Chapter 652: Female Sovereign’s Consort Selection 9

Lan Xintong lowered his head slightly at his mother’s words, his expression faintly conflicted.

“…But when I smile,” he said after a pause, his voice quiet, “don’t I look even worse?”

General Lan: “…”

For a moment, she was at a loss.

That… seemed to be true.

An awkward cough escaped her as she quickly composed herself, brushing the matter aside. “Then don’t smile,” she said decisively, as if that solved everything.

After a brief pause, her tone turned more serious.

“In a few days, people from the palace will come to teach you etiquette. Learn properly. Once you enter the palace, you must not make any mistakes that others can seize upon.”

Her gaze softened slightly, though her voice remained firm.

“And remember—no matter what happens, the Lan family will always stand behind you. If anyone dares to ridicule you, you don’t have to endure it silently.”

There was unmistakable protectiveness in her words.

Lan Xintong felt a warmth spread through his chest. He nodded earnestly. “Thank you, Mother.”

“Mm.” General Lan gave a satisfied nod. “It’s been a long day. Go rest.”

“You should rest as well, Mother,” Lan Xintong replied softly before turning to leave.

—

Back in his room, silence settled around him.

Lan Xintong walked slowly toward the mirror, stopping in front of it. For a moment, he simply stood there, looking at his own reflection.

The person in the mirror was tall, broad-shouldered, and sharply defined. His features were firm, almost severe, lacking the softness that men in this world were expected to have. His body was strong—too strong, in fact—more robust than many women.

Even his hands…

He lifted them slightly, his gaze falling on his palms.

Where others prized fair, delicate hands, his were long and broad, the skin roughened by faint calluses earned through years of secretly practicing martial arts.

From head to toe, there was nothing about him that fit the standards of beauty in this world.

Not a single thing.

And yet…

Did she truly like him like this?

Her words from earlier echoed faintly in his mind, stirring something he couldn’t quite suppress.

Or had she only been comforting him?

Lan Xintong’s blue eyes dimmed slightly, uncertainty clouding their depth.

Even so… he couldn’t stop himself from imagining—

What if she hadn’t been lying?

—

Time passed quickly.

In the blink of an eye, seven days had gone by.

The day of the formal betrothal arrived.

Early in the morning, Tang Wan finished preparing herself, her attire immaculate as she set out with an elaborate procession bearing betrothal gifts toward the Lan residence.

Seated atop a tall horse at the front, she appeared composed and dignified, every inch the Crown Princess.

Yet inside—

“Little Cutie,” she said lazily in her mind, “don’t you think Tongtong is a bit of a blockhead?”

Little Cutie was silent for a moment before replying flatly, “Host, the villain probably wants to hit you.”

Tang Wan huffed lightly. “Tongtong wouldn’t do that.”

Then, as if imagining something amusing, her lips curved upward.

“But just thinking about being able to marry him in this world…” she murmured inwardly, her tone turning almost gleeful, “it’s actually pretty exciting.”

A soft laugh echoed in her mind.

—

Before long, the procession arrived at the Lan residence.

General Lan was already waiting at the entrance, her face bright with undisguised joy.

“Wei—this minister greets Your Royal Highness!” she said, bowing respectfully.

Tang Wan quickly dismounted, stepping forward with a warm smile. “No need for such formality. We will soon be family—Mother-in-law needn’t be so courteous.”

The term “mother-in-law” clearly delighted General Lan.

Her smile widened instantly as she welcomed Tang Wan inside with great enthusiasm.

Once they were seated, she turned toward her son. “Xintong, come and greet Her Royal Highness.”

Lan Xintong stepped forward.

Despite his composed exterior, there was a faint tension in his posture.

“Xintong greets Your Royal Highness,” he said, bowing respectfully.

Tang Wan’s gaze fell on him immediately, softening without concealment.

“There’s no need for such formality, Tongtong,” she said gently. Then, after looking at him more closely, her brows knit slightly. “Why do you seem thinner than before?”

Her concern was unmistakable.

Lan Xintong’s heart trembled.

Over the past few days, he had deliberately reduced his meals to one a day, forcing himself to lose weight. He had even soaked his hands in vinegar, trying to soften the calluses that marred them.

All of it… just to appear a little closer to what she might prefer.

And yet—

She had noticed.

At a single glance.

Before he could respond, General Lan spoke up with a faint smile. “Your Highness, Xintong thought himself too strong, so he has been trying to slim down these past few days. After all, for men, a more slender figure is considered beautiful. Otherwise, he may not even fit properly into his wedding attire.”

Hearing this, Tang Wan’s expression changed instantly.

“What slimming down?” she said, her tone firm, almost displeased.

Her gaze returned to Lan Xintong, carrying both concern and a trace of reproach.

“I like your current figure,” she continued without hesitation. “You look strong and full of spirit—there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Her voice grew more certain with each word.

“If you lose weight and end up looking like those overly delicate men outside…” she added, her lips pressing slightly together, “then what would make you different from them?”