Bai Qingqing let out a tinkling laugh. “Don’t be angry, Mother. It’s not as if we ever planned to form a marriage alliance with them.”

Madam Qiao turned her head. “Is that truly what you think? I rather like that boy Fu Yi—he’s poised, striking, not easily found.”

Bai Qingqing slowly shook her head, worried that Madam Qiao might be tempted. She leaned in and whispered, “That man already has someone he likes. I saw him buying jewelry for her with my own eyes.”

“Outrageous!”

Madam Qiao was fuming. “Is that true? And yet they still have the audacity to come knocking?”

“No. I’m going back right away. Clearly the Bai family is not worthy of them.”

“There’s no need to sour things. As long as I know what’s what, that’s enough.”

Madam Qiao nodded. “You’re right.”

…

Back at Prince Ping’s residence, the princess consort kept Fu Yi behind for a word. “Now that you’ve met the marquis’s wife, the matter is nearly settled. In Xuancheng, no one else could possibly compare to you.”

Though Madam Qiao had given no clear answer, the princess consort felt certain it was all but guaranteed. With the standing of Prince Ping’s household, what more could they possibly demand?

“Oh, and the weather’s warming. Go pick out a few bolts of summer gauze and have someone deliver them to Qingyun. Let her make some new dresses. Young girls love to dress up—choose something bright and cheerful.”

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A strange look flickered in Fu Yi’s eyes. For once, he didn’t agree as expected. “Mother, don’t you think it’s highly inappropriate for me to do this?”

“Inappropriate? How so?”

“She’s a girl. You could make the selection yourself—why must I go?”

“Because Qingyun likes your taste, of course. What’s gotten into you?”

Fu Yi stood there motionless. “Qingyun’s not a child anymore. Everything she wears and uses is chosen by me. What would people think if they found out? How will she marry in the future?”

The princess consort’s brow furrowed. “She’s your cousin. Who would say anything about an older brother doting on his younger sister? Besides, you grew up together. Who knows what the future might hold?”

So it was true—his mother did intend for him to marry Lu Qingyun. He thought he’d made himself clear the last time.

“I only see Qingyun as a younger sister. There’s no romance between us. If you truly care about her, Mother, then you shouldn’t place her in a perilous situation. Find her a trustworthy family. Support her from behind.”

“No! How could I be at ease? What if she’s mistreated?”

Fu Yi’s heart stirred. “So you do want me to marry Qingyun?”

The princess consort fell silent for a moment. “That won’t do either. You need a proper match to solidify your place as heir. Qingyun… can’t help you with that.”

Fu Yi laughed—a laugh so unfamiliar it unsettled the princess consort. To him, the mother before him felt just as unfamiliar. “So you want me to marry a woman I may not even like for the sake of being heir, and then, disregarding my wishes, marry Qingyun too just because you like her? Mother, what does my marriage mean to you?”

The princess consort was shocked. “How can you speak to me this way? Am I not doing this for your own good? You’re a man—how can you let yourself be swayed by love and sentiment? It’s normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines!”

“Did you think the same way when you were fighting with Aunt Zhou?”

“Fu Yi!”

The princess consort trembled with rage, but Fu Yi didn’t kneel and apologize as he usually did. “I don’t need to trade my marriage for the title of heir. You needn’t trouble yourself over it.”

He left the room. The princess consort stood for a long time, struggling to catch her breath. Her hand trembled as she pointed toward the door. “This—this…”

The old nurse hurried forward to soothe her. “Please calm down, Your Grace. The young master has always been filial. He must be going through something to speak this way.”