People said she and the Zhan family’s eldest daughter had looked nearly identical as children. She herself could see the resemblance in her features to Second Miss Zhan, too. It was no wonder Madam Zhan and Old Master Zhan had been convinced from their first glance that she was one of their own.

Noble Princess Consort Zhan happened to look over at Ye Qianning just then. Seeing the little girl studying her, her expression softened into a faint smile, her excitement concealed deep down.

"We don’t see the two of you Princess Consorts in the palace for weeks at a time. Today is truly a rare occasion," the Empress said with a smile.

"I didn’t have a chance to speak with Your Majesty at the banquet the other day, so I thought I would take advantage of this festive occasion to come and partake in the cheerful atmosphere," Princess Changyang said gently, patting Xiang’er on the head.

Nanxiang immediately took the hint and stepped forward. "Aunt Empress, haven’t you missed Xiang’er?"

The Empress’s face broke into a wide smile upon seeing Nanxiang. She beckoned to her. "Of course I have. Come here and let your Aunt Empress get a good look at you."

Nanxiang ran up happily, nestling her small body against the Empress like a pampered child. "Xiang’er missed you too, Aunt Empress."

"I haven’t seen you in days, and you’ve lost so much weight. Your Aunt Empress will have some delicious treats prepared to help you fill out a bit."

"Thank you, Aunt Empress," said Xiang’er.

The Empress kept an arm around her, smiling as she raised her head. Her gaze swept past Madam Zhan and settled on Ye Qianning. "This must be Miss Xiang."

Her name having been called, Ye Qianning rose and bowed formally. "Ye Qianning pays her respects to Your Majesty, the Empress." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"She is truly lovely. No wonder the Emperor betrothed her to the Crown Prince," the Empress praised, though her gaze shifted to Consort Yuan as she added with a smile, "Consort Yuan, you are truly blessed."

Consort Yuan’s brow tightened for a moment, then her lips curved into a smile. "Indeed. The Emperor is most thoughtful."

"I hear that Miss Xiang grew up in Nanyuan. Are you adjusting well to life in Beili?" the Empress inquired.

"Everything is well, Your Majesty."

"That’s good to hear. Did you receive any schooling in Nanyuan? And what is your mother’s occupation?"

"I did not receive schooling. My mother is a Piano Master."

"A Piano Master? Is she on the musician’s registry?" the Empress’s voice grew sharp.

In Nanyuan, those on the musician’s registry were considered slaves.

Slaves could be trampled on by anyone, and their children were of even lower birth.

Madam Zhan’s expression darkened.

"She was not on the musician’s registry, Your Majesty."

"Heh," the Empress chuckled. "Even if she were, it would be of no consequence. Now that you are in Beili as General Xiang’s daughter, you can naturally be removed from the registry once you are officially entered into the Xiang family records." The Empress simply assumed the girl was too young to understand the implications of the registry, while inwardly, she was certain it was true.

"Your Majesty," Madam Zhan said, rising to her feet, "the child’s mother was not on the musician’s registry. She came from a respectable family. It was only due to misfortune that she was forced to make a living with her music."

The Empress shifted her gaze. "Oh? Madam Zhan seems to be quite knowledgeable about this child. Speaking of which, you’ve been leading the little one by the hand ever since you arrived. Anyone who didn’t know better might mistake her for a child of the Zhan family."

"Your Majesty is not wrong. My meeting with this child felt destined, and I have already decided to adopt her as my god-granddaughter. So in the future, will she not be a child of the Zhan family?"

"Adopted her as your god-granddaughter?" the Empress asked in surprise.

"Yes."

As she spoke, Madam Zhan’s expression was full of warmth as she looked at Ye Qianning.

Princess Heliang and Princess Changyang were also surprised. ’No wonder Xiang Minghou felt comfortable letting Madam Zhan bring the child to the palace,’ they thought. ’So that’s the connection.’

"What a ’god-granddaughter’," Consort Yuan sneered. "When the Crown Prince marries this girl in the future, then I and Sister Zhan will be in-laws, won’t we?"

"Technically, yes. But who can say what the future holds?" Noble Princess Consort Zhan replied in a soft, gentle voice.

"To hear you say it, Sister, it sounds like you believe this marriage won’t come to pass."

"Whether it comes to pass is the Emperor’s decision. I wouldn’t dare to presume. I simply feel that the child is still young, and much time remains."

Consort Yuan’s lips curved into a smirk. "Yes, much time remains. The future is indeed uncertain."