"The daughter of the Ling family is not suitable?" The Empress Dowager held a stack of name cards in her hand, not believing what the Emperor said, "How is the daughter of Marquis Zijun not suitable? Ling Yun is thirteen this year, just the right age, and is the same age as Ling'er. They are also old relatives, so how is she not suitable?"

The Emperor smiled reassuringly and comforted, "This girl is a bit too young, and the matchmaker who went to see her said her body is a bit thin, and she doesn't look like she can bear children well. Ling'er's principal wife naturally should be chosen to have good fortune. After marrying the principal wife, he will immediately have to take concubines. Mother, you don't want Ling'er's eldest son to be born from a concubine, do you? There are examples from previous dynasties of the eldest son not being born from the principal wife, but it's really not a good thing."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager was at a loss for words. She looked through the name cards in her hand again, and after a while sighed, "First you let me choose, but when I see someone good, you don't approve."

"For Ling'er's marriage, your son can only discuss it with Mother." The Emperor also knew it would be difficult to get past this hurdle with the Empress Dowager. He slowly said, "There are still many good daughters. We must choose a good one for Ling'er."

The Empress Dowager had long favored Ling Yun in her heart. How could she consider other families' daughters? She flipped through the cards back and forth, unable to make up her mind. Consort Li, who was standing to the side, smiled and said, "Forgive this concubine for speaking out of turn. Since the Empress Dowager likes Lady Ling, why not summon this girl into the palace to see her in person? Whether she is thin or not, in the end it's just what the matchmakers say. None of us have seen her. Wouldn't it be better for the Empress Dowager to see for herself?"

Although the Empress Dowager disliked Consort Li, these words still struck a chord with her. She nodded, "Consort Li is right. I must see for myself to be sure. Emperor-" The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor. The Emperor felt a surge of annoyance in his heart. Why did Consort Li have to speak up and cause more trouble?

Consort Li could see that the Emperor's expression was not good, but she pretended not to notice and continued with a smile, "But if we only summon this girl alone, it may not be appropriate. If the Empress Dowager really likes her, that's fine. But if not, we don't want to let others gossip. It would also be detrimental to Lady Ling's future marriage prospects. The day after tomorrow is the Qixi Festival. In previous years, the Empress Dowager would also bestow gold scissors, gold thread, silver thread, brocade and other items to the young ladies of each household. This year, why doesn't the Empress Dowager summon all the young ladies on this name list into the palace? Just say it's to give them things for the Qixi Festival, and have the girls stay in the palace to chat. By then, how much will the Empress Dowager not be able to see? It will also be a good opportunity to understand the conduct and bearing of the girls."

The Empress Dowager nodded repeatedly and laughed, "That's right, that's right. Emperor, let's do it like this."

The Emperor had no choice. What Consort Li said was reasonable and there was no way to refute it. He could only nod with a smile, "Since Mother likes it, then let's do it according to Mother's wishes."

The Emperor still had political affairs to attend to in the morning court and could not sit for long. After talking for a while, he got up. Consort Li hurriedly saw him out and said with a light laugh, "This concubine's family sent a few top-quality ginseng yesterday. This concubine was thinking of stewing it in chicken soup and sending it to Chengqian Palace in the evening. Would it be good for the Emperor to drink before reviewing memorials?"

The Emperor was still upset about what had just happened and naturally did not have a good expression when he saw Consort Li making blind suggestions. He said indifferently, "No need. I have no appetite."

Consort Li's face stiffened. She could only say with a smile, "Yes, this concubine understands."

Watching the imperial carriage leave, Consort Li let out a sigh of relief. She hoped Chu Shaoruan's plan would work and not make her offend the Emperor in vain.

On the day of the Qixi Festival, the Empress Dowager indeed summoned the girls into the palace. Ci'an Palace was lively with more than a dozen young girls gathered. The consorts and concubines who were related to the girls also came early without being invited. Now that Chu Shaoling was in the limelight, most of the consorts and concubines wanted to get on his boat.

The Empress Dowager first called Ling Yun to her side to take a close look. Ling Yun had an excellent complexion. She was wearing a light green flowery long-sleeved top with a gauze skirt underneath. On her wrist was a pair of clear and lustrous bracelets, and around her neck was a gold and jade necklace. Her hair was not overly adorned, with only a few pearls hanging from her temples. This outfit was not eye-catching at all. She was not deliberately wearing gold and silver, but each item was a treasure, setting off her outstanding appearance.

Looking at the young girl, the Empress Dowager couldn't stop smiling, "Cut from the same mold as your mother. Look how beautiful you are." The Empress Dowager secretly sighed in her heart. Ling Yun's appearance was unquestionable, but her body was indeed a bit thin and weak, with more fragility than vitality. She didn't seem to have good fortune.

Hearing the Empress Dowager's praise, Ling Yun was not overly flattered. She lowered her head with a smile, "The Empress Dowager praises me too much. This subject daughter does not deserve it." She was very steady and dignified. The Empress Dowager felt regret in her heart. What a pity, her appearance and temperament were both worthy of Chu Shaoling.

The Empress Dowager was not seeking an extremely beautiful appearance in choosing a wife for Chu Shaoling. As long as she had a good background, a passable appearance, and a good character and temperament, and if her body was a bit better, that would be enough. With the example of Empress Ling in front of her, the Empress Dowager insisted on choosing someone with a more robust physique for Chu Shaoling.

The Empress Dowager offered a seat and had Ling Yun sit beside her. She said with a light laugh, "The palace is lonely. I thought that with the Qixi Festival coming, I would call you all to liven things up. In previous years, I would only bestow some things for you to set up an incense altar at home to worship the gods and kowtow to receive grace. It was ultimately meaningless."

The Empress Dowager ordered someone to take out the things prepared for the young ladies and distribute them one by one. Everyone thanked her for the rewards. The Empress Dowager smiled and ordered someone to serve tea and pastries, telling everyone not to stand on ceremony. The Empress Dowager looked at everyone and secretly evaluated them in her heart.

Ling Yun was out of the question now. Her physique was really not good enough and she wouldn't be able to endure the hardships of the palace. Princess Qizhen's youngest daughter looked quite healthy, but her appearance was not considered beautiful and would be an insult to Chu Shaoling. The eldest daughter of the Minister of Rites looked quite good, but her conduct was not dignified enough. How could she be the principal wife?

The Empress Dowager was not very satisfied in her heart. She turned her head and saw Zhen Si, the daughter of the Zhen family, sitting below Consort Li. The Empress Dowager slightly frowned. Zhen Si did not look like Consort Li, but she was also a beauty. Her skin was like congealed cream and her black hair was like satin. However, there was no scheming look in her eyes like Consort Li. She sat quietly with her head lowered.

Her figure looked good and her complexion was rosy, so it seemed her body was also very good. When she took the tea offered to her, she revealed slender white hands. When tasting the tea, her manners were also quite dignified. Looking at it this way, Zhen Si had all the qualities. The Empress Dowager just sighed in her heart. What a pity, born into the Zhen family, no matter how good she was, it was useless.

Consort Li looked at the room full of girls and secretly rejoiced in her heart. Putting aside other things, just in terms of the person, whoever evaluated would have to say Zhen Si was good. Consort Li carefully looked at Zhen Si's outfit. Everything was personally arranged by Consort Li and would definitely meet the Empress Dowager's eyes.

The Empress Dowager was not very satisfied after seeing everything, but she still smiled and rewarded each of them before sending them back. Only Consort Li requested the favor of letting Zhen Si stay in the palace for a few days. The Empress Dowager was already feeling vexed and had no time to deal with her, so she nodded in agreement. Consort Li hurriedly pulled Zhen Si to express their gratitude.

Consort Li brought Zhen Si to the Linzhi Palace and chatted with her intimately for a while. She also instructed her in detail about what the Empress Dowager liked and disliked on a daily basis. Then she laughed softly, "Good child, among these girls, you stand out. Don't worry, as long as you do as your aunt says, the Empress Dowager will definitely like you."

Zhen Si lowered her head, still silent. Whatever Consort Li said, she listened without uttering a word. Consort Li assumed she was just shy and chuckled, "The Crown Prince has gone to the temporary palace to stay and won't be back for now." This was just right for her to take action. Consort Li secretly had plans and was determined to settle his marriage before Chu Shaoling returned.

In the Ci'an Palace, the Empress Dowager quietly looked at the name cards of the girls, unable to make up her mind. Each of them was not bad, but each also had aspects that were not to her liking. After lunch, the Emperor came. Knowing that the Empress Dowager was also dissatisfied with Ling Yun's frail health, he breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Your son is also worried about this point. It's good that there are still so many girls for Imperial Mother to choose from."

The Empress Dowager sighed, "None of them are good."

The Emperor flipped through the name cards and said, "Isn't Princess Qizhen's daughter good? The princess and the legitimate daughter of Marquis Yongding, this status is also worthy of Ling'er."

The Empress Dowager shook her head, "Didn't the Emperor see? Her appearance is not good." Princess Qizhen was not born to the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager did not like this daughter very much. Besides, Marquis Yongding had no real power and could not help Chu Shaoling. Of course, these things were not good to say directly to the Emperor.

As long as the Empress Dowager did not favor Ling Yun, the Emperor was not very concerned. Suddenly, the Emperor remembered what Consort Li had said to him in private yesterday. If a decision could not be made, why not give the girls' birth dates and times to the Imperial Astronomy Bureau? Whoever had a good astrological match with Chu Shaoling would be chosen. This was indeed a good method. The Emperor told the Empress Dowager with a smile. The Empress Dowager, who was unable to decide, thought for a moment and nodded, "Let the people from the Imperial Astronomy Bureau take a look. Indeed, we must find someone with an auspicious horoscope for Ling'er."

In less than half an hour, a message was received at the Linzhi Palace. Consort Li finally put her mind at ease when she found out. Chu Shaoruan was also in the Linzhi Palace. Upon hearing this, he breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Mother Consort, rest assured. Your son has already made proper arrangements with the Imperial Astronomy Bureau. There will definitely be no problems."

Consort Li nodded. She seemed to have already seen Chu Shaoling's exasperated look when he heard the news. She couldn't help but laugh out loud and mocked, "Giving that Si girl to him is doing him a favor. I want to see, when the Crown Prince marries our family's daughter, if Marquis Zijun will still help him like he does now, hehe."

Compared to the liveliness in the palace, the Thousand Longevity Villa was quiet and peaceful. On this night of the Qixi Festival, Chu Shaoling ordered someone to tidy up the Star-Plucking Tower in the temporary palace. On the seven-story high platform, a set of pear blossom yellow furniture, screens, soft couches, and octagonal tables were arranged, each item exquisite. On the table, various desserts and fruits that Wei Ji liked were also placed according to Chu Shaoling's instructions.

When Chu Shaoling and Wei Ji came here after dinner, the palace servants had already tidied up and withdrawn. Seeing the elaborate arrangements here, Wei Ji knew that Chu Shaoling must have instructed them long ago. His heart warmed. He walked to the table and peeled pine nuts for Chu Shaoling. Chu Shaoling came over and ate with him for a while, smiling, "I didn't ask you to come and eat. Come."

Chu Shaoling pulled Wei Ji to lie down on the noble consort's couch and chuckled, "Look at the sky."

It was now the third quarter of the Xu hour. The night sky was thoroughly dark. The weather was very good tonight, and the stars were abundant. The Milky Way stretched across the dark blue night sky from south to north, weaving a dazzling silver glow. Wei Ji hadn't looked at the night sky like this for a long time. His ink-colored pupils sparkled with starlight. He smiled, "It's beautiful. That one is the Cowherd Star, and the two beside it are the children in the carrying pole."

Chu Shaoling nodded and chuckled, "Over there is that one, the Weaver Girl Star."

Wei Ji nodded. The two of them lay like this on the high platform, as if they were surrounded by starlight. Perhaps bewitched by this magnificent and splendid scenery, or perhaps enchanted by the person in front of him, rarely, Wei Ji turned his head and took the initiative to kiss Chu Shaoling's cheek. He said softly, "Thank you, Your Highness." No one took little Wei Ji seriously, only Chu Shaoling cherished him like a treasure.

Chu Shaoling laughed softly, turned on his side, and embraced Wei Ji to kiss him.