hapter 6: I Was Captivated at First Sight, and I Will Marry No One but Her
One chest after another of betrothal gifts was carried in, filling the hall to capacity and spilling over into piles in the courtyard.
Old Master Yun stared at the clear royal seal on the marriage document, his expression indescribable.
“…Qingqing, are you truly determined to marry into the Regent’s Mansion?” The old master showed little joy, instead weighed down by deep concern.
Yun Qingqing felt a warm surge in her heart. The Regent held immense power, and a more opportunistic family might have been overjoyed. Yet, her grandfather worried that the Regent was both paralyzed and blind, and that marrying him would be a hardship for her.
She smiled gently.
“Grandfather, I was captivated by His Highness the Regent at first sight, and I will marry no one but him. I hope you will grant us your blessing.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a certain prince wholeheartedly agreed.
“I, too, was captivated by Qingqing at first sight, and I will marry no one but her. I hope Grandfather will grant us your blessing.”
Yun Qingqing:…
When it comes to acting, no one surpasses you, Your Highness the Regent.
Everyone present was at a loss for words. Was this still the same fearsome, dreaded prince who struck terror into hearts?
“Captivated at first sight”? Your Highness, can you even see? Do you know how ugly she is?
Yun Zhiping and his family inwardly cursed to the heavens but dared not utter a word.
Old Master Yun gazed at the two with a complex expression for a moment before letting out a long sigh.
“My granddaughter has had a difficult life. I hope Your Highness will cherish and treat her well.”
Yun Bai Lian, who had remained silent all this while, clenched the hem of her dress so tightly her knuckles turned white, her face contorted with rage.
How could this be! That ugly monster Yun Qingqing was supposed to be clinging desperately to the Crown Prince! Even if her suicide attempt by drowning failed, she should have become the laughingstock of the entire city by now!
How did she manage to turn around and get the Regent to back her up!
And though the prince is disabled, who would have thought his appearance and bearing would be so breathtakingly divine? He holds immense power at court and his word is law. How does that ugly creature deserve the prince’s favor!
If she becomes the Princess Consort of the Prince Regent, she’ll surely seek revenge on our family in the future. No, I absolutely cannot let her marry into the mansion smoothly!
Her eyes darted back and forth before she suddenly took a deep breath, stepped forward gracefully, and said in a soft, sweet voice,
“Since Your Highness is captivated by my elder sister, the wedding naturally cannot be taken lightly. Wouldn’t tomorrow be too rushed? I fear people might gossip, thinking Your Highness does not value my sister enough.”
Yun Bai Lian possessed a naturally sweet voice that many praised. Confident that her words would leave a deep impression on the prince, who was blind and could only rely on sound to discern people, she watched as Xiao Changheng indeed fell into thoughtful silence, fueling her sense of certainty.
Yun Qingqing turned and saw the calculating glint in Yun Bai Lian’s eyes, immediately letting out a cold laugh.
She was merely busy with the betrothal for now and hadn’t had time to deal with other matters, yet some fools insisted on walking right into the line of fire!
She immediately turned to Old Master Yun, pointing at the massive pile of betrothal gifts.
“Grandfather, with His Highness offering so many betrothal gifts to marry me, my dowry should match this grandeur, shouldn’t it?”
“This…” Old Master Yun’s face stiffened, and he whispered, “Qingqing, Grandfather doesn’t want to shortchange you either, but how can the Yun Estate’s wealth compare to His Highness’s?”
Xiao Changheng, whose hearing far surpassed that of ordinary people, heard every word clearly. He raised an eyebrow and was about to speak when Yun Qingqing cut him off.
“That’s easy to solve! Over the years, Second Uncle has used my father’s inheritance and my mother’s monthly stipend to acquire quite a few private assets, earning who knows how much. Just have him return those to me—that should be more than enough!”
Yun Zhiping gasped sharply:
“Don’t talk nonsense! That money has always been used for the Yun Estate’s expenses. Where would I get private assets from?”
Yun Qingqing gave him a “heh” expression, then turned to Xiao Changheng and said sweetly:
“Your Highness~! Look at them—they’ve swallowed my parents’ money, and now they won’t even admit it!”
Yun Zhiping’s eyelids twitched wildly, and a sense of foreboding rose in his heart.
Xiao Changheng frowned slightly and calmly ordered:
“Nanzheng, take a few men and stay behind. Help the Yun Estate thoroughly audit their accounts. Whatever belongs to Qingqing—if even a single copper coin is missing, I’ll hold you accountable.”
Yun Qingqing mentally gave the Regent King a thumbs-up. He really knows how to play along!
Nanzheng glanced at her expressionlessly, already completely numb.
Ever since this ugly woman appeared, his master hadn’t been acting normal. He had no idea what the Regent King saw in her.
But since the Regent King had given the order, he would carry it out flawlessly. Without hesitation, he replied, “As you command!”
Yun Zhiping was thoroughly flustered, yet he also gritted his teeth in hatred toward Yun Qingqing.
How did she know about his private assets?
This wretched girl must have been pretending all along! Now she’s finally showing her true colors—such deep cunning!
Fortunately, he had always been cautious, and his account books were flawless. There was absolutely no way they could be exposed!
Thinking this, he felt slightly reassured and said solemnly:
“Very well! I will have the estate’s accounts fully cooperate with Lord Nanzheng to prove my innocence!”
Yun Bai Lian, who had been holding her breath in anxiety, relaxed upon seeing her father’s composure. She began pondering how to stop the Regent King from marrying Yun Qingqing.
Just then, a servant rushed in hurriedly:
“A eunuch from the palace has come to deliver His Majesty’s oral decree!”
The Yun Estate’s members hurried out to greet him, only to hear a young eunuch raise his chin and announce loudly:
“By His Majesty’s oral decree, Yun Qingqing is to enter the palace for an audience immediately!”
Old Master Yun was taken aback and quickly asked politely:
“May I ask, Eunuch, what this is about?”
The eunuch glanced at the pile of betrothal gift boxes in the courtyard, then fixed his gaze on Yun Qingqing’s face, immediately showing a hint of disgust. He snorted coldly:
“What else could it be? Yun Qingqing defied the imperial decree by refusing to annul the engagement, even went so far as to force a marriage on the Crown Prince in public, and snatched the betrothal gifts he intended for Prime Minister Su’s daughter. Minister Su has gone to the palace to lodge a complaint with His Majesty!”
“Yun Qingqing, hurry up and come with me to plead for His Majesty’s forgiveness!”