As long as it’s not the Fourth Miss of the Ming family, I can make an effort for you with any other woman.

These words echoed in Shen Yu’s ears, each syllable distinct yet incomprehensible when strung together: “W-why?”

His mind went blank, unable to recover for a long while: “Your Highness, why can’t it be the Fourth Miss of the Ming family? Is it because of social status?”

Jiang Xu looked directly at him, his gaze indifferent: “This prince does not need subordinates who are preoccupied with romantic affairs all day long.”

……?

How am I preoccupied with romantic affairs all day long?

“You lied to me just because you wanted to see her. How can I be sure that, given time, you won’t turn your sword against me for her sake?”

Shen Yu was stunned for a moment. Did the prince know that he had previously gone to Lingmiao Temple to meet Cousin Tan?

It was wrong of him to lie about this, but what matter involving Cousin Tan would require him to draw his sword against the prince?

He wanted to explain himself, but Jiang Xu had already lowered his eyes and emotionlessly ordered, “Leave.”

“Your subordinate—”

“General Shen, please.” The shadow guard appeared out of nowhere, using his scabbard to block Shen Yu’s attempt to step forward and explain further.

By the time Shen Yu returned to the Jing’an Marquis Manor, the dinner hour had already passed. Shen Hua had specially prepared some pastries to bring to him. Seeing him practicing martial arts in the courtyard with reddened eyes, she understood the situation somewhat.

“Brother.”

Shen Yu glanced at her, finished the remaining half-move of his routine, then turned and sheathed his sword. Breathing slightly heavily, he walked over to the pavilion. “Ah Hua, what brings you here?”

Shen Hua opened the food box and said softly, “I heard from the maid that you ran into Ming Chu in the East Garden today.”

Shen Yu nodded and sat down.

Shen Hua also took a seat: “Did she try to persuade you to do something?”

Shen Yu thought for a moment: “Not exactly.”

Shen Hua originally intended to say that Ming Chu was arrogant and unruly, with impure intentions, and that she should avoid speaking with him too much in the future. However, judging by her brother’s expression, he wasn’t in the mood to listen to such things at the moment.

So she changed the subject: “Some time ago, I happened to hear that the Empress Dowager and His Majesty have both recently summoned the Marquis to the palace for conversations. It seems they intend to arrange a marriage for the Marquis’ household.”

“Where did you hear that?” Shen Yu was stunned.

Shen Hua avoided answering and only said, “Brother, you must not have feelings for Ming Tan.”

Shen Yu suddenly stood up: “Why does everyone stop me from liking her? I—”

“Brother!” Shen Hua stood up as well, cutting him off. “Isn’t it obvious?”

Shen Yu’s eyes reddened with anger as he turned his head away, refusing to look at her.

“You and Ming Tan are not compatible in temperament. You’ve only met her a few times, merely infatuated with her appearance. I’ve lived in the same household with her for half a year—her temper and thoughts are completely beyond your grasp. You should marry a virtuous wife to support the Shen family behind you, not bring home an ancestor who only knows how to spend money to be worshipped!”

“Also, although I’m not well-versed in court politics, I’ve noticed something recently. Mingtan’s marriage is likely not even something the Marchioness can decide on her own. This isn’t just her marriage—it’s the marriage of the Jing’an Marquisate. Brother, you’re a military man after all—have you truly noticed nothing? If it were mutual affection, then by all means fight for it, but she’s clearly shown no interest in you. Why go out of your way to invite discomfort?

“The noble families of the capital are nothing less than a bloodless battlefield. Just by us relying on the Jing’an Marquisate’s hospitality, you cannot—and should not—entertain any thoughts about the daughter of the Ming family. Even if, against all odds, you successfully married Mingtan, have you ever considered how she and I would be gossiped about behind our backs?”

She mimicked, “These siblings are staying at the Marquis’ residence with ulterior motives, clearly trying to climb the social ladder. The brother married the Marquis’ legitimate daughter, and the sister is certainly no good either, just waiting to latch onto power and prestige!”

“Marrying a distant cousin who lives in their own residence—perhaps they’ve long been involved in some shameful affair. Didn’t this Miss Ming’s former fiancé also have an improper relationship with his own cousin? How shameless!”

Shen Yu’s mind went blank.

He turned to stare at Shen Hua, dumbfounded.

Shen Hua paused for a moment, softening her tone: “Brother, Ahua only wants what’s best for you. Romantic feelings in this world are but fleeting illusions, and what’s more, these illusions were merely your own unrequited wishes from the start.”

“I only hope you still remember Father’s words: to revitalize the Shen family as soon as possible and bring honor to our ancestors. What great man worries about lacking a wife? In the future, if you achieve extraordinary feats for Daxian like His Highness the Prince of Dingbei, what woman wouldn’t be yours to choose?”

She took out the pastries from the food box, placed them on the stone table, then gave Shen Yu a deep look before slowly walking away with the empty container.

Shen Yu gazed at her receding figure, remaining motionless where he stood for a long while.

Actually, Shen Hua didn’t want to be so blunt with her words, but her brother was precisely the kind of person who wouldn’t understand or take it in unless you spelled it out for him.

She had known about Shen Yu’s feelings for Ming Tan for a long time, but back then, Ming Tan was still engaged, so no matter how much he admired her, it was futile. A significant part of her dislike for Ming Tan stemmed from Shen Yu’s infatuation.

In the past, she might have stood by indifferently and let her brother hit a few walls, but ever since she overheard the Marquis of Jing’an and his wife worrying about the imperial court’s intentions, she had been pondering it. By now, she had figured some of it out—the Marquis of Jing’an household’s marriage affair was likely not just a simple matter of matchmaking between children. She couldn’t let her brother get tangled up in it and cause any trouble.

She suspected that the wretched Ming Chu must have heard rumors from Madam Liu about the imperial court’s intention to arrange a marriage and, resentful, didn’t want Ming Tan to marry into a higher family.

How that wretched woman intends to deal with Mingtan is none of her concern, nor does she wish to interfere. But if she dares to drag her brother into this, she will make sure to remember this grudge well.

She paused outside the courtyard and looked up.

Last year, when she first arrived in the capital, she hadn’t noticed how heavy the night sky was here—no stars, no moon. Those walking alone, if not careful, could easily stumble into this boundless darkness, never to return—

After the imperial examination, late spring gradually set in, and the invitation to the poetry gathering from Zhang Hanmiao, the third daughter of the second branch of the Pingguo Duke’s residence, arrived as expected.

However, this invitation was not only sent to Ming Tan and Bai Minmin as Zhou Jingwan had mentioned, but also reached Shen Hua and Ming Chu.

Judging by the situation, invitations were sent far and wide without discrimination.

Upon learning it was some pretentious poetry gathering, Ming Chu had no intention of attending. She couldn’t compose poetry and was thoroughly annoyed by the delicate young ladies of the capital who took three steps before gasping for breath and constantly compared themselves to others.

It took Aunt Liu considerable effort to persuade her, after all, she was a young woman of marriageable age. Who knew if her future husband might be a cousin or relative of one of these young ladies?

Moreover, there are indeed women from military families in the capital who practice martial arts. It’s not a bad idea to go out and socialize more, getting to know more people.

Last time, Lady Pei told Mingzhan that she could consult with her first if there were any matters in the future.

This time, when preparing to attend the Late Spring Poetry Gathering, Mingzhan mentioned Shu Jingran to Lady Pei while selecting her outfit: “Mother, do you know the second son of the Shu family, the Tanhua of this year’s imperial examination? I caught a glimpse of him during the horse parade that day. His demeanor and appearance were truly exceptional.”

Lady Pei paused. She had been smiling while watching Mingzhan choose her clothes, but her expression faded slightly upon hearing this. She replied thoughtfully, “The Shu family is known for their noble and refined reputation. Their children… are naturally outstanding.”

“Hmm, I don’t think it’s bad either.” Mingtan was in a very good mood.

Lady Pei took a sip of tea, feeling somewhat troubled in her heart.

During the time Mingtan went to the temple to pray for blessings, both the Empress Dowager and His Majesty summoned the Marquis for casual conversation. Although the Marquis was a bit absentminded, he couldn’t fail to notice that the Empress Dowager and His Majesty were subtly mentioning marriage matters—it was clear they had matchmaking intentions!

As for the proposed marriages, His Majesty’s side had yet to reveal who the intended candidates might be, but the Empress Dowager had already explicitly offered two options: the position of a princess consort to a certain prince and the position of a noble consort to the heir of a certain high-ranking prince, leaving it for them to choose.

Those two were not just nominally titled members of the declining imperial clan, but they were also openly part of the Empress Dowager’s faction. Moreover, Ming Tan had mentioned the Second Young Master Shu today. Both in appearance and bearing, those two were far inferior to the Second Young Master Shu, not even comparable to Liang Zixuan. How could she possibly be willing?

“Mother, what’s wrong?” Ming Tan asked.

Lady Pei quickly masked her expression with a faint smile: “It’s nothing.”

She probed tentatively: “A-Tan, do you fancy that Second Young Master Shu?”

“I wouldn’t say I fancy him.” Mingtan’s gaze remained fixed on the table full of fresh hair ornaments, “But if we’re talking about marriage proposals, the Second Young Master Shu seems quite suitable.”

It’s good that she doesn’t fancy him.

It would be troublesome if she insisted on marrying only him.

Lady Pei sighed in relief. She thought to herself, never mind—tomorrow is the poetry gathering anyway. Let the young girl go out and enjoy herself first. Since the imperial marriage arrangement hasn’t been finalized yet, it’s better not to burden her with unnecessary worries for now.

Thinking of this, Lady Pei rose again and joined Ming Tan in selecting clothes.

Early the next morning, the carriages and horses were waiting outside the second gate, ready to take the three young ladies to the Duke of Ping’s residence.

Ming Tingyuan had to attend the morning court session, so he left much earlier than the three ladies. When the court assembly concluded, he intended to leave with Bai Jingyuan, but unexpectedly, he was stopped by an attendant from Emperor Chengkang’s side, who informed him that His Majesty had summoned him to the imperial study for an important discussion.

Ming Tingyuan followed the attendant.

Entering the imperial study, Ming Tingyuan clasped his hands and bowed, saying, “Your servant greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be in good health and peace.”

“No need for formalities.” Emperor Chengkang raised his hand and circled back to the desk. He picked up a scroll of bright yellow silk and blew on the still-wet ink. “I summoned you here regarding the arranged marriage we previously discussed.”

Upon hearing this, Ming Tingyuan wanted to make an excuse.

Emperor Chengkang raised an eyebrow and looked straight at him, saying, “You must know that the Shoukang Palace is dissatisfied with your repeated evasions and has already considered issuing an imperial decree directly.”

“……?”

Not even bothering with superficial courtesy and directly forcing a marriage?

“I won’t stop you, but I can give you a second option.” Emperor Cheng Kang tapped the table, signaling him to come forward and look at the imperial edict. “See how suitable this candidate I’ve chosen for your daughter is.”

“……”

What kind of second option is this? It’s still forcing a marriage.

Ming Tingyuan knew that with the heavy authority he wielded and the many covetous eyes upon him, he had always been extremely unwilling to get involved in these factional disputes. But now, with the shifting political landscape, it was clear he could no longer remain neutral and keep himself uninvolved. Even something as personal as his children’s marriages could stir up all kinds of covert struggles.

He steeled himself and stepped forward.

Emperor Chengkang stood aside murmuring, “In truth, the marriages of one’s children do not represent your stance, Ming Tingyuan. There’s no need for excessive worry. I respect your choice. For now, don’t think of anything else—just look at the person. Can the one the Empress Dowager wishes to arrange for you possibly compare to the one I have selected?”

Ming Tingyuan’s gaze was glued to the imperial edict, his expression one of disbelief. It’s actually this one—how could it be this one?

“Your Majesty… might I be permitted to take some more time to consider?”

He was so startled that his words stumbled.

Emperor Cheng Kang: “The Empress Dowager’s decree has already been drafted. It was I who found an excuse to delay it temporarily. A temporary stay can’t last forever. Perhaps before you even leave the palace gates, the Empress Dowager’s decree will have already reached your Jing’an Marquis residence. What are you hesitating for? If he hadn’t personally spoken up, I…”

“I’ll marry!”