Jiao Meng whispered: “Many servants in the manor have seen Madam Zhou and the master being… improper…”

“Bang!” The cup in hand was smashed to the ground by Consort Mei, shattering to pieces. “The master probably hasn’t mentioned establishing a primary wife because of that vixen. Zhou is truly skilled—their whole family only knows how to seduce men! Shameless!”

Jiao Meng hesitated: “Now that Second Miss is about to enter the Wei Manor, I fear the one in Gongtong Court will become even more brazen.”

Consort Mei let out a cold laugh: “What’s there to be brazen about? Isn’t there still a Crown Princess above her? I see Fourth Miss isn’t one to be trifled with either. Once she enters the manor, Zhuang Yushan won’t be her match. Zhou thinks she’s made a good marriage alliance, but who knows how they’ll end up dying.”

Jiao Meng nodded: “This servant thinks so too. That’s why Consort Zhou must be very troubled lately—she doesn’t want Fourth Miss to marry into the Wei Manor, but without Fourth Miss’s marriage settled, Second Miss can’t enter the Wei Prince Manor.”

“You mean…” Consort Mei looked at Jiao Meng: “Zhou is in such disarray now, she’s bound to make mistakes. The Consort can watch her movements, and if we catch any mistakes…” She smiled without finishing her sentence.

Consort Mei’s eyes lit up as she praised: “You’re right. Even if there are no mistakes, she’ll make some.”

Meanwhile, Zhuang Shiyang was busy preparing for Zhuang Yushan’s wedding. In his view, Han Yan’s marriage was already settled and couldn’t possibly go wrong, so he paid little attention. He didn’t know that in the shadows, someone had already disrupted all the pieces on the board.

“You want me to decree a marriage between Wei Prince’s Crown Prince and the Right Minister’s daughter? Why?” The emperor, in his high position, rarely showed such bewilderment—occupying this position meant showing no emotions. But why would his emotionally detached royal brother suddenly care about a minister’s marriage?

He said: “Don’t tell me you want to play matchmaker.”

Fu Yunxi spoke softly: “The Right Minister has grown increasingly bold this year, as has Prince Wei. These two factions having no connection might seem too unusual. This subject has heard that the Crown Prince plans to marry the Zhuang Manor’s Fourth Miss as his Crown Princess.” He glanced at the emperor, reminding him: “Zhuang Shiyang was just demoted a few days ago.”

The emperor looked at him thoughtfully, waiting for him to continue.

“Unusual events must hide ulterior motives. Zhuang Shiyang is merely a fifth-rank official. For Prince Wei to give up an alliance with the Right Minister in favor of marrying into Zhuang’s family, there must be a scheme. Regardless, Prince Wei is already a thorn in Your Majesty’s side—anything beneficial to him must not be allowed to succeed.”

The emperor let out a long “hmm”: “You make sense, but Prince Wei marrying into the Right Minister’s family would also increase his power. Perhaps that Zhuang’s daughter had a childhood betrothal with the Crown Prince? Or maybe they’re in love?”

Fu Yunxi raised an eyebrow: “The Right Minister’s daughter is infatuated with the Crown Prince.”

“So what?” The emperor observed his expression with interest: “Tell me, what’s the real reason you don’t want the Wei and Zhuang families to unite in marriage?” He knew his royal brother too well—whenever he spoke especially righteously, he had personal motives.

“This subject wishes to marry Fourth Miss Zhuang as his Princess Consort,” Fu Yunxi said expressionlessly.

At these words, the emperor nearly jumped up: “You want to steal the bride from the Wei Prince Manor?”

“If Your Majesty puts it that way, this subject can only agree.” Fu Yunxi frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the term “steal the bride.”

The emperor thought carefully. He had some impression of Fourth Miss Zhuang—her painting at the palace banquet had made people see her in a new light, but… she was Zhuang Shiyang’s daughter.

He looked at Fu Yunxi: “The Empress Dowager thinks the Zhuang daughter and the Crown Prince are well-matched…”

Fu Yunxi’s gaze turned sharp: “How would she know…”

The emperor could barely meet his gaze: “She mentioned it long ago… At the time, I also wondered why the Empress Dowager paid such attention to the unknown Fourth Miss Zhuang.” Seeing Fu Yunxi’s silence, he added: “The Empress Dowager supports this marriage. Your request likely cannot be fulfilled, Yunxi…”

Fu Yunxi remained silent for a long while, then suddenly curved his lips, his eyes unreadable. Seeing this expression, the emperor felt uneasy—this look meant trouble for those around them.

Sure enough, Fu Yunxi said carelessly: “This subject merely came to inform Your Majesty, not to request anything.” He fixed the emperor with an ambiguous smile, his tone inexplicably strange: “After all, everything will go as I wish.”

He wouldn’t even say “this subject” anymore. The emperor felt chills down his spine. Though his brother appeared as graceful as an immortal, he could be ruthless. The emperor sensed something amiss, fearing he might do something outrageous. Honestly, he had worried endlessly about Fu Yunxi’s marriage over the years, always without success. Now that Fu Yunxi suddenly expressed interest in taking a Princess Consort, he was overjoyed and nearly issued the imperial decree immediately. But why did it have to be Zhuang Han Yan? Even as emperor, having seen all aspects of life, he couldn’t understand why this young girl received so much attention.

As Fu Yunxi reached the door, he seemed to remember something and turned back lazily: “I forgot to tell Your Majesty… this subject will march against the Western Rong next spring. I had hoped to leave an heir, but now that won’t be necessary.” Ignoring the emperor’s dumbfounded expression, Fu Yunxi delivered the final straw: “In this life, this subject will marry no one but her.”

“Stop!” The emperor gritted his teeth.

“Is there something else, Your Majesty?” He turned sideways, playing with his ink-black hair, his pose picturesque and otherworldly. Who would know the malicious thoughts behind this facade? Only Fu Yunxi would dare threaten the emperor in broad daylight!

“Someone come! Draft an imperial decree!” The emperor glared furiously at Fu Yunxi: “I’ll arrange the marriage now, and you WILL stay in the capital! Don’t even think about going anywhere!”

How many years had it been since he’d seen the emperor with such an expression? Fu Yunxi’s gaze deepened. Since ascending to this position, he had always worn a mask. He was a good emperor, a good emperor who had abandoned all selfish feelings. From then on, there was only justice for the realm and the common people. The last time he saw the emperor show this expression was when he went to battle against his wishes at age fourteen.

Fu Yunxi smiled: “Brother’s care moves me deeply.”

He used “Brother” instead of “Your Majesty,” naturally more intimate. Hearing this, the emperor’s expression softened somewhat as he sighed: “I’ll have to offend the Empress Dowager for you again.”

“She’s not our real Empress Dowager anyway,” Fu Yunxi sneered.

“Nonsense!” The emperor lowered his voice to scold him, and seeing no one around, turned back: “I’ve never understood…”