The Princess Consort was rendered speechless.

She was merely the daughter of an ordinary wealthy household. Among those noble ladies from prestigious families, she could at most be considered a small-town beauty. The reason she could become a Princess Consort was simplest: Prince Jing liked her.

The simplest reason, yet also the most difficult one.

For this, Prince Jing would rather endure the Late Emperor’s scolding and lose the Late Emperor’s favor.

Having experienced all this, how could she possibly prevent her son from wanting to marry the girl his heart desired?

“Since Shuo’er likes her, then I’ll personally go tomorrow to sound out the General’s Manor. The last time we sent someone to propose marriage, Madam Lin didn’t agree.” Speaking of this, the Princess Consort felt somewhat angry again.

Such a wonderful eldest son of hers, and they didn’t fancy him!

She was so angry she didn’t want to go anymore.

But her son liked her—the Princess Consort silently swallowed her frustration.

The Prince was right. Who told their son to like her?

After Prince Jing and the Princess Consort finished their evening meal, they lay side by side after washing up and changing clothes, discussing matters until very late before finally going to sleep.

Early the next morning, as spring light spread over every corner of Ping’an Ward and birds chirped cheerfully on the branches, the Princess Consort dispatched someone to deliver a calling card to the General’s Manor.

When Lin Shi received the calling card saying the Princess Consort wanted to visit, she was somewhat surprised.

Although the two families lived close by, they actually didn’t interact much. Why would the Princess Consort suddenly come calling?

Could she be proactively coming for the thank-you gift?

This guess flashed through her mind, and Lin Shi shook her head.

Over the years, she had observed that the Princess Consort was also a straightforward person. It wouldn’t come to that, it wouldn’t come to that.

Lin Shi’s curiosity was piqued. When the Princess Consort arrived at the door, she was clearly much warmer than usual.

The Princess Consort immediately gained confidence.

Looking at Madam Lin like this, the marriage match was certain to succeed.

A beautiful maid presented tea and withdrew. Lin Shi invited the Princess Consort to drink tea.

“I was just saying I would go to the Prince’s Manor today to properly thank the Heir.”

“Madam Lin is referring to yesterday’s startled horse incident?” The Princess Consort smiled and waved her hand. “There’s no need for thanks. Anyone who witnessed that situation and had the ability would help, not to mention we’re neighbors.”

“It may have been a simple effort for the Heir, but it was a great help to the General’s Manor.” Lin Shi spoke polite words, growing increasingly puzzled.

Since it wasn’t related to yesterday’s incident, why had the Princess Consort come calling? It couldn’t simply be a casual visit, could it?

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while. Just when Lin Shi’s curiosity was about to become uncontrollable, the Princess Consort finally stated the purpose of her visit: “Yesterday when Shuo’er escorted Second Miss home, I happened to see them, and I suddenly discovered the two children are quite well-matched. Shuo’er is twenty this year, and Second Miss is already seventeen. Both have reached the age to discuss marriage. What does Madam Lin think about bringing these two children together as a couple?”

Lin Shi was stunned.

The Princess Consort had come to seek Second Miss as a wife for her son?

Had her memory become confused? She clearly remembered that Prince Jing’s Manor had proposed marriage before, and she had declined.

So this was the second time—Lin Shi suddenly felt somewhat proud, and also somewhat moved.

Look at Prince Jing’s Manor—even though their son was so frail, they weren’t afraid to take a wife who could fight. They were much better than those other families.

What a pity Prince Jing’s Heir was frail.

Lin Shi thought of this point just in time and secretly pinched her thigh.

Stay calm!

“The two children are well-matched in character, appearance, family background, and age. It’s rare that they also know each other well. Madam Lin has essentially watched Shuo’er grow up and should know that Shuo’er is dependable…”

As Lin Shi listened to the Princess Consort enumerate her son’s merits, she silently sighed: What a pity Prince Jing’s Heir was frail.

“What is Madam Lin’s opinion?” Having finished speaking, the Princess Consort picked up her teacup and took a sip.

She had said everything that needed to be said and lowered her posture to the utmost. If the General’s Manor still wasn’t willing, then one could only say her son and Second Miss Lin had no fate together.

Lin Shi didn’t refuse outright: “The Heir is indeed a first-rate talent among the capital’s younger generation. It’s just that such a major matter—I still need to discuss it with my mother.”

More importantly, she needed to ask her daughter’s opinion.

No matter how many merits Prince Jing’s Heir possessed, the single point of being frail and sickly meant Lin Shi didn’t favor him. But she wouldn’t presume to make decisions for her daughter, especially after discovering her daughter thought things through more thoroughly than she did.

She never believed parents necessarily understood more than their children.

“That’s natural. Then I’ll await Madam Lin’s news.” The Princess Consort set down her teacup, rose, and took her leave.

As soon as the Princess Consort left, Lin Shi hurried to the Old Madam’s quarters and delightedly recounted how the Princess Consort had come to propose marriage: “I was just worried no one would come to propose marriage anymore. Who would have thought someone would come calling today?”

The Old Madam saw things more clearly than Lin Shi: “Don’t get too pleased. In the short term, it will likely only be Prince Jing’s Manor.”

The smile on Lin Shi’s lips vanished: “Why is that?”

“If I remember correctly, this is the second time Prince Jing’s Manor has come to seek Ah Hao’s hand, isn’t it?”

Lin Shi nodded.

“Then do you think the Princess Consort must have Ah Hao as her daughter-in-law and no one else? That if she had a different daughter-in-law, even food wouldn’t taste good anymore?”

“That’s impossible.” Lin Shi still had this much self-awareness.

The Old Madam looked sideways at her daughter: “Then tell me, after being refused by you, why would Prince Jing’s Manor come to propose marriage again?”

“Yes, why?” Lin Shi fell into bewilderment.

The Old Madam was frustrated that iron wouldn’t become steel: “Because of Prince Jing’s Heir!”

Lin Shi remained bewildered.

The Old Madam felt helpless and could only spell it out: “The greatest possibility is that Prince Jing’s Heir admires Ah Hao. For her son’s sake, the Princess Consort made this second marriage proposal.”

Lin Shi had a sudden realization: “So that’s how it is.”

It was actually like this!

“They match well in all aspects, and what’s even more rare is he truly likes Ah Hao. Speaking of it, this can also be considered a good marriage match.” The Old Madam said.

Lin Shi couldn’t help but remind her: “But Prince Jing’s Heir’s health isn’t good.”

The Old Madam glared at her: “You didn’t refuse outright, did you?”

“No, I have to discuss it with you and also ask Ah Hao’s opinion.”

The Old Madam’s stern expression softened.

Though her daughter wasn’t too bright, at least she wouldn’t make rash decisions.

The Old Madam called out: “Duo Fu, please ask Second Miss to come.”

The senior maid Duo Fu soon arrived at Luoying Residence and invited Lin Hao over.

“Grandmother, you were looking for me?” Lin Hao had a vague guess in her heart but showed nothing on her face.

The Old Madam glanced at Lin Shi and said: “Today the Princess Consort came and expressed her desire to seek you as a wife for Prince Jing’s Heir. Ah Hao, what do you think?”

Young men and women were at just the age when love first awakens. Could it be that only Prince Jing’s Heir had his heart stirred?

The Old Madam didn’t think so.

Equal family status, mutual affection—that was a truly good marriage match.

Under the gazes of the Old Madam and Lin Shi, Lin Hao’s cheeks flushed beyond her control. She said obediently: “I’ll listen to Grandmother and Mother.”

Lin Shi stared at her daughter suspiciously.

Something wasn’t right. Last time, Ah Hao hadn’t said this.

“Ah Hao, first tell us your thoughts. This is your lifelong matter after all. You can’t just blindly listen to your elders.”

The Old Madam shot Lin Shi a look: “What she means is she’s willing. As elders, quickly settle the marriage match.”

“Grandmother, Mother, I’m going to check on Elder Sister.” Lin Hao fled in embarrassment because of the Old Madam’s words.

Lin Shi pinched herself and finally came to her senses: “Ah Hao likes Prince Jing’s Heir?”

When did this happen!