Even with Qi Shuo’s composure, he was so shocked by Princess Consort Jing’s words that he began coughing violently.

“What’s wrong?”

Qi Shuo covered his chest and shook his head. “It’s nothing.”

“Is your heart condition acting up?” Princess Consort Jing panicked slightly.

“Just a bit uncomfortable. What did Mother just say?”

Princess Consort Jing repeated her earlier suggestion.

Qi Shuo listened quietly, then said seriously, “Your son only has sibling affection for Cousin. If Mother has such intentions—”

Before he could finish saying “you should abandon them as soon as possible,” Princess Consort Jing quickly interjected, “The key is whether it suits your heart. Since you regard Xiuhua as a sister, then let’s forget it.”

The divine physician had said to keep Shuo’er as content as possible.

Her niece was certainly important, but her son was very important too. Besides, there was still Huan’er.

“Let’s just pretend Mother never mentioned this matter.”

“Thank you for understanding, Mother.”

Princess Consort Jing immediately turned around and summoned Qi Huan.

“Mother, you wanted to see your son?” Qi Huan asked with a grin.

Seeing her second son’s glib expression, Princess Consort Jing couldn’t help but scold him. “Gone without a trace from morning till night!”

Qi Huan continued smiling cheerfully. “If Mother has nothing else, I’ll go change my clothes.”

Experience told him that enduring a few scoldings was nothing serious—talking back and arguing never ended well.

“I do have something.”

“Please speak, Mother.”

“What do you think of Xiuhua?”

Qi Huan was stunned. “Cousin? Cousin is quite nice.”

Mother doted on Cousin like her own daughter—if he said anything negative, wouldn’t she give him a good thrashing?

Princess Consort Jing smiled until her eyes curved. “Then how about having Xiuhua become husband and wife with you?”

“Be-become-become what?” Qi Huan’s voice cracked.

Princess Consort Jing frowned. “What kind of reaction is that?”

“Mother.” Qi Huan couldn’t hide his horror. “You’re not serious, are you?”

Princess Consort Jing’s face darkened. “Marriage is a major life event. How could it be a joke?”

“This absolutely won’t do!” Qi Huan waved his hands repeatedly.

Seeing her son act as if he couldn’t avoid this fast enough made Princess Consort Jing furious.

This unfilial son truly couldn’t compare to Shuo’er.

Though Shuo’er only had sibling affection for Xiuhua, he had considered her feelings and was prepared to compromise. Yet this wretched boy rejected the idea without a moment’s hesitation.

Clearly he’d grown too wild from running around outside.

Seeing Princess Consort Jing’s expression, Qi Huan sensed trouble and hastily said, “Mother, it’s not that Cousin isn’t good—your son simply cannot accept this!”

“Oh?”

“Mother, do you and Aunt resemble each other?”

“Obviously.”

“Then do you think Cousin resembles Aunt?”

Princess Consort Jing’s eyelids twitched.

Qi Huan forced out an awkward smile. “Mother, when your son looks at Cousin, it’s like looking at you. How could we possibly become husband and wife…”

“What nonsense are you spouting!” Princess Consort Jing raised her hand and smacked Qi Huan, though she did give up on the idea of pairing the two together.

Thinking about it, it really wouldn’t work.

After dismissing Qi Huan, Princess Consort Jing began calculating which outstanding young men of appropriate age were in the capital.

While Princess Consort Jing worried herself sick over her niece due to the Crown Prince’s sudden visit, Lin Chan, who had returned to the General’s Mansion, also felt anxious.

“Second Sister, when did you meet the Crown Prince?”

Lin Hao explained about watching the street performers.

Lin Chan’s face showed worry. “Could the Crown Prince be setting his sights on you?”

“Don’t worry, Elder Sister. In the future, when we invite the Princess over to visit, we won’t go to Prince Jing’s mansion, and then we won’t run into the Crown Prince.”

“But he’s the Crown Prince. If he truly has such intentions, I fear we won’t be able to guard against him.”

“At least he can’t openly seize me. Elder Sister should also be careful when going out—don’t end up alone.”

In this life, without a father willing to sell his daughter for advancement, the Crown Prince wouldn’t find it so easy to openly pursue his designs.

Within a few days, the Crown Prince visited Prince Jing’s mansion again.

Princess Consort Jing treated it like facing a formidable enemy, having Qi Qiong accompany Sun Xiuhua and keep her from leaving the courtyard.

The Crown Prince didn’t see the Lin sisters, nor even the pitiable Cousin Sun. Furthermore, Qi Shuo soundly defeated him in three games. He didn’t stay long before leaving in a sullen mood.

Only then did Princess Consort Jing breathe a sigh of relief and send someone to summon Sun Xiuhua.

“Aunt, you wanted to see me?”

“Come sit beside your aunt.”

Sun Xiuhua moved closer.

Princess Consort Jing looked at her beautiful niece with a face full of smiles. “In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown so much—it’s time to discuss marriage. These past days, your aunt has been observing some families. After investigating the young men’s characters more carefully, I’ll select a suitable husband for you from among them.”

Sun Xiuhua started. “Aunt, I haven’t considered these matters yet—”

Princess Consort Jing laughed. “Don’t be shy. When men come of age they should marry; when women come of age they should wed.”

“Aunt, I still want to stay by your side for two more years. To me, seeing you is just like seeing Mother…” Tears appeared in Sun Xiuhua’s eyes.

Hearing her niece mention her deceased twin sister, Princess Consort Jing’s eyes also glistened with tears. She grasped her hand and sighed. “Silly girl, it’s precisely for your mother’s sake that your aunt must find you a good family. Rest assured, your aunt will marry you off within the capital. You can come back whenever you want, and the Prince’s mansion will be your natal home.”

Sun Xiuhua opened her mouth, then finally lowered her head and said haltingly, “I’ll follow Aunt’s decision in everything.”

When Sun Xiuhua left, Qi Qiong found an excuse to stay behind and chat with her mother.

Princess Consort Jing mentioned the families she’d selected for Sun Xiuhua and instructed her daughter, “You should also pay attention and see which families have good-natured young ladies.”

A good-natured sister-in-law would save much trouble in the future.

Qi Qiong pressed her lips together, unable to help saying, “Mother, I notice that Cousin seems to have feelings for the Crown Prince—”

Princess Consort Jing’s glare shot over. “Don’t speak nonsense.”

“It’s true. That day when the Crown Prince came, Cousin stole several glances at him.”

“He’s the Crown Prince.” Princess Consort Jing thought nothing of it. “What ordinary young lady wouldn’t be curious?”

“Then when the Crown Prince came today, Cousin indicated several times that she wanted to come see you. After I found excuses to detain her, she was quite unhappy. How do you explain that?”

Princess Consort Jing naturally couldn’t tell Sun Xiuhua plainly that she feared the Crown Prince would notice her and that she should avoid him. Qi Qiong going over to keep her company was also done under the pretext of chatting and playing together.

“Your cousin often comes to keep me company anyway.” Princess Consort Jing frowned at her daughter. “Qiong’er, have you had a falling out with your cousin?”

Qi Qiong became somewhat annoyed. “Mother, you just see everything about Cousin as good!”

Princess Consort Jing’s face darkened slightly. “Your cousin has lost her mother. Your mother must take extra care of her. When I first brought her to the capital, didn’t I tell you this? At that time, you promised Mother you would get along well with your cousin.”

“At that time—” Qi Qiong pressed her lips together and stood up. “If Mother won’t believe me, then forget it. Your daughter is returning to her room.”

If she really ended up muddleheadedly becoming the Crown Prince’s concubine, she wouldn’t be the one most disgraced. She wouldn’t worry herself over this anymore.

Seeing her daughter leave in a huff, Princess Consort Jing shook her head, dismissing this as a young girl’s petty jealousy.

Gossip in the capital came one wave after another, endlessly. When people gradually stopped discussing Qin Wenyuan’s affair, Lin Hao rode Lin Xiaohua out.

The young lady rode her little donkey, leisurely heading straight for the bridge.

Several months had passed, yet the fortune-telling stall remained cold and deserted. The fortune-teller sat with his eyes closed, drowsing.

“Sir, I’d like to have my fortune told.”

The crisp voice rang out, causing Daoist Mingxin to open his eyes.

“Young lady, it’s you again?”