Chapter 18: The Heir is a Woman 18

“Given the current situation of the Prince Ning's Mansion, I have no intention of considering marriage for the time being. Please convey my refusal to the Marquis of Chenrui,” A-Zhen said.

As her words fell, Qingzhu presented two large silver ingots, making Matchmaker Li’s eyes go wide with greed.

To receive two large silver ingots without even completing a deal felt a bit embarrassing, but Matchmaker Li was no fool; she knew the Prince Ning Heir likely had more to say.

Sure enough, A-Zhen added, “If anyone comes to you in the future, please decline them on my behalf.”

“Yes, yes... You may rest assured, Heir,” Matchmaker Li replied with a beaming smile, departing with the silver ingots in hand.

The person Matchmaker Li had mentioned earlier was the youngest daughter of the Marquis of Chenrui.

A-Zhen didn't take it to heart.

The next day, another famous matchmaker from the capital arrived at the door, arriving just before A-Zhen went out.

Just like the day before, A-Zhen dismissed her with ease and remained unbothered. However, given the current state of the Prince Ning's Mansion, logically speaking, the two families she had rejected shouldn't have been considering her anyway.

“The Heir's romantic prospects have been quite flourishing lately, and they are all high-quality matches,” Ying Fang, who was poised and serious, couldn't help but tease. “I fear there will be even more in the future.”

“It likely has something to do with the Heir acting as a backbone for those several young ladies.”

Many people felt that the Prince Ning's Mansion lacked a bright future; after all, Ning Zhen was merely an heir without any official rank, and whether he could inherit the title in the future depended entirely on the one above him.

But beyond that, the fact that the Prince Ning Heir stood up for his sisters alone made him superior to most men. Upon hearing this, many young ladies in their inner chambers couldn't help but be moved. Those with foresight would realize that this Prince Ning Heir was far from simple and was not comparable to Prince Ning. While the current Emperor was indeed decisive and ruthless, as long as one did not provoke him or cross his bottom line, life could be quite comfortable. If one could demonstrate some talent, the future would undoubtedly be limitless.

“Are you envious, Ying Fang?” A-Zhen glanced at her with a smile. “Do you want me to share some with you?”

“I have collected countless beauties—both male and female. Which type do you prefer?” A-Zhen asked very seriously, as if answering her would result in a beauty of her choice lying on her bed that very night.

Ying Fang shuddered. *What kind of impure thoughts is she having?*

She maintained a stern expression, but her face turned beet red.

“What is there to be shy about?” A-Zhen leaned in to observe Ying Fang’s flushed face. “If you are this easily embarrassed, how will you hold your ground if someone tries to bribe you with a beauty?”

“Heir, please stop teasing your subordinate.” Ying Fang truly couldn't take it. How could the Heir tease her like this? Fortunately, no one was watching, otherwise her dignity would be completely gone.

A-Zhen sat back, her expression turning slightly more serious, though the smile remained: “I am not joking. If you truly have such a thought, I will act as your matchmaker. Whether it is marrying out or taking a son-in-law, either is fine.”

“Even if I did, it would definitely be taking a son-in-law,” Ying Fang said without thinking. “Ideally, someone who can be put to use by the Heir.”

Realizing what she had said, she quickly averted her gaze.

“Fine, then we shall take a son-in-law,” A-Zhen said, resting her chin on her hand. “Spend more time moving about the lower ranks; perhaps you'll encounter someone you like.”

“Ying Fang is indeed good to me, even remembering to pick someone useful when looking for a son-in-law for me.”

Ying Fang’s face was numb. She couldn't win this argument.

Seeing A-Zhen’s faint smile, Ying Fang remembered something and suddenly asked, “Since the Heir is inquiring about my lifelong matters, have you considered your own?”

The Heir was a woman disguised as a man; it was an act of deceiving the Emperor.

A look of worry crossed Ying Fang's face. This matter could not be exposed. Therefore, the Heir could not consider lifelong matters and could only remain alone for a lifetime.

A-Zhen, however, did not care and comforted her, “Don't overthink it.”

She was doing just fine.

Forget being alone for a lifetime; she didn't even know how many years she had been alone. In the universe, there was only her, no living things, a terrifying silence. Surely no one had ever experienced such a thing?

A mortal's life was at most a hundred years, which was very brief. Besides, in this small world, she shouldn't be considered "alone for a lifetime" anymore.

“If the Heir feels lonely, if you take a fancy to someone, why not just kidnap them and lock them up?” Ying Fang suggested suddenly. Realizing this might not be the best method, she added, “Perhaps you could first ask if they are willing to live such a life. If they are willing, bring them back. It wouldn't count as coercion.”

A-Zhen burst out laughing. “Ying Fang, you are so wicked.”

“You look so serious, yet there is a little pervert living in your heart.”

Ying Fang looked innocent. “...” *She was truly considering the Heir's well-being!*

A-Zhen rested her chin on her hand, her gaze wandering. “I actually have taken a fancy to someone.”

“I wonder who it is?” Ying Fang leaned in to ask. “If the Heir likes them, your subordinate will handle it.”

First, she would ask; if they refused, she would use money to crush them. If that failed, she would investigate their preferences and weaknesses—it would be best if she could find some leverage. There was always a way to find a breakthrough to invite the person to the Heir.

Seeing Ying Fang's serious expression, A-Zhen knew exactly what she was thinking. She gave a light snort and beckoned to her, “Come here, I'll tell you.”

Ying Fang leaned in.

She heard A-Zhen whisper in her ear: “The one on the dragon throne. Are you confident you can get them?”

Ying Fang stumbled backward, and A-Zhen quickly caught her. *Oops, I scared my good guard.*

“Heir, getting that person is a bit difficult,” Ying Fang said with a conflicted expression. Her skills were not that great. The Heir truly dared to dream big.

However, the Heir's standards were indeed high. It made sense; in the entire Northern Xia, who could compare to that person? Not even the emperors of past generations could. Setting aside everything else, that person held a high status and was "clean"—no wonder the Heir liked them.

“Heir, the Imperial Palace is filled with masters. I fear if I go in, I won't be able to come out,” Ying Fang said seriously. “If I practice for another ten years, I might be able to give it a try.”

But she still felt that the chances of successfully bringing that person out were slim.

“Enough. I don't need you for this; I have my own plans.”

Ying Fang began to panic. The Heir wouldn't follow in Prince Ning's footsteps for this matter, would she? Seeking to seize the empire first before occupying the beauty?

*Well, it's not impossible...*

A-Zhen ignored the wandering mind of Ying Fang and focused her thoughts on her client, Ning Yulan.

The situation with Ning Yulan was not urgent, which was why she was dealing with it now. It wouldn't be difficult to handle, but how to proceed would ultimately depend on what Ning Yulan wanted.

***

“Twelfth Uncle, it is rare for you to enter the palace. I wonder what business you have?” Ye Ji scanned the burly, middle-aged man below who was smiling candidly. This was an uncle with whom he was relatively close, and one who stood on his side.

Ye Hong laughed loudly, his voice like a clap of thunder.

“I came today just to confirm one thing. If it's certain, there's no need to hesitate; we can arrange for people to get to work.”

Ye Ji's curiosity was piqued; it was rare to see his Twelfth Uncle like this.

“It's like this: I just want to ask, what does His Majesty think of Ning Zhen?” Ye Hong rubbed his hands together with a smile. Before Ye Ji could ask more, he quickly blurted it out himself. “It's about my Juejue. She thinks Ning Zhen is a good person, but the Prince Ning's Mansion is complicated, and since we haven't seen His Majesty have any other ideas yet, I came specifically to ask if it's appropriate.”

Ye Hong naturally knew about Prince Ning's intention to rebel. If the Emperor intended to purge the Prince Ning's Mansion, then no matter how much Juejue liked Ning Zhen, it could not be considered. It was just a pity; Ning Zhen was indeed quite good. Setting aside other things, he approved of the man's character.

Ye Ji: “...”

The veins on his forehead throbbed one by one. He struggled to suppress the turmoil in his heart, maintaining a calm facade that gave Ye Hong no clue.

Beside him, Hou Rongfa's mouth twitched. This Prince Kang was truly creating karma. The Emperor had finally become a bit more pleasant these past two days; now, who knew how long he would be sulking again.

“What does His Majesty think? There are quite a few people outside eyeing Ning Zhen. If it's feasible, I'll move quickly. Such a good person must belong to my Juejue,” Ye Hong said urgently.

Ye Ji gritted his teeth, his dark gaze staring at the excited man below.

He felt it was inappropriate.

Extremely inappropriate.

Even if that person did not belong to him, they absolutely could not belong to anyone else!