Chapter 81: Agreement - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter

 Chapter 81: Agreement

"During the Lantern Festival, emissaries from various countries will come to offer their congratulations. If anyone brings up the matter of a political marriage, it will be troublesome. The emperor's daughters are not of marriageable age, so they will have to select someone suitable from the families of the princes. Although Siruo is only a county princess, considering her age and background, there is a high possibility she might be chosen. If we don't settle her marriage soon, I'm afraid..."

So that's the reason. No wonder Princess Wen Yi had been so eager to settle this matter lately.

Bai Lin, understanding her sister-in-law's concern, looked at her resolutely, "Your worries are not unfounded. If Siruo is betrothed to the Kang Wangfu, and Mu Qian works in the capital, at least they will remain in Dongdu. We can see each other often. But if she marries abroad, it will be thousands of miles away. That's unacceptable!"

Princess Wen Yi nodded, confirming her considerations.

"Wash your face and rest for a while. I'll talk to Siruo. Though she's headstrong, she'll understand if we explain the reasons clearly."

"Thank you, sister-in-law. Everything is set with the in-laws. As long as Siruo agrees, the marriage can be arranged within a few days!"

"Good!"

With that, Bai Lin headed to Shoukang Courtyard.

When Bai Lin entered, Bai Siruo had just stopped crying. Seeing her enter, she stood up to greet her, "Good day, Aunt."

"Sit down. I've just spoken with your mother. She didn't mean to hurt you. There are no lasting grudges between mother and daughter. It's over now, isn't it?"

Bai Siruo nodded. She wasn't truly angry with her mother, she had just been speaking out of anger.

Bai Lin explained the issue of political marriage to Madam Bai, and Bai Siruo, listening nearby, felt her heart beat faster. Compared to a political marriage, marrying her unknown cousin seemed slightly better.

But agreeing to it immediately was still hard for her.

"Please forgive me, Grandmother, Aunt. My head hurts, so I'll rest first."

With tear stains still on her face and a lack of usual cheerfulness, she spoke weakly.

"Go ahead. Haitang, get a warm towel for your Miss to soothe her eyes." Bai Lin instructed.

After she left, Bai Lin reassured Madam Bai, "Siruo will come around. Don't worry, Mother."

Madam Bai sighed deeply, feeling the weight of her years. What should have been a joyous occasion for her beloved granddaughter's marriage had become complicated, turning a happy event into something bittersweet.

In contrast to the somber mood at the Bai residence, the atmosphere at the Kang Wangfu was joyous.

In Lingfeng Courtyard, Xiao Mu Qian was practicing with a silver spear, displaying impressive skill. His muscular arms were tense and his veins bulged as the spear whistled through the air.

Liu Mama, the lady-in-waiting to the Crown Princess, arrived and saw this scene, smiling in satisfaction.

"Second Young Master, the Crown Princess requests your presence."

Hearing this, Xiao Mu Qian stopped his practice, turning to face her. He stood tall in the courtyard, his chiseled lips tightly closed, with a few beads of sweat on his face, exuding an intimidating aura.

"What urgent matter does Mother wish to discuss?"

"The old servant doesn't know. You'll understand when you meet the Crown Princess."

Frowning, Xiao Mu Qian wiped his face with a towel and followed Liu Mama to his mother's courtyard.

The old Kang Wang was still alive, and his eldest son had only inherited the title of Crown Prince. The old Princess Consort had been a devout Buddhist for years, so the Crown Princess managed the household.

She came from the scholarly Liu family and was known for her gentle nature, but that didn't mean she lacked ambition or skill.

She had two sons. The eldest, Xiao Mu An, was to uphold the family's status, so he married the steadfast and capable daughter of the Luo family. The second son, Xiao Mu Qian, didn't need such a match, and to avoid conflicts between sisters-in-law, the choice fell on Bai Siruo, who wasn't politically ambitious.

The Kang Wangfu cherished their daughters and granddaughters, and the engagement had been planned long ago.

As the Crown Princess explained the engagement, Xiao Mu Qian's frown deepened.

He had no impression of his cousin from the Bai family. They were four or five years apart, and by the time Bai Siruo could remember things, he had already gone to Liangzhou with his second uncle, driven by his childhood dream of a military career.

The eldest son was destined to inherit the title, so Xiao Mu Qian, as the second son, enjoyed more freedom and leniency.

"Mother, I've never met my cousin. Is it appropriate to get engaged so quickly? Does the Bai family agree?"

"Of course, they agree. Your aunt discussed this with us last time. Siruo is a good girl, cheerful and straightforward. She's even fond of riding and archery, just like you."

The Crown Princess praised Bai Sir6o, eager to make the match.

Seeing her son's hesitation, she mentioned the issue of heirs again. Xiao Mu An married early and already had a three-year-old son, while Xiao Mu Qian hadn't even settled on a marriage, despite being over twenty. The family often reminded him of this.

He had no romantic inclinations. After some thought, he nodded in agreement.

The Crown Princess was overjoyed at his consent and immediately instructed the servants to prepare the betrothal gifts.

When the news reached the Bai residence, Princess Wen Yi went to Bai Siruo's courtyard. They talked, cried, and laughed, and when they finished, Haitang, who had been worried and then happy, knew the marriage was settled.

Three days later, the engagement of Xiao Mu Qian, second son of the Kang Wangfu, and Bai Siruo, eldest daughter of the Bai family, spread among the noblewomen of Dongdu.

The old Kang Wang, the old Princess Consort, the Crown Prince, and the Crown Princess, along with Xiao Mu Qian and a host of servants, personally delivered the betrothal gifts, a grand gesture indicating their high regard for Bai Siruo.

Everyone at the Bai residence was pleased and joyful.

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