"...Is that so..."
Qin Yuan stepped over him and lay down on the inside.
Gu Jinghui murmured, "Yuan’er, I’m a bit tired. There was something I wanted to say, but I can’t recall it now."
"If you can’t remember, then just sleep."
Qin Yuan turned over, rolling her eyes at the same time.
Gu Jinghui said, "I’ll think about it again."
Qin Yuan ignored him, knowing he wouldn’t remember it tonight anyway.
Before long, Qin Yuan fell asleep, feeling her body heated and tightly confined in her drowsiness.
She couldn’t break free.
It was truly maddening.
...
Old Madam Gu was still awake, sitting under the lamp.
On the bedside table, there was a new poetry collection by Sixth Master Gu.
Nanny Rong consoled, "Why are you still awake so late? Is it because our Sixth Master’s poetry is too excellent, you can’t bear to go to sleep?"
"Ha, you old thing, stop teasing me. What could the Sixth Elder possibly write? I know all too well. Even if he’s improved, he’s still far behind the scholars."
"Then why are you in a daze?"
"I see how well-suited the Third and Yuan’er are together, and it truly makes me happy. Then I think of how the Sixth is younger, with children already around them, and I wonder when he will have a child. It keeps me up... it really keeps me from sleeping."
Nanny Rong said, "The Marquis has returned safely, good days are ahead. The two of them are doing well; children will come sooner or later. The Marchioness is still young, exceptionally beautiful and talented, adept at managing the household and skilled in medical incense. Who could compare to such blessings?"
Old Madam Gu sighed deeply, "You’re right, children and grandchildren have their own blessings. My worrying is pointless, but I can’t help it."
Nanny Rong said, "The Marquis has a unique fate, and the Madam too is outstanding; she is destined to be his wife. When the two align, the Marquis is bound to overcome the limits of his fate..."
Old Madam Gu wept silently, "The child is so splendid, yet lives such a hard life. If... it would be truly pitiful."
...
Weiyang Palace.
The Emperor was still reading memorials by candlelight. The ice sculptures in the hall had melted, leaving only their bases. The Chief Eunuch was squinting his eyes, drifting off to sleep.
"Old Wang, Old Wang," the Emperor coughed a few times.
The Chief Eunuch quickly lifted his eyelids, lightly swinging the horsetail whisk, smiling as he asked, "Your Majesty, are we to proceed to Kunning Palace?"
"...Very well, let’s go take a look."
The Emperor stood up, taking a few steps and asked, "Wasn’t the Empress supposed to select a consort for the Crown Prince today?"
"Indeed," the Chief Eunuch laughed, "The Ninth Princess, Princess Fuyun, and the Crown Prince should still be at Kunning Palace with Empress Lin, making selections."
"Nonsense."
Although the Emperor reprimanded them, his face bore a smile.
The Chief Eunuch said, "Although the two princesses are young, they care about their brother. Empress Lin couldn’t resist their insistence, so they are all discussing together. It’s just that the Crown Prince hasn’t made a decision yet."
"Then I shall join in the fun."
The Chief Eunuch immediately raised his voice outside, shouting, "Proceed."
By the time the Emperor’s sedan reached Kunning Palace, the palace attendants had already been informed. Empress Lin, along with the Crown Prince and the princesses, came to welcome him. The Emperor stepped down and smilingly asked, "What are you all doing at Kunning Palace so late?"
Princess Fuyun stepped forward, "Father, we are helping Brother Crown Prince choose a consort."
The Ninth Princess added, "Brother Crown Prince has hesitated for too long, and Mother can’t make a decision either."
In adherence to the Emperor’s order for frugality, Empress Lin ensured that Kunning Palace was kept as simple as possible, with only a few dim palace lanterns in the courtyard.
The Crown Prince, with the Yishan Crown on his head and dressed in a red robe with narrow sleeves, adorned with golden dragons on the front, back, and shoulders, appeared even more frail in the lamplight. He stood aside, smiling faintly, "Father, don’t listen to their nonsense. The two girls are only causing trouble; it’s not proper for sisters to choose a sister-in-law for their brother."
The Emperor ignored their sibling quarrels, gently holding Empress Lin as they walked inside, and asked with a smile, "Has the Crown Prince found someone he favors?"
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince seems like a mute gourd, stating only that he will follow Mother’s arrangements, yet none seem to catch his eye. I am powerless, so it’s best if His Majesty decides for him."
The Crown Prince followed his parents obediently, chuckling, "I just hope to find a woman who pleases me, just like Father did, to spend a lifetime together."
A flash of disdain and resentment appeared on Princess Fuyun’s face before it quickly vanished. She giggled, "Father, don’t listen to Brother Crown Prince’s sweet talk; he’s searching for a beauty."
"A beauty?"
The Emperor halted, looking at Empress Lin.
Empress Lin appeared utterly at a loss.
The Crown Prince quickly admonished, "Seventh Sister, do not speak nonsense."
With a serious expression, Princess Fuyun said, "The books piled in Mother’s hall already include all unmarried noblewomen of age in the capital, each with outstanding talents in poetry, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, or distinguished backgrounds... Some even excel in Buddhist and Daoist practices. Each noblewoman has her strengths, yet Brother Crown Prince hasn’t chosen any. Surely, he is seeking a beauty."