Chapter 7: Refusal

Cheng Shu’s expression turned strange for a moment, then quickly returned to normal. "Is that all? Oh, I’m relieved to confirm that Second Cousin can speak. I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll come back another time to celebrate with you, Second Cousin."

If Second Cousin heard those rumors and got so angry that she lost her voice again, what would he do? Besides, he wasn't good at lying, so it was better to leave while he could.

Cheng Shu scurried away, nearly colliding with a maid walking toward Luoying Residence.

"Young Master."

Cheng Shu swept a glance at the servants behind the maid carrying boxes and crates, and asked in confusion, "What is this—"

"The Madam ordered these gifts to be delivered to the Second Young Lady’s courtyard."

Cheng Shu knew how much his aunt doted on this cousin, so he stopped being curious and walked away quickly.

The little maid at the courtyard gate saw the maid and reported, "Young Lady, Sister Fangfei from the Madam’s courtyard is here."

Fangfei walked up to Wen Hao and curtsied, "Second Young Lady, the Madam has ordered us to deliver these gifts to you."

"For me?" Wen Hao’s gaze swept over the boxes and crates, feeling somewhat surprised.

Her mother had a generous dowry, and the trinkets young girls liked were sent to her and her sister’s courtyards from time to time. But in her memory, she had never received so many things at once like this.

What surprised Wen Hao wasn't the items themselves, but how different this was from her previous life.

Fangfei smiled and explained, "These are gifts of gratitude from the Prince Jing’s Mansion for you, Second Young Lady. The Madam instructed us to bring them directly to you."

"Where is my mother?"

"She is currently speaking with the steward who came from the Prince’s Mansion."

Wen Hao nodded. After Fangfei left, she stared at the gifts and pondered.

If there was a difference, it lay with the Heir of Prince Jing.

The Heir of Prince Jing had taken the matter upon himself and cleared her name, which was why the Princess of Jing had sent these gifts.

Yesterday—Wen Hao carefully recalled every detail.

That was it. When she fell off the wall, she couldn't help but cry out, whereas in her previous life, she had fallen directly in front of the Heir of Prince Jing, resulting in nothing but a thud.

Does this mean the Heir of Prince Jing reacted differently because he heard her cry out?

And when she was a mute, he had turned a blind eye—this thought inevitably crossed Wen Hao’s mind, and she smiled while stroking Lin Xiaohua’s head.

Regardless, the Heir of Prince Jing had helped her, and one shouldn't be so demanding of others.

Having figured out the reason for the Heir of Prince Jing’s different reaction, Wen Hao stopped dwelling on the matter.

By evening, Prince Jing strolled leisurely to the Princess of Jing’s quarters, and the Princess brought up the subject.

"You mean you want to propose marriage to the Wen family’s second daughter for Shuo’er?" Prince Jing was clearly shocked by the Princess’s words, his eyes widening.

"Keep your voice down, Your Highness." The Princess of Jing shot him a glare. "I’m just discussing it with you. Besides, it depends on the Wen family’s wishes."

Prince Jing scratched his head, unable to make up his mind for a moment. "Shuo’er is the Heir; marrying an Heir’s consort cannot be done carelessly."

"Then shall we look for someone else?"

"If we search high and low for someone perfectly satisfactory, that person might not find us satisfactory," Prince Jing calmed down and gave a wry smile.

When they, as Princes, were in their fiefs, they were above everyone else. Being recalled to the capital sounded nice—as if the Emperor couldn't bear to be parted from his brothers—but in reality, it was just to keep them obediently under his nose.

The Emperor himself had seized the throne by attacking the capital as a feudal prince, so naturally, he wanted to eliminate that potential threat.

Even now, the Emperor’s suspicion toward them had never diminished.

"Is it that you think the Wen family’s second daughter is good, or is this Shuo’er’s own wish?"

The Princess of Jing sold her son out without hesitation: "Shuo’er thinks the Wen family’s second daughter is beautiful."

"Superficial!" Prince Jing was just about to look down on his son, but upon receiving the Princess’s knowing look, he laughed sheepishly. "Though, it is honest."

He, too, had fallen in love with the beautiful Princess at first sight and insisted on marrying her, even enduring a reprimand from the late Emperor for it.

"The Wen family’s status is neither too high nor too low; it is quite suitable. It’s rare that Shuo’er is satisfied. Princess, arrange for someone to ask the Wen family’s intentions in a few days."

Over the next few days, Wen Hao stayed in Luoying Residence to nurse her foot and prepare for the coming crisis.

On this day, Lady Lin came to Luoying Residence almost at a run.

"Where is your Young Lady?"

"The Young Lady is in the study—"

Without waiting to hear the rest of the maid’s words, Lady Lin walked into the study like a gust of wind.

Wen Hao pulled a silk cloth over a square box and looked at the breathless Lady Lin with surprise. "Mother, is something urgent?"

Lady Lin strode up to Wen Hao and stared at her daughter without blinking.

Wen Hao raised a hand to touch her cheek. "Is there something dirty on your daughter’s face?"

Could it be that her mother had seen what was in the box?

Lady Lin sat down directly, her expression as if she were dreaming. "A-Hao, something strange has happened."

"What is it? If Mother keeps me in suspense, your daughter will be anxious to death."

"The Prince Jing’s Mansion just sent someone to inquire about your marriage."

Wen Hao froze.

"Marriage? Prince Jing’s Mansion?"

"The Prince Jing’s Mansion intends to propose marriage to you for the Heir of Prince Jing." Lady Lin was not someone who could keep secrets, and she blurted it all out in one breath.

"Impossible!" Wen Hao blurted out.

"Yes, Mother also thought it was impossible!" Meeting her daughter’s gaze, Lady Lin realized, "Mother doesn't mean A-Hao isn't worthy of the Heir of Prince Jing; our A-Hao is more than enough to marry a prince. It’s just so sudden. Mother has had quite a few dealings with the Princess of Jing, but I never saw any sign that she had this intention..."

Wen Hao couldn't understand it either, but one question was very important: "Mother, you didn't agree, did you?"

Lady Lin shook her head. "How could I agree the moment they brought it up? I had to ask for your opinion first."

Wen Hao felt a pang in her heart and took Lady Lin’s hand.

Having a mother who loves you is truly different. Even when a Prince’s Mansion comes to propose, the first thing she thinks of is her daughter’s feelings.

"A-Hao, what do you think of this marriage?"

Wen Hao saw anticipation in Lady Lin’s eyes; clearly, she was happy to see this match happen.

But she was destined to disappoint her mother.

"Daughter thinks it is not good."

If she wanted her loved ones to avoid tragedy, she only needed to expose her father’s true colors; that was, after all, just a family matter.

The Prince Jing’s Mansion was different.

Upon returning to the capital, she learned that the entire Prince Jing’s Mansion had been executed for treason.

If she married into the Prince Jing’s Mansion, she would be dragging her family into that quagmire.

"Why does A-Hao think it’s not good?" Although Lady Lin had no intention of forcing her daughter, she couldn't help but ask.

Although the Heir of Prince Jing didn't go out much, because her maiden home was right next to the Prince Jing’s Mansion, she had seen him many times. Not only was he handsome, but his demeanor was also steady, without a hint of the arrogance typical of royal descendants.

"The Heir of Prince Jing... his health doesn't seem very good," Wen Hao frowned.

Lady Lin was startled and tightened her grip on Wen Hao’s hand. "A-Hao, you are the thoughtful one; Mother nearly overlooked this!"

The Heir of Prince Jing had been very ill when he arrived in the capital; his health was poor. If he couldn't grow old with his wife—

A-Hao must not marry a sickly person!

Lady Lin secretly thought, "That was close," and decided to politely decline the Prince Jing’s Mansion later.

The Princess of Jing never expected the Wen family to refuse, and she was so angry she couldn't even eat her breakfast.

"Call the Heir here."

That unfilial son really didn't give her any face!

(End of chapter)