Chapter 4: The River is Green as Blue (1) Waiting to Marry the Living Dead...
The sky was dim, but the study in the Duke's Mansion was as bright as day.
Meng Zhongliang knelt on the ground, his forehead covered in cold sweat, his head buried deep in his chest, not daring to raise it even a little.
Lu Guanque drank the medicine and leaned back lazily, his tone calm and unperturbed, "Ms. Meng, you are truly a character. You haven't even married yet, and you've already caused such a difficult situation."
He tapped lightly on the rosewood armrest and said in a sarcastic tone, "You think my life is coming to an end, so you are impatient to cling to other families."
"Really?"
Meng Zhongliang closed his eyes tightly, his whole body trembling like a sieve: "Please, my lord, spare her life. She will definitely..."
"Shut up."
The teacup in Lu Guanque's hand suddenly slipped out of his hand and shattered on the ground, with porcelain fragments flying everywhere.
His eyes gleamed coldly like a knife: "In the future? You still dare to mention the future?"
"I have failed to teach my daughter well. You can beat me or scold me, Your Highness. I will leave it to you to decide." Meng Zhongliang's voice was hoarse with despair.
"Hit? Scold?"
Lu Guanque's eyes moved slightly, and his tone was as light as smoke: "Master Meng, why don't you think about how to explain this marriage to His Majesty."
"Your Majesty?!" Meng Zhongliang suddenly looked up, his face pale.
Uncle De, who was standing by, took a deep breath, took out the imperial edict from his sleeve, solemnly unfolded it, and read it aloud:
"I, in accordance with the Empress Dowager's benevolent instructions, have chosen the legitimate daughter of the Secretary-General Meng, a woman of noble birth, virtuous character, well-mannered manners, and worthy of praise, to marry the Crown Prince Guanque as his consort. I have ordered the officials to choose an auspicious day for the ceremony. I decree this!"[1]
After the imperial edict was read, Meng Zhongliang fell stiffly to the ground, like a stone statue that had lost its soul.
Lu Guanque glanced at him. Uncle De understood, cleared his throat, and suddenly his voice turned stern: "Our Duke's Mansion has already prepared all the necessary wedding ceremonies. Even this imperial edict was obtained by our Crown Prince himself at the palace."
"The Young Master was so thoughtful, fearing that Miss Meng would be wronged. But he never imagined that your eldest daughter would dare to cause such a disaster, putting the Young Master in a dilemma and bringing disgrace to the Duke's Mansion."
"Uncle De." Lu Guanque waved his hand slightly.
Uncle De immediately fell silent and bowed, saying, "The old servant is here."
"Send someone to keep a close eye on Lord Meng." Lu Guanque's voice was indistinguishable from emotion. "Tomorrow, the palace will issue another decree."
Hearing the word "decree", Meng Zhongliang trembled with shock and buried his head even lower, almost embedding it in the cracks between the bricks.
He had originally planned to have Meng Xuanli arrange a marriage for Meng Xiuyu, thus covering up her affair with the Pan family. However, Meng Xiuyu had caused such a catastrophic disaster. Now, not only was her chance of marrying into the Duke's Mansion hopeless, but she was also worried about the lives of her entire family.
etc.
The one mentioned in the decree is the legitimate daughter of the Meng family?
If...if Xuan Li can also be recorded as a legitimate daughter, wouldn't it be possible to pass off fake ones as legitimate?
The winter night was deep, the sky a purplish purple, like a wilted eggplant covered in cobwebs and ashes. The study was utterly silent, so still you could hear a pin drop.
Lu Guanque was about to stand up when he saw Meng Zhongliang suddenly blocking his way.
Lu Guanque narrowed his eyes slightly, looking down at him with a smile on his face, "Master Meng, have you come up with a plan?"
Meng Zhongliang rested his forehead against the cold floor tiles, his voice filled with desperate urgency: "I have two daughters, the eldest, Xiuyu, and the younger, Xuanli. If Xuanli is registered under my wife's name, she will be the legitimate daughter. This will be in accordance with the imperial decree..."
"They are exactly the same!" he almost shouted.
Lu Guanque's expression was unpredictable, and a faint, cold smile appeared at the corner of his lips: "Lord Meng has really thought it through."
"What if I don't want it?"
"Yes, yes, what the prince said is correct."
Meng Zhongliang hurriedly smiled apologetically, sweat pouring down his forehead. "Xuan Li's background is humble, but she's been studying hard at home lately, and has made considerable progress. Besides, this child is incredibly humble and docile, as you've seen before, Young Master."
Lu Guanque sat down again, his fingertips casually tracing the edge of the table, his tone ambiguous: "But how can I remember that she was always ignored and bullied?"
He seemed to be throwing bait: "If I enter the Duke's Mansion in the future, I'm afraid I will be laughed at."
Meng Zhongliang sensed a hint of wiggle room in the words and hurriedly swore to the heavens, "Don't worry, my lord. Tomorrow..."
"No! Starting tonight, I will assign more capable personnel to protect Xuan Li at all times. I will take good care of her and will not let her suffer even the slightest injustice."
Lu Guanque was extremely contemptuous and snorted coldly, "Send someone?"
"Master Meng, you must have forgotten that I haven't agreed yet, but you've already made the arrangements?"
"I have spoken out of turn, I deserve to die, I will obey your orders, my lord!" Meng Zhongliang was so scared that he kowtowed repeatedly.
"Orders?"
Lu Guanque narrowed his eyes, looking out the window at the night, his voice filled with weariness: "If it weren't for the affection between my grandmother and your old lady back then..."
His tone suddenly turned cold: "Your eldest daughter, I feel disgusted every time I see her."
Meng Zhongliang, as if granted amnesty, promised repeatedly, "I will set off for Xuzhou tomorrow to complete Xuan Li's identity documents. I dare not trouble the Crown Prince again."
Seeing Meng Zhongliang begging for mercy like this, Lu Guanque tapped the table lightly with his fingertips. His voice was slow but heavy: "Master Meng..."
"I hope this is the last time."
"I guarantee with my life that this matter will be handled flawlessly, without the slightest mistake."
Lu Guanque no longer looked at him and stood up on his own: "Since that's the case, let's do it this way for now."
He turned his gaze to Uncle De: "Pick a few steady and experienced maids to take care of Miss Xuanli's daily life and diet. Then send..."
Uncle De saw that he was about to give him a long order, so he quickly winked and said, "My Lord, your own health is more important. As for Miss Xuan Li, I will make sure everything is done properly and will not neglect her in the slightest."
Lu Guanque was slightly stunned, thought for a moment, and finally nodded slowly.
He walked up to Meng Zhongliang, his dark cape trailing on the ground. A smile played on the corners of his lips, but his words were filled with a chilling coldness. "Master Meng, go back and tell your 'good' daughter that if she dares to cause any more trouble, even the slightest bit, I will make her completely disappear from this Eastern Capital."
"Go ahead."
Meng Zhongliang's whole body was as stiff as iron. He didn't raise his head until the black cloak completely disappeared into the depths of the corridor.
It was clearly the end of summer, but the collar of his shirt was soaked with cold sweat.
*
The next day, it was almost noon when we arrived at the pavilion.
Meng Xuanli had thought that the scandal on the pleasure boat last night would spread throughout the Eastern Capital, but unexpectedly, it was like a stone sinking into the sea, without even a ripple.
She wanted to find her father to ask him about the clues, but she heard from the servants that her father had left the house in a hurry before dawn and had not returned yet.
While I was thinking about it, I saw Meng Xiuyu walking in lazily.
Meng Xuanli sat upright on the Arhat bed, picked up a plain face fan, and gently waved it: "Is there something wrong, elder sister?"
Meng Xiuyu curled her lips, snatched the fan and threw it to the ground: "Of course."
With his hands empty, Meng Xuanli didn't get angry. He just tilted his head and smiled softly, "If you have something to say, just say it."
"Oh, sister, you haven't even stepped into the gate of the Duke's Mansion, but you're already acting like the Crown Prince's Consort?" Meng Xiuyu said sarcastically.
Meng Xuanli sneered, "Marry? My elder sister caused such a terrible scene last night, how can I marry in her place?"
Meng Xiuyu showed no shame for her disgraceful behavior last night. Instead, she leaned forward, scrutinizing Meng Xuanli closely. "Why can't I marry? Not only must I marry, but I want to do it in style, as the legitimate daughter of the Meng family."
Meng Xuanli blinked and said in astonishment, "Legitimate daughter? What legitimate daughter?"
"Why are you pretending?" Meng Xiuyu rolled his eyes at her bewildered expression. "Father has always been diligent in his official duties, but today, for the first time ever, he rushed to Xuzhou so early in the morning. What do you think he did?"
"It's all because of that fateful imperial decree. Only by marrying you off as the legitimate daughter can we silence the gossips and save the lives of the entire Meng family."
"Imperial edict?!" Meng Xuanli stood up suddenly, in disbelief. "Last night...the engagement wasn't cancelled?!"
"Of course it's the imperial decree granting the marriage." Meng Xiuyu flicked her sleeves and sat down beside him, looking relaxed and content. "Besides, how could I bear to give up the Duke's Mansion, which is so 'extremely wealthy'?"
"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible." Meng Xuanli forced himself to remain calm, but his heart was in a daze. "Your Majesty, why would you grant me a marriage?"
Meng Xiuyu nodded and said slowly, "Of course the emperor won't grant you a marriage. The imperial decree was originally a favor that the prince obtained for me when he entered the palace. What a pity..."
She drawled out her words with deep contempt, "Sister, I already have someone in my heart. I don't care about that sickly guy with half his body buried in the ground."
"You have no sense of shame at all about what happened last night?" Meng Xuanli sat back in his original seat dejectedly and shook his head slowly.
"shame?"
Meng Xiuyu chuckled as if she had just heard a ridiculous joke. "What's there to be ashamed of? The only two people present last night were my father and the Crown Prince. Even if there are rumors in the future, they can just be attributed to the Meng family's daughter being disrespectful."
"But as an outsider, who can tell whether it's you or me?"
She stood up and walked over to Meng Xuanli, looking down at her with a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes. "Sister, God has finally blessed me. If it weren't for the prince's accidental request for this imperial decree, I'm afraid I would have to go through so much trouble to 'invite' you to marry in my place."
"Now," she clapped her hands lightly, her smile growing even brighter, "just be content and wait to marry that living dead."
These words were like a devastating tidal wave. Meng Xuanli froze in place, his mind going blank.
She originally thought that the matter of the replacement marriage was still under her control, but unexpectedly, it became a foregone conclusion in the blink of an eye, with no room for maneuver.
Just as I was confused, Danruo came in with several solemn-looking maids and a few servants.
Meng Xuanli's eyes twitched slightly, and before he could come back to his senses, the calm and composed maid in the lead had already knelt and saluted. Her voice was clear and powerful: "This old servant has come here by the order of the Crown Prince to serve the Second Young Miss. These maids were also assigned by the Duke's Mansion. From now on, they will all be at the Second Young Miss's command."
After hearing this, the last bit of hope in Meng Xuanli's heart disappeared like smoke.
It turned out that she was really going to marry into the Duke's Mansion and marry the prince who was in danger of losing his position every day.
Meng Xiuyu took a glance, covered her lips and smiled, "Congratulations, sister! I have to go back and recuperate. Maybe I can even make it to the wedding." After that, she left happily.
Meng Xuanli ignored her sarcasm, only feeling a dull pain in his forehead. He waved his hand feebly, "You guys, go down first."
Outside the window, the sky was clear and the sun was blazing, creating rolling waves of heat. But as Meng Xuanli sat there, he felt a chill rising from the soles of his feet and soaking through his limbs.
At this point, the only thing she could hope for was the prince whom she had only met twice.
Can live longer.
*
Meng Xuanli contemplated her fate in seclusion for the better part of a month, finally accepting it. Since this arranged marriage was inevitable, she'd accept it. After all, she had her own life to live.
At dusk that day, the carriage slowly stopped in front of the "Xiu Luo Fang" which was famous in the Eastern Capital.
She lifted her veil and looked up at the imposing door lintel, where she saw what looked like a line of small characters in the lower right corner of the plaque. Before she could make out the details, a smartly dressed shopkeeper, perhaps in her thirties or forties, came out with a cheerful face.
"Greetings to the young lady. May I know which family the young lady is from?"
Dan Ruo, who was standing by, replied, "This is the second young lady from our Meng Mansion."
When the shopkeeper heard "Meng Mansion", her eyes flashed and her tone became more attentive and warm: "So it's Miss Meng Er, come with me quickly."
He then raised his voice and ordered, "Little boy, quickly serve the distinguished guest some good tea and bring over some of the newly arrived snacks."
Meng Xuanli nodded slightly, with a graceful demeanor, and followed the shopkeeper into the store.
The elegant room is quiet and the fragrance of agarwood is lingering.
Meng Xuanli took a seat while stroking her skirt, and looked around calmly through the thin gauze hanging from her veil.
The shop's furnishings were gorgeous, with a variety of silks and satins shimmering in all colors, far exceeding Meng Xuanli's imagination. Her eyes were finally drawn to a piece of shimmering material behind a screen.
The shopkeeper was incredibly astute; she immediately caught the slightest pause and said with a charming smile, "Young lady, you have a good eye. That piece of Shu brocade just arrived in Dongdu a few days ago. It has the most vivid and lively patterns in the entire city. If you like it, I'll bring it over for you to take a look."
Meng Xuanli was originally curious about the pattern, but seeing the shopkeeper's wife so eager, he lowered his eyes, smiled slightly, and nodded slightly.
While I was sipping half a cup of fragrant tea, I suddenly heard a burst of light yet hurried footsteps outside the private room.
Meng Xuanli thought it was the shopkeeper's wife who came back to get the material. When he looked up, he saw a woman in a light blue skirt with gold threads lifting the beaded curtain and rushing in.
The woman's gaze was like a sharp thorn, fixed on Meng Xuanli's veil. She sneered contemptuously, "Who was I thinking? It turns out to be Miss Meng! It's been so long!"
Meng Xuanli sat still, and a calm voice came from under the veil: "Young lady, you have recognized the wrong person."
"What are you pretending for?"
The woman stepped closer, her tone sardonic, "Now you're here shopping for clothes, are you still dreaming of marrying into the Pan family? I advise you to give up on this thought as soon as possible. Madam Pan has already chosen a lady from a prominent family for her son, so there's no place for you."
She paced around Meng Xuanli, her voice growing increasingly scathing. "Besides, you're already engaged. What kind of person is Master Pan? How could he be interested in someone like you, someone so fickle and shameless?"
Meng Xuanli was confused at first, but now he knew the identity of the visitor - He Ruci, the fourth daughter of the Minister of Personnel.
She resumed her sitting posture, and her voice from beneath her veil was as cold as a spring: "Fourth Miss He, my eldest sister is currently at home and has not left the house."
He Ruci originally felt that the girl looked familiar, but after listening to her words, he realized that she was Meng Xiuyu's concubine sister who was raised in the countryside.
Her eyes wandered over Meng Xuanli, her sarcasm intensifying. "Oh! So you're Meng Xiuyu's sister? What? Now you dare to refute me?"
Meng Xuanli raised his hand and slowly took off his veil, revealing a beautiful yet sharp face. A smile played at the corner of his lips. "Fourth Miss, you rely on your good family background to speak ill of me and insult me wantonly. This time, I won't hold it against you. If there's a next time..."
She paused, her eyes slightly cold: "You can't be sure what 'accident' will happen."
"You! How dare you threaten me?!"
He Ruci had never been contradicted like this before, especially by a concubine's daughter. A surge of anger rushed to her head, and she raised her hand and slapped Meng Xuanli in the face.
Meng Xuanli was prepared and tried to block her. As their arms tangled and pushed each other, He Ruci's slap finally landed on Meng Xuanli's cheek in the chaos.
“Bang!”
A loud and crisp slap exploded in the silent private room, and the aftereffect was deafening.
Both of them froze in place like clay sculptures or wooden carvings.
Meng Xuanli covered her face, eyes full of disbelief, her fingertips trembling as she touched her cheek. She was stunned for only a moment before a surge of offended anger surged through her heart. Her eyes suddenly turned cold, and her bare hands were already raised—
At this moment, a low and slow voice suddenly came from outside the screen:
"The sound of Miss He hitting people is really crisp and loud."
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References
[1] Refer to the Qing Dynasty marriage decree
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