538: Chapter 538 is indeed comfortable.

Lin Xiao nodded, "As long as it does not violate morality, I will try my best to agree."

Lady Hu looked solemn, "Then this commoner dares to be bold, please Prince... take in Hu Xinyi!"

"..."

The scene fell into a silence.

Lin Xiao frowned, while Xie Juner on the side covered her mouth with one hand, her beautiful eyes wide open.

This request was truly too bold!

"The Prince is sharp-sighted; you should have long sensed the child Hu Xinyi's admiration."

Lady Hu sighed, "This child looks gentle, but she is actually strong-willed."

"She has read extensively since childhood. Although she cannot compare to a Princess like you who is skilled in both literature and martial arts, she has broadened her horizons. She simply cannot look upon ordinary men."

"Ever since she saw the Prince, I noticed she changed. No matter how I persuaded her, she could no longer tolerate any other man..."

"If it were before, this commoner would not dare mention this to the Prince. I know the Prince does not like the Hu Family."

"But now, the Hu Family is gone, and Hu Xinyi will no longer engage in business."

"She said... she wanted to accompany me and help take care of the child, but how could I watch her waste her prime years like this..."

Lin Xiao pondered for a moment and asked, "Have you mentioned this to her?"

"Not yet, but as long as the Prince agrees, she will certainly be one hundred percent happy."

Lady Hu said earnestly, "Prince, this commoner does not ask you to take her as a concubine. Even if it is just as a Haitang to serve tea and water, it is enough."

"Madam, what are you saying? Even if the family has fallen, Hu Xinyi is not at the point of being a Haitang," Xie Juner felt it was too much.

"Princess, when a family falls, there is at least a home. Now, where do we have a home?"

Lady Hu smiled bitterly, "If not for the Prince's protection and the Princess's kindness, for a pregnant woman like me, and an orphaned, destitute rich girl like her, I don't know what kind of suffering we would face."

Xie Juner bit her lower lip, unable to speak.

Although cruel, she knew Lady Hu spoke the truth.

The Hu Family was to be investigated due to collusion between officials and merchants. Now that the tree had fallen, the monkeys had scattered. Even those as loyal as The Ma Brothers had already left.

Now that they had a place to stay and Haitangs to take care of them, it was already very difficult.

If no one managed them, Lady Hu, with a posthumous child, would likely have an unfortunate second half of her life.

And Hu Xinyi, in the Tianwu Continent where martial arts were respected, was a beautiful, destitute heiress. Without backing, one could not imagine what the future would hold.

"I understand what you mean. How about this: I am going to the north to dig potatoes. If Miss Hu is willing, she can come along."

"Dig... dig potatoes? What is a potato?" Lady Hu looked puzzled.

"It is not important. In any case, let her follow along and see if there is anything she wants to do. We can discuss future matters later."

Lin Xiao did not want to act against his heart. It was unrealistic to ask him to marry Hu Xinyi now.

Frankly, while Hu Xinyi was not a peerless beauty, she was not at the top level either, but in the eyes of most people, she was considered first-class.

If she really were to be a Haitang, it would be a bit of a grievance for her.

Mainly, Lin Xiao had previously rejected the Hu Family, so naturally, he had no feelings for Hu Xinyi.

But since he had already promised Lady Hu, and the other party just wanted to find a backer...

Lin Xiao felt that giving Hu Xinyi a chance was not a bad idea.

Before long, Hu Xinyi walked out carrying tea.

Lin Xiao and Xie Juner sat for a while, had two sips, and left the courtyard.

After all, Lin Xiao had just returned to Baishui City. Even if most matters did not require his management, some important issues were still waiting for his final decision.

Lady Hu and Hu Xinyi watched the two people's carriage drive away until it was out of sight.

"Aunt, did you... ask the Prince to take me in?" Hu Xinyi asked softly.

Lady Hu's hand trembled, and she said uneasily, "Child, are you angry?"

Hu Xinyi smiled and shook her head, "How could I be? I understand my current situation very well."

"Aunt is willing to lower herself to speak for me; I am too grateful to be ungrateful..."

Lady Hu's eyes moistened, and she stroked her niece's hair with heartache.

"Hu Xinyi, Aunt is old. When the time comes, even if I have to risk my life, I will give birth to the child in my womb."

"Aunt is not afraid of anything else, only that if I am no longer here, you will be alone in the world..."

Hu Xinyi also had red-rimmed eyes and smiled strongly, "Aunt, don't worry. I know I am not worthy of the Prince, but I will definitely not give up."

"Father and Uncle are no longer here, but as long as I work hard, I can take good care of Aunt and the child."

Lady Hu nodded with satisfaction, then hurriedly said, "Right, the Prince said he is going to Western Qiang in two days to dig some potatoes and wants you to come along."

"Potatoes? So it is already the harvest season..." Hu Xinyi muttered.

"You know that thing?" Lady Hu was surprised.

"Yes, Princess Ningxiang told me that the Prince discovered a grain called potato at Xishan Temple in Yangquan."

"This spring, the Prince imported a large batch of potatoes from the Western Regions and started planting. This is an important crop that can feed a large number of commoners in the future."

"The farmers who planted potatoes with the Prince said that the potatoes are magical and can be cut and planted. I have always wanted to see it for myself."

Lady Hu looked at her niece in astonishment for a while, then smiled with heartache and helplessness, "As long as it concerns the Prince of Zhenbei, you will learn about everything, right?"

Hu Xinyi bit her flower-like lips and nodded shyly.

Meanwhile.

A Hongqi carriage from the Northern Trade Alliance drove into Yangquan, Cang Province.

"Princess, the osmanthus flowers are blooming. It smells so good."

Inside the carriage, a cute and playful Haitang leaned on the car window, looking at the prosperous street scene outside.

"I heard that Xishan Temple in Yangquan is very effective. Should we go take a look?"

Wearing a new cheongsam from the Northern Cottage, the intellectual and elegant Princess Lanyi was holding a book, leaning on the soft couch inside the carriage.

"You little Haitang, have you not played enough along the way? The visiting card has been sent for days; we cannot delay any longer."

The Haitang pouted, "Princess, anyway, the official roads in the North are very fast, and this Hongqi car is comfortable. It won't take long to make a trip."

Princess Lanyi stroked the leather seat in the carriage and sighed, "It is indeed comfortable. Every product of the Northern Trade Alliance is so outstanding."

"But there is not enough time. When we arrive at Baishui City, we still have to meet with several big shopkeepers of the Baiyue Chamber of Commerce and make full preparations."

The Haitang giggled, "Princess, are you really going to talk business? Aren't we aiming for the Prince of Zhenbei?"

Princess Lanyi pretended to be angry and kicked the Haitang with her jade foot, laughing and scolding, "What are you saying? The visiting card did not say we were meeting the Prince. The Prince of Zhenbei is such a busy man, he must have a thousand things to do."

"This time, we will mostly just see his concubine, the big shopkeeper Su Wansha, or perhaps Princess Ningxiang."

"How can that be? Princess, you are the world-famous 'Sanwan' of the academy. Not to mention your beauty, you are also skilled in both literature and martial arts, and your status is noble."

"How many royal relatives and noble families want to marry you to bring honor to their ancestors?"

"Not to mention anything else, on this journey north, the aristocratic families and powerful officials everywhere, upon learning you were passing through, were crazy to offer courtesies and wanted to befriend you."

The Haitang said proudly, "I don't believe it. When the Princess arrives at Baishui City, the Prince of Zhenbei can hold back from coming to see you!"