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Let's turn back time a little.
Ling Hua had originally planned to spend a few more days enjoying the begonias and hot springs at Qiyun Mountain, but the second prince, Xiao Zhen, sent someone to deliver a message, instructing her to return to the capital immediately. Although no specific reason was given, she still began her journey back to the capital overnight.
Thanks to the emperor's token, which allowed her to enter and exit the city gates at any time, she could still enter the city under the moonlit night, even though the city gates were locked.
The coachman drove steadily, while Ling Hua leaned against the carriage wall, drowsy. Suddenly feeling something, she opened her eyes and lifted the curtain a corner, spotting a figure leisurely wandering the streets under the deep night sky.
The youth's silhouette was tall and slim, resembling poplars and pines, orchids and jade trees.
She had only glanced for a moment and, before she could react, the carriage passed by, leaving the figure behind.
Looking back, Ling Hua saw that under the night, the young Marquis from Marquis Duanjing's residence was incomparably handsome, seeming even more striking than before.
She let down the curtain and commanded, "Stop the carriage!"
The coachman quickly reigned in the horses and brought the carriage to a halt.
Liuli was also dozing off and woke up startled, looking at Ling Hua with confusion.
Ling Hua reached into the wine chest and took out a jar of Begonia Brew, handing it to Liuli. "Give this to young Marquis Yan Qing as a token of thanks!"
Liuli accepted the liquor jar, looking at Ling Hua.
Ling Hua turned her head, gesturing to her that the person was outside the carriage.
Liuli opened the curtain, and indeed, she saw Yan Qing at a glance, thinking to herself how coincidental it was to encounter the young Marquis from Marquis Duanjing's residence on the street in the middle of the night.
What luck the mistress has!
With a straightforward nature, Liuli delivered the wine, and the carriage went on. She no longer felt sleepy and kept her gaze steadily on Ling Hua.
Ling Hua raised an eyebrow at her. "What are you going to say now?"
Liuli sighed, "Young Marquis Yan Qing is indeed quite handsome."
Ling Hua's mouth curved into a slight smile.
Liuli felt even more inclined to sigh.
Upon returning to the Ling residence, the carriage drove straight into the inner courtyard and stopped at the second gate.
As Ling Hua got off the carriage, the butler saluted respectfully and said in a hushed voice, "The second prince has been waiting for two hours already. He's in your courtyard."
Ling Hua nodded and walked toward her Yulan Garden.
Yulan Garden, true to its name, was planted with countless precious orchids. Stepping into the courtyard, one could smell the fragrance of orchids wafting through the air.
Although Xiao Zhen had come to Ling Hua's courtyard to wait for her, he had politely refrained from entering the house, choosing instead to sit under the only begonia tree and drink tea.
Xiao Zhen was dressed in plain azure brocade and sipped tea with an elegant and noble air. His handsome appearance was indeed pleasant to the eye, especially his hands, which were white and slender—an exceptional sight.
Ling Hua was not interested in his appearance, for she had seen him grow up, but she had always liked his hands very much, especially admired the way he brewed and poured tea.
"You're finally back!" Xiao Zhen felt like he'd almost throw up from all the tea he had drunk; if Ling Hua didn't return soon, he'd probably have been unable to resist entering her room to sleep in her bed.
Ling Hua had initially been quite annoyed, but considering it was his urgent summon that allowed her to encounter Yan Qing wandering alone at night, her mood wasn't too bad. Therefore, her attitude toward him softened a bit. "Speak! What matter? You'd best give me a reason not to kick you."
Xiao Zhen looked at Ling Hua, surprised, "You're not mad at me first?"
She usually didn't have such a good temper.
Ling Hua took a seat, "Speak quickly."
Xiao Zhen turned his head towards Liuli.
Liuli gave Xiao Zhen a look that said she had nothing to contribute, even though she knew why her mistress was in such a mood.
"Why do you and your maid seem so secretive?" Xiao Zhen prided himself on his discerning eyes, but today Ling Hua was definitely not herself.
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"If you're not going to speak, I'm going to sleep. I'm dead tired." Ling Hua made a motion to get up.
Xiao Zhen held her down, "Wait, I'll talk."
Ling Hua crossed her arms and looked at him.
Xiao Zhen said irritably, "Father wants to arrange a marriage for me."
Ling Hua was taken aback. This was indeed a significant matter. She looked at Xiao Zhen, "Why does His Majesty suddenly want to arrange a marriage for you?"
"How would I know!"
Ling Hua frowned, "Which family?"
"The Wen Family of Youzhou."
Ling Hua was also shocked, "The Crown Princess Consort's family?"
"Yes!" Xiao Zhen was depressed, "What do you think Father is thinking?"
Ling Hua was a bit puzzled as well, "Where did you hear it from?"
"It was passed to me by Consort Rou, who said it came straight from His Majesty's mouth."
Ling Hua asked, "Who was present at the time? To whom did His Majesty speak?"
"To the Empress Dowager." Xiao Zhen took a deep breath, "Even if it were you, I wouldn't want to marry a girl from the Wen Family."
Ling Hua: "..."
She said with a laugh tinged with annoyance, "Thanks a lot! I'm already engaged."
Liuli finished pouring tea for Ling Hua and silently turned around, thinking to herself that at least the young miss remembered her engagement and hadn't been completely blinded by beauty—there was still hope for her.
"You've always been thinking about getting out of your engagement, haven't you?"
"Hmm." Ling Hua picked up her tea and took a sip, "Even if it were canceled, I wouldn't marry you."
Xiao Zhen: "..."
Women sure know how to hold a grudge!
He pondered and said, "If you cancel it, there wouldn't be anyone who would dare to marry you. At least I'd have the guts to."
"Dream on!"
Xiao Zhen glared, "Then what do you think I should do?"
"What did the Empress Dowager say?"
Xiao Zhen's face fell, "The Empress Dowager didn't say much, neither agreeing nor objecting. That's why I'm not at ease."
Ling Hua contemplated for a moment, "None of His Majesty's thoughts or decisions are without purpose."
"He dotes on the Crown Prince, probably because he sees me as unpleasant. Haven't I been honest enough all my life? I don't speak out of turn, don't do things that I shouldn't, and still, he's not satisfied? Does he have to pave the way for the Crown Prince at my expense, forcing me into a corner where I can't even stand?" Xiao Zhen's tone grew darker, "Doesn't he realize the Crown Prince is a good-for-nothing? The Crown Prince can produce one Grand Tutor Zhao, he could produce a dozen more. If the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he would ruin the entire Houliang Dynasty with his folly."
"You only dare to say such things in front of me," Ling Hua glared at him.
Xiao Zhen also felt that his outburst was excessive. After all, such words couldn't be spoken lightly. He subdued his dark mood and muttered, "It's because I'm with you that I dare to say them."
Ling Hua speculated, "Since His Majesty consulted the Empress Dowager, it means he hasn't really made up his mind. As long as the Empress Dowager opposes, you won't have to marry. Why don't you figure something out through the Empress Dowager?"
Xiao Zhen felt even more disheartened, "The Empress Dowager doesn't like my mother or me. What plan could I possibly have from her? If there were a way, I wouldn't be here waiting for you for two hours."
Ling Hua set down her teacup and thoughtfully said, "The Empress Dowager's weak point is the sole heir of the Marquis Duanjing's family, right? Yan Qing? Perhaps you could try his approach?"
Xiao Zhen: "..."
Liuli, upon hearing that name: "..."