The capital was abuzz with activity. Emperor Yuan had initially intended for the foreign envoys to depart, but upon learning of the upcoming marriage between Princess Fengyang of Prince Yong's Estate and her consort, he insisted they stay to partake in the wedding festivities. Finding it impossible to decline, the envoys acquiesced.
Rumors swirled through the city: why would the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, a man with such a brilliant career ahead of him, choose to enter the Prince Yong's Estate as a consort? Some claimed it was because Princess Fengyang had once declared in the grand hall that she would only ever take a consort and never marry into another family. Others insisted that Lord Li had pursued the Princess for the longest time and had finally succeeded in winning her heart. It was a pity, many noted, that the status of a consort carried such a poor reputation. People whispered about how deep Li Yu’s affection must be, while others grumbled that the Princess had ruined his prospects.
"Your Highness, they... how can they say such things?"
Chapter 438