Before Cheng Simian could hear the Crown Prince's reply, Daiying walked in again and raised her arm towards her.
"Miss Cheng, this way, please. Her Majesty the Queen requests your presence."
With her eyes downcast and head slightly lowered, she followed Daiying into the main hall.
Daiying led her all the way through the main hall, bypassed the reception area, and headed straight for the inner chamber.
At the entrance of the inner chamber, a maid had already lifted the beaded curtain.
The inner chamber was connected to the Queen's bedroom. The Queen's permission for her to enter here implied her approval.
The Queen was simple in her ways, and the inner chamber was not overly luxurious. In the middle stood an eight - sided Huanghuali wood table, and by the window was a couch with a small table on it.
On the small table was an exquisite blue - jade cloud - patterned Ru kiln vase, in which freshly picked winter jasmine was inserted.
The Queen was sitting on the couch, reclined against a soft pillow. The Crown Prince sat on the other side, his back as straight as a towering pine.
However, he seemed rather unhappy, his handsome face set in a frown as he remained silent.
His expression softened slightly when he saw Cheng Simian enter.
Just as Cheng Simian was about to kneel, the Queen waved her hand. "Let's have a family chat behind closed doors. No need for formalities. Sit down."
With a smile in her eyes and a gentle tone, her words made it clear that she regarded Cheng Simian as a family member.
But Cheng Simian didn't relax because of this.
The more the Queen treated her as a close one, the less restraint there would be in what she had to say.
The Queen asked her to sit, but there was no chair nearby.
The maids showed no sign of bringing a chair for her.
This was not a slight to her but a test of her courage.
If she showed timidity, she would probably stand there awkwardly and nervously.
Without a moment's hesitation, Cheng Simian naturally sat down beside the Crown Prince.
The Queen tilted her head and thought the two of them looked like a perfect match.
They really resembled a young couple coming to pay respects to their mother.
The Queen pondered secretly. This Miss Cheng was truly bold. The betrothal between her and the Crown Prince was only based on the Crown Prince's verbal promise. She, as the Queen Mother, hadn't given her consent yet, and the imperial edict of betrothal was still a long way off.
Strictly speaking, there was no relationship between them at present.
But she didn't hesitate to sit with the Crown Prince.
What did this indicate?
She had understood all the previous hints.
She didn't feel inferior or timid because of her father's status as a convicted official, nor did she think she was unworthy of the position of Crown Princess.
What she showed to the Queen was caution, thoughtfulness, and natural grace.
If such a smart and perceptive woman became the Crown Princess, it would be easy to get along with her.
Some things didn't need to be said much. With just a look, this girl would understand.
The Queen liked dealing with such smart children.
The Crown Prince caught a whiff of a faint, elegant fragrance, like clear spring water slowly seeping into his heart, soothing his restlessness.
Looking at the gentle and chaste woman beside him, he suddenly felt an impulse.
Cheng Simian felt a tightness in her hand. The Crown Prince wrapped his fingers around hers, his broad palm easily holding her hand, warm and dry.
Cheng Simian's heart skipped a beat.
This was the first time the Crown Prince had shown such strong affection.
Doing this in front of the Queen carried even more meaning.
Perhaps the Crown Prince couldn't wait any longer and wanted the Queen to see that he had finally found true love, so that she would go to the Emperor and request the imperial edict of betrothal.
Cheng Simian cooperated well, with a faint smile on her lips, looking like a young girl cherished by her beloved.
The Queen noticed this.
"Mianmian, you have a gentle and generous nature, and your appearance and character are unparalleled. I can rest assured leaving the position of Crown Princess to you," the Queen said.
The Queen's address to her had changed from the polite "Miss Cheng" to the affectionate "Mianmian".
This meant that she had already been recognized.
The Queen sat up straight, leaving the soft pillow, and her expression became more serious.
"I believe you will be able to manage the six palaces in the future, stabilize the harem, and relieve the Crown Prince of his worries."
Cheng Simian felt the Crown Prince's hand tighten even more.
"It is my great fortune to be appreciated by Your Majesty the Queen and His Highness the Crown Prince," she said.
The Queen took a sip of tea and cleared her throat.
What she was about to say next was the most important part.
"I was just discussing another matter with the Crown Prince, but he refused to give his opinion. I already regard you as a family member, so I'd like to hear your thoughts," the Queen said.
Cheng Simian looked into the Queen's eyes attentively. This was a sign of respect for her elders.
"You've already met Qin Xuanyan. Although she is inferior to you in every way, the Qin family has both a title and high - ranking officials. The Eastern Palace must have a place for her. This is also the Emperor's will. If Qin Xuanyan can't enter the Eastern Palace, I can't guarantee that I'll be able to obtain the imperial edict for your marriage from the Emperor. The best solution is for you to be the Crown Princess and Qin Xuanyan to be the side - princess. You two will enter the Eastern Palace seven days apart. Mianmian, what do you think of this arrangement?"
"Mother..." The Crown Prince frowned tightly, his lips pursed, clearly unhappy.
The Queen raised her hand to signal him not to speak.
"Hong'er, there will be many such things in the future. Your Crown Princess will have to arrange them for you personally. Don't you want to hear what she thinks?"
Her tone was still gentle, but upon closer listening, it carried a bit more of the Queen's authority.
The Queen knew well that her proposal was a bit excessive.
According to the etiquette system of the Great Zhou, at least half a year after the Crown Prince married the Crown Princess, side - princesses, concubines, and maidservants would be gradually arranged to enter the Eastern Palace.
This half - year was the time for the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess to get along and develop their relationship.
It was also the best time for the Crown Princess to conceive the eldest legitimate son.
Asking her to enter the Eastern Palace only seven days apart from the side - princess meant that the Crown Princess would lose the opportunity to conceive the eldest legitimate son first.
This was a slight to the Crown Princess. If the Crown Princess came from a noble family, she would never accept such an injustice.
The Queen intended to teach her a lesson, to remind her that although she appreciated her ability and character, with her status as the daughter of a convicted official, she was unworthy of the position of Crown Princess.
Letting her and Qin Xuanyan enter the Eastern Palace one after another was to curb her pride first and then console Qin Xuanyan's disappointment.
If Cheng Simian answered this question too quickly, it would seem insincere; if she answered too slowly, it would make people think she was reluctant.
Cheng Simian counted to ten in her mind before she was about to speak. A slight change in her breath was immediately noticed by the Crown Prince.
"Mother, I'm not willing," the Crown Prince interrupted her. "I don't need a side - princess. If the Qin family wants their daughter to enter the palace and gain favor in order to serve the court whole - heartedly, such a court official is too selfish and can't be considered a loyal one. I'd rather not use them."
His tone was harsh, and Cheng Simian's hand was almost crushed by his grip.
Was the Crown Prince sending her a signal?
Telling her not to say anything.
Before she even entered the Eastern Palace, the Queen had thrown a storm at her, but the Crown Prince had stepped in front of her.
The storm hadn't touched her.
Actually, she had already thought of an answer.
She was willing to agree and didn't feel wronged.
If she were really going to be the one to accompany the Crown Prince for a lifetime, she might have opposed it.
Even in front of the Queen, she would have defended herself.
But her marriage to the Crown Prince was just a political game.
She didn't need to care too much about the process as long as she could cooperate with the Crown Prince to achieve their goal.
But why did the Crown Prince care so much?
Was it because he didn't want her to be wronged?