Chapter 009: Planning a Marriage

Chapter 009: Planning a Marriage

Xie Jingzhi abruptly stood up, "This is impossible!"

Lin Baozhen looked at Xie Jingzhi's reaction and felt a subtle sense of triumph in her heart.

She was about to marry Wei Wuhou and become the Lady of the Marquisate, with control over the iron mines that could rival a nation’s wealth. The man she once liked would have to listen to her when choosing his wife, and his wife would need to serve her, greeting her every day.

Upon marrying into the Marquisate, she would take charge of the entire household, avoiding the fate of being tormented by a mother-in-law like many others.

Lin Baozhen smiled and turned her wrist.

The imperial green jade bracelet spun, drawing Xie Jingzhi's gaze to it unconsciously.

"If I weren't marrying Lord Marquis, where would I get this bracelet? This is Wei Wuhou's family heirloom."

Xie Jingzhi suddenly remembered that the old lady had once mentioned, while slightly drunk, that this bracelet was for the future Lady of the Marquisate.

He had assumed that after he married, his grandmother would give the bracelet to his new wife, but instead, it was given to Lin Baozhen, along with a letter from his father.

Xie Jingzhi was left speechless, and Lin Baozhen stepped forward, speaking seductively, "I know you like my younger sister. Isn’t it just making her your concubine? I can grant your wish."

A gentle breeze blew, and Xie Jingzhi saw the malice in Lin Baozhen's eyes, yet he was still tempted by her offer.

In the end, Xie Jingzhi said, "To be honest, though I want to agree, I also want to know the second miss's wishes before making a decision."

"Then you should hurry," Lin Baozhen laughed. "Because you will soon be my stepson, I want to fulfill your wish. You should know that although my younger sister has a low status, her beauty is unparalleled. Even my cousin from Changqing Marquisate, who always found her boring, just asked me to bring her along next time I go out. What does this mean? I think Lord Xie should understand.

Lord Xie, you should act quickly. If not for you, I'll do it for him."

/

When Lin Yingxue heard the maidservant recount Lin Baozhen and Xie Jingzhi's conversation as if singing a duet, she couldn't help but clasp her hands together nervously.

She knew her elder sister disliked her, but Lin Yingxue thought that after she firmly expressed her disinterest in Xie Jingzhi, her elder sister might let go of the past.

Her elder sister already had prophetic dreams, ensuring a bright future, so she wouldn't be fixated on the old feelings with Xie Jingzhi.

Now it seemed all her hopes were in vain.

For a woman, marriage is akin to a second birth. Lin Yingxue never wanted to be a concubine, especially after learning about her birth mother from Aunt Ou. Now, her elder sister was forcing her into such a position, leaving Lin Yingxue no choice but to find a way to avoid it.

Looking at the person in the rocking chair, she felt genuinely grateful.

Bowing deeply, Lin Yingxue said, "Thank you, Princess Changgong, for informing me. I am truly grateful."

Princess Mingrui was lying on the rocking chair, a handkerchief covering her face, her foot gently rocking the chair.

Sometime during the conversation, she had removed the handkerchief, revealing her eyes, and her foot stopped moving.

This flower banquet was organized by Princess Mingrui, and she had stationed people everywhere to prevent any mishaps.

Such arrangements were meant as precautions, but unexpectedly, Lin Baozhen and Xie Jingzhi's private conversation was overheard by one of Princess Mingrui's people.

After hearing about it from the maidservant, Princess Mingrui summoned Lin Yingxue and recounted their conversation, leading to Lin Yingxue's heartfelt gratitude.

Princess Mingrui looked at Lin Yingxue with interest, "If you're grateful to me, why don't you tell me more about your elder sister? I find her very intriguing."

Clearly in love with Xie Jingzhi, yet choosing to marry his father.

Becoming the mother of her own sweetheart is more absurd than a play, piquing Princess Mingrui's curiosity immensely.

"I actually know less about my elder sister than you do, Princess," Lin Yingxue replied.

Princess Mingrui was taken aback, then laughed and said to the nanny beside her, "Nanny Liu, apparently everyone in the capital knows I love gossip. Even this first-time visitor, Second Miss Lin, knows."

Lin Yingxue hurriedly explained, "My elder sister and I have different interests. We occasionally played together when we were young, but since I started studying, we drifted apart. Though we call each other sisters, we are barely closer than strangers. To be honest, when Lord Xie came over earlier, everyone was watching us, clearly knowing everything. So what I know, Princess, you probably already know. As for my elder sister marrying Wei Wuhou, I only learned about it today."

Lin Yingxue couldn't help wondering if Wei Wuhou had some special merit, prompting her elder sister to choose him.

Wei Wuhou, Xie Yuan, was old enough to be Lin Baozhen's father and served alongside Lin Yi. If she really marries Xie Yuan, how would Lin Yi feel? How would the entire Changqing Marquisate and Lady Wang react?

Lin Yingxue suddenly realized that Lady Wang might not even know about Lin Baozhen's intentions.

"Yes, Wei Wuhou has a title, but no legitimate wife or son. Xie Jingzhi is adopted, yet your elder sister insists on rejecting Fu Jiaze's proposal for him."

Princess Mingrui laughed. At her position and age, she saw things more profoundly than others.

She noticed the unexpected turmoil in the capital, involving Lin sisters, Xie Jingzhi, and Fu Jiaze, but Fu Jiaze was oddly excluded.

Moreover, getting an invitation to her flower banquet wasn't easy. It seemed Fu Jiaze entered by coincidence, but to Princess Mingrui, it seemed too convenient, as if someone was helping him.

Someone tarnished Lin Baozhen's reputation, helped Fu Jiaze get the invitation, and ensured his good name at the banquet.

Mentioning Fu Jiaze, Lin Yingxue's heart skipped a beat, wondering if Princess Mingrui also admired his talent.

Thinking of her elder sister's prophetic dream, where Fu Jiaze lacked luck in the imperial exams, Lin Yingxue boldly spoke up:

"Fu Jiaze's poem was excellent. It's a pity their marriage didn't work out. In my opinion, he has the talent to be the top scholar."

Princess Mingrui looked at Lin Yingxue, making her fidget uncomfortably, then suddenly said, "Since their marriage didn't work out, perhaps you could marry him."

Lin Yingxue, who was drinking water, choked and coughed repeatedly. After regaining her composure, her cheeks flushed red, and her heartbeat quickened.

"Princess, please don't joke; he was engaged to my elder sister."

"Consider it a joke, then," Princess Mingrui waved her hand. She was just speaking casually, as Fu Jiaze likely had someone backing him. Would they really allow him to marry a concubine's daughter?

"I thought that if you don't want to be a concubine, marrying Mr. Fu would be perfect, and it would save Lord Xie from coveting you and your elder sister from scheming against you. After all, one can't always be on guard against thieves. It's better to marry early. However, what you said is also true; he did discuss marriage with you before. If you were to truly end up together, your father, the Deputy Minister of Rites, would be in an awkward position. You two aren't suitable."

Upon hearing Princess Mingrui suggest marrying Fu Jiaze, Lin Yingxue blushed and wanted to refute the idea. But when the princess mentioned they weren't suitable, she couldn't help but silently disagree.

What was unsuitable about them? On the mountain, it was clearly Fu Jiaze who saved her. If his marriage to her elder sister had gone through, she wouldn't have harbored any thoughts. Now that their marriage didn't happen, why couldn't she entertain such thoughts?

As for her father, the Deputy Minister of Rites...

He had himself duped her birth mother into the role of a mistress, which branded him a hypocrite. It would serve him right if he were to lose face.

These thoughts floated up like gourds on a river. Lin Yingxue tried to suppress them, but they kept resurfacing.

Princess Mingrui stood up and stretched. "Your father wants you to find a husband at the flower-viewing banquet? He does love you, but this isn't appropriate. Once you reach the stage of discussing marriage, your family background will be fully exposed to the groom's family. It's better to marry someone from a less prestigious family who has some talent in scholarship. Go back and talk to your father, settle it early to avoid any trouble."

Lin Yingxue clenched her skirt. Knowing what Lin Yi had done in the past, how could she trust him more?

Should she tell her birth mother about today's events and ask her to take charge?

Wen Hui had already suffered enough. For her sake, she had invited her father to the small courtyard. Should she burden her mother again with her marriage troubles?

Lin Yingxue found herself with no one to confide in about Lin Baozhen's plans; she could only rely on herself.

Princess Mingrui, being older, particularly liked young and beautiful girls, and Lin Yingxue truly appealed to her aesthetic. She couldn't help but advise once more, "Settle your own marriage early."

Lin Yingxue possessed extraordinary beauty, yet her fate was unfortunate, being a concubine-born daughter. This was akin to a child carrying gold through a bustling market, easily arousing others' greed.

Lin Yingxue nodded cautiously, a vague notion rising in her heart.