Yu Hua mentioned a detail: the Empress Dowager asked Yu Hua about the marriages of many sisters in the Qi Family.
Although Empress Dowager Li had some ties with the Qi Family, for a woman who had lived in the depths of the palace for so long, those ties were likely insignificant.
Inside the mansion, Yu Hua was a bit worried and couldn’t help but ask.
"Husband, what do you think the Empress Dowager intends?"
Zhang Jian’s eyes flickered. As someone of his stature, he could see clearly what the Empress Dowager wanted to do, so he smiled and said.
"This is a good omen for the Qi Family!"
"The Empress Dowager must fancy one of your sisters and wants to summon her to the palace!"
Zhang Jian chuckled lightly, pondering in his heart.
But is this really the Empress Dowager’s intention, or is it the Emperor Jingwu’s?
Images of Emperor Jingwu flashed through Zhang Jian’s mind, but after a moment, he shook his head.
Emperor Jingwu lived long in the Imperial City. He had met him a few times but didn’t know much about him.
"Or is it simply the intention of the Dong Shen Temple or some National Guardian Masters?"
Zhang Jian thought silently!
Others only knew he was imbued with Vast Righteous Qi and had dabbled in cultivation.
Only people like Chao Mu had witnessed his methods and might vaguely guess some of his hidden strengths.
He merely smiled at the corners of his mouth, not caring about it.
If the Daqian Royal Family intends to use this to restrain him, it evidently would be of no use.
His eyes flashed, and Zhang Jian asked with a smile.
"My dear, I heard you mention a while ago that Yuzhu seems to have a betrothal?"
Yu Hua nodded slightly, her face showing a faint smile.
"The third sister has long been engaged; if it weren’t for an unexpected event with the groom, she would have been married long ago!"
Yu Hua sighed lightly.
Qi Yuzhu’s marriage had indeed been somewhat bumpy.
Qi Yuzhu was two years younger than she, already nineteen this year, considered an ’old maid’ in Daqian.
Originally, four years ago she had a marriage arrangement, but her fiancé had an accident in a fight with people from Jianghu, and she had gained a reputation for bringing misfortune to husbands before even marrying.
Thus, Qi Yuzhu’s marriage was delayed, and she was repulsed by it.
It wasn’t until recently that a matchmaker helped bridge connections, allowing her to find a suitable match again.
Seeing the different expression on Zhang Jian’s face, Yu Hua was stunned, and couldn’t help but be surprised.
"Husband, could it be that the Empress Dowager favors the third sister, wanting to summon her to the palace to be a consort?"
"But the third sister already has a betrothal!"
Zhang Jian shook his head, correcting her.
"Not as a consort, but as the Empress!"
Yu Hua widened her mouth, taking a moment before she spoke.
"Husband, how is that possible?!"
Zhang Jian remained calm, knowing that this matter was probably set in stone.
If it was the Dong Shen Temple, or Chao Mu pushing from behind, Qi Yuzhu would be the most suitable candidate to enter the palace.
Moreover, if they wish to stay in good terms with this future Human Race Saint or Primordial Spirit Master, they surely must offer a high position.
The most likely position is that of the Empress of the Central Palace.
"This..."
Yu Hua was also speechless for a moment but soon turned her gaze to Zhang Jian.
"Husband, what do you think?"
"My advice on this matter is probably insignificant!"
Zhang Jian sighed.
Actually, the best choice for the Qi Family is to reject the Daqian Royal Family because Daqian is in decline, and at this time, with the Dragon Vein breached, backlash is inevitable.
Anyone who gets involved might be implicated.
Although the Daqian Royal Family has deep foundations and can withstand it, the Qi Family may not be able to hold on.
But he knew the olive branch extended by the Daqian Royal Family was something the Qi Family could not refuse.
Nor could they refuse the honor brought by having a family member become the Empress of the Central Palace.
Yu Hua’s thoughts were a bit scattered at this moment, but she also knew what Zhang Jian said was true; her grandparents probably could not resist such temptation.
Yet, from her husband’s perspective, this seemed not a good thing.
Zhang Jian’s insight had always been sharp, and Yu Hua trusted him greatly, but she knew her influence in the Qi Family might not be that significant, and even a warning would be of no use.
However, Yu Hua decided to write a letter to Fengyang County to remind Qi Yuansi and Madam Qi Wan.
Meanwhile, in Cixin Palace, after Empress Dowager Li understood Emperor Jingwu’s thoughts, she summoned Eldest Princess Qingfeng to the palace the next day.
Choosing Qi Yuzhu as Empress could not be too direct; otherwise, it would harm the Emperor’s prestige.
The best way was undoubtedly through Eldest Princess Qingfeng.
Princess Qingfeng is now Qi Yuanwu’s wife and also Qi Yuzhu’s aunt. She could first find a way to get Qi Yuzhu into the palace through this selection of consorts and then have Emperor Jingwu personally decree it, making everything fall into place.
Days later, news spread within the Imperial Palace that a selection of consorts to enrich the Imperial Harem for the current Emperor was to take place.
The news immediately stirred excitement within Haojing City.
Emperor Jingwu had only just ascended the throne not long ago, having conducted a consort selection once, but had since been busy with governance, delaying further selection.
Now, it’s been eight years since the last consort selection.
According to the ancestral system of Daqian, they typically choose talented and beautiful ladies from families of noble rank or officials to enter the Imperial Court. Of course, they must first pass the screening by the imperial envoys sent to different areas.
There are generally two directions: selection based on appearance and selection based on talent, with cultivators being a separate category.
After the first screening, there is a second screening, usually overseen jointly by the Empress of the Central Palace and the Empress Dowager. Those who pass may stay in the palace for further training for a year or two, and if finally chosen by Emperor Jingwu, they can remain.
Those not chosen are given travel expenses and sent back to their original place of residence.
Or they can stay in the palace to serve as various levels of female officials.
Later, Zhang Jian also received an imperial decree from the Imperial City, but he only had one son, Zhang Chang’an, who was not yet grown, so it naturally had nothing to do with him.