What if the Ula-Nara clan were able to avoid their fall from grace? When 12-year-old Ula Nara Qingying listens in on a conversation between her royal Aunt and the Emperor she learns that being the Empress holds no power if your clan is weak. To safe...
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The entire Ula-Nara clan anxiously anticipated the selection results, eager to find out if their beloved Qingying had been chosen to enter Hongli's household. Soon, a young man walked over to his parents. "Mother, father, the fourth prince's wife selection is over". Naerbu nodded approvingly at his eldest son before slowly turning to the gates. His daughter would be home soon.
When Qingying arrived home her family waited until they were out of the public eyes and far from listening ears eager to hear if their precious daughter had been selected when the head servant rushed over "Wangye, a eunuch from the Palace is here with Imperial Edict" his voice tinged with pride and panic.
Without a question, the entire Ula-Nara clan made their way to the main courtyard to receive the edict. The Emperor's head eunuch stood proudly holding the yellow scroll, his eyes now focused on Qingying. He watched as she kneeled in approval. The elderly man cleared his throat before declaring loudly.
"Bow."
His eyes silently appraising the etiquette of the Ula-Nara Clan, they bowed with precision and proper deference from child to elder. No wonder the prince was enamoured. Opening the scroll, the man began to announce the emperor's proclamation.
"As mandated by the heavens, the Emperor is making his decree. The Daughter of the Minister of Justice, Lady Ula-Nara, has innately pure and wonderful morals, wise and capable. Gentle, ladylike and upright, known outside to be virtuous, and has similar attributes to Empress Chunyuan. Therefore, she was given the Jade Ruyi as the Primary Consort of Qingwang Bo. The wedding will take place on the first day of the eight months and she will be crowned the title Crown Princess alongside Qingwang Bo as Crown Prince. End of Decree"
Ula-Nara Qingying watched as her father glanced up. "I accept the decree." The relieved smile on Madam Naerbu's face caused the rest of their family to relax before her father inquired. "Qingwang Bo?" his confusion was evident to the eunuch who just smiled.
"That's right. His Majesty has conferred the title Qingwang Bo to the Fourth Prince and ordered Gege Langhua of the Fuca Clan as the second wife and Gege Xiyue from Official Gao's house will become a concubine. Prince Bao will marry Princess Consort on the first day of the eighth month. The second lady wife, Lady Fuca and concubine Gao will enter the manor on the second day of the eighth month."
Qingying was silent but smiled the eunuch turned to her "Princess Consort, Qingwang Bo does not doubt your palace mannerisms, but he will have a senior court lady teach you more about palace mannerisms and what shall be expected of you as Crown Princess and Future Empress before the wedding"
Qingying smiled. "Please send my thanks to His Highness for his care and thoughtfulness, and I will do my best to not disappoint his expectations," Qingying said while bowing. The eunuch nodded and turned quickly, taking his leave.
Once the eunuch had left, her family started cheering happily while her father commented on how proud he was. Qingying shared a glance with her brothers, who nodded before quickly guiding their father inside. Regardless of her success, they still had to be cautious.
