NOVEL NEXT Chapter 20: This Prince's Consort
Chapter 20: This Prince’s Consort
Qiao Nian and Prince Ming were acquainted.
After all, Noble Consort De and Madam Lin were close friends, so their children often played together since childhood. However, Prince Ming was still a prince with a noble status, so they were always cautious when playing with him.
As they grew older, Prince Ming’s studies became more demanding, and he couldn’t leave the palace often, so he played with them less.
Therefore, their relationship wasn’t particularly close; they were merely acquaintances.
Qiao Nian had seen Prince Ming once after entering the Imperial Laundry. However, at that time, she was wearing a palace maid’s clothes, kneeling behind the matron to pay respects. Prince Ming probably hadn’t noticed her.
Now, Prince Ming was sitting next to Noble Consort De, his plain but elegant brocade robes accentuating his refined demeanor.
He was tall, and even sitting down, he was a head taller than Noble Consort De.
Prince Ming resembled the Emperor, with strong features, except for his eyes, which were very much like Noble Consort De’s – always gentle when looking at others, sometimes even showing compassion and pity.
Just like now, as he looked at Qiao Nian, the pity in his eyes was almost overflowing.
Qiao Nian disliked this kind of gaze; it made her feel like the most pitiful person in the world.
But that wasn’t true at all.
“Stand up,” Noble Consort De came forward and personally helped Qiao Nian up. “Your mother only sent someone to inform me about this matter yesterday. It’s a bit late, otherwise I would have talked with you more in the past couple of days.”
Qiao Nian kept her eyes lowered and didn’t speak, appearing shy.
In fact, she didn’t know what to say.
Seeing Noble Consort De’s fondness for Qiao Nian, Madam Lin was also pleased. Her gaze unconsciously fell on Prince Ming, noticing his eyes fixed on Qiao Nian. She became increasingly delighted and couldn’t help but speak, “Prince Ming has grown even more handsome and extraordinary.”
Hearing this, Prince Ming finally stood up and bowed to Madam Lin, “Aunt, you flatter me.”
The term “Aunt” immediately brought their relationships closer.
Noble Consort De and Madam Lin exchanged glances, both seeing satisfaction in each other’s eyes.
But Qiao Nian couldn’t understand. Noble Consort De knew she wasn’t the Marquis’s legitimate daughter, not even a concubine-born daughter.
Moreover, she had spent three years in the Imperial Laundry, bearing the status of a servant.
Prince Ming was so noble; he could have any noble lady he wanted.
How could Noble Consort De be satisfied with her?
But Noble Consort De indeed seemed intent on matchmaking. She gave Prince Ming a look, “Qi’er, take Nian Nian for a stroll in the Imperial Garden.”
This was creating an opportunity for the two to be alone.
Prince Ming respectfully agreed and made a gesture inviting Qiao Nian.
Qiao Nian returned the gesture with a bow and followed Prince Ming.
She followed one step behind him, maintaining a very polite distance, to the extent that Prince Ming had no chance to speak with her along the way.
Until they entered the Imperial Garden.
The Imperial Garden had flowers blooming all year round. In winter, it was naturally plum blossoms.
Prince Ming walked to a red plum tree, broke off a branch, and offered it to Qiao Nian, “This Prince remembers you like red plums.”
There were very few people who could remember her preferences. Even though Qiao Nian no longer liked them, she still accepted with both hands and responded, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
“You needn’t be so formal and distant with This Prince. After all, in less than three months, you will be This Prince’s consort.”
Prince Ming said with a faint smile, his words shocking Qiao Nian.
Three months?
She stared in surprise. So soon?
Prince Ming’s smile deepened, “Having been granted a princedom, I naturally need to return to my fief. In three months, This Prince will leave for Gu City, and you will accompany This Prince.”
Qiao Nian was completely stunned.
She knew she had come to the palace today to meet her future husband, but she never imagined that they would be married so soon after just meeting.
Wasn’t this moving too fast?
Seeing Qiao Nian’s dumbfounded expression, Prince Ming found it amusing and couldn’t help but comfort her, “Don’t worry, Guchen City is in the south. The scenery there is beautiful, and even in winter, it’s not as cold as the capital. Your chilblains won’t flare up there.”
Qiao Nian hadn’t expected Prince Ming to notice the chilblains on her hands. She instinctively hid her hands in her sleeves.
Prince Ming pretended not to notice and continued, “Guchen City is famous for its silk. You’ll have endless new clothes to wear. The brushes there are also exceptional. This Prince knows you have excellent calligraphy; you’ll surely love it there.”
At this moment, Prince Ming seemed to Qiao Nian like a jewelry shop assistant, eagerly trying to sell her something.
This enthusiasm was truly perplexing.
Qiao Nian frowned slightly and finally couldn’t help but speak, “May this commoner ask Your Highness a question?”
Prince Ming nodded slightly, “Of course.”
“Your Highness is talented and noble. There are countless daughters of court officials, many surpassing this commoner in both appearance and talent. Why… why me?”
Hearing Qiao Nian’s question, a flash of darkness passed through Prince Ming’s eyes.
But he maintained a warm smile and replied, “Naturally, it’s because of Aunt’s suggestion, and This Prince happens to need to choose a consort.”
Qiao Nian’s clear eyes steadily gazed at Prince Ming.
Even if Madam Lin and Noble Consort De were close friends, how could Noble Consort De only consider sisterly affection in matters concerning Prince Ming’s marriage?
As she had just said, with Prince Ming’s status, he could have anyone he wanted.
Even the Prime Minister’s legitimate daughter would be a suitable match for Prince Ming.
Why choose her, with such a peculiar and embarrassing status?
She had even been humiliated just a few days ago!
Someone of her status should not be matched with the noble Prince Ming.
Prince Ming lowered his eyes and sighed deeply, “If I must give a reason, it’s because Mother likes you.”
Prince Ming’s words startled Qiao Nian again.
He raised his eyes to look at her again, a glimmer of tenderness shining in them, “After you came to the palace to deliver clothes that day, Mother kept talking about you. The palace maid you mentioned was transferred to serve her within an hour. Honestly, This Prince has never seen Mother so invested in anything before.”
That palace maid, Liu Niang, Qiao Nian had seen from afar today, indeed doing cleaning work in Noble Consort De’s chambers.
Qiao Nian’s brow furrowed slightly, truly not expecting the Noble Consort to care so much. She felt quite grateful.
Unexpectedly, Prince Ming suddenly took a step closer to Qiao Nian.
He was tall, and she already needed to look up at him. Now, with his towering figure leaning down, she was forced to lower her head.
Then she heard that gentle voice from above, “Moreover, This Prince has long been fond of you.”
Qiao Nian was shocked. She abruptly looked up at Prince Ming, only to fall into a pair of eyes as gentle as water.
This distance was too close.
So close that it flustered her, leaving her mind blank, not knowing what to do.
In the next moment, a cold voice cut through everything like a sharp blade.
“This subject pays respects to Prince Ming.”
It was Xiao Heng!