Chapter 134: Grievance

Inside the General's Manor, Lady Lin felt a massive weight lift from her shoulders. She specifically sent someone to the newly opened shop on the street to buy a roast duck to add to their meal.

The Scholar Laureate had married the Princess; there was no longer any need to worry that Ah-Hao might suddenly lose heart.

Truly, thank heaven and earth!

Lin Chan, however, was somewhat worried about her younger sister and asked Lin Hao privately, "Second Sister, you—"

"Is Eldest Sister wanting to ask about Scholar Yang?" Seeing Lin Chan's hesitant expression, Lin Hao guessed what she was going to ask and said with a chuckle, "He and I are practically strangers. Eldest Sister, don't overthink it."

Lin Chan breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good then. I was afraid you might be taking the events of the Lantern Festival to heart."

The bright moon hung in the sky, and the lanterns made the night as bright as day. Just imagining such a scene made it hard for her to guarantee her own heart wouldn't ripple. It was wonderful that her sister hadn't been moved, lest she become heartbroken over the Scholar Laureate's marriage to the Princess.

Returning to her boudoir, Lin Hao instructed Baozhu, "Don't put that glass lamp back in the chest. Lock it directly in the warehouse."

"Yes." Baozhu was an efficient girl; she grabbed the chest and hurried off toward the warehouse with heavy footsteps.

In the blink of an eye, February arrived. Replacing the news of the Scholar Laureate marrying the Princess was the news regarding the selection of the Crown Princess.

Selecting a Crown Princess was a major affair. Unlike the previous instance where a marriage was arranged for Prince Wei under the guise of a chrysanthemum viewing banquet, the noble ladies on this candidate list entered the palace properly to undergo various rounds of screening. Ultimately, three remained for the Crown Prince to choose from personally.

The moment the Crown Prince saw the three women, he frowned.

He wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but the styles of these three women were completely different from the candidates he had encountered when he first selected his Crown Princess years ago.

A glance across the group: one large, round face; another large, round face; and yet another large, round face!

*Is Imperial Father making pancakes?*

The Crown Prince grumbled inwardly, yet he hesitated to make a choice.

Emperor Taian was very dissatisfied with the Crown Prince's pickiness. "These three ladies have backgrounds and temperaments that couldn't be more suitable for you. Is there not a single one you like?"

The Crown Prince felt quite aggrieved. "Imperial Father, marriage is a lifelong matter. Aside from background and temperament, shouldn't one consider other things?"

"What other things?" Emperor Taian grew somewhat irritated. "Are you talking about looks? Have you never heard the saying 'marry for virtue'? Moreover, this is the Crown Princess; what could be more important than virtue and grace?"

The Crown Prince was still not giving up. "Imperial Father, can't one have both?"

Emperor Taian felt disappointed by the Crown Prince's lack of clarity, and his tone turned serious. "The eight characters of these three ladies are extremely compatible with yours, and they even possess the 'auspicious sign of a man-favoring woman.' You currently have no heir; securing offspring is the most important matter right now. As for beauty, as the Crown Prince, would you ever lack it?"

"Your son understands." The Crown Prince lowered his head, though he remained unconvinced in his heart.

He was already the Crown Prince; couldn't he marry someone who was both virtuous and beautiful?

He couldn't help but think of Lin Hao.

In terms of beauty, the one who currently caught his eye most was Second Miss Lin. Unfortunately, her elder sister was already engaged to the Fourth Prince, so by the time he held his selection, she didn't even have the qualification to enter the preliminary list.

There was no precedent in the Imperial Family for two princes marrying two sisters from the same family.

Thinking about it was truly vexing. He, the dignified Crown Prince, could not have the woman he wanted most. No, forget the one he wanted most—he couldn't even marry someone who was merely easy on the eyes.

The Crown Prince simply pointed randomly on the roster and selected his Crown Princess.

*They're all pancake-faced anyway; what's the difference?*

The selected lady was overjoyed, and Emperor Taian also felt satisfied.

The Crown Prince was relatively obedient, and the lady he chose was the one he had looked upon most favorably.

Seeing that Emperor Taian was in a good mood, the Crown Prince took the opportunity to say, "Imperial Father, it has warmed up outside. Your son has been feeling quite stifled in the palace and wishes to go out for a stroll."

Since the assassination attempt, the Crown Prince had not left the palace for a long time.

Emperor Taian pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement.

The Crown Prince's left hand had not yet recovered; if he remained confined to the palace for too long, his temperament might turn sour from depression.

With this, the Crown Prince's house arrest was lifted.

He changed into ordinary clothes and left the palace, wandering here and there until he arrived near the General's Manor.

Perhaps because the weather had warmed, the two stone lions in front of the General's Manor seemed a bit less cold, and people were entering and exiting the side gate from time to time.

The more the Crown Prince watched, the stranger it seemed. He asked his personal attendant, Wang Gui, "Why is the General's Manor so lively?"

Wang Gui was more experienced than the Crown Prince and said hesitantly, "That woman who just came out seems to be a matchmaker."

"A matchmaker?" The Crown Prince's brow furrowed. "Go ask what is going on."

Wang Gui followed and called out to the woman, "Is Sister going to the General's Manor to arrange a marriage?"

The woman eyed Wang Gui suspiciously.

Wang Gui was dressed as a servant, and the fabric of his clothes looked very high-quality to the woman, causing her to become instantly wary.

*Could this be a competitor coming to scout the situation?*

"I don't even know you—" Before the woman could finish her sentence, a silver ingot dropped into her palm.

Her pupils instantly contracted.

This single ingot was worth more than several trips of her running errands.

The woman immediately broke into a smile. "I am going to arrange a marriage, but I cannot reveal which young master I am representing."

Worried that Wang Gui might take the silver back, the woman hurriedly added, "Actually, it's no use asking which family is sending a matchmaker."

"Why?"

"Because there are so many matchmakers coming! They've been practically wearing down the threshold of the General's Manor these past few days."

Wang Gui was somewhat shocked. "Is Second Miss Lin that popular?"

The woman let out a giggle. "Of course! Second Miss Lin is like a celestial being; who wouldn't want to marry her as a wife?"

Of course, she couldn't say the blunt truth—that people wanted to become brothers-in-law with the princes.

Having gathered the information, Wang Gui returned to report.

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince felt even more depressed.

Look at that—even these common families know to find a beautiful wife for their sons, yet Imperial Father is so unreasonable.

The Crown Prince's resentment toward the Emperor made Wang Gui somewhat fearful. He advised cautiously, "Your Highness, you are not like them. You have much more to shoulder in the future."

"The future is a long way off." The Crown Prince sneered.

Imperial Father was still in his prime; heaven knows when he, the Crown Prince, would see his day. By then, Second Miss Lin's daughter might already be old enough to marry.

The more the Crown Prince thought about it, the more unwilling he became, and a sinister look appeared on his face. "Wang Gui, think of a way for me."

Sweat beaded on Wang Gui's forehead. "Your Highness, Eldest Miss Lin is the prospective Princess Consort of Prince Wei; it is impossible for Second Miss Lin to enter the palace to serve you."

"What if Eldest Miss Lin is no longer the prospective Princess Consort?" A flash of inspiration struck the Crown Prince, and the words tumbled out.

Wang Gui froze.

The Crown Prince reached out and slapped Wang Gui heavily on the shoulder. "Wang Gui, I value you most. You must have a way, right?"

Seeing Wang Gui's silence, the Crown Prince's face darkened. "That 'hero saving the beauty' arrangement you made last time did not satisfy me."

Wang Gui's heart tightened, and he dared not hesitate any longer. "Rest assured, Your Highness, this servant will find a way. It's just—"

"Just what?"

"Even if Eldest Miss Lin cannot become the Consort of Prince Wei, it doesn't look like the General's Manor would be willing to let Second Miss Lin enter the palace as a concubine."

The Crown Prince, however, was confident in this. "Times change. When the time comes, I will go and plead with Imperial Father, and he will give his word."

Since he had already been wronged by having to marry a pancake-faced woman, surely this small request would be met.

While the Crown Prince was busy plotting wicked schemes, Lin Hao and Lin Chan received an invitation from the Little County Princess, inviting them to go out and enjoy the spring.

(End of Chapter)