"If there is no way, then we must find a way. Isn't that child currently at the Zhou family? Let Yuying spend more time with the child. Later, find an excuse to make the child fall ill or something, and have Prince An come over. When the time comes and the deed is done, I refuse to believe he won't marry Yuying," Madam Wu said to Zhou Changfeng after a moment of silence.

She thought that if Xu Heming was unwilling to marry Zhou Yuying then, she would at least have a reason to make a scene.

Hearing this, Zhou Changfeng's heart skipped a beat. He thought to himself that older ginger is indeed spicier; his mother's method was simply brilliant.

"Mother is indeed thoughtful. Do you wish to see Qingshi?" Zhou Changfeng looked at Madam Wu and asked.

"I am tired, so I won't see the child. Make sure Yuying goes and builds a good relationship with him." Madam Wu waved her hand. He was just a child; she didn't feel the need to curry favor with him.

As long as Zhou Yuying got along well with him, this child would sooner or later be entirely in her grasp.

"Yes!"

Zhou Changfeng took his leave. From beginning to end, neither of them had ever asked where Xu Qingshi was staying.

Prince An's Manor

"You let Qingshi go to that wolf's den of the Zhou family?" The Old Princess clutched her chest and pointed angrily at Xu Heming's nose, reprimanding him.

"Mother, I have my own arrangements for this matter. I will go and bring him back in a few days." Although Xu Heming felt it was inappropriate for Xu Qingshi to go to the Zhou family, things had already come to this point, and there was no turning back.

It was better to ensure that the Zhou family would never have another reason to make demands of him in the future.

Thus, sacrificing Xu Qingshi to stay there for a few days was a once-and-for-all solution that Xu Heming deemed worthwhile.

"Arrangements? What kind of arrangement requires using a child? I have held that child in the palm of my hand since he was little, yet you are sending him off to the Zhou family. Xu Heming, why don't you send yourself over there too?" The Old Princess scolded in dissatisfaction.

"Mother, the Zhou family wants me to marry Zhou Yuying." Xu Heming felt somewhat helpless and could only tell the truth.

"Hmph, the Zhou family's wild ambitions have not just been around for a day or two. It's not like you only recognized the true nature of the Zhou family today." The Old Princess felt great displeasure at the mere thought of Zhou Yuying.

Previously, out of consideration that she was from the Zhou family, The Old Princess had not made things difficult for her, even though she disliked her.

But now, the Zhou family's calculating schemes were practically exploding in her face. How could she possibly continue to show the Zhou family a pleasant countenance?

"Mother, I just don't want the Zhou family coming to our door to make a scene in the future. Moreover, with the Zhou family acting like this, it's hard to guarantee they won't interfere when I get married," Xu Heming added.

"What are you afraid of? Your marriage to the Li family girl was bestowed by His Majesty. The Li family is now of the second rank; they are by no means inferior to the Zhou family!" The Old Princess felt her son was becoming more cowardly as he aged.

He had actually started to become overly cautious and indecisive.

Xu Heming remained silent, saying nothing.

The Imperial Palace, Kunning Palace

"You naughty monkey, you finally remembered to come see your sister?" The Empress was very happy to see Cheng Qingli.

"Sister, I missed you to death. I've decided to stay with you for a few days," Cheng Qingli said, snuggling up to the Empress with an obedient look on her face.

"No, you need to go back immediately!" Zhu Hanyu, who was standing to the side, said with his hands on his hips in dissatisfaction.

Whenever this annoying aunt came over, his imperial mother was no longer his alone.

She would only listen to her all day long!

Because of this, Zhu Hanyu strongly disliked this aunt.

"You little brat, this is my sister. I can stay with my sister for as long as I want!" Cheng Qingli felt very happy every time she saw Zhu Hanyu looking flustered and exasperated.

Days in the palace were a bit boring, so she naturally had to find some amusement for herself. The little brat in front of her was the best source of entertainment.

"Yu'er, do not be rude. This is your aunt," the Empress said to her son with a smile.

"Mother!" Zhu Hanyu stomped his feet in dissatisfaction.

"Mother, could it be that Aunt has caused some trouble again and specially came here to hide from disaster?" Seeing that the Empress was not taking his side, Zhu Hanyu suddenly remembered that every time Cheng Qingli came to stay at the palace, it was because she had caused trouble. Zhu Hanyu felt that this time must be the same.

"Nonsense!" Cheng Qingli retorted, feeling a bit guilty.

Who was the Empress?

She understood her little sister the best.

Sometimes, she just loved to play pranks on people.

However, every time she only did harmless little things, so the Empress would just turn a blind eye.

Originally, she was happy in her heart, thinking that her sister really missed her and wanted to keep her company for a few days.

Now it seemed that her son's words were likely true.

"Mother, look, she feels guilty. She must have done something bad and caused trouble!" Zhu Hanyu said with a smug look.

"Qingli, what have you done this time?" The Empress put on a stern face, looking at Cheng Qingli as she questioned her.

"I... I didn't do any..." Hearing this, Cheng Qingli felt guilty. She wasn't sure if her sister would punish her if she told the truth.

After all, what she did this time seemed to have really crossed the line a bit.

"Speak!" Although the Empress doted on her sister, she would absolutely not spoil her; otherwise, she wouldn't have earned the Emperor's deep trust.

"I... I tricked Miss Li into going to the Clear Wind Pavilion." Seeing her sister's stern face, Cheng Qingli felt a bit scared and told the truth.

"What else did you do?" As soon as the Empress heard Clear Wind Pavilion, she had a bad premonition. One must know, the Clear Wind Pavilion was a male brothel.

Miss Li... could it be Li Zhiwei?

At this thought, the Empress's gaze toward Cheng Qingli grew even colder.

Tricking a girl into going to the Clear Wind Pavilion—if word of this got out, the girl's reputation would be completely ruined.

Moreover, because of the previous marriage arrangement with the Marquis of Ru'an's estate, and later being bestowed in marriage to Prince An, Li Zhiwei's reputation was already a subject of gossip among the people of the capital.

If rumors of her visiting a male brothel were to spread on top of that...

The Empress simply dared not imagine what the consequences of this matter would be.

"I... I left her alone in the Clear Wind Pavilion and ran away," Cheng Qingli said, secretly observing the Empress's expression, her heart pounding.

Oh no, it seems my sister is truly angry.

In the past, whenever she caused trouble, her sister would always smile and say it was fine.

But this time, it seemed different.

Cheng Qingli felt a wave of panic in her heart. Had she really caused a massive disaster this time?

"Cheng Qingli! Who taught you to do such things?" the Empress reprimanded angrily upon hearing this.

"I... I just thought it would be fun. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing!" In front of the Empress, Cheng Qingli was as meek as a kitten, not daring to utter a single lie.

"Making a joke out of a girl's chastity and reputation? Cheng Qingli, is this how our parents taught you?" The Empress furiously grabbed a whip from the side and lashed it at Cheng Qingli.

"Sister, I was wrong! I won't dare do it again!" Cheng Qingli hurriedly admitted her mistake.

"Mother, she definitely isn't thinking that. She is definitely saying in her heart, I'll do it again next time!" Zhu Hanyu chimed in from the side.