Transferring one's feelings for one person to another similar person is itself a form of desecration.
She and Chuan were in love with each other, and all he could do was give them his blessing, nothing more.
On the other side, Feng Qingyi quickly caught up with Xu Linghe.
"Linghe!"
Hearing the voice, Xu Linghe stopped and said, "Qingyi, why are you here?"
Feng Qingyi replied, "We came specifically to keep you company."
"Why did you bring him along too?" Xu Linghe looked at Zhao Yiqing behind Feng Qingyi.
Feng Qingyi explained, "I was just too bored by myself, and he happened to be free today, so I asked him to come along."
"I've been standing all morning, my legs are sore. Let's quickly go find a place to eat," Xu Linghe said, already somewhat impatient.
Feng Qingyi nodded, "Alright, let's go together. Zhao Yiqing, hurry up and keep up!"
When the three arrived at the palace gate, they found many people waiting there, with carriages lined up neatly.
"Qingyi, Yiqing, wait for me here for a moment. I'm going to tell my little maid to go back first," Xu Linghe said as she walked towards a luxurious carriage.
Feng Qingyi and Zhao Yiqing walked forward a bit. To Feng Qingyi's surprise, she saw Shen Lanyan there.
Shen Lanyan was wearing a pink dress, with two little maids following her. When she saw Feng Qingyi, she glared at her fiercely, then turned away and got into the carriage.
Xu Linghe ran back, "Qingyi, what's wrong? What are you looking at?"
"I saw Shen Lanyan. Did she also go for the selection?" Feng Qingyi asked.
Xu Linghe replied, "No, this selection was multi-layered screening by the Ministry of Revenue. She couldn't even make the list."
"Have you seen Shangguan Yi recently?" Feng Qingyi asked. She hadn't heard any news about him since he was taken away by those people last time.
Xu Linghe said in a low voice, "I found out that after being taught a lesson by General Qin's men, he was sent to Eastern Emperor Mountain by his father."
"Eastern Emperor Mountain? Why send him to the mountain?" Feng Qingyi was a bit confused.
Xu Linghe said with a smile, "I heard his father is a close friend with a martial arts expert living on Eastern Emperor Mountain. He asked him to discipline Shangguan Yi and teach him some skills along the way."
"Shen Lanyan usually relies on Shangguan Yi's protection to cause trouble. Now that Shangguan Yi is gone, she doesn't dare to provoke you anymore."
Feng Qingyi said, "That's good. Let's go!"
In the restaurant, the three ate slowly.
Xu Linghe suddenly asked, "Qingyi, when do you plan to marry General Qin?"
"Why are you suddenly asking about this? I think even if there's a wedding, it would be you two first. He hasn't even returned yet, who am I supposed to marry?" Feng Qingyi said.
Xu Linghe blushed a little, "...We, we don't have that idea for now."
"What do you say, Zhao Yiqing?" Feng Qingyi looked at Zhao Yiqing.
Zhao Yiqing's face reddened, "I'll follow her lead."
Feng Qingyi: "...You two, why are you both so innocent?"
Xu Linghe: "Alright, let's just eat quickly."
...
At the General's Mansion, in the main hall.
Shen Lanyan's father, Shen Yi, was waiting in the main hall.
Someone from the mansion ran to Xuanyuan Xi's quarters to report.
"Princess, Mr. Shen is waiting in the main hall. It seems he has important matters to discuss."
Xuanyuan Xi: "Mr. Shen?"
Bai Wei said, "It should be Miss Shen's father, Shen Yi. He's probably here for Miss Shen's sake."
"Hmm, let's go see," Xuanyuan Xi said.
On the way to the main hall, Bai Wei asked, "Princess, I think Mr. Shen's visit this time might be for the same reason as Miss Shen's previous visit. Have you thought about how to respond?"
"He's just a minor official of the fifth rank, why should we take him seriously?" Xuanyuan Xi didn't seem to care much about this matter.
Upon arriving at the main hall, Shen Yi stood up and bowed to Xuanyuan Xi.
"This old official pays respects to Princess Xuan He!"
Xuanyuan Xi: "No need for such formalities, Mr. Shen. What brings you here today?"
"Today, this old official has come on behalf of my daughter. She has admired General Qin since childhood, and now she is of marriageable age. I have come specifically to propose a marriage," Shen Yi said.
Xuanyuan Xi sat in the main seat, "Chuan is currently on the battlefield. Mr. Shen, aren't you afraid that something might happen during this time if you come to propose marriage for your daughter now?"
Shen Yi: "I believe that with General Qin's abilities, he will surely return victorious. Why not settle the marriage early, to put our minds at ease?"
"Do you mean, Mr. Shen, that regardless of whether Chuan returns or not, you're willing to send your daughter to the General's Mansion?" Xuanyuan Xi asked.
Shen Yi hesitated, "What does the Princess mean by this?"
"If Mr. Shen sees no problem with this, why not send your daughter to the General's Mansion now? I won't stop you."
Xuanyuan Xi slowly picked up her teacup and took a sip.
Shen Yi hesitated for a long time, "This official has been inconsiderate in this matter."
Although Qin Yuchuan was brave and skilled in battle, with both wisdom and strategy, who could predict what might happen on the battlefield?
If he agreed today, and something were to happen to Qin Yuchuan, wouldn't his daughter end up as a living widow?
His original intention was to settle the marriage first, and then they could wed when Qin Yuchuan returned.
If something were to happen to him, the marriage would be called off, and he would find another good match for Lanyan.
Seeing Princess Xuan He's attitude now, he feared this wouldn't work.
Xuanyuan Xi: "Mr. Shen came here to propose marriage of his own accord, but now he's backing out midway. What does this mean?"
"This old official was momentarily confused. My daughter is of a mischievous nature and is truly not worthy of the General. This old official will take his leave now," Shen Yi said, hurriedly departing.
Bai Wei: "Princess, what did he mean by that?"
"He just wanted to attach himself to the General's Mansion, but was worried that something might happen to Chuan in the meantime," Xuanyuan Xi said casually.
Bai Wei: "Someone like Shen Lanyan is not at all worthy of the General."
Xuanyuan Xi: "When Chuan returns, I'm afraid all the officials and nobles in Shengjing will have their eyes on him. It seems we can start making preparations."
"Preparations for what?" Bai Wei asked.
Xuanyuan Xi: "For Chuan's wedding, of course."
"...A wedding? But we don't know when the General will return. Isn't it a bit early to start preparing now?" Bai Wei said.
Xuanyuan Xi: "It's always good to be prepared in advance."
"Then I'll send someone to make preparations. However, the wedding dress still needs to be embroidered by Miss Qingyi herself, but she hasn't been here for a long time," Bai Wei said.
Xuanyuan Xi thought for a moment, "She has her own things to do. I'll help her embroider the wedding dress. Go prepare the fabric."
Bai Wei: "According to Tianqi tradition, the wedding dress should be embroidered by the bride herself. Princess, this doesn't follow the customs."
Xuanyuan Xi: "Back then, my wedding dress was embroidered with the help of my nanny. What's not following the customs about that? Besides, Qingyi isn't from here, she doesn't need to follow the rules of this place."
