Prince Pingxi’s gaze fell upon Yun Chu.

She was dressed as a married woman, her long black hair piled high and held with a gold-jade hairpin. Her light purple garment was embroidered all over with camellia flowers.

He thought of many years ago, before she was married, when they had met once.

He had gone to the Yun manor to pay his respects to Old General Yun, and she happened to be delivering tea to the old general.

Back then, she wore a goose-yellow maiden’s garment, her entire person delicate and lively—seemingly a completely different person from now.

“I think she’s very good too.” Chu Hongyu blinked his big eyes: “Imperial Aunt, let her become my mother consort, all right?”

The Eldest Princess burst out laughing: “Truly a child, saying nothing but childish things. Sister Chu, don’t take this child’s words seriously.”

Yun Chu lowered her head: “To receive a word of praise from the Young Lord, this subject’s wife feels deeply honored.”

When she was young, she often accompanied Lin Shi to the Eldest Princess’s manor, and the Eldest Princess still called her “Sister Chu” as before.

But now she was married, the inner family member of a fifth-rank official. When speaking with the Eldest Princess, she naturally couldn’t be as casual as in the past.

The banquet soon ended.

After Lin Shi took her leave from the Eldest Princess, the group walked out.

Before they had even left the Eldest Princess’s manor, at the second gate, she heard a child’s crying. Following the sound, she looked toward a pavilion not far away where two figures stood, one tall and one small.

Prince Pingxi stared coldly at the child before him. The child was wailing loudly, retreating backward in fear.

“You said you would behave obediently, which is why I brought you to the Eldest Princess’s manor.” Prince Pingxi’s voice was extremely cold: “Tearing tiles off roofs at home is one thing, but you dare to run wild here—who gave you such audacity?”

The little fellow cried convulsively: “Father, I admitted my mistake, the Imperial Aunt also forgave me. I’ll never dare again…”

Prince Pingxi’s expression was extremely gloomy.

Those few koi were priceless, transported all the way to the capital at a cost of tens of thousands of taels of silver. Only two had barely survived, yet they died at this boy’s hands.

If he didn’t discipline him properly, who knew what greater disasters might occur in the future.

He grabbed the child and lifted him up.

“Let me go, let me go!” Chu Hongyu kicked his legs wildly, crying out loudly: “Imperial Aunt said this isn’t my fault, waaah, you’re the one who’s wrong—who told you not to find me a mother consort…”

Prince Pingxi’s expression grew even darker.

He was constantly busy with official duties and had neglected the child’s discipline—it truly was his fault.

Without further discussion, he carried the little fellow outside.

The child’s crying grew louder and louder.

Yun Chu’s heart suddenly seized with pain. Before she even realized it, her legs had already moved, walking toward Prince Pingxi’s direction.

“Chu’er!” Lin Shi grabbed hold of her: “Where are you going?”

Yun Chu came back to her senses and pressed her lips together: “I was the one who persuaded the Young Lord to admit his mistake. I also told him that as long as he acknowledged and corrected his errors, everything would be fine…”

Lin Shi spoke: “Then do you think you were wrong to persuade the Young Lord to admit his mistake?”

Yun Chu shook her head.

Lin Shi continued: “Then is Prince Pingxi wrong to discipline his own child?”

Yun Chu continued shaking her head.

“There you have it.” Lin Shi patted her hand: “A father disciplining his son is perfectly natural and right. What would you accomplish by going over there now? Do you think Prince Pingxi would listen to you? He would only think you’re meddling in other people’s business. Moreover, lift your head and look.”

Only then did Yun Chu notice that many noble ladies and young misses had stopped along this path.

She understood—Prince Pingxi disciplining his child regardless of the setting was meant to completely eliminate any thoughts these people might have of marrying their daughters to him as princess consort.

Prince Pingxi quickly disappeared from the Eldest Princess’s manor carrying the child.

Many noble ladies began discussing in low voices.

“I’ve long heard this Young Lord was unruly. Today I’ve finally witnessed it.”

“Didn’t they say the Young Lord’s birth mother’s status was too shameful to mention, and that the imperial family looked down on this child? Why do I see the Eldest Princess doting on him so much?”

“The Eldest Princess dotes on Prince Pingxi. Loving the house extends to the crow—naturally she dotes on the Young Lord. Otherwise, why would she worry day and night about finding Prince Pingxi a princess consort?”

“It’s unfortunate that Prince Pingxi already has such a grown son. No noble lady would be willing to marry in.”

“If this son weren’t the heir apparent it would be easier to manage, but having taken the heir apparent’s position, wouldn’t the legitimate son born to a later princess consort have an awkward status?”

“…”

After leaving the Eldest Princess’s manor, Yun Chu’s mood still couldn’t settle.

She didn’t know why, but she kept thinking about that child.

“Mother.” Xie Ping suddenly spoke, interrupting Yun Chu’s contemplation: “I just saw the Eldest Princess conversing very happily with Lady Li. Does the Eldest Princess want the Li family’s legitimate eldest daughter to marry Prince Pingxi as princess consort?”

Yun Chu spoke indifferently: “Why are you concerned about imperial family matters?”

Xie Ping felt somewhat guilty and forced a smile: “I’m just a bit curious what status of woman would be worthy of becoming a princess consort.”

“Currently only two imperial princes have married proper wives. The Crown Princess is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Grand Preceptor, and the Second Prince’s wife is the second daughter of the Grand Secretary.” Yun Chu looked at her: “At minimum, it must be the legitimate daughter of a second-rank household to be worthy of the status of princess consort. At the very least, third rank.”

Xie Ping’s fingers tightened.

Her father had taken five years to be promoted to fifth rank. The higher one climbed, the more difficult it became. To reach third rank, who knew how many more years it would take…

She lowered her head, afraid the disappointment in her eyes would be noticed by Yun Chu.

The carriage soon stopped at the Xie manor entrance. Just as they crossed the main gate, Nanny Zhou invited them both into Anshou Hall.

Anshou Hall was quite lively. Not only was Xie Shi’an there, but Xie Jingyu was also present—clearly waiting for their return.

Old Madam Xie smiled and spoke: “Chu’er, how was the Eldest Princess’s flower-viewing banquet? Which distinguished guests attended?”

“The Third Prince, Prince Pingxi, and the Fourth Prince, Prince An’jing, also came.” Yun Chu saw the eagerness in the Xie family members’ eyes: “The noble ladies in attendance were all family members of first, second, and third-rank officials. I was the only exception.”

“You are the eldest daughter of a first-rank general’s manor. You naturally should attend such occasions.” The old madam smiled: “Did Chu’er speak with Lady Yu?”

Xie Jingyu also looked toward her.

Yun Chu’s lips curved slightly. Lady Yu’s husband was Xie Jingyu’s superior. With the evaluation approaching, if Xie Jingyu wanted to advance further, he had to pass Minister Yu’s scrutiny.

If Minister Yu approved, he could rise from proper fifth rank to upper fifth rank.

Upper fifth rank and fifth rank had no essential difference, but if promotion opportunities arose, priority would be given to upper fifth-rank officials.

After passing the top imperial examination, Xie Jingyu had advanced from seventh rank to fifth rank in just five years. Besides having the Yun family as in-law connections, the biggest reason was his own skill at networking…

In the past, regardless of what banquets she attended, she would help him cultivate these relationships.

Lady Yu was the family member of a third-rank official who simply couldn’t enter the Yun family’s circle and remained on the periphery. Ordinarily, she would have actively drawn Lady Yu into the circle.

But at this Eldest Princess’s banquet, she had only glanced at Lady Yu from afar.

Unable to enter the circle of first-rank noble ladies, Lady Yu would certainly be angry and then whisper in her husband’s ear. Xie Jingyu could forget about advancing to upper fifth rank.

Yun Chu’s face showed a smile: “I did speak a few words with Lady Yu.”

Xie Jingyu stood up and cupped his hands: “Many thanks, Madam.”

“Thank me for what? We’re all one family.” The old madam was beaming: “When Jingyu becomes a fourth-rank official, the Xie family will truly be able to hold our heads high.”

The smile on Yun Chu’s face deepened.

That day would probably never come.