When Cheng Simian was around, she was as inconspicuous as a transparent person.
Now that Cheng Simian had left, Liang Yuchuan finally cast his eyes on her. But he frowned in disgust.
Both were dressed in red. Cheng Simian was charming yet not coquettish, while Cheng Siyi exuded an air of frivolity from head to toe. When she smiled, she looked like a girl from the Red Su Tower soliciting customers. In contrast, Cheng Simian's smile was dignified and proper, fully displaying the grace of a young lady from a noble family.
Cheng Siyi swayed her slender waist and walked up to Liang Yuchuan. "Your Highness, my elder sister is the eldest legitimate daughter. She has always been proud and has no tolerance. It was really improper of her to make a scene in front of you today. I would like to apologize to you on her behalf."
Her voice was as melodious as a warbler's, sickeningly sweet, making one's bones go weak after just a few words.
Liang Yuchuan found her words rather pleasing to the ear.
Just a moment ago, Cheng Simian was all lovey - dovey with him, insisting that she would marry no one but him. But the next moment, she turned around and left, making him lose all his face.
Cheng Siyi's soft - spoken consolation made him regain the glory of a future heir.
Cheng Yong looked at Cheng Siyi with a pleased look in his eyes, even with a glint of tears.
Sure enough, his younger daughter was more sensible. All these years of favoring her were not in vain!
Although Yu Qiao'er came from a brothel, she was reasonable and had taught her daughter to be so considerate.
Cheng Yong credited Yu Qiao'er and planned to lift her house arrest right away. He even thought about promoting Yu Qiao'er to a noble concubine.
Cheng Siyi poured a glass of wine for Liang Yuchuan, held it with both hands, and brought it to his lips with a charming smile.
"Your Highness, don't take my elder sister's words to heart. Which man doesn't have a few concubines? My elder sister doesn't even have such a bit of tolerance. I'm afraid that if she becomes your main wife, she will be domineering and make you suffer."
She continued to flatter Liang Yuchuan, not mentioning at all that Liang Yuchuan had repeatedly promised not to take concubines or have maids - in - waiting as concubines.
It was as if as long as her words were smooth and flattering, Liang Yuchuan's self - contradicting actions didn't exist.
"Yu Huiyan has always had a bad reputation. She is a chronic liar and has been exposed in public many times. The things she said must be slander. Your Highness is such a noble and upright person. How could you have an improper relationship with her on your own initiative? It must be that she used some underhanded means and then bit you back after getting what she wanted."
The topic had been diverted by Cheng Siyi. Cheng Yong looked at his younger daughter excitedly, his eyes shining with hope.
"Elder Master Liang, of course we all believe in you!"
As soon as Cheng Yong spoke, the people sitting below echoed, "That's right, that's right. Yu Huiyan's reputation has long been ruined. She has always regarded herself as the second wife of the Duke's Mansion, but in fact, Liang Yuzhou never even had a wedding ceremony with her. She is just a cousin staying in the Duke's Mansion. If the elder master had an intimate relationship with her, it's only because she is promiscuous. It has nothing to do with incest."
After several rounds of flattery, a smile returned to Liang Yuchuan's face.
He had regained his face, but Cheng Simian was so unyielding and couldn't tolerate any flaws. It seemed that the marriage with her was out of the question.
He had come today for the engagement. If there was no result, he would still be gossiped about and laughed at.
Cheng Siyi had learned a lot from Yu Qiao'er and was good at figuring out men's minds.
She looked at Cheng Yong eagerly, her eyes full of expectation.
Cheng Yong's heart skipped a beat. After thinking for a moment, he put on a smiling face for Liang Yuchuan again.
"Elder Master, my eldest daughter is really not fit to be the heir's wife. What do you think of my younger daughter? She is registered under my main wife's name and is also a legitimate daughter in name. She is gentler, more sensible, and more suitable to be the mistress of the Duke's Mansion."
Liang Yuchuan was extremely disgusted in his heart.
In terms of appearance and temperament, Cheng Siyi was far inferior to Cheng Simian.
But Cheng Yong had given him a way out. If he didn't take it, he would lose all his face once he walked out of the Marquis Mansion today!
He was about to be made the heir. Decorum was of utmost importance to him.
The emperor valued one's conduct the most. If any bad news reached the emperor's ears, the imperial edict to make him the heir might not be issued!
Fortunately, the outside world only spread that he was going to form an affiliation with the Marquis Mansion, not specifying which daughter.
He had to swallow his disgust and accept this dish that he didn't like.
...
The Crown Prince had been a bit restless for most of the day.
He carefully read the poems of Mr. Mingxi, and his restless heart gradually calmed down.
Little Anzi walked up with a big smile, bent down, and winked playfully at the Crown Prince. "Your Highness, Liang Yuchuan's engagement with the Cheng family is settled!"
The Crown Prince's face remained calm, but his eyes became darker, with a hint of sarcasm hidden in them.
"Settled is settled. I don't need to care about every trivial matter."
"Don't you want to know which one is engaged to Liang Yuchuan?"
"Little Anzi!" The Crown Prince's voice was as cold as ice chips. "Are you too idle these days?"
Little Anzi had no choice but to shut up embarrassedly. He thought to himself, don't regret it later!
The spy brought news from Taoist Qiu. "Taoist Qiu invites Your Highness to meet in Yunshen Alley."
The Crown Prince changed into his regular clothes, traveled simply, and only took Little Anzi and four secret guards with him to Yunshen Alley.
The news of Cheng Siyi's engagement with Liang Yuchuan soon reached Cheng Simian's ears.
Yu Qiao'er's house arrest was also lifted. She showed off in front of Rong Shi complacently.
"The Marquis is going to promote me to a noble concubine. I'm here to inform you, Madam."
Rong Shi was completely unmoved. All she cared about now was Simian.
Cheng Simian's cold eyes swept across Yu Qiao'er's face.
"Congratulations then. Aunt Yu is going to be promoted to a noble concubine, and your daughter is going to marry the future young duke. Such a good marriage falling on your daughter's head is due to your good upbringing. Congratulations on the double happiness, Aunt Yu."
Liang Yuchuan's engagement with Cheng Siyi was really a pleasant surprise for Cheng Simian.
Her plan had gone smoothly and successfully. But she had once worried that Liang Yuchuan would desperately pour dirt on Yu Huiyan to clear himself and continue to pester her.
His concern for face and reputation far exceeded Cheng Simian's imagination.
His being tied to Cheng Siyi saved her the trouble of dealing with Liang Yuchuan.
Yu Qiao'er failed to anger Rong Shi but was instead ridiculed by Cheng Simian.
It was like punching cotton. She left dejectedly.
Cheng Simian looked at her back and thought she was both ridiculous and pitiful.
Her daughter had just jumped from one muddy puddle into another deeper one. What was there to show off?
The Marquis Mansion would soon cease to exist. Even if she stepped on her mother's head and became the Marquise, what was there to be happy about?
People with short - sightedness and greed always tried desperately to grasp the little bit of profit in front of them.
Cheng Simian's eyes soon returned to being cold and aloof.
She called for Shuyi. "Tell the servant to harness the carriage. We're going to Yunshen Alley. It's a great joy in the Marquis Mansion today. I have to spread this happy news."
Nanny Chen asked, "Miss, do you need to change your clothes before going out?"
The eldest miss was always pure and elegant and didn't like bright colors.
Cheng Simian looked at her peach - colored clothes and slightly pursed her lips. "Since it's to spread happy news, of course we should dress festively. There's no need to change."
When she arrived at Yunshen Alley, she found a carriage already parked at the alley entrance.
It was Nanzhi who opened the door. She quickly welcomed Cheng Simian in with a smile.
Song Wanchu came out to greet her and held her hand with a charming smile.
"Today is really a good day. It's rare for everyone to be here so completely."
Cheng Simian could hear a bit of teasing in her tone.
As soon as she stepped over the threshold, Cheng Simian was met with a cold and piercing gaze.