Chapter 575: If You Can’t Find It in Three Years, Will You Really Not Marry for Three Years?

Chapter 575: Does He Have to Stay Single for Three Years?

This rumor was completely unfounded, yet it could easily tarnish Lou Ruhui's reputation.

Whoever hated the Marquis of Mingguang's household must have spread this malicious gossip. It was clearly intended to cause trouble for both the Marquis of Mingguang's residence and the General of the Western Garrison's household.

Though Lou Ruhui thought it too ridiculous to acknowledge, the Yu family couldn’t ignore the matter, to protect Lou Ruhui's reputation.

The best way to dispel the rumor would be for the Yu family to quickly find a wife for Yu Yongliu. Once he was officially betrothed, the gossip about negotiations with the Marquis of Mingguang's family would naturally collapse.

However, Bai Xiaofeng had spent these days drowning in options and worrying that her son might object or be displeased. After all, Yu Yongliu was determined to find the woman he had accidentally slighted during the Imperial Garden Banquet.

Bai Xiaofeng still held onto a sliver of hope that she might somehow help him locate her.

But after all this time, despite testing her son’s resolve multiple times, he remained unwavering in his decision.

This left Bai Xiaofeng beside herself with worry.

If the girl couldn’t be found in a year, would her son really refuse to marry for a year?

And if she couldn’t be found in three years, does he have to stay single for three years?

It was driving her mad!

Meanwhile, Yu Yongliu, at the center of the storm, stayed calm as ever, calmly attending to his duties by Emperor Jiazheng’s side.

Once, when the Prince of Ying visited the palace to see Emperor Jiazheng, he caught sight of Yu Yongliu and teased, "...So this is the newly appointed top scholar who swept all six imperial exams? I hear you’re currently negotiating a marriage with the daughter of the Marquis of Mingguang?"

Yu Yongliu stood straight and bowed formally. "Your Highness, those are just rumors. At present, I have no intention of marrying. A lady’s reputation is precious, and I have no idea where such baseless gossip originated. It's been a real nuisance."

The Prince of Ying was impressed by Yu Yongliu’s dignified response—neither cowering nor cocky, and mindful of protecting a young woman’s honor.

Later, back at his own residence, during a family meal, he casually mentioned Yu Yongliu’s handling of the situation and remarked to the Princess of Ying with a smile, "I noticed His Majesty thinks highly of this top scholar, and the young man himself is upright in conduct. It seems the Yu family truly resides in a cradle of exceptional talent. If the Marquis of Mingguang’s daughter were indeed in marriage talks with Yu Yongliu, it would be a good pairing..."

Before he could finish, a sharp clatter interrupted him. The Prince of Ying paused and saw that his daughter had accidentally knocked over a small bowl in front of her.

Princess Qing’an gave a small gasp.

Maids hurried forward to clean up the mess, while the Princess of Ying worried her daughter might be burned. Instead, she noticed the girl’s strangely pale face. "...Father, Mother, I’m fine. It was just an accident."

Citing her damp sleeve as an excuse, Princess Qing’an excused herself to change clothes in her own courtyard.

Watching her daughter’s hurried departure, the Princess of Ying frowned slightly.

"Lingling hasn’t been herself lately."

Lingling was Princess Qing’an’s childhood nickname.

The Prince of Ying thought for a moment. "Has she?"

The Princess of Ying shot him an exasperated look. "...What kind of father are you? Haven’t you noticed how often Lingling has been spaced out these days?"

The Prince of Ying scratched his head awkwardly. "Now that you mention it, I suppose so. But Lingling has always been gentle and reserved by nature, not the flighty type. I assumed she was just pondering something... Are you suggesting she’s troubled by some matter of the heart?"

The Princess of Ying couldn’t be bothered to elaborate further. She merely gave him a reproachful glance before rising with concern to seek out Princess Qing’an.

Having changed into fresh clothes, Princess Qing’an sat by candlelight, deep in thought once more.

Her head was spinning with her father's words: "The daughter of the Marquis of Mingguang is arranging a marriage with Yu Yongliu."

The thought of that night still made her face flush and her heart ache with resentment.

The heat came from how close they'd gotten that evening, while the resentment stemmed from the fact that—after such an encounter—how could he still be arranging a marriage with someone else?

But the thought barely crossed her mind before she chalked it up to foolishness.

Given the circumstances, Yu Yongliu had clearly been drunk—in fact, he might not even have known who she was...

She'd run off in a fluster that night, so it was no wonder he remained unaware.

Quietly, Princess Qing'an stood up for Yu Yongliu in her mind.

Yet another little voice in her head piped up: *Even if he knew, what then? It was just a stupid accident. Did she really expect Yu Yongliu to marry her over such a trivial mishap?*

The more she dwelled on it, the more agitated she became, until she involuntarily smacked her hand on the table.

"Ningning?"

The voice of the Princess of Ying came from the doorway, full of concern. "What’s the matter?"

The Princess of Ying usually addressed her daughter by her title, but now she used her pet name—showing how worried she was.

Princess Qing'an pulled herself together and stood up, putting on a smile. "Mother, I’m fine..."

The Princess of Ying came around the divider and saw her daughter’s reddened eyes, despite the strained smile. Her anxiety deepened.

Yet no matter how much she prodded, Princess Qing'an refused to say a word, deflecting with vague excuses.

Out of options, the Princess of Ying finally decided to take her daughter to visit Empress Nie.

Empress Nie was not only the nation’s empress but also a model for the royal family.

The Princess of Ying hoped that Empress Nie might offer guidance or help uncover the reason behind her daughter’s melancholy.

However, on their way to the inner palace, they ran into Emperor Jiazheng accompanied by his newly appointed trusted official, Yu Yongliu, heading toward the imperial gardens.

The Princess of Ying quickly led Princess Qing'an in greeting the emperor.

Dressed in casual attire, Emperor Jiazheng beamed at his niece. "It’s been some time since I last saw Qing'an. You’ve grown into a proper young woman—taller and even more beautiful. Mingyi resembles you; if she grows up to be as lovely as you, that'd be wonderful."

Princess Qing'an mumbled, "Your Majesty flatters me. I dare not accept such praise."

The Princess of Ying also made polite small talk.

From the moment she caught sight of Yu Yongliu, Princess Qing'an went rigid, not daring to lift her gaze toward him. She had no idea that Yu Yongliu, upon hearing her voice, had frozen in stunned silence.

When Emperor Jiazheng learned they were visiting Empress Nie, he remarked cheerfully, "The empress has always been fond of Qing'an. With A-Yu having just caused trouble, your visit will surely lift her spirits."

The Princess of Ying then took her leave with Princess Qing'an.

The brief encounter seemed to pass without further incident.

Princess Qing'an resisted the urge to glance at Yu Yongliu even once.

Later, after their visit with Empress Nie, the empress suddenly recalled another matter and sent a palace maid to summon the Princess of Ying back.

Left to wander the imperial gardens alone, Princess Qing'an found her feet moving almost of their own accord—winding this way and that until she arrived at the secluded spot where she and Yu Yongliu had once had their accidental encounter during the Imperial Garden Banquet.