When she had just given birth to Brother Ran in her previous life, she also hadn’t dared to hold him, always feeling such a tiny life seemed especially fragile. Hearing Zhou Weizhao show off, she ignored him. Only after her hair was dry did she lie down facing inward on the bed, squinting her eyes to sleep.

After becoming pregnant, she was always especially fond of sleeping. During the first few months, she had been distressed for a while over Old Madam Song’s passing, and afterward became even more fond of sleeping. After just a few words, she would feel her back and waist aching, very tired.

But Zhou Weizhao wouldn’t let her sleep. “You just ate a midnight snack—don’t lie down. I’ll accompany you for a walk, shall I?”

Master Tianshi’s wife had instructed many times not to prevent Song Chuyi from moving around just because she was pregnant. She must move around more, and then she would suffer less during childbirth and it would go more smoothly. Zhou Weizhao kept this in mind and used every method to coax her into moving.

She was dug out from the bed and felt like losing her temper. “I already walked a circuit with you this morning!”

Zhou Weizhao still smiled and coaxed her. “Walk one more circuit. Tomorrow I’ll bring you steamed roast duck from Chongyin Workshop and have Yan’er come in to see you.”

Song Chuyi lost her temper, muttered something, and got up, letting Zhou Weizhao drape clothes over her. Walking through the corridor to the garden, she looked distantly at the glazed tiles and red palace walls under the moonlit sky, suddenly feeling somewhat dazed.

She had never imagined life could have such relaxed and leisurely moments—not having to worry about being plotted against in the next moment, not having to fear ulterior motives from the person beside her pillow, and even less having to fear that closing her eyes would bring endless nightmares.

Everything she had wanted before, she now had. Everything she had feared was now gone. She followed half a zhang behind Zhou Weizhao, looking at his back, stepping on his shadow as she walked forward, feeling both happy and satisfied.

After walking a few steps without her catching up, Zhou Weizhao turned back and extended his hand to her. “Walk one more circuit. After finishing this circuit, I’ll allow you to go back and sleep.” He also told Song Chuyi about Cui Yingshu’s plans. “Uncle plans to observe mourning for three years and will return to Jinzhong. There are many matters in Jinzhong waiting for him to return and make decisions, so if you want to arrange a marriage for your eldest cousin, you’d better hurry. Who knows how many young ladies in Jinzhong are waiting to set their sights on the Cui family’s eldest young master?”

This statement was true. Song Chuyi wasn’t surprised to hear Cui Yingshu would return to Jinzhong—Princess Duanhui had already mentioned it before. They would escort the coffin back to Jinzhong to observe mourning for three years, and after three years, they would await the Ministry of Personnel’s arrangements.

Although Song Chengru had already stepped down from his position as Minister of Personnel, his influence remained. Moreover, there was Zhou Weizhao, and Cui Yingshu himself had many fellow examination candidates. If they added this marriage alliance with the Chang family, three years later would be when he could truly display his talents. These three years could be considered biding his time.

After all, no matter what Zhou Weizhao thought, the one currently in charge was still Emperor Jianzhang. If Emperor Jianzhang wanted to be suspicious, no one could stop him.

The next day, Song Chuyi had Qing Ying go to Princess Duanhui’s manor.

Princess Duanhui had actually already heard some hints from Cui Yingshu, but she was still somewhat caught off guard by the Chang family’s swift action. After thinking, she went to ask her son’s opinion.

Her thoughts aligned with her husband’s and Song Chuyi’s—this was naturally a good match with suitable family backgrounds. Whether in terms of family standing or personal talents and appearance, they were extremely well-matched. But after all was said and done, what mattered most was whether her own child liked the match.

The Cui family’s eldest young master was talking with Song Yan when he heard Princess Duanhui’s summons. Thinking it was some matter, he was stunned speechless when he heard it concerned his own marriage, unsure how to react.

His usually composed appearance became somewhat unsustainable. Looking at Princess Duanhui, he was somewhat flustered. “Mother, I still need to observe mourning…”

Their manor should at least not see marriages for a year. How could they discuss marriage matters at this time?

Princess Duanhui shook her head. “Mother naturally knows this, but I’m just first asking your opinion.” She looked at her son very seriously and asked, “Why don’t you first tell Mother—during these two years of traveling and studying, is there a young lady you fancy?”

Cui Huaxuan was so anxious his voice changed pitch. “No, no… Mother, why do you ask this? Where would I meet young ladies…”

Princess Duanhui couldn’t help but laugh. “It was just an idle question—look how frightened you are. If you had a young lady you fancied, I would decline this match. But since you don’t…”

Seeing Cui Huaxuan frown, she told him, “This is naturally a future matter, but the current meaning is just to have you meet and see first. Otherwise, waiting until a year later to arrange the engagement, then marrying three years later—your cohort will probably all have one or two children by then. At that time it would be too late.”

Cui Huaxuan lowered his head. “Mother has someone in mind?”

Regarding marriage, Cui Huaxuan wasn’t like his sister, who already had someone she liked and thus found everyone else somewhat disagreeable, always feeling something was lacking. He thought very clearly—marriage was about joining two surnames in harmony, so naturally elders should make the decision. Since Princess Duanhui said this, he had no other objections.

Mother certainly wouldn’t harm him.

Recently, Princess Duanhui’s greatest worry was nothing other than her two children’s marriages. Cui Hualuan had already given her quite a headache, and Cui Huaxuan’s matter had also left her somewhat at a loss. In another three years, he would truly be delayed. Now that the Chang family was interested, they had connections, knew each other well, and since her son had no other person in his heart, she naturally wanted to try. Smiling, she told Cui Huaxuan, “The third miss of the Chang family…”

She continued, “Elder Chang is your father’s teacher, thus your grand-teacher. His granddaughter’s talents and appearance would certainly be worthy of you…”

After thinking, she went out to speak with Qing Ying, having Qing Ying return to tell Song Chuyi that if suitable, perhaps the two families could meet.

Song Chuyi had been the Duke’s wife for many years in her previous life and knew what this meeting meant. She was happy and, familiar with the process, gave them an idea—Master Taibai had recently come to Qingxu Temple to perform rites, and many distinguished officials and nobles were going to observe. If both Princess Duanhui and Old Madam Chang went, wouldn’t that work?

If the viewing was successful, that was naturally good. If unsuccessful—no one would know they had met.

Nanny Xu was always happy when she saw her happy. Smiling as she watched her arrange matters for the two families, she added jokingly, “Now you’ve become a matchmaker. If it succeeds, both families will have to give red envelopes.”

Song Chuyi also smiled, then asked Nanny Xu whether the gifts for the Cui family to take back to An’an and Lianyi were prepared. “An’an is already seven years old. I was in Yangzhou for her seventh birthday and didn’t have time to prepare and send gifts. This time I must make up for it with something more substantial.”

Mentioning An’an made Nanny Xu even happier. “Everything is prepared, including clothes and jewelry for Lianyi. In the letter sent from Jinzhong the other day, there was also one written by Lianyi saying everything was good, just that she was worried about you…”

Second update… Everyone go to sleep early after reading, good night good night.