After spending some intimate time together at the small training ground, the two returned to Bitao Palace. Wei Ji changed out of his clothes first upon returning to the bedchamber. Chu Shaoling chuckled, "Just keep wearing it for now, there's no one else around anyway. Why bother changing back and forth?"

Wei Ji pursed his lips without saying a word. As Chu Shaoling's personal guard, he naturally should wear the uniform of the guards. Although this martial robe looked good, it was too flashy and not solemn enough. Of course, it was also because he felt embarrassed. Chu Shaoling kept caressing the small of his back at the training ground today, and Wei Ji's legs still felt a bit weak.

Just as he finished changing, Wang Muhan entered the bedchamber. Speaking softly from behind the carved screen, "Your Highness, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has sent over the finalized wedding arrangements for the Fourth Princess. The Empress Dowager has already reviewed it and said it's very good. She asked Your Highness to take a look as well. If there are no issues, the servants will proceed according to this plan."

Chu Shaoling was washing his face inside. Hearing this, he told Wei Ji to fetch it. Turning past the screen, Wei Ji blushed a little upon seeing Wang Muhan due to what happened earlier at the training ground. He took the bundle, nodded slightly, and hurriedly went back in.

Knowing Wei Ji was shy, Wang Muhan smiled and withdrew.

Chu Shaoling dried his face and hands, then carefully examined the bundle Wei Ji handed over. Nodding, he said, "The people at the Ministry of Internal Affairs are quite tactful. I only gave them a few instructions and they've sorted everything out. The date is set for the 16th of the 12th lunar month. The Imperial Astronomy Bureau calculated this as an exceptionally auspicious day based on your elder brother and Fuyi's birth charts. It's just a bit rushed. How are the preparations going on your family's side?"

"Worried that the cold weather would hinder construction work, we've been rushing the renovations. The Manor we purchased has now been connected with our estate, and the hall is nearly finished too." Wei Ji smiled, "Thanks to the skilled craftsmen Your Highness sent over, my mother said their work is impeccable. It's all thanks to Your Highness."

Chu Shaoling laughed, "It's nothing much. Speaking of which, the renovations at the Qin Prince Manor are also almost done. By the time Fuyi gets married, I suppose we'll be moving in there too. But I'm afraid the Empress Dowager will want me to stay in the palace until after the New Year before moving out. We'll see."

Wei Ji felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing Chu Shaoling say "we'll be moving in". Composing himself, he continued, "Good timber has been procured and furniture is being made. Everything there is for practical use, otherwise it's all antiques and treasures. I'm afraid my family's private collection is limited and may be too shabby for the Princess."

Chu Shaoling shook his head with a smile, "No worries, Fuyi is not a picky person. You can rest assured about her. Don't think that marrying a princess means inviting a bodhisattva into your home. Fuyi is very easygoing. I've always felt that she and your elder brother are a match made in heaven. Both are not very talkative, but they are a talented man and a beautiful woman, surely they will get along well."

Wei Ji nodded and smiled, "Big brother is not that taciturn either. It's just that he's more cautious in front of Your Highness due to your prestige."

Chu Shaoling chuckled, "Mm, you brothers are similar in this regard. When we first met, you also barely said a word in front of me. You'd answer with just one sentence when asked, and if I tried to get a bit closer, you wouldn't allow it and run away."

Wei Ji was stunned for a moment before realizing Chu Shaoling was talking about when he was suddenly promoted to a third-rank guard and brought to His Highness' presence by Wang Muhan. Chu Shaoling had barely said a few words before embracing him. Thinking of this past event, Wei Ji's face reddened slightly. He lowered his head and said, "This subordinate did not understand Your Highness' intentions at that time."

"Yes, if I hadn't rummaged through your room and found that scrap of paper, I wouldn't have known that I was secretly admired by such a delicate little guard." Chu Shaoling wrapped his arm around Wei Ji's waist, trapping him in his embrace. Lowering his head, he carefully observed Wei Ji's embarrassed expression, unable to resist teasing him, "If I had known earlier, I would have tied you up and brought you to my bedchamber much sooner, instead of letting you stand guard outside for a whole year."

Wei Ji seemed a bit lost in thought upon hearing this. It's been a year already. Thinking back now, all those years before seem like a previous life. Ever since being together with Chu Shaoling, time has flown by, each day feeling like a dream.

Sometimes when Wei Ji thinks about it, he finds it incredible. Chu Shaoling actually also likes him. Chu Shaoling would actually like him. With his simple mind, Wei Ji feels he must have accumulated great merits in his previous life to have the fortune of being by Chu Shaoling's side in this lifetime.

Wei Ji grasped Chu Shaoling's hand that was wrapped around his waist and said softly, "This subordinate must have used up the blessings of several lifetimes in this one life."

Wei Ji said this unintentionally, but Chu Shaoling took it to heart, feeling a sharp pang inside.

Chu Shaoling lowered his head and gently kissed Wei Ji's lips. His Wei Ji...

While Chu Shaoling was busy with external matters, Fuyi's palace was also bustling with activity. Consort Ning, having been promoted, now held considerable authority as the mistress of Yanxi Palace.

"These earrings don't match the Princess' outfit, have them changed." Consort Ning handed a brocade box to the palace maid beside her. The maid took it and passed it to the eunuch in charge from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Consort Ning smiled, "Don't blame me for being meddlesome. The Princess' wedding cannot have the slightest error. When the time comes, the imperial clan's womenfolk, nobles and titled ladies will all be present. Countless eyes will be watching. If anything goes wrong then, it will be hard to hold you accountable. It's better to be diligent and hardworking during this period. I will naturally have rewards for you."

Consort Ning signaled with her eyes and the palace maid beside her handed a purse to the managing eunuch. The eunuch quickly tucked the purse into his sleeve, smiling repeatedly, "Of course, of course. The Princess' grand wedding is a momentous event, how would we servants dare to slack off? Just running errands and basking in the joyous atmosphere is good enough. Madam, set your heart at ease. Eunuch Wang from Bitao Palace up front specifically came to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to give instructions, telling us servants to follow Madam and the Princess' wishes, not allowing the slightest mistake. Even if we servants had the guts, we wouldn't dare to offend His Highness Prince Qin, Madam, and the Fourth Princess."

The incident where Chu Shaoling beat an eunuch from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to death at the Thousand Longevity Villa in just one hour had already spread throughout the palace. Chu Shaoling's actions were vicious and quite intimidating. Now, Chu Shaoling's words carried a lot of weight in the palace. Everyone knew that this man was not good-tempered. Usually he seemed quiet, but once he showed his displeasure, he would take lives. Calling him a venomous snake was no exaggeration.

Consort Ning was grateful for Chu Shaoling's help. She nodded with satisfaction, "In that case, I can rest assured. The patterns on the Princess' wedding dress have been selected. Urge the embroiderers. That embroidery is very time-consuming. The Empress Dowager wants it finished a month in advance, don't wait until the last minute and get anxious."

The managing eunuch quickly nodded, "There are now over thirty embroiderers in the sewing room dedicated to making the Princess' wedding dress. This happens to be under my supervision. Madam, don't worry, I will check on their progress several times a day. Not the slightest problem will occur."

Consort Ning nodded with a smile, "That's good then." After the eunuch in charge left, Consort Ning went to Fuyi Palace to see Fuyi. Fuyi was doing needlework inside, and when she saw Consort Ning coming, she hurriedly put down her work and smiled, "Mother Consort, why have you come? I was just thinking of going to Yanxi Palace to see you."

"I didn't have anything in particular, just came to see what you were doing." Consort Ning took the needlework from Fuyi's hands, looked at it, and nodded with a smile, "This is almost done. Having one or two pieces of your handiwork in the dowry is enough. Even if there isn't any, it doesn't matter. Would the Wei family dare to test your needlework skills?"

Fuyi shook her head, "It's not just for preparing the dowry. With all the hustle and bustle these days, doing some needlework calms my heart a bit."

A mother naturally understands her daughter's thoughts. Consort Ning gently placed her hand on Fuyi's and said softly, "Don't listen to others' nonsense. This marriage was chosen for you by the Crown Prince, so naturally there's no mistake. In these years, it's by relying on Empress Ling and the Crown Prince that we've been able to live safely until now. Now you've gotten a grand marriage, and I've also been promoted. It's clear that listening to the Crown Prince is right. You can rest assured that your future days won't go wrong."

Fuyi lowered her head, "I know. The palace making such arrangements for my wedding is all giving face to Big Brother. The Empress Dowager also speaks up for me with Big Brother's constant help. In these years, we've relied much on Big Brother's care. The person Big Brother selected should be good."

Consort Zhen lowered her voice, "I've already had someone investigate that Wei Zhan. He is indeed a good man. Not to mention his appearance and looks, I heard his character is also not bad. Now he is very useful under the Crown Prince, so his future prospects can't go wrong."

Fuyi's face turned slightly red as she lowered her head without answering.