Proclamation

Seven or eight maids immediately surrounded Zuo Murui to help her dress up and put on her official robes. When she arrived at the main courtyard, there was already a large group of people kneeling in the courtyard.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Lady Fu Zhiqiao of Ming'an County is gentle, kind, virtuous, and of noble character. I am greatly pleased with her. Therefore, I hereby betroth Lady Fu Zhiqiao to Xie Zhuo, the heir apparent of Prince Duan, as his wife. An auspicious day shall be chosen for their marriage. So be it!"

Zuo Murui looked up in surprise, then realized that an imperial decree was being read, and quickly lowered her head again.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

After reading the imperial edict, the eunuch immediately put on a smiling face and bowed to Xie Chi and Zuo Murui: "Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness!"

Xie Chi accepted the imperial edict with a smile, but Zuo Murui seemed to freeze, standing still and unable to move. It was Zhang Mama who was very perceptive and took out a large purse from her purse and stuffed it into the eunuch who was delivering the edict.

The imperial eunuch, having accepted the purse, said with a grin, "Your Highness, Your Highness, I still have to go to Lady Ming'an County to deliver the imperial decree, so I'll take my leave now!"

"Take care, sir!"

"Why did His Majesty suddenly issue an imperial decree to bestow a marriage upon us?" As soon as the eunuch delivering the decree left, Xie Chi couldn't help but ask Zuo Murui. He was extremely shocked by the news that the emperor had suddenly bestowed a marriage upon Xie Zhuo.

Zuo Murui naturally couldn't answer either. She looked at the imperial edict again and again, and felt very uncomfortable when she saw the words "Fu Zhi Qiao" written on it.

The imperial decree of marriage arrived at the Prince's residence before Xie Heshan. Xie Heshan only returned after the eunuchs who delivered the decree had left. Upon seeing Xie Heshan, Xie Chi, as if he had found his pillar of support, quickly stepped forward and asked, "Father, His Majesty…"

Xie Heshan interrupted him: "I personally went to His Majesty to request the imperial decree to bestow a marriage upon Huaiyan." After saying that, he also gave Zuo Murui a special look.

Feeling guilty, Zuo Murui avoided his gaze.

Children's marriages are always decided by their parents. Even though Xie Zhuo didn't tell him that Zuo Murui disliked Fu Zhiqiao, Xie Heshan had guessed it. If it weren't for someone's objection, why would Huaiyan have to avoid his parents and ask his grandfather for help?

The reason Xie Heshan made it clear to Xie Chi and Zuo Murui that he had gone to the emperor to arrange the marriage was to warn the couple that Xie Zhuo's marriage was bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor, and that it would be futile for either of them to object!

Zuo Murui immediately turned pale and couldn't say a word.

Xie Zhuo was betrothed by His Majesty, and well-informed people sent invitations to the Prince's residence that very day.

After all, Xie Zhuo's annulment of the engagement had caused quite a stir in the capital, and many people had seen him make a fool of himself. Some even speculated that now that His Majesty had personally bestowed the marriage upon him, the heir's marriage should be free of any trouble.

Before Zuo Murui could even process the news, she received invitations from relatives and friends congratulating her.

Zuo Murui looked at the stack of invitations piled up to a hand's height on the table, her feelings complicated. She wondered if these congratulations were genuine or not, or if someone just wanted to see her make a fool of herself.

Zuo Murui was born into a prestigious family and was the eldest daughter of the family. Her brothers and sisters all respected her. As the eldest daughter of a prominent family, she was destined to marry a husband of equal or higher status. As expected, she became a princess after growing up. None of her sisters married as well as she did. She had a smooth life for most of her life, but she never expected to stumble one after another in her son's marriage.

The first time Xie Zhuo was betrothed, the two families parted on bad terms, and many jokes ensued.

For the second engagement, Xie Zhuo wanted to marry a commoner woman from a merchant family...

Zuo Murui was very upset. Looking at her sisters from her childhood, which one of them had married a daughter-in-law from a high-class family? But her own son made her look inferior to her sisters in terms of marriage. How could Zuo Murui, who had been noble all her life, accept this?

Zuo Murui was prepared to be ridiculed by her sisters, but when she sat down, she didn't hear the mockery she had expected.

"His Majesty personally bestowed this marriage upon you, which shows how highly he values ​​your heir!"

Zuo Murui's smile was faint, and she seemed somewhat listless. "Not at all..."

The rest of the conversation revolved around Xie Zhuo's wedding. Zuo Murui didn't want to say much, but she couldn't resist the enthusiasm of the ladies.

"If you ask me, your son is really lucky. That Lady Ming'an is no ordinary person!" The speaker was Shen, Zuo Murui's sister-in-law. As far as the marriage was concerned, she genuinely felt that the emperor still favored the Prince Xinduan's family.

Lady Shen's slightly envious tone left the other noble ladies looking bewildered.

Zuo Murui glanced at Shen Shi, her expression inscrutable.

"Oh, what do you mean? If you ask me, the Lady of Ming'an County is much luckier. The Lady's status is ultimately inferior!" The implication was that the Fu family had climbed the social ladder.

Madam Shen, who came from a military family, was straightforward. When she heard the person who spoke up belittling Fu Zhi Qiao in order to praise Zuo Murui, she became displeased. "Listen to this, everyone! Our Lady of Rongguo has been promoted to a higher generation after having a grandson. She must be getting a little senile! The title of County Lady may not be high, but she was personally bestowed and married by His Majesty. This is a blessing that many women from high-ranking families do not have!"

The person named by Madam Shen was Wang Yiqiu, the first wife of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion. She had two sons, the eldest son Sun Lixuan and the second son Sun Chongguang.

Not long ago, her second son Sun Liguang's wife gave birth to a boy. She was overjoyed to have a new member in the family and devoted all her attention to her grandson, so she didn't pay much attention to what was happening outside.

At this moment, everyone sitting in the room was a close relative. Wang Yiqiu didn't mind being teased by them and pointed at Shen Shi: "Stop being so glib and tell me about that Lady Ming'an, so that we can learn more about Mu Rui's good daughter-in-law!"

After saying that, Wang Yiqiu smiled at Zuo Murui.

Zuo Murui forced out a slightly stiff smile in response.

Hearing Fu Zhi Qiao being belittled made Zuo Murui unhappy, and then hearing Shen Shi speak up for Fu Zhi Qiao made her feel uneasy as well. But no matter how uncomfortable she felt inside, she still smiled on the outside.

Fu Zhiqiao was not very famous in the capital before this, and the ladies present did not know much about her. Madam Shen put down her teacup and, no longer keeping everyone in suspense, recounted what she knew.

"So, this Lady Ming'an is from a merchant family?"

When it was mentioned that Fu Zhi Qiao came from a merchant family, many of the ladies' expressions became subtle, and the eagerness on their faces faded considerably.

Fu Zhi Qiao came from a humble background. Even though she has now been granted the title of County Lady, how noble can a County Lady without family support be?

Zuo Murui's smile froze upon seeing this, and a hint of embarrassment flashed in her eyes. The situation she had anticipated had occurred.

Before she could speak, Madam Shen interjected, "Being born into a merchant family doesn't stop her from being favored by His Majesty. She was granted the title of County Lady and a marriage decree. What woman in the world can have such an opportunity?"

Lady Shen brought up the emperor, and the ladies looked at each other, but in the end, no one brought up Fu Zhi Qiao's background anymore.

Shen had a deep understanding of the difference in social status.

Her father served as a county official for more than ten years. When she was twelve, her father was promoted and the family moved to the capital. The noble ladies in the capital had been playing together since childhood, and it was difficult for her, as the daughter of a minor official from out of town, to fit in. Therefore, she never received an invitation to a banquet from the noble ladies' circle while she was still young. It was not until she married into the Zuo family that she was gradually accepted by the noble ladies' circle in the capital.

With Shen's support, Zuo Murui's complexion gradually returned to normal.

"That's right! The Lady of Ming'an County even developed alcohol. Even my master said that alcohol is a rare and precious thing."

The conversation still revolved around Fu Zhi Qiao. The ladies shared the information they knew, and as this information came together from all sides, Fu Zhi Qiao's image gradually became more three-dimensional. Even though some ladies didn't think highly of Fu Zhi Qiao, they couldn't bring themselves to say anything disrespectful about her.

So what if one's birth is humble? It doesn't matter if one gains the emperor's favor. And what person is favored by the emperor? Who dares to question His Majesty's judgment?

After figuring this out, all the ladies praised Zuo Murui for having such a good daughter-in-law.

Hearing the group of noble ladies praising Fu Zhi Qiao, Zuo Murui felt a mix of emotions. The merchant girl she had always looked down on had not only invented a life-saving alcohol, but had also gained the Emperor's favor...

*

Meanwhile, inside the Fu residence.

Looking at the imperial edict, Yu Roulan remained stunned for a long time.

"Mother?" Fu Zhi Qiao shook Yu Rou Lan's arm. Yu Rou Lan recovered from her daze, smiled, and finally felt relieved.

Ever since she learned that her daughter was getting along well with the prince, she had never felt at ease. The social status between commoners and nobles was vast, and she had always worried that her daughter would be bullied... But now, with the Emperor's decree of marriage, who would dare to look down on her, A Qiao?

Anyone who dares to object to this marriage is objecting to His Majesty!

Yu Roulan was overjoyed and couldn't help but tear up. Holding the imperial edict, she hurried towards the Buddhist hall. She was going to tell Fu Changyue the good news that their daughter was about to get married!

The eunuchs had just finished announcing the imperial decree of marriage at the Fu residence when Xie Zhuo arrived.

Fu Zhiqiao was unaware of the matter of requesting His Majesty to grant her a marriage beforehand.

He had originally intended to surprise her, but now he was worried that Fu Zhi Qiao would be angry.

Xie Zhuo carefully observed her expression. She wasn't obviously happy, but she wasn't unhappy either. After a couple of breaths of silence, seeing that her expression was normal, he spoke, "Zhi Qiao, I've said it before, if you marry in this life, your husband can only be me."

Xie Zhuo had said he would marry her many times, but when the promise came true, Fu Zhi Qiao still felt confused.

She was silent for a moment before speaking: "Xie Zhuo, what do you like about me?"

Fu Zhi Qiao wasn't insecure about herself; she was just very curious. Why was Xie Zhuo so determined to marry her, even risking his life?

Xie Zhuo paused for a moment, then chuckled softly, "I can't really explain it, I just like it!"

Both of them fell silent, and the air seemed to stand still.

During their relationship, Fu Zhi Qiao always treated Xie Zhuo as an equal, but she knew in her heart that she and Xie Zhuo were ultimately different. No matter what she thought, the fact that Xie Zhuo was in a superior position would not change.

He has plenty of ways to marry her, but if she wants to marry him... don't even think about it, it's impossible!

Do we really want to tie our lives to the people in front of us?

Being lovers and being husband and wife are different.

Xie Zhuo likes her today and treats her like his heart and soul, but what if their feelings fade in the future?

The idea that women are destined to depend on men is as normal in the Great Wei Dynasty as the idea that one needs to eat when hungry.

Fu Zhi Qiao, however, did not think so. It was not wrong for her to adapt to the times, but the modern ideas ingrained in her bones and the integrity of the successor of the Fu Group did not allow her to put down her dignity and compete with many women for a man.

"Xie Zhuo, there are some things I want to say to you again." Fu Zhi Qiao suppressed her anxiety. She didn't want to communicate by testing the waters. "I don't have time to take care of your backyard, nor do I have the magnanimity to tolerate others."

"I'm a very petty person, and I won't allow my man to have other people around him."

Before Xie Zhuo could speak, he heard her voice again.

"I will not take a concubine!"

Fu Zhi Qiao raised her eyes and stared intently at Xie Zhuo, her eyes seemingly filled with pitch-black ink, and said, word by word, "If you can do it, I will marry you."

The imperial decree for their marriage has been issued, and it's a done deal that Fu Zhiqiao will marry him.

But at this moment, Xie Zhuo understood what the word "marry" in Fu Zhi Qiao's mouth meant. A hint of tenderness unconsciously appeared between his brows. He squeezed her palm and said solemnly, "Ah Qiao, I said I would never let you down again. Trust me!"

Xie Zhuo was tall and stood in front of her, blocking most of the light.

Fu Zhi Qiao stared into Xie Zhuo's eyes from the shadows, and the two remained silent for a long time.

One should not be too greedy and should not want everything. Life is too long, and no one knows what the future holds.

Instead of worrying about the future, she should seize the happiness in front of her. At least for now, Xie Zhuo has already shown her all his feelings, and she should boldly move towards him.

In the end, Fu Zhiqiao nodded.