The whole family is obsessed with love? The princess woke them up one after another.

"Of course," Qi Zhiyu scoffed, "She's trying to seduce me with her good looks."

"She is quite pretty," Qi Zhiyu commented honestly.

Prince Rui nodded without the slightest hesitation: "If you like it, then take it into your household."

As soon as Prince Rui finished speaking, a chorus of coughs erupted in the room.

It wasn't that they were reminding Prince Rui that his words were inappropriate; they were simply choking on their own saliva.

What nonsense is Prince Rui spouting?

Emperor Kangwu rebuked him, saying, "Absurd!"

The crowd nodded in agreement, agreeing that His Majesty was indeed wise.

Prince Rui really spoils his child beyond measure.

Emperor Kangwu scolded, "Chen'an has only just come of age, what's the point of looking for men so early?"

"Don't you know it's harmful to your health?"

"You father, you're so irresponsible!"

"If you've taken a liking to him, raise him for a few years first, and then we'll talk about it when Chen'an is a bit older."

This time, even Grand Secretary Zhang couldn't help but cough.

Prince Rui nodded earnestly: "Father's words are correct."

Emperor Kangwu looked at Qi Zhiyu with a smile: "Chen'an, which one have you taken a fancy to?"

"Let me take a look... Hmm, he looks alright, seems a little older than you. Keep him for now, and if you don't like him in a couple of years, your imperial grandfather will find you a nicer one."

Everyone: "..."

What did they hear?

Is this a princess?

Princess, is this the kind of treatment you deserve?

Let alone a princess, even a princess wouldn't choose her consort this way.

The key point is that this is not the time to choose a husband.

Judging from His Majesty's opinion, whether or not to grant her a title depends entirely on Princess Chen'an.

It doesn't matter if they don't give them a formal title or keep them in the household.

"Chen'an has been living in the Prince Rui's residence. Isn't the courtyard a bit too small?" Emperor Kangwu frowned. "It was my oversight."

"You'll have many people around you in the future, so you should have your own princess's residence," Emperor Kangwu said with a smile.

"Later, I will have someone prepare suitable houses in the capital for you to choose from."

The people around secretly gasped.

What divine favor this is!

Back then, when the princes were granted the title of prince, their residences were all directly designated by His Majesty.

But there is no selection process.

"Father," Prince Rui disagreed, "Chen'an is still young. If he spends all his time with those people, he'll easily be led astray."

Everyone looked at Prince Rui in surprise.

Why did Prince Rui decline such a good offer as a residence for Princess Chen'an?

Prince Rui cupped his hands and said, "Why don't we settle those people in the Princess's residence outside, while Chen An stays in Prince Rui's residence?"

"We'll move there when Chen'an is older."

Everyone: "..."

Prince Rui's scheme has backfired spectacularly.

Let's occupy the house first and then talk about it later, shall we?

"Chen'an, what do you think?" Emperor Kangwu asked with a smile.

Qi Zhiyu nodded: "We can start preparing the house first."

"As for taking people in, let's forget about it."

"Besides... some people probably don't want to be taken in by me." Qi Zhiyu glanced at the man kneeling on the ground.

Zhou Ruobai's body visibly stiffened.

Emperor Kangwu then remembered this person: "What happened?"

"Come here, eunuch, tell His Majesty what exactly happened just now?" Qi Zhiyu turned to look at the eunuch kneeling on the ground.

"He witnessed the whole thing, which attracted Consort De and several other concubines to come over."

"Of course, once Consort De and the others left the inner palace, I sent them back."

"After all, it's not a good thing for concubines to not stay quietly in the harem and always run outside."

The minister inside the room felt a chill run down his spine.

Is Princess Chen'an always so direct in her complaints?

Those concubines are going to be in trouble.

They call themselves imperial concubines, but in reality, they're just concubines.

Whose concubine doesn't stay obediently in the backyard and instead runs to the front yard?

As men, they also had wives and concubines.

If their concubines acted in this way, they would certainly be punished.

Emperor Kangwu looked at the eunuch and said, "Speak."

The eunuch trembled with fright and stammered, "Your Majesty, this servant saw... saw... saw Princess Chen'an grab Young Master Zhou's neck and tear at his clothes."

Everyone: "..."

Normally, they would have believed it.

The problem is, His Majesty's attitude just now...

Let alone Young Master Zhou, even if His Majesty were to issue an edict ordering all eligible young men of civil and military rank to participate in the imperial selection, it's possible.

Putting aside the issue of political stance, if one's own son were chosen, it would indeed be a good path forward.

Putting aside His Majesty's favoritism, just considering Princess Chen'an's abilities... if this marriage goes through, it will be a great opportunity for their family to climb the social ladder!

The way people looked at Zhou Ruobai was even tinged with jealousy.

Why didn't they think of that? This Zhou kid beat them to it.

Oh, right, Princess Chen'an just said she wouldn't accept him.

That means their son still has a chance!

The eunuch clearly sensed something was off about the gazes of the officials in the room, and he was momentarily stunned.

How did it become like this?

This shouldn't be the case.

Princess Chen'an, a woman, forced herself on the son of a minister in the palace... Instead of reprimanding her, the officials envied her and even regretted not taking action sooner... Is this right?

"Zhou Ruobai, didn't you leave the palace with your father?" Emperor Kangwu looked at Zhou Ruobai, who was kneeling.

Zhou Ruobai hurriedly kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty..."

"Grandfather, what's there to ask?" Qi Zhiyu interrupted him, "His father should be arriving soon."

"Just ask his dad."

"This child probably had no choice in the matter."

Emperor Kangwu chuckled and said, "Alright, I'll do as Chen'an says."

"Zhou Ruobai, get up first."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zhou Ruobai bowed and stood up.

He stood respectfully to the side, while secretly glancing at Qi Zhiyu.

Qi Zhiyu didn't stand on ceremony and sat down on the chair next to her.

Once Prince Rui confirmed that she was alright, he sat back down.

Sure enough, a short while later, Lord Zhou came to see him outside the door.

After receiving permission, Lord Zhou entered.

Upon seeing His Majesty, he first bowed and then humbly begged for forgiveness.

Qi Zhiyu couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Lord Zhou, you keep saying that your son offended me."

"But there were witnesses in the yard at the time; it was I who bullied your son."

"Aren't you making your son suffer by doing this?"

"It makes it sound like I'm arrogant, domineering, and unreasonable."

"Your subject dares not!" Lord Zhou shook his head repeatedly.

"Don't be afraid," Qi Zhiyu said. "I've taken a liking to your son; he's mine now."

Zhou Ruobai looked at Qi Zhiyu in shock.

Lord Zhou was taken aback: "Princess?"

"Oh, right. I think your son is still young, and he'll probably be scared if he goes with me. Bring his aunt along, so at least he'll have someone familiar with him around, and he won't cry in the middle of the night," Qi Zhiyu said casually.

The people inside the room: "..."

Why are you crying?

How did Princess Chen'an say those words?

The reason is ridiculously absurd.

"Princess, you jest. My son..." Lord Zhou began awkwardly.

"Are you joking with me?" Qi Zhiyu chuckled. "Do you even deserve it?"