Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life-Chapter 527 - 526: The Best Version of Noblewomen

Regarding Lin Wanwan’s curiosity, Xiao Chong replied nonchalantly, "Since childhood, I’ve been without a mother, a solitary person, with no legitimate brothers or sisters. I once had a younger half-brother who unfortunately died young."

Actually, Lin Wanwan was quite clear about the main members of Xiao Chong’s entire family, as she had previously asked Lu Shouyue to help her investigate that part of the historical records.

It’s just concerning the records of Xiao Chong’s father’s side, she had always found them somewhat unclear.

In the information, there was only one Xiao Chong, who passed away in the third year of the Zhenguan era. As for the others, it was unknown whether their status was too low to be recorded or if their branch was indeed so sparse. Lin Wanwan had been quite puzzled.

Now hearing what Xiao Chong said, Lin Wanwan confirmed that Xiao Kai’s branch was indeed extinct. If it weren’t for her time travel, Xiao Chong would have long been lost to history.

"So cousin’s kinship is really quite shallow," Lin Wanwan sighed.

Already speaking of Xiao Chong’s family, the opportunity was rare, so Lin Wanwan went on to say, "Cousin, I have a question and I don’t know if I should ask it."

Xiao Chong laughed, "If I say you shouldn’t ask, would you not ask, cousin?"

Lin Wanwan giggled mischievously, "Cousin, I’m just asking in private. I heard that your uncle married the Princess of Xiangcheng. As far as I know, your uncle was older than Li... His Majesty, but the Princess of Xiangcheng was only twelve at the time, is that true?"

Xiao Chong showed a helpless expression and said, half-laughing and half-crying, "Cousin, speak no inappropriateness."

"Oh, on this desolate shore far from the Emperor, what’s there that can’t be discussed? I... I heard from my senior brother about this marriage, and I’m truly curious. Please, cousin, tell me, I promise not to blab elsewhere."

Xiao Chong said blandly, "Cousin’s perspective is always surprising. I don’t know what’s so remarkable about this matter. Is it so uncommon for a girl to marry at the age of fourteen?"

"Isn’t it uncommon?" Lin Wanwan sighed, "Girls of about twelve or thirteen, from a medical perspective, are not yet fully grown, yet they have to marry."

Although Xiao Chong did not directly answer Lin Wanwan, what he said implied that he admitted that the Princess of Xiangcheng indeed married Xiao Rui, an uncle older than her father, while still in her girlhood.

A girl of twelve or thirteen marrying a man of thirty-six or thirty-seven. The son-in-law was nearly ten years older than Li Shimin himself—this was a decision a father could make.

Royal families have no affection, and political marriages are truly cruel.

The historical records indicate that Li Shimin only cared for the children born to the Zhangsun Empress, treating the concubine-born sons and daughters merely as pawns and tools, which seems accurate.

In history, Xiao Rui had only one wife recorded in the family genealogy, the Princess of Xiangcheng.

But given his age, it was impossible that he had only the Princess of Xiangcheng. It’s likely that before the Princess of Xiangcheng, there were concubines and serving women, maybe even illegitimate children.

Under the laws of the Great Tang, a marriage between a commoner and someone of lower status was not permitted.

As long as a man’s women are not commoners, or if they’re not married through formal matchmaking, no matter how many concubines or serving maids he has, he is considered unmarried in name.

Like in ancient romance novels where a gentleman marries a maid and elevates her to the position of a legitimate wife, this is impossible in the Great Tang. Even if the gentleman is a romantic, at most he would remain "unmarried" for life, devoted only to his beloved maid.

But, is it possible?

"I heard that the Princess of Xiangcheng was courteous and treated her in-laws like her own parents, serving them morning and night, refusing to open a separate Princess Mansion. Is this true?"

In the darkness, Lin Wanwan’s voice sounded somewhat ethereal, as if dispersed by the sea breeze.

Xiao Chong’s voice was devoid of emotion: "Indeed, His Majesty repeatedly issued edicts to let the other princesses take the Princess of Xiangcheng as an example from their eldest sister."

"Haha, the Princess of Xiangcheng is truly a model for people like us!" Lin Wanwan exclaimed, unclear whether she was sincere or sarcastic.

From Xiao Chong’s perspective, he even detected a hint of sarcasm, but he didn’t understand what she was unhappy about.

It’s a difference in values; no matter how smart Xiao Chong is, he couldn’t possibly understand Lin Wanwan’s sudden melancholy.

The sea breeze blew, and Lin Wanwan shivered, involuntarily pulling her cloak tighter.

The two of them gazed at the endless sea and sky, listening to the gentle sounds of the waves, and fell silent.

After a long while, Lin Wanwan suddenly asked in a wistful tone, "Cousin, isn’t a woman like the Princess of Xiangcheng the ideal for a high-born wife?"

Xiao Chong was startled by her words, feeling a slight ripple in his heart.

He sensed that his response at this moment might affect something extremely significant to him, leaving him unsure of what to say.

No matter what, it seemed inappropriate, and caught in hesitation, his response was slow.

"I..."

Lin Wanwan turned her head, catching a glimpse of Xiao Chong in the faint moonlight, suddenly feeling her heartbeat quicken. She interrupted him and pointed towards the distant sky, smiling as she changed the subject, "Cousin, look, the fog has cleared a lot!"

Xiao Chong gazed at Lin Wanwan’s charming face in the night, his deep, ocean-like eyes slowly filled with a smile, and he couldn’t help but softly call out, "Wanwan~"

"Hmm?"

"What are you afraid of?"

Lin Wanwan raised her voice suddenly: "What, cousin, what are you talking about? Afraid of what, what is there to be afraid of? This is the Lin Family Manor, my territory, who’s got anything on me?"

Xiao Chong chuckled softly, "Indeed, cousin’s words are correct, your territory, you’re the mightiest."

"Tch~ Cousin, aren’t you good at reading the stars? When exactly is sunrise? The cold wind is freezing me; I’m turning into a cold turtledove."

Xiao Chong couldn’t help but laugh, "Cousin, aren’t you holding a hand-warmer? How could you turn into a cold turtledove?"

He continued, "Today, the sun rises at mao hour, about another half a shichen or so."

"Ah, half a shichen more?" Lin Wanwan was dizzy; why did they come out so early just to catch the cold wind? "Cousin, stop talking to me, it’s cold, I don’t want to open my mouth to eat the cold wind."

Lin Wanwan turned her head, put on the hood of her cloak, wrapped herself tightly, using the hand-warmer to press the gaps in her cloak for warmth, preventing any chill from seeping in.

She no longer spoke to Xiao Chong and focused solely on staring into the endless east.

The sound of waves, wave upon wave, was gently lulling, known in modern times as white noise, which aids in sleep.

In the rhythm of the waves, Lin Wanwan’s eyelids became increasingly heavy. The fur-lined cloak was incredibly warm, and with her face buried in the fluffy fur, the drowsiness deepened.

Unknowingly, her head began to nod like a pecking chick.

Xiao Chong subtly moved closer, allowing Lin Wanwan’s head to rest comfortably on his shoulder.

His heart was beating faster than ever, his gaze locked forward, softly murmuring, "The best form of a high-born wife, I don’t know; I only know the best form of my wife."