Even with Qi Shuo’s composure, he was so shocked by Princess Consort Jing’s words that he began coughing violently.
“What’s wrong?”
Qi Shuo covered his chest and shook his head. “It’s nothing.”
“Is your heart condition acting up?” Princess Consort Jing panicked slightly.
“Just a bit uncomfortable. What did Mother just say?”
Princess Consort Jing repeated her earlier suggestion.
Qi Shuo listened quietly, then said seriously, “Your son only has sibling affection for Cousin. If Mother has such intentions—”
Before he could finish saying “you should abandon them as soon as possible,” Princess Consort Jing quickly interjected, “The key is whether it suits your heart. Since you regard Xiuhua as a sister, then let’s forget it.”
The divine physician had said to keep Shuo’er as content as possible.
Her niece was certainly important, but her son was very important too. Besides, there was still Huan’er.
“Let’s just pretend Mother never mentioned this matter.”
“Thank you for understanding, Mother.”
Princess Consort Jing immediately turned around and summoned Qi Huan.
“Mother, you wanted to see your son?” Qi Huan asked with a grin.
Seeing her second son’s glib expression, Princess Consort Jing couldn’t help but scold him. “Gone without a trace from morning till night!”
Qi Huan continued smiling cheerfully. “If Mother has nothing else, I’ll go change my clothes.”
Experience told him that enduring a few scoldings was nothing serious—talking back and arguing never ended well.
“I do have something.”
“Please speak, Mother.”
“What do you think of Xiuhua?”
Qi Huan was stunned. “Cousin? Cousin is quite nice.”
Mother doted on Cousin like her own daughter—if he said anything negative, wouldn’t she give him a good thrashing?
Princess Consort Jing smiled until her eyes curved. “Then how about having Xiuhua become husband and wife with you?”
“Be-become-become what?” Qi Huan’s voice cracked.
Princess Consort Jing frowned. “What kind of reaction is that?”
“Mother.” Qi Huan couldn’t hide his horror. “You’re not serious, are you?”
Princess Consort Jing’s face darkened. “Marriage is a major life event. How could it be a joke?”
“This absolutely won’t do!” Qi Huan waved his hands repeatedly.
Seeing her son act as if he couldn’t avoid this fast enough made Princess Consort Jing furious.
This unfilial son truly couldn’t compare to Shuo’er.
Though Shuo’er only had sibling affection for Xiuhua, he had considered her feelings and was prepared to compromise. Yet this wretched boy rejected the idea without a moment’s hesitation.
Clearly he’d grown too wild from running around outside.
Seeing Princess Consort Jing’s expression, Qi Huan sensed trouble and hastily said, “Mother, it’s not that Cousin isn’t good—your son simply cannot accept this!”
“Oh?”
“Mother, do you and Aunt resemble each other?”
“Obviously.”
“Then do you think Cousin resembles Aunt?”
Princess Consort Jing’s eyelids twitched.
Qi Huan forced out an awkward smile. “Mother, when your son looks at Cousin, it’s like looking at you. How could we possibly become husband and wife…”
“What nonsense are you spouting!” Princess Consort Jing raised her hand and smacked Qi Huan, though she did give up on the idea of pairing the two together.
Thinking about it, it really wouldn’t work.
After dismissing Qi Huan, Princess Consort Jing began calculating which outstanding young men of appropriate age were in the capital.
While Princess Consort Jing worried herself sick over her niece due to the Crown Prince’s sudden visit, Lin Chan, who had returned to the General’s Mansion, also felt anxious.
“Second Sister, when did you meet the Crown Prince?”
Lin Hao explained about watching the street performers.
Lin Chan’s face showed worry. “Could the Crown Prince be setting his sights on you?”
“Don’t worry, Elder Sister. In the future, when we invite the Princess over to visit, we won’t go to Prince Jing’s mansion, and then we won’t run into the Crown Prince.”
“But he’s the Crown Prince. If he truly has such intentions, I fear we won’t be able to guard against him.”
“At least he can’t openly seize me. Elder Sister should also be careful when going out—don’t end up alone.”
In this life, without a father willing to sell his daughter for advancement, the Crown Prince wouldn’t find it so easy to openly pursue his designs.