In the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility.

"Wish you all happiness and good luck, Your Highness." Consort Hui saluted Empress Dowager.

The Fifth Prince followed, "Grandma, Mier and I wish you health and longevity."

"Fine, I know you are all considerate. Have a seat!" Empress Dowager asked Eunuch Liu to arrange seats for them with a smile on her face.

"Thank you, grandma." The Fifth Prince Chushi Meiyan and his wife saluted to Empress Dowager.

Consort Hui smiled, "Your Highness, I haven't seen you for days. You look younger than before."

"Consort Hui is such a honey-lipped person. I've lived for many years and already have wrinkles around my eyes. I can't be back to my youth again!" Empress Dowager replied, but she was glad to hear Consort Hui's compliments.

Ever since she used the face mask that Infanta Qingcheng offered, she had noticed that the skin on her face had recently become rosy and white when looking into the mirror.

Upon hearing this, Consort Hui flattered, "You are too modest, Your Highness. You know me. I never lie."

Consort Hui was chosen for the Emperor's harem years ago. Chushi Youtian had never neglected her because of her humble nature.

Together with her, Chushi Youtian felt at ease and could be away from the infighting among the women in his palace.

"I know. What brings you here today?" Empress Dowager asked smilingly.

Before Consort Hui started her words, a voice came from the doorway, "Sister Hui is here as well. Your Highness."

Imperial concubine Xiao saluted Empress Dowager.

Chushi Weiming also saluted hastily, "Wish you health and longevity, grandma."

"Well, well, enough courtesy. Eunuch Liu, arrange seats." Empress Dowager asked Eunuch Liu.

Consort Hui smiled at imperial concubine Xiao as a greeting.

"What a coincidence to meet you here, sister! Today is the day when Weiming comes to see me. He cares about his grandma. That's why we are here." Imperial concubine Xiao said.

Consort Hui replied, "This is indeed a joyful coincidence, sister."

"This must be Mier. You are so beautiful." Imperial concubine Xiao gave compliments to the Consort of the Fifth Prince.

Mier, sitting next to the Fifth Prince, heard imperial concubine Xiao speaking to her. She raised from the chair gracefully in a polite manner, "Thank you for your praise, Your Highness."

Imperial concubine Xiao smiled and nodded.

Empress Dowager spoke, "Minger."

"Grandma, I'm here." Chushi Weiming answered hurriedly.

Empress Dowager continued, "You are older than the Fifth Prince, so it's time to select a consort for you. Do you have anybody in mind?"

"Grandma, my father is busy with state affairs recently. I can't bother him with personal matters." Chushi Weiming said with a worried look on his face.

Empress Dowager was comforted by Chushi Weiming's attitude, "Minger is very considerate. If there's anyone you like, let me know, and I will handle your marriage."

"Grandma, I..." Chushi Weiming hesitated.

Empress Dowager noticed his pause and smiled, "What's up? Are you too shy to tell me who she is?"

"No need to be shy about it, Your highness. Men and women should marry as long as they're old enough. This is the way things are." Consort Hui chuckled.

“Brother, just tell us who she is! I wonder whose daughter won your heart." The Fifth Prince Chushi Meiyan asked.

Chushi Weiming didn't dislike the Fifth Prince. The Fifth Prince was very decent and had no ambition to attain the dragon throne. Therefore, he had good rapport with other Princes.

Chushi Weiming expressed a slight hesitation. Of course, he deliberately acted like this. If he made his complexion too obvious, others would dig deep into it.

"Minger, since your grandma asked you, let her know." Imperial concubine Xiao told Chushi Weiming.

Chushi Weiming said, "She is the daughter of Grand Mentor Liu, Liu Yiyi."

"The Third Prince has good taste! I heard that Liu Yiyi is a cute girl of talent and virtue." Consort Hui smiled.

Empress Dowager also nodded, "Fine, that's good. You can count on me."

Empress Dowager had heard of Liu Yiyi, too. Liu Yiyi was Grand Mentor Liu's only daughter, a talented girl good at singing and dancing. She's perfect to be the Consort of the Third Prince.

Imperial concubine Xiao secretly let out a sigh of relief as Empress Dowager undertook this marriage. As long as Empress Dowager raised this matter with the Emperor, he would not suspect her.

After sitting for a long time in the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility, imperial concubine Xiao and Consort Hui took the leave.

"I shall congratulate you in advance, sister." Consort Hui spoke to imperial concubine Xiao when they came outside.

Imperial concubine Xiao nodded, "Thank you, sister. I have to go because I have something else to do. Come and see me if you have time."

"Of course, sister. Please forgive me for coming uninvited then." Consort Hui replied with a smile.

Imperial concubine Xiao said, "How could I?"

"So long."

The Fifth Prince said after imperial concubine Xiao has left, "Mother, imperial concubine Xiao's aim is so obvious, but it seems that grandma didn't see her through."

"Hold your tongue, Yaner. You can't say anything as you like in the palace. Inappropriate words overheard by others will cause you trouble!" Consort Hui warned him.

The Fifth Prince shrugged, "I know, mom."

Consort Hui didn't have a powerful maternal clan behind, but she could see many things through. She was indifferent to fame and wealth as well. Therefore, she lived an easy life for years in this palace plagued by infighting.

Back at imperial concubine Xiao's palace, Chushi Weiming let out a long breath of relief.

"Don't let your guard down, Minger. His Majesty hasn't granted your marriage yet. Things haven't come to their close." Imperial concubine Xiao said.

Although Empress Dowager approved this marriage, they still had to ask for the Emperor's permission. She hoped that Empress Dowager would mitigate the doubt of suspicious Emperor.

After imperial concubine Xiao and Consort Hui were gone, Empress Dowager left the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility for Imperial Study.

Chushi Youtian had just finished the memorials and stood up, and then he heard a servant's announcement, "Empress Dowager is here."

Chushi Youtian came to greet Empress Dowager as he saw her.

"What brings mother here? Please come in and have a seat." Chushi Youtian helped Empress Dowager into the Imperial Study.

Empress Dowager sat down and came straight to the point, "Your Majesty, I have something to discuss with you."

"Speak, please!" Chushi Youtian smiled.

Empress Dowager told him directly, "I'm here for the Third Prince's marriage."

"The Third Prince's marriage?" Chushi Youtian frowned at what he had heard.

Empress Dowager nodded, "Yes, his marriage. Your sons are old enough to marry, but only the Fifth Prince has already had his consort. Others refused engagement as the grounds of our state haven't yet been at peace. As a woman of advanced years, I always wonder when I can see my great-grandsons."

Chushi Youtian laughed, "Mother, you're sure to live to a ripe old age and see your great-grandsons. I just want to know which girl you have chosen as Minger's consort?"

"Liu Yiyi, the daughter of Grand Mentor Liu." Empress Dowager answered.

Chushi Youtian was confused, "Grand Mentor Liu's daughter?"

He didn't know when did Chushi Weiming have a secret connection with Grand Mentor Liu.

"Yes. I've heard that this is a girl of talent and virtue. She could be good Consort of the Third Prince." Empress Dowager continued.

Chushi Youtian asked again, "I've heard about her, too. What does Minger think about it?"

"Don't worry, Your Majesty! I've asked him about it and he agreed." Empress Dowager smiled.

Chushi Youtian hesitated for a second, but then he said, "Then I agree with you. Nevertheless, Grand Mentor Liu is an important minister, and I have to ask him for his opinion to avoid hurting his feelings."

"You are so considerate and thoughtful, Your Majesty. I was too impatient before. Would you mind summon him here now? I'll sit by and listen." Empress Dowager followed up on the Emperor’s words.

Seeing Empress Dowager being this delighted, Chushi Youtian thought for a moment and called Eunuch Li, "Go and get Grand Mentor Liu here, now."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Eunuch Li answered as he left the Imperial Study.

In the Mansion of Liu.

Grand Mentor Liu was drinking tea leisurely. He was quite certain about Liu Yiyi's marriage with the Third Prince. Because if imperial concubine Xiao didn't want her previous efforts wasted, she would leave nothing untried to persuade the Emperor into this marriage.

As he was thinking about this, his butler trotted in, "My Lord, Eunuch Li from the palace is here."

Grand Mentor Liu couldn't help smiling. It seemed that imperial concubine Xiao took action rather quickly.

"Where is Eunuch Li now?" Grand Mentor Liu asked.

The butler replied, "My Lord, he is waiting in the drawing-room."

"Fine, I'll be right there." Grand Mentor Liu stood up and headed for the drawing-room.

In the drawing-room, Eunuch Li got up as he saw Grand Mentor Liu coming in, "Grand Mentor Liu, please go to the palace with me. His Majesty is waiting for you."

"Fine. May I know the reason why His Majesty summoned me?" Grand Mentor Liu had guessed what that was about, but he still had to ask.

Eunuch Li smiled, "Don't be worried, Grand Mentor. It's good news."

"Good news? Would you mind tell me more about it?" Grand Mentor Liu pretended to be confused.

Eunuch Li turned around, "I can't disclose too many details. Grand Mentor will see when we get there. Let's go. Don't keep His Majesty waiting."

Then he walked out of the drawing-room.

"I know. I know." Grand Mentor Liu answered and stopped asking. he followed Eunuch Li out.

After entering the palace, Eunuch Li led Grand Mentor Liu directly to the doorway of the Imperial Study.

"Grand Mentor Liu, please wait for a moment. I'll let masters know you are here." Eunuch Li told Grand Mentor Liu outside the door.

Then he came into the Imperial Study, "Your Highness, Your Majesty, Grand Mentor Liu is waiting outside."

"Let him in." Empress Dowager said hurriedly.

Eunuch Li looked to Chushi Youtian, seeing him nod, thus spoke up in a shrill voice, "Let Grand Mentor Liu in!"

Grand Mentor Liu entered, "Your Majesty, Your Highness."

"Stand up, Grand Mentor Liu." Chushi Youtian said to Grand Mentor Liu who was kneeling on the ground.

Grand Mentor Liu stood up, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Eunuch Li, arrange a seat for him." Chushi Youtian ordered.

Grand Mentor Liu sat down and asked, "What can I do for you, Your Majesty?"

"Are your daughter at the age of 15 or over?" Chushi Youtian asked after a glanced at Empress Dowager.

Grand Mentor Liu knew he had guessed right, so he replied, "Your Majesty, my daughter reached 15 this year."

"I'd like to betroth her to the Third Prince as his Consort. What do you think?" Chushi Youtian went on asking.

Grand Mentor Liu replied instantly the moment Chushi Youtian's words finished, "It's her pleasure to marry into the royal family. Your wish is my command, Your Majesty."

"Since Grand Mentor Liu agrees, that's a deal. Let's discuss the date of the wedding some other day..." Chushi Youtian said, but he was interrupted by Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager looked at Chushi Youtian, "Your Majesty, Grand Mentor Liu has given his consent, so let's make it three days from now. What do you think?"

"Fine, I listen to you." Chushi Youtian changed his mind after a short moment of hesitation.

He knew Empress Dowager was anxious to have these princes married and so was he. However, the situation at hand was complex. The marriages between princes and ministers would give rise to lots of trouble, on which he had to keep a more attentive watch.