"I wouldn't dare."
Sigh, it looked like he couldn't avoid it after all. The emperor seemed particularly intent on getting to the bottom of things tonight.
Chief Steward Qi sighed inwardly.
He carefully recalled how the emperor and Consort Wan had met and interacted, then thought about how the emperor and Consort Ying had met and interacted.
"If we really must determine which is true—or rather, whose feelings for the emperor are more genuine and pure—I feel... Consort Ying's are more genuine."
"Oh?" Jin Moli was somewhat surprised and gestured for him to continue.
"In Consort Ying's family, she's the only girl among the younger generation. Everyone in the Su Family dotes on her, indulges her, and protects her. Whatever she wants, she gets; whatever she wants to do, she does. She's never had to expend any effort over anything, whether to obtain something or accomplish something.
"That also made her simple and straightforward by nature. There are no twists and turns in her heart. If she likes something, she likes it; if she hates something, she hates it."
"For instance, because she liked the emperor, she ignored her family's opposition and insisted on entering the palace."
Chief Steward Qi paused, then continued courageously:
"The emperor should know as well that, given Grand Tutor Su's deep scheming and his love for Consort Ying, he certainly wouldn't have wanted her to enter the palace. Yet in the end, Consort Ying still entered the palace for the emperor."
"Actually, as far as I know, there were indeed rumors from the Su Family before that they intended to choose a virtuous and distinguished husband for Consort Ying. Regardless of his background or whether his talents were outstanding, he only needed to have good character and treat Consort Ying well."
Chief Steward Qi hadn't