The next day, Shen Chengzhou came down from the morning court and while having breakfast with Ling Shen, Ling Qingwan and Ling Xiao, he relayed to them what the emperor had told him.
"I didn't expect that the Princess of Northern Zhou would act so quickly. She just met you once in Jinhua Garden and turned around to ask the Emperor to grant her and Xiao'er a marriage."
Shen Chengzhou snorted coldly, his words full of contempt.
His grandson was the most powerful young general in Dai Viet. How could he be easily taken away by the princess of Northern Zhou
It would be fine if Ling Xiao liked her. Although Shen Chengzhou was a decent person, he was not a conservative person. As long as the two of them were in love, he would not consider where the other girl came from, what her appearance and figure were, or what her family background and status were.
But if Ling Xiao doesn't like it and the other party insists on taking her by force, Shen Chengzhou will not agree to the marriage even if she is a princess of Northern Zhou.
Ling Qingwan had seen how selfish and domineering the princess of Northern Zhou was, so she was not surprised when she asked the emperor for a marriage. But Ling Shenshi was different.
When she heard that the princess of Northern Zhou was interested in Ling Xiao, she was so scared that she couldn't eat. Her mind was full of ideas on how to get rid of Shang Wu.
"Mrs. Park!"
Ling Shen shouted.
Nanny Park immediately took two steps forward and waited for instructions.
"Go to the Xie family and ask to borrow Mrs. Xie's Hundred Flowers Book. I need it urgently." Ling Shen instructed Nanny Park.
Nanny Park glanced at Ling Qingwan.
Ling Shen was raised very well by Shen Chengzhou since she was a child. She was diligent, but she didn't have much thought. To put it bluntly, she was not smart. This matter concerned the marriage between Northern Zhou and Da Yue. Nanny Pu didn't dare to listen to Ling Shen easily, so she subconsciously asked Ling Qingwan for her opinion.
In her eyes, Ling Qingwan is smart, pays attention to the overall situation, and is much more reliable than Ling Shenshi.
Only after seeing Ling Qingwan nod did Nanny Park agree.
"We have to find a good girl as soon as possible for Xiao'er to marry. Then, even if the Princess of Northern Zhou likes Xiao'er very much, she won't be able to do anything about it." Ling Shen muttered. "She won't be willing to be a concubine just for Xiao'er, will she?"
Of course Shangwu wouldn't.
Whether it was at Boliang Terrace last time or at Jinhua Garden yesterday, Shangwu always showed an extremely arrogant attitude in front of everyone. Let her be a concubine? It might be more difficult than killing her.
"Mom, don't worry. The princess of Northern Zhou said she wanted to marry me, but the emperor didn't agree." Ling Xiao patiently comforted Ling Shen.
Among the people present, perhaps only Ling Shen really believed that Shang Wu could marry Ling Xiao.
Shen Chengzhou was the general who defended the country of Dai Viet. Ling Xiao accompanied Shen Chengzhou to fight on the battlefield and fought against Northern Zhou several times. Logically, Northern Zhou should have hated the general's mansion, so why would it be so reluctant to marry into their family
If Shang Wu really marries Ling Xiao, wouldn't she become Shen Chengzhou's granddaughter-in-law
Even if Ling Xiao and Shang Wu agreed to this, the emperor would not agree to it. Even if the emperor agreed to it, he would still not be able to get past Shen Chengzhou.
So, it’s impossible for Shang Wu to marry Ling Xiao.
"Your Majesty doesn't agree now, but what if the Northern Zhou princess is determined to marry you? She is a princess, and your Majesty can refuse once or twice, but you can't refuse her face this time."
Ling Shen discussed the matter with Ling Xiao. The more she talked, the more she felt that the Princess of Northern Zhou might marry Ling Xiao.
"Don't worry about Aunt Xie's abilities. Her Hundred Flowers Book contains all the unmarried young ladies of marriageable age in the capital. Tell me which one you like and I'll find you a match."
When Ling Xiao heard that someone was going to propose marriage to him, he was immediately frightened.
He turned his head in panic and looked at Ling Qingwan.
Shen Chengzhou was helpless.
Unexpectedly, the servants in the mansion had to get Ling Qingwan's approval before they could do anything, and Ling Xiao also asked Ling Qingwan for help when he encountered something. In his opinion, his granddaughter was the pillar of the family.
"Mom, let's just forget it." Ling Xiao said embarrassedly.
"What do you mean by forget it?" Ling Shen was puzzled.
"Just propose to me." Ling Xiao replied, looking quite embarrassed. "I can't possibly like them anyway."
"If I don't arrange a marriage for you, does that mean you will not marry the princess of Northern Zhou?" Ling Shen rolled her eyes at Ling Xiao.
Ling Xiao was speechless.
"Your mother is right." Shen Chengzhou agreed. "Your sister has already been engaged, but you are still single. Even if the Northern Zhou princess hadn't met you, you should have found a husband and started a family."
"I... I know I want to start a family, and I will do it, but..." Ling Xiao felt helpless.
He asked Ling Qingwan for help, but Ling Qingwan acted as if he didn't see him and just lowered her head and smiled secretly.
Ling Xiao was almost dying of anxiety.
"But what?" Shen Chengzhou raised his eyebrows.
He watched the interaction between Ling Xiao and Ling Qingwan for a while, and felt more and more that something was wrong.
These two guys must be hiding something from him.
"Don't you want to get married at this time, or is there no one you like in the Hundred Flowers Book?" Shen Chengzhou continued to ask.
Ling Xiao didn't know how to answer.
If he said he didn't want to get married now, Ling Shen would be the first to object. Besides, he didn't want to marry the princess of Northern Zhou. But if Ling Xiao said he already had someone he liked, where would he put his face
After hesitating for a long time, Ling Xiao still couldn't give a clear answer.
"If you don't tell me, Nanny Park will send the Hundred Flowers Book over." Ling Qingwan raised the corners of her mouth.
The grandfather and grandson talked back and forth, instantly forcing Ling Xiao into a desperate situation, forcing him to tell the truth.
It turns out that he already has a lover.
"Which girl do you like?" Ling Shen asked impatiently.
Ling Xiao usually went to court or went to the martial arts arena with Shen Chengzhou, and rarely interacted with women. Ling Shen couldn't imagine who Ling Xiao would like without telling her.
"The young lady from the Grand Secretary's Mansion, Gu Zhi." Ling Xiao took a deep breath and said what was in his mind.
Ling Qingwan was very satisfied with Ling Xiao's performance.
After all, Gu Zhi is her friend. If Ling Xiao doesn't even dare to admit that he likes Gu Zhi, Ling Qingwan really doesn't want to bring the two of them together.
Since Ling Xiao already had someone he liked, the Hundred Flowers Book was useless. As soon as Madam Pu returned to the General's Mansion, Ling Shen urged her to return the Hundred Flowers Book.
Nanny Park was confused.
Before Shen Chengzhou and Ling Shen went to the Gu family to propose marriage on behalf of Ling Xiao, Ling Qingwan first went to the Grand Secretary's Mansion.
As for Gu Zhi's family background, Ling Qingwan only knew that she was born out of wedlock, and the rest was unknown. Ling Qingwan's visit this time was also to find out the details for Ling Xiao in advance.
When she heard that Ling Qingwan was coming, Liao was very excited and hurriedly asked someone to serve good tea.
"Miss Ling Er is coming to visit me. I should have told her in advance so that I can prepare."
In the hall, they sat down.
Ling Qingwan nodded politely to Liao.
"I was just passing by while shopping today, so I came in to take a look."
Liao didn't believe this.
Although the Ling family has declined, Ling Qingwan still has two other identities that are more prominent than the eldest daughter of the Marquis's Mansion. One is the granddaughter of the current great general who guards the country, and the other is the seventh princess who is about to marry into the family.