Choosing a Title

Preoccupied, Hua Meng was escorted to Phoenix Approaches Palace by Xiao Jiangzi. Before she could even pay her respects to Emperor Jing'an, Wei Fugui thrust a tray into her hands.

"Your Highness, this is His Majesty's ginseng tea," Wei Fugui said, looking at Hua Meng with a smile. When he saw her staring blankly, as though she could scarcely grasp what was happening, he found it amusing, but kept a straight face as he continued, "Please take it inside and present it to His Majesty."

With those words from Wei Fugui, Hua Meng finally understood what he meant.

Before she entered the palace, the elder sister from her grandmaster's family had told her that the imperial concubines often competed for favor by making soup with their own hands.

But Hua Meng had never imagined that one day, Emperor Jing'an's most trusted eunuch would force a cup of ginseng tea into her hands and make her compete for favor.

Though unwilling, Hua Meng knew Wei Fugui's standing with Emperor Jing'an, so in the end, she obediently carried the tray into the hall.

Inside, Emperor Jing'an was studying a sheet of paper on the desk so intently that he seemed not to notice Hua Meng approach. Only when she set the cup beside his hand did he suddenly speak. "Come and see which of these titles is best."

Hua Meng had not expected Emperor Jing'an to speak so suddenly. After a moment of surprise, she stepped forward and looked at the paper he had been studying.

Six titles were written on it, plainly titles for a woman. None of the six seemed to be intended for an imperial concubine, as they were all two characters long.

"Your Majesty, I do not understand what you mean." Hua Meng truly did not know what Emperor Jing'an meant, so she asked outright, "Who is this title for?"

After speaking, Hua Meng saw that Emperor Jing'an was not angry. Instead, a peculiar smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"It is for Ningyan, the Elder Princess's daughter. The Elder Princess came to the palace today to ask Imperial Mother to grant her a status." As Emperor Jing'an spoke of the Elder Princess's daughter, his eyes remained fixed on Hua Meng.

As soon as Hua Meng heard Emperor Jing'an's words, she understood what he meant.

She lowered her head to study the titles on the paper again, and then one suddenly occurred to her.

"I do not think any of the titles on this paper are suitable, but Wu'an would be a good one."

Hua Meng spoke earnestly, but Emperor Jing'an could not help laughing when he heard her.

"Wu'an" really was not a very auspicious title.

Throughout history, though no woman had ever borne the title, several famous generals who had borne it had all died young after receiving it.

At that thought, Emperor Jing'an lowered his eyes to Hua Meng and said, "You dislike Ningyan?" Though phrased as a question, his tone was quite certain.

Hua Meng did not conceal it. She nodded and said, "Your Majesty knows about what happened between me and the Zhang family. Zhang Jinghong may be a scoundrel, but did the Elder Princess and her family truly not know before that he was betrothed? If I had not been steadfast, and if Your Majesty had not held the imperial selection, I fear that with them pressing me so hard, death would have been my only way out."

Having said that, Hua Meng gave a cold laugh before continuing, "The enmity between me and the Elder Princess and the Zhang family has already been forged. So if I were to choose a title for her, I would only choose 'Wu'an.'"

Hearing this, Emperor Jing'an thought the young woman before him was truly forthright. With that temperament, she would probably offend people easily.

But beyond that, Emperor Jing'an felt more pleased than anything.

There were many concubines in the harem, but whenever they faced him, they all seemed to wear a veil, showing nothing genuine.

The young woman before him had her faults, but she was exceptionally genuine.

Though pleased inwardly, Emperor Jing'an let a trace of displeasure show on his face. "Speaking so bluntly, are you not afraid of angering me?"