Chi Ying found Zhong Lu Ping neither coquettish nor arrogant, with a proper appearance and clear voice, and felt a bit of fondness. She intended to say something to build rapport, but Cui Yi beat her to it.
"Cousin, how old are you?" Cui Yi held a teacup and asked without hesitation, "Have you been betrothed?"
Zhong Lu Ping was startled by his sudden question and didn't know how to respond. Zhong Yuanshan was also surprised and didn't react immediately. Fortunately, his wife, Lady Zhang, answered promptly, "Your Highness, my daughter is fifteen and has not been betrothed."
Chi Ying felt puzzled. Although girls typically married at sixteen, it was uncommon for a fifteen-year-old girl not to have been betrothed. Most families arranged marriages when their daughters were twelve or thirteen, unless they were like her, hidden away by their fathers for royal matches. Why would a fifteen-year-old not have an engagement?
She felt like crying—was this another girl waiting to marry her cousin?
However, Cui Yi's active inquiry about such matters was even more surprising to Chi Ying. What was he planning? To win over the Zhong family? Two years ago, she had suggested he seek connections through relatives, but now he seemed to have taken the initiative himself.
After asking, Cui Yi didn't follow up, leaving even Lady Zhang uncertain about his intentions. She glanced at her husband, and Zhong Yuanshan gave her a look to stay silent.
Finding Huai You was the priority, so despite her doubts, Zhong Lu Ping quickly led them to her father's study. Servants had already prepared ink and brushes. She thanked them politely and began sketching based on Chi Ying and Cui Yi's descriptions. After more than half an hour and discarding dozens of drafts, Zhong Lu Ping managed to produce a portrait that was quite accurate.
Chi Ying admired the drawing and exclaimed, "Sister, you have such skill! You can draw someone you've never seen so accurately. This gives us hope in finding Huai You."
"Lady, you flatter me. I don't deserve such praise," Zhong Lu Ping bowed slightly and replied with a smile.
Cui Yi nodded approvingly, "Indeed, very well done. When did you start learning to paint?"
Zhong Lu Ping hesitated, glanced at Chi Ying, and then answered humbly, "Your Highness, I started learning from a master at the age of seven."
Cui Yi praised again, "Very good." Zhong Lu Ping, startled, used the excuse of needing to print the portrait and hurriedly left.
Chi Ying watched her leave and then asked, "Does Your Highness think she is good?"
Cui Yi smiled thoughtfully, "Yes, she is."
Chi Ying choked and asked, "Is it the painting or the person?"
"Both the painting and the person are good," Cui Yi pointed to a long landscape scroll hanging behind the desk, "People say that handwriting reflects one's character, and the same goes for paintings. Someone who can create such works must have depth. Plus, she is also attractive. Whoever marries her will be very fortunate."
Chi Ying felt a chill. Was she right? Did Cui Yi really fancy her?
But seeing Zhong Lu Ping's frightened reaction after being praised, she didn't seem to be eager to climb the social ladder. Chi Ying tried to reassure herself and forced a smile, "Yes, most girls learn needlework and cooking, but few have such talent in painting as Sister Zhong. I think she is indeed very good."
Cui Yi turned to her with a smile, "Do you think so too?"
Chi Ying smiled outwardly but felt suffocated inside, "Indeed, she is good."
The conversation didn't continue further as Zhong Yuanshan sent someone to invite them for dinner. They went to the dining room together. Only Zhong Yuanshan, his wife, and their two sons were present, excluding Zhong Lu Ping. When Cui Yi inquired about her absence, Zhong Yuanshan explained, "Lu Ping is unmarried, so according to propriety, she should not dine with men. Therefore, she is eating in her room."
Cui Yi simply nodded and was about to sit down when Lady Zhang added, "Your Highness and Lu Ping are cousins, so it should be fine for them to dine together. If Your Highness wishes..."
Zhong Yuanshan coughed loudly, signaling her to stop talking. Chi Ying forced a smile and said, "Let's not. As an unmarried lady, if Lu Ping dines with Your Highness and her reputation is tarnished, it would be unfortunate. Isn't that right, Your Highness?"
Cui Yi always listened to her and agreed. Lady Zhang looked disappointed, but Zhong Yuanshan changed the subject sternly, "Please, Your Highness, take your seat."
Chi Ying realized that neither Zhong Yuanshan nor Zhong Lu Ping showed much interest in ingratiating themselves. Lady Zhang, however, seemed excited, apparently wanting to marry her daughter to Cui Yi. The problem was that Cui Yi himself seemed interested, actively engaging Zhong Lu Ping and praising her in front of Chi Ying, which was unusual.
During dinner, Chi Ying couldn't enjoy her meal, consumed by thoughts of Cui Yi's words. Zhong Lu Ping was certainly better than Xie Yuchan and would be a suitable match for Cui Yi, the emperor's legitimate son. With the backing of Empress Xiaolin's family, it would be a beneficial union. Zhong Yuanshan was also supportive, and becoming a father-in-law would likely appeal to him.
Perhaps it was time for Cui Yi to remarry. Chi Ying didn't care much about titles, but the fact that Cui Yi hadn't mentioned it made her uneasy. Maybe he intended to reserve the position of primary wife for someone else.
With these thoughts, Chi Ying felt depressed. Lady Zhang's attentiveness and the display of Zhong Lu Ping's artwork in their room only deepened her melancholy. Once alone, she collapsed onto the dressing table, pulling out her hairpins and tossing them aside.
Cui Yi stretched his shoulders and sighed, "Today was exhausting. Can you massage my shoulders?"
Chi Ying, feeling frustrated, retorted, "You are a person, and so am I. If you are tired, I am too. Why should I be the one massaging your shoulders? Don't we have servants?"
There was silence behind her. Instead of feeling relieved, Chi Ying felt even worse. Despite years of noble education and enduring many hardships as Cui Yi's concubine, she had never lost her temper. Now, just because Cui Yi hinted at marrying someone else, she had reacted poorly, which was embarrassing.
Two voices fought within her—one accusing him of preferring a fresh, charming cousin over her, while the other reminded her that as a concubine, his consideration of her feelings was already commendable.
Cheng Fengyi's words finally rang true. She had reached a point where she couldn't bear to see Cui Yi with another woman. While polygamy was common, it would make her unhappy.
"What's wrong with you today?" Cui Yi, though slow to understand, sensed her anger but didn't know its cause.
Chi Ying brushed aside her hairpins and buried her head, "Nothing, Your Highness. If you are tired, rest. I'm not sleepy."
Cui Yi didn't respond but walked behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders and bending down, "Are you unwell? Should I call a doctor?"
Chi Ying shook her head silently, feeling a sense of self-destruction. Men traditionally had multiple wives, and emperors even more so. Cui Yi tolerated her outbursts and cared for her health, yet she was prematurely jealous. It was unreasonable.
Seeing her silence, Cui Yi grew concerned and forcibly lifted her, turning her around to find her eyes red and tears threatening to spill.
Startled, he hugged her, asking anxiously, "What happened? Why are your eyes red? Did someone upset you? Are you unwell? Tell me, Chi Ying!"
Chi Ying blinked, wiping away the tears, "Nothing, nothing. Your Highness is right. It's been almost a year since Xie Yuchan died. It's time for Your Highness to remarry. A primary wife can manage household affairs properly. As a concubine, it's inappropriate for me to handle everything."
Cui Yi was utterly confused, "What nonsense are you talking about? I told you long ago that you would be my only wife. Marrying that shrew was forced upon me. How could you bring this up now?"
Chi Ying pulled her hand away and gripped his, "Zhong Lu Ping is gentle and talented, and being your cousin makes her an ideal match. Her father can also benefit Your Highness greatly. She is more suited to be the primary wife."
Cui Yi was shocked, taking several steps back, "What are you saying?"
Chi Ying wiped her nose, trying to hold back tears, "If you want to marry her, I won't stop you."
Cui Yi's expression changed dramatically, lips trembling, "I never said I wanted to marry her!"
Chi Ying cried, "If you didn't mean to marry her, why did you ask about her marital status, compliment her painting, her character, and her looks, saying whoever marries her will be lucky..."
Cui Yi was speechless, rubbing his forehead and sighing repeatedly. After a while, Chi Ying stopped crying, wiping her face and sobbing, "Lady Zhang seems eager to offer her daughter to you. If you like her, go ahead. I won't stop you."
"I don't want to marry her!" Cui Yi roared, "I was thinking of finding a match for Gong Qi, who is lonely!"