Chapter 527: Chapter 18 Sequential Conversations

At the same time, I sincerely hope that this good girl can have this fate with Little Four.

"Hmm, I believe you. If you understand and decide, just send someone to tell me. I will never leak this matter to a third party."

After all, the reputation of a young lady deserves more caution even in ordinary households.

Lin Wanyi will not use Li Wan’er’s reputation as leverage.

After Qiu Ming safely escorted the person out of the palace, Lin Wanyi summoned the other selected concubines one by one.

Firstly, to cover for Li Wan’er.

Secondly, to convey a message.

To test the intentions of the concubines before deciding.

To Lin Wanyi’s surprise, not all of these concubines were there for the Crown Prince.

For instance, the Emperor was fond of the third young lady from the General Dezhao Mansion.

She was an exception.

After meeting Lin Wanyi and paying her respects, the first thing she said was,

"Imperial Concubine, this humble daughter has no desire to enter the Eastern Palace, and I beg for your understanding."

Her temperament wasn’t as bold as Zeng Lingshuang’s, who dared to reject the Crown Prince directly.

So she could only place her hope in Lin Wanyi.

Her mother’s family had some connection to the Lin Family, so she understood Lin Wanyi, the Imperial Concubine, somewhat.

Thus, she spoke frankly from the start.

"Are you not afraid of my anger?"

"If you were truly as domineering and unreasonable as the rumors say, the imperial decree for entry into the Eastern Palace would have already been sent to the General Mansion, instead of summoning us to talk. That’s why I dare to request your approval."

Lin Wanyi glanced at this third young lady.

She was lively and adorable, with a clear and agile mind.

Lin Wanyi liked her very much.

Thus, she asked,

"So you don’t wish to enter the Eastern Palace, but have someone in mind?"

Upon mention of this, the third young lady blushed a bit.

After a moment of silence, she said to Lin Wanyi,

"Your guess is correct. This humble daughter indeed has someone in mind, and it is the Young Marquis of Rongchang Marquis Mansion. I saw him at the Mingchi Polo Club last year."

With just that sentence, Lin Wanyi understood.

Such a talented man and beautiful woman are indeed a match made in heaven.

With a knowing smile, she said,

"Our Da Wei should have more daughters like you. Marriage is a big deal; if all were to obey parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words, only to know their future husband on the wedding night, it would be too unfair to the women."

"My Lady..."

"Rest assured, I understand your thoughts, but the matter of marriage cannot be decided one-sidedly. I will privately gauge the intentions of Young Marquis Jiang, and if he is willing, I and Your Majesty will make arrangements for both of you."

Hearing this, the third young lady couldn’t contain herself.

She immediately knelt in front of Lin Wanyi, eyes filled with gratitude.

"This humble daughter thanks My Lady greatly."

To successfully make a match was something Lin Wanyi found delightful.

She did not want to bring about unhappy unions.

Ideally, all could respect each other and love one another for a lifetime.

Then she took a sip of tea and said to Xia An,

"Invite the next concubine, please."

"Yes."

Lin Wanyi spent the entire day speaking with these concubines.

She only got to rest when night fell, and lights gradually lit up in Yihua Palace.

"Getting older now. Sitting and talking all day is quite tiring."

Hearing this, Xia An beside her increased the pressure of the massage slightly.

Lin Wanyi enjoyed it comfortably, but before long, she heard familiar footsteps.

Upon opening her eyes, she saw the Emperor arrive.

The first sentence upon entering was,

"It’s already dark, why haven’t you had your dinner?"

"Why has Your Majesty come?"

"I had Qiu Ming keep an eye out, waiting for you to finish here before notifying me."

The Emperor was cautious, avoiding giving any of these concubines a chance to be alone with him.

Not wanting outsiders to think of placing people by his side again.

So he waited until the last selected concubine left the palace.

He then came from Qian’an Hall.

Lin Wanyi understood the Emperor’s intentions well and thus asked Xia An to prepare the meal.

Then said,

"Your Majesty hasn’t eaten either, have something to eat first."

"Hmm."

Both were quite hungry today, so they ate more than usual.

The Emperor always had opinions on Lin Wanyi’s small appetite, but seeing her eat well today, he was quite pleased.

As a result, he ate more as well.

After dinner, both were extremely full.

But it was already dark outside, making a walk unfit for digestion.

So, they asked Xia An to brew some tea, and they chatted about the day’s events.

"I have gone through everything carefully. The young lady from Duke Li Mansion, I intend to match her with Little Four, and the third young lady from General Mansion prefers the Young Marquis of Rongchang Marquis Mansion. As for the others, I have also thoroughly considered them. I’ve found two who indeed seem suitable, making good matches for Zong and Feng Xun."

"And Ying? Did you not match him with anyone?"

The Emperor’s words made Lin Wanyi burst into laughter.

"Did you not know? During this time that Ying was recovering at home, my mother and sister-in-law found out he and the young lady of the Dou Family have long had feelings for each other. However, they are childhood sweethearts and related by marriage, so my mother and sister-in-law have been very pleased with this engagement, specially sending a message to the palace saying there’s no need to match him anymore."

The son of the Lin Family and the daughter of the Dou Family.

It seemed quite appropriate.

After all, the girl from the Dou Family was also born to Dong Qiuyue and had ties to the Lin Family.

Now that they could have closer ties, it wasn’t a bad thing.

"Hmm, he sure acted quickly. No wonder Doctor Dou insisted on sending notes to the palace, claiming his great-granddaughter was ill and couldn’t participate, leaving a back door open for me."

"Oh? I wasn’t aware of this."

"I was too busy to remember. Anyway, the candidates I chose had nothing to do with the Dou Family, so one more or less didn’t matter."

Upon this, Lin Wanyi questioningly asked,

"Then in your heart, is Miss Zeng the one intended as Crown Princess Consort?"

"Yes."

"Then why let her be unselected?"

The Emperor brought over the list of today’s selections, pointing at two individuals seemingly casually.

With a somewhat ironic tone, he said,

"These were specially prepared for the Crown Prince by others in the shadows. How could I not receive them for him? Rather than letting Miss Zeng wade through such troubled waters, it is better to wait until everything is settled before deciding. After all, she does not favor the Crown Prince, allowing him some hardship serves him right; his days shouldn’t be too easy."