Chapter 17: Getting engaged is easy, let’s settle the bill first
The Queen smiled with satisfaction and walked over and said kindly:
"This is the second young lady of the Yun Mansion, Miss Bai Lian, right?"
"Ah... yes, it's me. I'm here to see Her Majesty the Queen! I'm here to see His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!" Yun Bailian was flattered and bowed deeply.
Her voice was famously pleasant to the ears, and even this petty response didn't seem so guilty. The Queen was even more pleased to hear it, and immediately winked at the Prince.
Xiao Zirui had noticed Yun Bailian a long time ago. Although her temperament was not as outstanding as Su Yurou's, she was beautiful, had a sweet voice and a flexible figure. It would be a good choice to marry her home.
The most important thing is that this woman can play a key role in his ascension to the supreme position.
He nodded with satisfaction and immediately said to Mr. Yun:
"I have come here today specifically to propose marriage to Miss Yun Bailian!"
There is only one Tianfeng. Now that you have found it, you must get it as soon as possible and never let anyone else get it first.
"What?"
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is going to marry the Second Young Lady?"
"Hiss... Didn't he just get engaged to Su Yurou..."
Everyone in the Yun Mansion started to make a commotion with a buzzing sound.
Mr. Yun's face looked unhappy, he frowned and said in a deep voice:
"Your Highness, are you joking? You just called off a marriage with our Yun Mansion not long ago. Today, your marriage to the Prime Minister's daughter was granted by the Emperor. Why are you talking about marrying Bai Lian now?"
When the previous broken engagement was mentioned, Xiao Zirui's expression changed slightly. He frowned and looked at Yun Qingqing, then looked away in disgust.
The Queen quickly smiled and tried to smooth things over:
"Old Master, there's no need to worry about the Prime Minister's marriage. The Crown Prince truly wants to marry Miss Bai Lian as his principal wife. Su Yurou is just a concubine. How can she compare to Miss Bai Lian?"
"The Emperor has already approved this matter. The decree granting the marriage will be issued tomorrow. The Crown Prince and I have come here today to inform him of this matter, just to express our sincerity!"
When these words were spoken, everyone was even more shocked, and their eyes looking at Yun Bailian became different.
The Queen exchanged glances with the Crown Prince. They both knew that the Emperor didn't know anything about this, but was weak and cowardly and obeyed the Queen's orders. It would only take a few words to ask for an imperial edict.
The three people in the second room were almost stunned by this huge surprise.
Just now she was about to be severely punished because her private accounts were exposed, but in the blink of an eye she has climbed up to the Crown Prince. Yun Bailian is actually going to be the Crown Prince's wife!
The few of them had no time to think about the strangeness of this matter, and they were already eager to feel proud.
Yun Zhiping smiled happily:
"Father, the Empress and the Crown Prince have come to propose marriage with such sincerity. As subjects, we should be grateful! Your attitude is quite rude."
Liu also said happily:
"Your Highness the Crown Prince truly has a discerning eye for talent. My daughter Bai Lian has been proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting since she was young. There are so many young men in the capital who have come knocking on her door, but she hasn't even considered them. A girl as outstanding as my daughter Bai Lian is a perfect match for the Crown Prince. They couldn't be more perfect!"
Yun Bailian blushed and glanced at the prince, feeling proud in her heart but saying:
"Mother! Please stop talking. It is Bai Lian's honor to be favored by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Bai Lian will definitely not let the Crown Prince down and will be a qualified Crown Princess."
Xiao Zirui smiled slightly:
"I fell in love with Miss Bai Lian at first sight and have determined that only she can be the Crown Princess. I hope that Master Yun and my uncle and aunt will agree to this."
Yun Bailian felt like her heart was about to jump out of her chest. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was so handsome when he smiled!
Liu was already grinning so hard that her mouth couldn't close. She walked to the center of the field with her waist twisted. She glanced at Yan Jinghua triumphantly, then turned to the prince with a charming smile and said:
"Since His Royal Highness is so sincere, I'm sure the betrothal gifts will be no less than what we prepared for Concubine Su before, right? After all, our Bai Lian is going to be the principal wife!"
Xiao Zirui's expression paused slightly. He didn't expect that she would make such a request at this critical moment. He felt unhappy.
The Regent had just "robbed" him of a large sum of betrothal gifts, which was painful enough. He was planning to use the excuse of arranged marriage to pay a symbolic betrothal gift to Su Yurou, but this foolish woman actually asked for an exorbitant amount!
But now he was afraid that Tian Feng, who was already in his hands, would run away if he said no, so Xiao Zirui could only say vaguely:
"Don't worry, Auntie. I will not treat Bai Lian unfairly."
Yun Zhiping, Liu, and Yun Bailian were all overjoyed and couldn't wait to sign the marriage certificate immediately. However, according to the rules, this matter required the approval of the oldest grandfather in the Yun family, so they immediately turned to the grandfather and urged him to do it.
Yun Zhiping couldn't wait to say, "Dad, it's an honor for our entire Yun family that Bai Lian can be engaged to the prince. Please nod your head quickly!"
At this moment, Yan Jinghua suddenly sneered:
"What are you nodding for? Have you forgotten that the second branch of the family still has to settle the account in the Yin-Yang account book? We have to settle this matter before we can even get engaged!"
Liu's expression changed, and she shouted sharply:
"That's a private matter within our Yun Mansion. His Royal Highness's proposal for marriage is such a big deal. How dare you put your personal matter before the Crown Prince's? What's your intention?"
Yan Jinghua ignored her and bowed to the Queen, saying sternly:
"Your Highness, Empress, and Crown Prince, you are unaware that the Second Branch family has been committing treasonous acts for years, embezzling vast sums of money from the Yun Mansion and concealing their activities using the Yin-Yang account books. The facts are clear and the evidence is irrefutable. The head of the family and I have already discussed and decided to expel the Second Branch family from the Yun Mansion and have no further involvement with them!"
"Your Highness, you have come at an inopportune time. Please wait until the settlement is complete before discussing the marriage with Yun Zhiping's family. This matter has nothing to do with my family anymore."
The Queen and Xiao Zirui had not expected this to happen and were both stunned.
Yun Zhiping said in disbelief:
"What did you say! Are you crazy? How could you do such a thing? Bai Lian becoming the Crown Princess is an honor for the entire Yun family! Are you actually going to trample on the face of my Yun family just for a little personal vendetta?"
Yan Jinghua's eyes were cold:
"What you did betrayed the entire Yun Mansion, and you're trying to get away with it by calling it a personal vendetta? No way!"
"Having a Regent Princess is already enough to bring honor to our Yun family. We don't care about a Crown Princess!"
"I'll give you one hour to pack up your things and get out. Don't try to be related to our Yun Mansion anymore!"
Yun Qingqing silently gave her mother a thumbs up.
"You, you better think it through!" Yun Zhiping thought that the prince's proposal of marriage would immediately turn his family around, but Yan Jinghua didn't buy it at all!
Even the old man didn't say a word for her, obviously approving of her actions!
Liu's face was distorted, and she shrieked:
"Empress Dowager, Your Highness the Crown Prince, look at this evil woman! How dare she disrespect the Crown Prince? You must punish her!"
The Queen and the Crown Prince also looked unhappy.
Especially Xiao Zirui could see clearly that the eldest lady of the Yun family was obviously very hostile to him. This was obviously because she was venting her daughter's anger about the broken engagement!
A lady from a marquis's mansion was so arrogant in front of the empress and the prince. Xiao Zirui's face darkened and he was about to lose his temper on the spot.
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