Chapter 405 The Engagement

Lin's mother noticed a hint of panic on Lin Changning's face, but quickly stood up, feigning composure, and mentally reviewed what the princess had just told her.

After the King and Queen of Chu had everyone rise, the Queen of Chu stared at the young master of the Shen family and said, "The person has arrived. Since everyone is here now, let everyone know that my Shu'er is indeed engaged."

Princess Chu paused for a moment: "It is said that these two children are destined to meet. At that time, Shu'er was being mistreated by the Ji family in the capital. It was thanks to Changning that she risked her life to bring her and Yue'er back."

Princess Chu smiled and continued, "The two children developed feelings for each other along the way. Although Changning is young, he is quite methodical and steady. He took good care of Shuer and Yue'er along the way. After we returned, I saw that the two children were in love, so I didn't feel comfortable stopping them. However, we had just had a funeral in the manor recently, so I didn't feel comfortable making a fuss about it. I just talked to Changning's mother in private, and the birth certificates have been changed. In-laws, why don't you take out the birth certificates of the two children and show them to the young master of the Shen family?"

Lin's mother sighed, took out two betrothal papers wrapped in red paper from her bosom, showed them to the young master of the Shen family, and then showed them to the people around her before wrapping them up and putting them back in her bosom.

"These are the betrothal gifts for the two of them. We discussed it with the Princess Consort at the manor a few days ago, but we were thinking of postponing it because we are busy now. However, the marriage has indeed been arranged."

A chorus of sighs erupted from the surrounding crowd.

"No wonder the Lin family's lad rose through the ranks so quickly; it turns out he's gained the favor of the princess and the queen."

"Who says otherwise? I was wondering why I kept arguing with the eldest son of the Shen family. Turns out I came here to compete with him for the princess."

"Could you tolerate that? But looking at Young Master Lin, he's still quite young. The princess seems to be two years older than him."

"It is a bit older, but it doesn't matter. If it were me, I wouldn't mind being ten years older."

Lin Changning listened to the chattering around him, not daring to show any abnormality on his face. Standing next to his mother, he gave her a look.

Lin's mother patted Lin Changning's hand reassuringly. There was definitely something fishy about this, but no one had spoken to Lin Changning about it, so he was completely confused.

But it seems that the princess and the others all know about it.

The eldest son of the Shen family turned pale and then white, but he remembered his father's instructions before leaving. After glancing at Lin Changning and Li Mingshu a few times, he bowed to the prince again.

"Now that the eldest princess has been chosen, what about the younger princess?"

Before she could finish speaking, the King of Chu interrupted her: "Hua'er is still young. We won't consider marriage for the next few years. The Queen and I will keep her here for a few more years."

Upon hearing this, the young master of the Shen family realized that the Chu Prince's Mansion did not want to form a marriage alliance with his family, or rather, the Chu Prince's Mansion did not want to marry any of its daughters to him at all, and his face immediately darkened.

However, since they were now on the territory of the King of Chu, he dared not turn against anyone. After thinking for a while, he said...

“In that case, I will go home first and inform my father about this matter.”

Thinking of this, Young Master Shen's expression turned sour. His father only had one son, but his other uncles had more than one child. This time, they came to ask for a marriage alliance in order to join forces with the King of Chu and, incidentally, consolidate their own position in the Shen family.

If his marriage proposal fails this time, his father will scold him again when he returns home. Thinking of this, the eldest son of the Shen family's face darkened like the bottom of a pot.

The King of Chu glanced at his queen, and after a brief exchange of glances, they both saw a hint of cunning in each other's eyes. The King of Chu chuckled softly, "Ah~ no rush, no rush. Now that we're in Taiyuan, let's do our best to be good hosts. Young Master Shen, why don't you stay a few more days? Although there aren't any suitable women in the royal palace, there are quite a few eligible young ladies from other aristocratic families recently. You can stay and browse around; who knows, you might just find a good match?"

When the eldest son of the Shen family heard what the King of Chu said, he hesitated for a moment. If he couldn't marry the princess of the King of Chu's mansion, then he could settle for a suitable young lady from one of the King of Chu's subordinates.

A man standing next to the eldest son of the Shen family suddenly leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Young master, there is a woman named Qin Xiangxiang in the Qin family. Her uncle is highly regarded by the prince."

After a moment of silence, the eldest son of the Shen family suddenly smiled, cupped his hands towards the Prince of Chu, and said, "I would be honored to accept your invitation, Your Highness. I will stay at the Prince's residence today and enjoy the banquet there."

After saying this, she followed her maid to her seat. Lin Changning looked at her mother, who was still somewhat uneasy, sighed, and led her to her seat.

Just as she was about to ask her mother what was going on, she heard the princess at the head of the table call her.

Princess Chu beckoned to Lin Changning, her dignified and beautiful face filled with affection: "Come, Changning, come to me."

Lin Changning nodded slightly to his mother, a smile playing on his lips, and bowed to the princess before rising to stand before her.

After being led by a maid to sit next to the princess, Lin Changning felt a little uneasy. Today's events had happened so suddenly that she was still somewhat dazed, but she remembered that she was currently at a banquet.

With a gentle smile on his face, he sat down in front of Princess Chu. Princess Chu carefully examined Lin Changning from head to toe, and after a while, she nodded in satisfaction.

"What a fine young man! He's so pleasing to the eye. No wonder Shu'er and Yue'er both like you."

Lin Changning hurriedly cupped her hands in greeting: "Your Highness is too kind."

Princess gently patted Lin Changning: "Good child, Shu'er is waiting for you in the backyard. Go there later."

Lin Changning nodded and said, "Yes, Your Highness."

After the princess finished speaking, she glanced at the maid beside her. The maid nodded slightly and looked at Lin Changning, saying in a low voice.

"Young Master Lin, please follow me."

Just as Lin Changning was about to get up, she saw the princess smiling kindly at her mother: "Madam Lin, don't sit so far away. Come, let's talk about the children."

Seeing Lin Changning being led out by a maid, Lin's mother was somewhat flustered as the maid helped her to her feet. After glancing at Lin Changning, she was helped to a seat next to the princess.

Lin Changning had already walked out. She turned back and glanced at her mother with a hint of worry, her brows furrowing slightly. Only after seeing Qi Rong sit down next to her mother and nod gently to her did she breathe a sigh of relief.

Led by a maid, we wandered around the Prince's mansion, turning several corners, until we finally arrived at our destination.

There was a peach orchard, its lush greenery casting large patches of shade. Under the largest peach tree in the middle was a swing, and Li Mingshu was sitting on the swing with her back to her.

Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled patterns on Li Mingshu's body. The golden light made her appear to glow.

Lin Changning walked forward, and his voice seemed to startle Li Mingshu.

Li Mingshu subconsciously turned around and saw Lin Changning hurrying off the swing towards her, giving her a gentle smile.

"You're here?"