Cheng Shu’s expression turned strange for a moment, then quickly returned to normal. “Is that all? Oh, as long as I can confirm Second Cousin can speak, I’m relieved. I still have some matters to attend to. I’ll come back later to congratulate Second Cousin.”

If Second Cousin heard those rumors and became so angry she couldn’t speak again, what would happen? He wasn’t skilled at lying, so it was better to leave first.

Cheng Shu fled in a hurry and nearly collided with a maid walking toward Luoying Residence.

“Young Master Cheng.”

Cheng Shu glanced at the servants behind the maid carrying boxes and cases, asking curiously, “What are these—”

“Madam has instructed us to deliver these gifts to Second Miss’s courtyard.”

Knowing how much his aunt doted on this cousin, Cheng Shu no longer felt curious and quickly departed.

The little maid at the courtyard gate, upon seeing the maid, reported, “Miss, Sister Fangfei from Madam’s courtyard has arrived.”

Fangfei walked before Wen Hao and curtsied. “Second Miss, Madam has ordered this servant and others to deliver these gifts to you.”

“For me?” Wen Hao’s gaze swept over those boxes and cases, somewhat surprised.

Mother’s dowry was generous, and she frequently sent small trinkets that girls loved to both her and Elder Sister’s courtyards. However, in her memory, she had never sent so many things at this time.

What surprised Wen Hao wasn’t the items themselves, but the difference from her previous life.

Fangfei smiled as she explained, “These are thank-you gifts from Prince Jing’s Manor for Second Miss. Madam instructed us to deliver them directly to Second Miss.”

“Where is Mother?”

“She is currently speaking with the steward who came from the manor.”

Wen Hao nodded. After Fangfei left, she stared at those gifts in contemplation.

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

The Heir of Prince Jing had taken responsibility for the incident, resolving the predicament for her, which led to Princess Consort Jing sending someone with thank-you gifts.

Yesterday—Wen Hao carefully recalled every detail.

That’s right, when she fell from the wall, she couldn’t help but cry out, whereas in her previous life, she had fallen directly before the Heir of Prince Jing with only a thud.

This meant the Heir of Prince Jing had reacted differently because he heard her cry?

When she was mute, he had simply turned a blind eye—Wen Hao couldn’t help but have this thought flash through her mind. She stroked Lin Xiaohua’s head and smiled.

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 no longer dwelled on the matter.

That evening, Prince Jing leisurely strolled to Princess Consort Jing’s quarters, and Princess Consort Jing brought up the matter.

“You’re saying you want to arrange a marriage between Shuo’er and Second Miss Wen?” Prince Jing was clearly shocked by Princess Consort Jing’s words, his eyes widening.

“Your Highness, lower your voice.” Princess Consort Jing gave him a reproachful look. “I’m just consulting with Your Highness. Besides, we still need to see what the Wen family thinks.”

Prince Jing scratched his head, unable to make up his mind immediately. “Shuo’er is the heir. We cannot be careless about choosing his consort.”

“Then shall we select more carefully?”

“Even if we carefully select someone especially suitable, that person will probably find it unsuitable.” After calming down, Prince Jing smiled bitterly.

When these princes were in their fiefdoms, they stood above ten thousand people. Being summoned back to the capital sounded pleasant—the Emperor couldn’t bear to part with these brothers—but in reality, it was to make them live obediently under his watchful eye.

Years ago, the Emperor had attacked the capital and seized the throne as a prince with a fiefdom. Naturally, he had to eliminate this hidden danger.

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

“Do you think Second Miss Wen is good, or is this Shuo’er’s idea?”

Princess Consort Jing sold out her son without hesitation. “Shuo’er thinks Second Miss Wen is beautiful.”

“Superficial!” Prince Jing was about to thoroughly scorn his son when he received Princess Consort Jing’s half-smiling gaze. He smiled sheepishly. “Though it is quite honest.”

Back then, he too had fallen in love at first sight with the beautiful Princess Consort and insisted on marrying her, even receiving a scolding from his father the late Emperor.

“The Wen family’s status is neither too high nor too low, which makes them suitable. Since Shuo’er is satisfied, Princess Consort, in a few days arrange for someone to inquire about the Wen family’s intentions.”

Over the next several days, Wen Hao stayed in Luoying Residence recuperating her foot and preparing for the approaching crisis.

On this day, Lin Shi almost came running to Luoying Residence.

“Where is your young miss?”

“Miss is in the study—”

Without waiting to hear the maid finish, Lin Shi swept into the study like the wind.

Wen Hao pulled the brocade cloth over the square box, looking at the breathless Lin Shi with some surprise. “Does Mother have urgent business?”

Lin Shi strode before Wen Hao, staring intently at her daughter.

Wen Hao raised her hand to touch her cheek. “Could there be something dirty on daughter’s face?”

Had Mother glimpsed what was inside the box?

Lin Shi sat down directly, her expression dreamlike. “Ah Hao, something extraordinary has happened.”

“What is it? If Mother keeps me in suspense any longer, daughter will die of anxiety.”

“Just now, someone from Prince Jing’s Manor came to inquire about your marriage prospects.”

Wen Hao froze.

“Marriage prospects? Prince Jing’s Manor?”

“Prince Jing’s Manor intends to arrange a marriage between you and the Heir of Prince Jing.” Lin Shi, unable to keep things to herself, said it all in one breath.

“Impossible!” Wen Hao blurted out.

“Yes, Mother also thought it impossible!” Meeting her daughter’s gaze, Lin Shi came to her senses. “Mother doesn’t mean Ah Hao isn’t worthy of the Heir of Prince Jing—our Ah Hao would be more than worthy even of an imperial prince. It’s just so sudden. Mother has had considerable contact with Princess Consort Jing, yet didn’t detect any such intention from her…”

Wen Hao couldn’t understand it either, but there was one extremely important question. “Mother, you didn’t agree, did you?”

Lin Shi shook her head. “How could I agree as soon as they proposed? Of course I had to ask your opinion first.”

Wen Hao’s heart ached as she grasped Lin Shi’s hand.

Having a loving mother truly made all the difference. Even when the proposal came from a prince’s manor, Mother’s first thought was of her feelings.

“Ah Hao, what do you think of this marriage match?”

Wen Hao saw expectation in Lin Shi’s eyes, clearly pleased about this match.

But she was destined to disappoint Mother.

“Daughter thinks it’s not suitable.”

To protect the loved ones she cared about from tragedy, she only needed to expose Father’s true face—ultimately just family matters.

Prince Jing’s Manor was different.

After returning to the capital, she had learned that Prince Jing’s Manor had been completely executed for the crime of treason.

If she married into Prince Jing’s Manor, she would drag her loved ones into that quagmire.

“What does Ah Hao find unsuitable?” Though Lin Shi had no intention of forcing her daughter, she couldn’t help asking.

Although the Heir of Prince Jing rarely went out, since her maternal family lived next to Prince Jing’s Manor, she had seen him many times. Not only was he handsome, but his conduct was steady, without a trace of the arrogance typical of imperial descendants.

“The Heir of Prince Jing… his health doesn’t seem very good.” Wen Hao frowned.

Lin Shi started, her grip on Wen Hao’s hand tightening. “Ah Hao, you’re still more thoughtful—Mother nearly overlooked this!”

When the Heir of Prince Jing entered the capital, he had suffered a serious illness. His body was weak—what if he couldn’t grow old together with his wife—

Ah Hao absolutely could not marry a sickly person!

Lin Shi silently thought how fortunate this was, and upon returning, politely declined Prince Jing’s Manor.

Princess Consort Jing never expected Wen Manor would actually refuse. She was so angry she couldn’t even eat breakfast.

“Summon the Heir.”

That unfilial son truly brought her no honor!