Emperor Taian's glance toward Princess Yi'an was not obvious, yet for some reason, the Princess captured it.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she grew inexplicably nervous.
Yang Zhe's expression remained largely unchanged upon hearing these words. He replied respectfully, "This humble official comes from a poor background and lacks the surplus means to support a wife and children. I only wish to work hard and share the Emperor's burdens."
Emperor Taian shook his head. "I do not care for those words. You are the Top Scholar personally appointed by me, a future pillar of the state. If even you are not qualified to marry and have children, then who is? Do not worry about marriage; I shall keep an eye out for someone suitable."
"This humble official is ashamed to have caused the Emperor such concern regarding my personal affairs."
Emperor Taian smiled. "Enough. It is still early; go wander the streets."
"This humble official takes his leave."
Once Yang Zhe had withdrawn, the Crown Prince could not help but mutter under his breath, "He certainly worries too much."
This was his Imperial Father, not Yang Zhe's. Why was he concerned with Yang Zhe's lifelong matters?
Emperor Taian glared at the Crown Prince. "What did you just say?"
"Nothing," the Crown Prince replied sheepishly.
With others present, Emperor Taian did not reprimand the Crown Prince, saying indifferently, "Everyone, return to the palace. Liu Chuan, arrange for someone to escort Princess Ninghua back to the Prince's manor."
Qi Qiong spoke up boldly, "Imperial Uncle, my niece was just accompanying the Princess to play. I saw both my elder brothers there. There is no need to trouble Eunuch Liu to send me back; may I go directly to find my two brothers?"
Emperor Taian naturally would not make a difficulty out of such a small matter and nodded immediately. "Go on."
Qi Qiong bowed respectfully to take her leave, but once she reached the streets, she could not find a trace of Lin Hao.
Indeed, she had come to find Lin Hao. Yang Zhe's gift of the lantern had left her bursting with curiosity to ask her friend.
Qi Qiong paced back and forth through the streets until she heard a shout: "Little Sister, why are you scurrying around like a headless fly?"
"Second Brother?" Qi Qiong walked over, her gaze falling upon the flower lantern in Qi Shuo's hand. "Eldest Brother, is this lantern for me?"
Before Qi Shuo could speak, Qi Huan laughed. "Little Sister, I advise you to have some self-awareness. This is clearly for the Second Miss Lin."
Qi Qiong shot him a look. "Since Second Brother is so certain, did you think Eldest Brother's lantern was for you and only realized the truth after being struck down by the reality?"
Qi Huan froze.
"Have you not seen Ah-Hao?"
Qi Shuo spoke up. "She went that way with a friend."
The nonchalant manner of her elder brother made Qi Qiong somewhat irritated. "Ah-Hao went that way carrying the glass lantern gifted by Top Scholar Yang?"
Was her eldest brother a block of wood?
Qi Huan gave his sister a thumbs-up. "I advised Eldest Brother to give the butterfly lantern to the Second Miss Lin at the time, but he showed no reaction at all. With that, how can he possibly compete with that Top Scholar Yang?"
Thinking of Yang Zhe, Qi Huan felt a particular sense of crisis on behalf of his brother. "That kid is quite slick, looking exactly like the type that young girls adore. Eldest Brother, you cannot be careless."
Qi Qiong found it hard to listen. "Second Brother, there is no need to slander others like that."
Was Top Scholar Yang's handsome, refined appearance considered "slick"?
"Little Sister, why are you speaking up for that boy? Hiss—you wouldn't happen to have taken a liking to that pretty boy, would you?"
Qi Qiong: "Shut up!"
The bickering between the younger siblings brought a faint smile to Qi Shuo's lips. "Top Scholar Yang will not be able to pass the scrutiny of the Old Madam and Madam Lin."
No matter how outstanding Yang Zhe was, in the eyes of the Old Madam and Madam Lin, he was far too similar to the Second Miss Lin's father in terms of background. He was certain the Lin family would never consider Yang Zhe as a son-in-law.
Qi Shuo lowered his eyes, looking at the exquisitely crafted butterfly lantern.
He was still angry!
Just as Qi Shuo predicted, when the Old Madam and Madam Lin heard that the Top Scholar had gifted a lantern to the Second Miss Lin during the Lantern Festival, they were instantly alarmed.
The two of them discussed the matter urgently behind Lin Hao's back.
"No, absolutely not. No matter how much I dote on Ah-Hao, I will not agree to this marriage."
The Old Madam shot a glance at Madam Lin. "Now do you understand how your mother feels?"
Madam Lin sighed. "Mother, understanding it is of no use. Ah-Hao is at the age where her feelings are just blossoming; she cannot understand it yet!"
The Old Madam was also worried, comforting herself with a glimmer of hope. "Ah-Hao is much more sensible than you; she should listen to us... right?"
"That is not certain. The word 'love' is what makes people lose their reason and act recklessly."
The Old Madam rolled her eyes at her daughter, saying irritably, "You sound quite experienced."
"Why are you bringing up old grievances? This is Ah-Hao's crisis right now. *Sigh!*"
The Old Madam also sighed. "Sigh, children and grandchildren are all debts to be paid."
As soon as Lin Hao entered the door, she heard the sighs of her grandmother and mother. Wondering, she asked, "Grandmother, Mother, is something wrong at home?"
"Nothing."
Lin Hao became even more puzzled and walked over to sit down. "Then why are you two sighing?"
"It is all because of you." Madam Lin was not one to hold things in, so she blurted it out. "Your grandmother and I are both worried that you will be coaxed away by that boy surnamed Yang."
Lin Hao was stunned. "You mean Top Scholar Yang?"
"If not him, then who?"
Lin Hao laughed. "Mother, please stop worrying needlessly. Top Scholar Yang does not know any other girls, which is why he gave the glass lantern to me."
Madam Lin sneered. "Silly girl, you are the only one who would believe such words. Since he knows no one else, couldn't he have just given it to some ordinary commoner girl? Everyone knows a Top Scholar wouldn't take an interest in an ordinary girl, and this matter of gifting a lantern would have passed in an instant. But he specifically gave it to you, someone with an outstanding family background and appearance. Isn't he just looking for trouble and causing people to speculate? It shows he clearly has intentions!"
Seeing her daughter staring at her blankly, Madam Lin waved her hand. "Why have you gone dazed?"
Lin Hao smiled. "I am just surprised at how thoroughly Mother has thought this through."
Madam Lin awkwardly took a sip of tea. "Your mother used to be too close to the situation to see clearly, but now I see it perfectly. Let me tell you, that boy is just looking at your beauty and your good background; he has no good intentions."
"It is normal to be attracted to those things, isn't it?" Lin Hao spoke truthfully. "Back then, you were unwilling to let Sister marry Prince Wei, wasn't it also because Prince Wei was too fat?"
Madam Lin gasped. "Ah-Hao, have you truly taken a liking to that boy surnamed Yang?"
Lin Hao's face grew slightly warm. "No."
No matter how thick her skin was, it was too strange to discuss such matters with her grandmother and mother.
Madam Lin carefully observed her daughter's expression, and the more she looked, the more panicked she became. "Ah-Hao, you are blushing!"
She had definitely caught feelings!
Lin Hao said helplessly, "Mother, truly not. I have no interaction with Top Scholar Yang and do not know him; how could I possibly like him? If Top Scholar Yang truly comes to propose marriage, you can simply refuse if you are unsatisfied. There is absolutely no need to worry so much."
Seeing that Lin Hao's expression did not seem fake, Madam Lin finally felt relieved, but a new question arose: "Then, what kind of person does Ah-Hao like?"
What kind of person did she like?
Lin Hao was momentarily stumped by the question.
In that instant, a pair of eyes suddenly flashed through her mind.
She was lying on the snow, and the person leaning over her wore a black veil, revealing only a pair of eyes.
Perhaps it was the blurring of her senses near death, but she only vaguely remembered that they were a very beautiful pair of eyes, yet she could not recall any more details.
(End of Chapter)