As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell into instant silence.
Lady He's face instantly turned extremely ugly.
Caught between his own mother and daughter, Bai Yinan felt so embarrassed that he didn't know whether to sit or stand.
Only Feng Linyuan seemed completely oblivious and continued on his own, "A girl like Zheng'er, with such pure and kind character, virtuous and graceful demeanor, and outstanding talent and beauty, not a single word of 'ordinary in appearance and shallow in talent' suits her... Oh, I understand!"
Saying this, Feng Linyuan slapped his head as if suddenly enlightened.
"It's not that the old madam is old. Come to think of it, it's no wonder the old madam. Zheng'er wasn't raised under the old madam's knee since childhood. After the family split, they rarely saw each other throughout the year. It's only natural that the old madam doesn't know Zheng'er's character and appearance..."
These words made Lady He's face almost crack with anger.
Among the Bai family's granddaughters, there were three girls in total. Bai Sheng and Bai Di were both raised by Lady He, but only Bai Zheng wasn't.
Wasn't this clearly saying that Lady He had neglected Bai Zheng, looked down on her second son and this granddaughter of his, and favored the eldest son?
Everyone looked at each other in surprise and couldn't say a word.
Bai Zheng held back her laughter and cleared her throat before speaking in time, "Your Highness has misunderstood Grandmother. Although I wasn't raised under Grandmother's knee, Grandmother's love for me has never been less than that for my two cousins."
These words were so proper and graceful that they instantly saved Lady He's face.
Princess Wen and Lady Zhou nodded approvingly in secret.
Feng Linyuan looked at Bai Zheng with a smile, and Bai Zheng looked back at him, raising her head.
When their eyes met, a glint flashed in Bai Zheng's eyes.
The smile on Feng Linyuan's face deepened. He bowed deeply to Lady He and said, "Zheng'er is right. It was this junior who was impolite. Zheng'er is just as much the old madam's direct granddaughter as the two young ladies of the General's Mansion. The palm and the back of the hand are both flesh. I'm sure the old madam loves them equally."
After these words were spoken, Lady He's face finally softened, but she was still a bit indignant. So she said coldly, "This old woman knows that Your Highness lost his mother early. It's inevitable that he lacks etiquette in his words and deeds. This old woman naturally won't argue with Your Highness too much."
Hearing this, Prince Wen frowned slightly and was about to speak when he heard Feng Linyuan reply without the slightest sign of annoyance, with a respectful and grateful look on his face.
"The old madam is right. This junior's mother passed away early, and his father is always forthright. He never bothered with such subtleties. As a result, this junior didn't understand the old madam's good intentions. It's really this junior's fault.
In the end, the old madam just wanted to use these words to add to Zheng'er's dowry so that Zheng'er would be worthy of these betrothal gifts. But this junior had the heart of a petty man to measure the mind of a noble one. This junior is really ashamed."
Lady He was about to nod habitually when her head stopped halfway. Only then did she understand the meaning of the words. She instantly widened her eyes and pointed at Feng Linyuan in surprise and anger. She stammered "You, you" for a long time but couldn't say anything.
Feng Linyuan's words first belittled and then praised, directly putting Lady He on the pedestal of giving Bai Zheng a dowry. But Lady He herself had just agreed to the words "love all the granddaughters equally". Now, even if she wanted to deny it, she was in a dilemma.
Bai Zheng curved her lips and shyly lowered her head. Leaning against Lady He, she coquettishly said, "Grandmother, it turns out that Grandmother loves Zheng'er so much..."
Princess Wen looked at Feng Linyuan and then at Lady He. She understood what was going on in her heart. Pointing at Bai Zheng, she said with a feigned scolding smile, "Silly girl, which grandmother doesn't love her granddaughter? Your grandmother loves you from the bottom of her heart."
Lady Zhou also smiled and echoed, "Yes, I don't have a granddaughter. If I did, I'd be willing to empty all my hidden savings for her."
Hearing these words, Lady He had to force a smile on her stiff face and nodded repeatedly.
But no one knew that at this moment, the palm of her hand hidden in her sleeve had been pinched until it bled.
What could she say now?
If she had known that her words would not only make her pay out of her own pocket to add to Bai Zheng's dowry but also make it match the long list of betrothal gifts from the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion,
she would rather have shut her mouth and never spoken again!
"A Yuan, look at the Bai family. The whole family treasures the third young lady like the apple of their eye. In the future, you must never bully her. Otherwise, be careful that the old lady Bai's walking stick will come for you first!" Prince Wen said with a smile.
Feng Linyuan quickly bowed and replied, "This junior will surely protect Zheng'er well."
"I can see that A Yuan truly loves the third young lady. The young couple's life will surely be harmonious in the future. You don't need to worry blindly, old man." Princess Wen said with a smile.
The atmosphere in the hall returned to its lively state. Everyone surrounded Feng Linyuan and Bai Zheng and praised them again.
Lady He basically kept her mouth shut. Occasionally, she forced a smile and nodded in agreement but didn't say much more.
Without Lady He causing trouble, the atmosphere in the hall became even more lively. Even Lady Lin regained her smile and talked loudly with several ladies who had come to offer their congratulations.
In the midst of this peaceful scene, Bai Fu suddenly walked in in a flustered manner, "Sir, the Crown Prince of the Xuanning King of Xiliang is asking to see you outside."
The Xuanning King of Xiliang?
Zhuo Yi!
Hearing this name, Bai Zheng suddenly raised her head.
Wasn't he the Xiliang general who had fought against the old marquis in Yan City seven years ago and caused the old marquis's death?
Bai Zheng quickly glanced at Feng Linyuan.
But Feng Linyuan was very calm. Sensing Bai Zheng's gaze, he returned a gentle smile to her.
Seeing this, Bai Zheng knew that Feng Linyuan probably already knew the news that Zhuo Yi's son had come to Yongding. Only then did she feel a little more at ease.
Bai Yinan suddenly stood up, "The Crown Prince of the Xuanning King of Xiliang? What is he doing here!"
The hall immediately fell silent. They heard Bai Fu report, "He said that he heard that the Marquis of Dingyuan is proposing marriage to the third young lady of the Bai family today and has come specially to present a gift to express his congratulations."
Bai Yinan frowned and said, "Our Bai family has no friendship with the Xuanning King of Xiliang. Why would he come to give a gift for no reason?"
Bai Fu replied, "The Crown Prince said that this gift is from Xiliang for the future Marquis's wife of Dingyuan. That's why he came to the Bai family specially."
Hearing this, Bai Yinan looked at Feng Linyuan with a pleading look on his face.
Feng Linyuan's face was calm. He nodded slightly.
Only then did Bai Yinan calm down. He said to Lady Lin, "You take Mother and the ladies to the backyard to rest. Make sure to entertain them well and don't lose any etiquette."
Lady Lin nodded repeatedly. She helped Lady He up and led Princess Wen, Lady Zhou, and the other ladies to the backyard.
Bai Zheng watched them leave. Then she turned around and stood behind Bai Yinan.
Feng Linyuan walked past her and gave her a reassuring look. Bai Zheng nodded.
Seeing this, Prince Wen, who was sitting on one side, suddenly said with a smile, "Don't worry. The Crown Prince of the Xuanning King of Xiliang will definitely not make things difficult for a little girl."
"Even if he wants to make things difficult, his father wouldn't be able to bear the shame!" Duke Zhou laughed and stroked his beard. "Girl, don't be afraid. We're all here with you."