Lu Nianfu reminded him, "Fourth Brother's appearance has been marred."
Prince Yong was not bad, with considerable military achievements and a powerful maternal clan, but his face was disfigured.
"Then only Third Brother remains." Situ Yan pondered, realizing how little he knew about this Third Brother. "Wife, I don't spend much time in the capital, nor do I know much about Third Brother. I only recall rumors that he's aligned with the Crown Prince. Can he contend for that position with the Crown Prince?"
Lu Nianfu was quite familiar with the Third Prince's consort and knew a bit about their affairs. "That's not true. The Empress only shows Third Brother favor outwardly; she suppresses him behind his back. While Third Sister-in-law and the Crown Princess both hail from the Fu family of Duke Cao's estate, Third Sister-in-law is the sole remaining member of her immediate family, so the Crown Princess has always looked down on her."
"Outwardly harmonious but inwardly at odds. No wonder Third Brother never spoke up for the Crown Prince in court; I thought he was simply not eloquent."
"Third Brother is a man of action. Last winter, when you were away, a snow disaster struck the outskirts of the capital. It was almost entirely Third Brother who handled the relief efforts. What? Are you considering supporting Third Brother?"
"Such a monumental decision cannot be made lightly." Situ Yan's brows furrowed with anxiety as he thought about the future. Princes were different from officials. When their father was Emperor, they enjoyed boundless glory. But once a brother ascended the throne, eliminating rivals would be inevitable. One would not only have to be subservient but also extremely cautious.
Lu Nianfu nodded. "Shall I have Xinyao gather more information about the princes' situations?"
"No, let her focus on her revenge."
Involving multiple princes was too much for the De Yi Building to handle. He would have his own people handle it.
Lu Nianfu sighed. "I don't know when she will achieve her wish. Counting from before her marriage alliance, Situ Jue hasn't visited De Yi Building in nearly two months, and Xinyao is terribly anxious about it."
If she couldn't even get close to him, how could she seek revenge?
"I'll go talk to her later," Situ Yan said, tapping the table. He didn't want the girl to lose her composure and risk her own life by acting rashly.
After all, it was his people who brought her to the capital, and she was the daughter of a deceased friend. He couldn't let her lose her life easily.
Lu Nianfu's eyes lit up. "Do you have a way to deal with Situ Jue?"
"Why would I deal with him? He married Princess Hui Ge, which is equivalent to being declared ineligible for the throne by Father. He can either accept his fate or fight desperately. Which do you think he'll choose?"
"Naturally, he'll fight desperately."
"Exactly. When he's cornered, Father will be the first to deal with him, even before we need to make a move."
"So, all we need to do is create an opportunity for him to rebel."
Situ Yan gave her a look that said 'teach a fish to swim.'
"Knock, knock," a sound at the door interrupted their conversation. Qingya announced, "Your Highness, Your Highness's consort, Third Young Master and Miss Mo request an audience."
"Please invite them in quickly."
Situ Yan had a good impression of Mo Sang. Although she had initially scared him with a snake, he found her to be a decent person upon getting to know her, albeit with slightly unconventional ideas. As he and Lu Nianfu entered the small parlor, Mo Sang was whispering with Cheng Beizheng.
Seeing their harmonious interaction, he breathed a sigh of relief. "It seems this matchmaker has done a commendable job. How about it, Mo Sang? Are you satisfied with this husband?"
Mo Sang replied, "He's alright. Not only is he wealthy, but he's also helped me earn a lot of money. My witch doctor's clinic specializes in difficult and complicated illnesses. If you need anything, I'll only charge you for the medicine, not the consultation."
Situ Yan was speechless. "Can you not curse me with illness the moment we meet? Thank goodness you're not a coffin seller."
Mo Sang was unfazed. "We are all mortals; who doesn't experience birth, old age, sickness, and death? Coffins are eventually necessary purchases."
Situ Yan: ...
The familiar feeling returned. Before he could be angered to death, he quickly changed the subject. "Since you've opened a clinic, why aren't you there tending to it?"
Yet, she had time to come here and provoke him.
Mo Sang said, "You've helped me find a husband, after all. Now that you're back in the capital, I naturally have to visit. Come, come, don't be polite. Let me take your pulse and check for any old injuries. Consider it, consider it a token of my gratitude for your matchmaking."
Cheng Beizheng reminded her, "The matchmaking gift should come from me."
Lu Nianfu breathed a sigh of relief. Her guess was correct; there was indeed something going on between these two.
Mo Sang was generous. "What's the difference between you and me? Situ Yan, extend your arm."
Situ Yan declined. "No need. I had a physician check my health when I was in the palace the other day."
"Was it Imperial Physician Ji?"
"Hm? You know A Jin?"
"My husband said he has extensive research into witchcraft and sorcery. I wish to discuss it with him."
Situ Yan understood that medical enthusiasts were like this. "Alright, I'll arrange a dinner for you both later. However, Mo Sang, aren't you unmarried yet? Why are you already calling him husband? And you've moved into his home directly. This is not in accordance with propriety. Perhaps you should move out for now. I have other properties in the capital."
"No need. According to the customs of our Western Frontier, if you fancy each other, you can consummate the marriage that very night. What's a borrowed courtyard compared to that?"
"You should follow local customs." As he said this, he glared at Cheng Beizheng with displeasure. "Mo Sang might not understand, but don't you understand?"