Seeing that Da Chun looked confused, Shu Hui's eyes flickered a few times before she quickly said, "Oh, it's nothing. Second brother, let's go to that little pavilion over there to talk. It's not a good place to talk here."
Da Chun nodded and followed Shu Hui and Zi Juan to a small wooden pavilion to the side.
Meanwhile, Da Chun went to pay his respects to Lan Qin, naturally hoping to make his presence known to her, and perhaps even run into the Fourth Prince or another prince. Judging from that day, the Fourth Prince still quite admired his tea-making skills.
After getting information from Shuhui, Lanqin was in a dilemma. Shuhui was in love with the Thirteenth Prince, but now the Tenth Prince was very interested in her. The Tenth Prince was also from the Niohuru family, so marrying him would be a good thing for Shuhui. The Tenth Prince was kind and honest, and would naturally not mistreat his own family. Moreover, the Tenth Prince was currently on the side of the Eighth and Ninth Princes; if Shuhui were married into the family, it would strengthen the Niohuru family's ties. Perhaps then, the Tenth Prince's attitude would change.
Fourth Master didn't object, but Lanqin was troubled by Shuhui's feelings. She really didn't want to force a girl to marry a man she didn't like. When Dachun came to pay his respects, she naturally let him in, but she didn't mention Shuhui's feelings to him.
Thirteen came alone in the afternoon. Fourth Master got up at just the right time, and the two went to the study to play chess. Lanqin wanted to ask Thirteen, but she felt that she was meddling too much.
Every now and then, Lanqin would bring in a pot of fine Lu'an melon seed tea to check on the two men's battle.
"Does little sister-in-law have something to say to fourth brother?" Thirteen finally noticed that Lanqin was acting strangely and said with a grin.
Lanqin smiled slightly and said, "Thirteen, I won't beat around the bush with you anymore. Tell me, did any of my three younger sisters take a fancy to you today?"
Fourth Master glared at Lanqin, thinking to himself: Why does this little woman speak so bluntly? Doesn't she know how to be tactful at all?
Thirteen didn't expect Lanqin to want to say this. He glanced awkwardly at Fourth Master, only to find that Fourth Master was also looking at him. He became even more confused about what they were trying to do.
"Is my sister-in-law worried about my offspring?" Thirteen said with a smile.
Lanqin sighed, knowing that Thirteen must not have taken a liking to anyone, otherwise he wouldn't have said that. Alas, it's a pity that Shuhui's devoted heart will likely be in vain; the falling flower has feelings, but the flowing water is indifferent.
"Yes, I'm worried about your offspring. You've been married for several years now, and you still haven't given birth to a princess. Consort Cheng must be so concerned about the Thirteenth Prince." Lanqin had no choice but to go along with him.
These words made Thirteen blush deeply, and Fourth Master coughed a few times and quickly winked at Lanqin.
Lanqin was completely confused, but then she remembered something and immediately blushed. She quickly said, "Well, Thirteenth Master, why don't you stay for dinner? I'll go check the kitchen."
As soon as Lanqin stepped out of the study, she immediately felt like disappearing into a hole in the ground. She had been too direct in her question; if she had asked Thirteen that directly, he might have thought she was implying that he was impotent or something.
Lanqin stomped her feet twice, and Nianxue blushed with embarrassment, saying, "Master, are you trying to matchmake Princess Shuhui with the Thirteenth Prince?"
Lanqin quickly put a finger to her lips and said, "Stop talking. I don't think Thirteen has any feelings for her. You can't force a relationship. Shuhui's feelings will probably be disappointed. But it's better to be disappointed now than to actually marry him and live alone in an empty room."
Meanwhile, Shuhui and Dachun were also talking. Shuhui eventually told Dachun that the Tenth Prince had feelings for her, but she didn't say that she was in love with the Thirteenth Prince.
“Sister, the Tenth Prince is a descendant of Empress Niohuru, so he is your cousin. Since the Tenth Prince has already clearly told your cousin and the Fourth Prince, why didn’t she mention it when I went to pay my respects just now?” Da Chun said.
"Brother, does this mean I'm going to enter the Tenth Prince's harem?" Shuhui asked eagerly, a small voice in her heart resisting.
“Since the Tenth Prince has made it clear, it’s probably pretty much a done deal. When the time comes, he’ll ask the Emperor to just name someone. It’s said that before the Emperor even sees the candidates, he can just look at the list and name someone for the princes and his relatives. The Tenth Prince is a leisurely nobleman. Although he doesn’t have a great future, he is still related to the Empress, so he will at least be a prince in the future,” Da Chun analyzed.
"Brother, do you think it's a good thing for your sister to enter the Tenth Prince's harem?" Shuhui asked timidly. She thought of Ling Feng's instructions to her, her mother Lin, and the purpose of her trip to the capital.
“If you could be betrothed to the Tenth Prince, that would be quite good. At least Father could then connect with the Aling family. Speaking of which, we are all from the same clan, so this would be a double blessing,” Dachun said, oblivious to the hint of sorrow in Shuhui’s expression.
"Actually, even if I wanted to or not, as long as Tenth Master went to beg, I would have to enter his inner quarters. I had no choice." Shuhui gradually concealed the trace of sadness on her face and said somewhat numbly.
Da Chun then noticed the sorrow on Shu Hui's face and asked in confusion, "Does my sister dislike the Tenth Prince?"
Shuhui looked up at Dachun, neither shaking her head nor nodding, but instead gave a cold smile and said, "Sister is going back. Brother is sending me to the imperial concubine selection. If you stay and enter the inner quarters of a family, you will never see your father, your mother, or Aunt Lin again. Brother, please take good care of them for me."
When Da Chun heard his younger sister, who always seemed to be the center of attention, suddenly say such things, he felt a little sad and said, "Sister, don't be so sad. Being able to enter the prince's harem is already a great blessing. With your cousin by your side, you're not alone. If you really stay here, don't forget to keep in touch with the concubine. You're all from the Niohuru family, so you must be of one mind and one heart."
Shuhui nodded. Seeing that she looked tired, Dachun stood up and escorted her back.
As soon as Shuhui returned, she saw Chen Xiuzhu standing at the door. Upon seeing her return, Chen Xiuzhu quickly went up to her with a smile and said, "Where did you go, little sister? Tenth Master just sent someone to deliver something, saying it was for you!"
Shuhui was startled. Instead of being happy, she felt a sense of disgust. She thought to herself: Does he think I am his woman just because he is so sure of me?
"Xiuzhu, look at you, didn't you see that Shuhui is a little tired? Let her rest." Xinyi also came out of her room and said to Chen Xiuzhu.
"If you like it, sister, you can take it." Although Shuhui was good-natured, the clay figure she had made now also showed some temper.
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