Refused a Meeting

According to the Second Master's thinking, even if Prince of Qi was truly impotent, he was still a prince. Qi Xuan would become the highly respected Consort of the Prince of Qi after marrying into the family. In that case, what did it matter if Prince of Qi was truly impotent? He wouldn't have to take concubines one after another; the entire Prince of Qi's Residence would only have Qi Xuan as the woman, which would be incredibly prestigious. Enduring a minor flaw was worthwhile.

Haven't you seen how many women, after marrying, are left alone in their rooms because they are not favored by their husbands, and then have to deal with contempt and ridicule from all sides, and be squeezed out by other women? In that case, it would be better if their husbands were impotent.

He subtly conveyed this meaning to his wife.

The second wife, being a woman, was in a difficult position.

On the one hand, she felt this was quite important. If her husband was incapable, they would have no offspring, and raising someone else's child was ultimately not the same thing.

On the other hand, as a woman confined to the inner quarters, she felt that what the second master said made a lot of sense. Putting aside others, just considering the two concubines the second master had taken, she felt that they were not as good as her husband in bed. The illegitimate children born to those concubines were troublesome, which made her wish that her husband would die as soon as possible.

"Okay, I'll tell Miss Xuan what I've said," she said.

"If there's nothing else, I'll go rest over there." The second master, still thinking about his young and beautiful concubine, left without lingering after saying that, putting his hands behind his back.

The second wife watched her husband's retreating figure, grinding her teeth as she pondered whether she should really get some medicine to turn him into a eunuch, so he wouldn't cause her any more trouble.

Qi Xuan was still a young girl, and upon hearing the Second Madam's words, she immediately blushed. "This is just your guess, maybe it's not like that." She didn't really think there was anything wrong with this problem.

"Then you should consider it carefully. If you can really marry the Prince of Qi, your grandmother and uncle will be very Gao Xing," the second wife said.

As she spoke, she recounted several places Xiao Lingyan frequented, which the Second Master had learned about. Finally, she added with praise, "His Highness Prince of Qi is truly impeccable. He never goes to restaurants for drinks, nor does he wander around elsewhere. He spends his days either diligently working at the Ministry of Works, visiting the auction house, or returning to the Prince of Qi's Residence. He's a rare and honest young man."

Qi Xuan was pleased to hear this, but also felt it was a difficult situation.

Prince of Qi always travels by carriage; she couldn't very well wait for him at the entrance of the Ministry of Works or the Prince of Qi Prince of Qi's Residence's residence, could she? If she did, the entire capital would know by tomorrow. If this marriage succeeds, all will be well; but if it fails, how will she ever get married again?

After thinking for a moment, she said to the second wife, "I need something more expensive. Let's go to the auction house to discuss the auction."

The second wife immediately understood her meaning and agreed with her approach, "There's nothing better than this."

She pondered for a moment, "Don't go to the academy tomorrow. I'll tell your grandmother to find something for you in the treasury."

Qi Xuan's marriage is not just a matter for their second branch of the family. If it goes through, the entire Duke of Wei's Residence will benefit, especially the eldest brother-in-law, the Duke of Wei, who will gain prestige and further enhance his power. Naturally, this cannot come from their second branch's private treasury.

Qi Xuan shook her head. "Grandmother probably won't agree to me going to see His Highness Prince of Qi. Mother, why don't you look through what our second branch has? Just find what we don't need; anyway, the money from the auction is still yours."

The second madam thought about the old lady's old-fashioned ways; if she was rejected for the marriage, she might really not let Miss Xuan pursue the matter. So she immediately nodded and said, "Alright, I'll get up first thing tomorrow morning and look for her."

After discussing the matter, the mother and daughter went to rest.

The next day, Qi Xuan timed it perfectly, going to a teahouse near the auction house around the time Xiao Lingyan usually went there. She sent several servants to wait at the intersection and entrance of the auction house, so they could notify her as soon as they saw the Prince of Prince of Qi.

"Miss, you're here. You've gone straight to the auction house." Not long after, the servant came panting to inform her.

Qi Xuan was overjoyed and quickly led her maid downstairs to the auction house.

Auction houses naturally have dedicated staff to manage them.

Xiao Lingyan usually only comes here to check if he has received anything and when the auction will be arranged; most of the time, he stays here to find some peace and quiet.

Once Qi Xuan entered the auction house and knew there were no outsiders present, she grew impatient with the shopkeeper's rambling and stated directly, "I want to see His Prince of Qi."

Seeing the shopkeeper's hesitation, she simply revealed her identity. "Tell His Highness Prince of Qi that I am the Sixth Miss Qi of the Duke of Wei's Residence, and he will know."

The woman opposite him was a young and beautiful noblewoman, and her words seemed to suggest that she had a connection with his master. The shopkeeper dared not be negligent and went upstairs to report to Xiao Lingyan.

"I won't see you," Xiao Lingyan.

"If she keeps bothering you, just say you know who she is, but I don't want to get married, so there's no need to meet her," he added.

Shopkeeper: "..."

"Is it alright to say that? She's still just a young girl," the shopkeeper advised cautiously.

He felt that his prince spoke too bluntly and was prone to hurting people's feelings.

"Just say it like that. If I put it too subtly, I'm afraid she won't understand and will keep bothering me," Xiao Lingyan said.

As he spoke, he instructed Wang Tong, who was standing behind him, "The guards should be on high alert during this time, lest anyone stage an accident for you."

Wang Tong answered without hesitation, "Yes."

He was in the know, so he naturally understood why his prince had done this.

The shopkeeper, upon hearing this, was both amused and exasperated, but he understood Xiao Lingyan's meaning and turned away.

Upon meeting Qi Xuan, he initially spoke tactfully, saying that His Highness Prince of Qi was busy and wouldn't concern himself with such trivial matters, and that she should simply discuss anything with him directly.

"Did you relay my words to him?" Qi Xuan couldn't believe her ears.

She was the woman Xiao Lingyan to marry. If Xiao Lingyan heard she was coming, shouldn't he at least come out to see her and have a word with her? How could he just dismiss her with a few casual words? Did he take her for someone unrelated?

"I've relayed the message, I've relayed it word for word," the shopkeeper said, somewhat reluctantly.

Qi Xuan stared wide-eyed at the shopkeeper, speechless for a long time.

"I'm going to find him." She lifted her skirt and headed towards the stairs the shopkeeper had come down.

Unexpectedly, a man dressed as a guard appeared at the top of the stairs, blocking the way and saying, "Excuse me, this place is not open to outsiders."

Qi Xuan looked at the guards, then at the shopkeeper, in disbelief.

Seeing this, the shopkeeper, though reluctant, still spoke the words Xiao Lingyan had asked him to say, "His Highness said he doesn't want to get married, so there's no need for us to meet."

If Qi Xuan had just held a sliver of hope that the Prince of Qi didn't know who she was, which was why he refused to see her, her hopes were utterly shattered upon hearing these words.

Xiao Lingyan's words clearly indicated that he knew who she was, but he didn't want to see her. He didn't want to get married, so he wouldn't even give her a chance to meet.