Prince Jing’s Heir, Qi Shuo, did not have a high presence in the capital.

Prince Jing and Princess Jing had two sons and one daughter: the eldest son Qi Shuo, the second son Qi Huan, and their daughter Qi Qiong.

Eight years ago, Emperor Tai’an summoned the enfeoffed princes to the capital, and from then on, princes from all regions had taken up permanent residence in the capital. Prince Jing’s Heir had fallen ill during the journey to the capital. After arriving in the capital, he lived quietly and simply, unlike his second younger brother Qi Huan who frequently attended gatherings and amusements with young nobles.

Now Qi Shuo was already nineteen years old. Years of tranquil living had given him less of the imperial relatives’ ostentation and arrogance, and more calm and gentle refinement.

Watching her son enter, Princess Jing’s lips unconsciously curved upward: “Does Shuo’er have some matter to discuss?”

Qi Shuo paid his respects to Princess Jing and stated his purpose: “Mother Consort, have you heard the rumors circulating outside?”

Whether it was a young lady of distinguished family spying on a young prince or a mute speaking aloud, both far exceeded the standard of ordinary gossip. Moreover, it had occurred in their own courtyard. Princess Jing had naturally heard of it.

She picked up her teacup and took a light sip, asking impassively: “What has Shuo’er heard?”

“People are all saying that Second Miss Wen… was spying on your son…”

Princess Jing raised her eyebrows slightly: “Wasn’t she?”

Although what she’d heard from her son and daughter wasn’t like this, she didn’t believe that Shuo’er had called for help at that time.

Her son—didn’t she understand him?

Princess Jing looked deeply at her eldest son once, waiting to hear what he would say.

“Of course not. Your son already said yesterday that Second Miss Wen climbed the wall because she heard me call for help.”

Princess Jing stared fixedly at her son, tall and slender like green bamboo, her heart growing doubtful.

Why was Shuo’er defending Second Miss Wen so much?

Regardless of what she thought in her heart, since her son had said so, as a mother she naturally wouldn’t undermine him.

Princess Jing then smiled: “The world loves to spread false rumors. It’s not surprising such gossip arose.”

Qi Shuo’s expression grew solemn: “But such rumors could ruin a young lady’s reputation.”

“Then what does Shuo’er plan to do?”

“Why doesn’t Mother Consort have someone send some gifts to Wen Mansion to express our gratitude?”

Prince Jing’s Mansion proactively sending gifts to Wen Mansion would acknowledge that Second Miss Wen climbed the wall to rescue Prince Jing’s Heir. This way, at least publicly, people wouldn’t mention such rumors again.

Princess Jing glanced at Qi Shuo with a half-smile: “Shuo’er has thought quite thoroughly.”

Qi Shuo lowered his eyes, shame appearing on his face: “After all, Second Miss Wen was trying to rescue your son.”

The corners of Princess Jing’s mouth twitched. She couldn’t go along with this anymore.

“Ahem.” She picked up her teacup and said lightly, “Even so, Second Miss Wen’s marriage prospects will still be affected in the future. You must know, the world only wishes to believe what it wants to believe.”

Qi Shuo seemed not to have thought of this point. His eyebrows rose: “If that’s the case… in any case, your son has not yet taken a wife. Mother Consort could go to Wen Mansion to propose marriage—”

“Cough cough cough!” Princess Jing was choked by her tea and coughed violently.

A maidservant beside her hastily patted her back lightly.

Princess Jing waved her hand, signaling the maidservant to step aside, and looked at her son as if she’d seen a ghost: “Mother Consort has only just finished her morning meal. It’s not suitable to hear jokes that cause such turbulent emotions.”

“Your son is not joking. After all, Second Miss Wen was trying to rescue your son.”

Princess Jing nearly forgot her decorum as a princess and rolled her eyes. She took a deep breath: “Son, Mother Consort knows you are kindhearted and magnanimous, but you need not sacrifice yourself so…”

Qi Shuo laughed lightly: “It can’t be called a sacrifice. Second Miss Wen possesses extraordinary beauty, and her family background is also not poor. If she truly cannot marry due to being implicated by your son, your son marrying her would be the best of both worlds.”

Princess Jing could restrain herself no longer and slapped the table: “Shuo’er, have you simply taken a fancy to her extraordinary beauty?”

Her eldest son, Prince Jing Mansion’s Heir, was actually someone who loved beauty!

Qi Shuo’s eyes revealed confusion: “Then what kind of daughter-in-law does Mother Consort prefer? Must her appearance be somewhat plain—”

“That won’t do.” Princess Jing rejected this decisively.

Her daughter-in-law naturally had to possess extraordinary beauty. Otherwise, wouldn’t it drag down her future grandchildren’s looks?

Wait, putting it that way, Second Miss Wen was actually quite suitable.

Princess Jing belatedly understood and calmly sipped her tea: “Shuo’er is nineteen this year. It is indeed time to take a wife. Since you think it’s not bad, I’ll discuss it with your father prince later. If your father prince also has no objections, we’ll ask someone to inquire about the Wen family’s thoughts…”

Qi Shuo hadn’t expected Princess Jing’s attitude to change so quickly and was momentarily lost in thought.

“Shuo’er?”

Qi Shuo came back to himself: “Mother Consort called me?”

Princess Jing sighed: “How is it that when we talk about proposing marriage, you become distracted again?”

Qi Shuo’s face turned slightly red: “Marriage is a major matter that requires parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words. Your son will listen to you completely and has no objections whatsoever.”

The corner of Princess Jing’s mouth twitched fiercely as she said irritably: “If there’s nothing else, go back. Mother Consort also needs to attend to matters.”

“Your son takes his leave.”

After Qi Shuo left, Princess Jing hurriedly said: “Zhenzhu, quickly massage my shoulders.”

Sooner or later, her two sons would anger her into heart disease!

Luoying Residence was bathed in bright spring sunshine. Wen Hao had finally slept her fill and was carried by Baozhu, who had returned from shopping, to the courtyard. She sat in a cane chair, basking in the sun.

“Shaoyao, go bring Lin Xiaohua over.” Wen Hao casually instructed a young maidservant in the courtyard.

The young maidservant responded affirmatively and ran toward the moon gate leading to the back. Before long, she returned leading a donkey.

The small donkey was entirely gray except for a tuft of white fur on its head. Upon seeing Wen Hao, it enthusiastically nuzzled her hand.

This was the birthday gift Grandfather had given Wen Hao when she turned thirteen.

Compared to fine horses, the small donkey was short in stature with a gentle temperament—just right for a young lady to ride.

Wen Hao stroked the small donkey’s head, smoothing its fur.

Back then, when she detected Father and Stepmother’s schemes, it was Lin Xiaohua who had carried her away. Little Flower had carried her running and running, ultimately dying beneath the bandits’ blades.

“Why is Second Cousin outside in the courtyard?” A young man walked in through the courtyard gate.

Wen Hao’s hand rested on the small donkey’s back as she looked toward the newcomer.

The visitor was Cousin Cheng Shu. Strictly speaking, he actually shared no blood relation with her.

Cheng Shu’s father was Old General Lin’s sworn son. After marrying, he gave birth to Cheng Shu and then went traveling. Cheng Shu had grown up in the General’s Mansion since childhood, calling Lady Lin “Aunt” and addressing Wen Hao and her sister as cousins.

Wen Hao watched Cheng Shu approach and called out: “Cousin.”

The young lady’s voice was sweet and clear. Joy burst forth in Cheng Shu’s eyes: “Second Cousin, you really can speak now!”

The young man’s joy was pure and unconcealed, making Wen Hao’s mood somewhat complex.

Several months before Grandfather passed away, he had arranged for Cheng Shu to join the Jinwu Guard to serve. Later, after a series of upheavals, she fled the capital. Three years later when she returned and secretly inquired, Cheng Shu had already become a feared member of the Jinlin Guard with a poor reputation.

Out of caution, she hadn’t dared contact Cheng Shu and also didn’t know why he had become part of the Jinlin Guard that Grandfather detested.

“How did Cousin come? Aren’t you on duty today?” In the sunlight, Wen Hao tilted her head and smiled, collecting her chaotic thoughts.

“I heard Second Cousin could speak, so I requested leave to come see.” The handsome and dignified young man smiled, showing white teeth.

Wen Hao seemed to take interest and asked with a smile: “Is that all Cousin heard?”