Chapter 22 Chapter 22 The auspicious time has arrived——
Soon, news of the Emperor's marriage between the Third Prince and the eldest daughter of the Nie family spread throughout the court. The Emperor personally ordered General Anxi, Zhong Qi, to return to the capital to attend his granddaughter's wedding.
This action is like throwing a stone into the water, which causes a thousand ripples.
The Third Prince already controls the Divine Strategy Division's personal guards. If he were to connect with General Anxi...
Where will the prince be placed?
In fact, everyone knows that if it weren't for his background, with the Third Prince's ability, he might be able to compete with the Crown Prince.
Could it be that the Emperor's action is aimed at the Third Prince?
However, what followed was that the emperor announced in front of all the officials in the court that Xie Zhi would temporarily resign from the post of commander of the Shen Ce Division and would be replaced by Master Pei Jue.
Upon hearing this, all the officials in the court were at a loss as to what to do, and they all had different thoughts.
As soon as he left the court, Xie Zhi was surrounded by officials from all walks of life. With smiles, some genuine and some fake, they all congratulated him.
"Congratulations to His Highness the Third Prince for finding his perfect match. The marriage is sealed."
"Your Highness has always been self-disciplined and respectful. I think he and Miss Nie are a perfect match! Congratulations, Your Highness!"
The speaker was Lord He, the Minister of Rites, who was originally a member of the Crown Prince's staff. When these words came out, those who were interested could not help but purse their lips and suppress a smile.
Everyone in the capital knew that Nie Xiangyi was arrogant and unreasonable, yet she was paired with Xie Zhi, who was the most aloof and self-respecting man.
In the past, due to the prestige of the Divine Strategy Department, the court officials were more or less afraid of Xie Zhi. Now that he had lost his position as the commander of the Divine Strategy Department, it made everyone feel a little bit ridiculous.
"Come to think of it, we thought His Majesty would grant a marriage between Your Highness and Miss Pei Liu!"
Lord He said with a smile, "In terms of temperament, talent, and family background, Miss Pei Liu is the most suitable for Your Highness. Don't you agree, young Lord Pei?"
The young Master Pei he mentioned was none other than Pei Jue, Pei Lang's elder brother, who was temporarily serving as the Commander-in-Chief of the Divine Strategy Department.
At first glance, he had a gentle face. He stood far away in the crowd, tall and handsome, with the morning sunlight illuminating his peaceful and fair face.
If Xie Zhi is a piece of cold jade, he is more like a piece of warm jade, making people want to get closer to him for no reason.
Lord He's question was somewhat offensive, but Pei Jue didn't get angry and just smiled gently.
"Your Majesty is wise. I believe that Your Highness and the Nie family complement each other perfectly. They are a match made in heaven. I dare not marry someone who is too high."
Having said that, he recalled the unconvinced look in his sister Pei Lang's eyes when the news of the arranged marriage reached the Pei residence the day before.
"Nie Xiangyi is unworthy! What on earth was the Emperor thinking? Such a savage and headstrong woman, yet he actually arranged for her to be married off to His Highness the Third Prince?"
Pei Jue frowned and stopped her, "Be careful with your words!"
But he couldn't help but become curious. It was said in the capital that Nie Xiangyi had an arrogant temper. What kind of woman was she that the emperor could grant her marriage to the Third Prince?
Xie Zhi's eyes swept over Lord He, his gaze was indifferent, but for some reason, a strong sense of oppression was revealed from his depressed brows.
The nobles were born with dignity, which made his gaze seem like sweeping across insignificant ants.
"Master He, you have a lot of intentions. Why don't you first deal with your mistress of unknown origin? Instead, you have the time to worry about other things?"
Hearing this, Lord He's expression suddenly changed. He knew exactly what Xie Zhi was saying.
Xie Zhi had been in the Shen Ce Division for many years, and he probably had all the information about the officials in the court under his control. Although he had retired as the commander-in-chief, he still had all the evidence, both overt and covert, at his disposal.
Everyone looked at each other, not daring to say anything for a moment. They could only congratulate and leave after bowing.
According to the rules, they couldn't meet before the wedding. Nie Xiangyi never cared about it, but she was afraid that the rumors would involve Xie Zhi as well.
She didn't even know whether Xie Zhi married her just to quell the rumors that day.
She wanted to marry Xie Zhi so much back then, but now that the imperial decree of marriage has really come, she is confused.
As a result, although the two lived next to each other, they had not seen each other for a long time.
By mid-June, it was already early summer, and Nie Xiangyi, who had been worried for a long time, finally received good news - the carriage from Shanzhou arrived at the post station outside Beijing.
She hurried to the post station, "Grandfather!"
As soon as the carriage stopped at the entrance of the post station, Nie Xiangyi's eyes lit up instantly. Like a jumping kitten, she ran to the carriage door.
An old man with slightly frosted hair got off the carriage. Although he was old, his tall figure was still straight, his eyes were sharp and bright, and his eyebrows and eyes had a bit of the weathered air of swords and sabers.
As soon as he saw Nie Xiangyi, his stern face instantly wrinkled into a ball of laughter, "Ah Si!"
"Grandpa, you must have had a hard time coming here from Shanzhou. Does your old knee injury still hurt? Is everything okay?" Nie Xiangyi asked hurriedly and concernedly as he pulled Zhong Qi out of the carriage.
"All is well, all is well!" Zhong Qi's eyes were kind. "But you! Now that the weather is getting hot, you should have waited for me at home. Why bother running to the post station and catching a heatstroke?"
"I was free anyway, so I should have come to greet you!" Nie Xiangyi blinked coquettishly, turned around and asked in confusion, "Huh? Why aren't you seeing my uncle and aunt?"
"They have other matters to attend to in Shanzhou, so it's inconvenient for them to come. It's the same for me."
"So that's how it is..." Nie Xiangyi's tone was a little disappointed, but then he smiled and said, "The post station is crowded with people. I've prepared some hot tea at home. Grandpa, come back with me."
"Okay."
After a short rest at the post station, Zhong Qi returned home with Nie Xiangyi.
"Huh? This doesn't look like the way back to Nie's Mansion?" Zhong Qi looked puzzled.
In front of my grandfather, there was nothing I couldn't say. Nie Xiangyi pouted and said angrily, "I moved to the other courtyard! Humph! They thought I was affecting the feng shui of the Nie Mansion, so they asked me to move out!"
When Zhong Qi heard this, his thick black eyebrows were immediately tightly furrowed, and he slammed his palm on the table.
"This bastard! I think Nie Zhengqing has lost himself in the peaceful life he's led these years! How dare he treat his own daughter so neglectfully!"
He snorted heavily, revealing a look of great displeasure. "When he wrote to you asking you to return to Beijing to discuss marriage, I thought he had finally come to his senses and wanted to fulfill his fatherly duties! Now it seems he's only doing it for himself!"
He was not satisfied with Nie Zhengqing as his son-in-law.
Back then, out of respect for the old marquis, and because Nie Zhengqing seemed to be an honest man, Zhong Qi married his daughter Zhong Qiurong to him.
Unexpectedly, not long after the marriage, this bastard was thinking of taking a concubine! And she was the daughter of a criminal!
Zhong Qiurong died young from excessive worry. And this bastard even ignored his own daughter!
He still remembered the year when he returned to Beijing to report on his work. He saw Nie Xiangyi, a small and timid child. She was not as difficult to discipline as the rumors said!
It was obvious that someone was deliberately neglecting her because they saw that she had lost her mother!
The more Zhong Qi thought about it, the angrier he became. He suddenly opened the curtain and ordered the driver, "Turn around! Go to Nie's mansion!"
Before Zhong Qi returned to Beijing, Nie Zhengqing was already feeling uneasy.
He originally wanted to ask Nie Xiangyi to go back home, but he never thought she was so stubborn. Jiang Yun'e came to her house several times and gave her enough excuses, but she scolded him back every time.
The mistress invited her, and she refused so many times, which was really a bit disrespectful. Did she want him, as a father, to go and invite her personally?
Anyway, Nie Xiangyi didn't want to come back, so if Zhong Qi really asked, she would have something to say.
But even though he was thinking this in his heart, he still couldn't stop beating the drum.
"The general has arrived!"
The carriage creaked to a stop at the gate of the Nie residence. Nie Zhengqing seemed to have received the news early in the morning and was already waiting to greet them at the door.
He put on a broad smile and said, "Father-in-law."
"You are so successful now! I can't bear to be called 'sir' by you!" Zhong Qi waved his sleeves heavily and walked towards Nie's mansion on his own.
In the main hall, Zhong Qi sat upright, sipping a cup of tea. His calm demeanor made him look like the master of this mansion.
Nie Zhengqing and Jiang Yun'e could only sit at the bottom submissively, with polite and flattering smiles on their faces.
"It would be great if the general came back. He could help us persuade Xiangyi. She has always been the one who listens to the general."
Jiang Yun'e took the initiative and said with a smile, "Xiangyi is getting married now, so it's not a good idea for her to always live in the villa. I have invited Xiangyi to come back several times, but she doesn't want to come back..."
The way he said this made it sound as if Nie Xiangyi had taken the initiative to move to the other courtyard and was unwilling to go back.
Zhong Qi took a sip of tea, then raised his eyelids and glanced at Jiang Yun'e lightly.
"Who do you think you are?"
His words were neither light nor heavy, but they were filled with utter contempt. In front of so many servants, he showed no mercy at all!
"I'm talking to the Marquis, how can you, a concubine who was promoted to the wife, interrupt me? Are there still rules of hierarchy?"
His voice was neither loud nor soft, but it was full of authority.
Jiang Yun'e's face turned blue and red. She clenched the silk cloth with her fingers and tried to suppress her anger.
She had been the wife for many years and had been in charge of the Marquis's household for many years. She had worked so hard to build up such a fortune, but every time she appeared in front of the Zhong family, she was still as embarrassed as the concubine she once was!
Now Zhong Qi actually humiliated her in front of so many servants. How could she not hate him!
"Father-in-law, please calm down. It's my fault for not disciplining my child well." Nie Zhengqing glared at Jiang Yun'e fiercely, signaling her to shut up.
"When we asked Xiangyi to move to the other courtyard, we did it for her own good. I'm afraid the feng shui might be incompatible and it might offend her. How will she get married then?"
"You're a good father." Zhong Qi glanced at him with a gloomy look, then suddenly changed the subject and asked, "Then let me ask you, how much dowry have you prepared for Ah Si?"
Nie Zhengqing's tone paused, and he quickly gave Jiang Yun'e a look.
This time Jiang Yun'e didn't dare to say anything more. She just lowered her head and handed over a gift list.
"The dowry is all here, please take a look, father-in-law."
Zhong Qi glanced at the gift list coldly. It felt so light in his hand that it had no weight at all. He was afraid that if he added it up completely, it wouldn't even be enough to fill eight boxes.
"Are you deliberately asking Ah Si to marry and become a laughing stock? How can you really offer such a shabby thing?"
Zhong Qi threw the gift list out like a piece of waste paper. It hit Xuan'er several times in the air before fluttering to the ground.
"You useless thing! When I married my daughter to you, I gave her more than this dowry! I had no idea how much you've squandered it all these years!"
Nie Zhengqing's face also turned pale.
He was already an old man, yet he was being scolded and lectured like this. However, due to etiquette and filial piety, he could not get angry, so he could only grit his teeth again and again, his cheeks tense.
Zhong Qi, however, acted as if he didn't see it, and just took out a thick stack of gift lists from his pocket.
"I have prepared a dowry of eighteen pieces. Do you think it is suitable?"
Nie Zhengqing and Jiang Yun'e were stunned almost instantly. The gift list contained gold, silver, jewelry, silks, furniture, utensils, real estate, land, servants and maids. It was everything.
If this dowry passed through the Nie family...
Seeing this, Nie Xiangyi hurriedly and quietly tugged at Zhong Qi's sleeve. If he handed the gift list to them, wouldn't that allow them to profit from it?
Nie Zhengqing's face lit up with joy, and he quickly reached out to take the gift list.
"Hey!" The gift list in Zhong Qi's hand dodged his hand, "Wait a minute."
He slowly took back the gift list, "Now that Ah Si no longer lives in the Nie Mansion, this gift list naturally doesn't need to go through the Nie Mansion's hands."
"What do you mean, father-in-law?" Nie Zhengqing said with a sense of confidence, "Xiangyi can't get married in another courtyard, right? It's so unruly, what will happen if the news gets out?"
Even if Zhong Qi indulges Nie Xiangyi, he can't ignore his reputation and let her not marry out of her family!
He paused, "Father-in-law, you don't know that Xiangyi is so arrogant that even the Third Prince has been affected by some of her words. After the court today, I heard them congratulating His Highness, and it was really mocking! Even I, as a father, feel ashamed!"
Nie Xiangyi's face suddenly changed when he heard this.
It turns out that His Highness got into trouble because of marrying her.
Zhong Qi immediately flew into a rage, "It's up to each person to save his own face! As a father, you didn't speak up for Ah Si! Instead, you feel ashamed!"
He stood up suddenly, pointed at Nie Zhengqing's nose and cursed: "Why didn't the old Taoist let you check your brain! See if you are possessed by some evil spirit! You are so stupid! And you still have the nerve to be someone's father?"
As he spoke, he handed the gift list to Nie Xiangyi.
"Ah Si! Take your dowry! Let's go! You can get married from the other courtyard, and I'll see who dares to say anything!"
After returning to the villa, Zhong Qi had no time to rest, and rushed to see the emperor to express his gratitude and report on his work.
Afterwards, he prepared a welcoming banquet for Zhong Lingyu and others, which took another lot of effort.
After several days of worrying, Zhong Qi finally had some free time to talk to Nie Xiangyi alone.
"Ah Si, these days, I see you always look unhappy. You are not as lively and cheerful as before in Shanzhou."
Seeing him suddenly asking about her concerns, Nie Xiangyi pursed her lips, revealing a bit of hesitation, and stammered, "Grandfather, I'm a little unsure...whether marrying the Third Prince is right or wrong..."
Seeing her say this, Zhong Qi frowned immediately, "You don't like the Third Prince? Don't want to marry him?"
"Not really..." She seemed to be at a loss for words, her voice low, "But... I don't want to involve my grandfather..."
Zhong Qi immediately understood the meaning of her words. His wrinkled cheeks slowly relaxed and he looked at Nie Xiangyi lovingly and chuckled.
"That girl Lingyu told you that, right?"
Before Nie Xiangyi could deny it, he just chuckled, "Actually, she's right. If you don't have any intention, the royal family isn't a good choice. But if you do, then this is the best choice."
Nie Xiangyi tilted her head, somewhat confused about what he meant.
"Whether you marry the Third Prince or not, I hold military power, and I will never be able to remain immune."
"Why?" Nie Xiangyi was still puzzled. "As long as I don't marry, my grandfather won't have to choose between the Crown Prince or the Third Prince based on my marriage."
"A-si is older now, so it's okay for me to talk to you more." Zhong Qi gently rubbed her head. "For a general, dying on the battlefield is the best way to die. Otherwise, the struggle for the throne is your inevitable fate."
Although these were pessimistic words, he spoke with a smile on his face, appearing to be in a very relaxed manner.
"Even if I choose to play it safe today, when the new emperor ascends the throne, the military power in my hands will be his greatest fear."
His words were so blunt that Nie Xiangyi, who had never encountered such things, suddenly changed her expression.
"But..." She still wanted to argue, intending to find clues that her grandfather was comforting her.
However, Zhong Qi just shook his head. "There's no but. History shows that this is the fate of all generals. So, Ah Si, whether you marry or not, it won't change anything."
He shrugged as if meaninglessly, "Perhaps, this can also be considered as you helping me make the decision."
Nie Xiangyi heard a hint of something in his words, but she didn't dare to think about it. Her head was dazed, and she asked blankly, "What decision..."
Zhong Qi shook his head, then reached out and patted her shoulder with a loving smile, "Since you are marrying the person you love, why think so much."
His words seemed to give Nie Xiangyi, who was still confused, the courage to make a decision.
She thought that perhaps she could give him all she could and face everything in the future with him.
All the anxieties seemed to be cleared up by this decision, leaving only the joy and anticipation of marrying Xie Zhi.
In such anticipation, she waited for the day of her wedding.
July 24th was a beautiful day. The days of rain had finally cleared up, and the sky was as clear as a mirror, with a blue sky. The summer heat had dissipated, leaving only the sunny day.
It's an excellent sign.
"Here comes the bride!"
Nie Xiangyi barely slept the entire first night. She felt enveloped in a sense of unreality, as if she were trapped in a cloud, with no solid ground to grasp.
She was getting married just like that.
The dresser arrived at 3:00 AM, presenting her with a bright red wedding gown. Even in the dim light, its color shone like a blazing flame, like clouds flowing across the sky, pouring down to the ground.
"The palace embroiderers worked tirelessly to create this wedding dress. They all have top-notch craftsmanship!" The dressing nanny's face was creased with a naive smile. "It shows how much His Highness cares about the girl!"
Nie Xiangyi let her put on her wedding dress piece by piece, and she felt her whole body become heavy, and even her steps seemed to be restrained.
"Why is it so heavy..." she muttered softly.
"It is your highness's sincere intention!" The dressing nanny was pleased with the opportunity and smiled.
Zhong Lingyu, who was escorting the bride, smiled and said, "How could such skillful craftsmanship not be impressive, my dear sister! Even I rarely see such a beautiful wedding dress!"
The wedding gown was embroidered with an exquisite pattern of two phoenixes facing the sun, even the feathers were clearly visible, appearing lifelike, and embellished with cloud patterns. The draped shawl was heavily embroidered with blooming peonies and inlaid with jade, jewels, pearls, and agates. The rings and pendants jingled with every step, sparkling and radiant, a truly luxurious and exquisite sight.
"Our Ah Si is just right for such bright colors!"
Zhong Lingyu watched the dressing nanny patiently kneading her face and applying powder and makeup bit by bit. In the polished bronze mirror, the beauty looked even more charming and beautiful.
"One comb to the end! Two combs to the eyebrows! Three combs to have a large family with descendants!"
As the dressing nanny spoke auspicious words, the ivory comb brushed through Nie Xiangyi's dark hair, tying her hair into a meticulous bun.
She wears a five-phoenix crown inlaid with gold and jewels on her head, with lipstick in her mouth and wings flapping, and pearl curtains hanging on the sides, which is extremely dazzling.
Nie Yuanwei stood in the corner of the crowd, looking at Nie Xiangyi's luxurious wedding dress, and forced a smile.
This was her real plan, and she was doing everything to help others.
Nie Xiangyi got married in a separate courtyard. She did not need to offer sacrifices at the ancestral temple. She only burned three incense sticks for her mother Zhong Qiurong in the company of Zhong Qi.
"Arong, you see. A Si is now old enough to get married." Zhong Qi looked at his daughter's tablet, his eyes slightly red, and his voice was choked with a barely perceptible sob.
"If you were still here, you would have watched her get married..."
Nie Xiangyi was touched by his words, and her eyes were red. Did her grandfather feel the same way when he watched her mother get married?
She took a deep breath, holding back the tears in her eyes, and held Zhong Qi's rough, calloused hand, "Grandfather..."
"Good boy, today is a happy day, you can't cry." Zhong Qi rubbed his eyes and looked at Nie Xiangyi kneeling in front of him.
Seeing that the two were reluctant to leave, Zhong Lingyu hurriedly came over with a smile to smooth things over, "Since we live next door to each other, if Grandpa wants to see us, we can see each other every day!"
Nie Zhengqing, who was sitting below Zhong Qi, looked very unhappy when he heard this.
How could a daughter of a clan not marry in her own family and have her father run all the way to another courtyard to attend her wedding?
If I tell others about it, I'm afraid they will laugh out loud!
Jiang Yun'e was like a stranger and was not allowed to receive the gift by Zhong Qi. She could only stand in the crowd with Nie Yuanwei to watch the ceremony.
Following the sharp voice of the ceremonial officer, "The auspicious time has arrived—"
Nie Xiangyi leaned forward and kowtowed to Zhong Qi, suppressing the sobs in her voice. "Granddaughter Nie Xiangyi bids farewell to grandpa."
The reluctance and love in Zhong Qi's eyes almost became tangible. When their eyes met, he finally covered Nie Xiangyi with the bright red veil.
Like a fiery red net spreading across the sky, all that was left before Nie Xiangyi's eyes was a bright red.
Nie Zhengqing put on a fatherly air at the right moment, solemnly and rigidly admonishing, "My daughter, when you go, marry and become a wife. Take root and settle down. Respect your parents-in-law and raise children. Serve your parents diligently and take care of the household. Treat your parents with respect and be gentle and polite."
Zhong Qi simply helped Nie Xiangyi up, his old voice filled with reluctance and determination.
"Go, Ah Si, don't look back."
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