187. No.

Lin Lingrong was startled. She hadn't expected her father to suddenly bring up the matter of a marriage alliance, and she certainly hadn't expected the other party to be the heir of the Prince of Shu.

But she refused to go to anyone, no matter who it was.

She was only seven years old and didn't believe that the Anguo Guild would find her a good marriage.

But when she thought of Xie Wenling's plan, she was afraid that her rash actions would affect him, and she was filled with hesitation.

He also understood his situation; disobeying the Duke of Anguo's wishes would likely not only fail him but also lead to even worse consequences.

So she could only whisper, "Daughter...daughter will listen to her father."

Duke Anguo nodded in satisfaction, his anger gradually subsiding and replaced by anticipation for the future: "Good! This matter is settled! I will visit the Prince of Shu's residence tomorrow and make sure this marriage is finalized!"

He put his hands behind his back, paced around the hall, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt that this marriage was a good deal.

The power of the Prince of Shu's mansion can not only help him completely get rid of the old prime minister's control, but also help him rise to a higher level. It's a win-win situation!

"No!" A clear voice of objection suddenly rang out.

Lin Fuman stepped forward, her anxiety bordering on anger: "Father, my sister is only seven years old! She's still a child, how can she be sent to an arranged marriage? How could you let my sister marry so young?!"

The smile on Duke Anguo's face froze. He hadn't expected his usually well-behaved youngest daughter to suddenly jump out and object: "Fufu, children shouldn't interfere in adults' affairs. This marriage is for the good of your sister and for the good of our entire Duke's mansion."

"For my sister's sake, she shouldn't be married off so young!" Lin Fu retorted, showing no fear of him. "I read in a book that a girl is considered of marriageable age at fifteen. My sister is only seven now, how can she become the heir apparent in the Shu Prince's mansion? Father, you're harming my sister!"

Li Yuniang nodded in agreement, took Lin Lingrong's hand, and said firmly, "Master, Fufu is right. Lingrong is too young. This matter must not be handled so hastily."

Duke Anguo frowned, feeling somewhat displeased.

He had thought that Li Yuniang and Lin Fuman would support him, but he didn't expect that even they would oppose him.

However, he always loved the mother and daughter dearly and didn't want to argue with them about this and hurt their relationship.

So he turned his gaze to Lin Lingrong, his tone carrying a hint of pressure and threat: "Lingrong, you tell them, are you willing to go?"

Lin Lingrong lowered her eyes, her fingers tightly gripping the hem of her clothes.

She knew that Duke Anguo had not given her the option to refuse.

Even if she refuses now, Duke Anguo will outwardly accept it, but behind the scenes he has plenty of ways to force her to agree.

Now, she can only pin her hopes on Xie Wenling.

After hesitating for a long time, Lin Lingrong finally raised her head and whispered, "Father, I...I'll listen to you."

Duke Anguo breathed a sigh of relief and quickly made the decision: "Good! It's settled then! I'll go to the Prince of Shu's residence first thing tomorrow morning to try to finalize the marriage as soon as possible, so that your mother and sister can rest assured."

Fearing further objections from Li Yuniang and Lin Fuman, he quickly left the main hall after making an excuse that he had "official business to attend to."

Li Yuniang tried to chase after him but couldn't catch up. She could only watch his retreating figure, sighed, and turned to hug Lin Lingrong: "Lingrong, don't worry, I will definitely not let you get married like this..."

Lin Fuman was still angry and stomped her foot: "Father is confused!"

Seeing that both of them were indignant and thinking of her, Lin Lingrong felt a warmth in her heart, but then shook her head: "No need, Aunt, Sister. I'm willing."

"What?" Upon hearing this, Li Yuniang and Lin Fuman were both stunned.

“I’m willing,” Lin Lingrong emphasized again.

She naturally had her own considerations.

Because if she refuses or resists, it will inevitably lead to Duke Anguo taking action against her or her mother.

Rather than doing that, it's better to obediently agree and wait for Xie Wenling to make his move.

If Xie Wenling fails or lies to her...

Lin Lingrong gradually developed new ideas regarding this worst-case scenario.

She thought the heir apparent of the Shu Kingdom might be a good choice.

He was powerful and influential, of noble status, and they were of similar age and had grown up together, so they could have developed some feelings for each other.

Moreover, once she becomes the Crown Princess of Shu, the Duke of Anguo will inevitably have to show her and her mother some respect.

However, these ideas are not convenient to share.

-

The next day.

The little dumpling had just returned home from the Wenhua Hall and was sitting in the courtyard happily eating snacks.

Suddenly, the courtyard gate was pushed open with a bang, and Lin Fu rushed in, panting heavily, her face full of anxiety: "Little Moon! Something terrible has happened!"

The little dumpling was startled: "Sister Fufu, what's wrong? Why are you running so fast?"

"I don't have time to explain!" Lin Fuman grabbed the little girl's hand and said quickly, "My father wants to marry my sister to the Prince of Shu! My sister is only seven years old, how can she get married! My father is going to the Prince of Shu's mansion to propose marriage today, we must find a way to stop him!"

Although Lin Lingrong herself accepted it, Lin Fuman, as someone from a modern society where 18 is considered an adult, simply couldn't accept it.

This is child marriage! Child marriage!

Child brides are a barbaric custom!

This is a crime! These people are committing crimes!

She quickly told the little girl what had happened yesterday, along with her own thoughts.

She spoke incredibly fast, as if a whole string of words went in one side of the little dumpling's head and came out the other side in a flash.

After going through all that, my mind was still blank.

The little dumpling blinked, its face full of confusion: "...What does marriage mean? Is it like playing house?"

She was only three years old and didn't understand what marriage was; she just felt that getting married was something very far away.

Lin Fuman squatted down, grabbed the little girl's shoulders, and explained earnestly, "This isn't child's play! Getting married means leaving home and living in someone else's house, and you have to cook and wash clothes for that man... Oh no, the Crown Princess doesn't have to do chores. Anyway! Sister is so young, how can she get married? And if she's sent there at such a young age, the people from the Prince of Shu's side will definitely bully her!"

The little dumpling seemed to understand a bit: "Ah? Then...then isn't big sister very pitiful? We can't let big sister go!"

Although she was young, she knew that leaving home was a terrible thing.

If she were to be separated from her mother, father, older brother, and second older brother... she would be very sad!

Not to mention that the eldest sister will be living in someone else's house forever.

“Yes! We can’t let my sister go!” Lin Fuman nodded vigorously. “Little Moon, do you have any way to stop all of this?”

The little dumpling thought of the same person again and came up with the same idea: "Let's go find Brother Xie! Brother Xie will definitely help us!"

The two women summoned servants who escorted them to the Xie residence.

study.

Xie Wenling was sitting behind his desk, dressed in a crimson brocade robe, holding a book in his hand, his pale face expressionless.

"Thank you, brother! Sister Fufu said her father is going to marry off my older sister to someone else. My older sister is only seven years old. Can we help her?"

Xie Wenling put down his book, his gaze falling on Lin Fuman, and said calmly, "Tell me more about it."

Lin Fuman hurriedly recounted the story of how the Duke of Anguo wanted Lin Lingrong to marry the heir of the Prince of Shu: "...Lord Xie, my sister really can't marry him. She's so young. Please think of a way to stop my father!"

Xie Wenling looked at the two children's anxious expressions, but he was actually unmoved.

After all, he was the one who initiated all of this.

However, although he had long known that the Anguo Guild was eager to curry favor with the Shu Prince's Mansion, he was still somewhat surprised that the other party would be so impatient and decide on a marriage alliance so quickly.

But this was also part of his plan.

The more eager the Duke of Anguo is, the more likely he is to reveal his weaknesses. With just a little guidance, he can cause the conflict between the Duke of Anguo and the old prime minister to erupt completely.

He reached out and patted the little boy's head, his tone gentler than before: "Don't worry, I know about it. You go back first, I'll figure something out."

Lin Fuman was still a little worried: "Lord Xie, can you really stop my father? My father is going to the Prince of Shu's mansion today."

"Don't worry, I'll make him change his mind."

Lin Fu was skeptical, but she had no choice but to bow to Xie Wenling and say, "Thank you, Lord Xie!"

The little dumpling chimed in, "Thank you, brother!"