The Virtuous Consort held her chin slightly aloft. “It’s merely a marriage arrangement. If I mention it to His Majesty, it will be settled. But from then on, I’ll have to trouble you with the proper guidance. And you—already burdened with strategizing for Fuyi, and now to take in a daughter-in-law you don’t even like—how hard it must be for you.”

The Princess Consort of Ping kept her head bowed, as though overwhelmed with shame, though a glint of smugness flickered in her eyes.

It was done.

The Prince had quarreled with her over Lu Qingyun and declared she was not to interfere in Fuyi’s marriage again. But how could that be allowed?

Though she disliked Bai Qingqing, she wasn’t blind—Fuyi had feelings for the girl. These past days, she had stayed in the manor under the guise of convalescence, though it was more like house arrest. Fuyi hadn’t come to see her even once. The Princess Consort had thought things through—this could not continue.

In the end, wasn’t it still her connection with the Virtuous Consort that counted? Her plan was to settle the engagement first. Once Fuyi realized she had done everything for his sake, as long as he didn’t turn his heart away from her, her position in the household would remain unshakable.

As for Bai Qingqing… the Princess Consort’s lips curved ever so slightly. Once that girl stepped through the Fu family’s doors, whether she was rounded or flattened—that would be hers to decide.

...

Late at night, the side hall burned bright with candlelight.

Ning Yan stood with his hands at his sides before the desk. Behind the desk, the Emperor, dressed in informal robes, held a brush and was writing something.

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“I hadn’t expected that merely reopening a case would stir up such trouble. Look, just look—memorials are piling up. They quote far and wide, use scriptures and precedents to dissuade me, as if a thorough investigation would be some kind of treason.”

Ning Yan said nothing. The Emperor paused, set his brush aside, and asked, “What do you think of all this?”

“Your servant is dull-witted, and sees only this: whether it is investigated or not, there can only be two outcomes. The controversy makes one wonder—which of those outcomes is it that they so fear?”

The Emperor watched him for a moment, then chuckled. “Leaving aside the fact that Father already reached a conclusion—what they're afraid of can only be the other one.”

“Your Majesty is wise.”

The Emperor let out a sharp laugh. “Spare me the flattery. You've kept your own mental ledger. You know exactly whose orders these people are following in their fervent protests. Until that person is dragged into the light, my ‘wisdom’ won’t last long.”

“How about I hand this matter over to the Ministry of Justice for investigation?”

“Your Majesty is wise.”

Ning Yan’s utterly indifferent response made the Emperor point at him and shake his head, laughing. “You—still that same temperament, as if the affairs of the world have nothing to do with you. At your age, you’re not even thinking of settling down? Someone ought to keep you in line.”

“I’m fine like this. Free.”

The Emperor rolled his eyes at him and looked down at what he'd just written. “All the eligible girls in Xuancheng are nearly snatched up. Just today, the Virtuous Consort came to me asking for an imperial decree of marriage. Care to take a look?”

Ning Yan didn’t move. “Your Majesty knows I have no interest in such matters.”

“…Fine, fine. Forget it. But the eldest daughter of the Duke of England is quite fortunate—Huai Fu seems fond of her, too. No wonder the Princess Consort of Ping went begging to the Virtuous Consort.”

Ning Yan’s ears twitched, but not a trace of emotion showed on his face. His voice remained listless. “The Duke of England? I visited his estate just a few days ago. It was then I discovered the forged letter we intercepted.”

The Emperor's expression turned serious at once. “Any idea who sent it?”

“No. The Bai family showed too much mercy—they let the person take their own life. Seems the whole family’s like that—soft-hearted, no edge.”