CMWKSD -Chapter 133 Forget It, Then

The more Ling Yue thought about it, the more she felt that marrying Ji Chaomian would actually be a good thing.

But judging from Ji Chaomian’s demeanor, he didn’t seem very eager to form an alliance with the Ling Prince’s household.

This man had depth to his heart—he wasn’t comparable to Ling Mo, who was just a spoiled playboy.

Ling Yue silently realized that if she insisted on marrying him just to spite Jiu Yue and ruin his marriage, what kind of person would that make her?

It was truly inappropriate.

After some consideration, Ling Yue slowly said to Ji Chaomian, “If there is a girl you truly like, after our marriage, you can bring her into the household. I will never make things difficult for her.”

Ling Yue had long known that her own marriage would not be ideal; ever since she had grown up, she had prepared herself for that reality.

The person she married would hardly match her heart’s desire. Parents only ever elevated someone from among the mediocre.

Sometimes, thinking about it, she would rather just be an ordinary person. That way, at least she wouldn’t be constrained at every turn.

Ji Chaomian’s pupils contracted slightly. He bowed and said to Ling Yue, “You jest, Your Highness. With your noble status, marrying me would indeed be a hardship for you. Moreover, sharing a husband with another… besides, the Ji family rules forbid men from taking concubines, visiting brothels, or keeping mistresses…”

As he spoke, Ji Chaomian carefully stopped himself.

His intention was to make Ling Yue recognize the difficulty, to show her that the Ji family rules were strict.

But as he spoke, he realized that these family rules, for a woman, were practically the standard of an ideal husband.

Sure enough, Ling Yue’s eyes lit up slightly. “Really?”

Ji Chaomian forced a smile. “It is indeed so.”

Ling Yue exchanged a glance with Ling Mo, who now found Ji Chaomian extremely pleasing to the eye.

Just as he was about to say something, Ling Yue pressed a hand on him.

“Forget it. Let’s consider today as if it never happened,” she said, waving dismissively, the intent to send him away unmistakable.

Ji Chaomian didn’t know why Ling Yue had suddenly changed her mind like this.

But since she was willing to pretend nothing had happened, he naturally accepted her sentiment graciously.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

After saying this, Ji Chaomian hurriedly left without lingering.

Ling Mo was anxious. “Sister! We finally found someone suitable. Why won’t you accept him?”

Ling Yue ran her hand over her beloved whip and sighed softly. “Didn’t you hear? The Ji family rules forbid taking concubines, visiting brothels, or keeping mistresses.”

Ling Mo slammed his hand on the table. “Isn’t that a good thing?”

“For me, it is.” Ling Yue glanced out the window. The world outside seemed vast, yet she felt entirely trapped.

It was as if she, too, could only be confined behind this window.

“If he had a girl he loved, and I forced him to marry me, then had to separate him from his beloved because of family rules… wouldn’t that be a sin on my part?”

Although she wanted to compete with Jiu Yue, in her heart she knew the truth.

She was no match for Jiu Yue.

But… how to put it… she was too lonely, too isolated.

Her status seemed lofty, but one wrong move could spell endless disaster.

Countless eyes watched the Ling family. The person in power was a good ruler. Though suspicious, he still gave the Ling family its due honor.

Yet there were always those who wished the Ling family ill, dragging them into the center of the whirlpool.

She was merely swept along by circumstances beyond her control.

So, seeing Jiu Yue live freely and recklessly, Ling Yue couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy.

To say something even she didn’t quite believe: Ling Yue wanted to befriend Jiu Yue.

Even if they couldn’t be close confidantes, she still wanted to get closer—just a little closer.

Her words to Ji Chaomian had been a whim.

It was just men’s foolishness.

Ling Yue never expected harmony and affection with her future husband.

Her plan had always been: after marriage, make things convenient for him—allow him to gain the Ling Prince’s household’s wealth and status, maybe take a few concubines—while she herself would live peacefully, without interference, catching a few breaths in between.

Since she was young, Ling Yue had understood that her future marriage was beyond her control.

She never expected it to be ideal.

After all, how many men rushing to become a Ling family son-in-law weren’t simply after wealth and influence?

But a few words with Ji Chaomian made Ling Yue realize: the Ji family was good, and Ji Chaomian was good.

She shouldn’t treat him like the others, potentially ruining his future.

The ones destined for ruin and disgrace were herself and her future husband—but this man should not be Ji Chaomian.

Ling Mo didn’t say anything. Ling Yue’s marriage was difficult; he would have his own struggles.

He had to hide his talents, not excel too much—though he wasn’t naturally gifted anyway.

He felt a pang of sadness. “Sister… we…”

Ling Yue had already stood, too tired to speak the flowery words of heartfelt sentiment, afraid she might cry. “Let’s go back to the residence. Let’s see which family Father and Mother have chosen a husband from. I’ll make a proper entrance, establish my authority.”

Ling Mo hurriedly followed. “Sister!”

Once outside the teahouse, just as they got into the carriage, they saw Ji Chaomian carrying a bundle of pastries.

Ji Chaomian walked happily with the pastries, clearly a very family-oriented person.

Ling Yue forced herself to lower the curtain and not look back.

Such a good man should not be entangled with her.

Ji Chaomian had always said he was unworthy, but in truth, the one unworthy was herself.

She was a person who had nothing but her status.

The sudden flutter of the heart and quiet alarm she felt were suppressed by Ling Yue herself.

Though Ling Yue appeared small and seemingly naïve, in many serious matters…

She and Ling Mo understood things far more clearly than others.

Back at the Ling Prince’s residence, as expected, the Prince and Princess had already shortlisted several families.

Of course, this included some who had already formally expressed their devotion.

Mostly, they were families that claimed they would cherish the princess, obey her words, and so on.

The Prince and Princess looked over them repeatedly, dissatisfied, but there was no other choice.

Ling Yue would reach marriageable age in just a few weeks. Once she did, if the Emperor happened to ask a few questions, they would be even more constrained.

Ling Yue listened disinterestedly as the Prince and Princess discussed the merits and faults of these men.

Most were from declining noble families or fallen marquis houses. Though fallen, they were still noble families or marquisates.

If Ling Yue married into one, it would be a true downward marriage.

Yet with the Ling Prince’s household as her backing, even a downward marriage wouldn’t let anyone treat Ling Yue with disrespect.

That was acceptable. That was… fine.

Ling Yue felt a pang of sadness, her fingertips flicking over the portraits as if casually pointing at one would decide her future.

The Prince and Princess felt sorrow seeing her like this.

Men fear choosing the wrong profession; women fear marrying the wrong man.

Could they really entrust their precious daughter into the hands of these men?

To be a stepping stone, a ladder to the sky.

She was their treasure, cherished and loved for so many years.