Harem Daily Life

Chapter 1026 Mutual Love, Xiao Nan Proposes Marriage

He Min's mind was in complete turmoil. She understood each of Xiao Nan's words individually, but when put together, she couldn't understand a single one.

However, having been raised by Consort Xian, she had learned some skills in concealing her emotions. After listening to Xiao Nan's words, she did not immediately question him, but only thought that she would analyze everything one by one after her pounding heart calmed down.

After confessing his love to his beloved, Xiao Nan was like a victorious general, happily going off to strive for their happy ending, leaving He Min standing there in a daze.

He Yinuo peeked out from behind the pillar, looking at her somewhat dazed third sister. She walked over uncertainly and asked, "Third sister, third sister? What's wrong?"

Could my third sister have been scared out of her wits? The smile on her lips looks so silly and foolish.

He Min coughed lightly and looked around: "It's nothing, but I have something to ask you. How did you know that Editor Xiao has someone he likes?"

He Min finally regained a sliver of reason. She realized that her visit to Xiao Nan today was entirely due to the instigation of this shrew. But she had spent far more time with Xiao Nan than this shrew. How could the shrew see through it while she herself hadn't?

She stared at He Yinuo suspiciously, determined to get some answers.

Of course, He Yinuo couldn't reveal the mastermind behind the scenes, the Empress Dowager, otherwise how would she seek advice from her mother in the future?

A sudden idea struck her: "Hey, I was having lunch with you guys, and the way you two interacted reminded me of something I read in a storybook. The main characters in that story were two clueless geese who ruined a good relationship. I was so worried!"

He Min narrowed her eyes: "So, you actually guessed that the person he has feelings for is me?"

Having spent many years with this older sister, He Yinuo immediately sensed the chill in He Min's voice.

He Yinuo shook her head vigorously, "No, no, I just guessed that he has someone in his heart, but I can't be sure it's you, sister. You must believe me, sister. If I had known earlier that the person in his heart was you, would I not have told you first? You and I are the best of friends in the world!"

Seeing her fawning manner, He Min felt a little smug: "Things change every thirty years, and I've finally gotten Little Sister Wu to fawn over me this once."

He Yinuo, observing the situation, felt that her crisis was mostly over, so she quickly changed the subject: "Then, sister, what should we do now? Editor Xiao's feelings are clear, but what about yours?"

He Min's ears turned red. She had previously thought that Xiao Nan's heart belonged to someone else, and she was thinking of generously sending her blessings. At that time, she felt bitter and awkward. Now that she knew that the person in his heart was her, the bitterness and awkwardness were gone, leaving only excitement and joy.

If this is how you feel, does it mean that you also have feelings for Xiao Nan?

Her thoughts were in turmoil, and the person in front of her was a younger sister who didn't understand anything. She couldn't bring herself to tell her what was on her mind, so she said, "I... I can't talk to you anymore. I have to go now."

He Min hurriedly left with her palace maids, leaving He Yinuo standing anxiously in the sunlight.

He Min waited for two whole days before Xiao Nan proposed marriage. After returning home, Xiao Nan wrote a detailed report about his family's situation, explaining everything in great detail. He also wrote a poem expressing his love for the princess and personally presented it to He Linzhang.

"Your Majesty, if I can persuade the princess to marry me, I will love and cherish her for the rest of my life. I hope Your Majesty will grant my request."

After hearing his desire to marry the princess, He Linzhang was at a loss for words.

"I understand. You may go back now, and I will ask the Empress and Consort Xian for their opinions." The Empress had made the decisions regarding He Xuan and He Yue's marriages, and Consort Xian, being He Min's adoptive mother, naturally also had a say in the matter.

Tao Yanyan never cared about social status. Since she could agree to He Jin'an marrying Hua Yurong, she could naturally agree to He Min marrying Xiao Nan. As long as the other party was devoted to the child, what did their social background matter? Therefore, the biggest difficulty in this matter lay with Consort Xian.

Consort Xian was unwilling from the bottom of her heart. She was of noble birth and came from a prominent family. Although He Min was only her adopted daughter, after more than ten years of upbringing, she had long been treated like her own daughter.

How could a princess like her be content to marry a low-ranking official? Her daughter was married to a man of only the sixth rank. How could she possibly accept that she had married a woman of lower status than the other daughters of the Wang family?

However, Xiao Nan once fell into the water with He Min, which is also a major hidden danger.

After much deliberation, Consort Xian had no choice but to call He Min to her side and ask the child what he thought.

If He Min has feelings for Xiao Nan, then she will put aside her class prejudices and resentment and let them be together. At worst, she can ask the Wang family to give Xiao Nan more support in the future. With Xiao Nan's talent, given time, he will definitely be able to enter one of the Six Ministries. If he becomes a minister or a second-rank official in the future, it will not be a disgrace to the princess's status.

Hearing her mother's question, He Min's cheeks flushed red.

"Mother, I... I don't know what to do either, but I think Lord Xiao is... not bad."

No one knows a daughter better than her mother. The Consort Xian knew everything about the child she had raised who was now stuttering and blushing.

"Well, fine. Since you two are in love, and I am not a stubborn person, I will inform His Majesty and the Empress and have the Imperial Observatory match your birth dates."

He Min shook the Consort Xian's arm and said coquettishly, "I can't bear to part with my mother, so I don't want to get married."

Consort Xian glanced at her with amusement and teased her, "Then don't marry. Your mother will accept the marriage proposal."

He Min panicked: "Mother!"

Consort Xian flicked He Min on the forehead: "You still put on that act of saying one thing and meaning another in front of your mother. Do you know how bad your acting is?"

He Min covered her forehead, pleading, "Alright, alright, I won't act in front of you anymore, Mother. Just tell me what you want, okay?"

Consort Xian was amused by her words, but her laughter turned bittersweet. With tears in her eyes, she sighed softly, "When you were first born, you were just a tiny little thing. Your birth mother committed a crime and was to be banished to the Jingci Nunnery to practice Buddhism. His Majesty wanted to find you a foster mother, and I wanted you. However, I was out of favor at that time. There were so many childless concubines in the palace, many of whom were of higher rank than me. How could it be my turn? I prayed to all the gods and Buddhas, begging them to take pity on me and let me become your foster mother. Fortunately, Consort Tao advised me, saying that your birth mother's surname was Wang, and mine was also Wang, so we were destined to be together. She also praised me highly before His Majesty, which finally convinced him to send you to my palace."

He Min quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe away the tears of the Noble Consort Xian: "Thank you, Mother Consort, for raising me like a precious jewel all these years."

Consort Xian held her hand: "Her Majesty the Empress has been so good to me. Not only did she give me the opportunity to raise you, but she also promoted me, making me the head of all the consorts, and granting me immense power over the harem. Although you have been raised under my name all these years, you have also grown up under the Empress's care. Min'er, the Empress and I both hope for your safety and well-being. If your marriage goes through this time, if you ever have any troubles in your husband's family, be sure to tell me and the Empress. We will always be your support."

He Min couldn't help but feel her eyes redden as she gently leaned into the arms of Consort Xian: "Mother, I thank you both." A thousand words could not express her gratitude; only a peaceful and happy life could put her two loving mothers at ease.