Chapter 104: A Public Proposal of Marriage

In this situation, the applause did not offer a reprieve; instead, it only made Bu Shenglian’s embarrassment more acute. She had assumed it was Yuan Zaichun applauding, but when she turned around, she discovered it was actually Qiao Qingyun, who was seated quite close to him.

"Not bad at all. Tell me, did none of my dear cousins take a liking to you?" Qiao Qingyun asked with feigned ignorance. Suddenly recalling something, she subconsciously covered her cherry lips with a delicate, trembling hand and pretended to be frightened. "Sister Lian, I almost forgot—weren't you supposed to avoid drawing lots?"

"Indeed, why was Miss Bu allowed to draw lots?"
"Exactly! Does this show no respect for the Princes?"

Qiao Qingyun’s remark thoroughly ignited the dissatisfaction of the other ministers. They had never held any hope for a woman who had already been married once. Even Master Bu simply watched from the sidelines, showing no intention of stepping in to save his daughter from her plight.

"You..."

With eyes brimming with tears like rain on a pear blossom, Bu Shenglian looked toward Yuan Zaichun, hoping he would speak up to defend her. By now, who didn’t know that she was living in Yuan Zaichun's estate?

Perhaps sensing Bu Shenglian’s helplessness, the man parted his lips to speak, but before he could utter a word, he was interrupted by the Emperor.

"Step down."
"Yes."

Wiping away her tears, Bu Shenglian turned and fled as if escaping. Yuan Rou, meanwhile, gave Qiao Qingyun a mischievous thumbs-up. She had thought she was the cleverer one, but it turned out Qiao Qingyun was even more skilled at striking a blow!

"My Lady, please drink less today. Your body has not fully recovered, and your wounds have not yet healed," Zhong Shi cautioned, his voice filled with concern as he gripped her hand just as she reached for another cup of fruit wine.

Yuan Rou witnessed this exchange and froze in place.
"Si... Sister, you and this guard... are..."
"Oh, he’s just too worried about my health. Don't overthink it. Alright, alright, I won't drink anymore."

Qiao Qingyun was uncharacteristically obedient, her tone sounding remarkably like someone coaxing Zhong Shi, which nearly made Yuan Rou’s jaw drop to the ground. Good heavens... what on earth was going on here?

Zhong Shi nodded and finally, albeit stubbornly, let go of her hand. However, this scene had already been captured by Yuan Zaichun, who, for some reason, felt a burning urge to step forward and tear Zhong Shi to pieces.

"My Lady, you must take a bath when we return tonight to prevent any cold from settling in your body," Hong Ying added, joining in the admonitions.

The selection process dragged on, and Qiao Qingyun found the event so tedious that she grew drowsy, wishing she could simply have her bed moved here. As one girl after another took the stage, and with over a dozen dances finished, Qiao Qingyun’s head lolled to the side, and she fell right against Zhong Shi. Startled, he immediately used one hand to support her head.

"My Lady..."

Looking down and realizing Qiao Qingyun was fast asleep, he straightened his posture to make her more comfortable. Yuan Rou watched this with envy; if one had such a guard, what need was there for a man?

"Very well. Since all the young ladies have finished their performances, what about my Princes? Have you found anyone you fancy?"

The atmosphere turned lively. Many began to make their choices, starting with the Crown Prince, following the hierarchy of age and status.

"Crown Prince, you choose first."

The Emperor’s tone carried a heavy warning: if he dared to take Bu Shenglian, he could forget about the position of Crown Princess!

Hearing that Yuan Zaichun was to choose first, the hope that had been extinguished in Bu Shenglian reignited. Her eyes were filled with expectation. However, Yuan Zaichun looked around, and his gaze ultimately landed on the sleeping Qiao Qingyun. Perhaps, in terms of both sentiment and reason, she was the one most suited for him.

After a long moment of contemplation, Yuan Zaichun stood up and knelt directly before the Emperor. His solemn appearance made Bu Shenglian nearly weep with joy—she had finally made it! Who would dare give her a cold look in the future? She was the future Mother of the Nation!

"Your son wishes to request the hand of Princess Qingjun to be the Crown Princess."

"Gasp!"

The crowd erupted in an uproar. Bu Shenglian’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared fixedly at the man before her. She could not believe it... she could not believe this man would abandon her!

"Wasn't Princess Qingjun the Crown Princess before?"
"Yes, I heard the Crown Prince divorced her because of Miss Bu."
"Tsk tsk, and now he wants to marry her again? Princess Qingjun isn't a fool."

"Enough!"

The Emperor’s sudden, sharp shout startled Qiao Qingyun from her slumber, and she nearly tumbled to the ground. Fortunately, Zhong Shi was quick to catch her.

"Oh my..."

The woman rubbed her eyes, looking around in a daze. Realizing her lapse in decorum, she hurriedly knelt on the cushion. "Imperial Uncle, my injuries have not yet healed, so I was feeling quite drowsy and exhausted. I apologize for my lack of composure before you."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor felt a pang of pity and quickly waved for her to sit comfortably. Yuan Rou personally helped her up, whispering, "Sister, the Crown Prince is asking for your hand."

"What?"

Qiao Qingyun gasped inwardly, her eyes widening as she looked at Yuan Rou in disbelief. "Really?"
"Yes, he is still kneeling there."

Hearing this, the woman turned her head and indeed saw Yuan Zaichun still on his knees, while Bu Shenglian looked utterly defeated. Even more visibly, the murderous aura radiating from Zhong Shi was palpable.

"I beg Father to grant this request," Yuan Zaichun called out again. Qiao Qingyun found the whole thing absurd—she had never expected such a plot twist!

The Emperor’s face turned livid. "Step down."
"Father..."
"Step down!"

One could see the turbulent undercurrents between them. The Empress was not present in the hall, but if she were, she would likely have been driven breathless with rage by her precious son. Qiao Qingyun had already laid her cards on the table, declaring she would be at odds with the Empress; surely, Yuan Zaichun had no reason to marry her now.

But this was merely a minor interlude. Soon, the other princes made their selections, and the banquet dispersed. With Yuan Rou’s company and a few attendants, Qiao Qingyun headed straight for the Zijin Palace.

"Sister, this Zhong Shi by your side—is he betrothed?" Yuan Rou asked tentatively. Qiao Qingyun failed to grasp the implication and shook her head. "No."
"Then... does he have someone he fancies?"

Yuan Rou grew even more anxious. If the Princess wanted to bring a guard into her estate, he could only ever be a consort, never a husband of status. Yet, seeing the way Zhong Shi carefully cherished her, Yuan Rou was filled with envy.

Before Qiao Qingyun could reply, a voice called out from behind them.

"Qingyun."

The woman paused, and together with Yuan Rou, she turned to see that it was Yuan Zaichun.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"Greetings, Imperial Brother."

Yuan Rou no longer rushed forward to act spoiled as she once had; perhaps she, too, had matured.

"Rise."
"Yes."

The two rose and met Yuan Zaichun’s gaze. Qiao Qingyun glanced around and smiled. "Is the Crown Prince not accompanied by Miss Bu?"