The whole family of villains listens to my heart, the Regent Prince treats me dearly.

Minister Zhai's heart sank. It seemed that associating with the Sixth Prince was not a wise choice.

He needs to come up with a new plan.

Minister Zhai looked at Zhai Rongyu, his expression softening slightly. Fortunately, Rong'er was there.

Now that Heaven has bestowed good fortune upon him, he must accumulate virtue and do good deeds to reverse the calamities.

This time, he is determined to protect his family.

"Rong'er, freshen up properly and come to the front hall to meet the Prince in a little while. Your father will take his leave first."

[Wuhu~ My dad really understands me! He agreed without me even having to beg!]

Is this the legendary bond between father and daughter?

I love it!

“Yes, Father,” she replied obediently.

Minister Zhai nodded in satisfaction and got up to leave.

Zhai Rongyu quickly instructed her maid, "Hey, Shuang'er? Hurry! Quickly help me wash up!"

She didn't know how to tie her hair in the ancient style, so a simple bun would do.

However, the wound on his head needs someone to help treat it.

Gotta hurry up!

Try to get your hands on some fresh, hot melon!

When Shuang'er brought over the change of clothes, Zhai Rongyu's lips twitched.

"Shuang'er...Are you crazy to be so trendy?"

These are all so colorful, like a revolving lantern... Some of the embroidered flowers on them are even bigger than her head.

Isn't this pure ancient non-mainstream style?

Even though she was in a hurry, making her wear these clothes would have been worse than killing her...

"Shuang'er, can we find you a simple, plain dress?"

"One piece will suffice!"

There's no need to order so many.

Shuang'er pouted and muttered something aggrievedly.

"This was all made specially according to Miss's previous instructions, and the fabrics selected were the most luxurious."

She glanced at Zhai Rongyu.

"They all meet Miss's requirements, attracting attention and showcasing her status."

Previously, every time she changed clothes, the young lady would ask her to take out all the clothes and carefully select them. What's wrong with her today?

Could it be that he really broke his head?

Shuang'er was a little anxious.

Zhai Rongyu rubbed his temples and said helplessly, "Take them all away."

"Why, Miss? These are all your favorites."

"Why else? Because they're hurting my eyes... Take them all down and find me a Taoist robe."

"Yes, miss. Wha...what?!"

A Taoist robe?!

Shuang'er's eyes widened.

*

lobby.

Minister Zhai hurriedly entered the room and saw the Sixth Prince standing with his back to him, his hands behind his back.

Thinking of Rong'er's words, a shadow of darkness flashed in his eyes.

But he quickly composed himself, cupped his hands in apology, and said, "Your subject was unaware of Your Highness's arrival and has failed to greet you properly!"

The Sixth Prince turned around, closed his folding fan, and raised him slightly: "You're too kind, Minister. It's just that I came here suddenly, so please don't be offended."

"Your Highness's words are too kind to this old minister."

Minister Zhai invited the Sixth Prince to sit at the head of the table and gestured for the servants to pour tea.

"I wonder what brings you here, Sixth Prince?"

The Sixth Prince took a sip of tea and said, "I heard that the Minister recently found his beloved daughter. I am thinking of the marriage agreement with the Minister's family, so I have come to offer my congratulations."

The marriage agreement is with the Minister's family, not with Aling.

Minister Zhai's heart sank.

This sixth prince is indeed very ambitious.

He thought he had some genuine feelings for A-Ling, but it turned out that it was all based on self-interest.

"Your Highness is too kind. His Majesty has not yet officially issued the decree to grant the marriage, and this old minister dares not presume to do so."

This marriage was originally arranged verbally between his wife and the Sixth Prince's birth mother, Consort Shu, when she was still alive.

I was worried that this matter would fall through if it dragged on.

Now, however, I'm worried that it won't turn out well.

The Sixth Prince's smile froze. A decree to bestow a marriage? The Emperor is currently seriously ill and bedridden; how could he possibly issue such a decree?

Is Minister Zhai trying to break off the engagement?

A hint of doubt flashed in his eyes. Could it be that there had been a change in the affairs of the court?

Is Minister Zhai looking for another ally?

Now the Emperor neglects state affairs and has entrusted all matters of the court to his uncle.

The prince's attitude toward the selection of the crown prince is still unclear.

Uncle Wang is a cunning and ruthless man who doesn't care about family ties; he would never dare to befriend him.

But Minister Zhai was different.

He was in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, the head of the Six Ministries. If one could get his help, it would be like adding wings to a tiger.

No, this marriage has to happen, whether it's a good thing or not!

Since Minister Zhai refuses to budge, perhaps we should... make an issue of his daughter.

If his daughter then begs to marry him, then everything will fall into place.

Thinking of this, the Sixth Prince smiled warmly.

"May I meet the daughter of the Minister? This is my first visit, and I have prepared a small gift..."

"Oh?! How thin is it? Let me see!"

As soon as Zhai Rong entered the front hall, she heard that the Sixth Prince was going to give her a gift.

She excitedly rubbed her hands together.

Hehe, this kind of wool doesn't just appear out of thin air!

[I'll rip him to pieces!]

Cough cough... Minister Zhai almost choked to death after taking a sip of tea.

He chuckled inwardly and shook his head.

"Rong'er, don't be rude. Quickly greet the Sixth Prince."

Zhai Rongyu obediently curtsied to the Sixth Prince, "This humble girl, Zhai Rongyu, greets Your Highness."

She savored it carefully.

Hmm... handsome and dashing, with exquisite features, what a refined gentleman holding a folding fan, truly a presentable figure!

He is handsome, but not to the point of being outrageously handsome, right?

Author, are you too easily angered?

Author: Your standards are too high! [○?｀Д′? ○]

"This must be... the Minister's daughter, right?"

When the Sixth Prince saw Zhai Rongyu's face, a fleeting look of amazement crossed his eyes.

Her beauty was unparalleled in the entire capital. Her skin was like jade, her lips red and her teeth white. Her delicate oval face even seemed to glow with a soft, gentle light.

Her almond-shaped eyes were especially captivating, their sparkle and radiance captivating.

His whole body was full of spiritual energy.

When she's not speaking, her demeanor is so refined; she doesn't seem like a girl raised in the countryside at all, but rather like a celestial being descended from heaven!

After seeing what she was wearing, the Sixth Prince's lips twitched.

"Miss Zhai, what's with your outfit...?"

Zhai Rongyu glanced at the Taoist robe he was wearing, waved his hand and said, "Hey! It's nothing to mention! From today onwards, I'm going to focus on the Tao."

"what?!"

"what?!"

Minister Zhai and the Sixth Prince exclaimed in surprise at the same time.

Zhai Shangshu stood up abruptly, his fingers gripping the side of the chair tightly.

Is Rong'er... refusing to acknowledge him as her father?

Is there something he did wrong that made Rong'er stop treating this place as her home and instead want to go cultivate Taoism?

Zhai Rong stuck out her tongue.

[You're scared already? Looks like my dad still cares about me.]

Who says villains can't have love?

[But why is the Sixth Prince so surprised? Haha, his plan backfired and he's lost his mind, hasn't he?]

Minister Zhai was relieved to hear this.

Thank goodness, Rong'er isn't leaving home, she's just dealing with the Sixth Prince.

This child is really quite clever.

They fooled him completely.

He sat down nonchalantly, took a sip of tea, and raised his eyebrows to look at the Sixth Prince.

“Your Highness, as you have seen, my daughter is unruly and not a suitable match for you. Now she has even developed the idea of ​​cultivating Taoism… Well, it’s good to temper her temperament.”

Zhai Rongyu looked at Minister Zhai with admiration.

My dad is so wise; his mind works so fast!

[That was a really smooth move to back down – look how dark the Sixth Prince's face turned! Hahahaha!]

Minister Zhai shifted his gaze to the Sixth Prince's face, which was indeed somewhat dark.

He pursed his lips.

Mature and prudent.

"Let's not talk about that anymore. What about the gift?" Zhai Rongyu stared intently at the Sixth Prince.

The prince felt a chill run down his spine under her gaze and said in a deep voice, "Bring him up!"

The servants filed in.

They moved all the large crates that were outside into the house.

Zhai Rong looked at them one by one.

"Hmm, so much gold and silver treasure; they really bleed a lot to win over my father."

【It must have been tough for you, you stingy person.】

Her eyes darted around, "But this isn't enough!"

Minister Zhai silently took another sip of tea.

"Your Highness, there is something I am unsure whether I should say. Please do not take offense."

The Sixth Prince's eyelids twitched; he had a bad feeling.

But he still said, "Speak, and I will pardon you."

Zhai Rongyu curtsied and, in a high-pitched voice, began to demonstrate her tea ceremony.

"I am deeply grateful for Your Highness's visit to offer your congratulations. However, I don't really like any of these gifts."

The Sixth Prince was slightly taken aback.

Indeed, she is still young and focused on her studies, so why would she like such material possessions?

You should bring some items that the woman might like.

He didn't think it through.

He unfolded his fan, a hint of apology in his voice: "What do you like? Just ask, and I will not refuse."

"Is Your Highness truly telling the truth?"

"nature."

He was, after all, a prince; what couldn't he have?

Besides, the things girls like are pretty much the same old things.

"I would like to ask Your Highness to build me a Taoist temple."

Zhai Rongyu paused for a moment, then added, "The statues inside must be made entirely of pure gold."