At the sound of Cui Yi's voice, Xiao Qiu, who had more to say, immediately fell silent and stepped aside.
"What are you discussing?" Cui Yi hadn't heard their earlier conversation and handed the snuffbox to Du Zhongquan before picking up his rushing daughter. "My little treasure, did you wake up on time today?"
Holding Prosperity signaled Xiao Qiu not to mention the earlier topic. Xiao Qiu fetched porridge, and with the distraction of the child, Cui Yi forgot his initial question.
"These days busy?" Holding Prosperity casually asked while being served by father and daughter.
"Not very," Cui Yi finished his bowl and wiped his mouth. "Why?"
Holding Prosperity mentioned the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival: "The palace traditionally holds a banquet. What do you think?"
Cui Yi looked at her curiously: "If it's tradition, proceed as usual. You decide; don't ask me about everything."
Holding Prosperity suggested: "Banquets are wasteful. With continuous wars and tight finances, saving is crucial. Perhaps we shouldn't hold one this year."
Cui Yi nodded: "Fine. After Dragon Boat Festival is Princess Xian'er's birthday. It's inappropriate to have consecutive banquets. Have the Imperial Kitchen prepare some zongzi for the ladies-in-waiting to distribute."
Holding Prosperity agreed and hesitated: "Maybe we shouldn't celebrate Xian'er's birthday either. Children don't mind much. Let's save the trouble."
Princess Xian'er looked up, her voice sweet: "No birthday party for me. I want to play with Father."
Holding Prosperity's frugality was known to Cui Yi, but seeing even his daughter agree, he felt touched and guilty. He couldn't provide them a carefree life and had to make them endure austerity.
"You... don't need to be so harsh on yourselves. Xian'er is a princess; her birthday should be celebrated, albeit simply."
Holding Prosperity smiled: "Not harsh, just prudent. If you feel bad, note it down. We'll add interest to her dowry when she marries."
Cui Yi: "..."
Holding Prosperity asked with a smile: "Not good?"
Cui Yi didn't know how to react: "It's not about good or bad. You... sigh, do as you wish. We're not that poor."
"Whether rich or poor, thriftiness is always good," Holding Prosperity wiped her daughter's mouth. "Saving now prepares us for unexpected events."
"What events?" Cui Yi asked curiously, his expression changing slightly.
Holding Prosperity smiled: "How would I know? Being prepared avoids panic later."
Cui Yi looked at her intently, seeing no signs of hidden knowledge. "Alright, as you wish. No banquets for Dragon Boat Festival or Xian'er's birthday. I'll join you early that day to spend time with you and the children. Sorry for the lack of attention recently."
Holding Prosperity tidied his clothes: "As long as your heart is here, physical presence doesn't matter. Go, I'll have pigeon soup sent later. Don't overwork."
Cui Yi agreed and left with Du Zhongquan. Xiao Qiu approached nervously: "Terrifying! Your Majesty's thoughtful actions keep His Majesty focused. He won't stray."
Holding Prosperity looked at her seriously: "No matter how thoughtful I am, some things are inevitable. Remember, Xiao Qiu, don't try to cage a man's heart—it's impossible. Focus on what matters, and a man with conscience won't stray."
Xiao Qiu nodded obediently but asked: "What if he lacks conscience?"
Holding Prosperity rolled her eyes: "Then you picked the wrong person. What else can you do?"
Xiao Qiu wouldn't dare call Cui Yi unfaithful, so they pretended not to notice the escalating pressure for a concubine selection. Until one day in June, Cheng Fengyi visited with bad news: "His Majesty agreed to select concubines this autumn."
Holding Prosperity paused her writing briefly but continued. Cheng Fengyi scolded: "How can you remain calm? Didn't His Majesty always refuse concubine selections? Did you quarrel?"
"No, sister, don't worry." Holding Prosperity finished writing "Sun and Moon Together Shine," put down her brush, and gestured for Cheng Fengyi to sit. "Tea, Xiao Qiu."
Cheng Fengyi sighed in frustration: "I hoped His Majesty would be faithful, but he's no different."
Holding Prosperity smiled silently, discussing preparations for Wangshi's baby gifts and Ju Jiao's upcoming wedding. They chatted about various topics, avoiding the concubine selection.
The selection was set for Mid-Autumn Festival. Holding Prosperity found it amusing that women would compete for her husband during a family reunion. Cui Yi hadn't told her yet, perhaps planning to surprise her. Maybe he'd even select an empress.
Cui Yi kept silent, and Holding Prosperity played along, waiting to see how long he could keep it secret. Cheng Fengyi, however, couldn't stand it and asked Cui Yi: "Why not tell Her Majesty the truth? If she misunderstands, it'll cause unnecessary trouble."
"I can't tell her," Cui Yi rejected immediately. "Gong Qi, you don't understand..."
The people brought back to the Wangfu, you should know her temperament very well. If she knew we set such a trap, she would definitely oppose it. But this matter cannot go wrong. Since we know she wouldn't agree, it's better not to let her know from the beginning."
Yang Qiong paused for a moment and boldly asked, "Actually, the Emperor is just unable to persuade Her Highness, right?"
Cui Yi actually shamelessly admitted, "Yes." Then he added teasingly, "We are both in the same boat, sharing the same feelings."
Yang Qiong was amused but didn't say anything. Cui Yi then asked, "Any latest news about Guo Mao? When will he come? You must keep an eye on him, but don't let the news leak. This matter must be resolved, otherwise, there will be endless troubles."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."
Time passed quickly, and soon it was close to the Mid-Autumn Festival. The beauties from all over were arriving in the capital one after another. Chu Ying had been restless for days, but on the eve of the festival, her heart calmed down. She continued her routine as usual. After Cui Yi finished his court affairs, he came to Yaohua Palace to have dinner with her, and during the meal, they did not talk about the selection of beauties at all.
After eating and drinking tea, as night fell, Du Zhongquan entered and asked, "Your Majesty, are you staying in Yaohua Palace tonight?"
Cui Yi was peeling an orange for Xiao Cui Xian and looked up, "What time is it now?"
Du Zhongquan replied, "It's already the second watch outside."
Cui Yi raised his eyebrows, handed the peeled orange to his daughter, and got off the couch, "It's late, I should go back."
Chu Ying couldn't help laughing. It was usually her who chased him away, but this was the first time he wanted to leave on his own.
She didn't say anything but Xiao Cui Xian clung to his robe, unwilling to let go, "Father, don't go."
Cui Yi wiped his hands, threw the towel back into the plate, and patted his daughter's head, "Xian'er, be good. I'll come again tomorrow night. Oh, Chu Ying, I forgot to tell you something."
"What is it?" Chu Ying thought he was finally going to talk about the selection of beauties, but heard Cui Yi say, "Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival. Take Xian'er and Hao'er out of the palace for a walk. I remember you used to love Zhouji's sesame balls and mung bean cakes. Buy some, and we can eat them while admiring the moon tonight."
Xiao Qiu blurted out, "Your servant can send someone to buy them. There's no need for Her Highness to go herself."
But Chu Ying smiled calmly, "Alright."
Cui Yi looked at her seriously. Chu Ying smiled faintly, as if she had seen through everything but chose not to talk about it.
Suddenly, Cui Yi felt a bit guilty towards her and stepped forward, taking her hand, "Chu Ying, I promise you, tonight, and every Mid-Autumn Festival, New Year's Eve, Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival... I will spend them with you. You must believe me."
Chu Ying smiled gently and nodded lightly, "Okay."
Cui Yi lifted her hand and kissed it, then turned and left.