Both the Duke and Jiang Youzhi took the matter of Qi Er and You Er formally apprenticing very seriously.
The next day, following the customs of Great Chu, they had the two children offer tea and kowtow to Duanmu Lei.
Duanmu Lei drank the tea, which marked the official acceptance of the apprentices.
From then on, You Er and Qi Er followed Duanmu Lei every day to practice martial arts.
Ruru sometimes joined them in practice, and Duanmu Lei would also guide her.
As the New Year approached, suddenly there was news from the palace that consorts were to be selected for the Princes.
The Emperor had yet to appoint a Crown Prince, leaving everyone uncertain of his intentions.
Many were speculating, since the Second Prince born of the Empress was the rightful choice, but the Emperor's delay in appointing a Crown Prince suggested he might favor the Eldest Prince, born of the Imperial Concubine.
