Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

The clear, refreshing scenery after the rain; the roses have faded, and green foliage lies before the window.

A few days later, the sun was still scorching, but it had become more subdued, as if it had become more mellow after being touched by time.

Lingyan received another invitation from her girlfriends to meet up at a restaurant today.

She arrived just before lunchtime.

When they arrived at the private room where they had last met, the Seventh Princess, Eighth Princess, Ninth Princess, Xie Zhiyi, and Jiang Muxue were already there.

Since their last time with Jiang Muxue, the group had all gotten along very well with her, so they specially invited her along this time.

Of course, Lingyan also liked her, but she always felt there was a barrier between them, so she couldn't open her heart to her.

Upon her arrival, the group exchanged greetings with smiles, and then the Seventh Princess ordered the dishes to be served.

They had already ordered their dishes in advance, which were similar to what they had last time, all of which were their favorites.

Everyone was very well-mannered and observed the rules of not talking while eating or sleeping.

Therefore, they only started chatting formally after lunch.

The Eighth Princess first asked Xie Zhiyi out of curiosity, "Is your news true?"

The others also turned to look at Xie Zhiyi, wanting to know the answer.

Just a few days ago, Xie Zhiyi went to Huangjue Temple to offer incense, and Abbot Jianhui of Huangjue Temple predicted from Xie Zhiyi's birth chart that her birth chart was in conflict with the royal family.

Marrying into the royal family would be a very bad omen.

Then there's Master Jianhui, a highly respected monk of his time.

His Buddhist teachings are boundless, his spiritual practice profound and unfathomable, and he remains untainted by worldly defilement.

He was the foremost monk of his time.

Many people describe him this way.

"Where the eminent monk resided, his legacy has been revered for millennia. His magical powers astounded heaven and earth, and his illustrious name resounded throughout the world."

"The abbot of the ancient temple is revered, his talent is profound and his teachings are pure. His supernatural powers astound the world, and his wondrous Dharma illuminates heaven and earth."

This shows just how capable and respected he is.

Therefore, Emperor Jingzhao naturally believed it as well.

I was thinking that Xie's daughter was so outstanding, and that she would be perfect to be his daughter-in-law.

It seems that we are not destined to be together.

Since that's the case, then let's give up.

Xie Zhiyi has been very happy these past few days because she has finally gotten rid of the huge mountain that is the royal family.

However, faced with the concerned yet complicated looks in her friends' eyes, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt and unease.

She didn't want to lie to them, but they were all members of the royal family. How should she answer them?

Seeing her silence, the Ninth Princess took the initiative to speak with a smile: "Alright, don't be embarrassed. We know it's fake. You just wanted to escape the marriage arranged by the Emperor."

Xie Zhiyi was surprised that they already knew, and asked in confusion, "How did you figure it out? Don't the others already believe it's true?"

Even His Majesty firmly believes this.

Of course, she knew that Princess Rui must know it was fake, since it was her idea.

The Eighth Princess replied, "I was initially skeptical, but since Seventh Sister said it was fake, I believed it to be fake. Seventh Sister is so smart, what she said must be true."

Xie Zhiyi looked at the Seventh Princess.

The Seventh Princess said softly, "Although Master Jianhui is renowned, I am not a Buddhist. In addition, I noticed the Emperor's suspicious look in his eyes at the palace banquet that day. Considering the timing, it's such a coincidence, so of course I don't believe it's true."

Xie Zhiyi understood after hearing this.

It turned out to be the case.

She then turned to look at Jiang Muxue.

Jiang Muxue smiled and replied, "My thoughts are the same as the Seventh Princess's, but I don't understand why Master Jianhui would lie for you?"

Why would such an enlightened master, who is completely untouched by worldly affairs, help lie and deceive the world?

What method did we use to persuade him?

Everyone was eager to know the answer to this question, so everyone turned their attention back to Xie Zhiyi.

Xie Zhiyi had nothing to hide and replied frankly, "Master Jianhui lost both his parents when he was young and was a beggar on the streets. He almost starved to death. My mother happened to pass by and saved his life. She not only took him home and fed and clothed him, but also taught him to read and write. He stayed in my mother's house for a year before leaving to support himself."

"Later, he would send money and gifts back from time to time, even after he became the abbot and a highly accomplished monk. He was always grateful for my mother's life-saving grace, so this matter was just a matter of words for him, and of course he would help me."

Only then did the group understand the reason.

Master Jianhui was quite grateful and repaid kindness.

If it were someone else, he probably wouldn't have helped lie.

Then the Eighth Princess asked, "If this matter gets out, you will never be able to marry into the royal family again. Are you really not going to regret it?"

Xie Zhiyi smiled slightly, a smile that contained a hint of relief and determination: "I don't regret it. I never wanted to marry into the royal family in the first place."

Upon hearing this, the Ninth Princess smiled mischievously and teased, "Zhiyi, don't be so sure of yourself! What if the person you like in the future is someone from the royal family? What will you do then?"

Xie Zhiyi said speechlessly, "I hope I'm not that unlucky!"

Lingyan, who was listening nearby, couldn't help but laugh out loud. She softly echoed, "Life is unpredictable, who knows?"

Actually, the group was just joking and didn't take it seriously.

However, none of them could have predicted that the Ninth Princess's joke would later become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Then, Xie Zhiyi changed the subject, a look of worry on her face, and said: "You all don't know how many people have come to my house to ask for my hand in marriage since the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. Before, it was because I was still young and I didn't like to show off and was too low-key, so no one knew me. But since the banquet, the number of people who have come to ask for my hand in marriage is beyond my imagination."

"Not only in Da Zhao, but also in other countries, you four are fine. One is a queen, so it doesn't affect you at all; three are princesses, and they're not people ordinary people can marry. But I'm just a lowly woman, and they're all coming at me like a tidal wave. It's so annoying!"

She looked very annoyed. Although she wasn't about to get married right now, the sheer number of people coming to her door every day to propose marriage was driving her crazy just from having to refuse them.

That's right, everyone was rejected.

Because she naturally wants to marry someone she loves.

So she rejected all of them.

Fortunately, there's no need to worry about offending them.

The Xie family was the leading group of scholars in the Great Zhao Dynasty and even the entire world. They had academies in various countries and their descendants were everywhere.

Their fellow disciples are also scattered all over the world.

Not to mention, the Xie family is full of talented people, with countless high-ranking officials and dignitaries.

Her father was a high-ranking official of the first rank in the imperial court, holding a powerful and respected position.

Therefore, regardless of their status, position, fame, power, or influence, they are not afraid to offend anyone except the royal family.

Therefore, she can refuse without any scruples and without fear of anyone.

It's not that I'm not afraid of offending her, but her constant bickering is driving me crazy.

For the sake of her future marriage, we can't say anything more about her bad fortune in horoscope, otherwise who would dare to marry her in the future!

After hearing this, the others felt quite sympathetic.

Just imagining that scene is unbearable.

Xie Zhiyi looked at Ling Yan expectantly and asked, "Your Highness, do you have any good ideas to help me?"

For some reason, she just felt that Princess Rui was very capable, as if nothing could stump her, and she was sure she could help her solve this problem.

Ling Yan pondered for a moment, then smiled and replied, "You can list the conditions: First, no non-citizens; second, no one more than eight years older than you; third, no divorced individuals; and fourth, no one with children."

Fifth, I won't accept people who are not good-looking. Sixth, I won't accept people who are not both literate and skilled in martial arts. Seventh, I won't accept people with any romantic entanglements. Eighth, I won't accept people who already have concubines, and even after marriage, they cannot take concubines. You only want one person for life.