“Guo Huaiying has lost several battles in a row. Now Imperial Grandfather is very angry and told him if he loses another battle, he’ll be sent home to farm. Things probably aren’t going well for him.” Zhou Weizhao stood up. Hearing that food was being sent from Mingcui Palace, he led Song Chuyi to stand and told her, “But you needn’t worry about any of these matters. The Grand Secretariat will deliberate and come up with a plan.”

Song Chuyi was indeed very intelligent and could foresee future events, but the life in her dream was now completely different from the life she was currently experiencing. Her dream experiences could no longer help. Zhou Weizhao didn’t want her to rack her brains thinking about these matters.

But Song Chuyi was still somewhat unsettled.

Though the Japanese pirates weren’t as frightening as the Tartars, when seriously considered, they were very annoying. Every now and then they would come to the coastal borders to burn, kill, and plunder—it was truly as disgusting as swallowing a fly.

Worse still, Great Zhou had even married off a princess in alliance, which was truly more loss than gain.

Zhou Weizhao touched her head, trying hard to divert her attention. “Mother said Minister Meng’s daughter is quite good…”

Minister Meng? Song Chuyi remembered—the one who had taken Song Chengru’s position was the former Vice Minister of Revenue, later promoted all the way to Minister of Revenue, Meng Jiming. Meng Jiming had now been transferred to Minister of Personnel.

She belatedly reacted. “So what?”

She had often seen Uncle Meng in her childhood and often heard Song Chengru and Old Madam Song mention the Meng family. She knew the Meng family claimed to be the seventy-first generation descendants of Mencius and was a very noble household.

Noble but not falsely so—Uncle Meng was a very good person.

Zhou Weizhao coughed into his fist. “For you to consider a marriage match for Yan’er.” He knew Song Chuyi cared most about Song Yan. Bringing this up now was best for diverting Song Chuyi’s attention, so he continued, “Yan’er has also reached the age to discuss marriage, hasn’t he? Even if the wedding is later, he should start meeting prospects now. Don’t forget—though Cui Huaxuan must observe mourning, Yan’er must observe mourning too. If we wait until after the mourning period to discuss marriage, things might be rather rushed…”

Song Chuyi was indeed diverted. Zhou Weizhao was right—Cui Huaxuan had to observe mourning, and so did Yan’er. If they waited until Yan’er finished his mourning period before looking for candidates, it would be somewhat late.

Then thinking of Zhou Weizhao mentioning the Meng family, she thought for a long time but didn’t know how to make a decision.

In terms of family background and standing, the Meng family was naturally suitable, but Yan’er also had to approve, didn’t he?

She was somewhat hesitant. “Actually it’s not that late. Even if we wait until after mourning, he’ll only be fourteen. For boys, there are many who marry at seventeen or eighteen, and plenty in their twenties…”

Was discussing marriage now too early?

People always had some blind confidence in those close to them. Song Chuyi always felt perhaps in the future there might be someone even better suited for Song Yan.

Though the Meng family had good lineage and family traditions, she had heard the young ladies they raised were all very rigid.

Yan’er wasn’t someone who would like a rigid young lady. If two unsuitable people were put together, their future days probably couldn’t be said to be very pleasant.

Song Chuyi didn’t seek for Song Yan to marry a young lady who could provide much assistance. She only hoped Song Yan could live out this life peacefully and safely, able to follow his heart in all matters, able to have things go as he wished.

Zhou Weizhao hadn’t really meant to decide anything. He just wanted to coax Song Chuyi into not thinking about Fujian affairs. Seeing Song Chuyi so serious, he thought for a moment and also seriously helped her consider. “What you say does have some merit. To live life together, the two people must like each other. Otherwise, if two dull people are put together, wouldn’t they be bored their whole lives?”

Crown Princess Lu, hearing they were discussing Song Yan’s marriage, was somewhat surprised. “Isn’t Yan’er still young? Even after mourning, he’ll only be fifteen by counting years, won’t he? Why the need to settle a marriage so quickly?”

Zhou Weizhao smiled and steered the topic away, mentioning other matters. Seeing Song Chuyi seem to realize what he’d done and glare at him, he winked at her.

He rarely acted so mischievously. Song Chuyi felt both annoyed and amused, unable to help but laugh aloud with a snort.

Seeing her laugh, Zhou Weizhao also laughed.

Crown Princess Lu looked at Zhou Weizhao, then at Song Chuyi, roughly understanding. Smiling, she glared at Zhou Weizhao. “You’re particularly sly.”

After finishing the meal, Zhou Weizhao as usual led Song Chuyi out for a stroll, holding her hand and swinging it. “How about I take you out to see some excitement tomorrow?”

Since becoming pregnant, Song Chuyi had hardly left the palace. Hearing Zhou Weizhao say he would take her out, she was very happy. “Where to?”

“Didn’t you just agree to arrange a match for someone? Of course I’m taking you to see how people meet prospects…” He smiled at Song Chuyi again. “Let you accumulate some experience and lessons, so when it’s truly time to discuss marriage for Yan’er, you’ll be prepared. Tomorrow Yan’er will probably be going too—you can see him then.”

Song Chuyi naturally wanted to go out and see Song Yan. Compared to seeing Song Yan, being able to leave the palace and go have fun weren’t as important. She was absolutely delighted, pulling Zhou Weizhao’s hand and swinging it. “You’ll really take me?”

Qing Ying, following behind, felt very worried.

His Highness would truly use any method to make their young lady happy, but in her current condition, how was it appropriate for her to run around outside the palace? If something went wrong, then…

But in a flash, she felt she was overthinking. Zhou Weizhao wasn’t someone who acted on impulse. Since he said he would take Song Chuyi out, he must have already made full preparations—he was specifically taking her out to relax.

Counting it up, Song Chuyi had indeed been confined in the palace too long. Going out for some fresh air would be good…

Zhou Weizhao, seeing Song Chuyi like an excited child, smiled with his eyes crinkling. “Kiss me once, and I’ll take you.”

Song Chuyi hadn’t expected Zhou Weizhao to suddenly say such a thing. Somewhat incredulous, she glanced at him. Seeing both Qing Ying and Ziyun burying their heads and suppressing laughter, she felt somewhat flushed.

In both her previous and current lives combined, she had never been teased like this. For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond, stammering, “How about, how about we change the condition…”

Zhou Weizhao refused. Rarely being somewhat mischievous, he brought his left cheek close to Song Chuyi. “Just one kiss. Only Qing Ying and the others will see anyway, and they won’t tell anyone. Kiss me once, and I’ll take you out, plus take you to Chongyin Workshop to have tea and watch a play…”

Under the moonlight, Song Chuyi’s face was completely red. Fluttering her eyelashes, she was somewhat undecided. After a long while, she suddenly stood on tiptoe and quickly pecked Zhou Weizhao’s cheek. “You must keep your word!”

Second update… Advertising for the new book—don’t miss it as you pass by! New book “Spring Chamber Secrets” seeking bookmarks and recommendations. Love you all, mwah mwah. A foolish donkey trying hard to finish filling in the plot hole is watching you all.