Bai Zhi said, "All but the Miss from the Mansion of Marquis Jian’an have arrived!"
"Miss Wu did not co, huh..."
Queen Namu Khan beca anxious. If Miss Wu had intended to participate in the selection, she should have arrived by now. Her absence at this ti proves her lack of interest. Why wouldn’t she co? Could it be? Does she dislike her Chen’er, not wishing to marry him?
Thinking of the tender expressions and warm smiles her son had when he spoke of her, she felt an inexplicable panic. Chen’er was so fond of her; if she did not want to marry Chen’er, how heartbroken he would be!
No, she had to find a way; she must make her marry Chen’er!
She could no longer sit still. She excused herself to everyone and walked out, heading towards the Waterside Pavilion where her son was.
Today the weather was clear and sunny. The winter sun was warm and lting, with a gentle breeze but no snow. Queen Namu Khan was preoccupied with discussing counterasures with her son, not realizing she had wandered deep into the Plum Grove.
The snow weighed down the branches of plum blossoms, but not their vibrant beauty and piercing, cold fragrance. Tinges of pink peeked through the soft, accumulated snow, delicate and lovely.
With her mind burdened by concerns, Queen Namu Khan didn’t have the leisure to enjoy the scenery. Reaching the depths of the Plum Grove, she saw the lakeside; the lake was frozen over and covered with snow. An arch bridge spanned the lake, like a rainbow inviting one across to fairyland. She looked towards the high point of the bridge, contemplating the vast lake and forest scenery from atop, and made her way around the thick branches towards the bridge.
Just a few steps forward, she saw Empress Mu, draped in a Golden Peacock Fur Coat and wearing a Guanyin Hood, walking leisurely down from the bridge, unaided by the usual escorts of an Empress and accompanied by only one palace maid.
Seeing Queen Namu Khan, Cai Wei smiled from afar and said, "Queen Namu Khan, my apologies for the wait. I was just about to co out when I got delayed by sothing. I made you wait for so long!"
Queen Namu Khan hurriedly replied, "Not at all, I’ve just arrived myself. After greeting those young ladies, I was about to go out for so fresh air."
Hearing this, Cai Wei’s eyes lit up, and as they walked, she said, "Have you t with those young ladies? Do you have anyone in mind?"
Queen Namu Khan hesitated for a mont before responding, "If Empress Mu doesn’t mind, let’s talk while we walk."
"That sounds good."
Cai Wei stopped, waiting for Queen Namu Khan to catch up. Then, the two of them walked side by side toward the bridge.
"May I ask Empress Mu, I heard you are well-acquainted with the daughter of the Mansion of Marquis Jian’an. May I inquire about the young lady’s character?" Queen Namu Khan asked.
By asking such a question, it was as if she had made her son’s feelings public. In any case, Empress Mu was bound to find out sooner or later, and Queen Namu Khan didn’t mind speaking of it now. With Xiang Yun’s feelings still undecided, she could use this as an opportunity to seek Empress Mu’s support!
Cai Wei was startled and said, "Why do you ask? Could it be, could it be Crown Prince Wanyan he..."
Queen Namu Khan stopped in her tracks, smiling with deep aning and nodded solemnly, uttering a sound of affirmation, "Mm!"
"Oh, my goodness!"
Cai Wei was stunned, tapping her forehead and murmuring to herself, "When did this happen? I didn’t even notice. Ah, how slow-witted I am!"
"I don’t know when it started either. Jing Chen wouldn’t tell, and I didn’t feel right to probe further. But Empress Mu, what do you think of Miss Wu? Is she a match for Jing Chen?"
In Cai Wei’s eyes, as long as two people love each other, they are a match. If Wanyan Jingchen loves Xiang Yun, then the two of them are a match. However, the ancient concept was different from hers. To the people of ancient tis, won who had been married were considered to have lost their chastity. A woman who had married and then divorced was deed to have lost both chastity and virtue. Such won would be undesirable even for the families of ordinary people, let alone for marrying into the Royal Family as the Prince’s consort.
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