Wanting to Marry Him

After returning to the residence, neither master nor servant spoke.

An Ziran shut himself in the study and did not come out. He kept thinking about his conversation with Fu Wutian. He was certain that he would never let An Yuzhi marry over as a concubine.

A concubine's status was generally low. After marrying in, she would essentially remain secluded within the inner quarters. Many matters would not require a concubine to appear, and she would not even have the chance to attend banquets held by the imperial family or nobility. Overall, it was little more than a title.

Although his original intention had been to find support for the An Family, he was not so cold-blooded that he would trade his younger sister's lifelong happiness for the An Family's wealth and glory. Since they had become his family, he had to bear some responsibility for them.

Knock, knock!

Someone knocked on the study door, and Steward Su pushed it open and entered.

An Ziran looked over. "What is it?"

Steward Su said helplessly, "Young Master, Miss has something she wishes to say to you. She is waiting outside the courtyard."

There was no need to ask. They both knew what An Yuzhi wanted to ask.

An Ziran was silent for a while. "Let her come in."

Steward Su sighed, then went out to call her in. Before long, An Yuzhi appeared at the entrance to the study and softly called, "Brother." An Ziran let her enter.

"Do you want to know Prince Fu's Manor's answer?" An Ziran glanced at the nervous An Yuzhi. After hearing his words, her little face began to flush. Before long, she looked like a red peach, tender and lovely. She truly had the makings of a beauty, yet he felt no happiness at all.

An Yuzhi's face was red with embarrassment. She stammered without managing to answer. As a young woman, she already found it shameful enough to come ask her brother about such a matter. Making her say it aloud was even more impossible.

An Ziran's expression remained calm, as if he had not noticed her embarrassment. He continued, "Do you really want to marry into Prince Fu's Manor?"

"Brother!" An Yuzhi's pretty face immediately burned. She seemed somewhat surprised by her brother's bluntness. Her little face was so shy it seemed as though water could be squeezed from it, yet traces of delight showed in her eyes.

"Tell me your answer." An Ziran knew her answer as soon as he saw her reaction, but he insisted on hearing her say it herself.

An Yuzhi stamped her foot, her little face scrunched up with conflict. Seeing that her brother remained unmoved, she struggled in embarrassment for a while before finally saying in an almost inaudible voice, "Yes... I... I want to marry him..."

An Ziran said expressionlessly, "Even if he can only give you the status of a concubine?"

An Yuzhi froze.

"I spoke with him. He said he can only give you the status of a concubine. Even so, are you willing?" An Ziran ignored how her face suddenly turned pale. Some matters had to be spoken plainly before they could be resolved.

An Yuzhi's face was deathly pale. She was not a foolish woman. The difference between a princess consort and a concubine was enormous. Once she became a concubine, it would be nearly impossible for her to be elevated to principal wife. Besides, she was the daughter of a landowner; the disparity in status was immense. She had seen many similar stories while accompanying her parents to the opera.

An Ziran said, "If you do not want this, I will not force you. Your brother will make another trip to Prince Fu's Manor and call off the marriage."

With merely the position of a concubine, it seemed the other party did not particularly wish to marry his sister either. As a man himself, he could understand Fu Wutian's thoughts, so he knew An Yuzhi would certainly not be happy after marrying into the manor. Although this would affect his future plans, he could settle for the next best thing: use the annulment as a condition to make Fu Wutian agree to protect the An Family. This was the best solution he could think of.

Yet An Yuzhi's reaction startled him.

"What did you say?" An Ziran thought he had misheard.

"I... I am willing..." An Yuzhi lowered her head and repeated herself. The slender section of neck exposed beneath her collar had turned completely red, and the handkerchief in her hands was nearly twisted to shreds.

An Ziran stared at her. "Are you sure you are willing to marry him as a concubine?"

An Yuzhi was silent for a long time before lifting her head. This time, she finally found the courage to look directly at him. She nodded slowly but firmly. "Brother, I... still want to marry him."

Steward Su walked in. "Young Master, Miss, she..."

He knew that the young master must have told Miss about their visit to Prince Fu's Manor and its outcome. Yet when Miss had passed him just now, he seemed to have seen her face flushed bright red, clearly with bashfulness rather than sorrow. The old man was immediately confused.

An Ziran said lightly, "That was her own decision."

Steward Su stood stunned for a while before finally letting out a soft sigh. For the An Family, Miss had truly suffered.

Prince Fu's Manor

In less than half a day, a report on the An Family was delivered into Fu Wutian's hands. Its contents were extremely detailed. It not only included everything they had done in Gentlemen City during this period, but also the An Family's affairs in Anyuan County. It was so thorough that even eighteen generations of the An Family's ancestors had been dug up.

If An Ziran saw it, he would surely be shocked. To accomplish this in such a short time, Fu Wutian could not possibly be nothing more than a reckless brute who had only recently returned to court.

"My lord, this An Ziran has quite the nerve." Ge Qian'an stood below the steps. He was the young man from the main hall earlier. He had already read the report and immediately saw An Ziran's purpose in making Prince Fu's Manor honor the marriage agreement. He merely wanted to use the prince. For a landowner, his courage was indeed considerable.

Fu Wutian held the sheet of paper. "Don't you find him interesting?"

Ge Qian'an did not understand.

Fu Wutian released the paper and watched it drift to the ground. The writing upon it remained clearly visible. He said calmly, "Would an ordinary person forgive promissory notes accumulated over more than a decade? Would they lower the land rent for an entire county without a second word?"

Ge Qian'an nodded. "He knows when to take and when to let go. He is decisive and straightforward. He truly is a capable man. But does Your Highness really intend to marry a landowner's daughter?" As though recalling something, he frowned almost imperceptibly.

"He was even willing to give the Mandarin Duck Jade Pendant to the An Family. What reason do I have to refuse?" Fu Wutian raised his head to gaze at the clear sky. The white clouds seemed to form a person's face. A sharp gleam flashed through his dark eyes as he slowly turned his head toward the corridor on the left. "Isn't that right, Grandfather?"

Old Prince Fu was standing in the corridor, though no one knew when he had arrived.

Ge Qian'an was startled. He had not noticed him at all and hurriedly bowed. "Old Prince Fu!"

Old Prince Fu stood there with his hands behind his back, looking at them. His expression was almost identical to his grandson's: composed and cold. Only after hearing his grandson's words did he say, "Since you know that your grandfather places great importance on this marriage with the An Family, then is there any problem with marrying the An Family girl as your princess consort?"

Fu Wutian stared at him for a long while before suddenly saying, "Of course not."

Old Prince Fu nodded in satisfaction, turned around, and leisurely walked away.

Ge Qian'an immediately let out a breath of relief. Old Prince Fu's illness had truly become more and more unpredictable. To suddenly regain his memories at such a crucial moment, it seemed even Heaven was helping the An Family. Yet the prince had changed his answer without a word, which genuinely surprised him. He truly did not know what the prince was thinking.