When Tang Wei was sent out of the palace, seeing the Crown Princess’s slightly darkened expression, she finally felt somewhat uneasy, “Elder Sister, are you angry with me?”

The Crown Princess sighed, “Second Sister, you were too impulsive. Selected Attendant Sun is currently in favor. Acting this way will make the Crown Prince very annoyed.”

Tang Wei only cared about her eldest sister’s feelings. Hearing this, she pouted, “I’m not a palace person anyway. It doesn’t matter if the Crown Prince is annoyed with me, as long as Elder Sister isn’t angry with me.”

The Crown Princess patted Tang Wei’s hand, “How could Elder Sister be angry with you? I know you’re in a bad mood. When you return home, remember to apply the medicine on time. I’ll also make more inquiries about famous physicians and good medicines in this area…”

Tang Wei left the palace amid the Crown Princess’s earnest instructions.

The Crown Princess leaned on her beauty couch and rubbed her temples, giving casual instructions to the palace attendants, “Go find out how serious Selected Attendant Sun’s facial injuries are.”

She knew best what kind of creature the Crown Prince was. Even if he treated Selected Attendant Sun as his precious darling one moment, if Selected Attendant Sun’s face were ruined, this man would immediately have no heart.

Unfortunately for the Crown Princess, Sun Xiuhua had protected her face in time. Her face had only been scratched once, and this scratch wasn’t deep. After the Imperial Physician examined it, the conclusion was that it wouldn’t leave a scar.

The Crown Prince looked at Sun Xiuhua with both hands bandaged, and feelings of tender affection immediately arose, “Does it hurt a lot? Tang Wei has been spoiled rotten by the Marquis of Wuning’s mansion. I’ve already told the Crown Princess not to allow her to enter the palace again in the future.”

As long as he didn’t have to look at those mangled bloody hands, he could still show tender care for the fairer sex.

Sun Xiuhua’s eyelashes trembled. She lowered her eyes and shed tears, “This little bit of pain is nothing. It’s just that in this state, this concubine cannot properly serve Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince patted her shoulder, softening his tone, “Rest and recover well. We have a long future ahead.”

Though his words were moving, in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the Crown Prince left.

Sun Xiuhua sat before her dressing mirror, motionless as she gazed at the person in the mirror.

Her face was white and delicate as jade, and because of this, that scratch mark was all the more obvious.

Fortunately, it wouldn’t leave a scar.

Today’s incident could be considered a warning bell for her—she absolutely must not indulge in the Crown Prince’s favor.

The Crown Prince’s thin bit of love was entirely exchanged for this face of hers and her gentle disposition. Without this face, there would be nothing.

Sun Xiuhua touched her tender cheek with her cloth-wrapped hand, intense hatred flashing in her eyes.

Tang Wei was truly vicious, striking with intent to ruin her!

The Crown Prince was right—they had a long future ahead. Just wait and see.

Although this storm in the Eastern Palace didn’t spread outside, it reached Emperor Tai’an’s ears.

Emperor Tai’an found it curious, “The Crown Princess’s sister scratched the Crown Prince’s Selected Attendant’s face?”

Could such a thing happen in the imperial palace?

The eunuch reporting also had a complicated expression, “Replying to Your Majesty, I heard she only scratched the hands. The face was scratched just once.”

Emperor Tai’an frowned, “Absurd.”

He was fairly satisfied with his daughter-in-law the Crown Princess, but he hadn’t expected her maiden family’s younger sister to be so fierce.

Indeed, one couldn’t be careless when taking a wife.

Emperor Tai’an’s thoughts naturally turned to another son, Prince Wei.

Speaking of which, Fourth Son was also at the age to take a wife.

Once the thought arose, Emperor Tai’an strolled over to Ningxin Palace.

Ningxin Palace was the residence of Prince Wei’s mother, Consort Jing.

Consort Jing had originally been a palace maid who caught Emperor Tai’an’s eye and received his favor, giving birth to a son in one effort.

If Emperor Tai’an had many heirs, this wouldn’t mean much. But he had lost several sons in succession to early death, and later no young concubines bore any more dragon sons. In the vast imperial palace, only the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince had been raised to adulthood.

Thus, with the mother’s status elevated by her son, Consort Jing became an existence in the rear palace who could stand on equal footing with Consort Zhuang.

After the Empress died of illness, Emperor Tai’an didn’t establish another empress. The rear palace had always been managed by Consort Zhuang, who came from a decent background.

Emperor Tai’an actually had no feelings for Consort Jing, but having reached this age, he naturally held some regard for his son’s birth mother.

Consort Jing had just awakened from her afternoon nap. Hearing that His Majesty had arrived, she hurried to greet him.

“This concubine greets Your Majesty.”

Emperor Tai’an made a perfunctory gesture of support and walked in.

“Beloved Consort has been looking well lately.”

Consort Jing laughed lightly, “Thanks to Your Majesty’s blessing, each day passes without worries.”

Emperor Tai’an felt comfortable hearing this, smile lines appearing at the corners of his eyes, “There’s a matter that Beloved Consort will need to attend to.”

“Please speak.” Consort Jing’s expression became serious.

“Regarding Fourth Son’s marriage.”

Consort Jing was startled.

Emperor Tai’an frowned, “Fourth Son is already nineteen. Haven’t you thought about it?”

Consort Jing smiled good-naturedly, “This concubine knows Your Majesty will arrange everything well.”

Regarding Consort Jing’s manner, Emperor Tai’an felt both that she lacked ambition and felt reassured.

“Then you and Consort Zhuang together will organize a chrysanthemum-viewing banquet, inviting eligible young ladies from the capital to attend. As for the list of young ladies, you and Consort Zhuang should discuss and draft it, then I’ll review it.”

After leaving Ningxin Palace, Emperor Tai’an went to Consort Zhuang’s quarters.

“Hold a chrysanthemum-viewing banquet to select a consort for Prince Wei?” Hearing Emperor Tai’an explain his intention, Consort Zhuang smiled with pursed lips, “Prince Wei has indeed reached the age to take a wife. Your Majesty can rest assured. This concubine will quickly consult with Sister Consort Jing to draft the list for your review.”

Emperor Tai’an patted Consort Zhuang’s hand, “With Beloved Consort managing this, I’m very reassured.”

After respectfully seeing off Emperor Tai’an, Consort Zhuang slowly sat down in her rose chair and sighed gently.

Busy here and busy there, all this busyness was for other people’s sons.

“Your Ladyship—” Her trusted nanny, seeing her like this, called out with heartache.

Her Ladyship hadn’t been without a child—the Second Prince was born to Her Ladyship, but pitifully died before even turning one year old.

Consort Zhuang came back to herself and regained her calm, “Go invite Consort Jing to come over.”

Being able to stay busy was good—better than those in the rear palace who were idle and moldering.

While the palace planned the chrysanthemum-viewing banquet, those outside the palace hadn’t yet heard the news. Each household lived their own lives. The General’s Mansion’s peace, however, was broken by matchmakers suddenly coming to call.

When the first matchmaker came to the door, Lin Shi remained fairly composed.

The family had two beautiful daughters like flowers and jade. What was so unusual about one or two matchmakers coming to call?

She hadn’t expected that early the next morning another would come, and on the third day, yet another.

The three matchmakers had a unified target—all had come to propose marriage for Lin Chan.

“One is the young master of Minister of War Han’s family, one is the youngest son of Court Gentleman Zhang of the Court of Imperial Stud, and another is from a family in another region—a newly successful imperial examination graduate.” Lin Shi explained the three families’ situations to the Old Madam, her expression both conflicted and proud. “I wondered why these three families came together. Turns out these three young men had all met her before…”

Lin Shi recounted the encounter with Han Baocheng and the others at Green Deer Temple.

“So these three families’ sons are friends?”

“Yes, it seems they often spend time together, and they all took a fancy to Chan’er.” Saying this, Lin Shi suddenly worried, “Why did they all take a fancy to Chan’er? Is there something wrong with Ah Hao?”

She loved both daughters equally. The main issue was that this matter didn’t make sense.

The Old Madam glanced at Lin Shi, “Since they all came for Chan’er, just do right by Chan’er. Why are you pointlessly worrying about Ah Hao?”

“It’s just that I find it strange.”

“What’s strange about it? When sisters are both unmarried, naturally one would seek to marry the elder sister first.”

“That’s true. Mother, what do you think about choosing among these three families?”

The Old Madam thought for a moment, “Since Chan’er has met all three of these young men, why not call Chan’er over and ask her opinion?”