Collateral damage

"Do you agree with what others say? If yes, then did you think from brother Biao's perspective?"

"If you didn't believe in other's words then there is no reason to say such stuff to brother Biao, it will only dampen his spirits."

Everyone was visibly shocked or surprised by what she said.

Lin Huiying soon realized that she got carried away in emotions and spoke a lot. She started to feel embarrassed.

She looked at everyone and then lastly her uncle and spoke awkwardly, "I didn't mean to say so much. I was just….Ughhh" She looked down and timidly said, "I am sorry." She was getting embarrassed now.

Old man Lin suddenly laughed a little and abruptly stop to compose himself.

"Isn't my granddaughter just amazing? Such deep thoughts at such a young age." He said while being pleased with himself.

"You're right, dad." Lin Zexus spoke after finally coming out of a daze. He looked at his niece who almost looked like she had a halo behind her head.

"My dear, you said nothing wrong." He assured her with a smile. Then with a low voice he spoke, "I was being insensitive right now."

He looked at his son who still looked moved from Lin Huiying's earlier speech and spoke, "Your father supports your passion. I don't mind even if you take two years for a single painting."

Lin Biao was really happy to hear his father openly supporting him, so he smiled at him and said, "That's good. Now don't nag me till another whole year."

"You brat!" Lin Zexus jokingly said.

Everyone laughed when they saw the duo.

"My daughter is not the only kind but also intelligent." Lin Qingfeng looked at his daughter sitting next to him with pride and adoration while patting her head.

"How am I ever going to let you marry and leave this house?" Then he suddenly turned his head towards his father and asked, "Should we just find a son-in-law who would marry into our family? So, she will never have to leave this house or us."

Old man Lin contemplated on the idea, "It sounds good to me." While others nodded.

"How can we do that? Even if she gets married, she can return home anytime she wants. But where would we ever find a husband who will marry INTO our house? Rational. We need to be rational." Lu Yi-Ching spoke while looking at the older and younger men in her family.

"Oh right, our child is already 18 years old. Isn't it time for her marriage? People have been eagerly discussing her marriage from the time she turned 18 three months ago." Ye Qing spoke while looking at Lu Yi-Ching.

Lin Huiying's birthday was celebrated on the 10th of January by her family. They even distributed food to the beggars on that special occasion.

"Father, regarding her marriage what do you think?" Lin Qingfend turned to his father and asked with a serious expression and his eyebrows furrowed.

When Old man Lin looked at his son, he understood what he was referring to. He sighed.

"I don't know what is going to happen. His Majesty has not said anything yet. Nor the Third prince looks as if he is interested. I am troubled about this matter. Nothing has been set in stone."

The elders wore a serious expression now.

Lin Zexus spoke while still thinking about his idea, "Why don't we take the first step? If Ming'er likes him then we can discuss this with His Majesty. We can't keep on delaying about this."

Lin Fengmian who had been quiet and thinking for a while suddenly spoke, "With the crown prince on one side, do you think he or His Majesty will let our family become relatives with the Third Prince. Both the princes stand on the opposite side. We'll become the collateral damage."

"Our family is not that weak to become collateral damage. But yes, we will be in a fix." The old man answered.

"Then should we just go with the third option. Of choosing someone else who is capable enough to be our son-in-law." Ye Qing suggested.

Hearing that, others sighed.

The younger ones were listening to the whole conversation.

Lin Huiying was recalling the story. If she was right, then the third prince they were talking about was the First male lead of this novel, the Third Prince who will be the winner at the end.

And as the story goes, she was that childhood friend of the prince who will get engaged to him after turning 18.