Chapter 57 A Visit to Propose Marriage: If Only My Cousin Could Be My Husband

Meanwhile, on Yuan Yan's side, all the other guests had already left, but she remained at the Changhuang Prince's residence because she sensed something was amiss.

"Your Highness, you trust Lu Cai, but the manor is truly inconvenient. Otherwise, it would be one thing not to entertain others, but how could we not entertain Your Highness?" Seeing this, the eunuch in the manor had no choice but to come forward and persuade him personally.

"Your Highness, please have mercy and listen to Lu Cai's words. Let's go back first. Otherwise, when the Crown Prince sees us, he'll blame us for not handling things properly..."

The more his father-in-law said this, the more certain Yuan Yan became of his suspicions.

She's been sitting here for so long, and the Crown Prince hasn't come out to see her off, which means either he's genuinely unwell, or he's intentionally avoiding seeing her.

Seeing that there was no point in continuing like this, Yuan Yan stood up and said, "Please convey my message to my uncle. Since my uncle is ill and not feeling well, I will come to visit him again tomorrow."

After saying that, she finally walked out of the palace, which made the servants in the palace breathe a sigh of relief.

They didn't know why the eldest prince had suddenly ordered the residence to be closed and no more guests to be received, but at least they managed to get someone to send away the Prince of Qin, this powerful figure they couldn't afford to offend...

Little did they know that as soon as Yuan Yan left the mansion, he said to Zhui Ying, who was accompanying him, "Go and find out what happened just now."

"Yes, Master." The image disappeared like a gust of wind.

Back at the palace, Yuan Yan sat in the main seat, listening to Zhui Ying report the results of her investigation.

"Your Highness, the eldest prince interrogated Young Master Yang about his relationship with you, punished him... and then locked him up..."

The system inhaled: [Host, the Crown Prince knows about your private relationship with Yang Lingyi!]

Yuan Yan had already sensed this, but his expression changed slightly when he heard that Yang Lingyi had been slapped on the palm.

"He's doing this because he doesn't want to marry Yang Lingyi to you, right? Yang Lingyi's been locked up, what are we going to do now...?"

Even the system couldn't help but feel anxious for the two of them.

Yuan Yan did not respond, but simply ordered someone to bring the best medicine for his wounds.

At night, she used her lightness skill to bypass the guards and enter the Changhuangnan's residence.

Upon arriving at Yang Lingyi's boudoir, Yuan Yan discovered that someone was constantly guarding it. Instead of leaving, he used some means to lure away the male servants inside.

In her boudoir.

Yang Lingyi's emotions fluctuated greatly during the day, and coupled with the punishment she received, she was already exhausted and was now lying on her bed, fast asleep.

When Yuan Yan entered, he saw him sleeping in the tent, with tear stains still clinging to his fair face. Although he was asleep, his eyelids were still fluttering slightly, as if he were having a restless dream.

A lot happened today; Yi'er must be exhausted.

Yuan Yan couldn't bear to wake him, so he took out the medicine and carefully applied it to him.

During this time, Yang Lingyi felt a slight pain and her eyelashes fluttered slightly, as if she was about to wake up, so Yuan Yan stopped what he was doing.

Footsteps could be heard outside.

"That's strange, why is this window open? It was definitely closed before..."

When the male servant returned, the first thing he saw was the open window in the outer room.

"I don't know, maybe the wind blew it up?" another night watchman replied casually.

The male servant entered the inner room and, seeing that the young master was still asleep, blew out the lamp, completely unaware that a small ointment box had appeared on the dressing table.

...

So when Yang Lingyi woke up the next day, she found that her palms felt slightly sticky.

"This is……?"

Looking around the room, he quickly discovered the ointment box that had appeared out of nowhere on the dressing table.

"Sister Yan, has that been you?"

Based on the feel of the object in her palm, Yang Lingyi almost immediately guessed where it came from.

The medicine was brought by Sister Yan. She must have known about the situation and come to see him. Seeing him asleep, she applied the medicine.

With the ointment box in her arms, Yang Lingyi felt a warmth spreading through her heart, and all her previous worries and anxieties vanished at that moment.

His sister's feelings for him were genuine, just like his own. For his sister Yan's sake, he would persevere.

*

During the day.

Yuan Yan visited the Changhuang Prince's residence again to request an audience.

"Don't come. Even after all this, you still dare to come back... Let her go back."

Because of Yang Lingyi's matter, the eldest prince's good impression of Yuan Yan was completely gone.

He felt that if the two of them hadn't secretly exchanged gifts, how could Yi'er have become the way she is now?

The eldest prince took his anger out on Yuan Yan and also gave her a cold shoulder.

So the servants, following the instructions of the eldest prince, told Yuan Yan that the eldest prince was unable to receive guests and asked His Highness to return home.

"It's alright, I'll wait here. We'll talk when my uncle is free to see me."

Yuan Yan appeared calm and collected, but his words left the servant speechless.

"This... It would be quite unsightly for His Highness to be waiting outside this mansion. If word gets out, people who don't know the situation might think that the Crown Prince's residence has done something to His Highness..." The eunuch sensed the threat in the words and couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

"This is your business, what does it have to do with me?" Yuan Yan remained unmoved.

When her father-in-law returned and told her, the eldest prince couldn't help but ask, "Did she really say that?"

“It is absolutely true. The King of Qin said it himself. We dare not spread such rumors.” The eunuch lowered his head even further.

At first glance, Yuan Yan seemed like a refined lady, but it turned out she was actually a shameless rogue who disregarded all manners.

Upon hearing this, the eldest prince's chest heaved, and after a few breaths, he managed to suppress the anger rising in his heart.

"Fine, let her be. I want to see how long the Prince of Qin can wait. If he's so capable, let him wait outside the mansion for a whole day. Without my order, none of you are allowed to let the Prince of Qin in."

He was truly angry this time, and after saying that, he turned and left.

The eldest prince led his men to the backyard to see Yang Lingyi.

...

Throughout the day, Yuan Yan said nothing unnecessary and did nothing unnecessary. Her carriage waited outside the residence of the eldest prince, waiting for him to come out and see her.

The eldest prince was forced into a corner, and in order to avoid Yuan Yan, he could only leave the mansion through the side gate.

I thought one day was the limit, but to my surprise, Yuan Yan came to the mansion for two consecutive days after court.

For the past two days, Yuan Yan's carriage has been parked outside the Changhuangnan residence, and rumors have already begun to circulate. If it were to come another day, who knows how far the rumors would spread.

Having no other choice, the eldest prince had to come out and see Yuan Yan in person.

"Uncle, I have been waiting here for several days, and I am finally pleased to see you recover."

Yuan Yan smiled, "It can be said that hard work pays off."

The eldest prince looked displeased and didn't respond to her words, only wanting to get rid of Yuan Yan as soon as possible.

"A servant has informed Your Highness that you wish to speak with me. Now that I have arrived, Your Highness may speak freely," said the eldest prince.

"What I have to say concerns your younger brother, Uncle. Are you sure you want to discuss this with me here?" Yuan Yan asked.

"..."

The eldest prince remained silent for two breaths, then said, "Come in with me."

Inside the hall.

Yuan Yan got straight to the point: "Uncle, the reason I've come to your door is to propose marriage to your brother, your daughter."

"I wonder where my cousin is now, and whether he can meet with me."

These two requests were both incredibly presumptuous. The fact that they were thrown out one after another made the Crown Prince doubt his own ears.

"King Qin, do you know what you are saying?"

“Of course. I have long admired my cousin, and this visit is the result of careful consideration. I wish to ask my uncle to grant me the position of chief minister in marriage with my cousin,” Yuan Yan repeated.

"Your Highness and I have only met twice at the banquet, and we haven't even spoken much. How could you say that I have long admired you? Your Highness, please stop joking with me."

Faced with Yuan Yan's request, the eldest prince did not want to respond and simply pretended not to know.

"Uncle, there's no need to avoid the topic. I know that Yi'er has already told you about our affair."

"No one else will know what we are saying here today."

However, Yuan Yan did not want to play games with him anymore, and after saying it directly, he dismissed the attendants and guards from the hall.

The eldest prince frowned upon seeing this. However, he still nodded slightly to his trusted attendant, signaling him to also withdraw.

"Since Your Highness is aware of these matters, you must also know that I have confined Yi'er to her quarters. I will never agree to marry Yi'er into the royal family under any circumstances."

“I have little luck with children. I’ve only had one son, Yi’er, for most of my life. He was hard-won, so I’ve been especially fond of him and raised him to be a simple and innocent person. A place like the palace is not suitable for Yi’er,” the eldest prince said.

"That's just one reason. I think the real reason my uncle doesn't want Yi'er to marry me is because he's worried that I'll deliberately get close to Yi'er and use her influence to seize power."

Yuan Yan tore away the last pretense between them and spoke frankly.

"I do indeed have such concerns."

The eldest prince finally admitted, "But looking at the current situation, shouldn't my concerns be justified?"

Yuan Yan: "I do not know what others think in their hearts."

"But at least I can swear that I have never had such a thought in my heart."

"Just like the throne of the King of Qin. If I want something, I will get it by myself, without relying on the power of others. Uncle, you can rest assured."

When Yuan Yan said this, there was a disdainful look in his eyes.

She had no interest in using men to fight for her position.

The eldest prince said, "If that's the case, why is Your Highness so persistent with my son?"

Yuan Yan said, "I know very well that my uncle dotes on my cousin Yi'er and cherishes her like a precious jewel. His bold request to marry her today is not a spur-of-the-moment thing."

"Yi'er is lively, innocent, intelligent and graceful. I truly love him."

"If I were to marry my cousin, I would cherish him dearly, protect him for life, and never let him suffer the slightest grievance."

After Yuan Yan finished speaking, the Crown Prince bowed, his expression unusually solemn.

The eldest prince fell silent.

Having lived so many years and accumulated so much experience, he could naturally tell that Yuan Yan's words came from the heart. But people's hearts are fickle, and how could the eldest prince, as a father, gamble his only child on a mere, uncertain sincerity?

Just as the eldest prince was about to get up to see the guest off, a figure rushed in despite the servants' attempts to stop him.

The attendant hurriedly tried to stop him: "Oh dear, the Crown Prince is in a meeting with someone, young master, you cannot go in..."

Yang Lingyi ignored the servants and ran into the hall, where she indeed saw Yuan Yan standing opposite the eldest prince.

"Sister Yan!" The moment Yang Lingyi saw Yuan Yan, tears involuntarily streamed down her face.

Yuan Yan was surprised that Yang Lingyi would suddenly barge in, and immediately stood up, "Yi'er?"

Yang Lingyi had a lot to say to Sister Yan, but she only took two steps forward before she forced herself to hold back.

At this moment, the eldest prince was acting as if to dismiss the guest, clearly indicating that his negotiations with Yuan Yan had broken down.

Yang Lingyi realized what was happening and immediately knelt down on the ground, facing the eldest prince.

"Father, please. I don't want to marry anyone but Sister Yan in this life. If you insist on separating us, I'm afraid I'll never have a happy moment again in my life..."

Clear tears slid down his cheeks, his long eyelashes became wet, and his voice choked with emotion.

When the eldest prince saw Yang Lingyi in such a state, his heart ached for a moment. He couldn't help but think of Yang Lingyi's dejected appearance these past few days, locked in the courtyard, constantly weeping.

A part of my heart began to waver, but I still kept a cold face and didn't say anything.

"Your unfilial son has caused you trouble, Father... Please, Father, have pity on Yi'er and grant us your wish!" Yang Lingyi said, and before anyone could react, she kowtowed forcefully.

This kowtow struck Changhuangnan's heart like a sharp awl, and Yang Lingyi's pleading words, along with them, flooded and eroded the banks of Changhuangnan's heart like a torrent.

"Yi'er, get up. Your uncle and I are still discussing this. Things haven't come to this yet." Yuan Yan, completely disregarding that they were still in front of the eldest prince, strode forward, helped Yang Lingyi up, and stopped her from continuing.

"Yi'er, don't you believe me? Don't cry like this, I'll handle this." Her voice was unusually gentle as she wiped away Yang Lingyi's tears with her thumb.

Yang Lingyi looked at Yuan Yan with misty eyes, a bittersweet feeling welling up inside her, but she smiled and said, "Hmm... I believe in my sister."

He knew, of course, that his sister Yan had a way to solve the problem, but how could he bear to let her suffer at the hands of their father? That's why, when he learned that Yuan Yan had come to the mansion to see their father, he rushed in despite all the obstacles, just to face the situation with her.

Yuan Yan protected Yang Lingyi and said again, "Uncle, you have seen it too, Yi'er and I are truly in love."

"No matter who tries to stop me in this life, I will never give up the idea of ​​marrying Yi'er. I hope my uncle can give me this opportunity to take care of Yi'er."

As Yang Lingyi listened, tears welled up in her eyes. "Father, I beg you too."