Chapter 6: The Heir

Qi Shuo, the Heir of Prince Jing, did not have much of a presence in the capital.

Prince Jing and the Princess Consort had two sons and one daughter: the eldest, Qi Shuo; the second, Qi Huan; and their daughter, Qi Qiong.

Eight years ago, Emperor Tai'an summoned the vassal princes to the capital, and from then on, the various princes took up permanent residence there. The Heir of Prince Jing fell ill on his way to the capital, and after arriving, he lived a secluded life, unlike his younger brother, Qi Huan, who frequently gathered with young noblemen for fun and games.

Now nineteen, Qi Shuo’s years of quiet living had stripped away the ostentation and arrogance typical of imperial kin, replacing them with a calm and gentle temperament.

Watching her son walk in, the Princess Consort’s lips curled upward involuntarily. "Is something the matter, Shuo'er?"

Qi Shuo greeted the Princess Consort and stated his purpose: "Has Mother heard the rumors outside?"

Whether it was a young lady of a noble house peeping at a prince, or a mute girl suddenly finding her voice, both were far beyond the scale of ordinary gossip. Since it had happened in their own courtyard, the Princess Consort had naturally heard of it.

She picked up her teacup, took a light sip, and asked calmly, "What has Shuo'er heard?"

"People are saying that the second Miss Wen... was peeping at me..."

The Princess Consort raised an eyebrow slightly. "Isn't that the case?"

Although what she had heard from her own son and daughter was not like that, she did not believe that Shuo'er had actually cried for help at the time.

She knew her own son, didn't she?

The Princess Consort looked deeply at her eldest son, waiting to hear what he had to say.

"Of course not. I said as much yesterday. The second Miss Wen only climbed the wall because she heard me calling for help."

The Princess Consort stared steadily at her son, who was as tall and slender as a green bamboo, and felt a surge of doubt.

Why was Shuo'er defending the second Miss Wen so staunchly?

Regardless of what she thought, since her son had already said so, as a mother, it wouldn't do to undermine him.

The Princess Consort smiled. "The world loves to spread rumors; it’s no surprise such gossip has emerged."

Qi Shuo’s expression turned solemn. "But such rumors can ruin a woman's reputation."

"And what does Shuo'er intend to do?"

"Perhaps Mother could have someone send some gifts to the Wen residence as a token of gratitude."

If the Prince Jing’s residence took the initiative to send gifts to the Wen residence, it would be an acknowledgment that the second Miss Wen had climbed the wall to assist the Heir of Prince Jing. In this way, people would at least stop mentioning those rumors openly.

The Princess Consort glanced at Qi Shuo, a faint, knowing smile on her lips. "Shuo'er is certainly thoughtful."

Qi Shuo lowered his eyes, a look of shame appearing on his face. "After all, the second Miss Wen did it to help me."

The Princess Consort’s mouth twitched; she couldn't keep up the pretense anymore.

"Cough." She picked up her teacup and said indifferently, "Even so, the second Miss Wen’s marriage prospects will still be affected. You must know, people only choose to believe what they want to believe."

Qi Shuo seemed not to have considered this, and he raised an eyebrow. "If that is the case... in any event, I have yet to take a wife. Mother could go to the Wen residence to propose—"

"Cough, cough, cough!" The Princess Consort choked on her tea and began to cough violently.

A maid nearby hurried over to pat her back.

The Princess Consort waved her hand to signal the maid to step aside. She looked at her son as if she had seen a ghost. "Mother has only just finished breakfast; it is not the time for jokes that cause such emotional upheaval."

"I am not joking. After all, the second Miss Wen did it to help me."

The Princess Consort nearly forgot her dignity as a Princess Consort and rolled her eyes. She took a deep breath and said, "My son, Mother knows you are kind and generous, but there is no need to sacrifice yourself like this..."

Qi Shuo chuckled. "It can hardly be called a sacrifice. The second Miss Wen is a peerless beauty, and her family background is not bad either. If she really were to be unable to marry because of me, then my marrying her could be considered a win-win."

The Princess Consort could no longer hold back. She slapped the table. "Shuo'er, are you only interested in her because she is a peerless beauty?"

Her eldest son, the Heir of Prince Jing, was actually someone who cared about looks!

Qi Shuo looked puzzled. "Then what kind of daughter-in-law would Mother prefer? Must her appearance be more mediocre—"

"How could that be?" The Princess Consort denied it flatly.

Of course her daughter-in-law had to be a peerless beauty; otherwise, wouldn't it drag down the looks of her future grandchildren?

Wait, if she put it that way, the second Miss Wen was actually quite suitable.

The Princess Consort realized this belatedly and calmly sipped her tea. "Shuo'er is nineteen this year; it is time to take a wife. Since you think she is good, I will discuss it with your father later. If your father has no objections, I will send someone to ask the Wen family's intentions..."

Qi Shuo had not expected the Princess Consort’s attitude to change so quickly and was momentarily dazed.

"Shuo'er?"

Qi Shuo came back to his senses. "Did Mother call me?"

The Princess Consort sighed. "How is it that when we talk about marriage proposals, you become absent-minded again?"

Qi Shuo’s face flushed slightly. "Marriage is a major life event that relies on the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers. I will listen to you; I have no objections."

The Princess Consort’s mouth twitched violently. She said irritably, "If there is nothing else, go back. Mother has matters to attend to."

"I take my leave."

As soon as Qi Shuo left, the Princess Consort said hurriedly, "Zhenzhu, come and knead my shoulders."

Sooner or later, her two sons would give her a heart condition!

Luoying Residence was bathed in bright spring light. Wen Hao had finally slept her fill and was carried out to the courtyard by Baozhu, who had returned from shopping, to sit in a rattan chair and bask in the sun.

"Shaoyao, go and bring Lin Xiaohua here," Wen Hao said casually to a young maid in the courtyard.

The maid responded and ran toward the moon gate leading to the back. Before long, she returned leading a donkey.

The little donkey was entirely gray, with only a tuft of white hair on its head. As soon as it saw Wen Hao, it enthusiastically rubbed against her hand.

This was the birthday gift her maternal grandfather had given her when she was thirteen.

Compared to a fine horse, the little donkey was short and had a gentle temperament, making it perfect for a young girl to ride.

Wen Hao stroked the little donkey’s head, smoothing its fur.

Back then, when she realized the schemes of her father and stepmother, it was Lin Xiaohua who had carried her away. Xiaohua had run and run with her, only to eventually die under the blades of bandits.

"Why is the second cousin in the courtyard?" A young man walked in through the courtyard gate.

Wen Hao kept one hand on the donkey’s back and looked at the newcomer.

It was her cousin, Cheng Shu. In truth, there was no blood relation between them.

Cheng Shu’s father was the foster son of General Lin. After he married and had Cheng Shu, he went on a long journey. Cheng Shu had grown up in the General’s residence, calling Lady Lin "Aunt" and addressing Wen Hao and her sisters as cousins.

Wen Hao watched Cheng Shu walk up to her and called out, "Cousin."

The young girl’s voice was sweet and crisp. Surprise erupted in Cheng Shu’s eyes. "Second cousin, you can really speak now!"

The young man’s joy was pure and undisguised, which made Wen Hao’s mood somewhat complex.

Months before her grandfather passed away, he had arranged for Cheng Shu to serve in the Jinwu Guard. Later, after a series of changes, she had fled the capital. When she returned three years later and quietly inquired, Cheng Shu had already become a formidable Jilin Guard with a poor reputation.

Out of caution, she had not dared to contact him, nor did she know why he had become a Jilin Guard, a position her grandfather had despised.

"Why is Cousin here? Are you not on duty today?" Under the sunlight, Wen Hao tilted her head and smiled, tidying up her chaotic thoughts.

"I heard that the second cousin could speak, so I took leave to come and see." The handsome young man smiled, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

Wen Hao seemed to be in high spirits and asked with a smile, "Is that all Cousin heard?"