Chapter 90: The Bitterness of Secret Crushes

[Hahaha, choosing a prince Concubine? Well, it’s just setting up a match for Seventh Brother.]

[I understand, I understand.]

[Seventh Brother doesn’t want to go on a matchmaking date because he’s afraid he won’t find someone he likes. After all, Seventh Brother already has someone in his heart.]

Queen Mother: ?

The Seventh Prince has someone in mind?

[Seventh Brother is unlucky. He doesn’t want to delay his future partner because of this matter. Even if he likes someone, he can only love them in silence. Secret crushes are so bitter.]

Queen Mother: “I didn’t expect that the Seventh Prince has a kind heart and is so considerate.

Why not ask which young lady he likes?

Then we can finalize it directly!

But it’s too late.

The Emperor has already arranged this matter.”

“The matter of selecting a princess Concubine was mentioned to me by your father before. He’s been busy recently and probably hasn’t told you. That’s why I’ve called you here, to discuss this issue.

As a prince, when you reach a certain age, you must select a princess Concubine.

Considering that you’re the first among the princes to choose a Concubine, even if you don’t have someone you like this time, you still need to go through the process. It’s not necessary to select someone if you don’t find the right one.”

Di Zian’s eyes brightened. “Really?”

The Queen Mother gave him a playful glance. “Do you think I would deceive you?”

“It’s just a formality, I understand, heh heh heh.”

“Seventh Prince, even though it’s a formality, you need to take it seriously. Selecting a princess Concubine is not a trivial matter.”

The candidates for the princess Concubine would certainly be from high-ranking families.

The Queen Mother’s meaning was clear to Di Zian.

If he could choose, he should. If he couldn’t, no one would force him.

After the arrangements for the selection banquet were set, Di Zian sat on the steps of the Yihe Palace, sighing all morning.

Concubine De sat beside him. “Have you seen any young lady you like?”

Di Zian said, “Mother, there’s nothing.”

“With your demeanor, do you think you can hide it from me?”

Di Zian chuckled. “I’m not sure if I like her, but I just find her quite interesting.”

“Oh… who is it?”

[Mother, I know I know]

Ah Bao was sitting by the fence, counting eggs and glancing over with a smile.

Di Zian’s mouth twitched. “Mother, I just remembered that some friends invited me to drink. I need to leave the palace quickly. I’ll talk to you about it next time.”

He hurried away like a rabbit.

“This boy, is he actually shy?” Concubine De blinked. “Oh dear, if that unlucky boy likes someone, wouldn’t that be harming the young lady? Oh.”

“What are you sighing about, Your Majesty?” a clear voice asked.

“Yun Ci!” Concubine De was overjoyed. “Yun Ci, how did you come here? You… can move around now?”

She and Yun Ci had been good friends before marriage.

Later, she entered the palace as a Concubine, and Yun Ci married Luo Yuan.

They had kept in touch throughout.

Seven years ago, after Yun Ci gave birth to Luo Qiuyu, she had been bedridden.

The imperial physicians had been called, but they only said it was a delay.

Later, she had been sent to the Han Palace.

She hadn’t expected that after more than a year, she would see Yun Ci again.

“I recovered eight months ago. It’s quite miraculous, actually.”

Concubine De was genuinely happy.

Yun Ci’s gaze fell on the little bundle sitting by the fence, counting aloud, ‘One… two… eight…’

Many numbers were hard for Ah Bao to pronounce, so she only picked a few easier ones.

Concubine De covered her mouth and chuckled, picking up Ah Bao. “Ah Bao, come and meet your Aunt Yun.”

Ah Bao’s eyes sparkled when she saw Yun Ci.

[I’ve seen this person before]

[So it’s Aunt Yun, Mother’s good friend. What a coincidence]

Coincidence?

Concubine De was surprised.

Since Ah Bao’s birth, she hadn’t taken her to the Luo residence.

Perhaps Di Zian had brought Ah Bao outside the palace and they had seen Yun Ci.

Yun Ci was startled upon seeing Ah Bao. The gifts she was holding fell to the ground. “This is… the Tenth Princess?”

“Yes. Yun Ci, what’s wrong?”

Yun Ci quickly picked up the gifts. “It’s nothing… I just feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before. It must be a dream. Haha. My memory must be a bit confused after being ill.”

She had seen the Tenth Princess before.

In a dream.

“By the way, Lian Yi, these are some homemade snacks and a box of toys for the Tenth Princess. I didn’t know if she would like them, so I prepared a bit of everything.”

Concubine De chided gently, “You don’t need to bring gifts when you visit. There’s no need to be so formal.”

They all entered the room.

[Snacks! I like snacks!]

[Aunt Yun is just perfect!]

Ah Bao eagerly opened the box with a red ribbon.

With a pop, the box opened, releasing a pleasant aroma.

Ah Bao couldn’t help but drool.

[Wow! I can’t help it, who cares about manners in front of food]

[Wow, colorful treats! It’s sour jujube cake, sweet and sour, it must be delicious]

[Meat! Meat stew, sniffle, Aunt Yun, I love you!]

Ah Bao couldn’t contain her excitement.

Yun Ci watched in amazement.

Is this an eight-month-old baby?

Her appetite is astonishing.

Concubine De covered her mouth and laughed. “Yun Ci, don’t mind the child. She… is quite greedy.”

Yun Ci looked at Ah Bao fondly. “Children are all greedy. I remember when Qiuyu was as young as the Tenth Princess, the nurse would hold him and he would eat anything. I was bedridden at that time and couldn’t hold him.

You know, I’ve had two sons, and seeing the little princess now is truly delightful.”

She couldn’t bear children anymore, and her husband wouldn’t let her, otherwise, she might have risked her life.

Ah Bao enjoyed the sour jujube cake, finding it perfectly sweet and sour.

Yun Ci opened the other toy box, revealing a glittering golden key.

Ah Bao’s mouth was full, and she pointed excitedly at the toy box, her eyes sparkling with gold.

[Another golden… golden key]

[Aunt Yun understands me. She gave me meat and now a golden key—both things I love, hahaha]

[Even though it’s the second golden key, I wouldn’t mind having another one]

Concubine De quietly smiled, thinking Ah Bao only saw it as a golden key?

Yun Ci’s family had been in business before, and this golden key was worth more than the dowry she had set aside for Ah Bao.

“Yun Ci, why are you giving Ah Bao such a valuable gift?” Concubine De asked in confusion.

“I not only want to give the little princess a gift, but I also plan to support her when I return home,” Yun Ci replied.

Concubine De: ??

“Yun Ci, what do you mean by this?”

Yun Ci, however, looked serious. “You don’t know? Today, the little princess saved my eldest son’s life.”

Concubine De was astonished. “What are you talking about?”