Chapter 9: Marriage Matters Involved

Song Shiwei could not give up because of Bian Yalan's attitude. It was simply impossible.

His offensive was quite strong, making everyone in the mansion aware of his intentions. If there was another uproar, it would be difficult for Bian Yalan to refuse to marry.

Just like today, a string of jewelry was sent along with a newly blooming butterfly orchid.

"Sister? This potted flower is really beautiful," Bian Yacong knew it was the valuable potted plant sent by the Third Prince. Bian Yalan adjusted her hair, "If you like it, put it in your room."

No matter how beautiful the potted butterfly orchid was, if it grew in an unsuitable place, it would wither prematurely.

She would not sit back and wait for death. Would she trust the man who almost killed her with his heart again? But she was not crazy.

Bian Yacong threw the potted plant aside and dragged Bian Yalan out of the door.

As soon as they left the mansion, they saw a prepared carriage.

"Huh? Where is your personal maid?" Bian Yasong was slightly surprised to see a strange maid beside Bian Yalan, "Can this maid take care of you?"

Whenever Bian Yalan went out, she always brought Bian Yayun and Xiaojin. But now, they were nowhere to be seen.

"The courtyard always needs someone to take care of it," Bian Yalan replied casually.

"Bian Yayun is busy with embroidery and has no time," Bian Yacong said casually.

They had never gotten along with Bian Yayun, just like their respective mothers, who, as stepmothers, fought fiercely, and the result was jealousy of their beauty.

Bian Yalan glanced at her younger brother, hesitated to speak, and didn't need to make her attitude so obvious.

As she was about to board the carriage, she saw a sedan coming towards them. Others might not recognize it, but she remembered it clearly.

It was Song Shiwei's sedan.

She almost without hesitation turned around, climbed onto the carriage with both hands and feet, and pulled the curtain shut.

Wasn't her attitude clear enough?

"Your Highness!" the brothers greeted Song Shiwei and escorted him into the mansion.

It was a long time before they returned to the carriage, and Bian Yalan's anxiety was finally relieved.

"If His Highness cannot marry you, he will not give up," Bian Yasong hesitated, "If he is desperate, he will only seek an imperial decree."

"Don't worry, he has sought an imperial decree many times before the Emperor relented. I still have time," Bian Yalan said confidently.

Although she did not agree to Song Shiwei's proposal as she did in the past, the situation was almost the same.

Just like the potted butterfly orchid given to her, it was once a token of love, but now it had become a means to coax her into agreeing.

She calculated in her mind, not noticing the puzzled and astonished expressions on her brothers' faces.

Bian Yasong was puzzled. How did his sister, just a young lady from a noble family, know that His Highness had sought an imperial decree several times before the Emperor relented?

The carriage swayed and stopped in front of a teahouse, opposite the largest goldsmith shop in the city.

Seeing Bian Yasong's expression, she knew he had something to ask. Instead of avoiding it, she decided to speak openly.

They left the servants outside and entered the shop.

"Waiter, prepare two pots of tea," Bian Yasong called out with a smile as soon as he entered.

Bian Yalan carefully looked around the teahouse, feeling nostalgic.

Since she married Song Shiwei in her previous life, she had never left the mansion. All the beautiful promises before marriage were forgotten early on after Song Shiwei's ambitions were exposed.

"Sister..." Bian Yasong hesitated to speak, but Bian Yalan preempted him.

"Brother, what do you think we would gain if our family gained more merit? And what would be the consequences if we didn't?" Bian Yalan's voice was small but forceful.

"If we gain merit, we will naturally receive rewards, or..." Bian Yasong hesitated, it might also lead to a promotion in his official position, or pave the way for his younger brother's future career.

"If we don't..." Bian Yasong murmured, if they didn't gain merit, the only difference would be that their careers would be more difficult, but not impossible.

Bian Yalan leaned forward slightly, "Brother, our current status is already sufficient. What's the point of striving for more? Our marriage will be decided by our father, and even the Emperor may have considerations. Being overly competitive will not bring any benefits. 'When the moon is full, it wanes; when the water is full, it overflows.' This is the real truth."

"The honor of the mansion was earned by our ancestors and bestowed by the Emperor. Father is loyal, and we should be prudent. If I really marry him... if he marries me, if he has other intentions, the entire mansion will be affected," Bian Yalan gritted her teeth as she spoke, her anger growing as she continued.

She was naive and foolish at first, thinking that Song Shiwei's frequent gestures of goodwill were sincere. It took a painful experience to wake her up, but not everyone has the chance to start over.

"Do you think... he is sincere?" Bian Yasong was shocked. His younger brother was still young and probably couldn't understand the implications. How could he not understand?

Was Song Shiwei trying to increase his chances of seizing the throne? He had little contact with Song Shiwei and had never thought much about it.

"Do you think he is sincere?" Bian Yalan sneered, "They only weigh their options."

Bian Yasong was puzzled, looking back and forth between his siblings, only knowing that the conversation was heavy.