The low-key prince summons trainees from the Imperial Household Department at the start of the game.

In the study of the Grand Tutor's mansion, Yuwen Lie sat behind his desk, with the list of legitimate daughters of noble families spread out in front of him, its pages already slightly curled from his frequent flipping.

Several names were originally circled on the roster.

Pei Youqing was the first to be crossed out, and Cao Wanning was the second.

The remaining red circles are scattered across different pages, each name representing a force or a path.

His finger moved slowly across the roster, finally stopping on a name.

Zhou Ruotang.

She is the eldest daughter of Zhou Bangyan, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. At the age of sixteen, she studied with her father from a young age and became well-versed in poetry, literature, and etiquette. She is gentle and dignified.

Zhou Bangyan was a prized student of Grand Tutor Kong Yan and was highly regarded among the upright civil officials.

Although he did not wield the same real power in the Censorate as Pei Du, he had extensive connections in the Imperial Academy and the Ministry of Rites, and his students were spread throughout the six ministries.

"Let's go with her." Yuwen Lie tapped the name "Zhou Ruotang" lightly with his fingers, then closed the roster and leaned back in his chair.

Outside the window, the petals of the begonias fell to the ground in a flurry of wind, like a thin layer of pinkish-white snow.

He gazed at the cluster of begonias in silence for a long time, then picked up his pen and wrote a line on the title page of the register.

"The Fifth Prince's principal wife, Lady Zhou."

He put down his pen and instructed the old steward to prepare a generous gift, as he would personally go to the Zhou residence to propose marriage early the next morning.

The old butler took the list but hesitated to speak.

He had followed Yuwen Lie for decades and knew his master's temperament.

The master never speaks without reason; choosing the Zhou family must have been a well-considered decision.

However, choosing the daughter of the Imperial Academy Chancellor as the Fifth Prince's principal wife seems to outsiders to be a rather low bar.

Zhou Bangyan's rank was not low, but it was still far inferior to that of the Marquis of Anxi's mansion and the Left Censor-in-Chief's mansion.

If you do this, people will probably say that the Taibao Mansion is shabby.

Yuwen Lie picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said he didn't care what others thought of him.

The Pei family's threshold was high enough, but Pei Du didn't give him any face.

The threshold of the Marquis of Anxi's mansion is high enough, but Cao Jun's daughter already has someone she loves.

When Yuwen Lie chose his in-laws, he never considered the social standing or the family background, only whether they were suitable.

The old steward then asked, "Although Chief Minister Zhou is a student of the Grand Tutor, he has no close relationship with the Grand Protector's household. If you, sir, rashly come to propose marriage, what if he declines...?"

Yuwen Lie put down his teacup and said calmly, "He will agree. Zhou Bangyan will not be content to stay in the position of Chancellor of the Imperial Academy."

"Grand Tutor is getting old, and Pei Du is not on his side. If he wants to advance further, he needs a new patron."

"The Grand Tutor's Mansion is not a backer, but a bridge. Once he crossed this bridge, he returned from the Imperial Academy to the Six Ministries."

"If he doesn't even have this much vision, he's not worthy of being the Fifth Prince's father-in-law."

"Moreover, I chose the Zhou family not only because of Zhou Bangyan, but also because Zhou Ruotang is Zhou Bangyan's eldest daughter and Kong Yan's grand-disciple."

"She grew up in the Confucian school, and her speech, behavior, and interactions with others all followed the rules of the Confucian school."

"Even if Kong Yan doesn't publicly express his opinion after she marries into the Fifth Prince's household, he won't make things difficult for the Fifth Prince in court. This is the true weight of the Zhou family."

The old steward suddenly realized what was happening, said no more, and bowed as he withdrew.

The next morning, Yuwen Lie changed into a purple-brown brocade robe, with a black jade belt around his waist, and personally went to the Zhou residence with a group of personal attendants.

The betrothal gifts were carried in twelve loads, including gold, silver, jade, brocade, stationery, and ancient books and paintings. Each load was tied with red silk, making them look especially festive in the autumn sunshine.

Zhou Bangyan had received advance notice and was already waiting at the main gate.

He was wearing a brand-new official robe, with a polite smile on his face, but his fingers, which were hanging in his sleeves, trembled slightly.

He served as a government official in the capital for half his life, and his biggest backer was none other than Grand Tutor Kong Yan. Although the Grand Tutor treated him well, he was getting old and would retire sooner or later.

The sudden marriage proposal from the Taibao family was like a gold brick falling from the sky and landing on the Zhou family's doorstep.

He took a deep breath to suppress the turmoil in his heart, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully.

Yuwen Lie got straight to the point, taking the marriage certificate out of his sleeve and handing it to Zhou Bangyan with both hands: "Chancellor Zhou, I have come today only to propose marriage to your daughter by the Fifth Prince, so that we can discuss the marriage together."

"The Fifth Prince was raised in the Grand Tutor's mansion since childhood. I raised him myself, and I know his character and personality best."

"Your daughter is dignified and virtuous. It would be a great blessing for the Fifth Prince to marry her. I hope that Chief Minister Zhou will grant your request."

Zhou Bangyan accepted the marriage certificate, his hands trembling slightly.

It wasn't nervousness, it was excitement.

He steadied himself, read the marriage certificate from beginning to end, then clasped his hands together and returned it to Yuwen Lie, bowing and saying, "Your Excellency is too kind, I am unworthy of such a favor. However, my daughter is of humble appearance and I am afraid she is not worthy of Your Highness."

"Chancellor Zhou is too modest." Yuwen Lie smiled, knowing full well that it was just a polite formality.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Zhou Bangyan welcomed Yuwen Lie into the main hall to serve tea.

After the guests and hosts were seated, Yuwen Lie didn't beat around the bush and directly asked to see the young lady first.

Zhou Bangyan hurriedly asked his wife to invite the young lady.

Not long after, Zhou Ruotang came out from the back hall accompanied by her maid.

Today she wore a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with a moon-white jacket over it, and her hair was adorned with only a jade hairpin. She wore no makeup, yet she exuded a scholarly and refined air.

She walked up to Yuwen Lie, bowed respectfully, and said in a gentle and composed voice, "Ruotang greets Grand Protector Yuwen."

Yuwen Lie scrutinized her and nodded slightly.

This girl is different from Pei Youqing.

Pei Youqing is like a cold and aloof plum blossom, while she is like a gentle and reserved orchid.

She is also different from Cao Wanning.

Cao Wanning is like an innocent and carefree crabapple, while she is like a dignified and elegant peony.

She stood there with an air of neither arrogance nor servility, possessing neither the haughtiness of a noblewoman nor the restraint of a woman from a humble background—making her the most suitable candidate to be the prince's principal wife.

"Miss Zhou, there's no need for such formalities." Yuwen Lie raised his hand in a gesture of support, put down his teacup, and looked at the dignified and gentle girl in front of him. He suddenly softened his tone, "Although my visit today to propose marriage is the intention of the Grand Tutor's family, it is also the intention of the Fifth Prince himself."

"The Fifth Prince said that Chancellor Zhou has worked diligently at the Imperial Academy for many years, and his students are spread throughout the Six Ministries. His family has a clean and upright style, so his daughter must be outstanding."

"Although he has never met Miss Zhou, he trusts the Zhou family's reputation."

Zhou Ruotang's cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her eyes, softly replying, "Your Highness's kindness is too much for me to bear."

"Ruo Tang often heard her father mention the Fifth Prince, saying that he was humble and of pure character. It is Ruo Tang's good fortune that the Grand Tutor has come to propose marriage today."

When she said "Ruotang's blessing," her voice was very low, as if she was embarrassed to say it, or as if she was afraid of saying something wrong.

This perfectly measured shyness is exactly the kind of reaction a young woman about to be married should have.

Yuwen Lie watched with growing satisfaction and asked her what books she usually read.

Zhou Ruotang replied, "Reporting to Grand Tutor, my father usually teaches me to read the Analects and Mencius, and I also enjoy reading some history books."

"History books?" Yuwen Lie raised an eyebrow slightly. "It's not common to see girls reading history books. Which one do you like?"

"Ruotang has recently been reading the Book of Han, and she especially likes the Biographies of Exemplary Women."

Zhou Ruotang replied, "The stories of Mencius' mother moving three times and Yue Fei's mother tattooing words on his back in the 'Biographies of Exemplary Women' are both women that I admire."

Ruotang believed that although women could not serve as officials in the court, they could still stay at home to support their husbands and raise their children, so that their husbands would have no worries.

Yuwen Lie remained silent for a moment, then leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath.

He had met countless people in his life and seen countless daughters of noble families waiting to be married, but Zhou Ruotang was the first one who could speak of "being a good wife and mother" so frankly and calmly.

His initial expectation for this marriage was simply to "avoid making mistakes," but now he suddenly felt that perhaps he had really struck gold this time.

He stood up and solemnly handed the marriage certificate to Zhou Bangyan, saying that the wedding date would be set for October, and that after he returned to his residence and discussed it with the Fifth Prince, he would formally request His Majesty to grant the marriage.

Zhou Bangyan accepted the marriage certificate with both hands and bowed in agreement. Zhou Ruotang also gave a dignified bow.

Yuwen Lie turned and walked out, but stopped at the door. He looked back at Zhou Ruotang and said something that made her father feel flattered.

"Miss Zhou, the Fifth Prince said that he will personally visit you after the betrothal period to play a game of chess with you."

"This is His Highness the Fifth Prince's sentiment. I am merely relaying it. If Miss Zhou has anything she wishes to say to His Highness the Fifth Prince, she can tell him in person at that time."

Zhou Ruotang was slightly taken aback, then a very faint blush rose on her cheeks. She lowered her eyes and softly replied, "Please tell Your Highness that I will practice chess diligently and will not disappoint you."

When the news came from the Taibao Mansion, the autumn sun was shining obliquely on the palace walls.

Inside Ningcui Pavilion, Consort Rong was sitting by the window pruning a newly opened pot of black chrysanthemums.

The old nanny tiptoed in and whispered the news that Yuwen Lie had chosen Zhou Ruotang.

Consort Rong paused in mid-air with her silver scissors and said, "Zhou Bangyan's daughter, the grand-disciple of the Grand Tutor, is a good move."

The old nanny asked if the Third Prince should be informed, but Consort Rong said there was no rush and told Ying'er to focus on her duties at the Imperial Stables first. Once the wedding date was set, she would have him send a generous gift to the Zhou family as a member of the imperial clan.

This is both a matter of etiquette and an attitude.

Let everyone know that the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince are brothers, not rivals.

In the study of the Grand Tutor's mansion, Kong Yan was sitting behind his desk, fiddling with prayer beads.

After the eldest son finished reporting the news that Yuwen Lie had chosen Zhou Ruotang, he stood in front of the table awaiting his father's instructions.

Kong Yan twirled the prayer beads in his hand again and again, then suddenly laughed: "That old fox, Yuwen Lie."

"His choice of Ruotang is to give face to the Grand Tutor's mansion. Ruotang is my grand-disciple, and Zhou Bangyan is my student."

"Now that the Grand Tutor's family has married Ruotang, I will no longer be able to openly make things difficult for the Fifth Prince in court."

"Bangyan never wanted to stay in the position of Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, but he just hadn't had a suitable opportunity."

"The Taibao Mansion helped him, so he owes the Taibao Mansion a favor. Ruotang is the most suitable candidate among this group of girls."

"She is gentle and well-mannered, and will not cause trouble in the prince's residence or engage in jealousy and rivalry in the harem."

"Yuwen Lie's choice of her is not only the best arrangement for the Fifth Prince, but also the wisest compromise for me. I accept this marriage."

He paused, then laughed again. "Interesting. Pei Du snatched Wang Anshi, and Yuwen Lie chose Zhou Ruotang. These two old guys are both good at picking people. Good, good."

……

In the East Warm Pavilion of Qianyuan Hall, Zhou Qian finished reviewing the last stack of memorials, put down his vermilion brush, leaned back on the dragon throne, and closed his eyes to rest.

Zhao Gao gently placed the freshly brewed Longjing tea beside him.

Zhou Qian asked him who the Grand Tutor's Mansion had chosen, and Zhao Gao bowed while holding his whisk and replied, "Your Majesty, the Grand Tutor's Mansion sent a memorial this morning, selecting Zhou Ruotang, the eldest daughter of Zhou Bangyan, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, as the Fifth Prince's principal wife."

"The Grand Tutor personally went to the Zhou residence, presented betrothal gifts, and requested His Majesty to grant the marriage."

Zhou Qian was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Zhou Bangyan's daughter, the grand-disciple of the Grand Tutor."

Then he opened his eyes, sat up straight, picked up a vermilion pen from the table, and wrote a large "Approved" on the petition submitted by the Taibao Mansion, and added a line of smaller characters.

"The wedding date is set for the fifteenth of October. The Imperial Household Department is hereby ordered to prepare the wedding according to the standards for a prince's principal wife. This is the imperial decree."