Dressed As a Consort in Ancient Times - Chapter 85

At this moment, the timing was just right. The Jin Kingdom had placed immense pressure on the Yun Kingdom, leaving them too preoccupied to consider further invasion.  

Thus, the marriage alliance needed to be completed swiftly, and once the peace treaty representing the cessation of war between the two nations was signed, there would be no further issues.  

After all, the Emperor of Yu was uncertain how long the Jin Kingdom’s troops would remain stationed at the border, nor could he gamble on whether they might suddenly withdraw, removing all external pressure.  

Although he was a father, he was also the ruler of the Yu Kingdom.  

Jiang Libai had already come to understand this reality. Her father truly intended to use her Fifth Sister alone to secure peace between the two nations.  

Even though there had been many past conflicts between Yu and Yun, as long as peace talks were possible, her father would no longer dwell on those grievances…  

To say she was not disappointed would be a lie.  

But more than that, Jiang Libai felt powerless—an agonizing inability to change anything.  

“Princess, His Majesty has been busy for many days now.” Eunuch Sun turned around, intending to knock on the door. “If the princess insists on seeing His Majesty, this servant will go announce your arrival?”  

Even if Jiang Libai was inexperienced in worldly affairs, she could see that Eunuch Sun had no intention of truly relaying her request, and she knew that at this moment, her father did not wish to see her.  

“No need.”  

Jiang Libai bowed toward the hall, suppressing the sorrow in her heart, and said softly to Eunuch Sun, “Tell Father to rest early. No matter how busy state affairs are, he must take care of his health.”  

Walking through the wind and snow, Qin’er held an umbrella for her, shielding her from the falling flakes once more.  

She quietly glanced at the Seventh Princess ahead of her again and again. After much hesitation, she cautiously asked, “Princess, are you worried about the Fifth Princess?”  

Jiang Libai gazed blankly into the dense night, still lost in overwhelming sadness. “Yes, my Fifth Sister is frail. If she goes to Yun, I fear she won’t adapt to the climate. And… marrying the Emperor of Yun as a consort, with her gentle and unassuming nature, how could she possibly survive under the power struggles of the other concubines?”  

“The journey is long, and if she suffers grievances, there will be no one there to support her.”  

With these thoughts, she turned and decided to check on her Fifth Sister.  

When she arrived at Cuiwei Palace, where Jiang Ying was temporarily staying tonight, Jiang Libai was informed that the Fifth Princess had not yet returned and could not be seen.  

Thinking that her sister was likely out for a walk to ease her mind, Jiang Libai lingered for a while. But as the palace gates were about to close for the night, she did not wait any longer and silently left.  

After picking up Gu Yun and Xingxing from Qinchun Pavilion, Jiang Libai declined her mother’s invitation to visit Changchun Palace and instead boarded the carriage back home.  

Leaning against the window, she lifted a corner of the curtain and watched as the grand and magnificent imperial palace gradually faded into the distance.  

“Princess, the wind outside is strong. You should put the curtain down,” Gu Yun said, rarely seeing her so despondent.  

Jiang Libai slowly lowered the curtain and leaned wearily against the cushions. “Everyone says that being born into the imperial family means enjoying immense wealth and living more freely than ordinary people.”  

“But many times, in many matters, we are just like ordinary people—we have no choice and can only be forced to accept.”  

Just like when she was forced into marriage after her chastity was compromised, all for the sake of preserving the imperial family’s reputation.  

And now, for the sake of ending the war at the border as soon as possible, her Fifth Sister had to leave for Yun in a political marriage. In such circumstances, no one cared about her sister’s wishes.  

But in the end… her Fifth Sister likely would not refuse.  

Because the ones suffering at the border were their people. If Jiang Libai herself were still unmarried and chosen for the marriage alliance, no matter how much she cherished her father and mother, she would have ultimately agreed as well.  

Giving up oneself in exchange for hard-won peace.  

This was something they could not change, and something they had no choice but to do.  

Gu Yun sat beside her, gently patting her shoulder and soothing her in a calm voice, “Everyone has their own difficulties, their own burdens they cannot change. At a time like this, all one can do is live well—for the people they care about, and for the things they hold dear.”  

Jiang Libai rested her head on Gu Yun’s shoulder, finding warmth in her embrace. “I want to visit my Fifth Sister tomorrow.”  

“Alright, shall I accompany you?”  

Jiang Libai thought about how, if Gu Yun went with her, she would be left waiting in the garden due to her “male” identity, exposed to the cold wind. She did not want her to suffer that. “Stay home with Xingxing. I’ll go alone.”  

—

However, the next day, when Jiang Libai went to the Fifth Princess’s residence, she was once again turned away.  

Qiu Ju came out personally and told her that the Fifth Princess was busy preparing for the marriage alliance and had no time to see her.  

Helpless, Jiang Libai could only instruct Qiu Ju to take good care of her Fifth Sister before stepping heavily onto the carriage to return home.

—

In less than ten days, the grand wedding procession for Princess Jiayi set off from the imperial palace. To demonstrate the importance of this marriage, the dowry sent with her was exceedingly lavish, amounting to several hundred chests. By the time the princess’s bridal sedan reached the city gates, the last of the dowry had yet to leave the palace.

Even after the procession disappeared from sight, the gathered crowd continued to express their admiration, sighing in awe at the grandeur befitting a royal princess, whose wedding dowry was so abundant that it inspired envy.

“This departure… I don’t know when I will see Fifth Sister again,” Jiang Libai murmured listlessly as she stood atop the palace walls.

Although she felt sorrowful, she found solace in the good news that had arrived from the border.

A message from the Yun Kingdom stated that once Princess Jiayi’s procession reached the Yun capital, they would immediately dispatch envoys with the peace treaty and withdraw their stationed troops from the border.

Everyone was overjoyed by this, rejoicing that they no longer had to live in constant fear of war.

However, before the jubilation in the capital had fully settled, shocking news spread from the palace—the Emperor had suddenly coughed up blood and collapsed.

“What?!” Upon hearing this, Jiang Libai sprang up from her couch in shock. “Father was perfectly fine—how could he suddenly cough blood and fall unconscious?!”

Chunxi, the messenger, hurriedly replied, “The imperial physicians are still treating His Majesty in the Ganming Hall. The exact cause has yet to be determined.”

Filled with worry, Jiang Libai rushed to the palace with Gu Yun. When she arrived at the side hall of Ganming Hall, she found Consort Yuan, who had also hurried over in concern.

“Mother, have the imperial physicians come out yet?”

Consort Yuan sat on a wooden chair, staring anxiously at the tightly closed doors of the inner chamber, her eyes betraying her deep worry. “Imperial Physician Zhao is still inside.”

Earlier, she had questioned Eunuch Sun, who personally attended to the Emperor, but even he was unsure of why His Majesty had suddenly collapsed. 

However, Eunuch Sun did mention that in recent days, the Emperor had been exhausting himself over state affairs, staying up entire nights in worry over the war with Yun Kingdom.

It was likely due to this extreme fatigue that he had collapsed.

Consort Yuan wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, murmuring in self-reproach, “I should have urged him to rest more…”

But it was too late for regrets now—her only hope was that the Emperor would be safe.

Before long, several imperial physicians emerged, surrounding Imperial Physician Zhao.

All of them bore solemn expressions, remaining silent.

Consort Yuan approached anxiously, her lips trembling. “What happened to His Majesty?!”

The physicians exchanged hesitant glances, each unwilling to speak first.

Finally, all their gazes turned to Imperial Physician Zhao.

“Your Highness, this humble servant is incompetent—we have been unable to determine the cause of His Majesty’s sudden collapse…”

Despite their best efforts, none of the physicians could diagnose the reason behind the Emperor’s fainting spell.

“However, thankfully, His Majesty is not in critical danger. He merely appears to be in a deep sleep…”

This was the only reason they dared leave the inner chamber—so long as the Emperor remained alive and was not exhibiting further severe symptoms, Consort Yuan would not hold them accountable.

Upon hearing that the Emperor was not in immediate danger, Consort Yuan ordered Imperial Physician Zhao and the others to prepare medicine to help His Majesty regain consciousness as soon as possible.

Then, she gestured for Jiang Libai not to worry before entering the inner chamber to check on the sleeping Emperor.

Yet, for days on end, the Emperor remained unconscious, showing no signs of waking.

After seven days had passed, murmurs spread among the court officials.

The Emperor’s health was failing—he might no longer be able to handle state affairs.

Thus, many ministers began contemplating the selection of a prince to temporarily assume the role of regent.

However, there was great disagreement over whether to support the Third Prince, Jiang Heng, or the Fifth Prince, Jiang Wei.

Jiang Heng, the third prince, was older but had always been indifferent to politics, never involving himself in court matters.

Jiang Wei, the fifth prince, had suffered greatly from a past assassination attempt, leaving his body frail—he could barely manage short walks even now.

As a result, the ministers argued endlessly over who should serve as regent, failing to reach a conclusion.

Then, just as tensions escalated, the Third Prince—who had never involved himself in politics before—stepped forward.

Standing in the imperial court, he presented his case under the guise of filial piety, claiming that he only wished to ease the burden on his bedridden father. He solemnly vowed that once His Majesty recovered, he would relinquish all authority.

Some ministers who supported the Fifth Prince voiced their opposition, only to be harshly rebuked. He accused them of disturbing the stability of the court and attempting to disrupt the Emperor’s recovery, ordering them to return home and reflect on their actions instead of attending court.

The remaining officials exchanged glances, yet none dared to question him further.

After all… the Emperor’s fate was still uncertain, and already, the Third Prince was tightening his grip on the court.

The implications of this were…

None of the court officials dared to dwell on it too deeply.

After the court session, several high-ranking ministers did not leave the palace. Instead, they made their way to Ganming Hall, requesting to see the Emperor.

However, they were unable to see him—only Consort Yuan, who greeted them with a worried expression.

These ministers were loyal to the Emperor and held crucial positions in court. Naturally, they understood His Majesty’s intentions.

They reported the events of the court session to Consort Yuan, then anxiously inquired, “…What exactly has happened to His Majesty? Why has he not attended morning court for so many days?”

“The Third Prince, under the guise of filial piety, is seizing control of the government… How should this situation be handled?”

Consort Yuan had long since heard of Jiang Heng’s declaration that he would act as regent.

She closed her eyes, exhausted beyond words, and replied, “The imperial physicians have searched through countless medical texts, yet they still cannot determine His Majesty’s condition.”

“I have remained by His Majesty’s side without leaving for even a moment. As for matters outside the palace, I must trouble you all to keep watch.”

“As for Jiang Heng’s regency… I will inform General Zhao.”

Consort Yuan’s father was General Zhao, an old warrior stationed at the border. After completing a campaign in Jinzhou, he had already returned to Minzhou with his troops.

Her words implied that if Jiang Heng made any suspicious moves, she would call upon General Zhao to lead his forces into the capital to safeguard the Emperor.

Understanding the underlying message, the ministers felt somewhat relieved.