Chief Minister Chang didn’t respond at first. After a long while, he clicked his tongue. “Does this His Highness really need you to seek my counsel? I’ve followed His Majesty for all these years, yet still wouldn’t dare claim I can guess His Majesty’s intentions every single time. But everything this His Highness does—which time hasn’t he accurately grasped His Majesty’s intentions before acting? I’ve never seen him take a wrong step. With such profound insight, and yet he’s not someone who conducts himself improperly—you don’t need to worry about him.”

Cui Yingshu naturally knew this point. Otherwise, how could his teacher, who was even shrewder than Song Chengru, possibly give Zhou Weizhao face and connections time after time for no reason? Even the Crown Prince himself couldn’t obtain any benefits from Chief Minister Chang, let alone ask Chief Minister Chang to extend a helping hand. It was precisely because he recognized that Zhou Weizhao was different from the Crown Prince—not a creature confined to a pond—that his teacher had lent assistance several times. He gave his teacher a smile. “I know all the reasoning Teacher speaks of. Previously, I also felt that the Grand Prince was truly as clear-minded as could be, but hearing him speak today, I feel he’s still a child.”

Chief Minister Chang’s hand paused. He looked up at Cui Yingshu. “What do you mean by this?”

Among the five Cabinet members, Chief Minister Chang had the longest tenure and was the most moderate in character. He accomplished real work, but absolutely didn’t only accomplish real work. Over these many years, many people had entered and left the Cabinet, yet he alone stood firm. Since ancient times, very few Cabinet Chief Ministers had met good ends, yet he wanted to be among those rare few, and therefore left room everywhere.

And to achieve a good end, naturally it was best to stand at the heights for as long as possible. Otherwise, once one fell, who knew when one might be plotted against? Just like Chief Minister Li from the previous emperor’s time—after painstakingly and anxiously struggling until retirement, originally thinking he could live out his years in glory, who knew that once a minor figure he had previously offended rose to position, his entire family met with great misfortune.

The lesson wasn’t far removed. Though this Chief Minister during his tenure could be considered as not making difficulties for others, he had ultimately offended quite a few people. Who could know whether he might one day meet the same fate as Chief Minister Li? Better to forever keep power firmly grasped in his hands.

And at his age, perhaps he might still serve the next sovereign. At this time, he naturally needed to be even more cautious.

Cui Yingshu then relayed what Zhou Weizhao had said earlier, finally looking at Chief Minister Chang. “Since ancient times, which emperor hasn’t had three palaces, six courts, and seventy-two consorts? Even our Great Ancestor, who had remarkably few, still spent over a hundred thousand taels of silver monthly on rouge and powder money for the imperial concubines and ladies in the rear palace—one can imagine how many people were in the rear palace. Yet His Highness is thinking of a lifetime with one person, dreaming such dreams—”

If this wasn’t a child’s way of thinking, what else could it be?

But Chief Minister Chang furrowed his brow. He had dealt with Zhou Weizhao quite a few times and knew Zhou Weizhao was definitely not the type to speak carelessly. If he said so, then he certainly planned to do so. And he also had the capability to do so.

In that case, Old Madam Chang’s previous thoughts could be set aside—since this Grand Prince had spoken thus, he would certainly act accordingly. He valued the Song family’s Sixth Miss so highly that if they rushed forward to send their family’s daughter, not only would it appear too opportunistic, they would likely offend the Song family while failing to gain Zhou Weizhao’s favor.

He set down what he was holding and looked at Cui Yingshu. “You’ve dealt with the Grand Prince for quite some time. You should know he’s not someone without calculation. If he weren’t confident, he wouldn’t speak such words.”

Someone who could fathom even Emperor Jianzhang’s thoughts so thoroughly wouldn’t be a fool. Naturally, he would only dare make such bold claims after having a foolproof strategy.

When Cui Yingshu returned home and mentioned this to Princess Duanhui, he still felt Chief Minister Chang was somewhat too optimistic. He naturally believed Zhou Weizhao had such capability—it was just that hearts easily changed. Right now, while everything was fresh, he would naturally speak thus, but who could guarantee his heart wouldn’t change in the future? After pondering, seeing Princess Duanhui’s face full of emotion, he sighed. “Don’t envy too early. Find an opportunity to advise Xiaoyi for me—tell her not to take his words too seriously.”

Princess Duanhui let out a derisive laugh, then immediately straightened her face. “Is it not permitted that there are truly devoted lovers in this world?”

Though she had grown up reading the Admonitions for Women and watching the Rules for Women, what woman truly willingly shared her husband with others? Knowing the principles, her heart still felt discontent. Now, suddenly hearing her husband speak of Zhou Weizhao’s promise to Song Chuyi, even her own heart felt somewhat troubled. She sat on the bed edge for a long while, covering her face for some time before finally lifting her head and sighing softly. “Even if it’s momentary joy, that’s still good. If the dream can last longer, naturally there’s more happiness. Why must you insist on shattering it for her?”

She was an intelligent person. With her parents dying early, she understood very well how to live life well. Cui Yingshu only had one concubine and one chambermaid—he could already be considered a rarely-seen good man. She shouldn’t wish for more. Sometimes being muddled was actually better for living—when one calculated too clearly, life became difficult to bear.

Cui Yingshu became somewhat anxious. “You also know this is a dream. In dreams, naturally one is happy, but what should happen upon waking? Better not to hold hope from the beginning.” He removed his outer garment himself and hung it on the screen, turning to look at her. “His Highness speaks so beautifully that even I, her uncle, can’t help but be moved—how much more so Xiaoyi? The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. She’s not someone who can tolerate sand in her eyes. I fear she’ll get caught in a dead end.”

Since Song Chuyi’s mother had suffered at Song Yi’s hands, Cui Yingshu had truly become somewhat fearful. These two people—when things were good, they were wonderful in every way,恨不得一颗真心全部捧给人家wishing to offer their whole hearts to the other completely. But once something went wrong, how could they easily let it go? He deeply feared Song Chuyi would follow in her mother’s footsteps. “When you visit during the Mid-Autumn Festival, advise her—speak gently. Though I’m her uncle, some words aren’t good for me to say. Tell her that if things go well in the future, that’s naturally good, but if they don’t, she must absolutely not get caught in a dead end. No matter what, she still has us.”

Princess Duanhui had composed her emotions and now felt fortunate that her daughter could restrain her own heart. Otherwise, if the situation were like this and she had begged, relying on past affection to fulfill her daughter’s wishes, and Song Chuyi had agreed out of consideration for herself and Cui Yingshu—her daughter would have plenty of bitterness to eat in the future. Zhou Weizhao’s heart and eyes clearly held only Song Chuyi alone—where was there room for anyone else?

She gave an affirmative response, then asked Cui Yingshu, “What does Weizhao mean by saying he won’t act himself?”

Hearing Zhou Weizhao’s meaning, he had rarely become angry and didn’t want to let Princess Consort Gong off. But what could he do? At least on the surface, Princess Consort Gong hadn’t done anything—how could he move against her?