Chapter 022: An Incompatible Fate

When the Empress summoned the noblewomen, there was rarely anything urgent; under normal circumstances, the decree would be issued the day before, so that the women could enter the palace the following day. But now, it was already well past noon...

The military nobles had already departed the capital for Yuanzhou City. Thinking it over, the only matter that could warrant the Empress urgently summoning both women from the Marquis of Dingyuan’s household must be the marriage previously discussed.

Wu Tan realized this immediately. Yet she was not particularly invested in the matter. Seeing that Madam Meng seemed hesitant to speak, she took Wu Qingrui’s hand and said, “Grandmother and your mother have to go out. How about I take you to Second Sister’s place for some pastries?”

Wu Qingrui was only three by reckoning of his nominal age. As the youngest child in the household and the only male grandchild, the old lady doted on him especially. He was not yet old enough to study at the clan school, so the old lady often kept him by her side. The little boy was chubby and fair, with a special fondness for sweets. At Wu Tan’s words, his face lit up with a broad smile: “Yes!”

“Then we’ll go in first!” Wu Tan smiled, greeted the old lady and Madam Meng, and led Wu Qingrui inside ahead of them.

Meanwhile, Madam Meng said, “I brought mother’s court dress. I intended to pick you up at Old Lady Chen’s and go straight to the palace. Would you rather go in and change?”

But the old lady, her mind already uneasy, refused: “Since you’ve brought the clothes, let’s just get in the carriage.”

Madam Meng quickly supported her, and the two women boarded the carriage, heading toward the palace.

On the road, Madam Meng and Nurse Zhou helped the old lady change into her court dress and jewelry. Once seated, Meng’s worry showed: “The Empress must have summoned us for Tan’er’s marriage, mustn’t she? I remember years ago when you took her to Xiangguo Temple to burn incense. The abbot read her fortune and said she would be very fortunate in life.”

But for the palace to summon them in such haste…

The old lady had risen early and gone out twice already. Now, she was somewhat weary. Leaning back against the carriage, she closed her eyes to rest. “Don’t guess blindly. We’ll know everything once we enter the palace.”

If it were up to her, she and Wu Qinglin thought alike. Although a royal marriage was a rare honor, and she would feel proud if Wu Tan became the Crown Princess, she would not be disappointed if it did not come to pass.

Madam Meng, sensing her lack of enthusiasm, wisely fell silent, though she herself felt increasingly uneasy.

They entered the palace through the Xihua Gate, transferred to a small sedan chair at the entrance, and, with the Empress’s permission, were carried straight to the gates of the Zhengyang Palace.

“Madam Wu, Lady Marquis of Dingyuan, Her Majesty is waiting inside!” The palace maid at the door greeted them with a beaming smile and led the two women in.

Such an honor only increased Madam Meng’s anxiety.

Inside, they bowed to Empress Jiang, who graciously summoned them to sit and had tea brought.

“This flower tea was blended by the chef from the Imperial Kitchens, who says it’s especially good for women. Please try it.” The Empress smiled.

Her features remained gentle and dignified, exuding the grace befitting the mother of the nation.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Both women sipped the tea obediently. Seeing the Empress taking her time, the old lady spoke frankly: “Forgive my dullness, but I do not know why Your Majesty summoned us today.”

The Empress continued to blow on the petals floating in her cup. After a sip, she raised her eyes and smiled: “Madam Wu, you’re a forthright person, so I’ll speak plainly.”

With a glance, she signaled Madam Fang, who promptly withdrew to the inner hall and soon returned with a tray.

Madam Meng’s heart leapt to her throat. When she saw the tray held the very Eight Characters letter she had sent to the palace, she nearly forgot to breathe.

Could it be so unfortunate? Wu Tan’s birth date was actually incompatible with the Crown Prince’s?

Her mind was in turmoil.

Madam Fang presented the letter to the old lady, who did not take it at once but looked to the Empress. “This is—?”

The Empress’s face showed a hint of regret as she sighed lightly. “I was very fond of Minister Lin’s granddaughter. Only a few days ago, I had Lady Marquis send her birth characters, hoping for a joyful match. But the Imperial Astronomer, after comparing the children’s charts, has reported that their destinies are incompatible. Matters of marriage, especially involving fate, cannot be forced… Although I am truly disappointed, I hope you can understand, Madam Wu?”

Madam Meng heard only half of this before her mind went blank. She didn’t know the Crown Prince’s exact hour of birth, but when Marquis Wu mentioned the matter, the old lady had someone make a rough calculation the next day. Based on the Crown Prince’s date of birth, Wu Tan’s chart should not have conflicted. Precisely because she had prepared herself, she was thrown into confusion by this result, her face turning pale.

The old lady, however, remained composed. She accepted the letter with a smile. “Your Majesty, it is my granddaughter’s lack of fortune that makes her unworthy of the Crown Prince. Fate cannot be defied. The very fact that Your Majesty considered her for such a match is already a great honor for our family. The Marquis’s household will always remember Your Majesty’s and His Majesty’s kindness.”

She slipped the letter into her sleeve. Though she shared Madam Meng’s doubts, she truly felt no particular disappointment.

“The Emperor himself raised this marriage in front of the Marquis of Dingyuan. Now that we must withdraw, I feel much regret. However, your family has another daughter close in age to the Crown Prince, don’t you, Lady Marquis?” She called out, and Madam Meng snapped back to herself just in time to hear the Empress continue: “When you return, send that child’s birth chart to the palace, too. If they are compatible, after the Crown Prince’s wedding, your daughter can be accepted as a secondary consort. This will give proper regard to your family and the Marquis.”

“Ah—” Madam Meng’s face turned ashen. She rose in agitation, unable even to force a smile, and instinctively tried to refuse: “Your Majesty, my daughter is unruly, she—”

Coming from a modest background, Madam Meng had never stood out during previous palace visits. The Empress merely took her awkwardness as inexperience.

She smiled and interrupted. “You are too modest, Lady Marquis. The children are all still young; there’s no need for such self-deprecation.”

To secure the Wu family’s alliance for the Crown Prince, this marriage line simply could not be abandoned!

The Empress did not know Madam Meng well, but the old lady did. She might have looked down on Madam Meng’s background and past actions, but she knew the woman was not so petty.

At that moment, only one thought filled Madam Meng’s mind: Wu Qingqiong must not be allowed into the palace. She was about to refuse again when the old lady rose, stepped in front of her, and drew her down to kneel. “Your Majesty honors us greatly. The Wu family is deeply grateful!”

“Please, rise!” Empress Jiang’s smile grew even warmer.

Sensing Madam Meng’s distress, the old lady hurried the farewells after a few more polite exchanges, anxious to avoid any mishap.

The two women were escorted out of the palace the way they had come. On the way, the old lady’s expression remained calm. It was not until they boarded the carriage that her face suddenly grew cold.

Madam Meng, helped up by a maid, still looked as if her soul had fled.

The old lady glanced at her, drew out the letter from her sleeve, unfolded it—and in the next instant, struck Madam Meng hard across the face with it.

———

Official reminder: Pay attention to Madam Meng’s reaction…

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