Chapter 133: A Match Made in Heaven

She could not even remember the shape of those eyes; only the light within them made that gaze breathtakingly beautiful.

Then, a handsome and calm face surfaced in her mind—it was the Heir of Prince Jing.

Lin Hao shook her head.

Had she gone mad? When her mother asked her what kind of person she liked, why did she think of the masked man who died alongside her in her previous life, and then think of the Heir of Prince Jing?

Heavens, could it be that she liked two people?

This discovery startled Lin Hao.

"A-Hao, what is wrong?" Seeing her daughter's expression constantly changing, Madam Lin patted her arm.

Lin Hao stood up abruptly, startling both Madam Lin and the Old Madam.

"Grandmother, Mother, I will go back and think about it."

Watching Lin Hao depart in a hurry, the Old Madam and Madam Lin looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Mother, what do you think A-Hao is going back to think about?"

The Old Madam's expression was complex. "Perhaps you asked her something that finally made her realize something."

Madam Lin was stunned.

***

Returning to her boudoir, Lin Hao sat on her bed, clutching a soft pillow to her chin as she dazed off.

She had always considered herself an honest, straightforward person. Why, when her mother asked, did she suddenly think of two people?

The Heir of Prince Jing was one thing, as they met frequently, but as for the person who had blocked the sword for her in her previous life, she didn't even know his appearance or age.

Wait, when did she ever like the Heir of Prince Jing?

Lin Hao thought about it calmly and felt something was wrong.

It was likely that under such an atmosphere, her mother had led her astray, causing her to subconsciously think of the two men who had left the deepest impressions.

One died with her, and the other was someone she interacted with most in her daily life.

*It's fine, it's fine, I am still normal.*

***

While Lin Hao thought and rethought, Princess Yi'an had also tossed and turned for two days before finally being unable to resist revealing her feelings to the Empress Dowager.

"Imperial Grandmother, you asked me before what kind of person I liked. I couldn't explain it then, but now I know."

"Oh? What kind of person does Jiao-jiao like?" the Empress Dowager asked with a smile.

Princess Yi'an's given name contained the character *Jiao* (delicate/lovely).

"I like... someone with extraordinary talent." Princess Yi'an's cheeks flushed slightly as she lowered her head.

"Extraordinary talent?" The Empress Dowager repeated the words, understanding the Princess's heart.

Since everyone present was a confidant, the Empress Dowager asked directly, "Has Jiao-jiao set her sights on last year's new Top Scholar?"

The Empress Dowager had long known about Princess Yi'an going to see the lanterns and solve riddles during the Lantern Festival; she had also learned about the Scholar sending a flower lantern to the Second Miss of the Lin family.

Princess Yi'an's face reddened, and after a long pause, she gave a slight nod.

"I have seen that young man. He is indeed elegant and extraordinary. However, I heard that he gave a glazed palace lantern to a Miss of the Lin family."

Princess Yi'an pursed her lips.

She was indeed bothered by that incident, but now was not the time to dwell on it.

"Scholar Yang said that among the women present, he only knew the Second Miss of the Lin family, which is why he gave the glazed lantern to her."

"How do you know this, Jiao-jiao?" the Empress Dowager asked nonchalantly.

"Father heard that Scholar Yang solved the lantern riddles and summoned him to Xuan De Tower; he even inquired about the young man's marriage prospects."

A strange light flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes.

The Emperor was concerned about Scholar Yang's marriage prospects? It seemed he intended to employ this man heavily.

Realizing this, the Empress Dowager's heart softened.

Jiao-jiao had been by her side since childhood, no different from a biological granddaughter; naturally, she wanted to choose a fine husband for her.

The Empress Dowager had originally been dissatisfied with Yang Zhe's background, knowing that a career in officialdom would be much harder without family support, but if the Emperor valued him, it would be different.

What could be a greater support than the Emperor's favor?

As for someone like Wen Rugui, the Empress Dowager was not worried; Jiao-jiao's backing was the Imperial Family.

"Imperial Grandmother, please fulfill your granddaughter's wish." Having said this much, Princess Yi'an shook the Empress Dowager's arm, pleading desperately.

"Stop shaking me, you're going to shake my old bones apart." Having made her decision, the Empress Dowager's expression relaxed. "I will ask the Emperor for his thoughts later."

Princess Yi'an was overjoyed. "Thank you, Imperial Grandmother!"

The Empress Dowager reached out and tapped Princess Yi'an's forehead. "A young lady should be more reserved. We still have to see what your Father says."

"I know, I know." Princess Yi'an covered her forehead, her smile lively.

Once Imperial Grandmother spoke, Father would surely agree.

***

Later, when the Empress Dowager found an opportunity to mention the matter to Emperor Taian, he looked surprised. "Did Mother pick out the Top Scholar for Yi'an?"

The Empress Dowager naturally would not say that Princess Yi'an had chosen him herself. She smiled and said, "Yi'an is grown now. I have long thought of finding a suitable husband for her. Scholar Yang Zhe is young, highly talented, and of good character. I feel he and Yi'an are a match made in heaven. I wonder what Your Majesty thinks?"

Emperor Taian smiled. "Your son will, of course, listen to Mother. Mother's satisfaction is what matters most."

The Emperor's answer greatly pleased the Empress Dowager. "I shall leave the rest to Your Majesty."

"Rest assured, Mother."

As Emperor Taian left the Palace of Benevolence, he glanced toward the Eastern Palace.

Yang Zhe was capable, but lacked family backing. In the future, while assisting the Crown Prince, he would inevitably be constrained by officials from prestigious families with deep-rooted connections. Having Yi'an as a wife would make his position much stronger.

A few days later, Emperor Taian summoned Yang Zhe to the palace.

"This humble official greets the Emperor."

"Scholar Yang, there is no need for such formality." Emperor Taian's attitude was as warm as a spring breeze. After a few words of small talk, he moved to the main topic. "That day, I mentioned I would keep an eye out for you. As it happens, the Empress Dowager has been looking for a consort for Yi'an since last year. I heard that during the Lantern Festival, Scholar Yang shone brilliantly, and she is very fond of you. I also feel that you and Yi'an are a match made in heaven. I wonder what your thoughts are?"

The Emperor's question was polite, yet it left no room for refusal.

"A match made in heaven"—this "heaven" carried two meanings. The Emperor was the "Heavenly Son"; since he said it was a match made in heaven, who would dare refuse?

Yang Zhe knelt down, looking somewhat terrified. "This humble official comes from a humble background; how would I dare to marry a Princess?"

Emperor Taian put on a look of disapproval. "Scholar Yang, that is incorrect. You are the Top Scholar personally selected by me, a student of the Emperor. How can you be humble? If I say you are worthy, then you are worthy."

Yang Zhe lowered his eyes. The gold-brick floor reflected his handsome face; though it was clearly his own, he felt a strange sense of estrangement.

Under Emperor Taian's condescending gaze, he pressed his hands to the floor and laid his forehead against the cold gold bricks. "This official... thanks the Emperor for his great grace."

Emperor Taian relaxed his expression and smiled. "Rise quickly."

***

The news that the Emperor had bestowed a marriage between Princess Yi'an and the Top Scholar Yang Zhe spread rapidly.

Han Baocheng and the others pulled Yang Zhe aside to drink, offering their congratulations one after another.

Yang Zhe held his wine cup with an air of calm indifference, but he drank cup after cup, clearly more decisive than usual. He soon became slightly intoxicated.

Wen Feng watched Yang Zhe several times before finally being unable to help himself. "Brother Yang."

Yang Zhe looked at him, his eyes cold and clear.

The words Wen Feng wanted to say were swallowed back down. He raised his cup. "Congratulations."

Yang Zhe raised his cup to his lips, touching the cold wine, and gave a faint smile. "Thank you."

(End of Chapter)