Chapter 93: The Lucky Princess

She had already looked into it. Among the noble girls participating this year, there were only a few, and aside from Lan Yixuan, she wasn’t worried at all.

Her luck was unmatched. Just that alone set her apart.

“Or was your talk of being my best friends just a lie? Your fathers are only fourth-rank officials, while mine is a second-rank official. Were you just trying to get close to me to climb the social ladder?

Honestly, I don’t lack friends. If I lose two, it won’t make a difference, but if you overstep, there’s no need for us to stay in touch.”

Fang Silian and Chu Lan’er were stunned.

The choice between staying close to the Prime Minister’s daughter or risking their future on becoming a princess Concubine was suddenly crystal clear.

They both knew the answer.

They wanted to become a princess Concubine!

But they were afraid they might not be chosen. To be honest, among the girls this year, Lan Jinjing had the best chance. Her reputation was great, her status was high, and although she was not the real daughter, the Prime Minister treated her as one.

Nurturing love is stronger than blood.

After raising a child for so long, there’s bound to be a strong bond.

The two left the Prime Minister’s residence with their heads down, feeling defeated.

On the way home, Fang Silian muttered, “What do we do now? Should we still participate in the Concubine selection?”

Chu Lan’er hesitated, “I want to see the Seventh Prince. What if, just what if I get chosen?”

Participating meant being seen, and being seen meant having a chance. Not participating meant no chance at all.

Fang Silian fumed, “It’s all Lan Yixuan’s fault, giving us such terrible advice! She’s bad luck! I shouldn’t have bothered her today.”

Ahhhhh!

She was furious!

It was like shooting herself in the foot.

Why did she have to go and talk to that jinx, Lan Yixuan?

Now she had put herself in a tough spot.

…

“Big Brother.” On her way back to her room, Lan Yixuan ran into Lan Moxiu.

He had witnessed everything that had happened earlier. His usually indifferent face showed a slight frown, “Father still won’t let you leave the residence?”

Lan Yixuan lowered her head and obediently replied, “No, but I’m used to it by now.”

“Got used to being locked up.

Since the day she returned to the Prime Minister’s residence, she hadn’t been able to walk out openly. Every time she went out, it was during the dead of night, sneaking out quietly.

In this mansion, it seemed that apart from her big brother, no one liked her.

Sigh.

She truly shouldn’t have returned in the first place. Although life in the countryside was without family, at least it was free.

But, because of grandmother’s last wish… she had no choice but to comply.

Grandmother said that only by returning to the Prime Minister’s residence could she survive.

But why, grandmother?

Mother doesn’t like me at all.

‘Regretting coming back home?’ It was as if Lan Moxiu could see right through her thoughts.

Lan Yixuan kept her head down, eyes on the ground, avoiding his gaze. ‘No.’

‘In time, mother will accept you. Don’t worry,’ Lan Moxiu reassured her.

‘Okay.’

After all, since she wasn’t raised with them from a young age, there was no emotional bond between her and her mother, and she felt the same way. What she couldn’t understand was that even if there was no bond from raising her, she was still her biological daughter. Why did her mother treat her like a discarded piece of cloth?

‘You have to attend the bride selection this time. I’ve already had someone prepare proper clothing for you. On that day, I’ll escort you there.’

‘Thank you, big brother.’ Lan Yixuan pouted. She didn’t want to participate in the bride selection, nor did she want to become a prince’s Concubine. She only wished to live freely and do what she enjoyed.

As she turned to leave, Lan Moxiu reminded her, ‘On that day, don’t be mischievous. Hold back your temper, and just consider it going through the motions for the sake of the family.’

He understood his sister’s nature—she disliked being constrained.

Lan Yixuan gave a quick ‘Hmm’ and ran off.

Lan Moxiu watched the young girl’s departing figure and sighed, ‘Xuan’er, thank you.’

Thank you for the buns you brought me that day.

Not far away, Lan Jinjing witnessed the entire scene.

Her fingers, hanging at her side, gradually clenched into fists.

Even though she had painstakingly ‘designed’ a refined wheelchair, her brother still preferred Lan Yixuan?

Blood siblings, huh?

Then what does that make me?!

…

…

Soon, the time came for the Seventh Prince’s bride selection.

Several Concubines gathered at Yihe Palace, visiting Concubine De, all eager to witness the event.

Among the princes, Di Zian was the first to select a bride.

Of course, if a suitable match was found, the engagement would be made, and then, after the coming-of-age ceremony (at 20 years old), they would marry.

Concubine Rou, Concubine Hui, and Concubine Chun had all arrived.

Concubine De wasn’t pleased, but she was too polite to chase them away.

When Di Zian entered the room and saw the crowd, he immediately felt overwhelmed.

Good heavens!

Why was this being made into such a big deal?

It felt like the real thing.

‘They say that people glow with happiness during joyful events, but why does the Seventh Prince seem a bit down?’ Concubine Rou sized him up.

Just then, Concubine De emerged from the inner chambers, carrying Ah Bao. Today, Ah Bao was dressed like a little bear.

She wore a brown jacket and a matching brown bear hat, complete with two ears that wobbled as she walked. She looked even cuter than a real bear.

Concubine Rou couldn’t resist and reached out to hold Ah Bao.

But Di Zian was quicker, scooping up Ah Bao into his arms first.

Concubine Rou was left empty-handed and felt a twinge of disappointment.

Di Zian grinned sheepishly, ‘Concubine Rou, Mother, the bride selection is about to begin. I’ll take Ah Bao over there first.’

The selection was being held at Yun Palace.

The weather was nice today, but Di Zian was particularly eager for it to be over.

He vowed that after this selection, he wouldn’t do it again.

‘This child,’ Concubine De sighed helplessly.

A group of Concubines followed them.

Di Zian stood in the corridor, below which five rows of young ladies had already been arranged.

Three in each row.

Fifteen in total.

Nearly half of the eligible noblewomen from the capital had come.

The rest were either too young or couldn’t establish ties with the royal family.

Fang Silian and Chu Lan’er were among them.

By sheer coincidence, they stood in the same row as Lan Jinjing.

The three of them didn’t speak to one another.

On the way here, Fang Silian and Chu Lan’er had already tearfully explained to Lan Jinjing, putting the blame on their families. They claimed that if they refused to come, their fathers would have broken their legs.

Of course, Lan Jinjing didn’t believe them.

But regardless of whether she believed them, Fang Silian and Chu Lan’er still had to say something diplomatic.

After all, if Lan Jinjing was chosen, they needed to have a fallback plan.

Everyone kept their heads down.

Only Lan Jinjing held hers high.

She was brimming with confidence!

Who was she?

The little koi fish of the capital, destined to have all the good fortune fall upon her. All good things would come to her automatically.

These people were merely background noise!

‘An’er, take a good look. If you like someone, just remember her name,’ Concubine De gently reminded him.

Ah Bao sat on the white jade steps, playing with a beanbag.

Di Zian stood beside her.

He looked at Ah Bao, then at the rows of noblewomen in front of him.

He sighed inwardly and steeled himself to make a round.

Once he was done, he could come back and be done with it. Haha.

‘The Seventh Prince’s Red Luan star is rising, huh?’

‘Though it may be a bit rough, it’s a good thing.’

Di Zian’s mouth twitched.

Whoever heard of picking a wife being a rough experience?

The thought gave him the creeps.

…