Chapter 25

“Qiao Jiaojiao felt deeply regretful in her heart.

【The queen consort appears to be in great favor, but in reality, her relationship with the emperor is not good. However, the queen consort has long ceased to hope for the emperor’s favor; her heart is only for her two sons.】

【However, even so, heaven continuously took away her life’s support, causing the queen consort to suffer a breakdown from a heart condition to hysteria, and she was finally deposed and locked away in the cold palace.】

Mrs. Qiao felt a sudden tightness in her chest upon hearing this.

She couldn’t believe that the gentle and amiable queen consort in front of her would end up in such a tragic situation.

As a mother herself, the thought of the fate of her eldest, second son, and Jiaojiao tore at her heart.

Perhaps it was the shared feeling of being a mother that softened Mrs. Qiao’s gaze, and she gradually relaxed.

The Prince Xi eagerly approached, happily saying, “Mother, I’ve told you before, Miss Qiao is the most adorable!”

The queen consort gently tapped the Prince Xi’s head and smiled indulgently, “You, don’t scare your sister.”

The queen consort sat down with Jiaojiao in her arms, making her comfortable, and smiled as she offered a seat to Mrs. Qiao.

They had agreed to just chat, so they chatted about this and that for a while before finally bringing up the matter of selecting the Crown Prince’s consort.

“Mrs. Qiao, isn’t your eldest son of the age to marry now? Have you found a suitable daughter-in-law?” 

Mrs. Qiao didn’t conceal anything; she and her husband had already discussed this matter and were planning to sound out the Han family’s intentions.

“I won’t hide it from the queen consort, this humble wife is very fond of Miss Han from the Han family and has already made preparations.”

“Han family?”

The queen consort was somewhat surprised at the mention of the Han family, after all, with the Qiao family’s status, they could choose from the daughters of all the ducal families in the capital.

Mrs. Qiao nodded gently, “I saw Miss Han at Jiaojiao’s full moon banquet; she is gentle, beautiful, knowledgeable, and courteous. She seems to be an excellent choice.”

Jiaojiao immediately echoed, “Exactly, I also like my sister-in-law very much. Most importantly, she and my eldest brother love each other, and even if our Qiao family were to fall, she would never leave my eldest brother.”

“Miss Xiao from the Xiao family is also such a good girl, but unfortunately, the queen consort didn’t know about it and ended up choosing Sheng Xiuran from the Duke of Qing’s mansion as the Crown Prince’s consort. This is truly a wrong move.”

At this moment, the queen consort happened to bring up the issue of selecting the Crown Prince’s consort.

“Mrs. Qiao, I won’t hide it from you, as a mother, I am also anxious. The Crown Prince is sixteen this year, but the selection of his consort has been delayed, which gives me a headache.”

Mrs. Qiao had already learned of this from Qiao Tianjing.

That day, Qiao Tianjing came to her with a solemn expression and said seriously:

“Mother, the queen will summon you into the palace soon, and she will probably mention the matter of selecting the Crown Prince’s consort. I know it’s a bit presumptuous of me to ask, but I still want you to gently remind the queen.”

“The Duke of Qing’s legitimate daughter is somewhat inappropriate and should not become the Crown Prince’s consort.”

As a woman confined to the inner courtyard, Mrs. Qiao only had complete trust in her husband and son; she didn’t ask much, just silently remembered it.

Now, hearing Jiaojiao’s inner thoughts, Mrs. Qiao finally understood that there were indeed some issues with the Duke of Qing’s daughter.

Thinking of this, she asked with concern, “Your Majesty, there are countless good daughters in the world, why are you so troubled?”

The queen consort sighed lightly; it seemed that she really wanted to hear some opinions from Mrs. Qiao, so she didn’t hide anything.

“Because the Emperor and I have somewhat different thoughts.”

“The Emperor favors the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Qing’s mansion, whom I’ve seen once and is indeed talented and virtuous.”

“Jiaojiao was suddenly taken aback.

【So it’s the Emperor who has chosen Sheng Xiuran!】

“But I prefer the young lady from the General Hussar’s family.”

Mrs. Qiao didn’t immediately express her opinion but asked gently, “Why do you favor the young lady from the Xiao family more, Your Majesty?”

The queen consort smiled slightly at the question, “It’s not that I favor the young lady from the Xiao family, but I understand the Crown Prince. He will definitely like the young lady from the Xiao family.”

She and the Emperor had no affection between them; this palace, seemingly bustling, was just a desolate place in the eyes of the queen.

She didn’t want the Crown Prince to repeat her mistakes. At least, in this vast palace, the Crown Prince could have a genuine confidante.

Hearing this, even Mrs. Qiao couldn’t help but sigh; the queen consort was indeed considerate.

And from Jiaojiao’s words, it seemed that the young lady from the Xiao family was indeed the best choice.

Jiaojiao was also somewhat moved.

【The queen consort has a heart full of maternal love; she is truly considering the Crown Prince, and her judgment is really good.】

【But the Emperor… sigh, could it be that he intentionally chose Miss Sheng?】

This sentence contained too much information, and Mrs. Qiao couldn’t even react for a moment.

At this moment, the queen consort continued, seemingly lost in her own thoughts, “Indeed, the Duke of Qing’s mansion is more prominent than the Xiao family. The Emperor must have considered this point, which is why he favors the Miss Sheng from the Sheng family even more.”

Jiaojiao couldn’t help but sneer at these words.

【What’s the use of prominence? The biggest exam fraud in history is about to happen, and the Duke of Qing’s mansion is involved in it.】

【Even daring to interfere in the selection of national talents, the Duke of Qing’s mansion is truly outrageous!】

【But unfortunately, with the covert help of the male lead, the Duke of Qing’s mansion managed to escape from this exam fraud case!】

Exam fraud!

Mrs. Qiao’s heart really couldn’t bear it anymore. The news Jiaojiao revealed was truly more shocking than the last!

The legitimate daughters raised in such families simply couldn’t become the future mothers of a nation!

Mrs. Qiao felt uneasy in her heart; she actually had no say in this matter.

But thinking back, her husband had risked his life for the Great Yong Dynasty, her eldest son worked diligently for the court, and her youngest son was eager to serve the court.

How could she, as a wife and mother, just focus on her own little family and watch the position of the Crown Prince’s consort and the future queen be given to the wrong person?

Thinking of this, Mrs. Qiao took a deep breath and said tactfully, “Your Majesty, I understand your feelings very well.”

“The matter of the Crown Prince’s consort is not something I can meddle in, but as a mother, we must be extremely cautious about our children’s marriages.”

“To be honest with Your Majesty, with the Qiao family’s status, there are many choices among the high-ranking families in the capital.”

“But my eldest son has always been thoughtful since he was young, so I don’t hope for a daughter-in-law with a high status to bring glory to the Qiao family. I only hope that my eldest son can find a kind-hearted person to accompany him for life.”

“After working hard outside, when he comes home, having someone to talk and share warmth with, is already a rare and good scene for a husband and wife.”

Mrs. Qiao’s voice was calm as she spoke.

As soon as she finished speaking, the queen consort showed a pensive expression.

Such days were once what she had fervently desired.

Thinking of this, a decision formed in the queen consort’s mind.