Chapter 40: Aren't we looking for His Highness?

Yang Qing sat up abruptly. It must be something incredibly urgent for someone to send her a message so late. She quickly asked, "What is it?"

Liu Ye'er said, "The messenger didn't say anything, only that she's coming to see you tomorrow and that you shouldn't go out."

This seemingly random sentence made Yang Qing very uneasy.

Pianran is in such a hurry, something serious must have happened, but she didn't say what happened, only leaving behind this one sentence, which is really upsetting.

Tonight is destined to be a night of many dreams. She dreamt of Li Shangxuan, one moment they were deeply in love, the next he brought her a child and told her to take good care of it, saying it was a blessing from him.

Yang Qing wanted to scratch his face until it bled. Then she dreamed of Xu Pianran again. In her previous life, her husband was not bad, but he was too weak. His widowed mother made all the decisions in the family.

Filial piety is the most important virtue. Most people are like this: whatever suffering they have, they want their descendants to suffer as well. When Xu Pianran first married into the family, she was severely tormented. Later, when Yang Qing became empress, the family became more restrained, but the affection between husband and wife was gone forever.

The thought of the proud and beautiful Xu Pianran in such a situation made Yang Qing's heart ache. If only she could avoid marrying into the same family in this life.

It's a pity that Yang Qing isn't even a member of the Xu family, so she can't influence her family's thoughts. If only she were still the Empress.

The next day, Xu Pianran arrived right after breakfast, looking very anxious, and even dismissed her maids.

Yang Qing asked curiously, "What exactly happened? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Xu Pianran said, "Do you remember my cousin Yanran, whom I met once before?"

Yang Qing said, "It's only been a few days, of course I remember. What's wrong?"

Xu Pianran was both anxious and embarrassed: "Didn't my second uncle arrange a marriage for her? It's that carefree Zhou Minghao from last time."

Yang Qing said, "Didn't you say last time that it was just a matter of interest between the two families? How come all the formalities and gifts have been exchanged so quickly?"

Xu Pianran was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Although it was already autumn, her face was flushed red. "This... Oh dear, why are you asking this? It's not important. It's about that Lord Huo we met at the restaurant last time... My, my cousin, she..."

When she gets anxious, she can't even speak fluently.

Yang Qing grasped the key point: Huo Lu? In her past life, Yang Jiayin had said a lot of bad things about Huo Lu to her. Although this guy pretended to be a decent person in front of her, and was more like a gentleman than Li Shangxuan, it was hard to guarantee that he wouldn't suddenly turn into a beast when lust took hold.

Although Xu Yanran doesn't look very healthy, she does have a pitiful and beautiful appearance.

Yang Qing hurriedly asked, "What happened? Tell me quickly, you're driving me crazy."

Xu Pianran paused for a moment, organized her thoughts, and then blurted it all out in one breath, "My cousin has fallen for him, and now our whole family knows about it. My second uncle wants to beat her to death!"

Yang Qing was stunned. "But they've only known each other for a few days? They've only met once, how could they have fallen for each other already?"

Xu Pianran calmed down considerably and was finally able to speak clearly: "It's really a coincidence. After that day, when we went boating on the lake, Sister Yanran almost fell into the water. It was Lord Huo who saved her. It's all my fault for being so carefree. I'm afraid that's when Sister Yanran started to have this thought."

Yang Qing asked suspiciously, "You two went boating on the lake, what was Huo Lu doing there?"

She was probably a very gloomy person, and couldn't help but wonder if Huo Lu had done this on purpose. A hero saving a beauty and secretly falling in love with her was a trick that playboys often used.

Xu Pianran said, "Don't you also think that Lord Huo has ulterior motives? My second uncle and the others think so too, but that's not true at all. There were several young masters and ladies there at the time, and your fiancé was there too, as were the two from the Ming family. Lord Huo was definitely there to protect your fiancé, how could he have any intention of doing anything wrong?"

Yang Qing was stunned for a moment, and the fire in her heart suddenly ignited.

She knew Li Shangxuan was a dog; he was indeed no good. Yesterday, he pretended to be gentle and kind, forcing her to swear that she could never like anyone else and would never cheat on him.

The green hat won't disappear, it will only move on. Isn't it firmly on her head?

Xu Pianran noticed her expression change. In the past, she would have teased her mercilessly, but now she had no such intention. Tears welled up in her eyes. "Don't overthink it. I saw it clearly. They were far away..."

Yang Qing said calmly, "Let's not talk about that. Let's talk about your cousin first."

Xu Pianran wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. She had come in such a hurry that she hadn't even put on any makeup.

"I didn't attend your family's banquet the other day because of this. Our family was arranging the exchange of betrothal gifts with the Duke of Ying, and then my cousin suddenly said that she already had someone she liked, that is, Lord Huo. My second uncle was furious, thinking that she was shameless and disgraced the family, and wanted to beat her to death. Although my father stopped him, my cousin Yanran was still whipped several times. She was already in poor health, and then she suddenly developed a high fever, which almost killed her."

Yang Qing said, "Doesn't your grandfather care at all?"

Xu Pianran sneered, "Don't you know? They're all of one mind. Grandfather, father, and second uncle—no, not just them, but also grandmother, mother, and second aunt. They're all of one mind. Not to mention Sister Yanran, even I've been scolded many times for bringing Sister Yanran to know some shady people. They said I'm not allowed to go out and play freely anymore."

Yang Qing said, "But when I see your father, he seems to be a very good-tempered person..."

Xu Pianran said, "You are a guest, so naturally he is nice to you. I am a daughter who will marry someone else, so naturally he can't be bothered with me. You haven't seen how he scolds my brother; that's really scary."

Yang Qing said, "This... Oh dear, what do you want to do after you came to see me?"

Xu Pianran grasped her hand: "You know Huo Lu, right? I'd like to ask you to ask him if he's willing to marry Sister Yanran."

Yang Qing hesitated, "He and I are only nodding acquaintances. Isn't it too presumptuous to ask such a question? Besides, what kind of family does he come from? Your family is a Duke's mansion. Do you think you would even look at him?"

Xu Pianran said, "There's nothing I can do about it. Now I'm watched when I go out, and I can't even order the servants around. There's not even anyone to pass on messages. I can't think of any other way but to beg you. Who would have thought that Sister Yanran, who is usually so shy and weak, would become so stubborn? No matter how much I threaten her or try to persuade her, it's no use. She just doesn't want to marry Zhou Minghao, but wants to marry that Lord Huo instead."

Yang Qing still hesitated: "My pride doesn't matter much. At worst, he'll reject me. But if I ask him to come and propose, and your family doesn't agree, that would be really embarrassing..."

Xu Pianran said, "How could I disagree? I asked my brother to inquire about him. Although Lord Huo comes from a humble background, he is now highly trusted by the Crown Prince and is already a fourth-rank official at a young age. Zhou Minghao, on the other hand, is only an eighth-rank official, and his position is hereditary. Shouldn't we choose Lord Huo instead?"

Yang Qing said, "That's not necessarily true. Although Zhou Minghao is only an eighth-rank official now, the title of Duke of Yingguo will likely fall to him. As for Huo Lu, although he is only a fourth-rank official now, his foundation is too shallow. Your family may not think highly of him."

Xu Pianran was stunned, as if she hadn't understood yet. Yang Qing sighed and said, "If you insist on doing this, I will go and pass on a message, but this matter may not be able to be accomplished. Putting aside what your grandfather and second uncle think, Huo Lu himself may not be willing either."

Xu Pianran immediately retorted, "Why would he be unwilling? My sister has everything: good looks, talent, and a good background. How is she not good enough for him? It's his good fortune to be chosen. Besides, if he didn't also have feelings for Sister Yanran, why would he have offered his help time and time again?"

Yang Qing questioned, "You seem to really support your sister doing this."

Xu Pianran said, "Of course! If I really married that Zhou Minghao, wouldn't my life be ruined?"

The fear and worry were real, but deep down there was also a vague sense of exhilaration, like a bird spreading its wings and breaking free from its restraints, soaring towards the vast sky.

Yang Qing said, "I think you've read too many storybooks. Although there are many beautiful tales of talented scholars and beautiful women, aren't there also many stories of heartless men and fickle lovers?"

Xu Pianran simply said, "How can you know the joy of a fish if you are not a fish? No matter who it is, even if they are a peddler or a laborer, as long as they are of good character, they are better than Zhou Minghao."

Yang Qing agreed with this point. After meeting Zhou Minghao that time, she specifically went to ask the Third Madam and Rong Yue about it.

The third wife said he was "not a good person. If you see him in the future, you must stay far away from him and never stay with him."

Rongyue described him as "indulging in pleasures, a dissolute and immoral person," which were all negative comments. This gives you an idea of ​​what kind of person Zhou Minghao really is.

Yang Qing nodded and said, "Okay, I'll pass on this message for you."

Xu Pianran was overjoyed and was about to rush up and hug her, "I knew it, Yangqing, you would definitely help us."

Yang Qing said, "Don't be so happy so soon. Be prepared for the possibility that it might not work out."

Xu Pianran said, "Heaven helps those who help themselves. As long as you do it, what can't you accomplish?"

She then took Yangqing's hand and pleaded, "You have to go quickly. Sister Yanran isn't eating or drinking right now, and I'm afraid she won't last much longer."

Yang Qing exclaimed in surprise, "Not eating or drinking? Has she gone mad? You should go home and talk to her. How can she ruin her health like this?"

She had tried to starve herself to Li Shangxuan before, but it was just a show to threaten him; she hadn't actually starved herself at all.

Xu Pianran said, "What can I do to persuade them? Yesterday morning, they had another big fight, and my second uncle even said that if Sister Yanran died, he would pretend that he had never raised this daughter."

Yang Qing sighed, "Your second uncle is too heartless. You should go back first and try to persuade your sister. No matter what, you can't let her health get really damaged, otherwise there will be no other way."

Xu Pianran said, "I will try to persuade them again."

Before she left, she repeatedly told him, "Don't forget."

Yang Qing said, "I know."

Xu Pianran was still worried, turning back every few steps, "As soon as possible!"

After she left, Yangqing called Xiaoman over; she had returned early that morning.

Yang Qing cut to the chase and asked, "Do you know Huo Lu?"

Xiaoman was puzzled, but still nodded honestly, "I know."

Yang Qing hesitated for a moment before asking, "What do you think of him as a person?"

Xiaoman's face was full of questions, and Yangqing urged, "Tell me quickly, what kind of person is he? Does he have any bad habits? Like frequenting brothels or being a womanizer?"

Xiaoman honestly replied, "No, Lord Huo likes to buy and raise horses, but he doesn't value women very much. I haven't heard any rumors about him."

Yang Qing didn't doubt that the little blockhead was lying, but she doubted whether she knew everything. "Please go and tell him if he can meet with me after his shift. I have something to tell him."

Xiaoman paused for a moment, then asked again to confirm, "Are you looking for Huo Lu, not His Highness?"

Who would bother looking for Li Shangxuan for no reason?

Yang Qing said, "Didn't your prince give you any instructions? Now you have to listen to me. When I tell you to do something, you still ask all sorts of questions."

Xiaoman muttered, "I didn't say I wasn't going, it's just strange."