Chapter 171: Mutual Love

The Princess Consort of Jing was speechless.

She was merely the daughter of an ordinary wealthy household; in front of those noble ladies of high standing, she was at most a "small family jade." The reason she could become a Princess Consort was as simple as could be: Prince Jing liked her.

The simplest, yet most difficult, reason of all.

For this, Prince Jing had been willing to endure the scoldings of the late Emperor and lose the late Emperor's favor.

Having gone through all this, how could she possibly stop her son from wanting to marry the girl he loved?

"Since Shuo'er likes her, then I shall personally go to the General's Mansion tomorrow to test the waters. When I sent someone to propose last time, Madam Lin did not agree." Speaking to this point, the Princess Consort of Jing grew a bit angry again.

Her such wonderful eldest son was actually being looked down upon!

She was so angry she didn't even want to go anymore.

But her son liked her—the Princess Consort of Jing silently swallowed her frustration.

The Prince was right; what could she do if her son liked her?

After the Prince and Princess Consort of Jing had finished dinner, washed, and changed into their nightclothes, they lay side by side discussing matters until very late before finally falling asleep.

Early the next morning, spring light spilled across every corner of Ping'an Ward, and birds chirped happily on the branches. The Princess Consort of Jing sent someone to the General's Mansion to deliver an invitation.

When Madam Lin received the invitation from the Princess Consort of Jing to come for a visit, she was somewhat surprised.

Although the two families lived close to each other, they did not actually interact much. Why was the Princess Consort of Jing suddenly dropping by?

Could it be that she was coming to proactively ask for a gift of gratitude?

As this guess flashed through her mind, Madam Lin shook her head.

Over the years, she had seen the Princess Consort of Jing to be a straightforward person; it wouldn't come to that.

Curiosity piqued, Madam Lin was noticeably more enthusiastic than usual when the Princess Consort of Jing arrived at the door.

The Princess Consort of Jing immediately gained confidence.

Looking at Madam Lin's manner, the marriage was bound to succeed.

A graceful maid served tea and withdrew, and Madam Lin invited the Princess Consort of Jing to drink.

"I was just thinking of going to the Prince's Mansion today to properly thank the Heir Apparent."

"Madam Lin is referring to the incident with the startled horse yesterday?" The Princess Consort of Jing waved her hand with a smile. "There is no need for thanks. Anyone who saw such a situation and had the ability would have helped, let alone us being neighbors."

"To the Heir Apparent, it might have been a simple matter, but it was a great help to the General's Mansion." As Madam Lin spoke these polite words, she became increasingly puzzled.

Since it had nothing to do with yesterday's incident, what was the purpose of the Princess Consort's visit? It couldn't be just a simple social call, could it?

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while longer. Just as Madam Lin's curiosity was becoming uncontrollable, the Princess Consort of Jing finally stated the purpose of her visit: "Yesterday, when Shuo'er brought the Second Young Lady back, I happened to see them. I suddenly realized the two children are quite well-matched. Shuo'er is twenty this year, and the Second Young Lady is seventeen; they have both reached the age for marriage. Madam Lin, what do you think about bringing these two children together as a pair?"

Madam Lin was stunned.

The Princess Consort of Jing had come to ask for her son to marry A-Hao?

Was her memory failing her? She clearly remembered the Prince of Jing's mansion had proposed before, and she had refused.

So this was the second time—Madam Lin suddenly felt a sense of pride, and also a sense of being moved.

Look at the Prince of Jing's mansion; their son is so frail, yet they aren't even afraid of marrying a capable, fighting wife back. They are much better than those other families.

It was a pity the Heir Apparent of Jing was physically weak.

Madam Lin realized this in time and secretly pinched her own thigh.

*Stay calm!*

"The two children are matched in appearance, family background, and age. It is rare that we know their roots so well. Madam Lin has also watched Shuo'er grow up, so you should know that Shuo'er is a reliable..."

Listening to the Princess Consort of Jing list her son's virtues, Madam Lin sighed silently: *It's a pity the Heir Apparent is physically weak.*

"What are Madam Lin's thoughts?" After finishing, the Princess Consort of Jing picked up her teacup and took a sip.

She had said everything that needed to be said and had lowered her stance to the minimum. If the General's Mansion was still unwilling, then it could only be said that her son was not destined to be with the Second Young Lady of the Lin family.

Madam Lin did not refuse directly. "The Heir Apparent is indeed a top-tier talent among the younger generation in the capital, but for such a major matter, I must still consult with my mother."

More importantly, she had to ask for her daughter's opinion.

No matter how many thousands of virtues the Heir Apparent of Jing possessed, Madam Lin disapproved of the single flaw of being sickly. However, she would not make decisions for her daughter without permission, especially after discovering that her daughter was more thoughtful than she was.

She never believed that parents were necessarily wiser than their children.

"That is only natural. Then I shall await Madam Lin's news." The Princess Consort of Jing set down her teacup and rose to take her leave.

As soon as the Princess Consort of Jing left, Madam Lin hurried to the Old Madam's quarters, happily recounting the news of the proposal: "I was worried that no one would come to propose again, but I didn't expect someone to show up today."

The Old Madam saw through things more clearly than Madam Lin. "Don't get ahead of yourself. In the short term, it might only be the Prince of Jing's mansion."

The smile vanished from Madam Lin's lips. "Why is that?"

"If I remember correctly, this is the second time the Prince of Jing's mansion has come to ask for A-Hao, is it not?"

Madam Lin nodded.

"Then do you think the Princess Consort of Jing absolutely must have A-Hao as a daughter-in-law? That if she had any other daughter-in-law, even her food wouldn't taste good?"

"That's impossible." Madam Lin possessed at least this much self-awareness.

The Old Madam eyed her daughter. "Then tell me, after being rejected by you, why did the Prince of Jing's mansion come to propose again?"

"Indeed, why?" Madam Lin fell into confusion.

The Old Madam, frustrated by her daughter's lack of insight, had to point it out: "Because of the Heir Apparent of Jing!"

Madam Lin was still bewildered.

The Old Madam, feeling helpless, had no choice but to reveal it: "The greatest possibility is that the Heir Apparent of Jing admires A-Hao. It is for the sake of her son that the Princess Consort of Jing has made this second proposal."

Madam Lin suddenly understood. "So that's how it is."

So that was it!

"They are matched in every aspect, and even more rare is that he truly likes A-Hao. Speaking of which, it can be considered a good marriage," the Old Madam said.

Madam Lin couldn't help but remind her, "But the Heir Apparent's health is poor."

The Old Madam glared at her. "You didn't go and refuse them directly, did you?"

"No, I must consult with you first, and then ask for A-Hao's thoughts."

The Old Madam's stern expression softened.

Although her daughter wasn't very bright, fortunately, she wouldn't make decisions recklessly.

The Old Madam called out, "Duofu, please invite the Second Young Lady over."

The head maid, Duofu, quickly arrived at Luoying Residence and invited Lin Hao over.

"Does Grandmother have something to discuss with me?" Lin Hao had a vague suspicion in her heart, but she showed nothing on her face.

The Old Madam glanced at Madam Lin and said, "The Princess Consort of Jing came by today and expressed her intention to ask for you on behalf of the Heir Apparent of Jing. A-Hao, what do you think?"

Young men and women are often at the age of first loves; was the Heir Apparent of Jing the only one who could stir one's heart?

The Old Madam did not believe so.

Equal social standing and mutual affection—that was what a truly good marriage looked like.

Under the gaze of the Old Madam and Madam Lin, Lin Hao's cheeks turned red uncontrollably, and she said obediently, "I will listen to Grandmother and Mother."

Madam Lin stared at her daughter suspiciously.

That wasn't right; A-Hao hadn't said that last time.

"A-Hao, tell us your thoughts first. This is, after all, your lifelong matter; you cannot blindly follow your elders."

The Old Madam rolled her eyes at Madam Lin. "What that means is that she is willing, and the elders should hurry up and settle the marriage."

"Grandmother, Mother, I'm going to see my eldest sister." Lin Hao fled in embarrassment due to the Old Madam's words.

Madam Lin pinched herself, finally reacting. "A-Hao likes the Heir Apparent of Jing?"

Since when?!

(End of Chapter)