"It was this afternoon, but your subordinate heard that Lord Cheng deliberately encountered the princess several times after the Magpie Bridge Banquet. Princess Ruge was also present when he visited today.
It seems that since Elder Wen agreed, Princess Ruge also did not object."
Lu Qingwan curled her lips, "Fine, you don't need to help Gu Xingzhi choose one anymore.
I'll go find Yaoyao directly. If she's willing, I'll ask Gu Xingzhi, to avoid a long trip and wasted effort."
Given the family backgrounds of Wen Ruge and Chi Yaoyao, before Si Fengwu mentioned Gu Xingzhi, most people considered the sons and grandsons of high-ranking officials and great scholars in the court as their prospective husbands.
Although no one explicitly stated that noble youths from the former Northern Wei, Xiliang, and Yunqiang could not become sons-in-law to the Wen and Chi families, all intermediaries consciously excluded them.
To the extent that Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu were quite surprised to hear that Wen Ruge and Cheng Nanliu's marriage was about to be finalized.
But while surprised, they were also relieved for Elder Wen and his wife.
"Cheng Nanliu's family background, appearance, talent, and character are all worthy of Princess Ruge. We should be happy for the Wen family that their marriage is about to be realized.
However, this will only increase the pressure on Yaoyao.
Regarding Gu Xingzhi, hurry up and contact him. If it doesn't work out, I'll find an excuse to transfer Yaoyao out of Xindu, at least so she and the Chi family won't be subjected to gossip about marriage."
Wen Ruge's marriage being delayed until now was partly Wen Yayi's fault and partly her own foolishness.
But Chi Yaoyao's marriage was delayed, although Chi Yaoyao's infatuation with Lian Yu was a factor, later it was Lu Qingwan who implicated her.
Chi Yaoyao was the first friend Lu Qingwan made in this era, and Lu Qingwan, in her heart, still favored her to some extent.
Si Fengwu also understood Lu Qingwan's concern and readily agreed to her request.
The next morning, Lu Qingwan forced Si Fengwu to write to Gu Xingzhi, while she herself shook off Si Fengwu and arranged to meet Chi Yaoyao privately under the guise of visiting a temple fair.
After some circuitous probing, Chi Yaoyao said with trepidation, "The Crown Prince of the Qin State's Youzhou is of such noble status. I was young and foolish then and committed such an improper act. How could I possibly aspire to him?"
In the private room of Buyezhou, Lu Qingwan only needed to slightly turn her head to see the dazzling fireworks all over the street.
She idly played with her wine cup, her gaze fixed on Chi Yaoyao, "Lian Yu and Wu Ying's marriage is already on the agenda. Do you regret liking him?"
Chi Yaoyao's expression was bitter, but she shook her head firmly.
"No, I have never regretted liking him."
Chi Yaoyao said frankly, "Although I suffered a lot in the pursuit of him.
But whenever I think that if I hadn't pursued him, I might have married someone I didn't know at all, like other noble ladies in Xindu.
Or lived a lifetime in the inner chambers either in polite distance or with mutual dislike, I feel that it was a wonderful thing to have liked someone in my youth."
When she mentioned Lian Yu again, her expression was not entirely at ease, but she no longer had the melancholic resentment of being trapped in love.
"I know that His Majesty and Your Highness are looking for a suitable husband for me because they cannot bear to see me alone, nor can they bear to see my grandfather and others being criticized for my marriage.
I do not reject marriage. The person chosen by His Majesty and Your Highness must have good character and family background.
I want to meet him myself and tell him all my experiences over the years. If Crown Prince Gu is still willing to accept me, then I will ask my grandfather and grandmother to prepare my dowry and make a grand entrance as the first noble lady of Tianfeng to marry into Great Qin.
If he has the slightest reservation about my past, I will not force anything. I, Chi Yaoyao, absolutely do not want to be a fallback option for someone."
The young girl who had her mother Mengmeng drag her out on the streets years ago, and helped her trick Elder Chi into hiding rare books, had transformed.
Lu Qingwan was filled with excitement and heartache at her words, which were so clear-sighted. "I am very gratified that you can think so clearly.
But how can I let you travel all this way to see him? The triplets' hundredth day is approaching. I will ask the Emperor of Great Qin to appoint Gu Xingzhi as an envoy to celebrate the triplets' hundredth day.
At that time, whether this marriage succeeds or not will depend on your own wishes.
If it succeeds, it will be wonderful. If it doesn't, I will also arrange a suitable place for you, and you don't have to make yourself suffer."
Si Fengwu and Lu Qingwan had made all arrangements meticulously, and Chi Yaoyao had no reason to refuse, so she agreed wholeheartedly.
In a blink of an eye, the triplets' hundredth-day banquet arrived. Gu Xingzhi, as the envoy representing Great Qin, conveyed blessings from the Supreme Emperor and Empress Dowager, Emperor and Empress of Great Qin, and the Youzhou Royal Household.
However, the first person he saw was not his cousin Si Fengwu, nor Lu Qingwan, the mother of the triplets, but Chi Yaoyao, the commander of the Weiyang Palace guards.
The doll-faced woman was dressed in red armor, a sword at her waist, exuding a heroic aura as she walked.
She held her sword horizontally in front of Gu Xingzhi, "His Majesty is in discussion with the ministers in the Imperial Study. General Gu, please wait a moment. Allow this humble officer to report."
Despite her soft and round appearance, she spoke with decisive curtness.
Gu Xingzhi found it amusing, but his expression was serious as he said, "Please also inform His Majesty and Your Highness that the Crown Prince has returned to Tianfeng amidst the delegation, clamoring to steal a sister back to Great Qin.
My Emperor has ordered this general to remind His Majesty and Your Highness to take good care of the two little princesses. If they are truly stolen by the Crown Prince, they are not to be returned."
Chi Yaoyao's dark, round eyes widened instantly. She turned to the guard beside her and said, "Immediately order the Twelfth Month to go to Changxin Palace and carefully guard the two little princesses. If the Crown Prince of Great Qin enters the palace, bring him directly to Weiyang Palace and do not allow him to touch the two little princesses."
After speaking, she glared at Gu Xingzhi and turned into the Imperial Study.
Gu Xingzhi touched his nose and chuckled, shaking his head. He then felt that it was rather boring to tease a female official for no reason.
When Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu heard of Gu Xingzhi's arrival, they immediately dismissed the ministers and welcomed him in.
At that moment, Chi Yaoyao had already retreated outside the palace gate. As soon as Si Fengwu saw Gu Xingzhi, he teased, "How is it? Do you find the Crown Princess I introduced to you to your liking?"
Gu Xingzhi understood, and looking back in surprise, asked, "Is she the person Your Highness mentioned in the letter?"
After all, he was the Crown Prince of Youzhou and the Grand General of Weiwei in Great Qin, and also his cousin. Si Fengwu naturally explained all of Chi Yaoyao's circumstances to him when introducing her.
Seeing Gu Xingzhi's reaction, it seemed he did not mind Chi Yaoyao's past and was quite interested.
Si Fengwu smiled and nodded, "It is her. How do you feel about her?"
"A rather interesting young girl."
Gu Xingzhi said honestly, "My grandfather, father, and His Majesty all have great trust in your and His Majesty's judgment. They said that as long as I am willing, this marriage will be arranged according to your two wishes."