Chu Yi keenly sensed the atmosphere was somewhat off.

His steps paused as he was about to enter the main house. He turned to inquire of Cheng Qi behind him, “What happened?”

Cheng Qi reported with his head lowered, “When the Princess Consort entered the palace, Consort Yin bestowed several women, seemingly to serve as the Prince’s concubines.”

Chu Yi’s expression changed. “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

Cheng Qi looked distressed. “The Prince was in confidential discussions with the Court of Judicial Review Minister. After returning to the residence, you came directly to the Princess Consort’s quarters without stopping. This subordinate truly couldn’t find an opportunity.”

Chu Yi immediately withdrew from the main house.

Under the dagger-like gazes of the two children, he retreated somewhat awkwardly to his study and ordered coldly, “Have those several people come here.”

Cheng Qi hastily instructed someone to summon them.

The four palace maids and Ding Dong had been arranged by Yun Chu in the guest courtyard in the front yard.

According to protocol, these serving concubines should reside in the rear quarters, yet they were arranged in front like guests, making Ding Dong uneasy.

Having just rested briefly, she saw a matron standing outside saying, “Young ladies, our Prince requests your presence.”

Hearing this, Ding Dong’s face showed delight.

See? Because they were bestowed by elders, the Prince had no reservations and was so eager to see them.

She quickly took out lip rouge from her bundle, making her lips brilliantly red, then put on pearl earrings to make her complexion appear even fairer.

The five women followed the matron to outside the study.

“We pay our respects to the Prince.”

The five curtsied.

Chu Yi stood on the steps and spoke coldly, “This Prince is now giving you an opportunity to leave of your own accord.”

The women couldn’t help but be stunned.

Leave of their own accord—what did that mean?

Ding Dong boldly spoke up. “In response to the Prince, we were arranged by Consort Yin to attend the Prince. From now on, in life we are people of the prince’s residence; in death we are ghosts of the prince’s residence.”

Chu Yi’s expression grew colder. “Do you others share this sentiment?”

The other four palace maids hurriedly nodded.

“If that’s the case,” Chu Yi rubbed his fingers together, “someone come!”

Cheng Qi stepped forward. “This subordinate is here.”

“Have the unmarried men in the military prepare themselves.” Chu Yi said slowly, “Send these five women to the military camp.”

Hearing this, the women were immediately shocked and terrified.

The military camp was full of rough old men. For several delicate young ladies like them to go there—wouldn’t that be like lambs entering a tiger’s den?

“Prince…” Several palace maids’ legs trembled as they knelt down. “We servants were bestowed by Consort Yin to serve the Prince…”

“Since they were bestowed to this Prince, naturally they’re for this Prince to dispose of as he wishes.” Chu Yi rubbed his fingers. “If you have the ability to catch the eye of unmarried men in the military, then marry them on the spot.”

The greatest worry of those men in the military was not being able to find wives.

Mother Consort had sent five women—that could solve five men’s personal problems. Otherwise, these men were full of vigor and always managed to stir up some trouble.

The palace maids had just thought he wanted to send them to be ravaged by the military men, scaring them out of their wits.

Now hearing Chu Yi say marriages would be arranged, they were slightly less afraid.

But!

Between being the Prince’s concubine and being an ordinary soldier’s wife—even a fool would know which to choose.

“We servants were personally trained by palace nannies and can definitely serve the Prince comfortably!” The palace maids pleaded. “Please give us servants a chance, Prince!”

Ding Dong was completely terrified.

She was the biological daughter of the Prince’s wet nurse, bestowed by Consort Yin and Princess Qinghua. How could the Prince send her to rough old military men!

Her voice trembled, unable to utter a single word of plea for a long while.

Chu Yi was too lazy to waste more time and stepped away from the study.

The matron left behind spoke coldly, “Young ladies, bring your luggage. We’re departing for the military camp.”

“No, no!” Ding Dong resisted violently. “I want to see Princess Qinghua…”

Cheng Qi’s eyes turned cold. He raised his hand and chopped at the back of Ding Dong’s neck.

The group was directly dragged away.

Chu Yi returned to Yun Chu’s courtyard in high spirits. “Chu’er needn’t worry. I’ve already dealt with those people.”

Yun Chu had just heard about this matter from Luwei. She said somewhat helplessly, “If this blows up, it might not look good.”

“If it blows up, all the better to tell those people to stop sending women into the prince’s residence.” Chu Yi’s lips curved. “If anyone insists on doing so, it’s perfect for letting unmarried men in the military take wives, so they stop complaining to me every day about not being able to find wives.”

Yun Chu asked him, “What if they’re unwilling to marry?”

“Unwilling to be someone’s proper wife, yet insisting on being a concubine—their motives are quite clear.” Chu Yi’s lips curled. “This prince’s residence cannot keep such women. Naturally, they’ll be sold off.”

Palace maids sold off from the prince’s residence had basically committed unforgivable grave errors. No one would be willing to buy them back, and in the end, they could only be sold cheaply as lowly slaves…

The husband and wife were just talking when…

They heard an urgent voice from outside. “Princess, please wait. The Prince and Princess Consort are resting…”

“Move aside! Move aside for this Princess!”

Princess Qinghua kicked aside Luwei who was blocking her path, lifted the inner chamber’s curtain with one hand, and stormed in angrily.

“What is Second Sister doing?” Chu Yi barely lifted his eyelids, displeasure in his voice.

“Chu Yi, you’ve truly been bewitched by Yun Chu to do such a thing!” Qinghua’s chest heaved violently with anger. “The people bestowed by Mother Consort—you actually sent them all to the military camp. You’re not only ruining the women Mother Consort carefully selected, but also chilling Mother Consort’s devoted heart!”

“Since they were bestowed by Mother Consort, how to dispose of them is up to me.” Chu Yi enunciated each word. “As for Second Sister—a married woman interfering in her brother’s household affairs—tell me, Second Sister, does this follow protocol?”

Qinghua’s head nearly exploded with rage.

She had calculated that Yun Chu wouldn’t dare refuse, but hadn’t calculated that this brother of hers would actually send all the bestowed women away.

“If word of this gets out, Yi’er, your reputation will be completely ruined. And Yun Chu—everyone in the capital will say you’re narrow-minded and jealous!”

Yun Chu spoke flatly, “How outsiders discuss me is not Second Sister’s concern.”

“I said before that if Second Sister insists on interfering in my residence’s affairs, then I can only disown Meng Shen as my nephew.” Chu Yi’s face was covered with frost. “Before tomorrow evening, Second Sister and Meng Shen should move out of the prince’s residence.”

“You! You!”

Qinghua never expected Chu Yi would actually drive people out. She nearly fainted from anger.

“Prince, don’t speak in anger.” Yun Chu stepped forward. “Second Sister came over just now probably wanting to seek justice for that Ding Dong, right?”

Qinghua said gravely, “Ding Dong is Nanny Er’s daughter and shouldn’t be so maltreated.”

“If that’s the case, then have Ding Dong accompany Second Sister to Pingliang Prefecture to serve.” Yun Chu’s lips curved. “Since Second Sister likes Ding Dong so much, keeping her by your side for protection would be even better, wouldn’t it?”

Qinghua choked.

She had originally taken Ding Dong away precisely to have her bestowed to Yi’er through Mother Consort’s hand.

Now that things had developed this way, if she didn’t agree to take Ding Dong away, it would seem as if she had deliberately protected Ding Dong to cause trouble.

She said coldly, “Chu Yi, immediately arrange for someone to bring Ding Dong back to the capital. After the New Year’s Eve banquet ends, I’ll leave immediately!”

The corners of Yun Chu’s lips twitched.

Once Ding Dong left the capital, she could only find ways to curry favor with the highest authority in Pingliang Prefecture.

Qinghua had repeatedly sent women to her rear quarters, so naturally, she should give her a taste of her own medicine.

Once she knew what it felt like, Princess Qinghua would probably truly give up.