Mu Qingyu smiled gently as she spoke, her calm countenance a picturesque contrast to the officials who had hastily believed in the rumours. It was easy to tell that she was a polite lady.
“Has the date for Miss Mu and the Second Imperial Prince’s marriage been decided upon?” Su Xi-er smiled as she asked.
Mu Qingyu shook her head. “Father says that the marriage can wait since stabilising the court is more important at this point.”
Even though she did not mention the cause of unrest in the court, Su Xi-er was well aware of what she meant.
Mu Qingyu observed Su Xi-er and said, “You don’t have to worry, Princess Consort. Father has already visited many of the officials, and only a tiny handful believe in it.” She then looked at Pei Qianhao and said, “Things will calm down now that Prince Hao is back.”
Pei Qianhao said, “This Prince will settle this matter as quickly as possible, seeing as to how we are responsible for the problem. Miss Mu is magnanimous, the date of your wedding will definitely be decided upon soon.”
“Prince Hao, I didn’t mean it that way.” Mu Qingyu rushed to explain herself, but another male voice said, “Why are you still in the palace, Prince Hao?”
It was the Second Imperial Prince, Situ Rong. Though he was dressed in a flashy robe, he had a rather serious expression on his face. The aura of an imperial prince was quite apparent.
“Second Imperial Prince, your robes don’t seem to match your deportment.” Su Xi-er raised a brow as she teased him.
Situ Rong turned playful all of a sudden. “Don’t tease me, Princess Consort. I love flowery robes, it’s just that I have to put on an act for those court officials. Qingyu knows this all too well.” He then turned and winked at Mu Qingyu.
Mu Qingyu sighed and said, “Second Imperial Prince, I’d advise you to continue with the act.”
Su Xi-er then laughed out loud. “It’s fine. I’m used to this anyway. But remember not to go overboard when you’re with Consort Dowager Guo.”
Pei Qianhao then pulled Su Xi-er towards him and looked at Situ Rong. “This Prince won’t be entering the palace for the next few days. Both you and Commandery Prince Xie will have to assist the Emperor in court, so don’t be careless. Listen to the Princess Consort on this, and change out of your flowery robes.”
Situ Rong raised both hands and said, “Embroidery from the Western Region. I can change out of it for sure, but I don’t have many sets of these. Princess Consort, as a princess from the Western Region, make sure to gift me some after matters have been settled.”
Mu Qingyu tugged at his sleeve. “Let me take a look. I can embroider it for you after studying the fabric.”
“The Western Region uses a different embroidery method. A sheltered young miss like you wouldn’t know how to do it.” Situ Rong then looked back at Su Xi-er.
Su Xi-er could tell that he was testing her. It was clear that the rumours had affected Situ Rong to some extent.
Su Xi-er smiled and said, “It would be rude of me to reject the Second Imperial Prince’s request, so don’t worry. You’ll be given heaps of robes like that with designs both in male and female styles so that you can change into a fresh set daily.” Ignoring Situ Rong’s awkward expression, she then pulled Pei Qianhao with her as they headed out of the Imperial Garden.
Pei Qianhao nodded at Situ Rong before leaving.
Mu Qingyu looked at Situ Rong with slight annoyance. “How could you suspect Princess Consort Hao? Only fools would believe in those rumours.”
