marriage proposal

At dawn, Jiang Jin arrived at the government office on time for his roll call. Everyone else had arrived early, making Jiang Jin appear somewhat late.

"At the funeral." Jiang Jin bowed and then stood beside him, watching him handle official business.

"Registrar Jiang, yesterday His Majesty ordered the Secretariat to review the edict for the conferment of titles of nobility drafted yesterday." The official placed the edict on the table.

"The Fifth Prince is hereby conferred the title of Prince Ji." Jiang Jin glanced at the imperial decree with some surprise. Yesterday's events had been too complicated, and he had forgotten to pay attention to matters of the court.

"This decree was personally bestowed by His Majesty, but it's written in an overly lengthy style. I wonder if it was at His Majesty's behest," the man muttered during the funeral, before handing the decree to his superiors for review.

"But aren't all imperial edicts for bestowing titles of princes this complicated? Besides, the elegant wording shows the effort the Secretariat put in," Jiang Jin asked, somewhat puzzled.

“There are differences between imperial edicts. For example, the marriage between Registrar Jiang and General Wei was reviewed by the Secretariat and the Chancellery, but His Majesty specifically added the requirement of both talent and virtue. Although it is not as good as a decree personally drafted, it is still a great honor.”

During the funeral, he pointed out the importance of the imperial edict regarding the character of Qi Chongyuan, and Feng You Zhaomao [1] said in a low voice.

"These two terms are rather grandiose. If His Majesty personally pointed them out, we shouldn't say much. But if they were drafted by the Secretariat, then we must reject them," Bai Shizhong patiently explained to Jiang Jin.

"Thank you for your guidance, Bai Shizhong." Jiang Jin understood Bai Shizhong's meaning and felt even more respect for him.

"Registrar Jiang, there's no need to overthink it. I just think what you said back then was very true. If something happens while we're acting under your name, we'll be the ones punished." The official could see through Jiang Jin's thoughts during the funeral.

"Alright, that's all for today. You may go back now." The funeral attendant waved his hand, and Jiang Jin, following customary etiquette, left, brushing past the Chief Clerk Hou from the Secretariat.

Jiang Jin stopped and returned to the desk, pretending to tidy up her belongings, but actually listening intently to what Master Hou was saying.

"The Imperial Concubine is still not satisfied. This is a request for the Secretariat to draft a new edict of investiture for the Empress. Please have the Chancellery review it again." Hou, the head steward, reluctantly placed the edict on the funeral table.

"Still not satisfied? This has been going on for over a month." Bai Shizhong sighed. "His Majesty doesn't want the wording to be too ornate, while the Consort thinks it's too simple. We're caught in the middle." Bai Shizhong glanced at the decree quickly. "His Majesty will be furious if this decree is submitted."

"The Fifth Prince has already been granted the title of Prince, so His Majesty might agree. After all, a mother's status rises with her son's." Seeing that he had passed the hot potato to the Secretariat, Chief Clerk Hou hurriedly left the office.

Having obtained the answer he sought, Jiang Jin left the government office without lingering, leaving the officials of the Secretariat heartbroken.

"Second sister!" Jiang Ru lifted a corner of the curtain and waved to Jiang Jin. "I came to the government office to pick you up. You can have whatever you want to eat today."

Jiang Ru wore a pale yellow jacket today, her hair was styled in a high bun, and several lifelike butterflies were depicted in her hair, their wings trembling slightly as if real butterflies had landed on her bun.

"Then I won't try to save you money, Third Sister."

Jiang Jin sat down next to Jiang Ru. "If you really don't want to, you'll have to bear the anger of your father and mother. Although the Great Yan Dynasty is not so open that women are forbidden from going out, it is not so open that women are allowed to remain unmarried."

"Second sister, I understand. Marrying into a respectable family is already a windfall for me. If I were ungrateful, Father and Mother would be unhappy. Besides, I don't have your courage to go against them." Jiang Ru smiled slightly, then sighed.

“If I don’t know what’s good for me, what will happen to my aunt?” Jiang Ru tapped the tip of her nose. “My second sister and I are both from the Jiang family. If my sister has to get married, then I can’t be spared either.”

"If you really don't want to, come to the Wei residence. There's still a place for you in the village." Jiang Jin felt a pang of sadness. Jiang Ru had always been sensible, so she wanted to help her as much as possible.

"Thank you, Second Sister, but it's already difficult for you to serve as an official in the court. Countless eyes are watching you, and I can't hold you back. Besides, a respectable family isn't necessarily bad." Jiang Ru turned to comfort Jiang Jinlai instead.

"My lady, we've arrived at Yangchun Pavilion." This time, Jiang Ru jumped off the carriage just like Jiang Jin. "My lady, this way please."

Following the waiter up to the third floor, we arrived at the innermost private room. As soon as I pushed open the door, I saw Liang Dalang sitting quietly at the table reading a book.

"Greetings, Cousin Liang." Jiang Ru curtsied, while Jiang Jin, whose official rank was higher than Liang's, merely nodded slightly.

“Cousin, I’m getting married soon, so I’ve come to return this rare book.” Jiang Ru handed the box she was holding to her husband.

"Many thanks to my cousin for obtaining this rare book for me. I never imagined that our reunion at the temple would be like this." Jiang Ru's expression was calm, devoid of her previous bitterness.

"You once prayed before Buddha for this rare copy of the book, so I found it for you. Jiang Ru, if I were to propose to your aunt, would you be willing to marry me?" Liang Langjun looked at Jiang Ru nervously, afraid of missing the expression on her face.

“A fine young man is destined to marry a noblewoman; I dare not even dream of marrying him.” Jiang Ru remained calm. “Second sister, let’s go. It would be improper for us to stay any longer.”

"Okay." Jiang Jin slowly stood up, but her eyes remained fixed on Liang Langjun.

"Whether you dare not even dream of it or are unwilling to dream of it, Jiang Ru, as long as you are willing, you don't need to take anyone else's words to heart!" A hint of urgency flashed across Liang Langjun's face, but out of courtesy, he had no choice but to watch Jiang Ru rise.

"It's my reluctance to marry someone of such high status. But what if things don't go well for you in the future, and I grow old? Will you regret your decision then?" Jiang Ru glanced at Jiang Jin, nodded, and then left the private room.

"I still didn't realize you had such skills, Third Sister." Jiang Jin nodded in satisfaction. "Aren't you afraid he'll really abandon you?"

"If I can't even withstand this test, then I won't have a good life if I marry him. If I marry someone from a respectable family, they won't make me suffer because of my parents' influence."

Jiang Ru successfully seized the initiative, saying, "Looking at it this way, your Jiang family is indeed exceptionally talented."

Wei Shu appeared at the bottom of the stairs, playing with a dagger, and quietly looked at Jiang Jin. "Madam has been worrying about her family lately, and has neglected her husband."

"General Wei," Jiang Ru curtsied and silently hid behind Jiang Jin, "I need to escort Third Sister back. General, please return to the Wei residence on your own."

Jiang Jin had no time to consider Wei Shu's thoughts. Noticing Jiang Ru's fear, she took her hand and said, "Third Sister, I'll take you back to the manor first."

"Second sister, I think I can return to the manor by myself. Sister, you should spend more time with General Wei." Feeling the murderous gaze sweep over her, Jiang Ru quickly lifted her skirt and went downstairs.

"Wei Shu, what brings you here at this hour?" Seeing that Jiang Ru was running away so quickly, he gave up on the idea of ​​taking her home.

"I'm openly and honestly looking for my wife. Do I need some official business as an excuse?" Wei Shu walked up the stairs until he stood in front of Jiang Jin.

"Alright, let's go back to the manor. Aren't you ashamed to be seen in public?" Jiang Jin heard the wooden door behind her open, and Liang Langjun's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

"Cousin, if you have nothing else to do, please come to the car for a chat." Jiang Jin gestured for him to enter.

"Then I'll have to trouble my cousin and General Wei." Liang Langjun happened to have some questions for Jiang Jin.

Wei Shu sat steadily between the two in the carriage, blocking their eye contact.

"Cousin, is there something you want to ask me?" Liang Langjun smiled, staring at Wei Shu's fierce gaze.

"When did you find out about Third Sister's identity, cousin?" Jiang Jin didn't believe that Jiang Ru had discovered his identity first.

"I recognized him when Erlang and I went to the manor to propose marriage, but I never expected to see him like this again." Lianglangjun knew that even if he didn't say anything, Jiang Jin would find a way to find out, so he might as well confess.

"Cousin is truly open with everything he knows, but why did he reveal his secret in front of Sister Ru? I remember never seeing him wear that so-called jade pendant when I met him."

"I just wanted to try it out. If Third Sister doesn't reciprocate my feelings, saying it abruptly might put pressure on her." Liang Langjun's sincere tone reassured Jiang Jin somewhat.

"So what if you find out?" Jiang Jin looked at Liang Langjun with an expressionless face. "A brother taking his brother's wife is not the behavior of a gentleman."

“A gentleman can’t keep the one he loves. Actually, I think Third Sister also has feelings for me. If she had no feelings for me, why would my cousin say so much to me?” Liang Langjun smiled happily, but still kept his eyes on Jiang Jin’s expression.

"Cousin, I'm just worried about Third Sister. Anyway, she's going to marry into a respectable family; Father won't care who she marries." Jiang Jin wasn't about to give anyone cause for gossip.

"Instead of saying high-sounding words, cousin, you should take concrete actions. Uncle and Aunt won't have an easy time of it."

"Don't worry, cousin. Since I dared to say this, I won't let you down." Having gotten the answer he wanted, Liang Langjun wanted to leave the strangely tense carriage.

"Cousin, actually, Third Sister and I share the same doubt: if one day your career falters, will you regret giving up the opportunity to marry someone else?" Jiang Jin knew that her beloved husband wasn't one to speak carelessly, but the human heart is the most vulnerable to the test of time.

“Cousin, Third Sister is the only person I can choose for myself. If my career requires sacrificing someone I share a deep connection with, then I would be unworthy of being an official. Besides, your Jiang family might be able to help me in my career.” The handsome young man lifted the curtain and jumped down from the carriage.

"Cousin, thank you so much for today." Liang Langjun said softly as he slowly walked into the Liang residence. Wei Shu looked at Jiang Jin, who was somewhat dazed, and asked with a hint of envy, "Do you want to go in and take a look too?"

"I was just thinking that my cousin's situation is going to be tough. I heard that my aunt and uncle want him to marry the daughter of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. My cousin is in big trouble!" Jiang Jin clicked her tongue in sighing, which Wei Shu detected as a hint of schadenfreude.