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“Come in.”

At that invitation, Rong Shiyu hurriedly added, “Qingzhi, may I come in too?¹

“Both of you, come in.”

Tiptoeing into the medicinal room, Rong Shiyu was greeted by the potent smell of herbs, slightly bitter to the nose. “Qingzhi, when will you be done?”

Chu Qingzhi, busy with her medicinal concoctions, replied without looking up, “Not until tomorrow. Just speakyour mind; I’m all ears.

With a troubled expression, Rong Shiyu got straight to the point. “Qingzhi, is there any way you can convince my dad to let me go on the medical volunteer trip?”

“Your dad’s against it too?” Chu Qingzhi queried.

Rong Shiyu, baffled by her father’s overprotectiveness, lamented, “Exactly, he’s always fearing for my safety. But things are peaceful now; what could possibly go wrong?”

Chu Qingzhi empathized, “It’s natural for parents to worry about their

children.”

Fiddling with the tassels on her dress, Rong Shiyu pouted. “Qingzhi, please

don’t take my dad’s side.”

“I’m just stating the facts,” Chu Qingzhi swiftly added, hinting at a solution.

“Actually, once you’re married, your dad won’t have a say anymore.” Spotting the awkward situation between Linjiang and Shiyu, she decided to give them a push.

Bao Linjiang glanced at Rong Shiyu upon hearing this.

Shaking her head, Rong Shiyu insisted, “But I don’t want to get married.”

Chu Qingzhi counseled, “Shiyu, there’s no need to resist marriage so much. Think about it, getting married is inevitable. The only thing you can change is who you marry. Shouldn’t you seize the opportunity now?”

Rong Shiyu came to a realization. “So, you mean instead of passively getting married, I should actively seek someone who truly suits me?”

Chu Qingzhi praised, “That’s what I meant!”

But Rong Shiyu was puzzled, “How do I go about finding him?

Chu Qingzhi hinted, “You don’t have to look far; appreciate what’s right in

front of you.”

Bao Linjiang’s heart skipped a beat, feeling unexpectedly nervous.

Rong Shiyu’s gaze drifted involuntarily to Bao Linjiang, comparing him to all the men she had encountered, and realized he might just be the perfect choice

– at least from what she had seen.

Chu Qingzhi smiled to herself, noticing Rong Shiyu finally taking an interest in

her disciple. Progress.

Bao Linjiang, catching Rong Shiyu looking at him, quickly averted his eyes, his nervousness intensifying.

Mulling over Chu Qingzhi’s words, Rong Shiyu felt increasingly convinced. She had to take her happiness into her own hands and avoid a future with a stranger. “Qingzhi, I’ve got it.”

“Seize the moment,” encouraged Chu Qingzhi.

In just a few sentences, Rong Shiyu became energetic and waved at Chu

Qingzhi. “Qingzhi, I understand. I’m leaving.”

“Linjiang, see Shiyu out.”

“Uh, sure.”

The two left the room one after the other.

Chu Qingzhi watched them leave, a slight smile playing on her lips as she returned to her work.

At the Prime Minister’s residence.

In the study, the Prime Minister’s voice, tinged with frustration, echoed, “This girl is getting wilder by the day. When she gets back, I need to discipline her properly, make her tone down her behavior.”

The Prime Minister’s wife defended her daughter, “It’s because you’re pushing her too hard. Everything is someone else’s fault!”

The Prime Minister retorted angrily, “Gallivanting about all day, where’s the decorum befitting a lady of her standing?!

His wife shot back, “Don’t pretend to be so outraged. I know exactly what you’re plotting.”

Feeling a bit guilty, the Prime Minister asked, “What do you mean?”

With a stern look, his wife accused, “I knowyou want to send our daughter to

the palace!”

Caught with his intentions laid bare, the Prime Minister remained silent. “I’m telling you, our daughter is not a pawn for your power struggles. If you dare marry her off into the palace, you and I are done.” The Prime Minister’s wife cherished Rong Shiyu dearly. Everyone knew the palace was no place for innocence, and she couldn’t bear the thought of her daughter being sent there.

“I was considering it, but not anymore,” the Prime Minister said. “I received news that the Emperor is preparing to marry the girls who participated in the talent show this year to the sons of the vassal kings who came to the capital to pay tribute. The Emperor has already issued an edict to let all the children who are eligible for marriage but are unmarried and not engaged to go to the palace.”

His wife was taken aback, “Is that true?”

“Now, it’s about verifying this news. If it’s true, I won’t have Shiyu participate

in the selection.”

“I’ll look into it immediately.”

Rong Shiyu stood outside the study and listened to their conversation. She was so frightened that she broke out in a cold sweat. She pushed open the door before the Prime Minister’s wife could. “Father, Mother, I heard everything you said.”

After gathering her thoughts, she made her stance clear, “True or not, I will not participate in the selection.”

The Prime Minister’s wife was afraid that the father and daughter would quarrel again, so she quickly reminded Rong Shiyu, “Speak properly.” Leaning on her mother’s arm, Rong Shiyu whispered, “Mother, Father, I have someone in mind. Let me tell you about him; please consider it?”

The Prime Minister, initially annoyed that his daughter would talk to him in such a manner, softened, “Who?”

“Bao Linjiang,” Rong Shiyu hesitated before saying his name. Rather than marrying a stranger, she preferred Bao Linjiang.

Thinking it over, Rong Shiyu realized Bao Linjiang, coming from a distinguished family compatible with hers, skilled and Chu Qingzhi’s disciple, with appealing looks, was indeed a perfect match.

This realization made her more convinced of her choice.

The Prime Minister’s wife’s heart skipped a beat. “Shiyu, are you serious, or are you just trying to brush us off?”

Marrying into the Bao family, with its extensive connections, might not be inferior to a royal marriage.

Rong Shiyu said affirmatively, “Mother, I won’t joke about my marriage. It’s just, it’s just…”

The Prime Minister’s wife asked nervously, “Just what?

Rong Shiyu was embarrassed. “It’s just that I just don’t know how he feels about me.”

When the Prime Minister heard this, he was unhappy. “You’re the Prime Minister’s daughter. How dare he not like you!

Rong Shiyu was a little embarrassed. “Father…”