Madam Song nodded with a faint smile, "No wonder she is so favored by the princess, she must be smart and capable."
Xin He smiled lightly, "Yes, this child does a good job."
As they were walking, Madam Song asked curiously, "Is the princess planning to arrange a marriage for this child?"
She had heard that there was a boy in the royal mansion, the same age as Ji Bei, and was raised together by the princess. They may not share the same blood, but the boy had the princess’s trust and favor. This kind of person might not be less valuable than Ji Bei.
Many families in Yu State secretly set their sights on him, hoping to marry their daughters to him to establish some connection. If he took a liking to the legitimate daughter of a family, they might grit their teeth and marry their daughter to him.
This was not an exaggeration. After all, the current status of the Pingyang Prince Mansion in Yu State was equivalent to that of the court. The Prince of Pingyang was like the emperor. The only ones everyone could seek connections with were these two boys.
Ji Bei was already engaged, but there was still Li Nan, right?
One was named Bei, and the other was named Nan. Obviously, both were named by the princess herself. They were raised like her own brothers and given important duties. This kind of person would certainly draw attention.
Especially since the Pingyang Prince Mansion currently didn’t have an heir. The only princess was barely five years old. If one wanted to form a marriage alliance, beyond Ji Bei, they could only consider Li Nan.
So, Madam Song’s visit today was also meant to casually probe the situation.
Xin He saw through Madam Song’s intentions and looked at the little firewood carrier who had been silent since they arrived. The young worker had unusually raised his head and was now looking at Xin He.
He didn’t say anything, but Xin He could still see the resistance in his eyes.
She smiled and said, "This child has a strong sense of self-esteem. He told me that he has to establish a career before getting married. He failed to do well in the Autumn Examination this time, so he doesn’t want to discuss marriage. Let’s wait a few more years. He’s still young."
Xin He didn’t feel it was necessary to marry at such an early age. Maybe it was because of her modern thinking. So when the little firewood carrier suggested waiting until three years later, when he had gained an official position, she didn’t object.
If it were any other family, they would be anxious about the idea of waiting another three years for their child to get married!
It was then that the young worker’s eyes regained their calm. He bowed his head and remained silent.
Madam Song looked at the worker with slight regret, "In that case, forget it."
Ever since Ji Bei’s engagement with the Song family was decided, many people had come to inquire about it, and most of them were asking about Li Nan’s marriage. She was just trying to help by asking, but she didn’t expect to wait another three years.
Three years was bearable for a boy, but how could a girl wait that long?
Now it seemed there was nothing more to say. They would wait until later.
As they were talking, Madame Song had already led Xin He to Song Yalin’s Bell Courtyard. There were quite a few servants standing guard at the entrance, and they all looked worried. Upon seeing Madam Song, they hurriedly saluted, "Second Madam."
Madam Song frowned, "What’s going on?"
A little maid with a tray of food in her hands stammered, "It’s the incompetence of this servant. Miss refuses to eat. The food sent in this morning hasn’t been touched..."
Upon hearing this, Madame Song’s face darkened a few shades, "Why does she still refuse to eat?"
Xin He asked, "Is the third lady refusing to eat? Just because a marriage proposal got canceled, she wants to commit suicide? I don’t think she seems like such a weak person."
Madam Song bit her lip and waved her hand to dismiss the servants, and then helplessly said, "She’s not refusing to eat because the marriage was called off. It’s just that I arranged a marriage for her, but she doesn’t want to marry, so..."
Xin He’s eyebrows raised slightly, it seemed that Song Yalin was not willing to get married, so Madam Song had decided to force her into it. She was planning to finalize this marriage matter regardless of any objection, but who knew that Song Yalin would refuse to eat? This had caused some trouble, and the marriage had been delayed.
From what Xin He had observed so far, if she hadn’t understood by now, then she should. What Song Yalin calculated, Madam Song did not see, she even believed that Song Yalin really did not want to get married again, and naturally, she was in hurry. But she still didn’t understand her daughter well enough. How could she possibly miss the opportunity to marry and ascend to the sky?
Xin He softly said, "Why not let me go in and advise her?"
"Can... can that work?" Madame Song was hesitant now.
Xin He, however, smiled and said, "Let’s try first."
Having said that, she glanced at the serving woman at the door, who immediately recognized Xin He’s identity. With a tremble in her legs, she pushed the door open for Xin He.
Xin He stepped in.
Madam Song did not go in. Since Xin He wanted to "advise" Song Yalin privately, her presence might be inconvenient. Moreover, there were many grievances between her and her daughter now, and she didn’t want to make Song Yalin uncomfortable by going in.
Upon hearing the door open, Song Yalin impatiently said, "I’ve told you I’m not eating. Take it away and don’t come in again."
Xin He hadn’t heard such an impatient tone from her before. It was her first real encounter with this young girl who she had known for six years.
Indeed, since the first time she met Song Yalin, she had seen the ambition in her eyes. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
She knew that this girl’s thoughts were not simple, but Song Yalin was good at disguising it. Even her own mother was fooled into thinking that her daughter was the most sensible child.
But she hadn’t cared. Whether there was ambition or not, whether her mind was simple or not, she wouldn’t meddle. After all, it was someone else’s life. She had neither the rights nor the need to interfere.
But when Song Yalin targeted her, she couldn’t let it go easily.
Xin He walked in without a word.
Song Yalin sensed something was wrong from the calm footsteps. She abruptly turned around and looked back, only to see a slender hand gently lift the bead curtain and walk in.
It was Ji Xinhe.
Song Yalin’s pupils involuntarily shrank, showing a touch of vigilance. She didn’t expect Ji Xinhe to come, and was caught off guard. For a moment, she forgot to hide her emotions. However, she was still calm and quickly resumed her composure. She courteously bowed to Xin He, "Greeting, princess."
Xin He looked at her indifferently. She hadn’t missed the alertness and confusion that had flashed in Song Yalin’s eyes a moment ago, confirming that she had guessed right. Duan Lan’s partner was only Song Yalin, not the Song family.
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