Yan Xiaoying ignored Song Ao’s signals, tilting her chin up to retort: “If such a shrew as you were outside the palace, I would thrash you twice for every single encounter. How could I let you squawk like a long-tongued bird, tattling everywhere?”

Tang Ru, raised in silks and satins, had never heard such vicious mockery. Her eyes widened in rage, not knowing how to respond.

“Enough! Crown Prince, the Empress is waiting for you!” Song Ao, seeing the two endlessly bickering, immediately interrupted.

Tang Ru, unwilling to waste words on the effeminate Crown Prince, stomped away fuming.

When Yan Xiaoying arrived at the front hall, delicate fragrances wafted through the air, golden hairpins glittered, and rows of noble ladies bowed in unison, respectfully greeting the Empress and Crown Prince.

The Empress sat regally in the seat of honor, smiling as she excused them from formalities. When she glanced up and saw the “Crown Prince” adopting the dissolute manner of someone frequenting a brothel, leering at the women, she couldn’t help but snort coldly, warning the wild girl not to misbehave.

The real Crown Prince was timid—perhaps because he disliked women—and never looked directly at noble ladies.

How could this impostor be so brazen?

As for Yan Xiaoying, she had already studied the portraits of these selection candidates and secretly memorized their names. Looking at them now, she realized the families had paid the painters handsomely; each had been greatly beautified, making it almost difficult to match them to their portraits.

The woman in red standing in the center of the first row was Tang Ru, with whom she had just quarreled.

This young lady’s clothing and ornaments were far more expensive than those of the other women. Unfortunately, though beautiful, her large eyes revealed a disdainful arrogance. She rolled her eyes, refusing to meet the “Crown Prince’s” gaze, showing none of the shy modesty expected of a selection candidate.

As for the other young ladies, few showed signs of joy or bashfulness.

They had previously heard that the Crown Prince was effeminate, and today, seeing the youth as beautiful and delicate as a young lady, confirmed those rumors.

Though handsome enough, a man should possess an imposing presence, like the young master of the Mu family—elegant, extraordinary, and with exceptional bearing.

Regrettably, such a fine gentleman had been mistreated by the Crown Prince, who had broken his leg…

Rumors about the Crown Prince’s preference for men had circulated among the capital’s noble sons, and Tang Ru, thinking of being forced by her great uncle’s command to marry such an effeminate man, had tears of frustration gathering in her eyes.

But like her aunt, she would become the mother of the nation, which compensated somewhat, making it barely tolerable.

Like Tang Ru, another young lady with dagger-like eyes stood in the last row of the queue, almost at the point of leaving the great hall.

Unlike the other noble ladies dressed in splendid attire, she wore a plain-colored gown. Her bowing etiquette was not particularly graceful, and she was glaring fiercely at the Crown Prince.

Her stance suggested not a selection candidate but an assassin.

Yan Xiaoying noticed this lady also differed from her portrait, though made to look uglier.

Her family did not wish her to be selected and had even arranged for her to be placed at the very end of the selection queue.

If memory served, she was Duke Ding’s daughter, the legitimate sister of Young Master Mu Hanjiang—Mu Yanyan.

Just then, Song Ao nudged her from behind: “Has Your Highness chosen a lady? Hurry and present the hairpin!”

Yan Xiaoying rose with a smile and, following Song Ao’s instructions, walked among the rows of ladies, commenting on each one’s appearance and demeanor, her mouth as sweet as if she had just eaten sugar cakes.

This flowery praise caused the young ladies’ cheeks to flush red. They thought that although the effeminate Crown Prince appeared frail, his conduct was gallant and considerate, not as objectionable as rumors suggested.

Tang Ru smirked, feeling the Crown Prince was wasting time. Since the choice was predetermined, why not quickly give her the golden hairpin instead of offering flattery everywhere?

Finally, the Crown Prince stood before her. Tang Ru looked at him haughtily, only to see the youth with a smile at the corner of his lips, phoenix eyes slightly raised, long fingers deftly twirling the golden hairpin with an indescribable dash of elegance: “Cousin A’Ru, this hairpin… do you want it?”

Tang Ru reluctantly curtsied, closing her eyes and lowering her head, waiting for the Crown Prince to pin it in her hair.

But as she waited, the Crown Prince made no move, while around her came surprised gasps.

Tang Ru opened her eyes and raised her head to discover the Crown Prince was no longer in front of her but had run to the Mu family girl at the end of the line and, in front of everyone, inserted the pin into Mu Yanyan’s hair…

The ladies around her were secretly laughing, seemingly mocking the Tang family girl for lowering her head to receive the pin only to be left empty-handed.

This selection ceremony concluded with unexpected commotion.

True to her military family background, the Mu family girl, after a moment of shock, pulled out the pin and flung it at the Crown Prince with the force of shooting a crossbow, bluntly asking if he had mistaken her for someone else.

The Empress, face turning green with anger, scolded the Crown Prince in a low voice for his outrageous behavior, saying that selecting a Crown Princess was not child’s play and there was no reason to casually gift the golden hairpin.

Although Tang Ru had been unwilling to marry him, the Crown Prince’s feint had caused her to misunderstand and lower her head, publicly embarrassing herself. Unable to maintain her dignity, the young lady wept angrily as she left the hall.

The Crown Prince, perhaps hurt by the Mu family girl’s rejection, covered his face with his sleeve and cried loudly, departing the hall in tears just like Tang Ru.

This news quickly reached Emperor Chunde’s ears, who asked his attendants with confusion: “The Crown Prince… truly did not choose the Tang family girl?”

Li Quan, a eunuch who had served His Majesty for many years, quickly replied: “His Highness chose the Mu family girl. However, the Mu family girl was unwilling to accept, causing a scene, while the Tang family girl, perhaps overly admiring His Highness, was heartbroken by the rejection and fainted from crying on her way out of the palace. The Empress, in a difficult position, dispersed the selection ceremony under the pretext that the Crown Prince was unwell and had mistakenly given away the hairpin, saying another selection would be held another day.”

Emperor Chunde laughed slightly: “The Crown Prince has grown bolder, daring to defy his mother? But his taste… if he had chosen someone else, I would have supported him, but this Mu family girl—I’m afraid he won’t be able to marry her!”

Li Quan also sighed, noting that everyone in the court knew Princess Anqing loved her daughter dearly. Her appearance at the palace was merely to avoid criticism, following proper etiquette by having eligible daughters registered for selection.

Yanyan’s brother Mu Hanjiang had previously entered the palace to petition His Majesty, stating that Princess Anqing was in poor health and Duke Ding wished to keep his daughter at home for a few more years, which His Majesty had graciously approved.

Mu Hanjiang’s lame leg was caused by the Crown Prince’s misconduct, so his unwillingness to form a marriage alliance with the Crown Prince was understandable.

Nearby, Master Ge, who was playing chess with Emperor Chunde, smiled and requested leave from His Majesty.

His reason for asking leave was quite plausible: “The Crown Prince’s willfulness has caused such a disturbance that he will likely be punished and probably unable to sit in the study chair tomorrow. This old man should be considerate of his student, and I might as well take half a day off to accompany my wife to the temple to fulfill our vows.”

The Emperor looked at his mentor, thought for a moment, and laughed: “Master Ge’s prediction is accurate; that boy is probably being punished right now…”

At this, Emperor Chunde sighed: “The child rarely shows courage… Enough, I’ll help him out of this predicament. Li Quan, summon the Crown Prince.”

Having skillfully steered the conversation to get his student out of trouble, Master Ge declined His Majesty’s gracious invitation to stay for a meal, clasped his hands behind his back, and left the palace to return home and dine with his wife.

As His Majesty had guessed, Crown Prince Feng Qiyuan was indeed being scolded harshly by the Empress. When Li Quan arrived to deliver the imperial summons, the Empress, still unsatisfied, had ordered people to hold down the Crown Prince for punishment with the palace paddle, disregarding his dignity as heir apparent.

As Yan Xiaoying left with Li Quan, rubbing her bottom, she didn’t forget to express gratitude: “Lord Li is like life-saving sweet dew, arriving just in time. My bottom was almost split open.”

Li Quan dared not take credit, quickly attributing it to His Majesty’s love for the Crown Prince.

As they talked, they arrived at His Majesty’s bedchamber, Yangde Hall, just in time to see eunuchs pushing a wheeled cart out.

Sitting in the cart was none other than Young Master Mu Hanjiang, whom she had encountered that day.

The young master wore plain white robes, with sword-like eyebrows and star-bright eyes. Despite his inability to walk properly, he still maintained the elegant demeanor of a refined gentleman.

The young lady’s brother had also heard about the selection incident and, despite his lame leg, had arrived quickly, having already presented his case to His Majesty.

Seeing the Crown Prince, Mu Hanjiang raised his hand in salute: “During the selection, my sister was ignorant of proper etiquette and offended Your Highness with her inappropriate words. I have already ordered her to reflect in seclusion. I humbly request Your Highness not to hold it against the young lady and show some leniency.”

Yan Xiaoying looked sideways at Mu Hanjiang and said: “Your sister not only resembles Master Mu in appearance but also temperament, making me both admire and fear her greatly. My palace is easier to access than my father’s. Instead of coming to my palace to apologize, you’ve taken the trouble to present your case to my father—what great face! Tell me, how could I not show leniency to you and your sister?”

These words were so explicit that the nearby eunuchs couldn’t maintain their composure, suspecting the Crown Prince was publicly humiliating Mu Hanjiang—could it be that His Highness chose Master Mu’s sister because she resembled her brother, the Crown Prince’s love transferring to her?

Mu Hanjiang, however, seemed not to understand, his gaze steady and expression peaceful as he thanked His Highness for his magnanimity before having his cart pushed out of the palace.

Yan Xiaoying noticed that unlike other palace buildings, Emperor Chunde’s palace had ramps built on both sides, allowing those with mobility difficulties to enter and exit without being carried up and down the steps, making it quite convenient.

No wonder four years ago, Emperor Chunde had flown into a rage over Mu Hanjiang’s lame leg and confined the Crown Prince.

This Mu Hanjiang… though holding the seemingly unimportant position of Ceremonial Officer, he frequently entered the palace for imperial audiences, clearly enjoying His Majesty’s favor!

Upon entering His Majesty’s chambers, Emperor Chunde was dining. The dishes weren’t exotic delicacies but simply millet rice with three ordinary side dishes. Having grown up in the countryside, His Majesty maintained the eating habits of his youth.

He waved for the Crown Prince to join him in the meal and casually inquired: “During this selection, didn’t your mother already point out someone for you?”

The youth respectfully replied: “I dare not deceive Father Emperor. Mother Empress indicated the Tang family girl A’Ru to this son.”

The Emperor took a sip of soup and asked with apparent casualness: “Tang Ru is beautiful and charming, no less than the Mu family girl. Why are you unwilling?”

Yan Xiaoying, using the millet in her mouth as an excuse, chewed slowly to buy time while considering her words.

She could hardly say that she would eventually rescue her brother from the palace and didn’t want to drag a young lady into face widowhood!

Moreover, her brother had mentioned that the Tang family girl often bullied him, giving him headaches whenever he saw Tang family members.

What if the Empress rushed the marriage, forcing her brother to share a room with this difficult young lady?

But choosing the Mu family girl would provide room for maneuver.

She had overheard about Mu Hanjiang entering the palace on his father’s behalf to petition His Majesty, requesting that his sister remain at home a while longer, from casual conversations between the Empress and Song Ao. At that time, she had already formed a plan: if she chose Yanyan, not only would the Mu family jump to prevent it, but the Empress and the Tang family would also be unwilling.

However, at this moment, how to get past the Emperor’s questioning?

Yan Xiaoying swallowed the millet and decided to speak some truth: “This son does not like A’Ru; she is… too domineering.”

The Emperor had heard about the pre-selection argument between the Crown Prince and Tang Ru but pretended ignorance, intensifying his tone of reproach: “Nonsense! The Tang family is a noble house of merit, having supported the late Emperor and me to the throne with tremendous contributions. Their clan produces talented officials serving in various ministries. How could they raise a domineering daughter?”