# Chapter Twenty
In the Yuxiu Palace, Princess Dunshu sat upright before a mirror, carefully comparing two phoenix hairpins. She spoke淡淡的道："太子真是这么说的？"
The palace attendant behind Princess Dunshu nodded. "His Highness the Crown Prince also said that if Your Highness finds this matter troublesome, you could visit the older imperial concubines' palaces after breakfast to avoid the whole thing."
"What nonsense. If she truly has intentions, there's no avoiding it." Princess Dunshu laughed lightly. "Where did Xiao get this information from? Never mind, I'll go."
The attendant hesitated before adding, "Your Highness... last night, His Highness the Lingnan Prince's heir stayed in the Crown Prince's inner chambers and still hasn't emerged."
Princess Dunshu lightly stroked a three-phoenix gem-studded golden hairpin in her hand and said slowly, "No matter. It was Xiao who requested the heir to his palace for healing treatment before the Emperor yesterday. No one will suspect anything."
"But..." This attendant was Princess Dunshu's trusted confidante of many years, daring to speak what others wouldn't. She carefully watched Princess Dunshu's expression and lowered her voice. "His Highness the Crown Prince seems rather too attentive to the heir. Your Highness... the Second Miss turns twelve next year. Wouldn't you consider making plans for her?"
The Second Miss referred to Princess Dunshu's youngest daughter, He Fanghua.
Princess Dunshu and the Prince Consort had always shared a close relationship. Over the years they had borne three sons and two daughters. The two eldest sons had already married, the eldest daughter was betrothed, and the youngest son was only nine—so there was no rush there. Her youngest daughter was now eleven years old. Not quite grown, but indeed at an age when one should start paying attention to suitable matches.
Princess Dunshu understood perfectly well what her attendant meant, and she had indeed considered this possibility.
Xiao had grown up under her watchful eye. Although they were aunt and nephew, their affection rivaled that of mother and son. With so many years of deep feeling between them, Princess Dunshu believed that if she were to betroth Fanghua to Xiao, he would surely treat her daughter well. It would strengthen family ties and make for a beautiful story.
But everyone has selfish motives. Before everything was settled, Princess Dunshu had no intention of making the matter public.
No one understood better than Princess Dunshu how Xiao had navigated his path all these years. Every step required careful consideration—one misstep and he could fall into someone else's trap. Even now, Princess Dunshu dared not say with certainty that Xiao would definitely succeed to the throne.
As Xiao's biological aunt, Princess Dunshu was willing to do everything in her power to support him. But she did not want to drag her youngest daughter into this murky mess.
To speak bluntly, if they failed in the end, she herself, as the Emperor's biological daughter, would certainly be safe. At worst, the Prince Consort would suffer consequences—losing favor and no longer being promoted. But once her family was tied to Xiao through marriage, the entire Consort's household would be implicated. Her daughter might even lose her life.
Princess Dunshu was Xiao's aunt, but she was also the mother of five children. She dared not take such a risk.
Moreover... Fanghua was still young; there was no hurry. When success was achieved in the future... perhaps it would be precisely when her youngest daughter was at the perfect age?
Princess Dunshu rubbed her temple. Enough—what use was thinking about this? She would deal with the future when it came. In the end, Princess Dunshu chose a five-phoenix golden hairpin with Eastern pearls and slowly inserted it into her coiled hair. She tidied her temples and rose. "Don't speak carelessly. Have the servants prepare some excellent pastries—we should be ready to receive the Empress shortly."
As Xiao had predicted, after breakfast, the Empress indeed came to Yuxiu Palace.
Princess Dunshu received her in the main hall. After they had exchanged the proper courtesies, Empress Feng smiled. "The noble ladies sent many gifts yesterday. I looked through the gift list this morning and noticed several items that Your Highness favors. I had them sorted out and decided to deliver them myself since I had nothing else pressing."
Several palace maids behind Empress Feng placed several exquisite boxes on the small table beside Princess Dunshu's seat. Empress Feng smiled. "In the dark teal box is a set of kingfisher-feather headpieces. I remember Your Highness loves kingfisher feather ornaments most. I examined them—the craftsmanship is exquisite. In the gold-engraved floral box is bird's nest with golden threads, excellent quality. And below are all sorts of little curiosities from previous dynasties, nice for display."
Princess Dunshu glanced at them and smiled. "The Empress is thoughtful. I gladly accept."
Empress Feng smiled warmly. "There's no need for such formalities between us. Speaking of which—Your Highness just returned. Is Yuxiu Palace comfortable? It's been empty for several years; we really should have it properly renovated."
"That's unnecessary." Princess Dunshu looked around the palace decorations and smiled. "Before, I'd been away so long and missed the Emperor, the Empress, and the princes. That was why I stayed these few days. In a while, I should move back to the princess manor."
"Why the rush?" Empress Feng accepted the tea offered by the attendant and took a sip. "Your Highness has been away these past years, and the Emperor constantly worried about you. Now that you're back, you should stay longer."
Princess Dunshu smiled graciously. "How could I not miss the Emperor? It's only that I worry about my children at home..."
"True enough. Children are every mother's fate." Empress Feng sighed,苦笑ing. "You probably already know about what happened in the side hall of Qianqing Palace yesterday?"
Princess Dunshu set down her teacup, took a handkerchief, and lightly pressed her lips before speaking slowly. "I heard fragments from others. I don't know the details... I heard the Second Prince and the Lingnan Prince's heir had some disagreement in the side hall, a conflict arose, and it angered the Emperor?"
"Hua's inappropriate words earned him the Emperor's punishment..." Empress Feng looked at Princess Dunshu, helpless. "I can only say this to Your Highness... I know he deserved the scolding, but a mother can't help心疼 him. The Emperor was恨铁不成钢, but Hua will never inherit the throne anyway—must everything be so exacting with him?"
Empress Feng thought this would please Princess Dunshu. Instead, Princess Dunshu merely smiled thinly. "There's nothing wrong with saying it. Parents always love deeply and scold harshly. Even the Emperor must be hurting inside right now."
Empress Feng nodded and slowly said, "Hua grew up before my eyes. I know his character better than anyone—he's truly kind and guileless, just somewhat impetuous. After much deliberation last night, I thought perhaps I should find him a consort from among the secondary wives. Someone steady and sensible, who could counsel him from time to time. Surely that would be better than listening only to palace servants. Your Highness... what do you think?"
Princess Dunshu's expression revealed nothing. "I shouldn't presume to advise on this. In principle, the princes have the Emperor and Empress to guide them, and the Grand Tutors to instruct them—that should suffice. But if we're being realistic..."
She smiled. "Indeed, sometimes a daughter-in-law's words are easier to hear than a mother's."
"That's exactly what I mean!" Empress Feng grew more delighted seeing Princess Dunshu agree with her. "I knew... Your Highness understands my heart best. We're both mothers—how could we not see through these things? So I was thinking to find a good girl. I don't ask for anything else, just good virtue. Your Highness... do you know of any young ladies who could relieve my worries?"
Princess Dunshu smiled gently. "Your Highness jests. I've been in the south these past years and know little of affairs in the capital. If even Your Highness doesn't know of any suitable young ladies, I know even less."
Empress Feng smiled. "There are indeed plenty of good girls, but... Xiao has yet to marry. Hua cannot exceed Xiao in this. Taking only a secondary consort, a girl from too noble a family wouldn't be proper. I've thought it over thoroughly and can't find a suitable candidate, so I've come to trouble Your Highness... By the way, I heard that when Your Highness first returned, you praised a young lady to the Emperor. Who was she? Is she betrothed?"
Princess Dunshu couldn't help but laugh. Had Qi Xiao become a mind reader? How could he have predicted everything.
"This... Ha, I can't help Your Highness there." Princess Dunshu smiled softly. "The young lady I mentioned was the two princesses of the Lingnan Prince's household. But... Hua only beat the Lingnan heir just yesterday. Speaking of this now... would be rather awkward."
Before Empress Feng could protest, Princess Dunshu continued. "Besides... I originally intended to propose this match for Xiao. Unfortunately, yesterday... to avoid suspicion, Xiao himself declined this match before the Emperor. This Lingnan alliance, we cannot pursue."
"Don't misunderstand, Your Highness. I'm not being arbitrary—not allowing Hua to have what Xiao couldn't have." Princess Dunshu repeated the words Xiao had sent through the attendant that morning, speaking gently. "I'm protecting our imperial family's reputation. What we know is that Hua acted rashly with the heir, a mere clash. But those who don't know might think Hua resented the Lingnan family's intention to ally with Xiao through marriage. Now if we betroth a Lingnan girl to Hua, it would only confirm those unfavorable rumors about Hua."
Princess Dunshu's words were reasoned and touched both emotion and principle. She left Empress Feng speechless. The Empress could only force a smile, lowered her eyes, and said, "I was thoughtless."
Princess Dunshu smiled faintly. "A mother's heart for her child is natural. Overlooking certain things is understandable. My concern for Hua is no less than Your Highness's. As the saying goes, the旁观者清. What I just said may also have been flawed. Why not discuss it with the Emperor?"
Empress Feng hastily smiled. "That won't be necessary. The Emperor has a nation to rule. How could I bother him with such trivial matters?"
Princess Dunshu smiled coldly to herself. Empress Feng was grasping at straws—daring to bypass the Emperor and discuss Hua's marriage with her, trying to use her as a chess piece to make the Emperor revalue Hua. Hah... What was she thinking?
Princess Dunshu smiled faintly, set down her teacup, and said leisurely, "Speaking of which... I recall Your Highness has a lovely niece who must be of marriageable age now. Why not strengthen the family ties?"
Empress Feng's heart tightened. Only now did she realize she had offended Princess Dunshu with her earlier words.
Empress Feng's niece was the illegitimate girl she had intended to slip in along with Princess Dunshu's efforts to find a secondary consort for Xiao. Empress Feng's sister was extremely jealous; none of the illegitimate sons and daughters from her household had favorable outcomes in marriage. The Empress knew her sister didn't care about these children and thought she could casually pull one over to serve as her informant. But was Qi Xiao a fool?
Empress Feng forced a smile. "You mean Xiangya? That child has always been frail since childhood. My sister dotes on her terribly. I'm afraid she wouldn't bear to have her become someone's lesser wife."
Princess Dunshu smiled faintly. "Is that so... Then forget it. I'll keep an eye out for her. When a suitable match appears, I'll certainly speak on Your Highness's behalf and find her a family of equal standing."
Empress Feng regretted bitterly. With these words, Xiangya could never enter the Crown Prince's residence.
Xiao had told her what to say, and Princess Dunshu had conveyed it to Empress Feng word for word. Feeling satisfied, she smiled warmly. "If Your Highness is truly pressed, why not also concern yourself with Xiao? As soon as Xiao takes a Crown Princess, Your Highness won't need to go to such lengths to find a secondary consort for Hua. You could even seek a proper principal consort."
Xiao would turn nineteen after the new year. Yet the Emperor wouldn't even grant him a secondary consort. Perhaps he feared that Xiao might gain powerful in-laws, beget a legitimate son, and his position as heir would become unshakeable. He didn't realize this was also delaying his younger sons' marriages. Princess Dunshu冷笑ed in her heart. You made your own bed—why blame others?
Princess Dunshu's words left Empress Feng's face burning. She smiled. "Your Highness jests. I only care more about Xiao's marriage."
Princess Dunshu smiled faintly. "Good."
Having suffered such humiliation, Empress Feng stayed only a short while longer before leaving. Princess Dunshu immediately sent someone to inform Qi Xiao that his guest had been dealt with. What came next was up to Xiao.