The events of the thirtieth night were quickly suppressed by the Emperor.

The favored palace maid was bestowed upon Qi Hua by Empress Feng, giving her both status and dignity. The Emperor also specifically summoned the Second Prince to the Qianqing Palace for some advice and rewarded him with some playthings. No matter what, on the surface, everything seemed perfect, with no shortcomings to be found.

However, privately, the Emperor was so enraged that he had to take several bowls of medicine to soothe his chest and calm his breath. He didn't have a good start to the new year.

Empress Feng, due to her age and many duties, suddenly fell ill from exhaustion. The Emperor, not wanting the Empress to be burdened, ordered her to rest and recover, forbidding anyone in the palace from troubling her.

Before the year had even passed, the Fenghua Palace had already become as quiet as a cold palace. As for the Second Prince Qi Hua, whether the Emperor had forgotten or for some other reason, the previously mentioned matter of Qi Hua entering the court after the new year vanished along with the dazzling fireworks in the Imperial City at the end of the year.

While some were unlucky, others were happy. Princess Dunsu had recently encountered a series of good things, and she couldn't stop smiling throughout the new year.

"You have elevated Zichen in such a way that it has frightened his mother." Princess Dunsu looked at Qi Xiao with a smile, "He was just promoted before the new year, and now you have promoted him to be an examiner in the Hanlin Academy. His mother came to me in a hurry after receiving the document, asking me how to repay your great kindness."

Qi Xiao smiled faintly: "It's not entirely due to me. He Zichen is capable himself and has been diligent in the Hanlin Academy for the past two years. Especially after being promoted before the new year, he has been thorough in handling matters. His superior often tells me that he is very good.

"Scholar Xu is retiring this year after the new year, leaving a position vacant. I mentioned it once, and they put He Zichen in that position. In the end, it's still because of his own abilities. The people in the Hanlin Academy don't fall for tricks. Without real talent and learning, even if I intervene, it would be useless."

Princess Dunsu laughed: "Well said. Are there so many scholars, and each one of them is a straw bag? They specifically chose him, there must be a reason. I told his mother that you lack nothing, and they don't need to do anything. As long as they remember your kindness, that's enough."

Qi Xiao shook his head with a smile: "That's right. After the wedding in the future, treat the Princess well, and that will be considered repaying the kindness."

Princess Dunsu pressed her hair and laughed: "No need for you to say, my cousin-in-law, although she has not met Roujia, has long regarded her as a lucky star. She and Zichen are people who know how to repay kindness, so you can rest assured."

Qi Xiao laughed inwardly. He had nothing to worry about. Even arranging things for He Zichen was just for the sake of Bairen. Bairen was willing to give himself to Qi Xiao for Roujia's sake. Roujia and Bairen had a deep sibling bond. If things were not well arranged for Roujia, wouldn't Bairen still be worried every day in the future?

"Also..." Qi Xiao subconsciously wanted to fiddle with the jade pendant at his waist, but finding it empty, he laughed and continued, "Also, how is the renovation of the manor bestowed by the Emperor going? After the new year, it's getting warmer day by day. Flowers, trees, fish, and birds can all be prepared. If the money is not enough..."

Princess Dunsu laughed and interrupted: "You don't need to worry about this. My cousin-in-law is not without any family fortune. Over the years, she has also saved a lot for Zichen. Even if it's not enough, there's still me. You can rest assured that the wedding in the future will be grand and glorious. There's just one thing..."

Princess Dunsu looked at Qi Xiao solemnly: "I looked at the manor bestowed by the Emperor. A manor with five entrances and five exits is a bit too luxurious in my opinion. After Roujia marries into the family, there will only be three main members in the household. What's the use of such a large courtyard?

"So I told my cousin-in-law to only furnish a few main rooms exquisitely, and leave the back rooms empty for now, just having people clean regularly. As for the servants, there's no need to hire many, just enough. Roujia's princess title is only nominal, without any fief. Zichen's salary is also limited. It would be too difficult to maintain such a large residence. During the wedding, there will be me, you, and the Crown Prince.

"But what about later? Do they have to rely on others' help to live their days? It wouldn't look good for Zichen. Or should they just sit and eat away their fortune? That's even worse. I said this, and Zichen's mother told me she felt the same way. She and Zichen also have the same idea, but they were afraid of disappointing Roujia. So I made the decision for them. Is this okay?"

Qi Xiao paused for a moment and nodded: "Very well. I will go back and tell Bairen. I think he will understand."

Princess Dunsu smiled and nodded: "He is a sensible person and should be able to understand. I later told Zichen, and the child hurriedly said that after the wedding, he would no longer dare to accept help from others. He will definitely work hard, do his job well, and manage the family property to support this household."

Qi Xiao smiled: "That's very good."

"I will take care of everything on this side. You don't need to worry at all." Princess Dunsu took a sip of tea and smiled, "This year, good things have really been happening one after another. Since that incident on the thirtieth, I have been eating well and sleeping well. These days, I have been busy for Zichen and his family, but I don't feel tired at all. My heart always feels so happy, and my body feels comfortable."

Qi Xiao couldn't help but laugh. Princess Dunsu pressed the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief and smiled: "Yesterday, I went to the palace and took the opportunity to visit Empress Feng. Alas... how pitiful. She seemed to have aged more than ten years all at once, and her spirit is gone. I heard that she has a terrible temper now and often takes it out on the palace maids. I didn't stay long, just sat for a bit and left. I heard that the Emperor's mental state has not been good recently?"

Qi Xiao sneered: "The rumors have not dissipated, so of course his mental state can't be good. Yesterday, Fu Hailu ordered someone to find a good chef outside the palace. Hehe... he's holding in his anger and can't eat, so he blames the imperial chef? Even if he found the flesh of Tang Sanzang*, he probably wouldn't be able to eat it."

*T/N: A legendary monk whose flesh was said to grant immortality.

Princess Dunsu felt extremely pleased in her heart. She chatted with Qi Xiao about family matters for another half day. As the sky was getting dark, she insisted on having Qi Xiao stay for dinner before letting him return to the Crown Prince's residence.

Although the first month was about to end, it was still very cold in the capital. Qi Xiao held a hand warmer and wrapped himself in a large cloak as he got off the carriage. He turned his head and asked the servant who came to greet him: "Has the Crown Prince had dinner yet?"

The person shook his head: "No, he's still waiting for Your Highness."

Qi Xiao frowned and went all the way to the bedchamber. In the warm room, Bairen was practicing calligraphy. Seeing Qi Xiao come in, he put down the brush and said, "Why is the Crown Prince only returning at this hour?"

"It's already the second watch. If I didn't come back, you would just starve?" Qi Xiao hurriedly ordered someone to serve the meal.

He turned his head and looked at the maids in the room, saying coldly, "The Crown Prince didn't order dinner, and you just watched him starve? Are you all dead?!"

The maid quickly knelt down and begged for mercy.

Bairen smiled and said, "Don't wrong them. They've been advising me since the You hour*. I just wasn't very hungry and wanted to write a few words to calm my mind, so I deliberately ate a bit later."

*T/N: You hour is 5-7pm

"This is a bit later?" Qi Xiao frowned and waved his hand. "Get up. This time, the prince is pleading for you, so forget it. If there's a next time, you'll be beaten to death directly. Did I order you to serve in the room just to stand there foolishly for fun?"

Bairen smiled bitterly and repeatedly said, "Forget it. The new year hasn't passed yet. Why talk about these things? You've probably already eaten. Accompany me to have a little more, alright?"

Qi Xiao naturally agreed. While dining, he told Bairen about his conversation with Princess Dunsu at the princess's residence that afternoon. Bairen nodded repeatedly, "Exactly. Roujia is not a deceitful person either. It doesn't matter if life is a bit poor. What I originally valued was only He Zichen's character. The couple is harmonious, and their days will definitely get better and better."

Qi Xiao smiled faintly without saying a word. Bairen laughed, "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

Qi Xiao picked up a piece of lotus root for Bairen, shook his head and smiled, "No, I just feel that you really resemble a young uncle-in-law now."

Bairen chuckled softly and lowered his head to take a bite of the lotus root. Qi Xiao was just sitting there for the occasion, only moving his chopsticks slightly, all to pick dishes for Bairen.

He said softly, "Roujia only came from Lingnan after the engagement was set, and she must have brought her dowry with her, but... That Concubine of your King is very skilled. I reckon those dowries may not necessarily be to your liking. My treasury..."

"Your Highness..." Bairen interrupted Qi Xiao's words, paused for a moment and said, "Your Highness also knows how many things are in my treasury, enough to add to Roujia's dowry."

"Can't sell, can't keep, can only give away." Bairen grinned slyly. "Besides, these things are all for the King of Lingnan and won't end up in my hands anyway. It's better to give them to Roujia. No matter how powerful Concubine Xia is or how stingy my royal father is, when checking the accounts in the future... they can't go to the son-in-law's house to demand the dowry, right?"

Qi Xiao couldn't help but laugh and nodded, "Good."

Bairen didn't like eating lotus root. After taking a bite, he left it in the bowl and ate the surrounding rice, avoiding it. Seeing this, Qi Xiao picked up the bitten lotus root and ate it in a few bites. He turned his head to the maids serving in the room and said, "The prince doesn't like this dish. There's no need to serve it in the future."

The maids repeatedly acknowledged and went to inform the kitchen staff. Bairen's face instantly turned red. Qi Xiao didn't seem to mind and continued to chat and laugh with Bairen.

After making a scene that time, Bairen discovered that Qi Xiao's temper had improved a lot. He no longer deliberately argued with him. Even if there were things they disagreed on, he would quietly let Bairen speak first and then slowly express his own thoughts.

In the end, he would also carefully teach him why it should be done this way. A good teacher and friend, nothing more.

Of course, it wasn't that Qi Xiao had suddenly become a Buddha. This good temper was only towards him. To others, like those few maids just now, Qi Xiao was still the same as before. When he put on a stern face, a sweep of his eyes could scare people to death.

And Qi Xiao also felt that Bairen had changed a bit. In front of him, he no longer had that aloofness and coldness he showed in public. After letting down that layer of guard, Bairen was as soft as a little beast. Whatever Qi Xiao said, he would listen. He was attentive and would remember to remind Qi Xiao of some small matters, always unintentionally revealing that infatuation, like waiting dazedly like this for Qi Xiao to come back and dine together.

These were all small things, but they could warm one's heart the most. He was originally kind-hearted and pure. Under Qi Xiao's patient guidance, he would sometimes unconsciously act coquettishly, which was simply pitiful and adorable.

After finishing the sweet and happy dinner together, it was already the Hai hour*. Fearing that Bairen would have indigestion at night, Qi Xiao smiled and said, "Put on something warm and go out for a walk? Lying down now might hurt your stomach."

*T/N: Hai hour is 9-11pm.

Bairen nodded. Just as he was about to change clothes, Jiang Deqing came in from outside and bowed, "Greetings to the Crown Prince and greetings to the Prince. The palace just received a letter from the Lingnan envoy, saying... saying that the princess had already set out ten days ago. If nothing goes wrong, she will arrive at the imperial city within five days."

Seeing Jiang Deqing's not-so-good expression, Qi Xiao frowned and said, "What else?"

Jiang Deqing gave a dry laugh, "There's more... Accompanying her are also the second son of the King of Lingnan, Dongling Wenyu, and Princess Kangtai."