Chapter 021 Two Groups Asking for Hands in Marriage

Chapter 021 Two Groups Asking for Hands in Marriage

In the splendid Luanfeng Palace, a delicate hand pulled a yellow cord on a rosewood bed, and a crisp bell rang out.

Empress Jian Yunyao did not like having people in her chambers at night, so she had set up this small mechanism. She could ring the bell when she needed something.

The waiting palace ladies entered one after another.

They helped Jian Yunyao wash, change clothes, and get dressed.

Soon, a woman wearing a light apricot dress embroidered with birds appeared before the mirror.

Jian Yunyao's nose was not very prominent, slightly flat, and her lips were thin and pale.

Her overall appearance was plain and delicate, but her eyes were exceptionally bright. Upon closer inspection, they bore a faint resemblance to Fu Jiaze's.

Despite being close to forty, she looked only about thirty due to her excellent care.

Even though she was only considered delicately pretty, her elaborate attire added a touch of elegance that complemented her features.

The empress's attendants were all beautiful, yet even after dressing up, she did not appear less attractive than these young ladies. She had a certain presence that made her stand out immediately.

Jian Yunyao adorned herself with various jewelry. She had an almost natural instinct for matching clothes and accessories, effortlessly choosing the most suitable adornments without much thought.

Today, to match her outfit, Jian Yunyao wore a coral hairpin, which resembled tiny red beans, adding a lively touch to her appearance. On her wrist, she wore a bracelet with a red gemstone as the centerpiece, complemented by translucent tourmaline stones. Although tourmaline was not particularly valuable, its price had doubled because of the empress's fondness for it.

She entered the hall accompanied by the most beautiful palace lady. Here, many princes bowed to Jian Yunyao, including the third prince, Zhao Ting, who was raised under the empress's care. The others followed his lead.

Jian Yunyao first mentioned the selection of the third prince's consort. At Princess Mingrui's flower-viewing banquet, the princess, acting on the emperor's behalf, chose Miss Yao as the third prince's consort.

The princes congratulated Zhao Ting, but he was not entirely satisfied with Miss Yao due to her humble background. However, he kept his emotions hidden and graciously accepted their compliments.

Jian Yunyao shook her head inwardly at the third prince. Before even entering the door, he disliked the chosen consort, which was unfortunate. Though Miss Yao lacked fame, she was capable in managing household affairs and had a knack for financial success. If he married her, wouldn't he enjoy a carefree life as a prince? Unfortunately, the third prince still couldn't understand the emperor's intentions. Her gaze quickly shifted to the fourth prince.

Initially, she felt pity for the fourth prince and wanted to raise him. However, seeing the third prince's eager look, she ultimately chose to raise him instead. Recalling the late emperor's concubines, she arranged for the fourth prince to be sent to the cold palace.

Every year, some concubines in the cold palace died from depression, but since the fourth prince arrived, it became a place of warmth, with only natural deaths and no more suicides.

"Earlier, I heard from Ting'er that you were going to handle a case," Jian Yunyao smiled. "I thought there might have been a mistake; isn't the second prince the one skilled in handling cases?"

Prince Zhao Huang stood up and said, "To be honest, I merely handle administrative tasks at the Supreme Court and have never handled a case. It is the fourth prince who has started handling cases."

Jian Yunyao chuckled softly, "Huang'er, you're too modest. I've heard Minister Hu praise your keen insight."

Prince Zhao Xi bluntly stated, "The second prince is well-suited to be a judge."

This comment left the princes silent, especially the second prince, who showed a hint of embarrassment. Even if he had no intention of competing for the throne, being called fit for a judge was still a blow to his pride.

Jian Yunyao, knowing her eldest son spoke without malice, reassured the second prince, "Huang'er, don't disappoint your brother's expectations. In the Supreme Court, you must serve the people well, and the fourth prince should also handle cases diligently and fairly, without being overshadowed by your second brother."

Her words eased the atmosphere in the hall.

Fourth Prince: "Mother, a few days ago, the Jinyi Guard found Old Grandfather Wen's last letter. This case is incredibly simple."

Jian Yunyao exclaimed, "What does the letter say?"

"I brought a copy with me, Mother, please take a look."

Jian Yunyao read the letter, thinking how determined the Wen family must have been. If she had willingly become a concubine, it would have betrayed her parents' upbringing.

Third Prince laughed, "Fourth brother, you're just like your second brother, always eager to handle cases. You even carry letters around."

"I'm not particularly interested in handling cases," the fourth prince admitted. "I just like getting involved. I got this letter from someone else."

Many people at Longfei Tower had copies, and he casually took one.

The princes showed little reaction, but Jian Yunyao's eyes flickered. Bringing such matters to court and letting the fourth prince handle them was already suspicious. Now, the letter found by the Jinyi Guard was easily obtainable. If the Jinyi Guard wasn't involved, she wouldn't believe it.

But... was this the emperor's or Fu Bin's intention? And why?

Jian Yunyao asked the fourth prince, "Fourth, what punishment do you plan to give Lin Yi?"

"All I can do is make him release his concubine," the fourth prince scratched his head. "As for the punishment, I'll report to Father and let him decide. I don't know what he will decide. Besides, the Lin family has two unmarried daughters. Two groups of matchmakers are waiting outside my residence. I need to deal with them upon returning. Those who want to marry these ladies genuinely love them, otherwise, they wouldn't propose now."

Everyone present, including Jian Yunyao, was stunned.

The Lin family had two unmarried daughters: the first was Lin Baozhen, whose marriage had faced many obstacles, and the second was Lin Yingxue, who angered Lin Yi by kneeling before the fourth prince. Both had poor reputations, and their father was in trouble. Who would propose marriage?

Jian Yunyao said, "You have guests waiting. I won't keep you. Go see these families and, if they truly seek marriage, bring them to Lord Lin."

The fourth prince, preoccupied with this matter, promptly excused himself.

/

After leaving the palace, Zhao Xuan returned directly to his residence. Steward Chen greeted him, "Your Highness."

The fourth prince straightened his clothes and asked, "Who are the two groups proposing marriage to? Let's go to the group proposing to Miss Lin first."

Steward Chen whispered, "Logically, Your Highness should visit the group proposing to Miss Lin first, but Princess Mingrui is proposing for Miss Lin Yingxue, while Lady Wei Wuhou is proposing for Miss Lin Baozhen."

The fourth prince was surprised. Who could convince Princess Mingrui to propose marriage?

Normally, he should visit Lady Wei Wuhou first, but Princess Mingrui was family and an elder. Even if she proposed for a minor, he should meet her first.

However, he believed that anyone Princess Mingrui proposed for was not insignificant.

Zhao Xuan said, "Please ask Lady Wei Wuhou to wait a moment. I'll speak with Auntie first."

Lady Wei Wuhou soon learned that the fourth prince visited Princess Mingrui first and frowned.

Despite her privileged upbringing, she controlled her emotions until Steward Chen left, then vented her anger silently.

Mingrui the Elder Princess's status is indeed high, but for whom could she propose marriage? And she is proposing marriage for her son, Wei Wuhou!

Thinking of Mingrui the Elder Princess's royal status, the elderly lady drank several sips of cold tea to quell the fire in her heart.

After exchanging pleasantries with Mingrui the Elder Princess, Zhao Xuan asked, "Aunt, I really can't imagine for which young master you would be proposing marriage."

Mingrui the Elder Princess smiled, "It's not some scion of an illustrious family, but rather an ordinary scholar. If I mention his name, you might not even know him. His name is Fu Jiaze, a scholar who came to the capital for the imperial examinations this time."

Zhao Xuan was drinking water and choked upon hearing this. "Aunt, if you mentioned someone else, I might not know him, but I do know this Fu Jiaze. Didn't he previously intend to court Miss Lin? Why is he now proposing to Miss Lin's younger sister?"

"You yourself said it was just an intention before. Now, the true fate lies with Miss Lin's younger sister."

Zhao Xuan fell silent for a moment, then cautiously asked, "What happened at the flower-viewing banquet? Is that why you are matchmaking them?"

Mingrui the Elder Princess merely smiled faintly, "It's more or less like that. In any case, I've agreed to be their matchmaker."

The Fourth Prince sighed, "Aunt, you should also know about the matter between Lin Yi and Wen Hui. At this juncture, if you propose marriage for Fu Jiaze to the second Miss Lin, I fear that Lin Yi might say something unpleasant."

"Where will he end up as the Minister of Works depends on His Majesty's decree," Mingrui the Elder Princess smiled, "I think my timing is perfect. If it were any later, it might have been harder to arrange. But now, finding a good match for a daughter born out of wedlock will make things easier when it comes to his official position, don't you think?"

The Fourth Prince had Chen the Chief Steward take out his seal and stamp the document, then said to Mingrui the Elder Princess, "Due to the involvement of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Lin residence is under strict surveillance. Aunt, with this document, you can enter."

Mingrui the Elder Princess did not rush to leave but instead said, "I'll wait a bit longer. I want to see whom the matriarch of the Weiwu Marquis Mansion intends to propose marriage for."

"It must be Xie Jingzhi," Zhao Xuan said.

"I don't think so," Mingrui the Elder Princess smiled, "Anyone coming at this time to propose marriage probably has their own agenda. I suspect the matriarch is proposing marriage for her son."

Proposing marriage for her son?

Zhao Xuan widened his eyes, his voice stuttering, "Aunt, are you saying Wei Wuhou wants to marry Lin Baozhen?!"

Mingrui the Elder Princess nodded slightly, and Zhao Xuan outright declared it impossible.

Mingrui the Elder Princess said, "I'll wait here. When you confirm who they are proposing marriage for, come tell me."