One day, he will soar to glory on the Dragon and Tiger List, and in ten years, he will reach the Phoenix Pool, with a future limitless.

Moreover, even if he faces setbacks in officialdom, the Ye Family’s business support is there, and engaging in trade isn’t bad either.

The Ye Family pursued their advantage: "Since you have sworn, I believe you. I will arrange for Ah Zhi to be betrothed to you. If you ever make her upset in the future, not only I, but her father will not let you off."

Shen Chen’s heart pounded fiercely. After composing himself slightly, he sincerely said, "I will strive to make Ah Zhi happy."

The Ye Family had already planned their words: "Hmm, I will discuss this with the Empress. Since you are entering the official path, being known as a child husband isn’t good for your reputation. We’ll handle this in secret, and after Ah Zhi reaches maturity, the marriage will be made public. This explanation is quite reasonable."

A flicker of darkness passed through his eyes, fleeting and elusive: "That would be for the best."

A few days ago, he overheard a little girl in the side hall adamantly saying she didn’t like him and would tell her mother. It seemed something had happened to prevent her from doing so. Otherwise, the Ye Family today wouldn’t be so agreeable.

Don’t like me, huh?

Then don’t think of marrying another man. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Somewhere, Ye Zhi was swinging on swings, unaware that her lifelong marriage had just been given away by her mother like this.

Three beautiful maidens were playing on the swings, competing to see who could swing the highest.

Ye Zhi sat on the swing, kicking her small feet, leaping up, and laughing heartily: "Haha, Qinglian, you swing higher~"

The girl beside her was the Thirteenth Princess Qinglian. Her smile carried a hint of fear: "Okay, but I don’t have as much strength as you do. You and Huanhuan can use qinggong without fear of falling, but I’m afraid of falling."

"Qinglian is such a scaredy-cat, watch me~"

After Huanhuan said this, she forcefully kicked the ground, and the swing immediately soared to become the highest among the three.

They were having immense fun.

...

Two days later, the Ye Family took Yun Xiu and went to Fengwu Palace as agreed, bringing forth Xiao Chen’s explanation.

The position of Crown Prince Consort is not very big or small. After returning from the Eastern Palace that day, the Empress had sent spies to thoroughly investigate the daily life of the Third Miss of the Minister’s Mansion, knowing for sure of Shen Chen’s existence. Considering that the reputation of being a child husband would lead to gossip and that being too flashy at the start of an official career was a taboo, she did not force the Ye Family. She sent two strings of Red Agate along with a few courteous words, then had Chen Gui escort them out of Fengwu Palace.

After seeing them out,

the Empress picked up the portrait of another candidate, Princess Linghua Li Changlan, and instructed Nanny Gui to visit once more.

Li Changlan was not yet married, with no entanglements of other romantic flings, waiting in the boudoir. Lady Dingyuan had made overtures of goodwill multiple times, and this time it seemed settled.

Although Princess Linghua’s appearance and wealth could not surpass Ye Mansion, Prince Dingyuan’s loyalty to Emperor Jingping, having fought and emerged victorious among many princes to gain his title, made his eldest daughter undoubtedly family when married.

A daughter or a brother, which to choose?

Blood is thicker than water, and even faced with deep grudges, it seems the daughter would prevail.

The Empress was fervently plotting for her son.

Meanwhile, Noble Princess Consort Xiao caught wind of this and scoffed: "Is the Empress anxious?"

She was dressed in a pale purple embroidered pear blossom cross-collared skirt with a high waist, her hair adorned with a hollow gold begonia hairpin, and a small plum blossom painted on her forehead, her beauty rich and dignified as she gracefully leaned on the Pearl Wood Embroidery Couch.