Chapter 20 This person from his past life, even now as a teenager, is...

"What? Is there something wrong?" Zhou Xiaoyan asked, but his eyes were fixed on Fu Mingzi.

Fu Mingzi felt a chill run down her spine. She wanted to say something, but didn't know how. In the end, she could only stammer, "It's a bit embarrassing to say, but my family is also planning to arrange a marriage for me with this sixth young lady."

Fu Mingzi spoke with extreme guilt, her eyes constantly glancing at Zhou Xiaoyan's expression to see if he would react.

Zhou Xiaoyan did react, but it was a reaction of relief.

The fact that Fu Mingzi can say this now means that he has not firmly rejected this sixth young lady. The events of the previous life have not yet happened, so the sixth young lady did not kill herself because the Duke of Jingguo's mansion refused to accept her, the Yang family will not turn against the Duke of Jingguo's mansion, and Fu Mingzi's reputation has not been ruined.

"In that case, it seems the Princess Consort's plans were all in vain," Zhou Xiaoyan said, picking up his teacup as if to conceal his misunderstanding, his tone gentle.

Of course, he made all these things up. The Princess Consort had not yet taken a liking to any girl. He said these words only to test Fu Mingzi and see if he would refuse the marriage proposal. Only by finding out this could he plan the rest of the matter.

Fu Mingzi was quite angry at Zhou Xiaoyan's reaction. What did he mean? Was she happy to hear that he was engaged?

Fu Mingzi was a little angry, and he also found the Prince's son displeasing. If you hadn't been a step too slow, I wouldn't have been forced into this situation.

Upon seeing Fu Mingzi's expression, Zhou Xiaoyan understood his thoughts, and a smile couldn't help but appear in his eyes. However, he remained very solemn on the surface and said softly, "I do know an anecdote about Miss Yang Liu. I wonder if Minister Fu would like to hear it?"

Fu Mingzi frowned and looked at Zhou Xiaoyan. She didn't know he was such a gossip.

"I'd like to hear the details." If Zhou Xiaoyan wanted to talk to him, no matter what it was about, Fu Mingzi was naturally willing to listen.

"A year ago, Miss Yang had arranged a marriage with a poor scholar whom Governor Yang favored. He was said to be exceptionally talented and a promising candidate for the imperial examinations. Although I heard that Madam Yang was not very willing, she still put down a small betrothal. Unfortunately, just a few days after the betrothal, the scholar accidentally fell into the water and died when he was rescued. Miss Yang was so upset about this that she wanted to become a nun. However, a wealthy family like the Yang family would never do such a thing. Now, a year has passed, and it is not easy to find a suitable match in the Liangjiang region, so she has turned to the capital."

Zhou Xiaoyan spoke slowly and calmly, his voice gentle and even. Even in the bustling front hall, Fu Mingzi found it as if pearls were pleasing to the ear, and she listened with great interest to even the most scandalous anecdote.

"I see." Although Fu Mingzi was eager to hear Zhou Xiaoyan's voice, she also understood the meaning behind Zhou Xiaoyan's words.

Miss Yang must have been deeply in love with that scholar. Otherwise, how could the daughter of the Governor-General of Liangjiang have agreed to marry a poor scholar, and even wanted to become a nun after his death?

Secondly, the death of that scholar was also very meaningful. Madam Yang was unwilling to accept the marriage, but since the betrothal had been made, she was naturally forced into it by her daughter. However, the scholar died at that very moment. It was too much of a coincidence.

Ultimately, this matter caused a great uproar in Jiangnan, and as a result, Miss Yang had no choice but to go to the capital to plan her marriage.

In this way, Fu Mingzi could understand what Miss Yang had just said. She must still be thinking about that scholar and was unwilling to marry someone else. However, her family was pressuring her, so she came up with this plan to give up her own life in exchange for a place to live.

Zhou Xiaoyan looked at Fu Mingzi's sudden realization and pursed his lips slightly. In fact, he had learned about this matter by chance after Miss Yang died in his previous life. However, at that time, he disliked Fu Mingzi and therefore did not pay attention to it. Now, after careful consideration, he realized that there was actually a way to work around it.

"What does Fu Qing think?" Zhou Xiaoyan couldn't help but ask.

He also wanted to see how Fu Mingzi would choose after learning the inside story, since Fu Mingzi's choice in the previous life was too impulsive, and the final result was regrettable.

“This Miss Yang seems to be a very sincere and affectionate person. In that case, I can’t refuse her directly. Otherwise, I’m afraid I’ll be carrying the blame for someone’s death.” Fu Mingzi frowned, looking very worried.

She had initially thought she was just an ordinary girl, but after getting to know her, she discovered that she was quite courageous. Now, after hearing this story, Fu Mingzi realized that she had been wrong all along.

Her lover was likely killed by her own family, and now she's being forced into marriage. In this situation, Miss Yang is probably cornered. If she fails on her end, given her personality, she might very well resort to a desperate measure.

Zhou Xiaoyan listened to Fu Mingzi's words without feeling any turmoil, but rather a sense of "I knew it."

He lowered his eyes slightly. He should have known. Although the man looked unruly, he was actually quite intelligent. How blind he must have been in his previous life to think that this man was ignorant and incompetent.

"What will Fu Qing do? Will he agree to this marriage?" Zhou Xiaoyan twirled the teacup in his hand, his tone somewhat nonchalant, but only he knew how tense he was inside.

“Of course not!” Fu Mingzi said with a smile: “Miss Yang is still in the prime of her life. How can she just waste her energy in the inner quarters? She says she is heartbroken, but what has she really done? She is so young, she has never even left her own house, and she has never seen this beautiful land. There are plenty of ups and downs in this world, and she has experienced many hardships and joys. These are just some setbacks, not life or death.”

He laughed freely, but his face was full of relief: "I must thank Your Highness for saying these things to me today. I am aware of this matter. Since that is the case, I can think of a way to achieve the best of both worlds, so that Miss Yang can break free from her predicament and I can also breathe a sigh of relief regarding my marriage."

Zhou Xiaoyan was stunned, staring blankly at him, listening to his words, but recalling the scene before he died in his place in his previous life, when they faced each other.

—Your Highness, the world is vast and full of twists and turns. You are now merely a dragon trapped in shallow waters. How can you be so desperate?

"Your Highness, I have experienced both joy and sorrow in my life. Looking back now, apart from feeling guilty towards my father and brothers, I have not lived in vain. However, Your Highness has experienced sorrow without joy in your life, and has been trapped in this capital city your whole life. I feel sad when I see this. From today onwards, I only wish that Your Highness can see all the mountains and rivers of the world for me, taste all the flavors of life, be free from illness and worry, and live a long life."

"Your Highness, I would be happy even if I died."

He sat there, stroking his cheek. It was he who was dead, yet he looked at him with a face full of pity.

He bit his lower lip, his mouth full of blood. He wanted to shout at him, "I don't need you to die for me. There's no point in me living!"

Instead, he covered his mouth tightly, held him in his arms, and drank the poisoned wine in one gulp.

He was very thin at the time, just to make him look more like the character when he was dressed up.

He ordered his servant to disfigure him, fearing that those who wanted to conceal his appearance would notice the difference.

He gripped his hand, forcing him to promise that he would escape.

There was nothing he could do but watch as his breath slowly faded away, and finally the arm that was holding him slowly slipped off his waist.

Zhou Xiaoyan suddenly felt a stinging sensation in his eyes and quickly lowered his gaze.

Even though this person is still a teenager, he remains so warm.

"Just be careful." Zhou Xiaoyan originally wanted to persuade Fu Mingzi to accept the marriage, but now he thought that he was too despicable. How could he let a young girl waste her youth like this?

He really is still him.

Fu Mingzi was unaware of the complex emotions Zhou Xiaoyan was going through. He only felt that the Fifth Prince was truly his confidant, and he did not reprimand him for such an absurd act.

"Of course." He smiled and patted Zhou Xiaoyan on the shoulder: "I always make sure to be thorough in everything I do."

As they were talking, the Prince's heir and the fourth prince, Zhou Xiaoheng, walked over. Zhou Xiaoheng went around greeting everyone with the Prince's heir, still wearing a polite smile on his face. However, when he saw Fu Mingzi, his smile deepened.

"Why is Young Master Fu so quiet today? Is it because we haven't been hospitable enough?" the Prince's heir greeted him with a smile.

Fu Mingzi smiled and then looked at the person who had almost snatched him away.

"Your Highness is too kind. Today's banquet is more than adequate. It's just that I'm afraid of the cold and would like to stay warm by the fire."

That's not untrue. Today is a cold snap, and although there's a heater in the front hall, it's not as warm as usual.

The crown prince believed it upon hearing this and ordered people to add more charcoal to the stove.

Taking this opportunity, Zhou Xiaoheng smiled and struck up a conversation with Fu Mingzi: "Young Master Fu, have you come here today to discuss marriage?"

Fu Mingzi's smile immediately faded; this fourth prince was indeed concerned about her private affairs.

"Your Highness is too kind. I'm just accompanying my sister-in-law for a stroll." Even if they were really discussing marriage, Fu Mingzi wouldn't say it so openly, especially in front of outsiders.

Zhou Xiaoheng sensed the distance in Fu Mingzi's tone, and the smile on his face immediately faded.

Seeing that things were not going well, the Prince's heir quickly interjected, making small talk to smooth things over. However, none of them were really in the mood for conversation. The Prince's heir was a smart man, so he quickly made an excuse and pulled Zhou Xiaoheng away.

Watching Zhou Xiaoheng leave, Fu Mingzi frowned and said, "Why does this Fourth Prince always try to get close to me?"

Zhou Xiaoyan had been keeping a cold face until Zhou Xiaoheng left, then he spoke up: "Although Fourth Brother looks kind, he is not one to do useless things."

Fu Mingzi raised an eyebrow, understanding dawning on her. These words were almost a direct statement that the Fourth Prince was a snob.

Fu Mingzi chuckled, surprised that Zhou Xiaoyan, who looked so cold, was actually quite mischievous.

The two stood together and talked for a while. Apart from Fu Mingzi, Zhou Xiaoyan was indifferent to everyone else. Fu Mingzi was secretly pleased, but she didn't show it on her face. Instead, she became more and more attentive. During the meal, she sat next to Zhou Xiaoyan and served him food. The group of playboys were stunned and thought to themselves, "This guy is so considerate."

Zhou Xiaoyan remained expressionless, as if it were all just ordinary. Zhou Xiaoheng's expression changed, but he was a man of deep cunning and didn't reveal anything.

Fu Mingzi waited until the flower banquet ended, then saw Zhou Xiaoyan off with great pomp and circumstance, and only after the carriage had disappeared from sight did he return to the Prince's Mansion to pick up his sister-in-law.

A note from the author:

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