Chapter 022: Proposing Marriage

Chapter 022: Proposing Marriage

Zhao Xuan, pondering the words of Princess Mingrui, walked through the corridor in a daze. "Old Chen, do you think I heard wrong?"

Steward Chen: "Your Highness, this old servant also heard clearly what Princess Mingrui said. The princess speculated that the matriarch of the Weiwu Marquis Mansion is seeking marriage for Lady Lin Yingxue on behalf of Wei Wuhou."

Zhao Xuan's eyes were filled with disbelief:

"Lin Baozhen is younger than Xie Jingzhi. How could Wei Wuhou propose to her? Isn't he afraid of being chased away by a big stick by Minister Lin?"

"I don't think Aunt's speculation is right. If it were for Xie Jingzhi, it would make more sense. Perhaps he has changed his mind now?"

Zhao Xuan felt increasingly convinced of his own theory and could not imagine Lin Baozhen becoming Xie Jingzhi's stepmother and taking control of the Weiwu Marquis Mansion as Wei Wuhou's wife.

This was also a puzzle for Steward Chen, who could only say, "Your Highness, if you ask the matriarch, you will know. After all, we need your written permission to enter the Lin residence, so it's best to clarify things first."

"That makes sense." Zhao Xuan was extremely curious about this matter and quickened his pace.

Prince Zhao Xuan met with the matriarch of the Weiwu Marquis Mansion. As she was about to bow, Zhao Xuan supported her.

"Matriarch, there is no need for formalities. Please forgive my rudeness."

Even if the matriarch had other thoughts, believing that Prince Zhao Xuan should have seen her first, she still replied:

"Your Highness, what are you saying? Princess Mingrui is your aunt and should be seen before me. However, I am curious about which young gentleman Princess Mingrui is matchmaking for."

When the two groups met at the entrance of Prince Zhao Xuan's residence, the matriarch heard that another group was also going to the Lin residence to propose marriage. She became very nervous.

Although she believed her son was excellent, he was older. If Princess Mingrui was matchmaking for Lin Baozhen, Lin Yi might not choose her son.

Fortunately, Princess Mingrui was matchmaking for the second Miss Lin.

The matriarch looked down on the second Miss Lin. Her behavior at the Lin residence made her believe Lin Yingxue was disrespectful and unfilial, with a seductive appearance.

She despised such people and thought the second Miss Lin was unworthy, believing the man must be blind. She was also curious about which young gentleman would become her son's brother-in-law.

In her opinion, it would be best if the proposal failed. Since the second Miss Lin had Wen Hui's beauty, she should become a concubine for a noble family or even enter the palace, thus paving a better path for her future son-in-law, Wei Wuhou Xie Yuan.

Prince Zhao Xuan said, "The person in question is someone the matriarch may not know well. He is a student preparing for the autumn examinations, from an ordinary background. Because he writes good poetry, my aunt admires him and is matchmaking for him."

The matriarch guessed it was someone of modest background and smiled, saying, "With the current state of the Lin family, proposing marriage now shows dedication. I hope the proposal succeeds."

"Matriarch," Prince Zhao Xuan asked with a smile, "Whose marriage are you proposing?"

"To be honest, it is for my son Xie Yuan. We are proposing marriage to the Lin family's precious daughter, offering her the position of a proper wife. After the wedding, my son will request the emperor to grant her a title."

Prince Zhao Xuan saw the matriarch's self-satisfied expression and couldn't help but twitch his eyes. He never expected his aunt to be right; indeed, it was for Xie Yuan.

Xie Yuan did not have a proper wife and could indeed request a title for Lin Baozhen after marriage.

However, his age was enough to be Lin Baozhen's father!

Was proposing marriage to Lin Baozhen now a bit like taking advantage of the situation?

It would be best to persuade the matriarch to reconsider.

While Zhao Xuan was deep in thought, the matriarch smiled slightly.

To her, the royal family always kept their emotions hidden. Even knowing she was proposing marriage for her son to Lin Baozhen, she showed no surprise.

She smiled faintly and said, "I know my son is older. Others might think it's not a match, but considering the current state of the Lin family, if my son marries the eldest Miss Lin, he will speak well of her to the emperor, making Minister Lin's future brighter."

Prince Zhao Xuan struggled to say, "Matriarch, although what you say is reasonable, others might see it as taking advantage of the situation."

"The eldest Miss Lin is not just the Lin family's precious daughter but also beloved by the Changqing Marquis Mansion. Even if Minister Lin agrees, the Changqing Marquis Mansion might not. Moreover, the eldest Miss Lin almost had a marriage proposal from Lord Xie."

The matriarch dismissed it, saying, "It was just a near-proposal, which didn't succeed. It doesn't matter."

"But the eldest Miss Lin once admired Lord Xie. Wouldn't marrying the marquis be awkward?"

The matriarch firmly replied, "These are just rumors. My son asked the eldest Miss Lin, and she denied it."

Prince Zhao Xuan's eyes widened. This was not a baseless rumor; though not everyone knew, many were aware.

However, he quickly focused on the matriarch's words and struggled to say, "The eldest Miss Lin... agreed to this marriage?"

Zhao Xuan wondered if the matriarch or Lin Baozhen had lost their minds. With her status, how could she agree to marry a man nearly forty years old? Wei Wuhou could be considered a brother to Lin Yi.

The matriarch had long wanted to say this. Her son was not forcing marriage but rather Lin Baozhen had proposed herself.

"My son and the eldest Miss Lin are a perfect match, not a mismatch! She is willing."

Prince Zhao Xuan tried to persuade the matriarch of the Weiwu Marquis Mansion but failed. After seeing off both groups, he weakly said to Steward Chen, "I can't understand why the eldest Miss Lin would want to marry Lord Xie."

If it were the second Miss Lin, it would make more sense.

Steward Chen reminded him, "Don't forget, the scandal involving the mistress started with the eldest Miss Lin."

Prince Zhao Xuan, reminded by Steward Chen, took a deep breath. Indeed, given Lin Baozhen's character, anything was possible.

After leaving Prince Zhao Xuan's residence, Princess Mingrui suggested sharing a carriage with the matriarch to discuss the proposal. The matriarch happily agreed.

Princess Mingrui's suggestion was simple: since it was a happy occasion, they should enter the Lin residence together, but this time, let the matriarch of the Weiwu Marquis Mansion propose marriage first, followed by Princess Mingrui.

"That wouldn't be right," the matriarch pretended to be polite, "the princess should go first."

Princess Mingrui smiled and said, "You are proposing marriage for Wei Wuhou to the eldest Miss Lin, while I am matchmaking for the second Miss Lin. By seniority, you should go first. Please don't be too polite, everything is for the sake of the marriage."

The matriarch, who believed she should propose first, readily agreed with Princess Mingrui's suggestion.

And Princess Mingrui thought, Lin Yingxue’s choice of a proposal date was truly brilliant.

It happened right after the death of Wei Wuhou’s matriarch, making the fiancé who came to propose for the second miss seem exceptionally outstanding compared to the nearly forty-year-old Xie Yuan.

/

Lin Yi’s eyelids had been twitching since early this morning.

As the saying goes, the left eye twitches for fortune, and the right eye twitches for disaster. His right eyelid had been twitching all day, but Lin Yi thought that he had already hit rock bottom—could he possibly get any worse?

Soon, Lin Yi would find out that things could indeed get worse.

When Wang Shi heard that someone had come to propose, her face lit up with joy as she looked at Lin Yi with bright eyes: "My lord..."

Ever since the Lin Mansion was placed under house arrest by the Jinyiwei, the couple had not spoken a single word to each other. When Lin Yi heard Wang Shi call him so happily, he lifted his eyelids and said his first words, "What is it?"

"Previously, our daughter told me that someone would come to propose today, and we should go together to meet the guests."

Wang Shi did not know whom their daughter was going to marry; Lin Baozhen had only sent a mysterious message saying that someone would come to propose soon.

Lin Yi sneered and said, "I never wanted to interfere in her marriage anyway. Now that Prince Qing’s mansion has arranged everything, it’s fine. I don’t need to say anything. You can agree on your own."

Wang Shi had been in a cold war with Lin Yi for a long time. At first, she was indeed furious when Lin Yi spoke about treating Wen Hui and Lin Yingxue well at the gate that day—it felt like salt being rubbed into her wounds.

But later, upon hearing the news brought by the Jinyiwei, Wang Shi became increasingly anxious. Lin Yi’s reputation had deteriorated to such an extent that once the Fourth Prince began the trial, would Lin Yi lose his position or even be imprisoned?

They were husband and wife, and as the saying goes, if one thrives, both thrive; if one fails, both fail. They were a unit and needed to face this calamity together.

Now that they were speaking again, Wang Shi took the initiative to soften her stance: "My lord, why be so stubborn? Anyone willing to propose to Baozhen now must be sincere. You didn’t used to like Baozhen much, only favoring Yingxue. But you’ve seen what Yingxue has brought us. Let’s live well from now on. Wouldn’t it be good if Baozhen visits us often after she gets married?"

"If it weren’t for Baozhen, none of this would have happened."

"Yes, I know she has become somewhat spoiled under my care. There are reasons for her actions. Can I explain them to you later?"

Wang Shi had decided to tell Lin Yi about her daughter’s premonition, but with the entire Lin Mansion surrounded by the Jinyiwei, it wasn’t the best time to discuss such matters.

Lin Yi’s expression softened slightly. Although Lin Baozhen had exposed everything, the root cause was his deception of Wen Hui years ago.

Wang Shi held Lin Yi’s hand, and Lin Yi looked up at her. The days of confinement had made Wang Shi noticeably thinner, and the wrinkles around her eyes were more pronounced.

After that letter, taking a concubine was inevitable. It seemed he could only choose Wang Shi. Lin Yi couldn’t help feeling resentful, knowing he couldn’t keep the flying bird, but he squeezed Wang Shi’s hand tightly.

Holding her hand, did it mean they were reconciling? Wang Shi sighed with relief and continued, "Also, regarding Yingxue, if a suitable match comes along, let’s marry her off quickly. Everyone outside is watching. If we find someone unsuitable, there will be endless rumors."

Lin Yingxue?

Lin Yi’s lips tightened into a straight line, filled with resentment.

He had always loved Lin Yingxue because of Wen Hui, far less than his genuine affection for Wen Hui herself. Wen Hui’s betrayal had already enraged him, and he felt even more resentful towards Lin Yingxue.

If Wen Hui wanted a divorce, fine, he could let her go. But he would defy her wishes regarding Lin Yingxue’s marriage, making Wen Hui understand that Lin Yingxue’s unhappiness was due to her actions!

However, Lin Yi knew from the news brought by the Jinyiwei that everyone was watching Lin Yingxue’s marriage. If he wanted to maintain his reputation, he shouldn’t meddle with it.

It was frustrating.

Thinking about having to marry Lin Yingxue to a decent family made Lin Yi feel suffocated. He could only hope that since Lin Yingxue rarely went out, few people in the capital had seen her, and no suitable proposals would come.

Wang Shi understood Lin Yi’s thoughts and sighed, "I’ve never liked Lin Yingxue, my lord. Let me speak from the heart—I dislike Wen Hui. She wants Lin Yingxue to be the main wife, but I want her to be a concubine. Since that’s not possible now, let’s just marry her off."

Lin Yi replied indifferently, "She never leaves the house, how could anyone propose?"

At that moment, the chief steward led Princess Mingrui and the old lady of Wei Wuhou’s mansion into the room, and both heard his last remark.

After exchanging greetings, Princess Mingrui smiled and said, "It’s quite a coincidence. Today, both Old Lady Ma and I came to propose. A good woman attracts many suitors. One of us is proposing for the eldest daughter of the Lin family, and the other for the second daughter. So, Lord Lin, you don’t need to worry about the second miss not finding a match."

Wang Shi looked at the old lady of Wei Wuhou’s mansion. In her daughter’s premonition, Xie Jingzhi was deeply devoted to Lin Yingxue. Was this old lady proposing on behalf of her son to take Lin Yingxue as a concubine? Then Princess Mingrui must be proposing for Baozhen on behalf of some young master.

Wang Shi’s heart raced. Could Baozhen be marrying a prince? Perhaps she might even become a queen in the future, making Wang Shi the mother-in-law of the future emperor!

Wetting her dry lips, Wang Shi composed herself and smiled at Princess Mingrui, "Princess Mingrui, which young master are you proposing for? At this time, coming to our Lin family is truly heartwarming. Baozhen will have a good home."

Upon hearing this, the old lady of Wei Wuhou’s mansion stood up abruptly, "No, no, that’s not it. I am proposing for my son to marry the eldest daughter of the Lin family. Princess Mingrui is proposing for the second daughter."

My son?

Wang Shi wondered if her ears were deceiving her. The old lady’s son was Wei Wuhou Xie Yuan. How could he be proposing?

Before Wang Shi could speak, the old lady of Wei Wuhou’s mansion clarified, "My son Xie Yuan is unmarried and has long admired your eldest daughter. I, this old woman, have come specifically to propose marriage on his behalf!"