Chapter 11 (Made Up)

The truth will out eventually come out, and Huiyi found out everything.

As dusk fell, Huiyi returned from outside the palace in her golden carriage. The moment her feet touched the ground, she saw Yu Niang and De'an hurrying out of Xunfeng Palace to greet her, their expressions especially eager.

"What's wrong? Why are you being so attentive today? Is there some good news to tell me?"

Huiyi was in a good mood after watching a shadow puppet show, "The Story of Yingying," at Ci'en Temple, and her face was beaming with smiles.

"It could be a good thing, or it could be a bad thing."

Having served the princess for many years, they knew her likes and dislikes best, and naturally understood that Huiyi disliked the second son of the Lin family.

But unfortunately...

"Oh, tell me about it."

He was about to step across the threshold when he spoke.

"The Emperor has decreed a marriage, ordering the second son of Lin Zhongshu to marry your noble lady!"

Huiyi tripped over the threshold and almost fell flat on her face, but luckily her two maids, Jindie and Yindie, caught her and prevented her from making a fool of herself.

"What, Lin Lanting!"

"I don't want to!"

Upon receiving this news, Huiyi rushed straight to the Zichen Palace without even washing up, arriving just as her parents were having their meal.

Upon seeing Huiyi approach, Emperor Yongxi, who was slurping up mutton soup noodles, smiled and beckoned her to join him for a meal.

"Xi Nu is here. Have you eaten? Why don't you eat here?"

As she was about to ask the palace servants to add more food, Huiyi first bowed to her parents before hurriedly saying, "No need, no need. Father, I came here because I have something to ask you."

"Tell me what's wrong."

Emperor Yongxi asked the question knowing the answer, and ate his meal at a leisurely pace, which made Empress Huiyi angry.

"How could I, Master, let that scoundrel Lin Er become my son-in-law? He's so despicable!"

Huiyi made no attempt to hide her dislike for Lin Lanting, which caused Emperor Yongxi and Empress Du to exchange a glance and smile faintly.

"It's just childish bickering, nothing more than a life-or-death feud, why can't it happen?"

Huiyi stubbornly replied, "No, I just can't. I don't like him!"

bet

In a fit of anger, Huiyi sat down on the ground and began to throw a tantrum.

However, the imperial decree for the marriage had already been issued, and the royal envoy had gone to the Lin family with a goose to propose marriage.

The Lin family also respectfully knelt to receive the imperial edict, and the marriage between the two families was settled.

Therefore, Emperor Yongxi could not indulge her this time.

"The Emperor's word is as good as gold. The imperial decree to bestow the marriage upon the Lin family has already been issued, and I cannot go back on my word."

For once, Emperor Yongxi adopted the airs of an emperor, his face hardening, which startled Huiyi, leaving her speechless and unable to refute him.

Seeing her youngest daughter's expression, Empress Du found it amusing and gently comforted her, "Didn't you say you wanted your father to choose a husband for you? Now you're unhappy again. What a difficult girl to please!"

Huiyi snapped out of her daze, squeezed between her parents, and said, half annoyed and half coquettishly, "But this prince consort is no good, I don't want him!"

Receiving a pleading look from her husband, Empress Du continued to comfort him with a smile.

"What's wrong with him? Is it that Lin Erlang is ugly, or that he's a good-for-nothing? Is it that he's morally corrupt, or that he's not cheerful and doesn't laugh enough?"

Huiyi couldn't refute his words, one by one.

Just as she was about to criticize his bad temper, Empress Du said again, "Although he seems a bit arrogant, what capable young man is a coward? Once Xi Nu becomes his wife, he will naturally treat you well."

Huiyi couldn't persuade her parents, and in the end, she couldn't change the marriage arrangement.

In late spring, the night breeze was gentle. Eunuch Chao'en, following his father's orders, escorted him back to Xunfeng Palace.

As a close confidant of the emperor, Chao En knew that the emperor's order for him to escort the princess out was undoubtedly to have him say a few good words for her.

Without delay, Chao En walked along, muttering to himself.

"Although our sage is the emperor, possessing the country and ruling the four seas, he still has to worry about the powerful families in the court at all times. Lin Zhongshu and General Guo are the most powerful ministers. Although the sage knows that they are loyal and upright ministers, he still cannot withstand the power of the two families and often cannot sleep at night."

"Now that things are better, if Lin Erlang becomes the princess's husband and we become in-laws, the emperor's heart will be much more at ease, hehe~"

They chatted casually, as if talking to each other, while Huiyi listened silently, her eyes flickering uncertainly.

"I understand, Uncle Chaoen. I'll go back and think about it some more."

Upon hearing this, although he didn't immediately agree, Chao En knew Princess Chang Le's temperament, so this meant he was willing to consider it.

"Then thank you very much for your kindness, Princess."

After escorting the person to Xunfeng Palace, Chao En returned.

Biqing and the others came forward to ask how things were. Huiyi looked tired and waved her hand weakly, saying, "Father's decree can't be taken back. I'm afraid I have to get married."

To be honest, she didn't have any deep-seated hatred for Lin Er, but their personalities made it difficult for them to be husband and wife. Huiyi never expected that her father would choose Lin Lanting.

But recalling her mother's words, it seemed that Lin Er really did fit those criteria. It was just that she hadn't told her parents beforehand that she didn't want him, which led to this wasted time.

How did we end up with such a prince consort!

Huiyi had also imagined what her future husband would look like. He would surely be handsome, kind, gentle, and considerate, so that she could live a comfortable life with him.

Her mind was in turmoil, and she fell asleep later than usual at night. What was even more terrifying was that Huiyi dreamed about that scoundrel Lin Er.

In her dream, it was a wedding scene. She was sitting on the wedding bed, holding a fan, probably waiting for the groom.

Soon after, footsteps approached.

A hand brushed aside the feather fan that was blocking her eyes, and Lin Er's irritatingly smiling face appeared before her.

"You willful princess, from now on I am your husband!"

That sound seemed to echo, circling around my ears, even more terrifying than a demonic sound.

In Xunfeng Palace, Huiyi sat up abruptly from the bed, her black hair piled up messily on her shoulders, her eyes unfocused, and her face growing paler.

Meanwhile, Lin Lanting, who had just returned from hunting in the South Mountain, suddenly learned that he had been betrothed to that unruly princess, who was not a very good person either.

"Grandpa, I don't want to marry that unruly princess!"

Similar to Huiyi at the time, she didn't even have time to change her clothes before rushing to her father to protest.

Lin Heng, who was handling state affairs in his study, turned serious upon hearing this. He put down what he was doing and coldly snorted, "It's no use if you don't want to. The Emperor has already issued an imperial decree. What, do you want to disobey the decree?"

Lin Lanting's breath hitched, and his face began to look grim.

Lin Heng continued, "You're not a child anymore. Don't act like an ignorant child. This is a matter of honor and disgrace for the Lin family and even the Guo family. You should be able to distinguish what's important."

Upon hearing such serious and earnest words, Lin Lanting fell silent.

Indeed, he was no ignorant child. As the son of the prime minister and the General of the Imperial Guard, he had been immersed in the world of officialdom and fame since childhood. How could he not know the treacherous nature of the court?

The family's power and influence already aroused the emperor's suspicion. If they didn't climb the ladder offered by the sage, the consequences would be dire.

This time, he will probably have to make a sacrifice for his family.

"My son knows."

As if his life force had been drained, Lin Lanting responded dejectedly.

Seeing that his son was not stubborn, Lin Heng said with relief, "That's good. The family had been thinking of arranging a marriage for you with Princess Chang Le. Now it's just right. You should control your temper and live a good life with the princess. Maybe it will be a good match."

Lin Heng stroked his beard, his smile amiable.

Lin Lanting, however, disagreed, secretly pursing his lips and muttering, "Logically speaking, I've been under the Emperor's sway for quite some time now, so why am I suddenly thinking about my son?"

Lin Heng was taken aback by the question, and shook his head slowly, saying, "I don't know either. Perhaps the princess hasn't found a suitable husband yet, and she thought of you, a boy who has some ability."

Although it was somewhat derogatory, Lin Lanting listened with a rare air of pride.

Although it's a bit late, at least the standards have improved.

"The Sage will likely return in a couple of days to confirm your birth date and time. We need to prepare your jade tablet."

Lin Heng was making arrangements there, but Lin Lanting had no interest in these marriages that she didn't even want to see, so she took her leave.

On the way back to the courtyard, I ran into my elder brother, who jokingly called me "Imperial Son-in-Law and Commandant."

Lin Lanting rolled her eyes at her elder brother Lin Lanze and walked away listlessly.

Ah, if only he were a few years older or younger.

Like his elder brother, he was just the right age difference from that unruly princess.

...

A magnificent carriage with a hipped roof drove out of the Zhuque Gate and headed towards Chengtianmen East Street.

If there is no war, Lin Lanting will remain as the General of the Golden Guard in Chang'an, or more precisely, the General of the Left Golden Guard, with his office located on Chengtianmen East Street.

Although she couldn't resist the marriage, Huiyi still planned to do something.

For example, why did the grandfather suddenly think of Lin Er as his son-in-law?

He hadn't shown any interest in her for several years, so it's possible that Lin Er shamelessly recommended himself, relying on his father's appreciation of him to become the prince consort, and then rise rapidly in rank.

With a hint of doubt, Huiyi decided to go and talk to Lin Er.

The carriage swayed and rattled as it arrived at the Left Jinwu Guard's office. Without needing to show his insignia, Biqing sent a young eunuch to the guard of the office to deliver a message.

"Princess Chang Le has arrived and wishes to speak with your esteemed Lieutenant General, Lin Erlang. Please inform him as soon as possible."

The guard had already noticed that the carriage was unusual, and when the person introduced herself as Princess Chang Le, the guard immediately agreed.

The bolder one even went in with a smile to announce their arrival.

The imperial decree has been issued; now, who in Chang'an doesn't know that the two are engaged?

It hasn't been long since the princess came to visit. The General is indeed a General, a role model for us all!

So much so that when Lin Lanting heard the news and saw the bright smiles on the soldiers' faces, he couldn't help but curse.

"Laugh, laugh, laugh again, and you'll be punished by having to clean the chamber pot!"

Although the Lieutenant General was as strict with his troops as his uncle, General Guo, he treated his subordinates well. In his spare time, he would joke and laugh with them. It was not a big mistake; at most, he would have to clean the chamber pot. Therefore, the soldier who brought the news was not afraid at the moment, but just chuckled.

"Go quickly, General, or the princess will be waiting impatiently."

Even his most cunning junior subordinate was winking and urging him on, and the atmosphere in the room became increasingly off-track, making him feel awkward and strange.

"Shut up, all of you! If you're so idle, go and run a few laps around the government office carrying heavy loads, then come back and give me a check!"

Lin Lanting left, leaving behind a chorus of wails.

Upon exiting the government office, Lin Lanting immediately spotted the exquisite and luxurious carriage parked at the entrance, followed by the solemn and orderly palace servants and eunuchs beside it.

Lin Lanting didn't stand on ceremony and said loudly across the carriage, "Your subject is late, I pay my respects to the princess."

The curtain was lifted, revealing the woman's cold face.

"I'm so glad to finally see you."

If someone unaware of the inside story heard this, they would surely misunderstand and think that the two were a deeply affectionate couple.

But Lin Lanting was different. He moved closer and deliberately said, "Why don't you come in and sit down since the princess has arrived?"

Huiyi snorted coldly and glanced at Lin Er, saying, "Who wants to sit at your place? I'm here to ask you something."

With a single glance, Biqing understood and signaled the surrounding palace servants to move away.

The atmosphere grew even colder and more tense, as if they were about to be interrogated rather than engaged.

"you say."

Seeing that there were no trees around, Lin Lanting decided to be bolder and leaned against the wall of Huiyi's carriage with his arms crossed, adopting a carefree and unrestrained posture.

Huiyi couldn't stand his spineless, dissolute behavior and rolled her eyes, but she didn't stop him.

She has more important things to do now.

"Let me ask you, did you shamelessly ask my grandfather for my hand in marriage in private?"

If she finds out it was this guy who did it, she'll beat his face to a pulp!

Upon hearing this, Lin Lanting revealed an extremely complex emotion in Huiyi's eyes.

The incomprehension mixed with a hint of disdain immediately infuriated Huiyi.

"What's with that expression?!"

It's as if she's a joke!

Lin Lanting no longer leaned against the carriage wall, but he still stood with his arms crossed, lacking any elegant posture.

"Because I am more wronged than Dou E, I couldn't hold back for a moment."

"To be honest, this marriage is quite suspicious. I thought the princess had made a wise decision, but after hearing what she said, it seems I haven't."

"In short, I am also completely baffled. I returned from hunting in Nanshan and suddenly found myself inexplicably involved in a marriage. Princess, please do not slander me."

Lin Lanting shrugged, a hint of helplessness in his expression.

Huiyi suddenly seized on a point and asked, "You don't want to marry me?"

Lin Lanting raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile, "Does the princess perhaps think that the two of us are a good match?"

very good.

Huiyi's mood worsened, but it had nothing to do with love.

She was politely refused by Xie Sanlang, and she was also unwilling to accept the husband bestowed upon her by her father. This inevitably affected her mood.

"Then refuse the marriage," Huiyi said coldly.

But what he received was a refusal from Lin Lanting, who said frankly, "That won't do. Disobeying an imperial decree is a serious crime, and I would never dare to do so."

"How about..."

"The princess is causing trouble?"

Her smile was full of instigation, which made Huiyi angry again.

"You're good at using a tactic, but this one won't work."

Lin Lanting had known the outcome all along and was not surprised. He simply sighed and said indifferently, "Since that's how it is, let's just make do with it."

Huiyi mumbled this sentence over and over again the whole way, feeling extremely frustrated.

A note from the author:

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