# Chapter One
"Crown Prince... Crown Prince..."
Qi Xiao's phoenix eyes opened slightly, noting that dawn had barely broken before closing them again, his brow slightly furrowed: "What is it?"
Beyond the folding screen, Jiang Deqing, the chief eunuch of the Crown Prince's residence, bowed low and spoke in a low voice: "Your Highness, this servant has just received news—Princess Dunsu arrived last night, and she will be entering the palace early this morning."
Upon hearing this, Qi Xiao sat up and rubbed his temples. Hearing the movement, Jiang Deqing rounded the folding screen and entered. Rising from bed, Qi Xiao removed his sleeping robe and, declining Jiang Deqing's assistance, reached for the inner robe laid out on the small table beside the bed and dressed himself slowly.
Jiang Deqing stepped closer and drew the bed curtains together, hanging them on the gilded dragon hooks. Turning back, he picked up the garments beside the couch to attend to Qi Xiao's attire. While carefully arranging the court robes, he continued: "The Princess will likely speak to His Majesty about Your Highness's marriage today... The Princess truly spares no effort on your behalf. How much the Emperor values Lingnan now—if Your Highness could form an alliance through marriage with Lingnan, it would be equivalent to gaining the support of the Dongling clan. Nothing but benefits, truly..."
Princess Dunsu was Qi Xiao's biological paternal aunt. Since Emperor Wu and Empress Xiaoxian had both ascended to heaven, Princess Dunsu had become Qi Xiao's closest relative. Qi Xiao naturally never refused her wishes. However, regarding marriage, Qi Xiao had always been evasive. Having served Qi Xiao for many years, Jiang Deqing well understood his master's thoughts and quietly counseled: "Moreover, the other princes grow taller each day. Does Your Highness not feel any urgency...? This servant shares the same sentiment as Princess Dunsu—there are many matters better addressed sooner rather than later. Besides..."
Qi Xiao turned to pick up the jade pendant, his thin lips pressed together as he slowly fastened it around his waist. Seeing that Jiang Deqing had fallen silent, he smiled: "Well? Go on."
Jiang Deqing carefully observed Qi Xiao's expression, weighing his thoughts before smiling: "Besides, it's merely a side consort. If Your Highness takes a liking to her, the residence gains another person to attend to you. If not, she's simply another idle resident—what major affair is it, really?"
Qi Xiao smiled but said nothing. Turning, he walked out of the inner chamber. Jiang Deqing hastily called for the palace servants outside to come in and attend to their duties.
In Chengqian Palace, the Emperor glanced at the memorial Princess Dunsu had presented and smiled. "It's been only a few years since we last met, yet Imperial Sister has grown quite formal with me. Why bring so many gifts? Where is Brother-in-Law?"
"The Duke went ahead to the Ministry of Personnel to hand over his documents." Princess Dunsu's eyes sparkled with warmth as she spoke softly: "The continuous rains these past months delayed the Emperor's birthday celebration—consider this my self-punishment."
Princess Dunsu had just turned forty last year. Due to excellent care, she showed no signs of age and could still be called a beauty. As the biological daughter of the former Empress, her bearing was dignified and refined. Speaking with such a gentle smile made others feel at ease. The Emperor unconsciously softened his tone: "Imperial Sister jests. It was merely a birthday—why make such a fuss over missing it? I said before that there was no need to come. Plague is spreading in the south, and after this two-month journey, Imperial Sister and Brother-in-Law escaping illness is blessing enough."
Princess Dunsu nodded and sighed: "After great disasters come epidemics. Thanks to the Emperor's good fortune, the Duke and I are well. I didn't realize it at first, but once we traveled, I saw how severe the flooding truly was. This year's taxes..."
"We can manage that." Since ascending the throne, Qi Jing had focused on restoring peace and worked hard to mend the exhaustion caused by Emperor Wu's years of military campaigns. The treasury had grown substantially these past years. The Emperor smiled. "Fortunately, only two provinces suffered."
Princess Dunsu nodded, then said as if casually: "I heard... Lingnan was completely flooded?"
The Emperor smiled. "Not at all—just the area south of Maoshan was flooded, not nearly as bad as all that... Though they suffered drought first, then flooding, it truly has been difficult for them."
"Indeed. They've come to you asking for grain." Princess Dunsu smiled with relief. "I've heard about it all along the way—the young Lord of Lingnan came in person to borrow grain. The excitement along the route was something else—the things the common people said could fill a book. The Duke told me the young Lord of Lingnan stayed behind?"
A subtle gleam flickered in the Emperor's eyes. Lingnan was the fief of an异姓王—a lord of a different surname—and had always been the greatest concern of successive Daoxiang emperors. For the Lord of Lingnan to bow to the court during his reign—how could the Emperor not feel a surge of pride? Yet his expression remained modest as he smiled: "Dongling Bai Ren originally came on behalf of his father Dongling Yi to discuss the grain loan with me. He's only fifteen. He stayed in the imperial city for some time, admiring its majesty and wishing to observe its civilization. He simply didn't want to leave. I genuinely grew fond of him, so I kept him here. The boy is the same age as Hua—remarkably handsome, and what's rare is how intelligent he is. Quite endearing. I'm sure Imperial Sister would like him too if she sees more of him. By the way—this is the tea they tribute. Imperial Sister, please try it..."
Hua referred to Qi Hua, the Second Prince.
A quiet smile crossed Princess Dunsu's heart. If he was a hostage sent by Lingnan, she dared not "see him more."
The topic had shifted to where Princess Dunsu needed it. She ceased her talk of Bai Ren and continued with pleasantries: "I recall... after the birthday celebration, it will be the Crown Prince's birthday soon?"
The Emperor nodded: "Yes, Xiao's birthday is the tenth day of the twelfth month."
"How time flies—Xiao is already eighteen..." Princess Dunsu set down her gold-trimmed tea cup, drew a silk handkerchief from her sleeve, and pressed it to her lips. "It's time to select a Crown Princess for Xiao."
The Emperor paused, then smiled faintly: "Isn't it a bit early? He's at an age where he should focus on learning to handle affairs and making progress. Marry him off with a proper wife, and every day of idle affection would only delay his duties."
Princess Dunsu couldn't help but laugh: "The Emperor simply treasures the Crown Prince too much. How could you forget that you yourself married before reaching twenty? In fact, you married even earlier than Xiao—you had just turned sixteen. Do you remember? Before the wedding, you came to the Princess's residence and asked me if you could still go back to live with Mother Empress after the ceremony..."
The Emperor had lost his biological mother early and was carried to Fenghua Palace as an infant to be raised personally by the Empress. Princess Dunsu was nearly ten years his senior and had lived in Fenghua Palace before her marriage. Back then, she had been very good to him—so much so that one might say an elder sister was like a mother. Recalling these memories, the Emperor smiled: "Imperial Sister still remembers that?"
Princess Dunsu gave a graceful smile: "Both you and Emperor Wu, I watched you grow up. How could I forget anything?" Speaking of Emperor Wu brought a faint redness to Princess Dunsu's eyes before she smiled again. "Well then, why dwell on the past? Let's return to Xiao's marriage. Do you have any thoughts?"
The Emperor was a hundred times unwilling to discuss this matter. But after Princess Dunsu had chatted so graciously for half the morning, stirring up childhood memories, he couldn't bear to spoil her mood at this moment. He苦笑道: "I have thought about it, but there's no suitable candidate. The Crown Princess will one day guide the nation—no mistake can be tolerated. Surely Imperial Sister understands?"
Princess Dunsu nodded: "Indeed... That's understandable. I only thought of mentioning it to the Emperor—how could someone like me presume to comment on the selection of a Crown Princess? It's only that since the Crown Prince was young... oh, you know. I can't help but spoil him more than others. The Emperor speaks wisely—a Crown Princess shouldn't be decided casually... Would it be feasible to first select two side consorts for the Crown Prince?"
The Emperor smiled: "Does Imperial Sister have some young lady in mind?"
Princess Dunsu had three daughters and two sons. Her eldest daughter married last year. Her second daughter was fourteen this year—soon to be of marriageable age. The Emperor suspected Princess Dunsu likely wanted to strengthen family ties through marriage. He was most wary of such matters. Just as he was about to steer the conversation elsewhere, Princess Dunsu smiled, pressing her lips together: "I've been with the Duke at his post all this time—what eligible young ladies have I seen? Only country maidens. How would I know any noble daughters? This is something Empress should worry over."
Before the Emperor could breathe a sigh of relief, Princess Dunsu's eyes brightened and she smiled: "That's right! Who says I don't know any noble daughters? Just now we were talking about that young Lord of Lingnan—I hear... he has two unwed sisters."
The Emperor's smile froze at the corners of his mouth. Just as he was about to speak, a palace attendant entered with a bow, eyes downcast: "Your Majesty, Princess, the Crown Prince has come to pay his respects."
The Emperor nodded. The attendant withdrew with a bow. Soon after, Qi Xiao walked in and approached to pay his respects to both. Princess Dunsu repeatedly beckoned Qi Xiao closer, taking his hand and examining him carefully. Royal features were generally good-looking, and Qi Xiao especially resembled his late Empress Xiaoren—strikingly handsome. Only his phoenix eyes were unmistakably like Emperor Wu's—sharp and commanding, exuding an air of威严. Princess Dunsu, seeing how much Qi Xiao had grown to resemble his deceased parents, felt a sudden pang in her heart. She covered it with a smile and said with satisfaction: "Half a year apart, and Xiao has grown taller again."
Qi Xiao smiled: "Auntie hasn't changed at all—you look even better than before."
Princess Dunsu turned to the Emperor with a smile: "Listen to that—such a way with words..."
Before the Emperor could respond, Princess Dunsu smiled again: "He's truly become a man. I was just telling your father that we should find a side consort for you—the Lord of Lingnan's daughter. What do you think?"
The Emperor slowly turned the jade thumb ring on his finger, feeling inwardly displeased yet maintaining a gentle expression. He smiled faintly: "Imperial Sister is certainly impatient..."
Although Qi Xiao himself felt indifferent about the matter, Princess Dunsu had been planning on his behalf for many days. He absolutely could not undermine her efforts at this moment. He smiled calmly: "Marriage is a great affair—one must follow the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers. Your nephew dares not comment further."
Princess Dunsu pressed the advantage. She turned to the Emperor and smiled: "Your Majesty, will you allow me to play matchmaker?"
Princess Dunsu held a special status—even the Emperor had to show her due respect and dared not offend her too much. Moreover, today's matter was clearly well-prepared by Princess Dunsu. If he forcefully opposed, it would only spawn more complications. The Emperor suppressed the fire in his heart, looked at Qi Xiao with a benevolent smile, and said: "Thank your aunt properly for her hard work on your behalf."