Chapter 502: Taking Charge in a Political Marriage
Seeing her mother nod, Wei Miaoqing's expression was petrified for a moment, as if she had not fully reacted.
She had been engaged to the prince for two years, but perhaps because everyone had privately agreed that the marriage would most likely not take place, and because the prince had little presence, the two had never met since the engagement. Wei Miaoqing was surrounded by a group of like-minded girls, and her life was too fulfilling, which led to her often forgetting that she had a fiancé.
The last time she thought of this was when she saw all the girls she was close to getting engaged or married in the past two years. One day, she suddenly felt depressed - something was wrong. Why had no one come to propose to her, the second most beautiful woman in the capital? Was everyone's attention being wasted?
Wei Miaoqing held his chin in his hand, puzzled for a long time, and then he sat up straight with sudden realization - Oh, she is the cheap prince's future cheap princess... That's okay.
Therefore, when Wei Miaoqing suddenly heard about the wedding, she found it extremely difficult to accept it for a while.
"...Didn't they say before that the prince was in poor health and the situation was so turbulent, maybe he would die someday...right?" Wei Miaoqing came back to his senses and asked in a panic, "How could it be..."
"Yes, who knew that it would not happen for so long, it's really hard to guard against..." Duan said something extremely treasonous and pushed her husband: "Duke, you should think of a way!"
Duke Zheng did not treat it perfunctorily this time, and his least perfunctory way of solving the problem was: "Is Zi Gu not back yet?"
Duke Zheng, who was looking for his son when he was in doubt, turned around and told his servants, "Go to the front and see if the young master has returned."
The servant responded, and just after leaving for a moment, he quickly returned and said, "My dear, you are back!"
Wei Shuyi was still in his official uniform, and it was obvious that he had come here as soon as he returned home.
Duan quickly asked someone to close the door, and the family talked behind closed doors.
"Zi Gu, the Saint wants to prepare for the Crown Prince's wedding... but is it true?"
Facing his mother's inquiring gaze, Wei Shuyi took off his official hat and nodded: "The saint summoned me to the palace for a long talk because of this matter."
Wei Miaoqing fell back into the chair, her heart finally at peace.
"If you really want to get married..." Duan clutched her handkerchief, her heart swaying like a copper pot of tripe. Looking at her daughter's expression as if struck by lightning, she gritted her teeth and said, "Otherwise, run away from the marriage!"
"..." Wei Miaoqing was stunned for a moment. Was he too decisive and hasty?
Little did she know that her mother, Duan, had always advised people to escape rather than reconcile, and Princess Chongyue was one of them back then.
Duke Zheng also felt that it was too hasty and did not agree with his wife's proposal: "It is not easy to disobey the order and escape from the marriage of the royal family..."
Duan was about to frown when she heard her husband whisper in a relatively safe tone, "How about...let Qing'er fake her death?"
Wei Miaoqing, who had just been following her mother's words and imagining herself fleeing in panic from the pursuit of the imperial guards, was still gasping for breath. Now, after hearing her father's words, she felt as if she was suddenly pressed into a coffin again, forced to hold her breath, close her eyes and lie down pretending to be dead.
Wei Miaoqing felt so tired just thinking about it that she could hardly even breathe.
This time it was Duan's turn to object: "What good is fake death? How can you fool that person? Compared with the crime of running away from marriage, it is just a change from disobeying the emperor's order to deceiving the emperor..."
Wei Miaoqing raised his eyes weakly and looked at his brother: "And if I fake my death, I'm afraid that my brother will really die."
If you are not careful, the entire Zhengguo Mansion will be implicated.
Duan racked his brains: "However..."
Wei Miaoqing had no choice but to interrupt her mother: "Mother, forget it."
Duan looked at her daughter.
Wei Miaoqing sighed with mixed feelings.
According to her personality, she originally wanted to be stubborn and throw a tantrum, but before she said anything, her father and mother took away all her rebelliousness.
She was truly spoiled from childhood to adulthood, and the pampering was double, one was hers and the other was what her brother didn't want - her parents had found it difficult to pamper her brother since he was three years old. If you bent down and called him "good boy" in a low voice, he would surely look at you with something to say, until you rubbed your hands awkwardly and said something else.
Furthermore, Duke Zheng and his wife were not old-fashioned people who stuck to conventions, and they had never really restricted their daughter. As a result, Wei Miaoqing had always had the opportunity to release her emotions - or perhaps it was because her emotions were always released too promptly and not suppressed at all, that when faced with such a thing, she did not have much desire to rebel.
On the contrary, it is difficult for her not to consider her family members who pamper her in every way and consider everything for her.
If she escapes from the marriage, it will definitely bring trouble to her family. If she had a touching love story, it would be fine, but she has nothing. She has no man she wants to marry at all.
If she were to ask what kind of life she wanted to live, her pursuit would be nothing more than "enjoyment".
Escaping from marriage, faking death...how painful it is.
There were wars everywhere outside. How could a delicate and beautiful girl like her live a life of hiding and wandering? After Wei Miaoqing explained her thoughts, she sighed to her parents, "...You are so rebellious and want me to give up my comfortable and enjoyable life, but you should also ask me if I am willing."
"Qing'er..." Duan sat down beside her daughter and grabbed her hand: "Are you really willing to marry the prince?"
Wei Miaoqing spoke frankly: "I can't say I'm willing, but I'm not willing to leave the entire Wei family behind just to avoid getting married... Anyway, my daughter doesn't want to marry anyone, so it doesn't matter who she marries."
All in all, it can be summed up in three words - not at all.
It's not necessary to go to great lengths or make a huge fuss about it.
"I know that I did make some troubles on weekdays, but those were all over small matters. Before the real big issues, I am still worthy of the status of the eldest daughter of Duke Zheng’s mansion—" Wei Miaoqing said, raising her curved eyebrows, with a self-affirming expression: "The Wei family is passed down with integrity, and I am not a spoiled dandy girl."
Seeing his sister like this, Wei Shuyi rarely did not try to make fun of her. He said in a low and hoarse voice, "Qing'er, I am sorry for you in this matter."
He also tried to sound out the saint's attitude in the palace today, but the saint's mind was made up and there was no room for maneuver.
Wei Miaoqing didn't take it seriously: "Brother, why are you saying these things? When someone else's family has a crown princess, they should celebrate with drums and gongs."
Wei Shuyi was about to say something else, but suddenly he heard his sister say, "Brother, you really feel that I have been wronged. Why don't you just agree to one thing for me?"
Wei Shuyi said in a tone that said, "Just as you say."
"After I marry into the Eastern Palace, my brother must have someone send me some of my favorite food at least every three days, and help me deliver letters to A-Xia and the others every five days. He must also collect the most popular novels, the new jewelry from the Wanbao Pavilion, and the new perfume and rouge from the West Market Huarongfang every ten days..."
Wei Miaoqing spoke in one breath, and finally said: "Also, find a way to take me out of the palace once a month!"
"..."Wei Shuyi's expression gradually froze. What a... "thing".
Wei Miaoqing looked up and asked, "Brother, can you do it?"
Wei Shuyi smiled and nodded: "Okay, brother will do my best."
"By the way, what does the prince look like now? Has he grown taller?" Wei Miaoqing was a man who had made up his mind and started looking to the future. At this moment, he asked his brother: "They say that he is weak and easy to bully, and very obedient. Then I can bully him in the future..."
Wei Miaoqing coughed lightly and changed his words: "Will he listen to me in the future?"
Wei Shuyi was silent for a moment: "Maybe..."
Just thinking about the scene in the future, it would be really chaotic.
Wei Miaoqing was even more satisfied: "Just be obedient."
Seeing his sister so optimistic, Wei Shuyi felt better, but he still reminded her: "But your marriage is ultimately very complicated and it is not an ordinary marriage. You will face a lot of trouble in the future--"
"Of course I know." Wei Miaoqing said, "But isn't my brother still here?"
Facing his sister's trusting eyes, Wei Shuyi smiled, but his eyes were very serious: "Well, I promise you that no matter what happens in the future, I will definitely do my best to protect you."
"Then everything will be fine!" Wei Miaoqing turned and looked at her mother with a smile: "Mother, you should prepare to marry your daughter off in a grand manner."
Although she said that, Duan hardly slept a wink that night. On the one hand, she and her husband were worried about their daughter's future situation, and on the other hand, she was touched by her daughter's current understanding.
Wei Shuyi was not in a relaxed mood either. In his eyes, his sister's relieved look seemed more like a forced smile.
The next day, Wei Shuyi returned home from the morning court session and asked the servants, "Is the girl in the mansion?"
The servant replied that the girl had invited ladies from various mansions to come and appreciate the flowers.
Wei Shuyi understood - after marrying into the palace, it would be difficult to see her friends again, so it was time to say goodbye properly.
I heard the servant say, "The girl has said that she will wait for you to come back and then invite you to come over and talk."
Nowadays, the separation between men and women is not strict, and when flower banquets are held in various mansions, both men and women are often invited.
Under normal circumstances, Wei Shuyi would probably ignore his sister's request, but after thinking about it, he went over.
However, the atmosphere of the "farewell" in the garden was completely different from what he expected. When he arrived, he saw his sister standing in the pavilion, with a heroic attitude, saying: "...When I marry into the East Palace, I will hold a flower banquet every month. I will send you invitations then, and you all have to go!"
Yao Xia and a group of other girls responded.
Wei Miaoqing lowered her voice and said to one of the girls, "Fu Wu, don't you have a man you like——"
At this time, his voice became loud again, and he folded his arms proudly and said, "Then I will arrange a marriage for you two!"
Madam Fu Wu shyly turned her head away, and the other girls started to cheer enthusiastically.
Wei Miaoqing looked at Yao Xia again: "Ah Xia, you have been unable to get married many times, but do you have a man you like? If so, I will help you arrange a marriage!"
Yao Xia, who was eating fruits, waved his hands quickly: "...I don't have any!"
But for some reason, at the moment of denial, a young boy's face that looked like a wounded dog suddenly appeared in her mind, making her cheeks feel hot for no reason.
Fortunately, it was a hot summer day, and she quickly picked up a round fan beside her and fanned herself a few times, so no one noticed this little abnormality.
"Whatever good things I get, I will give them to you when you enter the palace!"
"If anyone dares to make you unhappy, bring up my name!"
“…”
Seeing the girls responding excitedly to every word his sister said, Wei Shuyi fell silent. He only noticed that on the stone table in the pavilion were not only fruits and snacks, but also piles of cakes made by his sister.
Perhaps he still underestimated his sister's superior insensitivity...
In the current situation, rather than saying that she is about to marry into the Eastern Palace and become the prince's vassal, it is better to say that the prince has become a tool for her to distribute cakes to her friends.
There is also a kind of clarity that "since you can't do without power, just make full use of it."
All these things actually made him see the possibility that his sister could become the host in a political marriage...
Although it was a joke, Wei Shuyi realized one thing at this moment. His unreliable father and mother, who seemed to be not very good at raising children, also gave Qing'er a gift that would benefit her for the rest of her life - that is the courage and vitality to face and accept everything optimistically no matter what the situation is or who she marries.
While Wei Shuyi was admiring in his heart, he saw his sister, who seemed to be able to do whatever she wanted and act tyrannically, waving at him: "Brother, come and tell us about the recent news about Madam Chang in Mianzhou!"
Wei Shuyi walked over resignedly. As the left prime minister of a province, his role among these girls was nothing more than this.
After being detained for two quarters of an hour, Wei Shuyi was finally able to escape.
But just after he walked more than ten steps, he was stopped by a female voice: "I dare to bother Prime Minister Wei to stay for a moment."
Wei Shuyi turned around and saw the person coming over. He smiled and nodded politely: "Madam Wu."
Wu Chunbai bowed to him without saying anything more. He asked humbly but frankly, "Regarding the matter of Song Shishi... I wonder what Your Majesty thinks of it? Could Prime Minister Wei tell me something?"
Wei Shuyi had never thought that Wu Chunbai would ask about this matter. He was a little surprised, but when he thought of Dong Luo's trip last year, he understood a little bit - he guessed that they had met at that time.
The woman in front of him had a straightforward expression and did not evade, leaving him no room for excessive speculation.
"Lord Song has done a great job in exposing Duke Hanguo's crimes. The Saint will certainly reward you." Wei Shuyi said with a smile, "You should be promoted and sent out."
Outward...
Wu Chunbai had been following his father in taking care of chores for some time and had some understanding of officialdom. After a moment's thought, he realized that this was a promotion in name only and a demotion in reality.
Especially in the current situation, being sent to serve as an official in a remote place... not only is the future unpredictable, but even one's safety is difficult to guarantee.
Wu Chunbai's heart dropped slightly. She admired Song Xian as a person, and she couldn't help feeling upset and worried when she heard the news. But she didn't show it on her face, and only bowed to Wei Shuyi again: "Thank you, Prime Minister Wei, for telling me."
Wei Shuyi nodded slightly and walked away.
What he did not tell Wu Chunbai was that he would try his best to find a relatively stable place for Song Xian - this was what he had originally intended to do and was also entrusted by others.
Far away in Mianyang Prefecture, she had already anticipated the situation Song Xian would face after returning to Beijing, so she entrusted him to take care of him.
The letter arrived this morning and is still safely tucked away in his sleeve.
Therefore, the act of exposing Han Guogong was indeed instigated by her...
She is very good at eliminating injustice and knows how to cherish talents.
It seems that I can still trust him...
Wei Shuyi took the letter with a faint smile in his eyes and went back to sleep.
Also unable to sleep last night were the family members of the Duke of Korea's mansion in the capital.
Li Xian's wives and concubines were extremely anxious and wanted to send someone to secretly send a message to Tanzhou, but the entire Hanguo Mansion had been surrounded by the imperial guards, leaving no one a chance to enter or leave.
The imperial envoy who was going to question Li Xian and bring him back to the capital was already on his way to Tanzhou.
The court acted extremely quickly this time, but because Li Xian had people secretly pay attention to the movements in the capital when he heard that Princess Xuan'an was coming to the capital, he was able to learn the news in advance before the imperial envoy arrived in Tanzhou.
Li Xian couldn't believe it, and his first reaction was even to question the authenticity of the news.
My aunt wanted to convict him, take away his seal of command, and punish him? Just because Grand Princess Xuan'an came forward, my aunt actually compromised like this? She even wanted to push him out when the war was not over? !
(An update of 4,400 words. I was planning to write more, but I received a call this afternoon that an elder who is almost 100 years old is seriously ill. I have to rush back to see him tomorrow. I need to tidy up. That’s all for now. Good night everyone~)
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