Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

Xia Yu's princess residence wasn't finished yet, so she still lived in Zhaohua Palace within the palace. Because of her different status, the regulations for her residence were different, so the blueprints already designed by the Ministry of Works required many modifications after Xia Yu was granted the title of Princess Wenfu Zhenguo. Fortunately, the Emperor didn't restrict Xia Yu's entry and exit from the palace, so living in the palace wasn't inconvenient for her. However, the constant presence of many palace servants always following her around still made her feel uncomfortable.

Xia Yu and Zhou Luo rode in the same carriage. Zhou Luo looked at Xia Yu and grinned foolishly. The little bit of dignity he had put on in front of the ministers had long since vanished.

As soon as Xia Yu entered the palace, she sensed something was amiss in the atmosphere, but surrounded by many people, she didn't ask. Only after all the palace servants had left did Xia Yu ask Zhou Luo about the current situation in the palace.

Zhou Luo sighed.

"It was Empress Dowager Jiang. I don't know who instigated it, but last month she suddenly summoned me and said that the late Emperor appeared to her in a dream, instructing me to marry the Jiang family's daughter with whom I was betrothed first, and then consummate the marriage when I come of age." After saying this, Zhou Luo's face turned as red as a ripe tomato.

"But we're still in the period of national mourning, how can you get married?" Xia Yu asked, frowning.

“Yes, but the Empress Dowager keeps saying that it was the late Emperor who appeared to us in a dream, and some strange things have happened in the palace. Now many people believe that the late Emperor appeared to us in a dream,” Zhou Luo said with a headache.

"What strange things have happened?" Xia Yu keenly grasped the clues in his words.

"First, the Fengxian Hall was struck by lightning and caught fire during a rainstorm. Then, some palace servants who were serving in the Fengxian Hall heard the late emperor sighing."

Based on the palace dramas and novels Xia Yu had read in her previous life, she felt that this matter was highly suspicious.

"Could it be someone deliberately playing tricks to scare people?" Xia Yu asked.

“I’ve thought about that too, but even if the late emperor’s sigh was intentional, the fact that the Fengxian Hall was struck by lightning couldn’t have been done by someone, could it?” Zhou Luo said with a furrowed brow.

"That's not necessarily true. You don't need to worry too much about this. Empress Dowager Jiang was able to receive a dream from the late emperor, and you, as the emperor's son, can too."

After Xia Yu finished speaking, he saw Zhou Luo's eyes widen in disbelief. He didn't know things could be done this way. But then he thought about how that person was his own father, and wondered if doing this would be too unfilial. Zhou Luo was even more troubled.

After a while, he suddenly looked up at Xia Yudao.

"Sister, recently many ministers have submitted memorials requesting to marry you. I wonder what you think? Which one do you plan to choose as your consort?"

Zhou Luo's words were like a bolt from the blue for Xia Yu. She had just gotten rid of Shen Jingxun, that budding romance, and now so many bad suitors had come her way?

After thinking for a while, she decided to bring her parents from Zhangjia Village as soon as possible. She had never considered marriage before; after all, in her mind, this body was still only the age of a middle school student. So, being suddenly asked about marriage caught her completely off guard.

Seeing Zhou Luo staring at him expectantly, and realizing he was discussing his marriage with a little kid, Xia Yu suddenly blushed and said...

"You haven't told me who's asking to marry me, how am I supposed to know which one to choose?"

"Oh dear, I completely forgot about that. Don't worry, sister, I'll send the best portrait painter in the palace tomorrow to paint portraits of those who are seeking my hand in marriage. I guarantee they'll look exactly like the real people. At the same time, I'll have each of them write an autobiography and send it over with the portrait. They should also clearly state their height, weight, and measurements. I'll definitely choose the most suitable husband for you, sister."

Hearing Zhou Luo say that, Xia Yu felt a cold sweat break out. If this got out, wouldn't she be seen as some kind of demon? That didn't sound very good. So she quickly stopped him from continuing.

"Luo'er, let's not rush this matter. I want to investigate quietly before making a decision. If we go out of our way to ask those young masters for information, we probably won't get the full picture of what's going on!"

"Yes, sister is very perceptive and makes a lot of sense. In that case, let's do as you say. We'll have someone secretly investigate these people's character before making a decision. Don't worry, sister, as long as it's someone you like, I'll definitely get them for you."

Xia Yu broke out in a cold sweat again upon hearing his words. She had only been away from the capital for a little over three months, yet Luo'er spoke and acted like a bandit. What had happened during this time? Xia Yu decided to find some time to ask Shen Jingheng.

"Luo'er, I'm planning to bring my parents to the capital. They..."

"Sister, you don't need to explain, I understand."

Xia Yu looked at Zhou Luo's 'I understand' expression and thought to herself...

'You don't know anything! What happened? How did Luo'er become like this?' In an instant, Xia Yu decided that she would ask Shen Jingheng about this first thing tomorrow morning.

"We still need Uncle Zhang and Aunt Zhang to help us choose a spouse. After all, we're both young, and we might not be able to see through some people who are good at pretending," Zhou Luo explained without Xia Yu asking.

Xia Yu was speechless at this point. Why did Luo'er think she was so desperate to get married? Every word she spoke was about finding a husband for her.

"Serve the meal, I'm hungry."

Xia Yu didn't want to talk about anything related to her marriage anymore, so she suggested having dinner. At this moment, only delicious food could ease her worries!

The next day, Xia Yu and others saw Shen Jingheng chatting with an official as they headed towards the palace gate on the route the ministers took after court. Xia Yu quickly sent Nineteen to invite the man over.

Nineteen ran up to Shen Jingheng, said a few words, and then pointed in Xia Yu's direction. Shen Jingheng then spoke a few words to the official, and then turned and walked towards Xia Yu.

"Your humble servant greets the Princess." Shen Jingheng stopped five steps away from Xia Yu and greeted her.

Xia Yu looked around to make sure no one could hear them before speaking.

"Lord Shen, there's no need for such formalities. I have some matters I'd like to discuss with you."

"I wouldn't dare to ask for your advice, Your Highness. Please feel free to give me any instructions." Shen Jingheng remained very respectful.

"Um...I...I just..." Xia Yu thought for a moment, unsure how to phrase it. Although he and Shen Jingheng had known each other for a long time, they didn't seem that close. He didn't want to just bluntly ask him, "What's been going on lately? Why has Luo'er's behavior and speech changed so much? Why is Luo'er suddenly so concerned about my marriage?"

Thinking about that scene, Xia Yu shook her head again. Given her relationship with Shen Jingheng, it was very inappropriate for her to ask such a question!

Shen Jingheng just watched her quietly as she pondered and shook her head, looking very troubled, without saying a word.

Looking up and meeting Shen Jingheng's eyes, Xia Yu couldn't help but blush again. But after thinking about it, it seemed that no one else could possibly know about this except him, so she steeled herself and said...

"Why do I feel like Luo'er's way of speaking and acting is different from before?"

"Oh? I don't quite understand what the princess means. I don't see anything wrong with Your Majesty's way of speaking!" After saying that, seeing Xia Yu's conflicted expression, he added...

"Perhaps it's because I'm often with the Emperor that I don't notice the subtle changes. Why don't you give me an example, Princess, so I can have a reference and see if the Emperor's way of speaking is really different from before?"