Upon hearing Prince Yi mention a strategy, Empress Dowager Xiao immediately urged him to elaborate.
Prince Yi glanced outside at the sky and said, "Winter is approaching, and New Yearâs Day is not far behind. After the New Year, the Eldest Princess will be a year older.
Next year, that Lucky Star, Li Yanyan, will enter the Royal Academy to study under the National Masterâs recommendation. At that time, Your Majesty should also have His Majesty send the Eldest Princess there to study.
Then, I will select a few royal children of suitable age to send there as well. We can see which of them can win the Eldest Princessâs favor. This child may not have been born into our Royal Family, but in the future, she is destined to become part of it."
After some thought, Empress Dowager Xiao found the plan feasible but still had some reservations.
"The children Your Highness selects must be of upright character. We mustnât have a situation where, thinking theyâve won the Eldest Princessâs favor, they commit some outrageous act. That would be like nurturing a tiger only to invite disaster."
Empress Dowager Xiao wasnât foolish. Prince Yi had only been back in the capital for a few days, yet the conversation she had with the Duke of Zhen and his wife had already reached his ears. This showed that even the heavily guarded Imperial Palace could not prevent secrets from leaking out.
It wasnât that Xiaosuisui couldnât enter the Royal Academy, but if anyone thought of using her to achieve their own goals, they would have to face the consequences.
This was a warning. After all, Prince Yi had sons, meaning he had successors. His grandsonsâthe elder being seven or eight years old, and the younger three or fourâwere the most suitable for Xiaosuisui. His family had two or three such candidates!
"Please rest assured, Empress Dowager. Even if the Eldest Princess were to join my Prince Yiâs Mansion, our line of Prince Yiâs Mansion will always remain loyal subjects to His Majesty. If we dare to harbor any act of defiance, we shall face divine punishment! By then, we wonât even be able to face our Long Family ancestors!"
Prince Yi immediately swore an oath, dispelling the Empress Dowagerâs worries, and she entrusted the matter to him.
Nanny Xiaoâs voice came from outside, reporting, "Empress Dowager, the Eldest Princess has entered the Palace."
Empress Dowager Xiaoâs eyes lit up upon hearing this. She joyfully asked, "Why has she come to the Palace? Could it be that she missed me? Let her in quickly!"
The Empress Dowager was overjoyed. Believing Xiaosuisui had come to the Palace specifically to visit Cining Palace, she told Nanny Xiao to quickly bring Xiaosuisui in.
However, as soon as she finished speaking, she heard Nanny Xiao report, "The Eldest Princess didnât come to Cining Palace. Instead, she went to the Imperial Study. She was carried into the Palace by Lord God Hunter Ji Youzhi."
Did Ji Youzhi bring her because of Princess Ataâs matter?
Empress Dowager Xiao muttered to herself, then stood up and said, "Letâs go! Your Highness, letâs go to the Imperial Study and see. We can also meet the Nanjiang princess and see if a fine match can be made between them!"
Prince Yi reluctantly replied, "Your Majesty, that Princess Ata is from Nanjiang!"
The Empress Dowager nodded. "Correct! A princess of a country would indeed be a match for my son!"
"But the people of Nanjiang are skilled in raising Gu Insects!" Prince Yiâs words immediately snapped the Empress Dowager back to reality.
The Gu Technique was feared by everyone in the Central Plains!
In the Side Palace of the Imperial Study, Xiaosuisui and Ji Youzhi, led by Eunuch Ling, entered Princess Ataâs room.
"Princess Ata, the person you wished to see has arrived."
Princess Ata was lying on the bed, leaning against a large bolster pillow. She said softly, "Thank you, Eunuch Ling." Upon lifting her head, she saw the baby doll in Ji Youzhiâs arms.
"I remember telling the eunuch that I wanted to meet the Lord God Hunter from Great Han and the person who helped me remove the Gu Insect. When will that expert who removed my Gu Insect arrive?"