He Changdi sighed and shook his head.

Eldest Brother was a righteous person and valued filial piety. Regardless of whether this was a trap set up by Aunt and her daughter, it had already happened and could not be changed.

If Grandmother insisted on him marrying Pan Nianzhen, he probably would not refuse.

Even if the two of them would not be happy after marriage, he still would not refuse.

This was actually He Changqi's disguised form of giving up and despair, which was very disadvantageous to him.

"Can't you persuade Eldest Brother?" Chu Lian suggested.

He Changdi shook his head again.

The three brothers had grown up together. Although he was almost ten years older than his eldest brother, he still understood him very well.

Because He Changqi was the eldest grandson in the family, he had been instilled with the idea of supporting the family, loving his younger brothers, and being righteous and responsible. As the eldest grandson, he had to show filial piety on behalf of his younger brothers.

The Great Wu Dynasty was governed by filial piety. Under normal circumstances, the younger generation would rarely go against the wishes and decisions of their elders.

Not to mention someone as senior as Matriarch He.

Although He Changdi had some influence in the estate, he was still a junior and had no prestige in front of his eldest brother. Even if he tried to persuade him, He Changqi would not listen.

If they wanted to change the matriarch and He Changqi's decision, perhaps only their father, Uncle Jing 'an, could do it.

When Chu Lian heard He Sanlang's explanation, she hurriedly said, "Didn't you say that Father would be back soon? Let's quickly write a letter to Father and let him know."

When He Changdi was reminded by Chu Lian, he hurriedly stood up and went to the desk to write a letter.

When the letter was delivered by Wenlan, the young couple finally sighed in relief.

As long as Uncle Jing 'an could rush back early, He Dalang and Pan Nianzhen's marriage would not happen.

Chu Lian and He Changdi chatted for a while longer before the two of them went to rest together.

In the side room of Qingyuan Hall, Pan Nianzhen lay on the bed. She had already fainted from crying a few times.

When she was "caught in bed" by He Changdi and Chu Lian this morning, it was as if she had been struck by lightning and her emotions broke down.

She still could not believe that the person she had mustered all her courage to give herself to was the tall and sturdy He Changqi!

The prince on a white horse in her heart had turned into a "coward". Pan Nianzhen wanted to kill herself, but her last bit of rationality stopped her from doing so.

Although she was extremely unwilling, she did not lack the courage to hang herself.

Not long after, Great Grandaunt He Ying came in.

She looked at her pale and haggard daughter and sighed helplessly. She walked forward and sat by the bed.

"Sister Zhen, didn't Mother arrange it for you at that time? How … how could you make a mistake?"

Although He Ying was shrewish and selfish, she was really good to Pan Nianzhen, her own daughter. Otherwise, Pan Nianzhen would not have been taught to be so crooked.

How could Pan Nianzhen dare to tell her mother the truth at this time?

How could he dare to say that she actually had other thoughts?

Her target wasn't He Erlang, but He Sanlang.

The old maid that He Changdi sent to the backyard to inquire about the news was arranged by her.

"Mother, I was in a daze at that time. I don't know how I got it wrong."

At the mention of this matter, Pan Nianzhen's swollen eyes were filled with tears again. She threw herself into He Ying's arms and said sorrowfully, "Mother, what should I do now?

I can't live anymore … "

He Ying wanted to say that her daughter was a failure. She had arranged everything perfectly and yet she still made a mistake. But looking at her daughter now, she couldn't bear to scold her.

She sighed. "What else can you do? You can only marry Dalang now!" Her words were filled with determination.

Pan Nianzhen sobbed. She was obviously unwilling.

A mother knew her daughter best. He Ying understood her daughter's character. Among the three young masters of the He family, He Sanlang was definitely the best in terms of looks, followed by He Erlang. On the other hand, the eldest grandson, He Dalang, looked like Uncle Jing 'an and wasn't eye-catching.

However, He Sanlang got married last year. Originally, He Dalang shouldn't have considered it, but he had already divorced and didn't have a son.

Now that she thought about it, it was indeed a good choice.

When a girl chose a husband, she couldn't just rely on looks. He had to have a high status too.

Pan Nianzhen raised her teary eyes and resisted timidly. "But … but I don't like Eldest Cousin …"

He Ying was exasperated. How could she talk about whether she liked him or not? She had already lost her virginity, so it was useless even if she didn't like him.

However, she couldn't say it directly to hurt her daughter's feelings. She could only try to comfort her daughter from another angle.

"Although your eldest cousin's looks are average, he is the eldest grandson of the count's estate. When your uncle gets older in the future, the title of nobility will be passed on to him.

If you marry your eldest cousin, you will be Countess Jing 'an. Your eldest cousin doesn't have a male heir yet. If you give birth to a boy, he will be the heir of Count Jing' an's estate. Your maternal grandmother will dote on you even more. "

He Ying tried her best to persuade her. Pan Nianzhen looked better on the surface, but only she knew what she was thinking.

An hour later, He Ying stood up.

"Alright, I've said what I wanted to say. Think about it carefully and see if what I said makes sense."

Pan Nianzhen nodded in a daze. He Ying bent down and stroked her daughter's hair. She sighed softly and left Pan Nianzhen's room.

After He Ying left, Pan Nianzhen sat at the head of the bed for a long time.

Suddenly, she raised her head and glanced at her maidservant, Ping Lu. "Ping Lu, do you think I should just accept my fate like this?"

Ping Lu lowered her head and didn't dare to look at Pan Nianzhen directly. Her eyes darted around and after a moment, she replied in a small voice, "This … This servant doesn't dare to speak carelessly …"

It seemed that Pan Nianzhen didn't really need her to answer. She lowered her eyes and spoke in a voice that only she could hear.

"I can't accept this …"

Xiao Bojian received a letter from Wei Jia as soon as he left the Sixth Prince's estate.

Xiao Bojian took the letter and entered the carriage first. Wei Jia followed behind him.

Wei Jia had just sat down when he heard his master ask, "Whose letter is it from?"

Wei Jia shook his head. "This subordinate doesn't know. A child on the street delivered it to this subordinate early this morning.

He only said that it was for you, Master. "

"Where is he?"

"This subordinate has already interrogated him. That child doesn't know anything. He only received money to deliver the letter."

Xiao Bojian's expression darkened. He tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter inside. He quickly scanned the contents of the letter.

When he saw what was mentioned in the letter, his eyes widened in disbelief. The hand that was holding the letter couldn't help but tremble.

Xiao Bojian's overly beautiful face suddenly flushed red. This wasn't because he was angry, but because he was excited.

He gripped the letter tightly and did his best to suppress the emotions that were about to burst out of his heart.

However, he was still young and didn't have the calm and ruthless temperament that he had in his previous life.

Wei Jia, who was sitting opposite him, saw that his master's face was taut and twisted. It was as if he was suppressing his emotions and couldn't help but want to vent them. He asked worriedly, "Master, what's wrong?"

Wei Jia's words pulled Xiao Bojian back to reality. He hurriedly adjusted the expression on his face and threw the letter into the charcoal basin in the carriage.

With a flash of fire, the letter turned into ashes.