I was also hiding behind the palace, my eyes wide open.
As a result, my father said with a beaming smile, "I seem to have told you before that I don't want Xihe to marry far away. These past two years can be regarded as a test of your feelings. Since you've managed to hold on, it shows that you've taken this matter seriously. So I don't want to make things difficult for you anymore. However, I still want to find a son - in - law for Xihe. If you're willing, you can also participate."
I was stunned upon hearing this. Father had just said he didn't want to make things difficult for him, but then he said he was going to find a son - in - law and wanted Yu Chi Cheng to be a son - in - law who moves into his wife's family. What was this if not making things difficult for him?
Yu Chi Cheng was also taken aback, but after a moment of thought, he understood.
He pondered for a while and then said, "I need to report this to my father." The reason he said this was probably that he had only told his uncle that he was going to marry a wife when he left home. Who would have thought that things would turn out to be about him becoming a son - in - law here.
At this moment, since my mother was beside me, I could only watch Yu Chi Cheng being in a bind.
My father added, "Naturally, you can. But let me make it clear first. I've already chosen an auspicious day. I'll select a son - in - law for Xihe next month. At that time, I'll announce it to the world. All the eligible young men from noble families in the Great Yong Imperial City can participate. So you have one month to consider."
Upon hearing this, I was quite dissatisfied and wanted to rush out and argue with my father. It was obvious that he was bullying Yu Chi Cheng.
Unfortunately, my mother held me back and gently said, "Xihe, don't be impatient. Let's see how A Cheng will handle this."
Yu Chi Cheng took a deep breath and then said, "Uncle, you really aren't leaving me any way out. The Great Yong has many talented people. You want me to compete fairly with them. It's really..."
My father looked at him meaningfully and said, "What, are you not confident in yourself?"
Yu Chi Cheng calmed his emotions and then said, "Uncle, just watch how I stand out from the crowd. I want you to personally send Xihe to my side."
Hearing this, my mother couldn't help but say, "A Cheng is really something! Your father should be satisfied this time."
I also understood my father and mother's good intentions and couldn't help but sigh.
My father said, "Good, I'll be waiting to see."
After Yu Chi Cheng respectfully stepped back, my father changed his tone and said lazily, "Are you not coming out yet? How long are you going to eavesdrop?"
My mother then led me out. When my father saw me, he frowned and pretended to scold me, "Xihe, you haven't even gotten married yet, and you're already eager to help your future husband's family?"
Seeing this, I quickly shook my head. "How could that be? I'm naturally on the same side as you and mother."
My father said, "If there are no obstacles, things come too easily. People always don't know how to cherish."
My mother seemed to think of something and couldn't help but laugh.
My father looked at my mother and immediately cleared his throat seriously.
My mother stopped smiling and nodded in agreement. "You're right."
My father continued, "It's good for both you and A Cheng to stay in the Great Yong. You've grown up here since childhood and haven't experienced many hardships. If you go to the Northern Cold Region, I really can't rest assured. As for A Cheng, I don't think he'll fight for the throne of the Northern Cold Region. But just because he doesn't fight doesn't mean others won't try to stop him. If something like what happened in the Red Desert happens again, it will be bad for both you and A Cheng. It's better to put an end to those people's thoughts and let A Cheng elope with you. Moreover, if he becomes your son - in - law, he can't have multiple wives and concubines. He'll only focus on you in the future. Isn't that good?"
I always knew that my father was thinking about me, but I didn't expect him to think so carefully. Naturally, I no longer blamed my father for deliberately making things difficult for Yu Chi Cheng. Moreover, if I could be with Yu Chi Cheng and not leave the Great Yong, I would actually be happy.
So I said, "Your daughter thanks you, father."
My father then reached out and stroked my head. "My Xihe has finally grown up. Time really flies. I still remember what you looked like when you were just born. You were so small, just a tiny bit, pink and tender like a dumpling. When the nanny brought you to my side, I was afraid of hurting you. At that time, you just grinned and smiled at me. My heart melted."
It was the first time I heard my father talk about my childhood. I felt warm inside. At this moment, my mother was also looking at me tenderly. My heart softened. I stepped forward and hugged my father and mother. A feeling of growing up and about to leave them welled up in my heart. I couldn't help but softly call them, "Father, mother, your daughter doesn't want to leave you."
My mother said gently, "Silly child, people always have to leave their parents when they grow up. You're already of marriageable age. You're a big girl now."
I rubbed against them and said, "Your daughter just wants to spend more time with you and father."
My father said, "Xihe, don't worry. When you move out of the palace and build your own mansion, I'll surely choose a place close to the palace with good feng shui for you. I'll give you the right to enter and leave the palace at any time. You can come back whenever you want."
I nodded upon hearing this. However, when I moved out of the palace and built my own mansion, my elder brother would surely be envious again. Speaking of which, since Yu Chi Cheng had come with betrothal gifts to propose marriage, the news would surely spread throughout the palace soon. When my elder brother found out, he would surely go to Yu Chi Cheng... Thinking of this, I couldn't stay still. After saying goodbye to my father and mother, I quickly rushed back to the Twin Palace to find my elder brother. But it was still too late. Sure enough, the two of them were fighting again.
The two were fighting outside the Huiyang Palace. It was obvious that Yu Chi Cheng was showing mercy. As soon as I saw this, I quickly said, "Stop fighting, stop fighting." The two stopped upon hearing my voice. My elder brother said, "Yu Chi Cheng, you're so bold. Do you think you can just covet my sister?"
I had already expected this. I ran to my elder brother's side and said, "Brother, let's go back first. It's so embarrassing to fight here!"
Yu Chi Cheng looked at me helplessly and said pitifully, "Xihe, it's really difficult to be with you."
My elder brother shouted again, "How dare you say that!"
I quickly winked at Yu Chi Cheng and then turned around to pull my elder brother. "Let's go, brother. I'll tell you when we get back."
When my elder brother and I got back to the Twin Palace, his face was obviously not looking good. I quickly asked him to sit down and massaged his shoulders and back. "Brother, I know you've always protected me the most since childhood. You're really the best. And your sister also puts you first in her heart."
My elder brother's face obviously improved. I continued, "But now, we've all grown up. Soon your sister will get married and move out of the palace to build her own mansion. So brother, you must trust your sister's taste in choosing a person..."
"Wait!" Before I could finish my sentence, my elder brother interrupted me. He asked curiously, "Get married? When did you say you were going to get married? You've just reached marriageable age, haven't you?"
I said, "Father just told me that he's going to choose a son - in - law for me next month. All the eligible young men from noble families in the Great Yong Imperial City can participate."
My elder brother was shocked. "Why is it so urgent?"