Does Prince Ji want to take me as his concubine?

Recently, there has been a great deal of activity in front of the Liu family’s house. The procession of suitors has been endless, bustling like a marketplace. In fact, ever since the Liu family announced that they had found their missing “sister,” matchmakers have been coming one after another. Liu father, eager to keep his daughter around for a few more years due to their long separation, had politely turned them all down.

After all, Wei Lan was just temporarily staying at the Liu family’s home, and Liu father was not her biological father, so he had no right to make decisions for her. After rejecting them several times, the matchmakers finally got the hint and stopped visiting.

However, that night, when Wei Lan successfully assisted the daughter-in-law of Li Chuniang in delivering a baby safely, the news spread rapidly throughout the neighboring villages, and Wei Lan’s fame soared. Since then, the suitors have come in waves, with one batch leaving and another arriving. Liu father was exhausted by the constant interruptions.

One day, another matchmaker arrived, a plump woman dressed in luxurious attire. She wore a silk brocade long skirt, with gold and silver threads woven into the fabric, exuding an air of grandeur. This was the famous matchmaker, Liu Mama, from Changsha City. Just from her outfit, one could tell she was someone extraordinary.

Liu Mama had arrived in a carriage, followed by a maid carrying a gift box tied with a delicate ribbon. It was clear the gift was of considerable value.

As soon as Liu Mama got out of the carriage, she walked straight to Wei Lan, warmly taking her hand and inspecting her up and down with admiration, saying, “No wonder, no wonder, you are indeed a beautiful woman. With a little makeup and fairer skin, you will definitely be a world-class beauty!”

Wei Lan was bewildered by the sudden enthusiasm and asked with confusion, “Who are you?”

Liu Mama covered her mouth with a light laugh and gently replied, “Everyone calls me Liu Mama. I’m here to discuss something important with your father and brother today.” After saying this, she invited Liu father and Liu Mingyi into the study.

Wei Lan thought this had nothing to do with her, so she didn’t pay attention and continued with her work, completely unaware of Liu Mama’s true intentions.

In the study, the three of them sat together. Liu Mama explained the conditions for the marriage proposal in detail, each one like a heavy stone thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

Liu father and Liu Mingyi furrowed their brows, deep in thought. This proposal was not something that could be easily agreed to or rejected.

Seeing their hesitation, Liu Mama nodded slightly and then stood up to take her leave. As she stepped out of the Liu family’s front gate and onto the carriage’s platform, she gave Wei Lan a meaningful glance before slowly stepping into the carriage.

Liu father and Liu Mingyi exchanged glances, feeling it would be abrupt to directly bring this up with Wei Lan. So, Liu Mingyi called Liu Yao to discuss it.

When Liu Yao stepped over the threshold of the Liu family, she made her way directly to the study. She sat down with Liu father and Liu Mingyi, and they whispered and discussed for quite some time. When she came out, her cheeks were flushed, and there was a mischievous glint in her eyes. Her gaze landed on Wei Lan, who was busy with something, and the smile on her lips deepened.

Wei Lan, puzzled by Liu Yao’s strange expression, stopped what she was doing and asked curiously, “Sister Yao, what’s going on in the study? What happened?”

Liu Yao couldn’t hold back her laughter, walking up to Wei Lan and lightly patting her shoulder. She said mysteriously, “Sister, you’ve been here for a while now, yet there’s been no word from the family. Now, there’s a family with very good conditions who wants to marry you. What do you think, are you willing?”

Wei Lan’s eyes widened in shock, her mouth slightly open, and after a while, she managed to stammer, “Ah?”

In that era, marriages were decided by the parents and matchmakers, and although many suitors had come before, Liu father had turned them all away. This was the first time Wei Lan had heard of someone seeking to marry her.

Seeing Wei Lan’s dazed expression, Liu Yao burst into laughter, still teasing her, “Guess who it is? You’ll never guess!”

Wei Lan rested her chin on her hand, furrowing her brow as she tried to think. But in the end, she helplessly shook her head and admitted, “I really can’t guess.”

She was someone loved by all, a beauty in the eyes of many, and although people in the Ming Dynasty were not as open-minded as modern people, there were certainly plenty of people who secretly admired her. How could she possibly guess who it was?

Liu Yao couldn’t help it anymore, laughing so hard she nearly fell over. She quickly revealed the answer, “It’s Prince Ji! This marriage proposal is so perfect, sister, you’re about to soar like a phoenix! The children you have will all carry the Zhu surname.”

“I heard that Prince Ji is a kind and gentle person. Marrying him and having a son or daughter, what more could you want? Everything would be taken care of, except for not being able to leave Changsha. But otherwise, it’s all good things!”

Wei Lan’s eyes immediately widened in shock, and she asked in confusion, “Who is Prince Ji?”

Liu Yao was stunned, her jaw nearly dropping. She poked Wei Lan’s forehead and teased, “Wei sister, I thought you were so smart, and you don’t even know who Prince Ji is? He’s a hereditary prince, with the surname Zhu, and he’s the ruler of this land. You didn’t know that?”

Wei Lan thought for a moment and realized that if she were to marry and have children in the Ming Dynasty, Prince Ji would indeed be a worthy consideration. He was certainly one of the most powerful and influential men in Changsha. She pursed her lips and smiled, saying, “Well, I suppose it’s something to think about.”

Liu Yao continued, “According to Liu Mama, Prince Ji’s wife is dignified and gracious, managing the royal household with great care. The concubines live harmoniously together, and there’s no infighting or petty drama. Life there is peaceful and enjoyable.”

“Though you would be a concubine, it’s much better than being the wife of some country bumpkin!”

Just as Wei Lan was getting caught up in the conversation, she suddenly realized and instinctively rubbed her ears. She looked shocked and asked, “You said a concubine?”

Liu Yao, looking confused, nodded, “Yes, why?”

Upon hearing this, Wei Lan slammed the table and stood up in anger, shouting, “What a dream!” After venting her anger, she remembered that this was an ancient feudal society, where polygamy was common. Liu Yao probably thought being a concubine to Prince Ji would be a better life than what she had now, and she was genuinely thinking of her well-being.

Realizing this, Wei Lan’s anger gradually subsided. She sat down slowly, taking a deep breath.

Suppressing her displeasure, she asked in a calmer tone, “Sister Yao, did you come here today just to tell me this? Did Mingyi ask you to come?”

Liu Yao wasn’t sure what Wei Lan was thinking, so she nodded gently.

Wei Lan was still furious inside. “What’s Liu Yan’s game? He wants me to be a concubine to Prince Ji? Just because I call him ‘brother,’ he thinks I’m family and starts meddling in my marriage!”

The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became. She couldn’t help but shout, “Liu Yan, come out here!”

She was so angry. Usually, she would call Liu Mingyi “Brother Mingyi” affectionately, never using his full name. Wei Lan knew it was impolite to call someone by their full name, but at this moment, she did it intentionally to let him know just how mad she was! She searched the house inside and out but couldn’t find Liu Mingyi.

Liu Yao, stunned by Wei Lan’s sudden outburst, was used to seeing her as a sweet and obedient girl. She stammered, “Maybe… maybe he went out for something.”

Wei Lan looked up at the sky, snorted, and said, “It’s almost dark. Who would go out at this time? He must be feeling guilty and ran off.”

Liu Yao, seeing this, quickly tried to soothe her, “Sister, don’t be angry.” She hesitated and asked, “Are you worried that after you marry, you won’t be able to return to the Liu family? Don’t worry, no matter where you go, I’ll always be your sister.”

Wei Lan didn’t argue with Liu Yao. She knew Liu Yao’s thoughts were deeply influenced by the feudal mindset, so it wasn’t surprising. She gently declined, “I’m still young and haven’t even thought about marriage.”

Liu Yao, aware that Wei Lan had reached the right age for marriage, asked with a puzzled expression, “Aren’t you already… starting your monthly cycle?”

Wei Lan quickly made up an excuse, but it was exposed, so she added, “Then why hasn’t Liu Yan gotten married yet? He’s already twenty, but he still hasn’t married. Why is he pressuring me?”

Mentioning Liu Yan complicated matters. Liu Yao didn’t want to explain further, saying, “His fate just hasn’t aligned yet. In the end, this marriage is up to you, and no one can decide for you. Think it over carefully and let us know your answer, okay?”

Wei Lan absentmindedly nodded, forced a smile, and sent Liu Yao off.

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After discussing with Liu Yao, Liu Mingyi grabbed a bamboo basket and hurried out the door. The main path into Wuchuan Mountain passed through Dan’s wooden house, and with his keen nose, Ji Baobao could easily sniff him out from afar.

For some reason, he didn’t want anyone to see him. So he took a less-traveled path, wandering aimlessly, planning to perhaps gather some herbs along the way. But when he reached for the empty bamboo basket, he realized he had forgotten his herb-gathering tools in his rush.

He found a hill and casually sat down. The position gave him a perfect view of the Liu family’s home, but his mind was blank, and his heart was in turmoil. He couldn’t understand why, when he heard the news that Prince Ji wanted to take Wei Lan as his concubine, he didn’t feel happy at all.

Perhaps it was because he couldn’t bear the thought of it. After all, they had spent so many days together, and if she really married into the Ji family, she would become someone completely out of their reach, maybe forgetting about them soon.

The sun slowly sank below the horizon. He saw Liu Yao leave the Liu family and Wei Lan stand in the courtyard for a while before heading inside. He watched the sunset until it disappeared, and then saw Wei Lan’s room lights go out. He assumed she must have gone to sleep.

Finally, Liu Mingyi slowly stood up, realizing he had been sitting cross-legged for a long time and his legs were numb. It took a while to regain his strength. He rubbed his tingling legs and felt a mix of emotions.