Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots-Chapter 1488 - 307, Proposing in Person (24)

The two of them remained silent the entire way until they returned to Lady Meng’s courtyard, where Lady Meng finally couldn’t help but speak out: "What was that just now? Are you still thinking of Xia Zheng?"

As she saw her mother’s angry look, Yao Hanai slightly lowered her gaze and remained silent.

This silent demeanor instantly ignited the fury in Lady Meng’s heart, and she huffed angrily, scolding: "Are you muddled, child? You’re about to marry into Xiliang in a political match, and yet you are still foolishly dreaming of marrying Xia Zheng? If you had the ability to capture his heart, that would be one thing, but you don’t even have that; you can’t even outdo a simple village girl, so what face do you have to call yourself the number one talented woman of the Capital city?"

Lady Meng’s words shook Yao Hanai to the core, and she couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. The number one talented woman of the Capital city? Ha, she wished she weren’t that woman at all so she wouldn’t have to worry about being sold off to Xiliang in exchange for the common people’s peaceful lives.

She wasn’t of the royal family. What did the well-being of those border common folks have to do with her? All she wanted was to marry Xia Zheng, to find a man who would be devoted to her for a lifetime. It didn’t matter to her whether the man liked her or not, as long as he didn’t take any concubines, that would be enough.

Exiting Lady Meng’s courtyard, Yao Hanai felt a bit dazed for a moment. Was she really going to give up on Xia Zheng and just marry any man?

Mo Zhu quietly followed behind Yao Hanai, and seeing her silent for so long, she was almost frantic with worry.

Mo Zhu glanced at the pebble on the ground, her eyes rolled, and with a kick, she sent it flying ahead.

Yao Hanai was already preoccupied, how could she have seen that sudden flying pebble?

With a cry of "Aiyo," Yao Hanai stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.

A hint of smugness crossed Mo Zhu’s eyes as she immediately stepped forward with quick reflexes to support her, anxiously asking, "Miss, how are you? Are you all right?"

Yao Hanai had merely stepped on a stone by accident and wasn’t hurt. She moved her ankle, stood up straight, but having learned her lesson, she dared not let her mind wander again.

Mo Zhu held onto her tightly, seizing the opportunity to advise: "Miss, are you still troubled by the marriage alliance? Miss, I’ve heard the Xiliang People are all brutish and disrespectful, not knowing how to cherish beauty. If Miss were to marry into Xiliang, you would surely suffer. Miss, you should heed the master’s orders and find a good man to marry!"

"Marry? I will not!" The corners of Yao Hanai’s eyes drooped, absolutely refusing to submit because of this.

"I am determined not to go to Xiliang. As for the men of the Capital city? Hmph, besides Xia Zheng, I will not marry anyone else!"

Mo Zhu pursed her lips; if you were to marry Xia Zheng, what would be left for me?

She rolled her eyes and tentatively asked, "I heard that the Second Prince is a very good person who greets everyone with a smile. Miss, what do you think?"

Hearing the words "Second Prince," a trace of disdain crossed the corners of Yao Hanai’s mouth: "People of the royal family, if you can’t become the Main Consort, don’t even think about it."

And implied within those words was that Yao Hanai had her sights set on nothing less than becoming the Main Consort of the Second Prince.

Mo Zhu secretly curled her lips, but regardless of whether it was the Main Consort or not, if Yao Hanai married into the Second Prince Mansion, she too could rise up and become a concubine. And if the Second Prince eventually ascended to the throne in the future, wouldn’t she be able to become a Concubine then?

Thinking of the day when she could stand in a high position and order servants around, Mo Zhu’s heart pounded nonstop.

However, to make these dreams come true, Yao Hanai would need to marry the Second Prince.

Mo Zhu murmured to herself in her mind, not hearing Yao Hanai calling her until Yao Hanai slapped the back of her hand, at which point she was jolted back to reality.

"Ah? Miss?"

Yao Hanai was already in a bad mood, and seeing her like this only made her more annoyed, her voice growing heavier: "What are you thinking about, so engrossed? How did you handle that last matter? Did you leave any loopholes?"

That last matter? Mo Zhu did not catch on at first, until Yao Hanai became impatient and she suddenly realized she was referring to the business with Tian Hui.

"Miss, rest assured, I’ve already had someone deal with Mengzi, there won’t be any trouble."

Hearing this, Yao Hanai finally relaxed.

As the two of them walked slowly, Yao Hanai couldn’t stop thinking about marrying Xia Zheng. Since a proper marriage could not be achieved, then they would have to resort to deceit.

If that wretched Lin Yuan were to see the man she loved with herself, she would surely be heartbroken. By then, let alone marrying Xia Zheng, she probably wouldn’t even show her face.

Yao Hanai’s eyebrows raised slightly, exultant: "Right, that’s exactly what we’ll do!"

Mo Zhu was startled her by sudden change of expression and was even more shocked when she heard Yao Hanai’s plan to present a fait accompli. She was so astonished, her mouth fell open.

Was it really alright to ruin one’s own reputation for a man who did not love her?

Although Yao Shijiang was eager to arrange a marriage for his daughter, he handled the matter very covertly, in fear that someone would catch hold of any handle against them.

Moreover, he was someone who held himself in high regard, and ordinary people simply could not catch his eye.

After much consideration, Yao Shijiang sized up all the court officials and set his sights on the newly honored top scholar, Ma Junying, as the first target.

Ma Junying was the top graduate in the recent exam and was of an age and appearance that matched Yao Hanai. More importantly, he came from a humble background; if he were to become her dragon-riding son-in-law, he would surely be grateful for Yao Shijiang’s support and would be utterly compliant and look up to his daughter and him.

But this was only what Yao Shijiang thought, Ma Junying did not see it the same way.

When Yao Shijiang’s intentions reached Ma Junying’s ears, the new top scholar chuckled, neither agreeing nor refusing, which puzzled the messenger.

However, not long after, the Second Prince’s envoy arrived at the Grand Scholar Yao’s house to propose marriage. Yao Shijiang had no intention to get involved in the battle for the throne and naturally declined the Second Prince’s gesture politely. This, of course, made the Second Prince very dissatisfied.

Hearing the response from his messenger, Zhao Hongsheng’s face darkened, and there was a fierce glint in his eyes.

Tang Ruyan was skilled in reading the room and instantly knew, from Zhao Hongsheng’s expression, that he was angered by Yao Shijiang’s refusal. It wasn’t that he had any particular fondness for Yao Hanai; he simply couldn’t tolerate his offer being rejected.

"Your Highness, that Yao Shijiang is truly lacking in understanding, angering Your Highness. Please don’t be upset."

She paused, Tang Ruyan’s lips revealed a smile that bode no good: "Since Yao Shijiang refuses to drink a toast and insists on suffering the consequences, if he does not appreciate the face given to him, then we need not show any courtesy. Your Highness, just wait for them to come begging!"

Come begging?

Zhao Hongsheng liked these four words very much, and his eyes narrowed dangerously.

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