jdhmnovel Chapter 444 Persuasion is successful
Chapter 444 Persuasion is successful
Dugu Jingyao acted decisively and quickly. The night before, she had instructed Si Jian to send a letter to Murong Linzhi and Shen Zhenzhu, inviting them to go to Prince Guangping's Mansion together today.
On the surface, it was to invite Murong Linzhi to come and treat Dugu Jingyao, but in fact, this was just a carefully planned excuse by Dugu Jingyao, and the real purpose was to persuade Shen Zhenzhu.
However, Dugu Jingyao knew that success or failure was unpredictable. All she could do was to make a start, using her own experience as an example and doing her best to persuade. After all, matters of the heart were beyond the control of others.
Just as the dawn of the next day was breaking, Dugu Jingyao had just woken up from her sleep. Before she had time to wash and dress, she heard light footsteps coming from outside the door.
Soon after, Murong Linzhi and Shen Zhenzhu arrived in front of the mansion. In order to avoid attracting too much attention, Shen Zhenzhu had changed into a simple medical attire.
Since Dugu Jingyao had secretly invited Shen Zhenzhu to her house this time, she had instructed Shijian in advance that once he saw Murong Linzhi and Shen Zhenzhu arriving, he should lead them directly into her bedroom without notifying them.
Anyway, Murong Linzhi had come to see her many times before, and every time he would go straight into the bedroom like this, so she was used to it.
When they came in, Dugu Jingyao had just finished washing up and had not put on any makeup yet. She looked a little fatter than before. It might be because she had been sleepy recently and she didn't do morning exercises anymore, so she naturally gained weight. And maybe because she had a good rest, her face was delicate, rosy and shiny.
Seeing Dugu Jingyao like this, Shen Zhenzhu was amazed: "Jingyao, it's been so long since we last met! I feel like you've changed!"
Dugu Jingyao's eyes revealed curiosity as she asked, "Although we haven't seen each other for quite some time, you shouldn't have changed, right?"
Shen Zhenzhu said, "Why not? Jingyao looks more mature now, and you've become a little plump, which makes you even more beautiful!"
Dugu Jingyao gestured for the two of them to sit down, glared at her, and tapped Shen Zhenzhu's forehead with her finger, saying, "Zhenzhu, how did you learn to be so smooth-talking? I hope my brother didn't lead you astray."
Shen Zhenzhu subconsciously retorted: "Your brother is not a smooth talker, he is not even as good as me..."
Looking at Dugu Jingyao and Murong Linzhi who were looking at her with meaningful eyes, she realized something and her face flushed. She said a little excitedly: "Why are you looking at me like that? I'm telling the truth..."
Dugu Jingyao shook her head and said, "Tsk tsk tsk, you're already defending my brother before you even get married. Won't my brother be spoiled by you in the future?"
Murong Linzhi also expressed his deep agreement and said, "Hey, Zhenzhu, you've really changed now. You've actually started to defend men. Apart from defending your brother, it seems you've never deliberately defended any other man!"
Shen Zhenzhu pretended to be angry and said, "I'm going to ignore you!"
Dugu Jingyao then took Shen Zhenzhu's hand and said, "Alright, alright, stop making trouble. I asked you to come along because I have something to ask you."
Shen Zhenzhu no longer cared about being angry when she heard this and asked, "What's the matter?"
Dugu Jingyao asked straight to the point, "Zhenzhu, I heard my brother went to see you?"
Shen Zhenzhu's mood, which had finally calmed down, began to fluctuate again. She said, "Yes, he did look for me, but..."
Dugu Jingyao asked curiously, "Why didn't you agree to it? What else are you worried about?"
Murong Linzhi looked confused and asked, "What are you talking about? What did you promise?"
Just as Shen Zhenzhu was about to say something, Dugu Jingyao spoke first: "Lin Zhi, you don't know yet? My brother went to confess his love to Lin Zhi! But Zhenzhu didn't agree to marry my brother..."
Murong Linzhi asked excitedly: "What, Zhenzhu, you didn't agree? Don't you like it very much..."
Shen Zhenzhu reached out to cover Murong Linzhi's mouth, but Murong Linzhi dodged her hand. She said angrily, "Oh, yes, I like Brother Mo Yan, but... Yunnan is too far away from here. I... am a little worried..."
Dugu Jingyao felt like she was being disappointed in her brother and asked, "Zhenzhu, I just want to ask you one question: do you love my brother?"
Although Shen Zhenzhu looked shy, she still replied, "Brother Mo Yan and I are in love with each other..."
Murong Linzhi was a little confused, so he said, "That's it, isn't it? Then why are you still hesitating?"
Shen Zhenzhu hesitated and didn't speak, and then Dugu Jingyao continued: "Are you afraid that my brother will betray you?"
Shen Zhenzhu nodded in affirmation, and Dugu Jingyao continued, "If you truly love each other, distance doesn't mean anything. Look, Your Highness and I are truly in love. I'm willing to marry him and move to Chang'an. I don't have any family here, and I believe he loves me enough. Even if he takes a concubine, I'm the most important person in his heart."
Shen Zhenzhu pondered Dugu Jingyao's words carefully. Dugu Jingyao looked at her expression and seemed to understand a little. She continued, "Besides, the men in our family have one advantage, which is loyalty. Just look at my father and you'll know. He didn't care even if my mother didn't give him a son to carry on the family line. As for Yue'er, that happened after my mother passed away. It was also my mother's last wish... I believe my brother won't take a concubine, and everything can be discussed. If he can't agree, then you don't have to marry."
Shen Zhenzhu pondered for a while, while Dugu Jingyao and Murong Linzhi looked at her expectantly. Finally, Shen Zhenzhu said, "Jingyao, you make sense. I... I should give Brother Mo Yan a chance."
Dugu Jingyao finally relaxed and said, "That's right. Besides, if you marry me, you'll be my sister-in-law. You'll be taking advantage!"
Shen Zhenzhu also laughed when she heard this.
After sending Murong Linzhi and Shen Zhenzhu away, Dugu Jingyao sent Shi Jian to pass the news to the Palace of Prince of Yunnan.
After hearing this, Dugu Moyan was so excited that he hardly slept the whole night. The next morning, he went to find Dugu Xin and asked him to take him to the Shen Mansion.
Dugu Xin felt helpless, but when he thought about whether his eldest son could successfully start a family and continue the family line, he didn't care about so much. He gritted his teeth and said, "Forget it, just go!" After that, he hurriedly called Xunfeng and asked him to carefully prepare a generous gift.
Soon, Xunfeng prepared the gift and presented it. Dugu Xin carefully inspected it and confirmed it was correct. However, when he looked at the anxious Dugu Moyan beside him, he couldn't help but say something soothing, "Son, don't worry. Shen Yizhi probably hasn't finished his morning court yet. Even if we rush over now, we'll be in vain. It's better to have a peaceful breakfast first."
Although Dugu Moyan was unwilling, he thought about it and realized that what his father said made sense. If he went there rashly when Shen Yizhi was not at home, it would be impolite. He had to suppress his temper for the time being and nodded in response: "Okay, I'll follow your arrangements, father."
Thus, father and son patiently waited until the time for the court to end was finally here. Seeing that the time had arrived, Dugu Xin and Dugu Moyan dared not delay and immediately set off for the Shen Mansion. Along the way, Dugu Moyan was anxious and kept urging the driver to hurry.
When the carriage arrived at the Shen Mansion, the gate was wide open. The servants at the gate saw that it was the King of Yunnan and hurried forward to greet him respectfully. Dugu Xin and his son got out of the carriage and walked quickly into the mansion.
Shen Yizhi had just returned to the mansion, barely even taking off his official uniform. He had barely had time to settle into his chair when he heard a servant arrive to announce a visit from the King of Yunnan and his son. Startled by the news, he hurriedly stood up and headed straight for the main hall.