The dishes at Tianxiang Tower were still much to my liking.
Situ You, however, seemed to have a poor appetite, lacking his usual jovial spirit. He appeared more composed than before. I put down my chopsticks. "What's wrong, Little Brother? Haven't seen you in two months and you've got a broken heart? Can't even be happy to see an old friend?"
Situ You grumbled, "I just don't understand. If Second Uncle isn't competing anymore, why is Eldest Cousin still fighting? Wouldn't it be better to be a carefree, leisurely prince?"
One thing led to another. With Magistrate Tao caught, Situ Yang, who was behind it all, was also exposed. However, he was cautious, and with the evidence Situ Yao currently possessed, it wasn't enough to apprehend his entire faction. Therefore, for the Meicheng case, Situ Yao did not bring Situ Yang into the open, only confiding in his family.
I comforted him, "Your Highness, a prince who doesn't want to be emperor isn't a good prince. Although the Heir Apparent of Prince Qing is at a disadvantage in terms of status, he at least has ambition."
"Ambition is enough to wish your own brother dead?" Situ You grew angrier as he thought about it. "I even thought he was a good elder brother, and I never refused any request he made of me. Who knew he was plotting for me and Eldest Brother to fight to the death?"
"It's not too late to know now. Just be wary in the future."
Sui Sui chimed in, "Exactly. It's so you don't end up like a naive fool, believing everything people say. They say there are no fathers and sons in the imperial family, yet you still dared to dream of brotherly affection between cousins."
"Hmph, I won't let him have an easy time of it."
"Let's not, Eldest Brother said to wait for now, didn't he? Don't rush to mess up his plans."
Thus, the second prince, unable to avenge himself, became even more dejected. However, Sui Sui paid him no mind and pulled me along. "Sister Nannan, where are my storybooks?"
"How did you know I brought you storybooks?"
Situ You scoffed, "Don't you always bring her those when you come back from a trip? Sui Sui, you read too much of that sentimental nonsense. You'll become a fool sooner or later."
Sui Sui chuckled, "If you read more storybooks, would you have been so blind to your Eldest Cousin's true nature?"
Situ You: ...
Is this matter going to be held against me forever?
The snow disaster had just passed, but the capital city was recovering its prosperity at the fastest pace. I used my injury as an excuse to stay home as much as possible, not going out unless absolutely necessary. My mother's hands itched, and she wished she could spank me with a feather duster.
But she was afraid of aggravating my injuries.
"You stay cooped up at home all day, will a suitable husband magically descend from the heavens?"
"Mother, I didn't say I wouldn't go out. I'm just feeling a bit tired and want to rest more."
"By the time you're done resting, all the good men will have been snapped up."
I leaned over to massage her shoulders. "Mother, destiny is yours if it's meant to be; there's no need for us to worry. You have this time, why not go listen to opera at the Pear Garden? Sui Sui said there's a new Dan actor at the Pear Garden, handsome and graceful. Why don't you go see him?"
"I've already seen him. That's the kind young girls like. Mother isn't into that."
"Then what kind do you like?"
My mother shot me a glare. "Tomorrow, we're going to offer incense at Huangjue Temple."
I immediately became wary. "Who have you arranged a meeting with?"
People these days cared about reputation and wouldn't usually arrange a formal meeting. Instead, they would find an excuse for the two families to "accidentally" meet at a certain location. If they liked each other, it would be a happy occasion. If not, nothing would be affected.
Offering incense at a temple was the most common way for noble families in the capital to arrange such chance encounters.
My mother said, "Li family's fourth son, Li Yuanning."
I thought for a long time, certain I hadn't heard the name before.
"It's right that you haven't heard of him. He's a scholar from a humble background. He was a Jinshi in the previous imperial examination and entered the Hanlin Academy. His rank was elevated last year, and he's now a fourth-rank official as a Shidu." You want to find a gentle husband, so you can continue your business easily? Mother thinks this Li Yuanning is quite suitable."
"A Jinshi from a humble background? How old is he?"
After the Emperor ascended the throne, he vigorously promoted scholars from humble backgrounds. However, given their foundations, it wasn't solely effort that allowed scholars from humble backgrounds to outperform those from aristocratic families. They were usually over thirty when they passed the examination.
"Twenty-two. What's with that look? Do you think Mother would find you an old man?"
"Hehe, of course Mother wouldn't dare."
"It's good that you know. Tomorrow, we'll go offer incense first, and then we'll talk about other things if we feel it's a match."
"Have you met him, Mother?"
"Your father has. He said he's quite handsome."
I wasn't very confident in my father's taste, but I still agreed. The next morning, Axiu woke me up to get dressed, and then I followed my mother into the carriage bound for Huangjue Temple.
Imperial Prison
Situ Yao emerged from the dark prison and took the handkerchief from Pengcheng, carefully wiping his hands. In a good mood, he said, "Go to the Wang family."
Pengcheng's heart skipped a beat. He cautiously asked, "Is Your Highness the Crown Prince going to see Miss Wang?"
Situ Yao looked at him, thinking, "Isn't that obvious?"
Pengcheng swallowed. "Your subordinate just received news that Miss Wang and Madam Wang have gone to Huangjue Temple."
"Then let's change course for Huangjue Temple."
"But Your Highness, the Wang family has an arrangement with the Li family today. The two families are meeting."
The smile on Situ Yao's face vanished instantly. "Which Li family?"