C17 I Can Even Explain It

Xiao Yao glanced over the list, his expression slightly tense, then handed it back to Consort De. "Mother, I'm here about this matter. Yuanhe suggests that you shouldn't host the Thousand-autumn Banquet this year, nor accept any gifts. It's best to keep things low-key."

Yuanhe was the trusted aide of the Third Prince.

"What do you mean? I've always celebrated this way every year. Why is it considered extravagant now? Besides, without the banquet, how am I supposed to gather all the eligible young ladies for you to choose from?" Consort De was puzzled.

Xiao Yao smiled, "No need to worry, Mother. Yuanhe's idea is for me to focus on one particular lady."

"One particular lady? Who?" Consort De frowned.

Xiao Yao nodded, "From the South Control Marquis Mansion, Wen Wan."

Consort De glanced at the list in her hand. "Isn't her name already on here? If Yuanhe thinks she's suitable, then pay more attention to her. But don't dismiss all the other eligible young ladies just for Wen Wan."

"I agree with you, Mother. But Yuanhe believes that if we want to propose to Wen Wan, we need to show sincerity. If too many young ladies are invited to the banquet, the South Control Marquis might not agree."

"And if I don't host the banquet, will the South Control Marquis agree then?"

To put it plainly, the South Control Marquis wasn't interested.

"Yuanhe says whether they agree or not is a matter for later. We need to show our intentions first," Xiao Yao advised.

Consort De dismissed the concern, "What if you show your intentions and they don't agree? Then you'll have to seek another match, and that's a whole different story!"

"But..."

"The Thousand-autumn Banquet is my event, and I make the decisions."

Xiao Yao hesitated to speak further.

Consort De sighed, "What else did Yuanhe say?"

"He wanted me to ask you about the incident with Pei'er from the Flower Tower..."

Consort De frowned, her expression turning angry, "Is he investigating me?"

"Was it really you, Mother?" Xiao Yao looked at her in surprise.

Consort De didn't hide it, speaking as if it were only natural, "Su Xuanjing is a significant figure. If the Crown Prince manages to recruit him, all our previous efforts would be in vain! I never thought much of Wen Wan. If she weren't born into the right family, she wouldn't even be fit to be your servant, let alone your consort!"

Xiao Yao furrowed his brow slightly, "Yuanhe said if you were behind this, it would truly undo all our past efforts."

"He said that?" Consort De questioned, her voice tinged with irritation.

Seeing his mother upset, Xiao Yao spoke gently, "Mother, could you let me know beforehand if you're planning something?"

"So you can run off and tell Yuanhe?" Consort De scoffed, "If Yuanhe weren't someone your grandfather begged to bring to you, I would have dismissed him long ago!"

"Mother..."

"Alright, alright! In any case, he can do whatever he wants with other matters, but when it comes to the Thousand-autumn Banquet, I have the final say!"

Xiao Yao realized there was no room for negotiation on this matter, so he lowered his head and silently nibbled on the pastry in his hand.

Whether in front of Yuanhe or his mother, Xiao Yao rarely expressed his own desires or requests because he knew they would surely be denied. Just like how he didn't want to marry any of the women on the list. The woman he wanted to marry was just an ordinary girl. So ordinary that he never dared to tell anyone, including the girl herself.

...

At night.

In the Ink Garden of the South Control Marquis Mansion.

Wen Wan sat absentmindedly at the jade table in the inner room. When Ziyu came in with a bowl of ginseng porridge, she noticed her lady still staring blankly at the pair of military boots on the table. Unable to hold back, she asked, "Miss, is there something unusual about those boots?"