Chapter 338: Chapter 339: Just Speak Your Mind

Yun Qian detested when others put on airs and couldn’t help but rebuke, “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Shuangqiao’s face turned pale with fright, and she swallowed nervously, stammering, “No… it’s not that, I… ”

“If you want to continue working here properly, then don’t think about all those messy things again; otherwise, even if Shao He keeps you, I will not.”

Through his observations, Yun Qian discovered that Lin Shuangqiao seemed to have no intention of staying and working here. Instead, her eyes were constantly looking around, as if searching for something.

Every time she saw him previously, she would rush over enthusiastically, taking on tasks like serving tea and pouring water, which further cemented his opinion.

“Yes, yes, I understand,” Lin Shuangqiao said, quickly turning around to leave.

Yun Qian took a deep breath, calmed the waves within his heart, then proceeded to take out the medicine to start brewing it; Shao He had provided this recipe, to be used to formulate concealer.

On the way back, riding in the carriage, Pei Huaian suddenly asked, “Do you have any thoughts or plans of leaving Anji Hall?”

Pei Huaian believed that with her own medical skills, opening a medical clinic would not be a problem and would certainly be more successful than Anji Hall.

Upon hearing this, Shao He pursed her lips and smiled, “I am well-aware that Yun Qian has been as gracious as a mountain to me. It’s hardly possible for me to leave, but perhaps my visits will become less frequent in the future.”

“Originally, when you left Mass Burial Mound, it was he who took you in, he who gave you a place to stay. Nowadays, given your different status, it might not be proper to leave,” Pei Huaian’s eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke slowly in a deep voice.

After hearing this, Shao He was stunned for a moment, then looked up at Pei Huaian, “Yun Qian treats me sincerely, so no matter what happens, I will not leave easily.”

Pei Huaian frowned upon hearing this, “In this world, there will always be many acts of desperation.”

“No matter what, I will not leave him alone to face everything,” Shao He insisted.

Pei Huaian found her stubborn, especially when it came to issues, as stubborn as nine bulls could not pull her back.

However, he was still grateful to Yun Qian for taking them in back then; otherwise, he didn’t know what would have become of the children and Shao He.

“Since you are resolute, I will not persuade you further.”

Pei Huaian reached out and touched her soft hair, gently smiling, “Rest assured, no matter what decisions you make, I will always support you!”

These words were like a warm current surging into Shao He’s heart, inexplicably comforting her.

“Hmm.”

Shao He seemed to have gradually opened up to him, no longer locking away her heart as before. She was also trying to give Pei Huaian a chance, to accept him.

Half a month later, Pei Jingyi arrived at Prince Jing’s residence with a marriage proposal for Xia Zhaohe.

Upon hearing this news, Prince Jing immediately put down his teacup and hurried to the front hall.

Seeing the person sitting and waiting in the chair, he raised a cheerful yet dignified smile, “Fourth Prince visits today, what brings you here?”

“Jingyi pays respects to Prince Jing!” Pei Jingyi immediately stood up to reply, and after a brief exchange of greetings, they sat down.

“Fourth Prince, this is…” Prince Jing slightly raised his hand, pointing outward with a light smile on his face.

Pei Jingyi stood up, bowed towards him and said, “Prince, I am here to request the hand of your legitimate daughter.”

Prince Jing’s face changed several times, having never expected Pei Jingyi to dare visit to propose at this time.

“Jingyi, come, sit down and let’s talk,” he said.

Pei Jingyi, fully aware of his inner thoughts, understood that being a prince without power or influence, they naturally looked down upon him.

His gentle eyes narrowed slightly, “I wonder if the Prince would agree to this marriage.”

“Well, you know, Zhaohe is very stubborn; she has been in love with the Fifth Prince since she was young, so…” Prince Jing didn’t finish his sentence, but it was clear he disagreed with the marriage.

“This is a decree from the Empress Dowager, instructing me to propose to the Commandery Princess…oh, my mistake, to the Xia family’s legitimate daughter Xia Zhaohe as a consort,” Pei Jingyi said with a thin smile at the corner of his mouth.

“What!”

Prince Jing trembled with rage, never having expected the Empress Dowager to grant Xia Zhaohe in marriage to Pei Jingyi.

Just as he was about to erupt in anger, he caught a glimpse of the person before him and swallowed his fury.

“The Imperial Grandmother is extremely pleased with this marriage and wants to attend the wedding banquet before returning to the temple to pray,” he continued.

“Has the Emperor also agreed to this marriage?” Prince Jing asked, suppressing his anger, his voice low.

“The Emperor has always respected the Imperial Grandmother; how could he disagree with this marriage?”

Thinking about the recent suitors, who were all somewhat unsuitable, at least Pei Jingyi, being a prince, was a considerably better option compared to the others.

Pondering this, he softened his tone and immediately had tea and pastries brought over.

“Since the Empress Dowager and the Emperor have arranged the marriage, of course, I am willing, but I wonder when you plan to marry her. We must still go through various formal procedures.”

“The Imperial Grandmother mentioned that only after the Principal Wife has entered the house can Zhaohe be wed,” Pei Jingyi said, intentionally reminding Prince Jing not to think about the position of Principal Wife.

Upon hearing this, Prince Jing instantly understood. Since there was already a Principal Wife, his daughter would only be a Concubine upon entering the household, which was somewhat embarrassing for him, causing his hand resting on the chair to tighten involuntarily.