Despite the complaints, Emperor Chu spoke again about the marriage of Commandery Princess Dongyang, wondering how the noble lady of Prince Dingbei’s Mansion had become such a difficult issue to resolve.
This topic, Song Zhiyuan expressed he could definitely relate to.
It’s not just the Commandery Princess Dongyang who is difficult, but also his youngest brother and now his daughter too; all need to be married, all need to find good matches, and arranging these marriages is not as simple as buying a vegetable at the market; it requires careful consideration.
"Hearing you say this, I also feel a sense of difficulty," Emperor Chu finally remembered that he also had several sons waiting to find wives.
Song Zhiyuan laughed, "Indeed, the second, third, and fourth princes all need to select a prince consort. For a wedding, you have to set up a household, and within the household, you must have people and things, and expenses are everywhere."
Emperor Chu glanced sideways at him, "Is the Prime Minister gloating at my troubles?"
Song Zhiyuan’s expression became serious, and he cupped his hands, "I would never dare be so disrespectful, I am merely expressing empathy!"
Emperor Chu huffed, doubting his sincerity.
"Speaking of which, your fourth brother seems to have quite the luck, encountering a startled horse and was saved by Commandery Princess Dongyang."
Song Zhiyuan was speechless, "My younger brother was ignorant and offended the Princess, I’ll be sure to take him to apologize and thank her later."
Emperor Chu glanced at him, recalling the age and temperament of his youngest brother, and raised an eyebrow slightly.
After discussing a mix of state and family affairs for a while, Song Zhiyuan took his leave.
Emperor Chu sat on the dragon throne, contemplated for a moment, and said, "Proceed to Chang Chun Palace."
At Chang Chun Palace, Consort Fan had been waiting outside the hall early on, and upon seeing Emperor Chu’s entourage arrive, she slowly kneeled in greeting.
"Your servant greets the Emperor, may the Emperor have good fortune."
"Rise, beloved consort," Emperor Chu smiled and stepped forward, taking her by the hand as they entered the hall.
Consort Fan said, "Could it be that the Emperor came because of the fragrance? Today, I personally made white fungus and pear soup, which is nourishing for the lungs. Would the Emperor like to try some later?"
"It is rare for my beloved consort to personally cook, I shall certainly savor it carefully."
Consort Fan’s eyes curved with her smile, and she glanced at her trusted palace maid, who then gladly withdrew.
Emperor Chu sat at the head seat, chatting about daily matters with Consort Fan, and soon after, the palace maid brought the soup and blue and white porcelain bowls. Consort Fan personally poured, tasted, and cooled it before bringing it to Emperor Chu’s lips.
"Your Majesty," Eunuch Zhou quietly reminded, "the soup hasn’t been tested for poison yet."
Emperor Chu laughed lightly, "No matter."
Consort Fan was quite pleased.
After drinking a bowl of soup, Consort Fan nonchalantly began to speak about their son.
"Our son said that a little hardship is nothing, he must not let down his father’s expectations, and he wishes to help you with political affairs, so these past days, after the morning court, he has been stopping by his maternal grandfather to consult on the state affairs he heard in court."
"Our son is indeed becoming sensible."
Consort Fan also sighed, "Isn’t that the case? When he was first born, he was just a tiny bundle, like a pink ball of dough, and in the blink of an eye, he’s already choosing a princess consort."
Emperor Chu smiled slightly, gently using the tea lid to scoop away the tea leaves from his drink, and sighed, "Time makes one old, even I am growing old."
Consort Fan glanced at him cautiously, teasingly saying, "The Emperor is not old at all. You’re a father now, and you should choose a bride for our son, one that will honor us in the future."
Emperor Chu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Could it be that my beloved consort has already chosen someone in mind for our daughter-in-law?"
"To be honest with the Emperor, before you came, I was looking over the roster of noble ladies from the capital. You should also take a look and see which one might be worthy to be our imperial daughter-in-law?" Consort Fan took the roster from the side, handing it over with both hands.
Emperor Chu put down his teacup, took the roster and opened it, squinting his eyes as he looked through it.