Chapter 011: A Secret Pledge of Marriage

Chapter 011: A Secret Pledge of Marriage

The man's large hand should have been warm, but because he had just emerged from the water, it was rough and cold, causing Lin Yingxue to shiver.

This also caused her gaze to refocus.

Fu Jiaze let out a sigh of relief.

It was good that she had recovered.

Fu Jiaze lowered his long eyebrows.

His eyes turned cold and stern, reminiscent of a newly forged sword.

"Please step back a few paces, both of you. I have something to say to your young mistress," Fu Jiaze said.

Ye Zi and Fei Yan looked at Lin Yingxue, who nodded slightly.

After the maidservants stepped back, Fu Jiaze began to speak, his tone measured yet serious:

"My mother, Lady Fu, found me in Feng City. Back then, the city was frequently invaded by the Huns, so my true parentage is unknown. My mother saved my life and raised me, so I bear her surname and will continue the Fu lineage. I will support my younger sister and serve the two elders of the Fu family—my adoptive mother and my uncle."

"First, about my adoptive mother's daughter. We grew up together as siblings. Perhaps because my mother provided for me during the hardest times, I gained some reputation locally. Some people once joked that I was like a foster husband for the Fu family, but none of us ever thought of it that way. My sister is not yet married; if she does marry, I will fulfill my duty as an older brother and be her support."

"Regarding my adoptive mother, she conducts business outside. She has a strong personality and is quite different from other women of our time. People often say that mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law don't get along well. Although my mother doesn't live with me now, when she grows old, it is my duty to take care of her."

"My uncle's situation is more complicated, and I can't explain it now. He currently provides secret support, and if I gain the ability, I will find a way to help him. However, I've lacked luck in the imperial examinations, so helping him might take some time."

"As for myself, I have some reputation for talent, but every examination has brought complications. I've been stuck at the provincial level for years. This year is my last attempt. If I fail again, I'll start as a minor official. With my uncle's secret support, my reputation may not be great, but I should advance quickly."

Speaking in this damp autumn breeze while wearing wet clothes should have been cold, but Fu Jiaze wanted to make everything clear.

And Lin Yingxue did not pull away from his hand, knowing he was explaining his entire situation. She listened quietly.

Her heart, which had been floating aimlessly, gradually settled as Fu Jiaze spoke, finding solid ground.

Yet, there was still a sense of unreality and panic. Was she really going to decide her future under these circumstances?

Fu Jiaze had finished explaining his situation and looked at Lin Yingxue. Her hair still had some water weeds tangled in it, and he gently plucked them out.

Despite her disheveled appearance, Lin Yingxue still exuded charm. He noticed the Third Prince's fingers twitch, indicating interest in her.

Men could change their fate through education and a career, but for women, the quickest and easiest path was marriage.

The Third Prince, raised under the Empress Dowager, was one of the key figures in the succession struggle. If Lin Yingxue became his concubine, she might eventually become a palace lady, give birth to children, and even become an empress or empress dowager.

Thinking of Lin Yingxue's potential fate, Fu Jiaze sighed and said earnestly:

"Second Miss Lin, you are beautiful and talented. Your work at today's flower banquet has shown your wisdom. Now that your family has sent you to this event, many noble families will recognize your talents. As a concubine-born daughter, you still have the chance to meet many eligible bachelors. Second Miss Lin deserves a bright future."

"I am just a commoner, repeatedly failing the examinations, and even discussed marriage with your elder sister. If we were to marry, I wouldn't fear public opinion, but what about you, Second Miss Lin?"

Fu Jiaze recalled how his adoptive mother faced ridicule after her divorce. Could Lin Yingxue withstand such gossip?

He concluded, "If I were to marry you because of this incident, it would not be gratitude but revenge. I will pretend I never heard your earlier words, and your maidservants should do the same. The plain-looking one has always been loyal to you; focus on disciplining the other one with the lively eyes."

Lin Yingxue, initially wavering, grabbed Fu Jiaze's sleeve upon hearing the word "concubine-born." Her gaze became firm again.

Her complex family background and her elder sister's enmity left her no time to seek a perfect match. She needed to seize Fu Jiaze.

"My status is not good either."

Feeling the chill, Lin Yingxue knew she could endure it, but Fu Jiaze had the provincial examinations soon. She quickly explained her situation:

"My mother was once deceived by my biological father and became his mistress. I was born during that time. Later, she was taken into the household as a concubine, and I was registered as a concubine-born daughter. Few people knew about this, but my elder sister has started spreading the news. It's unlikely that many won't learn about it."

"You said I could choose a suitable husband among the noble families, but with my status, it's unlikely. I only want to be a wife, not a concubine. I want to marry someone who will only have me."

Lin Yingxue trembled slightly but firmly continued, "I heard that you don't take concubines, so... I want to marry you. Though my status is far below my elder sister's, I seek a devoted partner."

Feeling anxious, she added,

"My elder sister's status is high, so you didn't take concubines. Will you make the same promise to me?"

Seeing her unease, Fu Jiaze held her hand.

"No matter how successful I become, I cannot guarantee wealth, but I can promise not to take concubines, even if we don't have children."

Was this a proposal?

Lin Yingxue believed it was, but still felt unsure.

Having already made the bold move of proposing herself, she gathered her courage and looked up at Fu Jiaze:

"Will you propose to me, Sir Fu?"

Her body trembled slightly, but her eyes were wide open, red from the cold, and her long lashes fluttered pitifully.

This reminded Fu Jiaze of a cat his sister once kept. It was tiny and soaked, looking up with wet eyes, meowing softly for shelter.

"Yes," Fu Jiaze's tone softened. "I will propose with a grand procession and proper matchmaker's words. My mother is not in the capital, but my uncle is. Rest assured, I can handle the wedding arrangements."

"Can it be sooner?" Lin Yingxue, remembering Lin Baozhen's words, felt uneasy. Since Fu Jiaze could decide his own marriage, she urged him to act quickly.

Proposing was already bold enough, but urging for speed made her blush. Yet, thinking of Lin Baozhen, she persisted.

Fu Jiaze had never encountered such boldness before, but instead of feeling annoyed, he almost smiled.

Hiding his amusement, Fu Jiaze cleared his throat and said, "Yes."

He stood up and extended his hand to Lin Yingxue, signaling that he wanted to help her up. "The spot I chose earlier was wide open, and someone could come by at any moment. We really can't continue like this."

Lin Yingxue gave a small acknowledgment and handed her hand to Fu Jiaze, allowing him to pull her up. The sensation of being held by him felt different from the past, and a blush crept onto her fair face.

When Feiyan saw their actions from afar, her heart trembled, unsure whether she should be happy or sad for the second miss.

She couldn't help but worry: Was marrying Fu Jiaze truly appropriate?

Ye Zi glanced at Feiyan and spoke slowly, "Feiyan jiejie, you've always been wise, but sometimes you're too wise. When you were with the eldest miss, you could offer advice. But with our second miss, she doesn't need such guidance."

Feiyan turned to look at Ye Zi, who casually caught a red maple leaf, twirling its stem between her fingers, causing the leaf to spin rapidly.

"The eldest miss is empty-headed and knows nothing, needing guidance. But the second miss isn't like that," Ye Zi continued. "The second miss has everything under control. As servants, we just need to follow her instructions. Remember loyalty; today's events must not leave the courtyard of our second miss."

Feiyan looked at Ye Zi, whose ordinary features were highlighted by her lively eyes, which seemed clear and transparent in the sunlight.

Feiyan nodded unconsciously.

/

Lin Yingxue changed into a maid's outfit and followed Fu Jiaze through the princess Mingrui's villa.

At first, every sound of footsteps made Lin Yingxue nervous, but soon she realized there was no need to be so anxious.

Fu Jiaze seemed to know the layout perfectly, always leading her half a step ahead to avoid others.

Sometimes he would hide her beneath a latticed window, other times behind strange rocks, and once even carried her into a cluster of brilliantly blooming flowers.

Initially, Lin Yingxue could still hear the footsteps of others, but eventually, she only heard Fu Jiaze's thunderous heartbeat.

Exiting the flowerbed, Fu Jiaze appeared composed except for the faint redness behind his ears revealing his inner turmoil. Lin Yingxue, however, couldn't hide her embarrassment, walking awkwardly.

They walked all the way to the courtyard where Princess Mingrui rested. At the entrance, Fu Jiaze took out a gold ingot and solemnly handed it over. "I seek an audience with Princess Mingrui. Please deliver this gold ingot to her without alarming anyone else."

The gatekeepers allowed them to wait in a side room. The princess didn't come, but two buckets of hot water and clean clothes arrived instead. Even a doctor came along with the princess's nanny.

"Please wash up first, and then let the doctor examine you."

Lin Yingxue volunteered, "Mr. Fu has a wound on the back of his head. Is it serious?"

After examining him and taking his pulse, the doctor said, "It's not serious, but be cautious of catching a chill. Mr. Fu should drink a bowl of ginger soup."

Lin Yingxue had seen Fu Jiaze's minor wound earlier and now felt relieved hearing the doctor's reassurance.

After washing up, they waited in a side hall for Princess Mingrui.

When Princess Mingrui arrived, she first addressed Lin Yingxue, "Seeing you again, I had hoped telling you about those matters would help you avoid trouble, but it seems you still got involved."

Although Princess Mingrui enjoyed excitement, she wasn't one to stir up trouble. She had told Lin Yingxue about the situation to prevent her from getting hurt during the flower-viewing banquet, but Lin Yingxue still ended up in the water.

Lin Yingxue blushed, suspecting she might have gotten caught up in a woman's jealousy. However, she heard Fu Jiaze say, "The second miss was implicated because of me. Fortunately, she knows how to swim; otherwise, both of us might have lost our lives."

Lin Yingxue quickly added, "Princess Mingrui told me today that my elder sister harbors ill intentions towards me. Perhaps it was something I caused."

Princess Mingrui turned to Fu Jiaze, "Was it aimed at you?"

"Yes," Fu Jiaze replied. "I sensed something was wrong and tried to avoid it, but it was too late. I was hit on the back of the head and fell into the water. The second miss saw this and called for help, only to be pushed into the water herself."

Princess Mingrui pinched her brow, "Even my nanny finds it tiresome being a princess when people cause trouble in my courtyard." Then she said to Lin Yingxue, "Since Mr. Fu admits this, you don't need to feel uneasy. He will make amends. Now, I need to speak with Mr. Fu alone. Please rest in the side room; you've had a shock. After the flower banquet, I'll send you home directly."

"Second Miss Lin should stay as well," Fu Jiaze said.

Princess Mingrui paused, her gaze shifting between them. Suddenly, she asked, "Will the person who sent you the gold ingot agree to your marriage?"

Lin Yingxue blushed, and Fu Jiaze responded, "Yes, Uncle will respect my wishes."

"Fu Bin, Fu Jiaze, I've been wondering who stands behind you. It turns out to be him."

Princess Mingrui's words struck Lin Yingxue like thunder. Her eyes widened—this renowned Nine Thousand Years was actually Fu Jiaze's uncle?