the emperor.
Noble Consort Xian, however, declined and said, "This concubine dares not sit."
Emperor Jingxuan smiled, "What is the matter that has caused my beloved consort so solemn?"
Consort Xian responded with a mix of grievance and concern.
"Does Your Majesty think I only know how to vie for favor and stir up jealousy?"
Emperor Jingxuan chuckled helplessly: "I never said that."
Consort Xian said gravely, "Your Majesty, what I’m about to report is extremely important. I beg Your Majesty to first grant me immunity from punishment."
Emperor Jingxuan said, "My beloved consort, please speak freely. I will not hold you accountable."
Consort Xian continued, "Your Majesty, it is now widely known that Qin Che of the Duke Protector's estate is not the legitimate son of Qin Canglan."
Emperor Jingxuan nodded, "Indeed, he is Qin Canglan's half-brother, born to the same father but different mother. I already issued an edict bestowing him the name Qin Jiang."
Because the Qin and Su families had not purposely concealed the news, its spread was not surprising.
It would have been more suspicious, if Consort Xian had pretended complete ignorance.
Consort Xian went on:
"I learned that Qin Canglan's son, who was lost among the commoners, is now known as Su Cheng. He has a son and a daughter about the same age as Qin Yanran and her younger brother."
Emperor Jingxuan asked, "Is my beloved consort concerned about the marriage arrangement between the Third Prince and the Duke Protector's household?"
"Of course, I am concerned. I have only this one son... I would gladly match him with the most outstanding woman in the world..."
Consort Xian did not deny it.
The more candid she appeared, the more she seemed guileless, and the more Emperor Jingxuan doted on her.
The empress, who was always so impeccably composed, displeased Emperor Jingxuan instead.
Emperor Jingxuan was similarly troubled by the matrimonial situation and became silent for a long time after hearing her words.
Consort Xian continued, "According to logic, Your Majesty's edict commanded the Third Prince to marry the legitimate eldest daughter of the Duke Protector's household. That young lady Su, who grew up among the commoners should be the one."
Emperor Jingxuan frowned, "She got married in the countryside."
Consort Xian said, "I come precisely because of this matter. Your Majesty, do you know who her husband is?"
Emperor Jingxuan asked, "Who?"
Consort Xian said solemnly, "Wei Ting, the youngest grandson of Marquis Wu'an!"
Emperor Jingxuan was taken aback.
Consort Xian accused, "Your Majesty, I only recently heard about it. It turns out that that brat from the Wei family refused to marry Hui'an because he had his eyes on the daughter of the Duke Protector's estate!
Why didn't he say it outright, given that he already loved someone? Instead, he even lied and claimed that he was heading to a temple to practice asceticism—"
Consort Xian's statement appeared to be a complaint about Wei Ting's heartlessness, but they actually revealed Wei Ting's deception of the emperor and his secret dealings with the Qin family.
Emperor Jingxuan's brow furrowed deeply, "Where did you hear this? Do you have any evidence?"
Consort Xian stated firmly, "If Your Majesty does not believe me, simply summon Wei Ting for questioning! He was perfectly content to practice asceticism at the temple. He didn't return to the capital earlier or later, but precisely when the three members of the Su family arrived to seek recognition. Your Majesty, don't you think this is too coincidental?"
Eunuch Fu was equally shocked.
That young lady Su's husband... was actually the youngest son of the Wei family?