The most dissolute couple in the capital

The following afternoon.

Cui Qingyi was reclining on the chaise longue, flipping through account books, when she heard an announcement from outside that Madam He had arrived.

It was quite common for He Li to come and visit Li Chengjing on ordinary days. But for Madam He to personally come to the door was quite rare.

She slowly sat up and straightened her clothes: "Please come to the flower hall and serve some tea. I'll come right away after I change my clothes."

Upon entering the flower hall, one sees Madam He sitting in the guest seat, with a polite smile on her face.

"Madam He, what brings you here today?" Cui Qingyi, supported by her maid, sat down at the head of the table with a smile, her tone familiar and friendly. "Has Second Young Master He found some interesting new trinkets and asked you to deliver them to His Highness?"

Upon hearing this, Madam He sighed softly, "Your Highness, please don't mention that wretched child. I've shamelessly come to your door today precisely because of this debt collector. In Your Highness's presence, I dare not hide anything; you must have heard the rumors circulating outside..."

Madam He paused for a moment, then said, "My second son is a soft-hearted and foolish man. When he sees a young girl in trouble, he stupidly tries to give her money. Now the rumors outside are quite nasty. Sigh! I've tried beating him and scolding him, but his nature is just like that, sigh."

"Madam He, you're just being overly concerned," Cui Qingyi said with a slight smile. "Young Master He is simply a kind-hearted and honest man who helps those in need. Hasn't the Jingzhao Prefecture thoroughly investigated the Su family's background? The second uncle of the Su family has embezzled family property and has now been sentenced to exile. The young lady's family property has been returned to its rightful owner, and the money owed to you, young master, has been returned to your residence without any discrepancy."

Seeing that Cui Qingyi had personally confirmed the matter, Madam He was finally able to put her mind at ease.

"That's good. But Your Highness, I came here today not just for this matter." Madam He sighed. "I really can't control He Li. He's the only child in the family, and he's always acting recklessly. I don't ask him to become an official and bring glory to the family, I just hope he can live a peaceful life and not be easily deceived by a few words."

Cui Qingyi listened quietly without interrupting.

Madam He's voice held a hint of earnestness: "I've thought about it and I think... we should quickly find him a marriage partner, a lady from a respectable family with a stable and virtuous character. It's better for him to have a capable wife to manage the household than for me, his mother, to follow him around every day, worrying constantly."

At this point, Madam He bowed slightly: "This humble woman is not well-connected, and today I have taken the liberty of asking Your Highness to help me make an assessment."

Cui Qingyi had only been married into the royal family for a year, and this was the first time she had been asked about this matter. Could it be that Madam He had taken a liking to one of the Cui sisters? "Does Madam Hou have a suitable candidate in mind?"

Madam He shook her head: "I'm not afraid of being laughed at by the Princess, but He Li's marriage proposals are really a case of being too picky. Noble ladies think he's not ambitious enough, and he thinks noble ladies are too rule-bound. If he were to find someone gentle and charming, I'm really afraid I wouldn't be able to control him."

"Well then..." Cui Qingyi turned to the side.

Madam He hurriedly added, "I've figured it out now. If we're going to arrange a marriage for He Li, social status and the nobility of the family don't matter. There's only one requirement: she must be capable and discerning. Ideally, she should be someone who can completely control He Li. Even if she's a shrew, as long as she can keep him in check, my entire He family will be eternally grateful!"

Cui Qingyi finally couldn't help but burst out laughing: "I understand that Madam loves her son dearly. It's just that such a 'skilled' girl is rare in the capital, so we'll have to search carefully."

"Your Majesty has a wide circle of friends and a keen eye for people. Under Your Majesty's care, the Prince has made great progress. I trust Your Majesty the only one I can rely on!" Lady Hou flattered her sincerely.

Cui Qingyi smiled and nodded in agreement: "Madam, rest assured, if I find a suitable candidate, I will definitely send someone to inform the Marquis's residence."

After finally seeing off the profusely grateful Lady Hou, Cui Qingyi breathed a sigh of relief and slumped back onto the soft couch.

Su Xin, tidying up the teacups, said softly, "Your Highness, regarding the marriage proposed by the Lady of the Marquis, I think that Miss Su is an extremely suitable candidate. She's resourceful, capable, and bold; keeping Young Master He under her thumb would be a piece of cake for her."

Cui Qingyi shook her head: "Miss Su is certainly capable, but it's not appropriate to bring her up now."

"Why?" Su Xin asked, puzzled.

Cui Qingyi analyzed slowly and methodically: "Firstly, Madam Hou was furious about this matter. The way He Li met Miss Su was really too undignified. Even if the person involved doesn't mind being used, a mother can't swallow the accusation of being used."

Su Xin was taken aback for a moment, then nodded in sudden realization.

"Secondly..." Cui Qingyi narrowed her eyes, "It's still unclear what Miss Su herself means. She has just taken over the family property and is in a time of rebuilding. She may not be thinking about getting married, let alone having any romantic feelings for He Li. Bringing it up rashly would seem like she's trying to take advantage of a favor."

Thirdly...

Cui Qingyi's lips curled slightly.

We'll have to wait and see what He Li himself is thinking.

"What about Lady Hou?" Su Xin asked.

"Let's just put it off for now. Just say we haven't met anyone suitable yet. Fate is something that depends on their own destiny."