The Eldest Daughter Reborn: She Provoked the Obsessive Crown Prince and Couldn't Escape

Xue Yan laughed and said, "I asked my aunt to propose marriage to the young lady, but I haven't given her any gifts yet. How can I accept gifts from her in return?"

"Once my Xue family formally proposes marriage and presents betrothal gifts, it won't be too late for you to reciprocate!"

When Fu Zhengzheng heard him bring up the marriage proposal to her face, she couldn't help but bite her lip;

Xue Yan assumed she was just shy, so he bowed and prepared to leave.

Zhengzheng asked from behind, "Brother Yan, are you really willing to marry me?"

Xue Yan laughed again: "Of course it's true!"

"I was worried the girl would think I was joking, so I specifically asked your aunt to act as matchmaker..."

Fu Zhengzheng feigned shyness and said, "Then why... me? With Brother Yan's family background, it shouldn't be difficult for him to find a noble lady;

Why bother to marry a concubine's daughter like me?

Xue Yan said sternly, “Zhengzheng, no one despises you because you are born out of wedlock! Why do you belittle yourself?”

“I was also born out of wedlock… After my stepmother passed away, my father made my mother his legal wife, and that’s how I became the so-called ‘legitimate’ child.”

"How could I not understand your current state of mind?"

Fu Zhengzheng forced a smile and said, "Even though we are both born out of wedlock, our circumstances are different!"

"The Marquis of Chengwu's heir only has one son, you, so naturally he won't show favoritism; but I'm different!"

“I have an older sister who is above me. What kind of life does she lead, and what kind of life do I lead?”

"From birth, she was designated as the Crown Princess by the ancestral precepts of the Great Wei Dynasty, enjoying boundless glory and unparalleled nobility;

"And me? I have to beg and plead for even a face cream!"

When she spoke of her "sadness," Zhengzheng almost burst into tears.

But the thought of holding the jewelry in her hands made her forcefully hold back her tears.

She knew that rather than crying out loud, having tears welling up in her eyes, threatening to fall but not actually falling, would make a man like Xue Yan feel even more tenderness towards her!

In this situation, Xue Yan was filled with heartache for her, and he didn't even notice the flaw in her words.

But he still sighed and said, "Forgive my bluntness, but our Xue family has had dealings with the Fu family and the Marquis of Chang'an's mansion for many years."

“I’ve been coming to your residence to play since I was a child. Whether it’s the elders, the brothers, or the Prince of Langya, they’ve all treated you quite well, and haven’t treated you badly because you’re born out of wedlock!”

“There are many servants in a large house, and there is a lot of gossip. Young lady, you must not be provoked by the servants and harbor resentment towards your own sister.”

“Take the family banquet last time for example. Family banquets never invite relatives from the concubine’s family, but the princess still invited your relatives.”

"Just inviting them isn't enough; I'm not trying to be mean, but with your relatives being like that, any family would kick them out!"

"But the princess didn't either..."

Xue Yanming was outwardly protecting her, but in reality, every word he said was in support of Fu Luan. How could Zhengzheng not understand that?

Although she was angry, she still pretended to be weak and frail, saying, "Even Brother Lianyan is protecting that poisonous woman?"

"You've been deceived by that wicked woman! Since Brother Yan is so sympathetic to her, he might as well ask me to marry him;

"How about we ask Aunt Yunzhong to propose marriage to that wicked woman on your behalf?"

Fu Zhengzheng started coughing as she cried; Xue Yan felt a little sorry for her and wanted to pat her back to help her catch her breath.

But considering that the two were not yet married, and that being too close would damage her reputation, she had no choice but to keep her distance, saying:

“If the second young lady says that, it would be a great shame for me to do so! Why would I help her? Besides…”

"Besides, she was born to be the Crown Princess. No matter how many times she is abandoned, it will never be your turn, right?" Zhengzheng questioned, sobbing.

Xue Yan smiled wryly, "How could I dare to say such a thing? I'm not afraid you'll laugh at me, but although I respect your sister, she was married before, and I..."

Although Xue Yan did not say it explicitly, Fu Zhengzheng understood.

Fu Zhengzheng said coquettishly, "Brother Yan, is it because you dislike my elder sister, who is now a princess, for not being a virgin?"

Xue Yan smiled but did not answer.

But Fu Zhengzheng knows that sometimes, "not saying yes or no" is itself an answer.

Fu Zhengzheng chided again, "Just because Brother Yan doesn't say anything doesn't mean I'm admitting it. Although Zhengzheng is a 'virgin,' there are still those rumors outside..."

Xue Yan said solemnly, "Zhengzheng, don't worry. Since I asked my aunt to help me propose marriage, I naturally won't believe the rumors."

"Thinking about it, how could the daughter of the Marquis of Chang'an, who is a marquis and a general, be so despicable?"

"It's just that those petty people outside look down on girls born out of wedlock and covet the power of the Marquis's mansion, so they're deliberately making things up about the girl!"

Zhengzheng brought up the topic of "perfect jade", which firstly belittled Fuluan in front of him;

Secondly, it was to test his feelings and his standards for judging women;

Thirdly, she realized her importance in his eyes and heart...

It seemed that Xue Yan was indeed the kind of man she could completely control, and only then did she feel relieved.

While the two were chatting and laughing, Xue Yan's servant rushed over and reported: "Young master, something terrible has happened!"

“Our eldest daughter suddenly developed a rash on her face, and we just called a doctor.”

"But the doctor examined her for a long time and said she was not sick and could not find the cause."

"The eldest daughter is crying right now, and the third daughter is trying to comfort her! You should go and take a look!"

"Ah? I'll go right away!" Xue Yan's face darkened.

Like the Fu brothers, he also doted on his sisters.

Previously, Xue Yan had refused to accept Fu Zhengzheng's jewelry, and she was worried about how to get closer to Xue Yan and make him owe her a favor;

Upon hearing this news, she was overjoyed.

He feigned concern and said, "For a young lady, her face is naturally the most important thing!"

"I still have some of the ointment that was presented to Consort Shu, perhaps..."

"Yes, how come I didn't think of that? Since the ladies in the palace all say it's good, it must be good."

"But..." Xue Yan felt a great weight lifted from his heart upon hearing that Zhengzheng was willing to give the ointment to his sister. However...

Seeing his expression change from sunny to cloudy, Fu Zhengzheng knew that his sister didn't like her, so she smiled and said:

"I know I have a bad reputation outside, and Sister Xue thinks my things are unlucky."

"If she has reservations, I can apply it to her face in person. Getting her face healed is the priority anyway. Peach shortbread!"

Seeing her so frank, Xue Yan felt embarrassed for his own hesitation.

After Tao Su brought the ointment, Fu Zhengzheng really wanted to try it, but Xue Yan quickly stopped her hand and said:

"Of course I believe Second Miss! How can Second Miss's actions not make me feel ashamed?"

"My sister... she did indeed have some misunderstandings about the second young lady. But once the young lady's ointment healed her face;

"With my encouragement and encouragement from the sidelines, how can I not change her prejudice against you?"

"Besides, even if it can't be reversed..."

Xue Yan leaned close to her ear and whispered, "She'll get married sooner or later."

"Once you marry into our Xue family, you won't have to put up with her attitude!"

Xue Yan's breath seemed to linger near Zhengzheng's ear. Her face flushed red as she nodded, pretending that she rarely got so close to a man.

Xue Yan then realized that he was not only standing too close to her, but had also accidentally touched her hand.

He quickly let go of her hand, and Fu Zhengzheng saw all of this...