The maidservant returned to the bedchamber with a nervous heart, gazing at Noble Consort Pei, who was resting comfortably against the armrest of her imperial chaise lounge, her fingers pressed to her temple. She swallowed and said, “Your Highness, Princess Youle is feeling unwell. She will come to visit you another day when she is better.”

“Aunt!” Pei Shutong tugged at Noble Consort Pei’s sleeve.

“Tongtong, His Majesty has permitted you to visit your aunt in the palace. You must not cause any more trouble, or your aunt will wash her hands of you.” Noble Consort Pei said sternly.

Pei Shutong’s eyes welled up with aggrieved tears. “Aunt!”

“Tongtong, stop waiting for the Crown Prince. You cannot afford to keep waiting. In two more years, every young man in the capital your age will have taken a principal wife. What will you do then? Surely someone of your standing does not intend to become a concubine?”

Noble Consort Pei spoke with gentle persuasion. “Tongtong, you are the legitimate daughter of the Chancellor’s household. Aside from the Crown Prince, whatever kind of man you wish to marry, your aunt can petition His Majesty to grant you an imperial match.”

Pei Shutong’s eyes shimmered with anxious tears. “I don’t want that, Aunt. What if, in two years’ time, after His Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he begins selecting consorts?”

“If he selects consorts, then we shall choose one of your half-sisters, transfer her into your mother’s name, and have her enter the palace. That way, if she wins his favor, the Chancellor’s household could also…”

“No!” Pei Shutong interrupted Noble Consort Pei with a stuffy, tearful voice, and said willfully, “Aunt, I want to marry His Highness the Crown Prince.”

How could any of her half-sisters be worthy of marrying His Highness, or worthy of bearing his children?!

The mere thought of the Crown Prince having children with another woman drove her mad with jealousy.

“Tongtong!” Noble Consort Pei’s expression turned cold. “What if the Crown Prince still takes no consort even two years from now? Will you keep waiting forever?”

“I…” Pei Shutong held back her tears, a deep sense of loss flickering in her eyes. “Aunt, is there truly no other way?”

Noble Consort Pei’s brow furrowed slightly. Another way?

Unless they found a way to put Tongtong and the Crown Prince in the same bed for the night — but drugging the Crown Prince, given Xuanzhao’s laws and His Majesty’s deep affection for the Crown Prince, would be the end of them.

If not that, then the only option was to strike at the Crown Prince’s consort.

Noble Consort Pei’s eyes narrowed slightly. If the Crown Prince’s consort were to betray him, the situation would be entirely different. Or perhaps, she could render the Crown Prince’s consort barren…

Both approaches could also be tried together.

“Aunt?” Pei Shutong wiped her tears.

“I will help you one last time.” Noble Consort Pei relented, lightly tapping Pei Shutong on the forehead.

“Aunt.” Pei Shutong sniffled, wrapped her arms around Noble Consort Pei’s, and pressed her lips into a smile. “Shutong thanks you, Aunt.”

Noble Consort Pei stroked her hair. “Tongtong, your aunt will help you, but you must also work to make yourself visible in the Crown Prince’s eyes.”

Pei Shutong raised her gaze and could not help asking, “Aunt, how can Shutong make herself visible in His Highness the Crown Prince’s eyes?”

“The Crown Prince is, after all, a man.” Noble Consort Pei said earnestly. “Right now he favors the Crown Princess’s manner. You should first study her comportment, and once the Crown Prince notices you, gradually develop your own style.”

Pei Shutong muttered quietly, “But when the Crown Princess and His Highness are together, he personally serves food to her plate, and she calls him by his given name. He is very indulgent with her. How is Shutong supposed to imitate that?”

When she had followed the Grand Princess’s maidservant to Qilan, she had seen how His Highness the Crown Prince interacted with Yan Yunning — Yan Yunning showed not the slightest deference to him at all.

His Highness had not said a word about it, but she would never dare speak to the Crown Prince so boldly.

“You.” Noble Consort Pei shook her head helplessly. “I told you to study the Crown Princess’s comportment, not to imitate how the Crown Prince and Crown Princess interact with each other.”

The Crown Prince was sovereign, and Tongtong was the daughter of the Chancellor, a subject’s daughter. How could the Crown Prince possibly treat Tongtong the same way?

“Shutong understands now.”

“Furthermore, when you are in the presence of the Crown Prince, conduct yourself with proper decorum. Do not ask things that are not your place to ask. A subject’s daughter must behave accordingly with the Crown Prince and must not overstep her bounds.” Noble Consort Pei advised.

“Shutong understands.”

“The Empress of Xuanzhao is currently selecting a consort for the Fifth Princess. Go home and tell your elder brother Shunian to be attentive. The Fifth Princess is a legitimate princess, and if Shunian could wed her, it would be nothing but advantageous for the Chancellor’s household.”

“Aunt, my elder brother already has a principal wife in mind.” Pei Shutong said gently.

Noble Consort Pei frowned. “Which household’s daughter?”

“The legitimate daughter of the Minister of Revenue — Mu Xue.”

“Mu Xue?”

Was she not the one His Majesty had previously decreed, along with Tongtong, to be appointed as the Crown Prince’s side consorts?

“Yes.” Pei Shutong nodded.

Noble Consort Pei let out a quiet sigh. Even others knew to give up on the Crown Prince — why was Tongtong so stubborn?

It was almost certainly because she had been captivated by the Crown Prince’s remarkably handsome face!

“Aunt, Mother asked me to inquire — when will you arrange for the Ninth Princess to marry Second Brother?”

Noble Consort Pei pressed her lips together slightly. “Zhaoyue is His Majesty’s princess. His Majesty would never permit her to marry a man with a lame leg.”

Shuluo may be handsome, but he had been born with a lame leg. The Chancellor’s wife adored him all the more for it and was determined to have Shuluo wed a princess, so that no one would dare mock him.

Shuluo was the legitimate son of the Chancellor’s household — that alone was enough to deter mockery. Yet her sister-in-law insisted on Shuluo marrying a princess.

After much deliberation, she had settled on Zhaoyue, whose mother had passed away.

Zhaoyue had a kind nature, which made her a reasonable match, but His Majesty would certainly be unwilling.

“Aunt, aside from her title as princess, how is the Ninth Princess in any way worthy of Second Brother?” Pei Shutong grumbled with displeasure.

Noble Consort Pei smiled faintly. “And yet she is a princess. That title cannot be removed.”

Pei Shutong pouted. “Aunt!”

“All right, your aunt has heard you and will find a moment to mention it to His Majesty.” Noble Consort Pei rubbed the space between her brows. “Have the maidservant escort you out of the palace. Your aunt is tired.”

Pei Shutong pressed her lips together. “Aunt, Shutong takes her leave then.”

“Mm.” Noble Consort Pei waved her hand.

She needed to think carefully about how to help Tongtong. As for Zhaoyue’s matter, she could set that aside for now. Zhaoyue was an obedient child — a few gentle words from her, and the girl would most likely agree. If Zhaoyue consented on her own, she would also have a reason to bring it before His Majesty.

——

Pei Shutong made her way home to the Chancellor’s estate in high spirits, and when she caught sight of her Second Sister in a pale green dress, whose delicate face carried an air of gentle softness, her smile immediately faded.

Looking at that soft, gentle face, she was suddenly reminded of what Noble Consort Pei had said — “simply choose one of your half-sisters, transfer her into your mother’s name, and have her marry the Crown Prince.”

Second Sister was the same age as her. If she were to marry someone else, Second Sister would have a chance of marrying the Crown Prince. She would not allow it!

She would not allow it!

“I pay my respects to Elder Sister.” Second Miss Pei smiled and curtsied.

“Does younger sister have anyone she fancies? If so, Elder Sister can speak to Mother on your behalf.” Pei Shutong said coolly.

Second Miss Pei replied in her soft, coquettish manner, “Elder Sister, I shall defer entirely to Mother’s judgment.”

Pei Shutong smiled. “Very well. I will speak with Mother and find a suitable husband for Second Sister.”

“Thank you, Elder Sister.” Second Miss Pei smiled brightly and bobbed in a curtsy.

Pei Shutong raised her chin, gave a scoffing laugh, stepped past Pei Shulou, and returned to her own chamber.

“Second Miss, do you truly intend to let the Madam choose a husband for you?” Once Pei Shutong had gone, the maidservant said with concern, “The Madam will not take it to heart.”

Pei Shulou’s red lips curved into a smile. “Of course not!”