Prince Ping’s Residence.

After returning from the Duke of England’s estate, the princess consort had waited patiently for news. By her reckoning, she had made her intentions perfectly clear—there was no way the Duchess hadn’t understood. The marriage between the two houses should’ve been well underway by now.

And yet, days passed with no word from the Duke’s household. Instead, they simply returned a gift of equal value, as etiquette demanded.

“What is the meaning of this? Could it be they’re dissatisfied with Yi’er, still weighing their options?”

Everything had been going poorly for her lately. Because of the proposed marriage, Fu Yi had been unusually distant, and now this cold response from the Duke’s estate.

“Do they really think I can’t do without their daughter?”

Nanny Ruan approached from the doorway. “Don’t be angry, Your Highness. If that’s truly their attitude, then it’s that Bai girl’s misfortune. Miss Fangrong just reported—the Prince has returned and wishes to see you.”

Only then did the princess consort school her expression, straighten her robes, and go.

When Prince Ping saw her, a rare smile graced his face. “My lady has quite the discerning eye.”

“What does Your Highness mean by that?”

Prince Ping personally guided her to sit beside him before speaking slowly. “Today, His Majesty assigned a key position in the Ministry of Revenue to the Duke of England. Do you know why? I had to ask around to find out. Turns out it was Princess Huaifu who spoke highly of the Duke’s eldest daughter before the emperor. His Majesty, impressed, praised the Duke’s skill in raising such a daughter.”

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“This Bai girl is clearly blessed, to have won Princess Huaifu’s favor like that. Didn’t you just consider her for Yi’er? Excellent judgment!”

The princess consort: “……”

“Are you sure you’ve got the facts straight, my lord? That Bai girl didn’t seem all that special to me—hard to believe Princess Huaifu would take such a shine to her.”

“Would I speak nonsense about this? The Princess said it herself. She even plans to summon the girl to the palace in a few days. Her fondness was plain as day. That old fox Bai Jinghuai is truly blessed—both his eldest son and daughter have turned out to be exceptional.”

Prince Ping’s thoughts seemed to drift to his own sons. Only his eldest illegitimate son, Fu Xiao, and his legitimate heir, Fu Yi, were presentable.

“You’ve got a better eye than Chun’er. I used to think the daughter of the Marquis of Guangyang—whom Chun’er suggested for Xiao—was already a fine match. Never thought the Bai girl would be even better.”

The princess consort nearly choked at the comparison to Zhou Sichun, that concubine. But she couldn’t very well point out that perhaps the Bai family had no such intentions. All she could do was swallow her bitterness in silence.

Only once she returned to her own courtyard did she finally let her anger show, clenching her fists on the armrest. If she was going to surpass that wretched Zhou Sichun, Fu Yi’s marriage was the key. And by the looks of it, Bai Qingqing truly was the ideal candidate.

Since the Bai family didn’t know what was good for them, they’d have no one to blame when she used other means.

...

Bai Qingqing had been unsettled ever since the incident with the incense. So when someone from Yanlai Pavilion came calling, she was caught completely off guard.

“Manager Ge wants to see me?”

After a brief moment of thought, she had someone decline politely. But Zidai returned with a mysterious look on her face.

“Miss, the visitor says it’s actually Miss Qiyue who wishes to see you.”

“Send someone back to let them know—I’ll be there as promised.”

When Ge Shao received the message, he stroked his beard and chuckled, his smile kind and good-natured. “The young master’s method is quite effective.”

Bai Qingqing had no idea why Qiyue wanted to see her, but she couldn’t bring herself to refuse an invitation from such a beauty.

So, though her mind still lingered on the matter of the incense, when the appointed day came, she made her way to Yanlai Pavilion.

It was the same private room as before. No need for any instructions—tea, fruit, and pastries were served automatically. Bai Qingqing glanced over and realized they were exactly the treats she had enjoyed the last time.