Noble Consort Cen Presses for a Marriage

Fu Yunlang said irritably, "Anyway, it's none of your business."

He took two steps forward, then, remembering Prince of Qi, he paused, turned back, and said, "Please tell Prince of Qi that it's a small matter and there's no need for the Imperial Concubine to trouble herself. Thank you for his kindness."

He said this and quickly left.

Fu Yunkai watched his younger brother's departing figure, his brows furrowed deeply.

He turned his head, looked at the courtyard where Lady He lived, hesitated for a moment, and then turned and left the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence.

Fu Yunkai went to Prince of Qi's Residence to find Xiao Lingyan and told him what had happened. He then stood up and bowed to Xiao Lingyan, saying, "Yunlang has failed Your Highness's good intentions and has also disturbed the Imperial Concubine. It is truly shameful."

He used to have a good relationship with Xiao Lingpu and only treated Xiao Lingyan like a child.

Xiao Lingyan risked his life to deliver supplies to the border and also contributed greatly to the war. It can be said that Xiao Lingyan was largely responsible for the fact that he and his father did not die in this battle.

During their time together at the border, Fu Yunkai also noticed that Xiao Lingyan was completely different from before. Whether it was because he had grown up or because of the different environment, he seemed like a completely different person. He had his own ideas about everything he did, was meticulous, quick-witted, and it seemed that there was nothing he couldn't solve. If he said he could do it, he would definitely do it, and he would do it better than they expected. He was an extremely reliable person.

Fu Yunkai's impression of Xiao Lingyan completely changed. He not only regarded Xiao Lingyan as the most outstanding young man of his age, but also developed admiration and respect for him. This was the same feeling he had for Xiao Lingpu.

At the time, my father remarked that the children of the royal family were truly different. They might not seem like much normally, but if you put them in adversity, each and every one of them would be an outstanding individual.

Therefore, Fu Yunkai's attitude towards Xiao Lingyan at this moment was completely different from before.

Xiao Lingyan waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down. "What's our relationship? There's no need for this. Who Yunlang wants to marry isn't a big deal."

As the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence was a key focus for him and Zhao Ruxi, and the Cen Family was his maternal grandfather's family, he learned immediately that Lady He had sent someone to propose marriage to Tenth Miss Cen.

The Cen Family naturally had to discuss this matter with him and Xiao Lingpu.

Xiao Lingpu was initially quite disappointed that he couldn't arrange a marriage between Fu Yunkai and the Cen Family. But now that he learned that Lady He had taken a liking to Tenth Miss Cen, he was naturally very happy and immediately instructed the Cen Family to facilitate the marriage.

Xiao Lingyan proposed that Noble Consort Cen help Fu Yunlang, firstly to fulfill the promise he made to Fu Yunlang, and secondly to test Fu Yunlang's current thoughts.

And sure enough, the test yielded results right away.

He didn't want to discuss the matter further, and instead asked about Fu Yunkai's wedding date, "You're not young anymore, and you can't stay in the capital for long. Have you discussed it with the Mu Family? When do you plan to get married?"

Fu Yunkai nodded. "We've discussed it. We'll finish the betrothal gifts as soon as possible, and the wedding will probably take place in May."

"Congratulations, congratulations." Xiao Lingyan's congratulations were sincere.

"Does Your Highness have a favorite girl?" Fu Yunkai asked teasingly. "The Imperial Concubine has been quite worried about Your Highness lately."

After returning from the border, Noble Consort Cen began pressuring Xiao Lingyan to marry her. She knew that Xiao Lingyan had been extremely distressed during this time.

The mere mention of this Xiao Lingyan a headache.

He waved his hand. "Please don't mention this, it gives me a headache."

Fu Yunkai burst into laughter.

"I wasn't just forced into marriage by my mother, but also by you and the Second Highness. Now Your Highness is experiencing that feeling too, isn't he?"

Xiao Lingyan glared at him, then stood up. "I'm not talking to you anymore, I'm going to the palace."

Without waiting to see if Fu Yunkai, the guest, had left, he walked outside.

Fu Yunkai quickly followed. The two left the gate of the Prince of Qi's Residence and went their separate ways.

Xiao Lingyan the palace and explained the matter to Noble Consort Cen.

Although his attitude towards Fu Yunlang was a test, he was putting on a show to make it more convincing; he had actually mentioned this matter to Noble Consort Cen before.

Noble Consort Cen had no time to pay attention to Fu Yunlang. What did it matter to her what kind of wife someone else's son married? She only cared about her son.

She winked at her maid and said to Xiao Lingyan, "Now that you're building your own residence outside, it'll only become harder and harder to see you. Since you're here, have a cup of tea with your mother."

"Let's do it another day. I have things to do outside the palace. I just took a moment to come in and tell my mother. I have to go back to work soon." Xiao Lingyan really didn't want to stay here and listen to Noble Consort Cen gossiping about which girl was good.

His relationship with Zhao Ruxi cannot be discussed yet.

Not to mention that Zhao Ruxi's upcoming imperial examinations will be greatly affected by this, and she will no longer be able to be assigned to a post in another region when she is appointed to an official position; just considering his and Xiao Lingpu's current situation, they are practically the target of everyone's criticism. The Crown Prince and the Third Prince know that Zhao Ruxi is his beloved, and they will definitely make trouble for Zhao Ruxi, which is not the result that he and Zhao Ruxi want.

Zhao Ruxi needs to remain quiet and discreet, creating a safe space for herself. This way, she can unexpectedly help Xiao Lingyan at a crucial moment. This is like a trump card that shouldn't be revealed too early.

"But your mother has something to say to you." Noble Consort Cen didn't want to let her son leave, so she gestured for all the servants to leave, leaving only a trusted maidservant by her side.

"Little Five," she said to Xiao Lingyan in a low voice, her face darkening, "I'm forcing you to get engaged not just because you're of age and it's time to be engaged, but also to find us a powerful ally. Your brother has no choice but to marry a girl from the Cen Family; you, however, will not. Now, the Duke of Wei's Residence favors our faction and is willing to form a marriage alliance with us; the Qi Xuan girl from the Duke of Wei's Residence is also quite good, marrying her wouldn't be a disservice to you. What else could you possibly be dissatisfied with about this marriage?"

Xiao Lingyan's lips curled into a mocking smile, "Mother, for my brother's sake, I went to the battlefield, risking my life countless times. I barely survived, only to be used by you for a political marriage, sacrificing my own happiness for my brother's future. Mother, what am I in your eyes? How far will you squeeze my value before you're satisfied? Is the sole purpose of my life simply for the position my brother desires?"

After saying this, he ignored the astonished expression on Noble Consort Cen's face and turned to leave.

He knew that Noble Consort Cen's intention in arranging his marriage was not this. He and Xiao Lingpu were inextricably linked, their fates intertwined. Xiao Lingpu's success meant he would have a good life; Xiao Lingpu's failure meant he would not survive. Therefore, making necessary sacrifices for this group was only right.

But he still didn't want them to take it for granted.

On what grounds?