Chapter 163: Chapter 163

Mrs. Qin leaned in and whispered something into Lin Yanran’s ear, causing Lin Yanran’s eyes to widen slightly and her face to redden more and more, her shyness almost overflowing from her eyes.

"Mother! You, you... this is too... I..."

Lin Yanran seemed to be startled by Mrs. Qin’s words, somewhat tongue-tied. Mrs. Qin looked at her with affection, speaking earnestly:

"Silly child, what is there to be afraid of? One must understand that in this life, many things cannot simply be waited for. You think it belongs to you, but with one careless move, it becomes someone else’s. You need to fight for it at the right time and push for it to happen."

Lin Yanran looked at Mrs. Qin, seemingly not quite understanding the deeper meaning of her words.

Mrs. Qin gave a loving smile, holding her hand gently, "You and the Crown Prince have mutual affections, and your families are well-matched. It’s an ideal match."

Lin Yanran bashfully lowered her head, and she too believed this in her heart.

"But the delay in settling your marriage is the root cause of your anxieties and the source of your wayward thoughts. If the matter could be settled sooner and you could enter the Eastern Palace earlier, there wouldn’t be all those chaotic thoughts and worries."

Lin Yanran furrowed her brows slightly, biting her lip without speaking. Wasn’t this what she had also been thinking?

However, the Crown Prince had been slow in bringing up their marriage, and the Emperor showed no intention of bestowing marriage by decree. Lin Wanyue, that restless one, still harbored feelings for the Crown Prince and tangled with him incessantly. How could that set her heart at ease?

Contemplating Mrs. Qin’s words, Lin Yanran began to waver in her heart.

Then she heard Mrs. Qin continue, "In a short while, it will be the Empress Dowager’s birthday. At that time, a great celebration will take place across all lands, a joyful occasion, and also the best time to request a decree for marriage."

Upon hearing the words ’decree for marriage,’ Lin Yanran involuntarily envisioned herself in a phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes, with a splendid entourage, entering the Eastern Palace. A sight of boundless glory, envied by countless people.

For a moment, her heart was filled with uncontrolled excitement and a slight urgency.

"You and the Crown Prince have known each other for many years, like childhood sweethearts, yet the Crown Prince’s gentle and mild temperament always leaves something slightly lacking between you two."

Hearing this, Lin Yanran also felt a bit vexed.

"His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, is excellent in all respects, and he treats Yanran extremely well, but sometimes... sometimes..."

She even thought he was too much of a gentleman!

He was always self-disciplined and courteous towards her, never once overstepping into familiarity, so polite and considerate, yet almost to the point of estrangement.

She was troubled in her heart, yet didn’t know what to do.

She couldn’t very well ask the Crown Prince to abandon so many proprieties, could she? The Crown Prince would surely think her an improper woman then!

How could Mrs. Qin not see through Lin Yanran’s thoughts?

She gave a knowing smile, squeezed her hand, "Silly child, that’s why you need to take the initiative to seize opportunities, even create them, to bring you and the Crown Prince closer together."

Lin Yanran gazed determinedly at Mrs. Qin for a moment, as if making up her mind, then slowly nodded, "Mother, Yanran understands."

Just then, Nanny Tang, who had been beside Mrs. Qin, ran in excitedly, breathless with excitement.

Mrs. Qin frowned with some displeasure and was about to scold her when Nanny Tang caught her breath and said:

"Madam, the young master, a letter from the eldest young master!"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Qin stood up excitedly, no longer thinking of scolding.

"Quickly, bring it over!"

Lin Yanran also leaned in to see the contents of the letter, a little delighted, "Is Lin Haoran returning?"

Lin Haoran and she were fraternal twins, with him being born a bit earlier than her.

Because the two of them were only separated by that few moments of time, Lin Yanran was always reluctant to call him elder brother, except in formal occasions; in private, she always called him by his name. Follow current novᴇls on Nov3lFɪre.ɴet

Nevertheless, Lin Haoran took on the mantle of an elder brother, showing his sister extreme affection and was famously protective.

Lin Haoran had a free-spirited nature, longing for a life of boldness and freedom, idolizing those who safeguarded the nation and held the commanding reins like a grand marshal.

But the family strongly opposed him joining the army.

At the age of thirteen, rebellious as he was, he ran away from home straight to the Northern Border, by chance falling under King Jingbei, Yun Cang’s banner.

In these four-plus years, he has followed the army into battle, constantly honing himself. With his solid martial skills and valor, along with extraordinary military strategy, he unexpectedly rose to the rank of Assistant General.

This position doesn’t sound high, but that army belongs to the Yun Family of Liangzhou, renowned as the Yun Family Army, revered across all countries as the tiger and wolf division of Jiuzhou.

Even if one were merely a regular soldier, branded with the ’Yun Family Army’ tag, they would be looked upon with favor, let alone an Assistant General!

Mrs. Qin was full of pride and satisfaction, "That troublesome boy! But he’s made us proud!"

Lin Yanran was also very pleased, "I’ve heard that the Yun Family Army holds great prestige throughout Jiuzhou, their only rivals were the troops once led by King Qin. Lin Haoran’s ability to establish a reputation and foothold in the Yun Family Army is indeed formidable."

Mrs. Qin nodded with a smile, her pride and contentment almost overflowing.

"There’s a saying among the people, whether the world is in chaos or not, is determined by the King of Liangzhou. Yun Cang’s weight of influence is immeasurable. Haoran’s standing within the Yun Family Army will also be quite the support for the Crown Prince."

"For this reason alone, the Crown Prince should look upon you favorably. When you marry into the Eastern Palace, he certainly cannot wrong you."

At this moment, Lin Yanran was truly filled with happiness and excitement, "Yanran is truly blessed! With a good mother and a good brother!"

"Now you’re willing to call him brother? When he returns, you two will end up staring at each other with big eyes, causing me no peace."

Though Mrs. Qin spoke this, her face was beaming with happiness.

Her son brought honor, destined to climb to prominence, to receive titles and positions, and command the Yun Family Army!

Her daughter also brought honor, destined to marry into the Eastern Palace, and become Empress, the mother of the world.

Her children were both the brightest of pearls.

What did it matter that Bai Ruoxi had once, with the position of the legitimate wife, overshadowed her?

Now she was nothing but a wisp of smoke, a pile of bones, gone with the ashes, vanished like a puff of smoke!

What wealth comparable to nations, the eldest miss of the Bai Family?! Merely just a joke!

Lin Lang had no choice but to become a live-in son-in-law, but the one he loved in his heart was her!

Bai Ruoxi was just a pawn! Thinking herself so splendid, she was only dressing the bride for others!

And everything that once belonged to her now belongs to her and her children.

As for the daughter she bore, now married to a fallen Prince, a cripple!

If Bai Ruoxi knew, I wonder what she would think? Surely she would die with regrets?

It would have been better to let her live a few more years and see today with her own eyes!

"Mother? Mother, what’s wrong with you?"

Lin Yanran looked up and saw Mrs. Qin’s expression full of excitement and madness, startling her. She quickly grabbed her arm and shook her gently.

Nangong Jue had been inside for an hour, with his personal guard, Changkong, personally guarding the door outside.

After bathing and applying fragrance, Lin Yanran appeared dressed to the nines, holding a soup box in her hands.