It was not that Zhang Chacha was not good enough, it was just that she didn’t quite suit Bathroom Lord. A girl like her should marry a young, heroic general, not some gentle and delicate man like Bathroom Lord.

But my head felt like it was going to explode the moment I started to lament over the whole “marriage” thing. This girl was simply too energetic, exactly like how Yang Yan described her.

She was quite conserved when we first met, but when she came the next day, she had already taken a tour of my entire palace like it was her own courtyard. By the third day, she even went so far as to yank my sleeve, begging, “Your Majesty, don’t you ever get bored sitting in this palace all day long? It’s such a good day today; let’s go play some ji qiu (TN: players ride on a horse to kick the ball with a stick)!”

Her voice sounded quite melodious, but upon hearing what she said, I quickly shook off her hand. Don’t be ridiculous. I can barely sit on a horse, let alone playing ji qiu!

I don’t want to die young…

Zhang Chacha, who wouldn’t let go, edged over and started yanking my sleeve again. I had always hated it when I was badgered by a girl, but I also couldn’t bring myself to scold her. Left with no choice, I had to say that I had to run her request by Qi Sheng.

Just when we were talking, Qi Sheng entered, a sigh which startled Zhang Chacha as she hurriedly let go of my sleeve and backed away to the side.

I got up and together with Zhang Chacha, swept a courtesy to him, all the while trying to figure out why he would come here at this hour.

Qi Sheng sat on the chair leisurely while looking at Zhang Chacha. He then asked her with a soft tone, “What have you been talking about?”

I eyed Zhang Chacha, but as if she didn’t see me, she replied, “Her Majesty said that the weather is good for playing ji qiu, but she’s afraid that Your Majesty won’t agree to that.”

Shoot, someone should put a tape on her mouth.

I was infuriated by her remark, but I couldn’t very well scold her in front of Qi Sheng, so I said, “I was just messing with her.”

Qi Sheng smiled and asked Zhang Chacha, “Do you want to play ji qiu?”

Zhang Chacha nodded and again dragged me into her argument, “Her Majesty also want to play, but she is too shy to bring it up.”

Upon hearing that, Qi Sheng swept a look at me with a smile and said to Zhang Chacha, “Well, in that case, we will go play it tomorrow then.”

When she heard what Qi Sheng said, Zhang Chacha immediately exclaimed with joy and started clapping her hands.

Qi Sheng smiled and turn to me, “Where is Wei’er?”

I led him towards the back hall and replied, “She’s probably taking a nap. Why don’t Your Majesty go take a look? She has slept long enough. Best wake her up now lest she stays up late.”

Zhang Chacha had been following right behind us and suddenly she said, “Your Majesty, we should bring Wei’er along with us. Your Majesty could teach her how to ride.”

What? You want to teach a six-month-old baby to ride a horse? She could barely crawl!

I was so distracted by her naivety that I suddenly stumbled and nearly fell to the ground. It was only with Qi Sheng’s help that I managed to get back on my feet.

Qi Sheng subtly loosened his grip on me and took a few steps forward. Then, he turned around to Zhang Chacha, smiling, “Very well. Wei’er will go with us.”

I eyed Zhang Chacha, who took the hint and walked up, placing herself right beside Qi Sheng and together they walked towards the back hall, all the while laughing.

I purposely walked slowly and until there was a significant distance between them and me, I whispered to Xie Yi, who had just caught up with me, “What’s that about? Why is he so happy today?”

Xie Yi replied in a low voice, “General Yang Yu has just won the initial engagement with the rebels.”

I nodded. No wonder Qi Sheng was so happy today. Turned out it was because of the military success in Yunxi.

Xie Yi paused, swept me a quick look and then softly said, “Also, the Empress Dowager asked the Marchioness Yonchang to the Zhang residence to offer a marriage proposal to the Third Lady on behave of Chu wang.”

I immediately understood, but as I stood there contemplating the whole thing, I suddenly felt amused.

In the back hall, Qi Sheng was teasing Wei’er with Zhang Chacha.

“Say Father, Father!” Zhang Chacha was trying to make the baby speak by shaking a rattle-drum, a useful tool intended to attract the baby to reach for it.

Qi Sheng raised his head and looked my way. Although he was still smiling, his eyes looked quite inquisitive.

I smiled and walked up with a calm face. I deftly took Wei’er from the nanny and said to Zhang Chacha, “She is too little to be able to speak. You are wasting your time here.”

Zhang Chacha grimaced at me, swept a courtesy to Qi Sheng and then ran outside. Just when she stepped out the entrance, she turned back and said, “Your Majesty, don’t forget to bring me and Her Majesty to play ji qiu. You’ve made a promise.”

It’s hard not to like such an innocent girl.

Qi Sheng smiled and answered, “A promise is a promise.”

With this confirmation, Zhang Chacha left in a merry mood.

I turned around and casually asked, “Have Your Majesty been busy these two days with the state affairs?”

Qi Sheng stretched two fingers for Wei’er to hold and replied with a smile, “Not very busy.”

I smiled and continued, “Then, where do Your Majesty plan to stay the night?”

Humph, I know you are here to give me a hard time. What makes you think I won’t do the same to you?

Without waiting for him to reply, I continued, “Tonight is Concubine Wang’s turn, right? Yesterday she came to my place, saying that she is too much of a blockhead to please Your Majesty. I said that Your Majesty in fact likes a quiet woman like her. If Your Majesty isn’t too busy today, why don’t you drop by her palace?”

Silence fell into this palace as soon as I finished those words.

Qi Sheng paused for a bit and then smiled without looking at me, “Alright. This is noted.”

That night, Qi Sheng went to Concubine Wang’s place as expected.

When this news reached me, Zhang Chacha was badgering me with all those questions about the details of ji qiu. When she heard the news, her face turned sad as she reached out her arms and held me into her embrace, “Your Majesty, if you want to cry, then cry.”

I was rendered speechless.

But then again, I felt this was a chance to get rid of her incessant badgering, and so I sobbed a bit in her arms and said to her in a disheartened and sorrowful voice that I needed some time alone. Then, I ordered someone to take Chacha away to rest.

With a touch of sorrow on her face, Zhang Chacha left with the maid.

I hurriedly turned around to instruct Xie Yi to bring a nutritious soup from the kitchen and sent it to Qi Sheng while the door to his palace wasn’t locked yet.

Upon hearing what I wanted her to do, Xie Yi immediately knelt down and pleaded to me with a sobbing voice, “Your Majesty, please don’t start anything with His Majesty. It should have been our turn now. If you really want the Emperor to go somewhere else, at least don’t send that thing to anger him.”

I asked, “Are you going or not?”

Xie Yi shook her head firmly and said, “No, it’s suicide, Your Majesty.”

I was amused by this, and then sent another maid named Fu’er to run this particular errand for me.

Fu’er was a thirteen-year-old girl with lively temperament. She quickly returned and said, “His Majesty took the soup and sent his gratitude. He also wanted me to remind Your Majesty that you are to bring Lady Chacha to the ji qiu field tomorrow.”

I nodded and had the servants spread the word to each palace that Qi Sheng was going to organize a ji qiu competition and that they should assemble in my palace tomorrow.

Then, after washing myself up, I went to bed.

I slept soundly through the night, and by the time I woke up tomorrow, I felt utterly refreshed,

A maid came into the palace and informed me that Concubine Huang and others are waiting outside the palace.

I summoned Xie Yi to help me tidy up. While dressing my hairs, Xie Yi softly asked, “His Majesty only invited you and Lady Chacha. Instead, you are bringing an army of concubines to the field. I fear that this will upset the Emperor.”

I smiled and said, “Well, when it comes to ji qiu, the more the merrier.”

After finished dressing up, Xie Yi helped me change into a scarlet riding outfit. Then, she did a long-hour makeup before I was let out of the palace.

Outside the hall, Zhang Chacha was running out of patience after a long while of waiting. The moment she saw me, she lunged forward, shook my arm and said, “Quick, Your Majesty! It’s going to be late.”

I answered in agreement and swept a look around those concubines. They were all dressed in riding outfits, looking splendid and feminine at the same time.

I nodded and then instructed the nanny to watch over Wei’er. Just as I was going to lead this tinny army towards the field, the servant from the Da Ming Palace ran over and said, “His Majesty stayed up late last night and so he is still sleeping. Your Majesty, you are summoned to go there later.”

Everyone paused and looked at each other.

Concubine Wang had always been quiet, and usually she would coward behind her friends. No one ever paid much attention to her. However, now that her name was mentioned, everyone noticed that Concubine Wang wasn’t here.

Concubine Huang’s face turned ashen when she heard that.

The servant looked around and then fixed his eyes on me, saying, “His Majesty also said that Concubine Wang is very tired after serving him, and so she won’t be greeting Your Majesty this morning.

Upon hearing that, a cold snort was heard from the crowd.

I nodded matter-of-factly and sent the servant back.

People around me immediately walked up, trying to add oil to the flame, “Your Majesty, look how arrogant Concubine Wang is. How tired could she be? What? She couldn’t make it off the bed?”