MCSCPM -Chapter 361 When Will You Marry Me

Of course, Yin Zhengqi didn’t notice what Yin Ziyu was really thinking.

He said, “I know you’re spirited. When your eldest sister was at home, she cared for you the most. Now that she’s about to become Prince Jing’s consort, as her younger sister, it’s only natural for you to go visit her.”

“Father, what do you mean?”

“You’ll go to Prince Jing’s Mansion to see your eldest sister. She’s now the consort of Prince Jing. Visiting her will benefit you greatly, and it will also help our Yin family.”

Ultimately, he was still using his two daughters—Yin Qingyue and Yin Ziyu alike—as pieces in his strategy.

Hearing this, Yin Ziyu naturally didn’t want to go. In her father’s mind, she and Yin Qingyue were both pawns to be moved as needed.

She said reluctantly, “Father, isn’t it inappropriate for me to go?”

“You don’t want to go?”

“Father, I…”

“I know what’s on your mind. You can’t forget Xiao Chengli. Their family has already broken off the engagement. Even if I wanted you to marry him, the Xiao family wouldn’t allow it. You can’t just stay in the house doing nothing. You’re not that young anymore.” Yin Zhengqi hit the nail on the head, pointing out the issue clearly.

Yin Zhengqi had no other choice. Originally, when Yin Qingyue went to the Luocheng Institute, the Xiao family suggested that Ziyu marry in her place. But later, they also withdrew.

Yin Ziyu’s thoughts were seen through. Lowering her head, despite her reluctance, with her father saying this, what else could she do? In this household, her father’s orders were always obeyed.

“Father, since you’ve said so, fine. I’ll go,” she finally agreed.

“Good. That’s my daughter, Yin Ziyu. I believe when you go to Prince Jing’s Mansion, your eldest sister will treat you well.”

“I hope so,” Yin Ziyu said softly.

As she left the room, her mind was restless. Going to Northern Hao to find Yin Qingyue was naturally beneficial, but it also meant leaving Xiao Chengli. Thinking of her beloved, she grew anxious. She knew she had to inform him of this matter.

If Xiao Chengli was willing to marry her, she wouldn’t need to go to Northern Hao.

With this in mind, she left the mansion and sent a letter to the Xiao family.

At that moment, Xiao Chengli was sitting in the courtyard. Receiving the letter, he saw it was in Yin Ziyu’s handwriting and immediately showed an expression of rejection and annoyance.

“Sir, shall we go?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t I?” Xiao Chengli tossed the letter aside.

This foolish woman, trying to seduce him was one thing, but now she even wants to marry into the Xiao family—she’s dreaming.

Xiao Chengli left the Xiao mansion to meet Yin Ziyu. She had been waiting there early, and when she saw him arrive, she was overjoyed, rushing into his arms.

“I thought you wouldn’t come.”

“How could I not come? You hurried to find me. Is it something important?” he asked, holding her.

“What else could it be? Don’t you know about my eldest sister’s situation in Northern Hao?” Yin Ziyu pulled back slightly, looking at Xiao Chengli, tall and handsome before her.

How could he not know? The whole of Xize had been buzzing with news. His so-called fiancée had now become the consort of Prince Jing of Northern Hao. He had once wanted to kill her, never expecting she would survive, living so freely.

“I know, everyone in Xize knows. Ziyu, is that why you came to see me?” he asked.

“Yes. But it’s not just that Yin Qingyue became Prince Jing’s consort…”

“What is it?” Xiao Chengli asked.

Yin Ziyu suddenly turned away, her face troubled, whispering, “I want to ask you… when you heard she was going to be Prince Jing’s consort, weren’t you sad?”

Xiao Chengli hadn’t expected such a question and tensed, gripping her hand tightly. “Ziyu, what are you saying? Why would I be sad?”

“Be honest. Do you still like her?”

“Nonsense, Ziyu. The one I like is you. After all this time, don’t you understand my feelings?” His grip tightened, as if to physically convey his sincerity.

Though Yin Ziyu still had doubts, seeing his earnestness made her relent. After a moment, she continued, “Can I trust you? I’m not sure if your heart still has room for her. But Yin Qingyue will soon be Prince Jing’s consort—there’s no way you’ll ever be with her.”

“Enough, Ziyu. Stop worrying about that. I don’t like her anymore. My heart is yours. Why would you even think that?” Xiao Chengli feigned anger, turning away, a trace of fire in his eyes.

Seeing him angry, Yin Ziyu panicked, quickly grasping his hand, whispering, “I know I shouldn’t ask, but I’m worried. I’ve waited for you so long, my patience is running out. I’m not young anymore. For you, I’ve sacrificed so much. I don’t want to keep sacrificing for nothing.”

“What do you mean?”

“What do I mean? Don’t you understand? Chengli, I’ve carried your children twice, and every time you said to terminate them, I obeyed. But when will you marry me? I’ve waited so long, yet you’ve never given me a proper answer. I don’t have time to wait anymore!”

Yin Ziyu was genuinely anxious. She had endured so much for Xiao Chengli—losing two children for his sake. Who could bear that pain? Yet for him, she had endured it all, ignoring everything else, only to wait so long without a proper promise.

Xiao Chengli said, “Ziyu, it’s not that I don’t want to marry you—it’s my father. I’ve told him many times, but he won’t agree. Even if I forced it, what would it change?”

“What would it change? You want me to keep waiting? Until I grow old and gray?”

“Don’t be anxious. I will take responsibility. I’ll find a way to persuade my father,” he assured.

Yin Ziyu turned away, unconvinced. “Chengli, do you know? My father called me today.”

“What did he say?” Xiao Chengli grew tense.

After hesitating, Yin Ziyu told him the truth, “He said I should go to Northern Hao to see my eldest sister. Since she’s about to be Prince Jing’s consort, it would benefit me.”

Xiao Chengli remained calm. “Did you agree?”

“How could I refuse? In front of my father, I had no choice but to agree. But I came to find you immediately, hoping you would marry me so I wouldn’t have to go. Yet you’ve been delaying.” Yin Ziyu was frustrated. “Chengli, I give you one day. If you don’t give me a clear answer, I’ll go to Northern Hao to see Yin Qingyue. If you want to marry me then, I won’t agree! Even the highest-ranking nobles in Northern Hao are better than you!”

“What nonsense are you saying?”

“I’m serious,” she said firmly, her expression resolute.

Xiao Chengli’s eyes darkened; he had his own plans.

Seeing his silence, Yin Ziyu grew even angrier. “Xiao Chengli, I’ve done so much for you. If you dare betray me, I’ll never forgive you!”

With that, she stormed off.

Xiao Chengli stood there, his face stern, eyes fierce. In truth, he didn’t truly love Yin Ziyu—why refuse a woman delivered to him?

Fuming, Yin Ziyu returned home, just in time to run into her mother.

Mrs. Zhao was puzzled—her daughter had just left, how could she return so quickly? She asked, “Ziyu? Where did you go just now?”

Yin Ziyu, of course, didn’t say she had gone to see Xiao Chengli. “Nothing, just out for a walk.”

“Out for a walk?” Mrs. Zhao doubted, then remembered something. “Right, what did your father say? What did he tell you?”

“You didn’t know?”

“Know what?”

Yin Ziyu, frustrated, admitted, “Father told me to go to Northern Hao to see my eldest sister. He said it would help me, but really, it’s for his own benefit.”

“What?” Mrs. Zhao was shocked but quickly realized it suited Yin Zhengqi’s character. She paused, then asked, “And what did you say? Did you agree?”

“How could I refuse? Father said it, so I had to agree.”

“But it’s fine,” Mrs. Zhao said suddenly.

Yin Ziyu was surprised her mother thought this was okay. She nearly stomped in frustration. “Mother, are you crazy? Why should I go?”

Mrs. Zhao, calm now, pulled her daughter aside and looked around before speaking. “You silly girl, think about it. Your eldest sister is so highly regarded in Northern Hao. If you go, she won’t treat you poorly.”

“Mother, what do you mean?”

“It means, Yin Qingyue is now part of the royal family. If you go, you’re essentially half-royal. Meeting high officials will be easy. You can’t let Yin Qingyue outshine you.”

Originally, Mrs. Zhao thought Yin Qingyue entering the Luocheng Institute was the end of her prospects, but now she had emerged from it and married into Northern Hao royalty—something Yin Ziyu could never match.

Yin Ziyu wasn’t foolish. She had once taken Yin Qingyue’s fiancé, yet today, Xiao Chengli’s attitude left her disappointed. After waiting so long, he still hadn’t given her a firm answer.

Thinking this through, she realized her mother was right: going to Northern Hao wasn’t a loss.

First, it would make Xiao Chengli regret it. Second, it would give her a path forward.

Mrs. Zhao continued, “Ziyu, at this point, you must plan for your own future. Understand?”