Chapter 1360: Chapter 1358: Appraising Each Other
Yilan paused for a moment, still feeling somewhat uneasy.
"It’s Marquis Pingan’s Heir!"
Yue Er listened with a detached expression, showing no particular reaction.
But deep inside, she was desperately wondering who Marquis Pingan’s Heir was, what he looked like, and what his temperament was.
However.
Growing up in the palace, Yue Er was not inclined to socialize, so she only had a general understanding of the aristocrats in the Capital City.
She wouldn’t know the specific temperament of any young noble, let alone have the matchmaker’s knowledge.
She frowned and pondered for a long time but came up with nothing.
"I don’t really know him either. Have you learned anything about him? What’s he like?"
Yilan shook her head.
"I don’t know either!"
Thinking about it, it’s understandable; how would an unmarried girl have information about an unmarried princely heir?
They all come from families steeped in poetry, etiquette, and luxury, and without any relationship, it’s normal not to know each other.
Yue Er pat her chest.
"Since he has a name, we’re not afraid!"
"Don’t forget why I came out this time!"
Suddenly, Yilan felt a bit nervous.
"Yue Er, what if he’s like the former Tao Family? What should I do?"
Yue Er was puzzled.
"Tao Family? You mean... the Tao Family that my father had exiled from the Capital City?"
Yilan silently nodded.
Yue Er replied.
"Are you silly or foolish? Why wouldn’t you refuse to marry?"
"Besides, Uncle and Aunt will surely vet strictly, and I’ll help you investigate, ensuring you won’t be wronged. Don’t worry!"
Yilan shook her head.
"That’s not what I meant!"
"I mean... bearing children!"
Being made to keep having children just because one can’t bear a son.
Moreover, the other party might use the excuse of needing to continue the family line to repeatedly force her to take concubines for her husband.
If it really comes to that, it would be better to die!
Yue Er furrowed her brows.
"He wouldn’t dare!"
"Even if you can’t bear children, if he wants other women, fine!"
"Set conditions to keep the child but lose the mother; I doubt any woman would dare to be involved with him!"
Yilan smiled bitterly.
"Yue Er!"
How could I live as freely as you?
Even though we’re both members of the Royal Family, unfortunately, we’re from the same root but have different fates.
You don’t have to consider societal norms, but I must!
"Though my parents and siblings at home wish they could pamper me!"
"Once married into another family, I’ll be their daughter-in-law!"
"I have to support my husband and educate the children, respect the in-laws, get along with sisters-in-law, manage the household and supervise affairs... Alas..."
"Just thinking about it tires me!"
Yue Er couldn’t help but hold her head.
"Everything you’re saying gives me a headache!"
"Why must women get married!"
"Why not become a nun?"
"As a County Princess, you have a stipend. Although not much, it’s enough for one person!"
"You won’t need to rely on anyone; you can go wherever you want and be with whomever you please! How wonderful!"
Didn’t a Commandery Princess from the previous dynasty remain unmarried her whole life?
She lived in a Taoist temple outside the city, proclaimed herself a leader, and mingled daily with handsome, well-groomed young Taoist priests.
Beneath the guise of discussing teachings.
What they were actually doing, who would know!
Yue Er finished combing her hair, leaned onto the soft couch, and suddenly teased.
"With all this talk, I’m tempted too. Shall we go together?"
"No need to bear children, living happily ever after, how wonderful!"
Her words amused Yilan.
"Get out of here!"
"You’re so young, yet speaking such nonsense!"
"If you truly became a nun, you’d find peace, but what about the Emperor and Empress?"
Yue Er played absent-mindedly with a small object in her hands.
"My mother wouldn’t care about that!"
"My father probably wouldn’t agree, but if my mother persuaded him, he might consent!"
"As for others, what they think is none of my concern!"
Yilan couldn’t help but ask.
"What about the rumors? Aren’t you afraid? The talk will be so unpleasant when it spreads!"
Yue Er thought for a moment and calmly said.
"Who dares to gossip?"
"Make an example of a few unlucky ones, and I guarantee not a peep for a month!"
Yilan was quite impressed.
"You’re ruthless!"
"I certainly couldn’t do it."
Make an example by punishing someone? Risk causing a death? She doesn’t have that kind of authority!
Yue Er pondered for a moment, then rose and seriously addressed her.
"Alright!"
"I know you’re worried, but you should know there are still many good men in the world!"
She felt her father was a good man!
Despite marrying many smiling wives, he never really wronged her mother.
In the harem, this was truly acceptable.
No previous emperor behaved like this; she felt content.
"Alright!"
Yilan nodded, feeling slightly relieved.
...
Half an Shi Chen later, the sumptuous breakfast was served.
All dishes were meticulously prepared, with some Yue Er had tried before and others she hadn’t.
Seeing the buns the size of longan fruits on the table, Yue Er’s eyes lit up.
"Your kitchen maid’s skill surpasses my mother’s. Where did you find such a cook?"
Yilan laughed.
"My mother specifically found her for me!"
"If you like, I can send her to you later!"
Yue Er quickly shook her head.
"No, I never snatch what others cherish!"
"Find me a comparable one, and that will suffice!"
"My mother enjoys fiddling with these things, so finding someone might please her!"
Yilan picked up a little bun nonchalantly.
"It’s no trouble at all! There are countless craftsmen among the common folk! Practically anything you can find!"
"Whatever the Empress favors, I’ll find some and deliver them one by one!"
Yue Er was delighted.
"That’s so thoughtful of you!"
"Shi Chen is almost up, let’s eat quickly!"
"Afterward, I’ll sneak to the front yard and keep an eye on your future husband!"
Yilan’s face turned red; she buried herself in her soup without saying another word.
...
After breakfast.
Yilan took her maid to the back garden.
Meanwhile, Yue Er put on makeup and dressed up, then sneaked out of the mansion’s back gate with Ying Luo.
After several twists and turns, they stopped at a statue near the mansion entrance.
Surveying the surroundings, Yue Er nodded in satisfaction and turned to Ying Luo.
"Do you see? Soon that Heir from the Hou Mansion will pass by here!"
Ying Luo nodded.
"Don’t worry, Princess!"
"Whatever you want to know, I will have people find out for you!"
As the Senior Palace Maid most trusted by the Princess, Ying Luo possessed some skills.
Yue Er nodded in satisfaction.
"Right now, we don’t need to do anything, just watch carefully!"
"Remember his appearance; we have ways to inquire about him!"
Yilan is one of her closest friends; she wouldn’t just stand by and let her suffer. Avoiding wrongdoers is imperative.
"Yes! Princess!"
...
The two waited for quite a while, and the Hou Mansion’s carriage slowly arrived.
In ancient times, matchmaking wasn’t a matter for a single day.
Families would visit each other to get to know each other’s children under the guise of paying a visit, cultivating closeness, talking, and understanding personalities.
If appearance, family background, and connections are all suitable, and the time seems right, they would formally propose the match.
’
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