Seeing that Fu Yi didn’t respond, the Princess gave a smile tinged with a touch of helpless indulgence. “Mother knows you well. You and Qingyun grew up together, as childhood friends, but in times of urgency, you must act pragmatically. Even if you don’t like the Bai family girl and don’t want to marry her…”

  “I will marry her.”

  Fu Yi lightly interrupted the Princess’s words, his decisive response surprising her. “Really? You truly are willing?”

  “Yes, I am willing,” Fu Yi said.

  The Princess’s eyes lit up with satisfaction. “That’s more like it. But you don’t need to worry. Once you secure your position as heir, I’ll handle everything for you, and you won’t have to trouble yourself with Qingyun.”

  “Mother, you know I have no romantic feelings for Qingyun. If I marry, I will have only one wife.”

  The Princess’s expression subtly shifted, but she smiled again. “This matter can be discussed later. What’s most urgent now is to finalize your marriage. They are already making plans. If the woman he marries has a prestigious family background, your father will have to consider it carefully, and might even name the eldest as heir. At that point, wouldn’t we be the laughing stock? As for the Bai girl, I’ve seen her—she’s gentle and sensible. Once married, I’ll help train her; you won’t have to worry.”

  Fu Yi’s hands instinctively clenched. In his previous life, his mother had done the same thing.

  After Bai Qingqing’s death, her personal maid almost tearfully recounted the grievances Bai Qingqing had suffered in the royal residence, and in the end, she slammed her head into a wall, following her mistress’s death. Only then did Fu Yi understand how his mother had “trained” his wives.

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  But Bai Qingqing had never complained to him. Every time she saw him, she was always full of joy, like a little sun that never set, yet she had quietly swallowed all her grievances...

  “The person Mother has chosen must be excellent. I believe she is cultured and well-mannered, so there will be no need for further instruction.”

  The Princess diverted the conversation. “In a few days, it will be Qingyun’s birthday. Have you prepared a gift for her as her cousin? I noticed she lacks a spring-themed necklace…”

  “I know, Mother,” Fu Yi responded absently.

  Noticing his distracted tone, the Princess furrowed her brows. After he left, she called for Nanny Zhao to come over. “This child seems quite pleased with the Bai girl. I thought he would object.”

  Nanny Zhao chuckled. “Princess, Miss Bai is exceptionally beautiful, and she has the skill of making incense. Have you forgotten that the second young master is at the age when he is beginning to feel romantic feelings?”

  “Impossible! How can he be moved by another? What about Qingyun?”

  “Princess, don’t worry. The second young master is only doing this because he listens to you. He has always been filial, so whatever you say, he follows. Besides, he’s still young and lacks experience. Once he tastes the sweetness of power and position, he’ll lose interest in others.”

  Hearing this, the Princess relaxed. “You’re right, I was being impatient. The most important thing now is securing the heir’s position. As for the position of the heir’s wife, we can wait a few more years.”

  She lowered her head, adjusting her perfectly manicured nails. “My daughter-in-law must be someone I am satisfied with.”

  The Bai family held a prominent position in Xuancheng.

  Earl Bai Jinghuai had long fought on the battlefield to pacify the unrest in the Xuan Dynasty. His achievements were great, and he was a pillar of the Xuan Dynasty.

  He had two sons and two daughters. His eldest son, Bai Yan, was steady and intelligent, capable of handling important matters, while his youngest son, Bai Rui, had a more carefree personality, though not a spoiled young master. He could be disciplined with a few beatings, so the Bai family’s discipline was strict, with regular punishments, almost every month.