After court, Yu Jin quickly handled half of the minor state affairs, ignoring the hesitant young eunuch who wanted to advise the Emperor to be more diligent. He then headed to Jiang Si’s quarters and invited the Empress for a stroll in the Imperial Garden.
The Imperial Garden was full of life, with flowers blooming everywhere.
As they walked, Yu Jin and Jiang Si chatted casually.
The eunuchs and palace maids following at a distance secretly gazed in admiration at the imperial couple.
“Asi, there’s something I think I should discuss with you,” Yu Jin said.
“What is it?” Jiang Si asked with a smile, tilting her head.
Yu Jin glanced around and lowered his voice, “Your eldest sister and Marquis Yongchang seem to have a bit of…”
Jiang Si stopped in her tracks, “Have what?”
Yu Jin looked deeply at Jiang Si and sighed, “Fortunately, I was persistent (shamelessly relentless) back then.”
Otherwise, with Asi’s oblivious nature, when would he have been able to marry her?
“I suspect Marquis Yongchang has feelings for your eldest sister. He’s probably remained unmarried all these years because of her.”
Jiang Si was shocked, “You mean Brother Xie?”
Yu Jin chuckled coldly, with a hint of disdain.
To think he had once worried about “Brother Xie,” only to find out he was a fool.
If such a person could easily marry the one he loved, there would be no justice in this world.
“I never noticed that Brother Xie had feelings for Eldest Sister. How could that be…” Jiang Si shook her head, finding it inconceivable.
Yu Jin smiled, “Why not? He’s not that much younger than your eldest sister. Is he not allowed to have such thoughts?”
Jiang Si murmured, “I just never considered it.”
Thinking about it carefully, Eldest Sister was only three years older than Brother Xie. It didn’t seem impossible.
“Then what about Eldest Sister—”
“I’m just telling you what I’ve learned. Ultimately, it depends on your eldest sister’s wishes.”
As for the man’s wishes, hah, what importance did a grown man’s thoughts have? He should consider himself lucky to have a wife at all.
Jiang Si nodded solemnly, “Then I’ll find an opportunity to probe.”
This concerned her elder sister’s lifelong happiness, so she had to be cautious.
Jiang Si didn’t want to be too obvious, so she waited until Jiang Yi visited the palace before casually bringing it up, “Eldest Sister, I heard that matchmakers have been wearing out our doorstep lately.”
Jiang Yi blushed and glared at Jiang Si, “It’s one thing for others to tease me, but you too—”
Jiang Si held Jiang Yi’s hand, “Eldest Sister, is there anyone you fancy? You’re still young. If there’s someone you like, don’t compromise yourself anymore.”
An image flashed through Jiang Yi’s mind, and she bit her lip hard, “Fourth Sister, stop teasing me. I’m very content with my current life.”
However, Jiang Si noticed the change in Jiang Yi’s expression and suddenly asked, “Eldest Sister, what do you think of Brother Xie?”
Jiang Yi panicked for a moment before regaining her composure. She said sternly, “Fourth Sister, don’t sully the Xie brothers’ reputation.”
Jiang Si shook Jiang Yi’s hand, adopting a wheedling tone that Jiang Yi couldn’t resist, “Eldest Sister, don’t give me those formal responses. We’re sisters. Can’t you share your true feelings with me?”
After a long silence, Jiang Yi gently withdrew her hand and said seriously, “Since Fourth Sister asked, I’ll speak my mind. I’m not a suitable match for the Xie brothers. He’s the Marquis of Yongchang, while I’m a widow living with my natal family, with a daughter in tow. If I were to marry him, people would laugh at him. So, Sister, please don’t bring this up again.”
Jiang Si felt heartbroken hearing this and said softly, “Then what about Eldest Sister’s feelings?”
Jiang Yi smiled bitterly, “Silly girl, what do feelings matter?”
Fate is fickle, and the world is unpredictable. How many people in this world can truly have their heart’s desire?
Not everyone is as fortunate as Fourth Sister.
Jiang Yi hurriedly took her leave.
That night, Jiang Si leaned against Yu Jin as they talked.
“Eldest Sister visited the palace today. I probed a bit, and she has no intention of remarrying.”
“She has no feelings for Xie Yinlou?”
Jiang Si furrowed her brow slightly, “I suspect Eldest Sister does have some affection for Brother Xie. After all, Brother Xie is outstanding in every way—”
“Oh?” Yu Jin raised an eyebrow, his face cold.
Outstanding in every way? That fool who couldn’t even find a wife?
Seeing the jealousy flare up, Jiang Si quickly kissed his cheek and placated him, “Of course, he’s not as excellent as Ajin.”
Though it was just appeasement, Yu Jin immediately beamed, his icy demeanor melting away.
“Eldest Sister has suffered from an unhappy marriage and is very bitter. I can’t bear to see her grow old alone. I’ll try to persuade her more often, hoping that one day she’ll open her heart to Brother Xie.”
One day? When exactly is “one day”? By then, it might be too late.
Yu Jin promptly summoned Xie Yinlou.
He didn’t mince words and got straight to the point, “Does the Marquis of Yongchang have feelings for the Empress’s eldest sister?”
Hearing this, Xie Yinlou’s heart was thrown into chaos. He immediately knelt on one knee, “This is just your subject’s foolish fantasy. Please don’t misunderstand Miss Jiang—”