In the Yuxiu Palace, Princess Dunsu sat in front of the mirror, carefully comparing two phoenix hairpins. She said lightly, "Did the Crown Prince really say that?"

The palace maid behind Princess Dunsu nodded, "His Highness the Crown Prince also said that if the princess is too impatient to deal with this matter, she can go sit in the palaces of the old consorts after breakfast to avoid it."

"Nonsense, if she really has the intention, how can it be avoided." Princess Dunsu laughed, "Where did Xiao'er get this news from? Forget it, go."

The palace maid hesitated for a moment and then said, "Princess... last night, the heir of the King of Lingnan stayed in the Crown Prince's palace, and hasn't come out yet."

Princess Dunsu gently stroked the three-phoenix jeweled gold hairpin in her hand and said slowly, "It doesn't matter. Yesterday, it was Xiao'er who asked the Emperor to let the heir stay in his palace to recuperate. No one will be suspicious."

"But..." This palace maid had been Princess Dunsu's confidant for many years, so she dared to advise on matters that others didn't dare to mention. The palace maid carefully looked at Princess Dunsu's expression and lowered her voice, "The Crown Prince cares a bit too much about the heir. Princess... the second young lady will turn twelve after the new year. Won't the princess consider her a little?"

The second young lady referred to Princess Dunsu's youngest daughter, He Fanghua.

Princess Dunsu had always had a good relationship with her husband. Over the years, they had three sons and two daughters. The first two sons were already married, and the eldest daughter was also engaged. The youngest son was only nine years old, so there was no hurry. But the youngest daughter was already eleven this year. It wasn't too old, but it was indeed the age to start paying attention to her marriage.

Princess Dunsu understood what the palace maid meant, and she had also thought about it before.

She had watched Qi Xiao grow up. Although they were aunt and nephew, their closeness was no less than that of a mother and son. With so many years of deep feelings, Princess Dunsu believed that if Fanghua really married Qi Xiao, he would definitely not mistreat her daughter. At that time, with the marriage strengthening their bond, it would be a perfect match.

But people have their own selfish desires. Before everything was settled, Princess Dunsu did not want to bring this matter out in the open.

Princess Dunsu knew better than anyone how Qi Xiao had made it this far over the years. Every step truly required careful consideration. One misstep could fall into someone else's trap. Even now, Princess Dunsu did not dare say for certain that Qi Xiao would definitely ascend the throne.

As Qi Xiao's biological aunt, Princess Dunsu was willing to help manage things for him. But she did not want to drag her youngest daughter into these troubled waters.

To put it bluntly, if things failed in the future, her life as Emperor Wen's biological daughter would be unharmed. At most, her husband would face some implication and no longer be highly regarded. But once tied to Qi Xiao by marriage, her husband's entire family would be implicated. Her daughter might not even be able to keep her life.

Princess Dunsu was Qi Xiao's aunt, but she was also a mother of five children. She did not dare take this risk.

Moreover... He Fanghua was still young and there was no rush. When things succeeded in the future... perhaps that would be just the perfect age for her youngest daughter.

Princess Dunsu rubbed her temples. Forget it, what was the point of thinking about this. She finally chose a gold hairpin with five phoenixes twining around eastern pearls and slowly inserted it into her hair bun. She tidied her temple hair and stood up, "Do not speak recklessly. Have someone prepare some fine pastries to entertain the Empress later."

As Qi Xiao expected, after breakfast, the Empress indeed came to Yuxiu Palace.

Princess Dunsu received the guest in the main hall. After exchanging greetings, Empress Feng smiled, "Yesterday those madams sent many things. This morning when I looked at the gift list, I saw a few items that the princess likes, so I had them gathered. There's nothing else to do now, so I decided to deliver them myself."

The palace maids behind the Empress placed a few exquisite boxes on the small table next to Princess Dunsu. Empress Feng smiled, "The dark green box contains a set of kingfisher feather jewelry. I remember the princess loves kingfisher accessories the most. I looked at it, the craftsmanship is very delicate. The gold-painted carved box contains gold-threaded swallow cups of excellent quality. The rest are some small items from previous dynasties, not bad for display."

Princess Dunsu glanced at them and smiled, "The Empress is thoughtful, I am truly grateful."

Empress Feng smiled, "There's no need for such words between us. Speaking of which... the princess just returned, is Yuxiu Palace comfortable to stay in? It's been empty for several years, it should be tidied up properly."

"That's not necessary." Princess Dunsu looked around at the palace decorations and smiled, "Previously, it was because I hadn't been back for a long time and missed the Emperor, Empress and the princes, so I stayed these past days. In a few days, I should move back to the princess manor."

"What's the rush." Empress Feng took the tea offered by the palace maid, sipped it and smiled, "The princess hasn't been in the capital for years. The Emperor always thinks of you. Now that you're finally back, you should stay longer."

Princess Dunsu smiled gracefully, "How could I not miss the Emperor? It's just that I can't help worrying about my children at home..."

"That's true, children are a mother's life." Empress Feng sighed and smiled bitterly, "I suppose the princess also knows about what happened in the side hall of Qianqing Palace yesterday?"

Princess Dunsu put down her teacup, took a handkerchief to dab the corner of her mouth and said slowly, "I vaguely heard a few words, but I don't know the details... I heard the Second Prince had some disagreement with the heir of the King of Lingnan, arguing in the side hall and angering the Emperor?"

"Hua'er spoke inappropriately and was punished by the Emperor..." Empress Feng looked at Princess Dunsu with a helpless expression, "I can only say this to the princess... I know he deserved to be taught a lesson, but I can't help feeling distressed. The Emperor wants him to meet expectations, but Hua'er won't need to inherit the throne in the future, so why be so strict with him on everything?"

Empress Feng thought saying this would please Princess Dunsu, but unexpectedly, Princess Dunsu just smiled faintly, "There's nothing wrong with saying this. As parents, the depth of love is shown through strict discipline. Even the Emperor must feel upset about this."

Empress Feng nodded and said slowly, "I watched Hua'er grow up, so I know his character better than others. He has the purest heart without schemes, just a bit impetuous. Last night, I thought it over and felt it would be better to find Hua'er a concubine, someone steady and understanding to advise him from time to time. That would be better than palace maids advising him. Princess... what do you think?"

Princess Dunsu remained composed on the surface: "It's not my place to say this. In principle, the princes have the guidance of the Emperor and Empress above, and the counsel of the Grand Tutor below, which should be sufficient. But if we're talking about the actual situation..."

Princess Dunsu smiled: "Indeed, sometimes the words of a daughter-in-law can be much more pleasing to hear than a mother's."

"That's exactly what I mean!" Seeing Princess Dunsu agreeing with her, Empress Feng became even more delighted. "I just knew... Princess understands my intentions the best. As mothers, how can we not see through these things? That's why I thought of finding a good girl. I'm not picky about anything else, as long as she has good moral character. Princess... do you know which family's daughter can relieve my worries?"

Princess Dunsu smiled gently: "The Empress jests. I've been in the south these past few years and am no longer very familiar with matters in the capital. If even the Empress doesn't know which family has a good daughter, I would be even less clear about it."

Empress Feng laughed: "There's no shortage of good girls, but... Xiao'er has not yet married, so Hua'er naturally cannot surpass him. Just taking in a concubine, if the girl's family status is too high, it wouldn't look good. I've racked my brain but can't find a suitable candidate, so I've come to trouble the Princess... By the way, I heard that on the day the Princess just returned, she praised a certain young lady to the Emperor. I wonder whose family she is from? Is she already betrothed?"

Princess Dunsu couldn't help but laugh. Could it be that Qi Xiao was a worm in Empress Feng's belly, guessing everything?

"This... Hehe, I'm afraid I can't help the Empress with this." Princess Dunsu laughed softly. "The ones I mentioned that day were the two princesses from the Lingnan's Dongling family. But... Hua'er just beat up the Lingnan king's heir yesterday. Mentioning this now... I'm afraid it's not convenient."

Before Empress Feng could refute, Princess Dunsu continued: "Besides... I originally intended to propose this marriage to Xiao'er. Unfortunately, yesterday... In order to avoid suspicion, Xiao'er already declined this marriage in front of the Emperor. We can't proceed with the Lingnan marriage."

"Empress, don't overthink it. I'm not being domineering. A marriage that Xiao'er can't have, Hua'er is also not allowed to have." Princess Dunsu repeated the words Qi Xiao had a palace maid convey to her in the morning, saying gently, "I'm doing this for the sake of our imperial family's reputation. We know that it was Hua'er's momentary impulsiveness that led to some friction with the heir. Those who don't know might think Hua'er is dissatisfied with Lingnan wanting to marry Xiao'er. If we assign Lingnan's girl to Hua'er at this time, it will only further validate those unfavorable rumors about Hua'er."

Princess Dunsu's words, appealing to both reason and emotion, left Empress Feng speechless. She gave a dry laugh and lowered her eyes, saying, "It was my lack of thorough consideration."

Princess Dunsu smiled faintly: "The Empress's deep love for her son is understandable. It's only natural to not think of some things. My affection for Hua'er is no different from the Empress's. As they say, the person on the spot is baffled. Some of what I just said may also be somewhat incorrect. Why doesn't the Empress go discuss it with the Emperor?"

Empress Feng quickly laughed: "That won't be necessary. His Majesty manages myriad affairs every day. How could I trouble him with these minor matters?"

Princess Dunsu laughed inwardly. Empress Feng was like a critically ill patient desperately seeking any physician. She actually dared to bypass the Emperor to discuss Qi Hua's marriage with her, and vainly hoped to use her as a chess piece to make the Emperor value Qi Hua again. Hehe... What was she thinking?

Princess Dunsu smiled faintly, put down her tea cup and said slowly: "Speaking of which... I remember the Empress has a niece who is quite good and has also reached marriageable age. Why not have a relative marry a relative?"

Empress Feng's heart trembled. Only at this point did she realize that her earlier words had already offended Princess Dunsu.

Empress Feng's niece was precisely the illegitimate daughter that Empress Feng wanted to stuff in along with the concubine Princess Dunsu was selecting for Qi Xiao. Empress Feng's sister was jealous, and none of the illegitimate sons and daughters in her house had good marriage outcomes.

Empress Feng knew her sister didn't care about these things, so she just wanted to casually pull one over to be her informant. But was Qi Xiao stupid?

Empress Feng forced a smile: "Is the Princess referring to Xiangya? That child has always been frail since young. My sister dotes on her very much and is probably reluctant to have her become someone's concubine."

Princess Dunsu smiled faintly: "Is that so... Then never mind. I'll keep an eye out for her. If there's a suitable match, I will naturally inform the Emperor on your behalf and definitely arrange a marriage befitting her status."

Empress Feng deeply regretted. With those words, Xiangya could no longer enter the Crown Prince's residence.

Princess Dunsu had already relayed to Empress Feng, without omitting a single word, what Qi Xiao had instructed her to say. She felt refreshed in her heart and said with a smile: "If the Empress is really anxious, why not also put some thought into Xiao'er's matter? As long as Xiao'er marries a Crown Princess, the Empress won't need to rack her brains to find a concubine for Qi Hua. He can even take a principal wife."

Qi Xiao would turn nineteen after the new year, but the Emperor was unwilling to even give Qi Xiao a concubine, probably fearing that with the help of his in-laws and the birth of a legitimate son, Qi Xiao's status as heir would become unshakable.

Yet he didn't realize that this was also delaying the marriages of his own younger sons. Princess Dunsu laughed coldly in her heart. He was tying himself up in knots. What did it have to do with others?

Empress Feng's face burned from Princess Dunsu's words. She laughed and said, "The Princess jests. I can only be even more attentive to Xiao'er's marriage."

Princess Dunsu smiled faintly: "That's good then."

Having lost so much face, Empress Feng only sat for a short while before leaving. Princess Dunsu ordered someone to send a message to Qi Xiao, telling him that the person had already been sent away, and what to do next was up to Qi Xiao.