The rear garden of Prince Yu's Residence.
Under the gardeners' meticulous care, rare flowers of every color were in full bloom, swaying in the breeze in artful arrangements and giving off wafts of sweet fragrance.
In the pavilion, Chu Hongle held his daughter contentedly while his wife sat beside him, enjoying the flowers and tea together.
Ever since his imperial brother had named his daughter the Holy Maiden and required her to enter the palace and visit the Heavenly Derivation Pavilion every three days, Chu Hongle had been utterly miserable.
He, his wife, and their daughter were the family, yet his imperial brother had pulled this move, greatly reducing the time they could spend together.
Chu Hongle had secretly stewed in jealousy countless times over it.
Even as her father, his place in Siqing's heart probably ranked below his imperial brother's-or even that Tu Qingchen's!
It was simply outrageous!
Today happened to be a day off, and his daughter did not have to enter the palace either, so Chu Hongle was in an excellent mood.
At last, he could properly enjoy some family bliss!
He chatted with his wife, his eyes brimming with smiles, and occasionally looked down at the daughter in his arms, feeling utterly happy.
The afternoon sunshine was just right, and listening to her parents murmur to each other, Chu Siqing began to feel a little sleepy.
Just as she was about to close her eyes, the system's voice suddenly sounded in her mind.
The system announced delightedly: [Congratulations, host. You have successfully made an enormous contribution to anti-trafficking education in Chu. Points +10,000.]
[What? Ten thousand points?]
Chu Siqing was instantly wild with joy, flailing in excitement.
Chu Hongle was talking to his wife when he suddenly felt movement in his arms. He hurriedly tightened his hold on his daughter, his heart pounding with belated fright.
Luckily, he had reacted quickly enough!
Otherwise, his daughter would have tumbled onto the ground!
Watching beside him, Han Wanqing was startled too. "What just happened?"
Only then did Chu Siqing realize she had gotten so excited that she had worried her parents.
She hurriedly babbled a few sounds: [Mother, I'm fine. I just twitched a little.]
Hearing her daughter's thoughts, Han Wanqing finally felt reassured.
Chu Hongle was about to give his daughter a little scolding when he saw her sparkling eyes and delighted smile.
His stern father's heart instantly melted into a puddle.
He pinched his daughter's little cheek and smiled helplessly. "You little rascal."
Chu Siqing wrapped her chubby little hand around her father's finger to soothe him.
Sure enough, Chu Hongle was delighted. "Oh, my daughter is such a good girl."
He even remembered to show off to his wife. "Wanqing, look! Siqing's holding my hand!"
Han Wanqing's gaze softened. "Your Highness used to complain that Siqing wasn't close enough to you. I think she's quite fond of you."
Chu Hongle grinned foolishly, utterly unwilling to pull his hand out of his daughter's grasp.
Chu Siqing was still immersed in the wild joy of getting rich overnight.
Heavens! Ten thousand points! How many things could she exchange for in the System Shop?
Chu Siqing felt as though she were dreaming. It seemed as unreal as winning the lottery.
She repeatedly sought confirmation from the system: [A-Tong, I wasn't hearing things just now, was I? I really got ten thousand points?]
The system replied: [You did.]
Only then did Chu Siqing relax, saying gleefully: [I really struck it rich this time!]
The system replied: [Host, you earned those ten thousand points.]
Having tasted success, Chu Siqing wanted to learn from the experience and earn more points, so she asked the system: [How so?]
The system explained: [The anti-trafficking publicity suggestions you gave Emperor Chu Ming will prevent countless trafficking cases in Chu in the future, changing the fates of families that would otherwise have been torn apart.]
Understanding dawned on Chu Siqing.
It turned out that some of the good deeds she did could actually change so many people's fates.
That feeling was truly wonderful.
The system encouraged her: [Host, if you keep doing good deeds that make contributions like this, you'll earn more and more points!]
Chu Siqing replied happily: [I'd do things like this even without points, but getting points is a lovely bonus!]
In high spirits, she asked the system with interest: [A-Tong, is there any news lately?]
The system replied: [Host, a reminder: Commandery Lady Yongfu's confinement ends tomorrow.]
Chu Siqing was a little puzzled when she first heard "Commandery Lady," but then she suddenly remembered.
Princess Yongfu had previously plotted to harm her mother, and her imperial uncle had punished her by lowering her rank. Of course she was Commandery Lady Yongfu now.
She had not expected this enemy to be released again so soon.
So Chu Siqing babbled a few more sounds, wanting to remind her parents.
[Father, Mother, Commandery Lady Yongfu will be released tomorrow. You must be careful!]
Chu Hongle was chatting with his wife when he suddenly heard his daughter's thoughts, leaving him momentarily bewildered.
Han Wanqing also froze, and the corners of her mouth slowly fell.
Seeing his wife's unhappy expression, Chu Hongle hurriedly tried to placate her. "Wanqing, I already spoke to my imperial brother. He promised to arrange a marriage for Yongfu as soon as possible!"
Han Wanqing remained expressionless. "And when will that be?"
Chu Hongle's smile stiffened, and he began inwardly grumbling about his imperial brother, who never kept his word.
Honestly!
His imperial brother kept saying "as soon as possible," but half a year had passed without a single definite word!
Han Wanqing sighed and said wistfully, "It's all right. The princess will marry eventually, anyway. A few more years of pining after Your Highness hardly matters."
Chu Hongle hastily said, "How can it not matter? It's an enormous nuisance!"
Then he declared with ringing conviction, "I'll see my imperial brother tomorrow and make him get this settled without delay!"
Han Wanqing nodded. "I trust you, Your Highness."
After morning court ended the next day, Chu Hongle followed Emperor Chu Ming to the Imperial Study as though his backside were on fire.
Emperor Chu Ming asked in amusement, "Hongle, what has you in such a hurry?"
Chu Hongle replied irritably, "Imperial Brother, isn't this all your fault? You didn't keep your word! Hmph!"
Emperor Chu Ming asked in surprise, "What do you mean?"
Chu Hongle said angrily, "Didn't you promise me you'd arrange a marriage for Yongfu as soon as possible? It's already been half a year!"
Only then did Emperor Chu Ming remember, and he could not help feeling a little guilty.
He had been so busy lately that he genuinely had forgotten about arranging the marriage.
But to preserve his dignity as emperor, he naturally could not admit he had forgotten.
Emperor Chu Ming cleared his throat and offered an excuse. "Wasn't Yongfu confined for these past six months? Even if I had decreed a marriage, what family would have agreed to take her?"
Chu Hongle asked, "Now that her confinement has ended, surely you should decree a marriage, Imperial Brother?"
Unable to put him off any longer, Emperor Chu Ming said, "I'll have Mother host a flower-viewing gathering in a few days and invite the ladies into the palace to see which family has a suitable young man."
Chu Hongle said discontentedly, "How long will that take? Can't you simply decree a match with a family, Imperial Brother?"
Emperor Chu Ming said solemnly, "Yongfu is Uncle Prince Fu's only surviving blood relative. Her marriage must be handled carefully. Besides, we must ask whether the other family is willing."
Only then did Chu Hongle relent, reminding him once more, "Imperial Brother, you absolutely must not break your word this time."
Emperor Chu Ming smiled. "Hongle, I promise I'll marry Yongfu off this time. Rest assured."
Chu Hongle muttered, "Heh, Imperial Brother, you said 'rest assured' last time too."
Emperor Chu Ming looked embarrassed. "...I mean it this time!"
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