Although the Princess of Lingnan seldom went out often, her social skills were no worse than those of the ladies in Kyoto. She first greeted the Yuan family, then exchanged greetings with Yin Qianhua. When it was the turn of the Xiao family, she couldn't hide the smile on her face.
"These are the two little girls in your family, right?" But the son said that he liked the rosy-cheeked and healthy little girl, not the little beauty who would fall down in the wind.
The Princess of Lingnan presided over such a large family and believed that she had a good ability to judge people. The two little girls in front of her had clear eyes and gentle expressions, and it was obvious at a glance that they were kind-hearted people.
The one my son likes is particularly rare. It is not easy for her to live with a sister who is better than her in every way for more than ten years without being jealous or feeling inferior, and to still have a bright smile and an innocent look.
The more prestigious a family is, the more hidden secrets it harbors. Having navigated such an environment for decades, the Princess of Lingnan is well aware of this truth. The Lingnan Palace has reached its peak, with no room for further advancement. To prevent the Emperor's suspicion, the family sent their youngest son to Kyoto, hoping to find him the daughter of a minor official. However, he instead fell for the daughter of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery.
Initially, the Lingnan Prince and his wife were against their youngest son's proposal. What would the Emperor think of the marriage between their own palace and the Marquisate? What would he think?
"The emperor knew what I was thinking a long time ago and promised that as long as we can get this marriage ourselves, he will never interfere." Kong Xuzhe doesn't care about political affairs at all. As long as he is happy, he doesn't care about anything else!
On the one hand, her son was determined not to change his mind, and on the other hand, she had the emperor's promise. The Princess of Lingnan had no choice but to take action herself and wanted to use this banquet of the Yuan family to examine Xiao Yuan's character and test the attitude of the Xiao family.
Princess Lingnan and Yin Qianhua had surprisingly similar ideas on this matter. They both wanted to use this Yuan family banquet to contact the Xiao family, and it would be best if there could be substantial progress.
The gifts that Princess Lingnan gave to the Yuan family girl and Xiao Yao were all placed on trays by the maids and presented to them with both hands. The only gift Xiao Yuan received was a hibiscus jade bracelet that Princess Lingnan had taken from her own wrist. The bracelet was crystal clear and the jade was soft and smooth, an obvious treasure.
"That's unacceptable." Madam Yuan and Yuan Yutong stood up together to refuse. Tong Mingyu and Yin Qianhua were wondering if the Princess of Lingnan was going to take action. She was really quick!
"I like this child. If possible, I want to bring him home and look after him every day!" Princess Lingnan held onto the confused Xiao Yuan and refused to let go. Everyone understood the meaning of her words. Was this a signal that she wanted to marry into the Xiao family?
"You little girls, go out for a walk! Let us older people sit together and chat." Madam Yuan called Yuan Ying, the only unmarried granddaughter in the family, and asked her to accompany Yun Ruonan and the Xiao sisters to play in the yard. When she turned around, she did not forget to give her niece a meaningful look. The Princess of Lingnan has spoken, what are you waiting for.
The daughters-in-law of the Yuan family were also sent out to find another living room to receive the guests who arrived one after another.
When only a group of noble ladies were left in the room, Princess Lingnan spoke again, "I know your daughter Ruyi is still young, so we can wait. I just hope the Third and First Madams won't refuse outright. As for whether or not he can finally marry, it all depends on Azhe's own ability and sincerity."
Tong Mingyu and Yuan Yutong looked at each other speechlessly. They never expected that they would encounter someone proposing marriage today, and the person proposing was Xiao Yuan. How could they respond?
"Now that Princess Lingnan has spoken, I won't hide it anymore. My prince and I particularly like Ping'an, and we hope Madam Xiao will consider my son Achen." Yin Qianhua gave Tong Mingyu a smile that said "You heard it right," and then she stopped talking. At least she had to give the sisters-in-law of the Xiao family some time to buffer and consider, right?
Tong Mingyu, Yuan Yutong and Li Jiaoying are now extremely grateful that their mother-in-law did not come with them today. If she had come, she would have agreed to the marriage proposals of Lingnan Palace and Jing Palace without hesitation.
"The Xiao family's affairs are not something we women can decide. Madam Yuan and Princess Jing should be aware of our family's situation. Without the father-in-law's approval, it's useless for anyone to propose marriage."
Madam Yuan and Yin Qianhua nodded in agreement. They could testify to this point that the actual person in charge of the Xiao family was the old Marquis Xiao, and it had always been the case. If the old Marquis had not doted on his granddaughter too much and was too stubborn, Prince Jing's Mansion and Yun Yichen would not have been so passive.
"Ping'an and Ruyi are still young. It's not too late for you two mothers to go back and discuss with Master Xiao and Jingmin before making a decision." Madam Yuan thought to herself, what kind of a thing have I done? I promised to help my in-laws find sons-in-law for the two children, and here I'm encouraging the children's mother to consider the proposals of the two royal palaces. Oh! I will never be a matchmaker again. I feel embarrassed and ashamed.
"Of course, of course." No girl's mother would agree on the spot when a man proposed marriage. Even if both parties were interested, the marriage would not be settled unless the man's family asked three or four times.
Tong Mingyu's heart was inclined towards Yun Yichen. After Yin Qianhua spoke, she felt relieved but also a little sad. The Prince Jing's Mansion was different from those families that had proposed marriage to the Xiao family in the past. Anyone who rejected their family would be regarded as a fool by the whole of Kyoto.
Because the Prince Jing's mansion was so prestigious and Yun Yichen was so exceptional, Tong Mingyu's uneasiness grew even more pronounced. If their daughter married into the palace, their family would have no choice but to watch helplessly. Even if Yun Yichen betrayed their daughter and married a courtyard full of concubines, the Xiao family would have no right to question or object.
It seems that everything has its pros and cons, and there is nothing perfect in the world.
"We all know the rules of the Xiao family. Doesn't the fact that my son has kept himself clean for so many years and kept his yard spotless demonstrate his determination?" Yin Qianhua patted Tong Mingyu's arm to comfort her. As a mother of two, she completely understood Tong Mingyu's feelings. Who would want their daughter to marry a man with a yard full of beautiful women? The men in the Xiao family didn't have concubines, so they had the right to demand a devoted son-in-law.
Tong Mingyu hadn't expected such a promise. She tried hard to suppress her urge to agree, nodding calmly. Inwardly, she was overjoyed. Yin Qianhua's promise was equivalent to a promise from Prince Jing and his palace. Having lived in Kyoto together for so many years, she knew exactly what kind of person Yun Yichen was. If he could truly maintain his integrity, Tong Mingyu would rather be scolded by her father-in-law than not make this marriage happen.
Xiao Yao and Xiao Yuan guessed that those people were discussing something together. The two sisters thought they were discussing the two marriages that Madam Yuan had arranged for them. Xiao Yao had already adjusted her mindset and let it go. Xiao Yuan didn't want to marry someone she didn't even know, but she felt that what her sister said was right. If they get along well, they can continue to live together. If they don't get along, they can just live on their own!
With a shop and money as a dowry, why would she be worried about not being able to make ends meet? After figuring this out, Xiao Yuan happily went out to play. Xiao Yao found a pavilion to rest; she didn't have the same vigorous energy as her younger sister.
Yun Yichen walked around the front yard, but his heart was left behind, on Xiao Yao. His mind was full of thoughts about why the little girl was so thin and what she had experienced.
"So you are here. My mother went to the backyard and is probably helping me propose marriage now!" Kong Xuzhe had a bright smile on his face. Doing what he thought was the purpose of Prince Min's life. He did not have the ability to lie dormant and forbearing like Yun Yichen.
"You..." Yun Yichen wanted to say that you don't understand the Xiao family or the old man at all. Acting rashly will not only fail to accomplish anything, but will easily make things worse.
"Is my little Ruyi in the backyard? I haven't seen her for a while."
I miss the girl too! But the backyard is full of women, so if you don't want to cause trouble and misunderstandings, it's better not to go there.
The banquet at the Yuan family was similar to that at most officials' homes. The women and young ladies admired the flowers and listened to operas, while the men drank and chatted happily.
Because of Yun Yichen and Kong Xuzhe's arrival, the young ladies all went to the hanging flower gate connecting the front and back courtyards, hoping to encounter her by chance. Also, because of Xiao Yao's arrival, many young men kept looking back, hoping to catch a glimpse of Kyoto's most beautiful woman.
Tong Mingyu and Yuan Yutong could hardly remember what was sung on the stage or even what they had eaten at the banquet. They appeared calm and composed on the surface, but their minds were already wandering.
"My mother and Third Aunt aren't in the right mood!" While everyone else was watching, Xiao Yao was analyzing her mother's behavior. Her mother, who usually remained calm in the face of adversity, now had a stiff expression, and her mind was clearly distracted.
"Is there any?" Xiao Yuan took a piece of dessert for himself and picked up another for his sister. Xiao Yao had a poor appetite recently and didn't want to eat greasy food. She shook her head and refused. Xiao Yuan refused and handed the dessert to her mouth, as if to keep it in her mouth.
Of course, the one who was defeated in the end was Xiao Yao. Yun Ruonan also imitated her cousin and fed Xiao Yao food. They fed each other a bite and a piece respectively. After a while, Xiao Yao had to hold her fists and beg for mercy.
Princess Lingnan, who had been secretly observing this side, nodded secretly. Her son had good taste. The little girl of the Xiao family was indeed a good one.
Madam Yuan didn't say anything but just smiled at Tong Mingyu. The relationship between the aunt and sister-in-law is so good and the Prince of Jing is the most outstanding man in Kyoto. The facts are in front of you, see for yourself!
After the banquet, Xiao Yao took the initiative to ask Tong Mingyu to ride in the same car to go home. She wanted to use the short time on the road to comfort her mother.
"You and I will ride in the same carriage." Seeing his daughter struggling to climb onto the carriage, Yuan Yutong stopped her. He wanted to ask her what was going on between her and Prince Kong! But she showed a resolute attitude that she could leave her mother but could not accept leaving her sister.
She was not a stepmother, and all Yuan Yutong could do was look up at the sky in silence as her own daughter rejected her so much.
"How about Ruyi and aunt go to the Lingnan Palace for a stroll?" This mother and daughter are so interesting. After the child enters the Lingnan Palace, there will be no need to worry about the boredom at home. Otherwise, she can stay in Kyoto to retire, so as not to go back to Lingnan and see those little goblins, the Princess of Lingnan thought happily.
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