At this moment, Lan Xiuyuan's mind was in turmoil. Under the joint gaze of Lan Shanyang and Hu Tianyong, he didn't know what to say for three seconds.
However, Lan Xiuyuan hadn't been a pushover all these years; after a moment of panic, he quickly regained his composure.
He said loudly, "Father! Although Qin Kou'er has some connection with the Qin family of the Dowager Consort, it is still too distant. Moreover, she comes from humble origins. Even if she has made some contributions to the court, we still need to observe her future performance! Such a person should be observed for at least a year before she can participate in the selection of concubines. This way, it will be both safe and appropriate, and others will be more convinced of her worth!"
After Lan Xiuyuan finished speaking, sweat began to pour down his face.
He found such an excuse awkward, let alone Lan Shanyang and Hu Tianyong.
Sure enough, before Lan Shanyang could speak, Hu Tianyong loudly rebuked, "What kind of logic is this! Miss Qin's name has already spread throughout the land. Do we expect her to stay here for another year and force her to do good deeds in order to be considered a good person? Doesn't that prove that we are extorting her? Fifth Prince, your argument is far too far-fetched!"
After speaking, Hu Tianyong turned to Lan Shanyang and said loudly, "Your Majesty! This old minister strongly recommends Miss Qin. If such a good girl doesn't participate in the selection of concubines this year, we won't have a suitable reason to do so next year. Moreover, who knows what will happen next year? What if Miss Qin is betrothed to someone else this year? Wouldn't that be a loss for our royal family!"
At this point, Hu Tianyong glanced at Lan Linxue and smiled slightly, saying, "This old minister thinks that Miss Qin and Your Highness are a very well-matched couple! Not only have they shared joys and sorrows in Jiangnan, but they are also extremely compatible in other aspects! Therefore, this old minister thinks that it is very appropriate to betroth Miss Qin to Your Highness!"
Lan Linxue never expected that Hu Tianyong would say he and Qin Kou'er were a perfect match; it was like a windfall. This way, he wouldn't even need his father to say anything; he could simply go with the flow and marry Kou'er without any problem.
However, Lan Linxue absolutely did not believe that Hu Tianyong could have such good intentions! He rolled his eyes and looked at Lan Xiuyuan, who was lying on the ground ashen-faced, and immediately understood that Hu Tianyong was disciplining Lan Xiuyuan.
Hu Tianyong was furious that Lan Xiuyuan had secretly switched the roster, so he took this opportunity to teach Lan Xiuyuan a lesson and, incidentally, completely clip his little wings that wanted to fly. It was a blow to the head, to make him obedient to him, while he himself just happened to get a freebie.
Lan Shanyang pondered Hu Tianyong's words for a moment before turning to Lan Linxue and asking doubtfully, "Is it appropriate to betroth Miss Qin to Linxue? I heard yesterday that Miss Qin set her dogs on Lan Linxue and got her driven away!"
Upon hearing this, Lan Linxue nearly drowned herself in her own spit.
Good heavens, his original plan to force Lan Xiuyuan to take action has been thwarted by his father.
Just as Lan Linxue was about to speak, he saw Lan Shanyang give him a subtle wink.
Lan Linxue immediately fell silent, standing to the side with her head down.
Hu Tianyong quickly said, "These are just children's little tricks! Hasn't His Majesty heard the saying, 'Spare the rod and spoil the child'? Young people have their pride. How could they possibly accept it if Your Highness went to their doorstep to propose marriage in such a grand manner? Let alone setting the dogs on them, if some scoundrel were to come to the Hu family to propose marriage in such a grand manner, I might even shoot arrows!"
After saying that, Hu Tianyong glanced at Lan Linxue indifferently, not minding at all that he had directly called her a lecherous playboy.
Even an old man in a bad mood can be willful!
Upon hearing this, Lan Linxue immediately frowned and looked at Hu Tianyong: "I can tell from the way you directly called me a lecherous rogue, Prime Minister!"
Hu Tianyong looked at Lan Linxue with a forced smile: "Your Highness, did you realize? Oh dear, that was my fault! I'm getting old, and I've even forgotten how to be tactful. It seems I really am getting a bit senile!"
Lan Linxue glared at Hu Tianyong, cursing him in her heart as an old bastard.
After saying all that, to still say you can't be subtle is practically blatant insult!
Lan Linxue wanted to continue speaking, but was glared at fiercely by Lan Shanyang.
"What the Prime Minister said is wrong! Your actions are those of a lecherous rogue. Stand aside and don't get in my way."
After speaking, Lan Shanyang nodded to Hu Tianyong: "What the Prime Minister said is quite right. I suppose that's what Miss Qin meant. How about this, since the Prime Minister says that Linxue and Miss Qin are a good match, then I will follow the Prime Minister's wishes and betroth Miss Qin to Linxue!..."
"don't want!"
Lan Xiuyuan, lying on the ground, finally roared in anger, realizing he was about to vomit blood and die.
She raised her head, looking at Lan Shanyang in terror, and pleaded, "Father! Please, don't!"
Lan Shanyang was immediately stunned, then frowned: "Xiuyuan, what's wrong with you?"
Upon seeing this, Hu Tianyong immediately stood up and said to the person next to him, "The Fifth Prince is overwhelmed with grief and is currently delirious. Quickly help him down!"
Hu Tianyong knew very well that if Lan Xiuyuan continued talking, he might cry out that he liked Qin Kou'er, and he absolutely would not allow such a scene to happen.
Not only because Qin Kou'er couldn't marry him, but also because, in front of the Emperor, Lan Shanyang absolutely couldn't let Lan Xiuyuan see that he was still preoccupied with romantic love and wanted to compete with his own brother for a woman. Doing so would completely threaten Lan Xiuyuan's future chances of seizing the throne.
Hu Tianyong was truly furious and wished he could slap Lan Xiuyuan unconscious. He simply couldn't understand how Lan Xiuyuan, who had always been calm and capable, could become so useless and make such a basic mistake!
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