Qiushuang stepped over the threshold into the room, performed a curtsy, and quietly stood by the door with a respectful demeanor, saying, "Mr. Shen asked me to tell Miss that since the autumn examinations are near, he wants to study diligently and will not be going to the Jinfu with you."

Ye Zhi didn’t think much of it, believing he was preparing for the autumn examinations, and gently replied, "Just as a bird must first flap its wings to soar high, one must first study to advance. Xiao Chen’s diligence is commendable indeed."

"The weather is hot, Qiushuang, please instruct the kitchen to make some white fungus and jujube soup for him, and remember to add some ice to cool him down. Huanhuan, let’s go."

The white fungus and jujube soup with crushed ice, cool and sweet, was Ye Zhi’s favorite dessert.

Qiushuang acknowledged the order, bowed respectfully, and retreated, turning towards the kitchen.

After she left.

Huanhuan stood up, stretched her limbs, and said loudly, "You care so much about Xiao Chen, it shows you have feelings for him but are unwilling to marry him. I don’t understand your thoughts."

It seems she’s not giving up on the previous topic.

Ignoring her, Ye Zhi stepped out of the door first, leaving with a sentence: "You don’t understand." She floated towards the Ye Mansion gate.

Ming Yan caught up, calling out, "Miss, wait for me~"

...

To the east, the place where the sun rises, symbolizing unlimited hope and beauty, unconsciously respected, gradually embedding itself in everyone’s heart.

The Crown Prince Mansion, also known as the Eastern Palace.

Lineage inheritance and offspring continuity, the position of the Crown Prince, grand and above all others in the country, second only to the Emperor, the future heir, in front of whom countless senior officials in the court must flatter and pay homage. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Open and covert struggles for power are ubiquitous.

Lan Yue Hall, with three characters "Lan Yue Hall" elegantly inscribed on the frieze, the palace stands on a blue and white stone base, with tall ridges of the roof, yellow glazed tiles, flying eaves with painted beams, resembling celestial palaces.

Inside the hall, sat the noble Empress and the Crown Prince of Daqing Country.

"Nian’er, select one of these portraits to become your concubine."

A female voice, filled with authority, sounded as if discussing objects.

On the black lacquered square table, six Lady Paintings were neatly placed, each depicting a lady vividly, with names and titles of their mansions annotated.

Li Changlan, age twelve: Princess Linghua, eldest daughter of the Dingyuan Prince Mansion.

Wang Chuyu, age eleven: Guanglu Doctor Mansion, second daughter of the main family.

Shu Meng, age twelve: Granddaughter of the Duke...

Ye Zhi, age thirteen: Minister of Rites’ second daughter of the main family.

...

The ladies in the paintings were all younger than the Crown Prince. Whichever one he chose could be introduced by the Empress, later to be bestowed as a concubine, to marry into the Crown Prince Mansion when they come of age.

Li Changnian glanced at the portrait of Ye Zhi, age thirteen: Minister of Rites’ second daughter of the main family, and his brow furrowed.

In the painting, she had a charming and delicate peach-shaped face, her hair styled in a youthful bun, her facial features graceful, almond eyes slightly upturned at the corners, smiling naturally, her face surpassing peonies in beauty.

The Empress, elegantly seated on the couch, keenly noticed her son’s gaze resting on the Minister of Rites’ second daughter’s portrait, and straightforwardly said: "The Minister of Rites holds the position of a First Grade officer, yet he isn’t adept at maneuvering, his relations with court officials mediocre, not as successful as his brother who is a Third Grade Hanlin Imperial Tutor. If you marry his youngest daughter, with such a rash father-in-law, it’s uncertain whether it would be a blessing or a curse."

"The Minister’s Wife brought her dowry into the Ye Family, and their business is thriving now, financially stable. Keep the youngest daughter of the Ye Family as your last option, first consider the conditions of the other five."

She meticulously analyzed the pros and cons for her son.