On the second day, during the hour of Si (around 9–11 a.m.), the Second Prince arrived at the Su residence with a matchmaker to formally propose marriage, bringing many betrothal gifts with him.
At that moment, the Su family was anxiously waiting in the main hall.
“Old Master, Master, outside… the Second… the Second Prince has come to propose marriage!” Butler Chen’s voice rang out before he even arrived.
“This… Granddaughter, Butler Chen, is it really the Second Prince who has come to propose?” Grandfather Su Dong asked in shock, his eyes widening.
The Su family never expected that the one coming to propose would be the Second Prince, Leng Yichen.
“Grandfather, Father, Mother, he is still waiting outside,” Su Lele said.
Only then did everyone regain their senses and quickly head outside.
Standing at the entrance of the Su residence was Leng Yichen, dressed in a lake-blue ice silk robe. He was tall and upright, his expression stern and cold, unsmiling, exuding an aura that kept people at a distance.
The Second Prince personally coming to the Su residence to propose—this was the most explosive news in the capital. Passersby and nearby residents had already gathered to watch the commotion.
When Su Lele came out, she saw crowds surrounding her residence, tightly packed with onlookers. Leng Yichen had brought dozens of attendants, all standing beside chest after chest of gifts.
“Greetings to the Prince,” everyone respectfully said.
A cold, low voice replied, “No need for formalities.”
“I have come to the Su residence to propose marriage to Su Lele,” Leng Yichen stated directly.
“Read out the betrothal gifts,” he ordered calmly.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Leng Feng replied respectfully without the slightest hesitation.
“So many boxes… who knows how many treasures are inside?” the crowd whispered.
“How could the Prince’s household gift be anything less?”
“Rare treasures, one box; South Sea pearls, one box; twenty bolts of gold-threaded silk; twenty pairs each of jade bracelets and jade ruyi; ten fox-fur cloaks from the fire fox…”
The Su family listened from the side, going from shock to numbness.
“Oh heavens, these betrothal gifts are too extravagant,” someone said. “It seems the Second Prince truly values Miss Su.”
“Fire fox cloaks like those can’t even be bought even with money.”
“As expected of the Second Prince—so generous!”
The crowd chatted excitedly while watching the scene.
“Congratulations, Miss Su! Congratulations, Old Master, Master, Madam…” the matchmaker said sweetly, praising them endlessly.
“Give her a reward,” Su Lele calmly instructed Qiu Yu.
“Your Highness, please come inside,” Su Qinghe said respectfully.
“Mm.”
The Second Prince’s proposal quickly spread throughout the capital, becoming a hot topic.
Everyone discussed the Su family and Su Lele, and another name also became widely mentioned: Yun Zhishu.
When Yun Zhishu herself heard the news, she was devastated and fainted on the spot. She had never expected a “third party” to appear out of nowhere and stole the engagement, and she hated Su Lele deeply.
Su Residence, Main Hall
“I have already set the wedding date—it will be in four days,” Leng Yichen said.
The Su family had no objections, nor did they dare to have any. Mainly, Leng Yichen’s presence was too intimidating, and they were also worried whether Su Lele would suffer after marrying into the royal household.
Su Lele, the person involved, calmly drank tea without a care.
“Your Highness, will you stay for lunch?” Su Qinghe asked politely.
“No. I have matters to attend to.”
Everyone secretly sighed in relief. Although Su Dong wasn’t afraid of him, facing such a cold, high-ranking prince made him feel slightly uneasy.
After Leng Yichen returned to the Prince’s residence, he was about to have lunch when Leng Yunmo rushed in again like an attention-seeker.
“You really pulled off a big silent move! Your decisive style really suits you!” he said noisily.
Leng Yichen ignored him and continued eating.
Leng Yunmo casually ordered the servants to bring him a set of utensils.
“How did you even meet Su Lele? Love at first sight? Impossible!” he scratched his head in confusion.
“Four days later, I will marry,” Leng Yichen said, then left him alone in the dining hall.
In the following days, Su Lele stayed at home with her family and did not go anywhere.
“Second Sister, I will miss you so much after you get married,” Su Tongtong said reluctantly.
“I will come back often. The Prince’s residence in Dongcheng is very close—only a quarter of an hour away,” Su Lele comforted her.
“Mother,” she continued, “after I marry, the snack business will continue as usual. The profits will go to the family, and you will manage the accounts.”
“That won’t do. You should keep something for yourself. These snacks were your ideas,” her mother objected.
“I still have many snack ideas I haven’t developed yet. Don’t worry about me. The Second Prince is quite open-minded and won’t stop me from doing business after marriage. I even plan to open workshops and snack shops in the future.”
“She’s got plenty of ideas. Just listen to her,” her father said firmly, fully supporting her.
The Su residence was bustling with activity in the days leading up to the wedding, with many guests coming to offer congratulations and gifts, including many noble families. Su Dong’s old friends also sent valuable gifts to help prepare Su Lele’s dowry. In return, Su Lele sent them various snacks.
On the day before the wedding, Su Lele’s third uncle Su Qinghai’s family, from Meilin County in Nanzhou, and her second aunt Su Qingqing’s family, from Pingzhou, also rushed back to the capital.
“After receiving my elder brother’s letter saying Lele had recovered, we originally planned to visit soon. We didn’t expect her to be getting married so quickly,” Su Qingqing said.
Her husband, Li Youcai, had been busy with business and could not return earlier. Upon hearing the news, they hurried back by boat with their two sons.
“Is your health fully recovered, niece? I heard the snack business in the house is very successful—and it turns out it was your idea,” Su Qinghai said, full of admiration.
Meanwhile, the younger generation gathered around, happily eating snacks while listening to Su Tongtong explain each type. Everyone enjoyed themselves immensely.
Li Youcai, experienced in business, immediately recognized the potential of the snacks. In his eyes, they would sell extremely well anywhere.
He smiled slyly at Su Lele and said, “Lele, are you interested in collaborating with your uncle-in-law?”
“Sure, but not now. It’s not the right time yet,” she replied.
The current business was still small-scale; cooperation could wait until after the workshop was established.
“Alright, I’ll wait for your good news,” Li Youcai said readily, not pressing further.