Chapter Five: Bringing Him a Beauty

Here they come! The promise of a flourishing lineage is upon us! Yin Jiaojiao suddenly lifted her eyes sharply.

The Princess Consort of Lu raised her chin confidently, her voice ringing out clearly.

Consort Ji nodded as she remembered and said, “Princess Consort of Lu is right. I think the same. Princess Consort of Qin, what is your view?”

Yin Jiaojiao, the Princess Consort of Qin, summoned all her composure, stepped slowly to the center of the hall, and bowed deeply.

Her voice trembled almost imperceptibly.

“Your Highness! I share the same view!!!”

The loud and powerful reply stunned everyone in the hall.

Consort Ji, with a belly full of words to persuade, found them caught in her throat. After a moment, she asked, “Are you… sure?”

“Absolutely!”

To show her sincerity, she nodded vigorously.

The hall grew even quieter, filled with astonishment. Was this Princess Consort of Qin mad or foolish? Or was she devising some new scheme to please Prince Qin?

Lady Gu, the favored consort, was the first to speak: “Sister, congratulations. The Princess Consort of Qin finally understands. Although it took a while, she’s finally come around. Your family’s ancestor can now rest peacefully in the afterlife.”

Yin Jiaojiao stiffened, then heard Lady Gu continue, “Sister, since the Princess Consort of Qin has spoken like this, I dare to suggest an idea.”

“Speak.”

“Currently, the Qin Prince’s household is short-staffed. Such a noble prince has only one young princess consort in the inner chambers, not even a maid to grind ink or light lamps. It may not seem so, but if you were to pick someone from outside, it would take time to find the right one. Why not choose from within the family, where you know their background and have an emotional foundation? It’s more reassuring, isn’t it?”

Before Lady Gu finished, Yin Jiaojiao frowned. This wasn’t how things went in her previous life!

“My sister thinks… Xuezhi would be suitable.”

Lady Gu looked toward Gu Xuezhi, who was startled, half shy and half flustered: “This… this isn’t appropriate!”

“How is it not appropriate? You and General Sun are only married in name, not in reality. The Emperor arranged your marriage, sending you all the way to Western Continent for the wedding. But right after the ceremony, he went to war and never returned after a fierce battle. It was hard on you—such a young widow.” Lady Gu gently took her niece’s hand. “Only you are so stubborn, insisting on keeping the title of Lady Sun. Honestly, you could come back to be the county lady again or find another suitable match.”

“Aunt, please stop.” Gu Xuezhi lowered her head. “My fate is unfortunate.”

“Bah, it’s not about fate.” Lady Gu looked toward the main seat. “Sister, we both know in our hearts that Xuezhi shouldn’t have suffered so much. It was a tragic twist of fate that someone else got ahead. Now, why not correct this and return her to her rightful path?”

The Princess Consort of Lu exchanged glances with the Princess Consort of Qi, thinking to herself how clever the Gu family’s calculations were. Claiming Lady Sun’s title was not out of stubbornness but because the Sun family held prestige in the military. That title was more solid than an empty county lady. Bringing that strength as a dowry into the Qin Prince’s household—even as a secondary consort—given their relationship, she would eventually be legitimized. The Qin Prince’s future was limitless, and the Gu family’s prosperity would be even more enduring.

This proposal was a win-win. The Qin Prince would have no objections, Consort Ji would also benefit, and the Gu family would gain tangible advantages. Everything seemed perfect—except for Yin Jiaojiao, who was deeply unsettled.

What was this nonsense? The beautiful assassin? How did it become Gu Xuezhi?

Xiao Yuanchi was still alive, and his beloved had been brought into the residence. Well then, what was the point of her rebirth? Had she come back to be a matchmaker in this life?

Seeing Consort Ji moved by the argument, Yin Jiaojiao quickly said, “Your Highness, this is unacceptable!”

“How so?”

“Sister-in-law,” the Princess Consort of Qi interjected, “you just agreed a moment ago. Now that it’s Xuezhi, you want to back out? That wouldn’t be proper.”

These two princess consorts were pure spectators stirring the pot. Yin Jiaojiao ignored them and looked only at Consort Ji.

“Your Highness, the county lady and the prince were childhood companions, making her the most suitable choice. But…”

She glanced at Lady Gu, who was displeased. “But what? The Emperor intended for Xuezhi to remarry, and marrying into the prince’s household is just right.”

“Lady Gu, have you discussed this with His Majesty?”

Lady Gu hesitated, forcing a smile. “I have. The Emperor is considering it.”

Yin Jiaojiao read her expression and knew that while the topic might have been raised, the Emperor probably hadn’t seriously considered it. She didn’t want to confront the Emperor directly, so she sought to open the matter through Consort Ji.

Thus, Yin Jiaojiao looked again at Consort Ji.

“Your Highness, the entire Great Yong knows the Emperor favors the Gu family. The county lady’s last marriage was personally arranged by the Emperor. Now, for her to remarry, it likely requires His Majesty’s approval.”

Consort Ji’s expression grew grave.

Yin Jiaojiao pressed on quietly, “The county lady is now Lady Sun, and the Sun family serves in the military alongside the prince. This move involves not just the inner chambers but also the court. This is surely part of the Emperor’s considerations.”

At these words, Consort Ji’s face suddenly changed.

She indeed wished for Gu Xuezhi to become her daughter-in-law. The Emperor had long lamented the marriage to General Sun and felt he owed the late General Gu. He wanted to arrange another marriage for her. But times had changed. Consort Ji had tested the waters but got no clear answer—the Emperor neither approved nor disapproved and changed the subject.

This showed that Gu Xuezhi’s marriage was no trivial matter to the Emperor. Forcing it would stir political turmoil, risking accusations of palace interference in governance and adding to their troubles.

Lady Gu understood this well. She clenched her handkerchief, shooting Yin Jiaojiao a sharp look. Usually foolish, how was she so clever today, striking right at the heart of the matter?

“There’s some truth to that. Bringing a new person into the prince’s household requires careful planning.”

Yin Jiaojiao was momentarily stunned. Careful planning? For how long? She did not want Gu Xuezhi in the household, but she wasn’t against others joining.

“Your Highness!” Yin Jiaojiao hurried, “This matter must proceed. If the county lady is unsuitable, there are plenty of other good girls in the world.”

Consort Ji was utterly bewildered.

Yin Jiaojiao’s eagerness was genuine, and her sincere attitude undeniable. Was she really willing to find a wife for Xiao Yuanchi? Was the sky falling or was it a miracle?

After a long pause, Consort Ji placed her hand on her chest and said, “You’ve truly grown up. Then, according to you, how should this be handled?”

“Your Highness, I think it needn’t be so formal. Choosing a noble lady requires many considerations and can’t be rushed. Why not select a few charming and kind-hearted companions to entertain the prince? He’d be more relaxed, wouldn’t he? Once relaxed and in good spirits, he’d be more open to continuing the family line.”

Yin Jiaojiao chose her words carefully, afraid that her meaning might be missed.

But Consort Ji immediately understood. She smiled in realization. “Good, you and I are on the same page. Then don’t rush back to your residence. Take a stroll in the garden, enjoy the flowers, have some refreshments. Later, I will speak with you again.”

Without delay, Consort Ji dismissed the gathering. As Yin Jiaojiao stepped out of the hall, she felt the sun’s warmth was especially kind, and the air around was filled with joy.

The beautiful assassin plan was settled!