An Eight-year-old Princess

"My mother is annoying. Somebody will surely marry me one day. If I can't find a husband, she still doesn't need to worry right now. Those men she recommends are sons from rich and powerful families. They are so weak that they wouldn't be able to stand a breeze. I've had enough." Wang Jinyan moaned before adding, "Do you know my mother's three favorites? They are Ning Ye from Prince Shun Qing's Mansion, Li Zhiyan from Li Mansion, and Liu Qiyan, the Zhuangyuan."

Yun Shang raised her eyebrows and smiled at Wang Jinyan before she said, "They are good choices. Ning Ye and Li Zhiyan are pampered sons of wealthy families and they share one common point. They are sons born of the first and legal wife, although they aren't the oldest sons. It can be seen that Lady Wang cares about you very much. If you marry one of them, you will live comfortably. Sons born of the first and legal wife are much better off than the others. Most importantly, you don't need to manage domestic affairs, which is lucky for you. As for Liu Qiyan, the Zhuangyuan, his sister is Lady Ya who is loved by the Emperor. Thus, he has a bright future awaiting him. Besides, he's an orphan. If you marry him, you don't need to look after your parents-in-law, which will certainly reduce your burdens."

The corners of Wang Jinyan's mouth twisted. Lying on the chaise lounge, she sighed heavily, "I know my mother is doing all this for me. However, I don't like them. For example, Ning Ye has too many female confidants, and is now entangled with the most beautiful woman, Qian Qian. Everybody knows that Li Zhiyan looks down upon military officers, which makes him as stupid as Grand Councilor Li. I don't like him. As for Liu Qiyan. I have never met him. If he is the Zhuangyuan, a pedant he must be."

Yun Shang couldn't help smiling. These three men were the most eligible bachelors in the Imperial City. However, Wang Jinyan belittled them as if they were insignificant.

Wang Jinyan paused for a moment and continued, "Now, I have only two options. Ning Ye is unwilling to marry me. My brother said that when he and mother went to buy jewelry at Beauty's Jewelry Shop, they saw Ning Ye with a beautiful girl at the shop. They were selecting a hairpin. Ning Ye greeted my mother and brother respectfully as per formal etiquette. However, when my mother returned to the shop for something she had left there, she heard Ning Ye tell his companion, 'Minister Wang wants his daughter to marry me. Wang Jinyan, as a girl, knows nothing except how to wield swords. She is not as gentle and soft as you are.'

Yun Shang frowned. Ning Ye, beyond all question, was good at Kung Fu. How could he not realize that Lady Wang had returned to the shop? He would certainly know. But he still spoke in a belittling manner and that was puzzling.

and should consider your marriage carefully and seriously. Now, tell

with you. I would like an ordinary man. I'm too lazy to guard against plots

husband that Wang

Anyway, my brother is still unmarried. If mother forces me to marry, she should first talk my brother into it. If I'm being forced to marry a man I dislike,

Shang shook her head. "You can do that because your

me a suitable husband from among his generals and set

help smiling and replied, "You

joking, Yun Shang took this suggestion seriously. When she returned to the Imperial Palace, she wrote to Prince Jing about this

with Wang Jinyan and frowned. Who was Ning