Upon hearing this, Han Baocheng was stunned. Only after quite a while did he react, his agitation making him stammer: “For-forget it? Mother, what does this mean?”

“It means there will be no meeting at Tianyuan Temple. When we return home, we’ll find you another noble lady of outstanding character and appearance.”

Han Baocheng was full of confusion: “Why? Wasn’t it all agreed upon?”

Mother Han’s expression was complex: “Today’s chrysanthemum viewing banquet at the palace was actually to select a princess consort for Prince Wei. Elder Miss Lin was chosen.”

“What?” Han Baocheng stood dumbfounded.

Mother Han sighed: “So regarding the marriage discussion with the General’s household, just pretend it never happened.”

“Wait!” Han Baocheng’s head was spinning. “The final princess consort candidate hasn’t been decided yet, has it? Mother, you can’t give up just because Elder Miss Lin is among the candidate consorts. That Prince Wei favored Elder Miss Lin precisely demonstrates how outstanding she is, doesn’t it?”

Mother Han looked at her son with an extremely complex expression: “There are no candidates. Prince Wei only selected Elder Miss Lin.”

Han Baocheng was completely stunned.

Mother Han patted Han Baocheng’s arm and earnestly advised: “Baocheng, you and Elder Miss Lin have no fate. Just forget about the marriage discussion.”

Han Baocheng left the main courtyard with a dazed expression.

High in the blue sky, birds flew past. Because they flew so high, it was impossible to tell what kind of birds they were.

He had even worried about how this season made it impossible to obtain wild geese, feeling somewhat regretful that using domestic geese to seek marriage at the General’s household would be a substitute. He’d even begun pondering asking someone to buy them from the south.

Now he didn’t need to do anything?

Han Baocheng looked up at the empty, desolate sky. His heart felt equally empty.

Seeing him like this, his manservant couldn’t bear it and consoled: “Young Master, don’t be too sad just yet. Marriage matters all require obeying parents’ commands. Presumably the imperial family is no exception. Perhaps His Majesty has another favored candidate in mind.”

Han Baocheng’s eyes lit up. He clapped the manservant’s shoulder: “Go gather information quickly. Report any developments immediately.”

At Prince Jing’s residence, Young Princess Qi Qiong’s expression was somber, looking as though she’d suffered a blow.

“Qiong’er, why do you look like you’ve lost your soul since returning from the palace?” Princess Consort Jing asked worriedly.

Princess Consort Jing hadn’t attended the chrysanthemum viewing banquet held at the palace.

Looking at her mother’s concerned face, Qi Qiong didn’t know why but tears fell: “Mother Consort, Elder Sister Chan is going to become Prince Wei’s consort.”

Princess Consort Jing was shocked: “Really?”

After hearing Qi Qiong’s account, Princess Consort Jing found it somewhat incredible: “I never imagined the General’s household would become in-laws with His Majesty through their children.”

She glanced at her teary-eyed daughter and grew even more puzzled: “Then why are you crying?”

Qi Qiong choked up and used her handkerchief to dab her eyes: “I feel bad for Elder Sister Chan.”

Princess Consort Jing’s expression became somewhat strange as she forced out a sentence: “You girl, you truly favor reason over kinship.”

Was she really going to despise her cousin this much?

“Mother Consort, that’s not how that phrase is used.”

Princess Consort Jing waved her hand dismissively: “In any case, that’s the meaning. Although Elder Miss Lin becoming Prince Wei’s consort is unexpected, it’s not that terrible. Stop feeling bad on her behalf.”

Qi Qiong frowned, her brow still unable to relax.

Princess Consort Jing was puzzled: “Qiong’er, when did you become so close with the Lin sisters?”

Qi Qiong’s mouth twisted: “Probably because there’s a comparison.”

Thinking of Tang Wei, then thinking of her cousin, the Lin sisters were wonderful in every way.

“What comparison?” Princess Consort Jing didn’t understand her daughter’s words.

“It’s nothing. Mother Consort, I’m returning to my room.” Qi Qiong left the main courtyard and headed straight for Qi Shuo’s quarters. Halfway there, she encountered the manservant Changning coming toward her.

“Princess, the Heir is looking for you.”

“I was just going to find Elder Brother.” Qi Qiong nodded slightly and quickened her pace.

Arriving at Qi Shuo’s quarters, she saw her elder brother standing in the courtyard. Qi Qiong quickly walked over: “Elder Brother, today’s chrysanthemum viewing banquet—”

Qi Shuo calmly interrupted her: “I’ve heard.”

“Elder Brother already knows?” Qi Qiong sighed heavily. “It really was completely unexpected. Elder Miss Lin wasn’t among the people selected by the two noble consorts at all. I had always thought Elder Sister Chan and Ah Hao were safe.”

She tugged at Qi Shuo’s sleeve: “Elder Brother, what if the one selected had been Ah Hao instead?”

Qi Shuo’s gaze darkened as he asked: “What was Elder Miss Lin and the others’ reaction?”

Qi Qiong had a vivid impression of the scene: “Madam Lin seemed to want to refuse on the spot but was stopped by Elder Sister Chan.”

“What about Second Miss Lin?”

Qi Qiong looked deeply at her elder brother.

Elder Brother probably only cared about Ah Hao’s thoughts.

“Ah Hao showed no expression. It was impossible to discern her thoughts.”

After a moment of silence, Qi Shuo made a request of Qi Qiong: “Invite Second Miss Lin to the residence to visit. I want to speak with her a few words.”

Qi Qiong agreed immediately.

When Lin Hao received word from the Young Princess inviting her to come visit, after brief consideration, she accepted the appointment.

For the Young Princess to invite her over at this time was certainly related to her sister being selected by Prince Wei.

She hadn’t expected Qi Shuo to be waiting for her.

Qi Shuo was quite forthright: “I have some words I wanted to say to Second Miss Lin, so I asked my sister to invite you here. Please forgive any impropriety.”

The corner of Lin Hao’s mouth twitched.

Seeing Prince Jing’s Heir looking so polite and courteous, she felt uncomfortable.

What an act.

Qi Qiong was very tactful: “Elder Brother, Ah Hao, you two talk. I’ll go check if the pastries in the small kitchen are ready.”

Once Qi Qiong left, Qi Shuo put away his smile: “I’ve heard about your elder sister’s matter. Do you need help?”

“Help?” Lin Hao was somewhat surprised and grew curious. “How does the Heir plan to help?”

“If your elder sister is unwilling, I can think of a way. Perhaps I could make Prince Wei change his mind.”

Anyone with eyes could see that Lin Chan wasn’t the imperial family’s favored candidate. As long as Prince Wei changed his mind, this betrothal naturally wouldn’t happen.

Lin Hao grew increasingly curious, her lashes fluttering slightly: “How could you make Prince Wei change his mind?”

Qi Shuo smiled: “You tell me your thoughts first.”

Lin Hao weighed briefly and spoke honestly: “Grandmother and Mother feel Elder Sister has been wronged, but Elder Sister says she has no ill feelings toward Prince Wei and doesn’t want the family to struggle trying to escape this betrothal.”

“What about you?”

“Me?”

“Mm, what do you think?” Qi Shuo asked earnestly.

What he cared about was only the feelings of the person before him.

The youth’s eyes seemed to contain light, causing Lin Hao to unconsciously avert her gaze.

“This is Elder Sister’s betrothal. Naturally I prioritize Elder Sister’s thoughts.”

“Then ask your elder sister’s true feelings again. Under the premise of not bringing trouble to the General’s household, how would she choose?”

Lin Hao’s eyes widened slightly: “You truly have a method?”

Qi Shuo smiled: “Would I deceive you?”

Lin Hao’s lips twitched.

You’ve deceived me quite a bit—always making me think you were frail and weak, then turning around and slitting Fang Chengji’s throat.

“Thank you, Heir. I’ll ask Elder Sister again.”

Lin Hao returned to the General’s household and headed straight for Jiaoyue Residence.

After listening, Lin Chan remained silent for a long time, then grasped Lin Hao’s hand earnestly: “Second Sister needn’t worry about me anymore. I truly feel marrying Prince Wei is good.”

Becoming Prince Wei’s consort would make it less easy for the Crown Prince to target her younger sister.

Grandmother was getting on in years, and Mother had married an unworthy man. It was time for her to shelter the family from wind and rain.

Seeing that Lin Chan wasn’t speaking against her true feelings, Lin Hao sent someone to convey a message to Qi Shuo.

The next day, the General’s household received a jade ruyi bestowed by the Emperor. Countless people monitoring this matter learned of it immediately.