Du Ruhui knew he was lamenting his own early elimination. “Indeed very interesting. What’s most remarkable is that although this princess grew up in the deep palace with fine clothes and exquisite food, she deeply understands the people’s hardships. Such a person is not someone that people like Dugu Hong, who only know how to rely on their family’s protection, can match.”

Pei Qiancheng chuckled softly and said, “Dugu Hong isn’t worthy, but you are, is that it?”

Du Ruhui glanced at him irritably. “How did this suddenly turn to me? I’ve already told you…” Before he could finish, Pei Qiancheng had already taken over, saying, “You have no intention of marrying the princess—I know.” Then he shook his head and said, “Looking at it now, the princess is truly excellent. If you could marry her, it would certainly be your good fortune.”

Du Ruhui smiled without speaking. The person he wanted to marry had always been only Meixue. Apart from Meixue, no matter how good other women were, they had nothing to do with him.

While they were talking, Yunyi returned to her chair. Xiao Shi turned her head and said, “Now that both Cuiji and Zheng Yang have spoken truthfully, their character seems good. It just depends on which one you prefer.”

Yunyi rubbed her forehead and said somewhat wearily, “Either one is the same. Mother Empress, please decide for your daughter.”

Xiao Shi sighed and said in a voice only they could hear, “Yunyi, Mother Empress knows your heart is not with either of these two, but Mother Empress believes they wouldn’t be inferior to that person, perhaps even better. At least… they would treat you wholeheartedly.”

Yunyi naturally knew who the “that person” she mentioned was. After a moment of silence, she said, “Mother Empress, your daughter is very tired and wants to rest for a while. Why don’t we let them stay in Linbo Pavilion for now, and decide later?”

“Very well.” Xiao Shi didn’t want to force her too much either, saying, “I still have some matters to attend to, so I’ll return to Zhaoyang Palace first. After you’ve made your choice, send someone to inform Mother Empress, and I’ll go request your father emperor to issue an imperial edict for the marriage.”

“Mm.” After Yunyi agreed, Xiao Shi rose and left amid the respectful farewells of the crowd. After Yunyi also returned to Changsheng Palace with the support of palace maids to change clothes, the young masters who had been afraid to breathe loudly finally let out a sigh of relief, and their conversation became much more casual than before.

“Truly remarkable—the ones who finally caught the princess’s eye were actually you two.” The speaker was Dugu Hong, his words carrying obvious hostility. In fact, most people harbored more or less hostility toward Cuiji and the other, since their path to becoming prince consort was blocked by these two.

Hearing Dugu Hong’s sarcastic tone, Zheng Yang wanted to speak, but Cuiji pulled him back, saying, “Forget it, don’t stoop to his level. Let’s go sit over there.”

Before Zheng Yang could speak, the person beside Dugu Hong already sneered, “Oh, putting on airs before even becoming prince consort—truly remarkable.”

Another person said, “There’s only one prince consort position. Just watch—they’ll definitely fight until their heads are bloody. What do you think? Should we call the imperial physicians to wait nearby?” These few were all descendants of great aristocratic families, naturally unafraid of the Zheng and Cui families.

Zheng Yang had a straightforward temperament and couldn’t stand their cold mockery and ridicule. He stepped forward and said, “You spoke nonsense yourselves, refusing to tell the truth, and were disqualified by the princess just now. Instead of reflecting properly, you’re still talking nonsense here. With your kind of character, it would be strange if the princess took a liking to you!”

Dugu Hong and the others were already full of jealousy, and hearing his words, they could no longer restrain themselves. They glared and said, “Surnamed Zheng, what did you say? Say it again!”

Pei Qiancheng, fearing they would start quarreling, stepped forward to mediate: “Everyone say one less word, don’t quarrel. If word reaches the princess’s ears, she’ll definitely be displeased.”

Dugu Hong looked Pei Qiancheng up and down and said rudely, “What are you? Do you have the right to speak here? Get lost!”

His arrogant attitude made Pei Qiancheng, who had kindly tried to mediate, angry. If not for considering the Dugu clan’s power, with his temperament he would have thrown a punch long ago.

Just as the situation was deadlocked, Cuiji stepped forward and pulled Zheng Yang, saying, “Enough, Brother Zheng, don’t argue with them about these meaningless things. By the way, I noticed earlier that there are many fish in Jiuzhou Pond. Why don’t we go admire the fish?”

Just as Zheng Yang was about to go with him, Dugu Hong said again, “What? Scared?”

The anger that Zheng Yang had just suppressed immediately flared up again. He broke free from Cuiji’s grip and grabbed Dugu Hong’s collar, shouting fiercely, “Surnamed Dugu, say that again! Who’s afraid of you?!”

Dugu Hong’s lips curved slightly, revealing an almost imperceptible smile. “Aren’t you running away with your tail between your legs because you’re scared?”

“You!” Zheng Yang’s eyelids twitched, and his hand hanging at his side had already clenched into a tight fist, ready to swing out at any moment.

Cuiji frowned tightly beside him. This Dugu Hong kept picking on them, clearly provoking them on purpose, deliberately trying to anger them. If they really started fighting, things would become troublesome—they might even lose their qualification to be selected as prince consort because of this. Unfortunately, Zheng Yang was stubborn and didn’t know how to be flexible. Sigh.

Just as he was worrying about how to persuade Zheng Yang to leave, a voice reached his ears: “Young Master Dugu and Young Master Zheng, please calm your anger. Although the princess isn’t here right now, we’re still in the imperial palace. If a fight breaks out, I’m afraid neither of you would look good.”

Dugu Hong glanced at him and sneered, “I know you—last year’s top graduate in the palace examination, called Du Ruhui or something. You’re currently tending horses at the Court of Imperial Stud. Ha ha ha, a horse tender—no wonder you smell like horse dung. Ruhui… hui, regret—it seems your parents really regret giving birth to you.”

Pei Qiancheng’s face darkened as he said, “Don’t talk nonsense. My brother is a secretary at the Court of Imperial Stud, responsible for clerical work. He’s not a horse tender at all. Also, don’t mock my brother’s name.”

“Is there a difference? Looking at him, he’s clearly just a horse tender. As for the name, so what if I mock it?” Faced with Dugu Hong’s mockery, Du Ruhui showed no anger, only saying to Zheng Yang, “Young Master Zheng, arguing at this time would bring you a hundred harms and no benefits.”

Cuiji cast a grateful glance at Du Ruhui and said in a low voice, “Brother Zheng, he’s deliberately trying to anger you and make you lose your qualification. You must swallow this anger and not let him have his way.”

Under the persuasion of the two, Zheng Yang took a deep breath and slowly released Dugu Hong’s collar. He stepped back several paces and said to Cuiji and Du Ruhui, “Let’s go admire the fish!”

After saying this, no matter how Dugu Hong provoked or mocked, he didn’t turn back or stop walking. He walked straight to the edge of Jiuzhou Pond, leaned against the white marble carved stone railing, and let out a long breath. “That was close! Fortunately, you reminded me, otherwise I would have fallen into their trap!”

Cuiji sighed and said, “I didn’t expect Dugu Hong to be so petty. Fortunately, the princess saw through his character, otherwise it really wouldn’t be a good thing.”