Chapter 30 Requesting the Crown Prince to Arrange a Marriage
"She's engaged to the heir of the Marquis of Dingyuan, Xie? I think you're insane!"
Pei Siyan toyed with the ring in his hand, his sharp gaze falling on him as if Mount Tai were pressing down on him.
Zhang Chengxian raised his head, undeterred. "She'll break off the engagement. Last time, didn't you encourage me to snatch her away?"
"If you're willing to marry her, will she be willing to marry you?" Pei Siyan chuckled. He had always looked down on men who were obsessed with love.
Zhang Chengxian had already made up his mind, and said solemnly, "Sincerity can move mountains, and she will definitely see my true feelings."
"Is it really her who's the only one for me?"
"Yes! Your Highness, you take the world as your responsibility and will not indulge in love, so naturally you will not understand her goodness."
"A woman who has lived in a Taoist temple for four years, is she really that good?" Pei Siyan scoffed. Why should he know?
"No, Wenyi isn't that kind of person. She's pure, kind, and innocent. Those rumors are just hearsay and have nothing to do with her."
“Zhang Chengxian, she is not suitable for you.” Pei Siyan scoffed.
"Tianning City is about to descend into chaos."
Zhang Chengxian was well aware that the emperor was becoming increasingly incompetent and suspicious, that Prince Rui and Consort Tan were colluding with the previous dynasty to aid and abet evil, that local officials were rampant with corruption, and that they even dared to embezzle military funds and salt permits.
The Northern Barbarians are watching us closely; a slight misstep could lead to war.
As the crown prince, Pei Siyan bore the weight of the people's fate on his shoulders, and naturally he was unwilling to indulge in romantic love.
"The brocade mounds of Tianning City are not suitable for you. Go and train in the border army."
Zhang Chengxian grew anxious. "Your Highness, if I return victorious, may I marry her? Also, could you please take good care of her?"
Pei Siyan smiled, "I don't have time to make things difficult for a woman. Get lost!"
Zhang Chengxian could not hide his disappointment. He had hoped to gain a favor, thinking that once Pei Siyan ascended the throne, he would be granted a marriage.
His words were treasonous, yet they were also a declaration of loyalty. Normally, they were like brothers, but the distinction between ruler and subject remained.
But why didn't Pei Siyan give him a clear promise?
After Zhang Chengxian left dejectedly, Pei Siyan casually asked, "How is she?"
"Who? Miss Mingyan?" Chi Yan saw his gaze darken and instantly realized that the 'she' he was referring to was Miss Dou Si.
"As usual, aside from going to the West Market to buy medicinal herbs, he usually immerses himself in medical books and is probably making pills."
Pei Siyan smiled knowingly. "Too busy to even manage to turn a prodigal son back to his senses, quite the skill!"
"Go and investigate Xie Guidu carefully."
She's his sister-in-law, how could he not take care of her?
When Zhang Chengxian returned home, he still felt uneasy. Pei Siyan was unpredictable and his thoughts were truly unfathomable.
He had clearly become suspicious of Dou Wenyi just now. If it was a coincidence that she saved her younger brother last time, then what was it this time?
Is it fate?
Or perhaps she possesses the ability to glimpse the secrets of heaven...
Zhang Chengxian broke out in a cold sweat and dared not let his mind wander any further. Whatever it was, he did not want Dou Wenyi to be involved in the power struggles of the court.
Dou Wenyi treated him so well, he couldn't let her down!
——
Early in the morning, Madam Gu condescended to come to Yilan Courtyard and said with a smile, "Yi'er, today I'm taking you to the Treasure Pavilion to pick out jewelry. After you get married, it will be difficult for me to pamper you anymore."
Listen to what she's saying. Does that mean a married daughter is like water spilled from a cup?
Dou Wenyi found it amusing. In her previous life, even though Dou Mingyan had become the high and mighty Crown Princess, she still went to great lengths to help her find medicine to conceive!
Does the pain disappear when you're with her?
"Thank you, Mother."
Dou Wenyi remained indifferent; she had no reason to refuse money offered to her.
Having been given a second chance at life, she has become indifferent to everything.
She doesn't need anyone to open their heart to her, but she does need others to give her money!
After Dou Wenyi finished dressing up, she followed Madam Gu outside. Just as she reached the door, she saw Dou Mingyan wearing a gorgeous, shimmering brocade dress and quickly walking over.
She was beautiful and radiant, and seemed completely unaffected by the drowning incident.
"Mother, Fourth Sister, I'm late. Let's go." With that, Dou Mingyan lifted her skirt and, ahead of her, naturally boarded the first carriage.
Madam Gu looked embarrassed. "Yi'er, would you like to ride in the same carriage with us?"
“Mother, I don’t like crowding with other people.” Dou Wenyi gave a fake smile.
Dou Wenyi and Cuizhi boarded another carriage.
Cuizhi couldn't help but mutter, "Miss, the master recently said that the Third Miss must stay in her room and is not allowed to go anywhere."
So, Madam Gu used the opportunity of helping Dou Mingyan choose jewelry as a pretext to actually lift Dou Mingyan's confinement?
"It's alright!"
She'll pick out more valuable things later, otherwise how could she not feel sorry for their 'mother-daughter bond'?
"Madam Gu, Miss Dou, you've arrived?" The shopkeeper greeted them warmly as soon as they entered.
He subtly glanced at her twice. "What's your name, young lady?"
Madam Gu's expression became somewhat unnatural. She often brought Dou Mingyan to the Treasure Pavilion to browse jewelry, but Dou Wenyi rarely showed up.
"My youngest daughter, my fourth daughter, was frail and always pampered in her boudoir."
Dou Wenyi's lips curled into a mocking smile. If the powerful and wealthy families knew that she treated her biological daughter worse than her adopted daughter, who knows how many jokes she would make.
Dou Mingyan, familiar with the process, spoke softly, "Shopkeeper, is the gilded phoenix hairpin inlaid with rubies that I ordered ready?"
"Alright, we're naturally working on everything for the Third Miss! Oh, and the sets of jewelry His Highness the Crown Prince ordered for you a while ago are ready too."
The shopkeeper paused for a moment, then said, "Since Miss Dou has some free time today, I'd appreciate it if you could take them back with you. The Crown Prince is so busy with official duties, yet he is still so considerate... Miss Dou and the Crown Prince are truly a perfect match, a match made in heaven, and someone to be envied."
"Madam Gu, you are truly blessed!"
Madam Gu exchanged a glance with Dou Mingyan, and couldn't help but smirk, "Not at all, not at all!"
The shopkeeper smiled broadly, "Shall we go straight up to the second floor and take a look?"
Everything on the second floor is a rare treasure; that's the treatment reserved for VIPs.
Madam Gu hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Dou Wenyi could easily see her reluctance; Gu Shi probably originally intended to let her choose a few pieces of jewelry on the first floor.
Having been flattered so much by the shopkeeper, she naturally felt embarrassed to refuse him and expose her hypocritical favoritism.
Once on the second floor, Dou Wenyi completely disregarded Gu Shi's sullen face and selected several sets of expensive headdresses, gold hairpins, and hair ornaments before she was willing to stop.
Dou Mingyan held her round fan and said softly, "Fourth sister, your temperament is elegant and refined, and you are best suited for simple jade ornaments. Why do you insist on choosing luxurious and complicated styles? They look so old-fashioned. These are not suitable for you at all."
"Third sister, I'm so materialistic now, I only like expensive things!"
Dou Wenyi laughed, "What should I do? Mother, are you just reluctant to buy it for me?"
She only spent a small amount of money, yet Madam Gu felt distressed. When she was lavishly spending money on Dou Mingyan, why didn't she feel distressed?
Madam Gu forced a smile, "I'm glad you like it!"
The 'deep mother-daughter bond' drama came to an end amidst ridicule and sarcasm.
The carriage came to a sudden stop on Xihua Road. The coachman's anxious voice came from the front, "Madam, something terrible has happened! We think we've hit someone."
As Dou Wenyi lifted the carriage curtain, she saw a frail, delicate woman sitting under the wheels of the carriage ahead.
A glint of light flashed in her eyes; her entrance was just like in her past life.
I never expected them to meet again so soon.
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