sjar Chapter 177 Lin Wan'er's Invitation
Chapter 177 Lin Wan'er's Invitation
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. She is eating and sleeping well, but she doesn't like reading at all, which is a great headache for my father and me," Shen Li said, shaking her head.
“Not everyone has to love studying. I saw that she was very good at martial arts on the day of the hunt, which is good.” Li Che said seriously.
However, later on, he stopped making eye contact with Shen Li.
Shen Li smiled knowingly.
After finishing her shift in the afternoon, Shen Li went to Zuixianlou and to her usual private room on the second floor.
"Miss, what brings you out for a meal today?" Lian Qiao asked.
"It's been a while since I've been here. Order my usual dishes, and also order your favorites." Shen Li sat by the window.
I wonder if Lin Wan'er has arrived yet.
Lin Wan'er arrived earlier than she expected. Before she had even finished eating, there was a knock on the door of the private room. The waiter came in and whispered something in Lian Qiao's ear.
"Miss, he said the person has arrived and is in the next private room." Lian Qiao was still a little confused. Who was this person?
"You guys eat, I'll be right back." Shen Li got up and went to the next room.
Next door, only Lin Wan'er, dressed in white, sat at the table. On the table was a pot of tea, steam rising from its spout, but she made no move to have her maid pour it out.
"Go." She dismissed the maid, her brows furrowed with an unyielding coldness, but with an added touch of sorrow than usual.
The maid bowed to Shen Li and withdrew.
"You must be going through a lot of troubles, it's written all over your face." Shen Li sat down opposite her.
At the same table, in the same spot, she suddenly remembered that when the woman came to see her off in her previous life, she had the same expression. However, this time she was full of vitality, completely different from the woman in her previous life.
"Do you know that matchmakers have been practically breaking down my doorstep these past few days?" Lin Wan'er said, her expression one of utter despair.
"I've heard about it. My mother told me about it when I went home the other day. It's all over the capital now. They say that the Lin family's daughter is too proud to look down on anyone." Shen Li chuckled.
"You're still laughing." Lin Wan'er said irritably, "Do you know that the Duke of Zhenguo's family is not involved? I've already hinted to the matchmakers to ask, but they seem not to understand."
Shen Li didn't want to laugh, but she couldn't help it.
She knew it wasn't a big deal, otherwise she wouldn't have been completely unaware of it.
Of course, matters of the heart are of utmost importance, so it's no wonder she's like this. If she herself hadn't married Gu Chang'an yet, she would probably try every means to marry him first.
With their abilities, they can achieve great things or seek revenge at any time; the only thing they can't hold onto is a man, who will truly belong to someone else.
"Stop laughing! The Duke of Zhenguo is your maternal grandfather's family. Didn't you find out anything?" Lin Wan'er was even tempted to hit her when she saw her laughing incessantly.
Of course, I eventually gave up on the idea because I couldn't win.
Shen Li suppressed her laughter before saying, "I already asked for you. Your maternal grandfather likes you very much, but your cousin said a long time ago that he would only marry the woman he likes. After a few arguments a few years ago, the family just let him have his way."
Lin Wan'er's brows remained furrowed.
"It's not difficult to marry into that family. How about we get married first and then develop our relationship?" Shen Li asked tentatively.
The current dynasty does not value military generals. The power to deploy troops is entirely in the hands of the Ministry of War. Border generals can only command troops but not deploy them. Even local civil officials control military generals at every turn, resulting in a very low status for military generals.
Moreover, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and the Lin family both belong to the northern border, and their positions and powers are similar, so marriage is not an impossible thing.
It's just that Xiao Qi is likely on the front lines while Lin Wan'er is staying in the capital.
“No.” Lin Wan’er shook her head: “If he doesn’t like me, wouldn’t that ruin his life?”
"You're really thinking of him." Shen Li rested her chin on her hand, her mind racing.
"By the way, the war in the Northern Border is over, and the ceasefire agreement with Daliang has been signed. My cousin should be able to return to the capital to report for duty." Shen Li thought for a moment and said, "Just wait, it won't be long."
You can develop feelings for someone just by meeting them.
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to wait that long.” Lin Wan’er said solemnly, “Among those who are proposing marriage, there is the son of the Minister of Personnel and the son of the Left Censor-in-Chief. How long do you think I can hold out?”
Upon hearing this, Shen Li understood Lin Wan'er's predicament.
The Minister of Personnel, Zheng Jia, was the maternal uncle of the Prince of Yi.
The wife of the Left Censor-in-Chief was the younger sister of Empress Ning, and his son was the cousin of the Crown Prince.
What appears to be a simple marriage proposal is actually still entangled in factional struggles, with both sides vying for Lin Wan'er as a political bargaining chip.
These filthy men.
"His Majesty summoned me to the palace the day before yesterday, and during their conversation, he mentioned my marriage, saying that the third young master of the Zheng family was a good person and asked me to try to get to know him." Lin Wan'er's voice became even softer and weaker.
"The third young master of the Zheng family?" Shen Li thought for a moment, but she really didn't have any impression of him, although she had dealt with the Zheng family quite a bit.
Zheng Youwei, the second son of the Zheng family, died at her hands. She had also met Zheng Yanran many times, and her assessment of her was: the Zheng family members are not smart and never get enough beatings.
But judging from the emperor's words, he really intended to bring them together, which meant he wanted to completely elevate Prince Yi and suppress Li Heng, until he could depose the crown prince.
The emperor's will to depose the crown prince was so firm; it was truly remarkable that these women were able to ensure Li Heng's stable ascension to the throne in their previous lives.
"I don't care who it is, no one would agree to this. But the emperor's intentions are so obvious. I'm afraid that once the imperial decree of marriage is issued, it will be too late," Lin Wan'er said, expressing her concerns.
Shen Li nodded. This matter could not be ignored. Prince Yi would definitely continue to advise the emperor on this matter, and the emperor might make a decision on a whim.
"We need to find a way to stall them," she analyzed. "And we need to do it quickly."
She thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Wan'er, do you know anything about the third young master of the Zheng family?"
“My mother inquired and found out that he was just like his deceased second brother. He was strict at home and didn’t allow his son to take a concubine, so he kept a room full of maids to warm his bed. I heard that he was good at bullying those maids. If anyone disobeyed him, he would either beat them to death or sell them off.”
Lin Wan'er shook her head as she spoke. If she were to marry into that family, she would probably defy the imperial decree and run away.
"You haven't met him, but you probably know his second brother, Zheng Youwei, right?" she asked Shen Li.
Shen Li blinked and chuckled awkwardly, "We've had some interaction, and I'm probably the one he can't forget the most."
"That's it." Lin Wan'er didn't ask any further questions since she knew.
Shen Li rolled her eyes and said, "I have a pretty good idea. It can drag things out for two or three months without any problem. It just depends on whether you do it or not."
"I knew you were the most quick-witted. You tell me what to do, and I'll do it. As long as it can be delayed, anything is fine." Lin Wan'er's eyes, which had been dim for a long time, finally brightened, and she even poured tea for Shen Li.