Chapter 174: Seriousness

Chapter 174: Seriousness

"What do you want me to see, Your Highness?"

Lin Yunwan watched Yan Jingzong walking on the path with a maid.

Qi Linghen's eyes held a hidden smile, "Can't you tell?"

Lin Yunwan took another look; the maid had a very seductive figure and fair skin, clearly a beauty. Maids like her, if clever, would be favored in any household.

Gradually, she heard the maid and Yan Jingzong laughing together; the maid covered her face in a shy laugh, while Yan Jingzong remained composed.

The maid took out a fragrant, delicate letter from her sleeve and softly said, "…I've heard that Young Master Yan is skilled in poetry. I've also studied a little. Could I have the honor of your guidance?"

Yan Jingzong was stunned.

He hadn't expected a maid from the Zhao family to suddenly say such things to him.

"How could I, a gentleman, read a lady's private writings?"

Yan Jingzong stepped back, initially declining.

The maid, embarrassed, tucked away the letter, saying with a lowered head and apparent fear, "I was too presumptuous. I... I just heard about the young master... I meant no other intentions."

Biting her lip, looking mortified, she led the way ahead, whispering, "I won't speak of such inappropriate matters again. Please follow me, Young Master Yan."

Yan Jingzong stood behind her for a while, the young maid's face flushed with shame.

He pondered for a moment.

"The sage said, 'Education is for all without discrimination.' Does being a maid mean one cannot read, write, or compose poetry?"

Muttering to himself, Yan Jingzong sighed and said, "Miss, let me take a look for you."

The maid turned around, very surprised, and happily took out the letter again, "Thank you, Young Master Yan."

After reading the poem on the letter, Yan Jingzong's expression changed; the maid had clearly put in a lot of effort, using her words very carefully.

"...A well-written poem. Excellent phrases!"

The maid, both delighted and modest, said, "I often ponder at night, which led to this humble piece. It’s nothing compared to yours."

Yan Jingzong then commented, "The rhythm and tones of this poem are correct, and this word is used brilliantly, though the depth of meaning could be improved."

"How should I improve it, young master?"

The maid looked at him with eager curiosity.

This left Yan Jingzong somewhat at a loss. After thinking, he handed back the letter, saying, "There's a collection of poems that I'll recommend. You can buy it and study on your own."

"Given the effort you've put in, I'm sure you'll find studying the collection manageable."

He then told her the name of the poetry collection.

The two of them walked further away...

Lin Yunwan withdrew her gaze and asked Qi Linghen, "What did you want me to see, Your Highness?"

Was it to see how the maid was getting close to Yan Jingzong?

Qi Linghen's gaze was profound, "...Do you think I arranged this?"

He said, "This isn't the first time people from the Yan family have come to Zhao's mansion. That maid has had her eye on Yan Jingzong for a while."

Lin Yunwan smiled faintly, "So what?"

Qi Linghen continued, "If Zhao's mansion allows maids such freedom, what do you think will eventually happen?"

The answer was obvious; if a man cannot initially reject a woman's advances, and if the woman is determined, it's often hard for the man to resist.

"And this is just a maid from Zhao's mansion."

"Lin Yunwan, there will be many more such incidents in the future. Don’t you find it tiresome?"

Lin Yunwan's smile faded.

She spoke softly, "Such things are bound to happen. Your Highness, you too will encounter such situations. Besides, Yan Jingzong showed compassion towards the maid but did not cross any boundaries. He handled it very well, very respectfully."

"What happens in the future is unpredictable. I can't always assume the worst, can I?"

Her gaze had shifted away from Qi Linghen.

Qi Linghen insisted on looking directly at her, saying, "I won't."

"Won't what?"

Lin Yunwan didn't understand.

Qi Linghen said, "I won't encounter such situations."

Lin Yunwan frowned in confusion.

Qi Linghen stepped closer, speaking softly, "Unless I allow it, no woman can come near me."

Lin Yunwan furrowed her brow, "What happens if they do?"

"They die."

Qi Linghen stated this matter-of-factly.

Lin Yunwan quickly glanced around... were there hidden guards? She knew that emperors, crown princes, and princes like Qi Linghen always had their own covert protectors, constantly safeguarding them.

Qi Linghen laughed, "Stop looking. There's no one here now."

Seeing her startled reaction amused him. He forced himself to put his hands behind his back, fearing he couldn't resist reaching out otherwise.

Lin Yunwan looked back at him, sighing softly after a long pause.

Qi Linghen was puzzled.

Lin Yunwan then asked him, "Why... are you doing this?"

She couldn’t fathom why the prince wanted to marry her.

"Your Highness, you know my status better than anyone. Marrying me brings you no advantage."

She was no longer the legitimate daughter of the Lin family, and her father's accumulated reputation and the like were now irrelevant to her.

Since there was no political motive... matters of love and affection shouldn't be taken too seriously by them.

Lin Yunwan said, "Whom you marry makes no difference, does it?"

There really was no need for the two of them to marry.

"Lin Yunwan. There is no particular reason."

Qi Linghen looked at her indifferently, "I simply want to do something that comes naturally."

Lin Yunwan was puzzled, how was this natural?

Qi Linghen found it hard to explain... initially, he hadn't felt particularly drawn to her, but he found himself wanting to marry her.

"Lin Yunwan, since such things are bound to happen and the future is unpredictable, why not consider me?"

"I will never treat you unfairly."

"I am serious about this. Think about it again."

Lin Yunwan was silent for a moment before responding, "Your Highness, how my life unfolds if I marry someone else is unpredictable, but whatever happens, I can handle it. Marrying you... the consequences are unpredictable and beyond what I can handle."

"I really don't want to invite more trouble."

Qi Linghen was also silent.

He understood very well; her so-called avoidance of trouble meant... she just didn't want to endure troubles for him.

Determined to prevent Qi Linghen from harboring further thoughts, Lin Yunwan said firmly, "In the future, you needn't go through such lengths to see me. If it weren’t for today... I wouldn’t have known about Yan Jingzong’s interest in poetry. You've actually helped me."

Qi Linghen’s eyes deepened, a resigned smile on his face, "How could I forget... you’re also skilled in poetry and literature."

Her article that stirred up debates among the scholars of Jishan Society was proof enough. If she wanted to capture Yan Jingzong's heart with such talents, wouldn't that be easy for her?

He was inadvertently making a fool of himself.

Lin Yunwan, not concerned with Qi Linghen's thoughts, bowed her head and said, "I take my leave."

Relying on her memory, she retraced her steps, found Xi Ruo, and returned to where Zhao's mansion was hosting its guests.

Zheng, seeing her, scolded impatiently, "Always wandering around! Other girls are composing poetry. Haven’t you studied with Fan Mama for so long? Try it too!"

Before Lin Yunwan could join, she heard a young girl presenting a poem to a lady addressed as "Madam Yan."

She looked up and saw who must be Yan Jingzong's mother; the resemblance between mother and son was striking.

It seemed that Lady Zhao was asking Madam Yan to help evaluate the poetry.

"Miss, will you go?"

Xi Ruo asked softly, ready to assist with grinding ink if Lin Yunwan decided to participate.

Lin Yunwan remained silent.

She really should go...

"Fan Mama hasn’t taught me poetry yet, so I'll stay here."

That's what Lin Yunwan told Xi Ruo and Zheng, and also what she told herself.