If His Highness were a bit more calculating, he could clearly first marry Sixth Miss Song into the household as the Grand Princess Consort, then petition Her Majesty the Empress to also bring Miss Cui of the Cui family into the Grand Prince’s residence. Since ancient times, men having three wives and four concubines had been an extremely common matter. Her Majesty the Empress was exceptionally fond of His Highness the Grand Prince—for such a small matter, she would probably arrange it for him herself without the Grand Prince even needing to ask.

Yet His Highness the Grand Prince had refused without the slightest hesitation, saying such words as he only wanted to marry Sixth Miss Song as his wife… Qing Luo felt somewhat wistful yet also somewhat delighted. His Highness the Grand Prince was truly an exceptionally good person.

Nanny Xu had obviously also been won over by Zhou Weizhao’s words. Sitting beside Song Chuyi, she looked at her for a long while before sighing: “With His Highness treating you this way, I can be at ease.” She had always known Song Chuyi was capable, but no matter how capable, this world ultimately treated girls differently from boys. She constantly feared Song Chuyi was too unyielding and might break. In fact, Song Chuyi was indeed not as rational and shrewd regarding marriage as she usually was. Though she didn’t say it aloud, her heart had been suspended with worry. Now seeing His Highness the Grand Prince treat Cui Hualuan, who came with sincere intentions, this way, she finally truly set her mind at ease. With this kind of devotion, no matter how difficult the days ahead might be, the two of them could grit their teeth and get through it together hand in hand. When the heart had something to look forward to and hope for, even eating husks and swallowing vegetables would taste sweet.

Song Chuyi couldn’t clearly distinguish what she was feeling for a moment. She only felt that a heart that had always been floating in mid-air unable to settle down had returned to where it should be after Zhou Weizhao spoke those words. This sense of security was truly comfortable. She smiled, and was just about to respond when she heard Danzhu’s voice from outside: “Sixth Miss…”

Both Nanny Xu and Qing Tao stood up in alarm. At this hour, could it be that because His Highness the Grand Prince had spoken too harshly, something had happened to Cui Hualuan?

Song Chuyi also rose to her feet almost simultaneously. Watching Qing Luo usher Danzhu inside, she widened her eyes and asked her: “It’s so late—has something happened with Cousin?”

Naturally, Danzhu didn’t dare say and knew she couldn’t speak about matters like blocking His Highness the Grand Prince to express her feelings only to be rejected. Choking with sobs, she requested Song Chuyi to have Imperial Physician Yan come over to examine Cui Hualuan’s illness: “She already caught a cold these past few days, and now her headache is so severe she can’t sleep…”

With such strong wind at night, having waited for Zhou Weizhao on the deck for so long, catching cold was to be expected. Song Chuyi immediately instructed Nanny Xu to go to the boat ahead to invite Imperial Physician Yan over.

However, the boat had to stop, and then planks had to be set up to allow people to cross over. Coming and going like this would inevitably take some time. After thinking for a moment, Song Chuyi personally made a trip over with cooling balm.

Young Nanny Xu was advising Cui Hualuan: “Previously, you were unwilling to give up your obsession precisely because you harbored thoughts of perhaps His Highness the Grand Prince might be such and such. Now that even this last vestige of hope is gone, you must absolutely not remain stubbornly attached anymore.”

She was Cui Hualuan’s wet nurse, sharing extremely deep affection with her. When coming, she had also been specially instructed by Old Madam Cui, so she was particularly devoted. Seeing Cui Hualuan turn her head away and only shed tears, she softly sighed: “Miss, think about it—actually, you may not truly like the Grand Prince that much. What do children understand about liking or not liking? Speaking of liking at that time was far too premature. Later, you had no opportunity to meet him either. The two of you were almost no different from strangers… You wanting to become the Grand Princess Consort so much—first, it’s because the Princess wanted you to, and second, because you felt you were no worse than your cousin in any way, so you felt unwilling. Isn’t that right?”

Cui Hualuan choked with sobs as she embraced Young Nanny Xu’s hand. All the fear, embarrassment, and terror in her heart surged out at once: “Nanny…”

“Fortunately, His Highness is upright and forthright in character, and your cousin is not someone who gossips. The people on this boat have all been carefully selected—this matter won’t spread outside.” Young Nanny Xu dutifully consoled her: “Otherwise, think about it—your actions today would have ruined you yourself.”

Just as the two were speaking, word came from outside that Song Chuyi had arrived. Young Nanny Xu personally went out to receive her. After first greeting Sixth Miss Song, she glanced at her elder sister who was following behind the cousin, and gently shook her head.

Cui Hualuan had already been helped to sit up by Danqing. Seeing Song Chuyi, she forced out a strained smile. She knitted her brows and glanced at everyone in the room, then suddenly spoke, telling them all to leave.

Song Chuyi nodded slightly toward Nanny Xu, and Nanny Xu led everyone filing out until the room was completely cleared.

Cui Hualuan beckoned to Song Chuyi, calling her to the bedside. She patted the space beside her, having her sit down. After staring at her for a long while, she suddenly smiled: “I went to find His Highness today.”

Song Chuyi was not surprised that Cui Hualuan would tell her. After all, Cui Hualuan had been taught by Madam Qin. Madam Qin was quite unconventional and had once said words like if you want to fight for something, ask openly and straightforwardly—if asking succeeds, it succeeds; if not, there’s no need to live or die for a man. Having been taught by her for so many years, Cui Hualuan naturally had been somewhat influenced.

She also didn’t play dumb, but nodded straightforwardly, her gaze frank and clear: “I know. At the time, I was standing right there on the deck upstairs.”

Cui Hualuan smiled. She also knew—at the time, facing Zhou Weizhao, she had seen Song Chuyi standing on the second floor. After pausing, she held Song Chuyi’s hand: “Madam Qin once taught me that what should be mine is mine, and forcing what isn’t mine is useless. Now I finally understand. Henceforth, I won’t force things anymore either.”

She spoke very clearly and openly without concealment or evasion. Song Chuyi also looked at her sincerely. After deliberating for a moment, she said: “In the past, I told Cousin that these matters were not within my power to decide. When I said it then, I was sincere. But now I must also inform Cousin…” She raised her head to look at Cui Hualuan. After hesitating briefly, she still said: “Now I’m afraid I cannot keep that promise.”

Cui Hualuan’s facial expression didn’t change. The cold compress on her forehead was pulled down by her in one motion. She looked at Song Chuyi and showed a smile: “I know. His Highness spoke very clearly. He wants to marry you as his wife and has already informed the Crown Princess. If His Highness the Grand Prince treated me this way, if I were you, I also couldn’t possibly not be moved…”

Cui Hualuan coughed several times. Enduring her inner sorrow, she wanted to say something more to Song Chuyi, but the door was suddenly pushed open. The force with which it was pushed was absolutely not small, startling them both into turning their heads back—the boat had always maintained strict guard, and the rules were even more clearly defined. With Nanny Xu and Young Nanny Xu and the others standing watch outside, what kind of major incident would warrant someone not even announcing themselves before bursting in so urgently like this?!

River wind came howling in. The cabin door, pushed too hastily, made another loud bang, startling everyone with a jump.