Bai Yinan and Mrs. Lin were both shocked. "Really?!"
"All the highnesses present can testify," Princess Pingyang nodded and said.
Feng Jingye and Feng Jingxuan looked complex. They were deeply immersed in thinking about how to change the situation, so neither of them refuted.
Bai Yinan was obviously skeptical about this so - called theory that their horoscopes were compatible and she was a lucky star in his life. But the superstitious Mrs. Lin beamed with joy. Putting aside the fact that he was predicted to have a short life, Feng Linyuan was indeed an excellent son - in - law candidate.
Most importantly, he clearly had genuine feelings for her daughter. Just this point alone far outshone other young masters.
Marquis Gaochang carefully glanced at Feng Jingye and Feng Jingxuan. Since Feng Linche arranged for him to find a suitable husband for Bai Zheng, he had been caught in the cross - fire between these two princes. In the end, no matter which faction's person Bai Zheng married, he would get into a lot of trouble.
In this regard, having this suddenly - emerged Feng Linyuan marry Bai Zheng seemed to be the best outcome for him.
He covered the sneer on his lips and chimed in, "Marquis Dingyuan won the first place in all the competitions today. I think everyone should have no objections to the result of the competition, right?"
The people below looked at each other but couldn't say no.
Not to mention anything else, just the fact that none of them noticed the three bright pearls Bai Zheng was wearing clearly meant they had already lost.
Only Mrs. Lin nodded repeatedly. A mother - in - law liked her prospective son - in - law more the more she looked at him.
"What's the use of the competition result anyway?" In the silence, Feng Jingye, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke up. "Father also said that in the end, Miss Bai's approval is required. What if Miss Bai fancies another young master? We should still ask for Miss Bai's opinion, shouldn't we?"
He didn't believe that Feng Linyuan and Bai Zheng had any deep connection. At most, Feng Linyuan had casually helped Bai Zheng when she sprained her ankle today. In terms of acquaintance, how could it compare with his fifth younger brother?
He heard that Bai Zheng had even accepted a large box of gold from Feng Jingyi.
If she had accepted the gold, he didn't believe that Feng Jingyi's position in Bai Zheng's heart was lower than Feng Linyuan's!
At this time, Feng Linyuan had already sat back on his chair. Hearing this, his expression was calm. It was not clear whether he didn't care at all or was confident about the result.
Everyone looked at Bai Zheng eagerly, expecting her next answer. Some young masters even tidied up their appearances and tried to exude charm towards Bai Zheng.
Everyone knew that Bai Zheng's next answer would determine the outcome of today's marriage - selection banquet.
Which man would this woman choose?
Bai Zheng slowly scanned the crowd. Her thin lips parted slightly. "All the young masters who came today have worked hard. Bai Zheng would like to express her gratitude first. All of you are well - versed in both literature and martial arts, each with your own strengths. You are handsome and elegant, making it really hard for me to decide. But I'm just an ordinary girl in the boudoir. My wishes are very simple. I wonder if all the young masters can meet them."
"Miss Bai, just speak your mind," Feng Jingye said with a smile.
Bai Zheng smiled faintly. "I'd like to ask all the young masters if there are any concubines or maids - in - waiting as concubines - in - waiting in your mansions?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone below was stunned. In this era, although generally, noble families with self - respect wouldn't take concubines before getting married, most young masters in their teens had a few maids - in - waiting as concubines - in - waiting in their rooms. Some of them might be promoted to concubines after the main wife entered the mansion.
This was an unspoken rule among all the men of the Great Zhou Dynasty, but it was the first time it was brought up on the surface.
Song Yiqing looked at everyone's expressions and smiled. "Miss Bai asked the wrong question. You should ask which young master here doesn't have any maids - in - waiting as concubines - in - waiting in his mansion."
Bai Zheng nodded and looked around at everyone. She got the answer from their embarrassed expressions.
Song Yiqing glanced at Feng Linyuan and said with a smile, "As far as I know, there are no such messy women in Marquis Dingyuan's mansion."
By this time, Song Yiqing had already seen that his good brother was very interested in Bai Zheng. However, those two had once joined hands to swindle three thousand taels of silver from him. Just thinking about it made his heart ache. If he didn't take this opportunity to trip him up a bit, wouldn't he be sorry for that white silver?
Thinking of this, Song Yiqing interjected again. "However, for someone like me, although I have such maids, I haven't touched them. Would Miss Bai give me a chance?"
Feng Linyuan didn't say a word but just gave him a glare. Song Yiqing immediately laughed even more happily.
Bai Zheng smiled faintly. "Of course. But Young Master Song, I still want to ask. If you marry me in the future, how many concubines do you plan to take?"
"Three is not too few, and five is not too many. Who can say for sure about the future?" Song Yiqing thought for a moment and replied.
Bai Zheng nodded and then looked at Feng Jingyi on the main seat. "What about Your Highness the Fifth Prince?"
Feng Jingyi blushed and lowered his head.
"As a member of the royal family, the fifth younger brother is responsible for spreading the royal lineage. Naturally, the more side concubines, the better," Feng Jingxuan basically understood what Bai Zheng meant and said coldly.
Feng Jingye glared at Feng Jingxuan fiercely but was unable to refute his words.
Bai Zheng nodded in agreement. "Spreading the lineage is also a major matter. What about Marquis Dingyuan?"
Feng Linyuan put down the teacup in his hand. His gaze circled around Bai Zheng's face. Suddenly, he smiled. His tone was gentle but firm. "There has never been a rule of taking concubines in the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion."
The Dingyuan Marquis Mansion had stood since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Its glorious deeds were countless. Moreover, one of the reasons why many women vied to marry into it was that there was only one marquis's wife in the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion and no other concubines.
This was also the reason why the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion almost had no descendants by the time it came to Feng Linyuan.
A look of surprise flashed across Bai Zheng's eyes. Immediately afterwards, it was as if rippling water had been poured into her cold and clear eyes like a well. She suddenly smiled and nodded. "Then in the future, I'll have to ask the marquis for more guidance."
The meaning of these words...
Did Bai Zheng agree to marry Feng Linyuan?
Bai Yinan looked complex, while Mrs. Lin looked gratified. Everyone below was silent for a while. Then they heard Marquis Gaochang say first, "Congratulations to Miss Bai and Marquis Dingyuan. You are a perfect match."
Song Yiqing also curled his lips and mumbled, "You are really a perfect couple."
Feng Jingyi stood up and bowed to Feng Linyuan. "Congratulations, Marquis Dingyuan!"
Hearing this, everyone congratulated one after another. For a moment, the whole yard was very lively.
Feng Jingye's face was cold. He had made so many preparations and used all his connections, but in the end, he still couldn't win over such a talented person as Bai Zheng?
This wouldn't do!
He suddenly stood up and said loudly. His voice was particularly prominent among the blessing voices, making everyone stop talking.
"Miss Bai should think it over carefully before making a decision. Everyone can see Marquis Dingyuan's situation. He is seriously ill and won't live past twenty - five. This was the exact diagnosis of the divine doctor Lian Feimo back then. The so - called compatibility of horoscopes is just the marquis's one - sided statement. If it's not true, wouldn't it ruin Miss Bai's lifelong happiness?"