In the flower hall, Grand Commander Luo sat with his hand on the chair’s armrest, looking at his two daughters and a young man with a complex expression.

Had the message been transmitted incorrectly?

If it were Sheng’er bringing home a male companion, he could completely maintain his composure with perfect equanimity.

But for Yue’er to bring back a male companion—no, he didn’t believe it!

“Sheng’er, what exactly happened?” Grand Commander Luo tried his utmost to soften his tone but found himself unable to do so.

In his impression, his younger daughter had always been quite obedient. How could she bring back a male companion?

Especially at this critical juncture with the consort selection—this was deadly trouble.

Luo Sheng said calmly, “Father, it’s like this. Today Princess Changle came to the tavern to see me, took a great liking to Fourth Sister, and in her happiness bestowed a male companion upon her…”

After hearing Luo Sheng explain the whole story, Grand Commander Luo was both surprised and delighted, struggling to suppress his rising lips. “It was actually like this?”

If Princess Changle had bestowed it of her own initiative, then there was no problem. No matter what, the Emperor wouldn’t reproach his precious daughter.

And with Yue’er gaining the reputation of keeping male companions, she would lose her qualification for consort selection—

Just thinking about this made Grand Commander Luo want to hum a little tune.

Wasn’t this exactly worrying at home when joy descends from heaven?

No, he absolutely couldn’t let his inner happiness show. Princess Changle’s male companion was still watching. If word of his attitude got out, he would have no good outcome with the Emperor.

Moreover, his obedient younger daughter keeping male companions—how heartbreaking!

Grand Commander Luo coughed and made his expression serious. “What an elder bestows cannot be refused. Since this person was bestowed by Princess Changle, then make proper arrangements. But Yue’er, you must remember—this must not happen again.”

Luo Yue obediently responded, “Your daughter understands.”

No matter what Father thought or how outsiders viewed it, at least she didn’t have to enter the palace to serve that decrepit old man.

Leaving the flower hall, after dispatching a maid to settle Luqi, Luo Yue threw her arms around Luo Sheng, excitedly saying, “Third Sister, it worked! It really worked!”

Looking at the young lady who was both crying and laughing while embracing her, Luo Sheng smiled gracefully and reminded her, “Don’t show your joy too openly, lest you invite trouble.”

Luo Yue quickly released her hands, nodding like a pecking chicken. “I know, I know. I’ll listen to everything Third Sister says.”

As she spoke, she still couldn’t help but raise her hand to wipe the corners of her eyes.

With a long life ahead, one path led to stern palace walls, the other to vast open skies. She was so grateful she had sought Third Sister’s help.

Luo Sheng gently patted Luo Yue’s arm and headed toward Xianyun Courtyard.

After his two daughters left, Grand Commander Luo thought for a moment, then headed straight for the imperial palace.

At this time, Emperor Yong’an had not yet heard about Princess Changle giving Fourth Miss Luo a male companion and was rather surprised by Grand Commander Luo’s request for an audience.

As soon as Grand Commander Luo entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he fell to his knees with a thud, placed both hands on the ground, and cried out, “This subject is guilty!”

Emperor Yong’an: “…”

After a moment’s pause, Emperor Yong’an asked, “Of what guilt?”

Grand Commander Luo’s face was full of shame. “This subject just heard that Princess Changle bestowed a male companion upon this subject’s younger daughter… This subject is ashamed. Though he has four daughters, only one meets the criteria for consort selection. Now even this daughter has lost the qualification to serve Your Majesty. It’s all due to this subject’s failure in discipline…”

Emperor Yong’an listened quietly, displeasure in his heart.

The rear palace hadn’t admitted new people in many years. Though this consort selection was primarily for the sake of heirs, it was also an opportunity to draw in and balance certain relationships.

Luo Chi’s daughter was naturally on the selection list. Who would have thought his only qualified daughter would have such an incident occur? No matter what, candidate noble ladies could not have the reputation of keeping male companions, or else he as Emperor would be thoroughly humiliated.

But he couldn’t very well lose his temper—the girl’s male companion had been given by his own daughter…

The more Emperor Yong’an thought about it, the more stifled he felt. Seeing Grand Commander Luo continuing to plead guilt, he said irritably, “It’s just a small matter. You may withdraw.”

Luo Chi truly had failed in disciplining his daughters!

Grand Commander Luo showed a face full of gratitude. “This subject thanks Your Majesty for your grace.”

After Grand Commander Luo withdrew, Emperor Yong’an’s calm expression became somber. He rose and walked a few steps, instructing Zhou Shan, “Summon Princess Changle to the palace.”

When Princess Changle received the summons, she was in the Princess’s residence appreciating song and dance.

On this cold winter day, the sleeping chambers were warm as spring. Flowers bloomed out of season in defiance, and beautiful young men danced gracefully upon soft, snow-white carpets.

Princess Changle rose lazily, dressed herself properly, and followed the summoning palace attendant into the palace.

“Imperial Father.”

Emperor Yong’an glanced at Princess Changle and frowned. “Today Luo Chi entered the palace to plead guilt, saying you gave his daughter a male companion. Is this true?”

Princess Changle was taken aback, not quite understanding why such a trivial matter warranted specifically summoning her to the palace for inquiry.

“This matter did occur.”

“Which of his daughters did you give it to?”

“Fourth Miss, A’Sheng’s younger sister.”

Emperor Yong’an’s eyebrows twitched slightly, feeling somewhat helpless.

It really was Luo Chi’s younger daughter.

This child Changle—if she wanted to give away male companions, fine, but giving one to each of Luo Chi’s daughters wasn’t enough? Why did she have to give one to every single one she met?

“Why give a young lady a male companion for no good reason?”

Hearing the reproach in Emperor Yong’an’s tone, Princess Changle pressed her lips together and said indifferently, “It’s just a male companion. Your daughter found Fourth Miss Luo pleasing to the eye and casually gave it to her. Is Imperial Father displeased?”

She couldn’t very well tell him that her male companion had passed gas at someone’s tavern, embarrassing her. She couldn’t bring herself to say that.

In the end, Emperor Yong’an couldn’t bear to reproach his beloved daughter and finally sighed. “Forget it. Don’t randomly give people gifts in the future.”

Princess Changle smiled sweetly. “Imperial Father, rest assured. Your daughter doesn’t give to just anyone. Not many people can catch your daughter’s eye.”

Emperor Yong’an secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Good that there weren’t many. If Changle gave male companions to several more candidate noble ladies, this consort selection might fall through entirely.

“Go back and rest.”

“Then your daughter takes her leave.” Princess Changle curtseyed slightly and walked out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation with light steps.

Outside the hall was a vast expanse of white, even the sky pale.

Princess Changle put away her smile and glanced in the direction of Yuhua Palace.

In the past, Imperial Father would never have summoned her to the palace over such an insignificant trifle.

Was it because Noble Consort Xiao was pregnant, and she would soon no longer be Imperial Father’s only child?

This thought flashed through her mind as coldness flickered in Princess Changle’s eyes.

The consort selection proceeded with great urgency and was completed before the Minor New Year, with a total of seven times seven—forty-nine noble ladies of exceptional beauty selected to enter the palace.

This result shocked many people.

In everyone’s estimation, selecting ten people for this consort selection would already be quite a lot. Forty-nine truly exceeded expectations.

In Xianyun Courtyard, Hong Dou spat in disgust. “What the hell—a decrepit old man having so many young, beautiful girls serve him! Why doesn’t he look in a mirror to see if he’s even capable!”

Kou’er pressed her lips together. “Does he even need to look? He’s definitely not capable.”

The two exchanged glances and shook their heads in unison.

Luo Sheng gazed at the snowflakes dancing outside the window and stopped her two maids from disparaging the Emperor.

Luo Yue received the news with a face full of lingering fear.

Forty-nine! That decrepit old man’s appetite was truly enormous! Thank goodness she had Third Sister.

The young lady picked up two roasted chickens and headed toward Xianyun Courtyard.