Xu Qinhui didn't understand what her father meant for a moment. She was slightly stunned before she said, "Father, what do you mean you and grandparents are planning to let me get married?" She couldn't help but feel happy in her heart, "No, could it be that Emperor Shengwu is planning to hold a beauty contest?" Otherwise, her father and grandfather would not have told her to get married.
Her father also knew about her prophetic dreams and that the person she wanted to marry was Emperor Shengwu.
Because of this, she even waited until this age. Her mother wanted her to get engaged a few years ago, but her father spoke on her behalf. Her mother even blamed her parents.
Now that Emperor Shengwu has finally ascended the throne, her mother finally understood why she had always been unwilling to get married. Her mother felt very regretful and blamed herself, saying that if she had not let the second wife marry in her place, she would be the empress now. Her mother also hoped that Emperor Shengwu would expand his harem.
Since Xu Qinyu came back, her mother has been ill.
Xu Shuping looked at his daughter's still beautiful face and said in a trembling voice, "Hui Niang, it's not..."
"Not what?" Xu Qinhui was momentarily unresponsive. Only after she realized what her father meant, her face paled. "Didn't Emperor Shengwu want to select a concubine for me to enter the harem? Then, father, what do you mean by marrying someone? I already said, I won't marry anyone except Emperor Shengwu!"
Xu Shuping's face was filled with pain. "Hui Niang, this is not up to you. It's Emperor Shengwu's will."
"What?" Xu Qinhui stood there in a daze, her voice trembling as she asked, "Yes, that's what he wants? Who does he want me to marry? Why should I obey him then? Even if he's the emperor, he can't just assign me a marriage."
She was so angry that she was shaking all over. She herself didn't understand why Emperor Shengwu was unwilling to marry her when she was obviously loyal and affectionate to him. She lived her life over again and didn't tell Emperor Shengyuan and Empress Dowager Fu about his intention to ascend the throne, but he repaid her with evil and wanted to marry her to someone else.
Xu Shuping turned his face away, not wanting to see his daughter's next expression.
But he had to say, "Hui Niang, the person you are going to marry is Song Bingjian."
He said this with difficulty, his lips trembling.
"Father! What are you talking about?" Xu Qinhui's face was filled with disbelief. She simply couldn't believe what she had heard from her father. Not only was her voice trembling, but her entire body was shaking. "I won't marry. I can't possibly marry someone like that. How could the Emperor let me marry someone like that? I don't believe it."
What Xu Shuping had not yet told his daughter was that not only would she have to marry Song Bingjian, but Song Bingjian was now unable to speak due to an injury to his tongue, and even his two legs were broken, so he would not be able to walk normally in the future. However, he had to let his daughter marry him because Emperor Shengwu had leverage over the Dechang Marquisate and he also had leverage over him. If Hui Niang did not marry, except for the second wife, everyone else in the Dechang Marquisate would be sent to the coal mine to do hard labor. In that kind of place, it only took a year to make you half-human, half-ghost. Even if you could hold on for a few more years, you would die from breathing too much coal dust.
Xu Shuping couldn't bear to look at his daughter, "Hui Niang, you must get married."
"Why?" Xu Qinhui cried, "Father, I don't want to marry. Why should I marry him? If anyone wants to marry, let Xu Qinyu marry. She should have married Song Bingjian, and I should have married His Majesty."
Xu Shuping sighed and said, "Hui Niang, your grandfather, grandmother, and I all have leverage in the hands of the emperor. Back when we were in the court, we accepted some money, and your grandmother also accepted gifts. And your grandfather was close to the Handong Prince. When the emperor purged the Handong Prince and Empress Dowager Fu's people, your grandfather thought he was lucky. Now we know that the emperor is waiting for our family here. Hui Niang, if you don't marry Song Bingjian, I'm afraid all of us, except for the second wife, will be confiscated and exiled to the coal mines."
These words were not spoken to him by Emperor Shengwu, but by Commander-in-Chief Huo. However, Commander-in-Chief Huo was someone close to the Emperor, so these words were naturally the Emperor's intention.
It was obvious that the emperor was just seeking revenge for himself and Yu Niang.
The emperor also had Hui Niang sent to get married in a sedan chair, just like Yu Niang had been before.
Xu Qinhui was stunned. She saw the pain and self-blame in her father's eyes and knew that there was no turning back. It was Emperor Shengwu's intention. Just because she was unwilling to marry him and let her second sister marry in her place, he hated her and wanted her to taste that pain?
At this moment, Xu Qinhui completely realized that even if she lived again, this life would be very bad.
But she still didn't want to marry Song Bingjian.
What kind of person is Song Bingjian? He is a useless loser who can only use small animals to vent his anger. If she marries such a person, her life will be in vain. Even if she no longer covets Emperor Shengwu, she will never marry Song Bingjian if she marries other sons of officials.
Xu Qinhui cried, "Father, I was wrong. I am willing to marry. Apart from Song Bingjian, anyone else is fine. There are many sons of noble families in the capital. Father, please help me choose a marriage."
"It's too late..." Xu Shuping shook his head.
It's too late. If Hui Niang had been willing to marry and no longer thought about letting Prince Shu ascend the throne, Emperor Shengwu might not have brought up the past for Yu Niang's sake. But now the emperor is determined to avenge Yu Niang.
"No, father, we can still ask my second sister for help. She is soft-hearted and might be willing to plead for us in front of the emperor..." She no longer expected anything and only hoped not to marry Song Bingjian.
Xu Shuping sighed, "Hui Niang, haven't you seen clearly yet? It's been almost a month since Yu Niang returned to the Dechang Marquis's Mansion, but she hasn't been anywhere except the courtyard of the second house. She hasn't even visited your grandparents. She hates us too, and she won't help us intercede. Hui Niang, you have to marry whether you want to or not."
Not only that, Commander-in-Chief Huo also hinted that they should separate after the queen's coronation ceremony. It seems that he does not want the second branch to continue staying in the Dechang Marquis Mansion.
Xu Qinhui said hatefully, "I don't believe it. I'll go find my second sister right now."
After saying that, she wanted to rush out, thinking that if she went to the second house to plead with Xu Qinyu, and Xu Qinyu was unwilling to help her, she could at least leave the Marquis' Mansion. She would not sit and wait for her family to marry her to Song Bingjian.
"Hui Niang!" Xu Shuping said, "Do you still want to plunge the Dechang Marquisate into an even more difficult situation? You really don't know that if you hadn't stopped Yu Niang two days ago and said those words, His Majesty wouldn't have done such a drastic thing before the Empress's coronation ceremony."
Xu Qinhui was stunned, but she still didn't want to marry Song Bingjian.
Without thinking, she rushed to the yard outside. She wanted to ask her grandmother for help. Her grandmother loved her the most. She asked her grandmother to send her away. As long as she didn't stay in the capital, no one could force her to marry Song Bingjian.
Just as he rushed into the yard, several servants came running over.
Several servants came forward and grabbed Xu Qinhui. Xu Qinhui was just a weak woman, and she couldn't break free from the strong servants. She cursed angrily, "Are you looking for death? How dare you block my way?"
Xu Shuping had already walked out of the study. He said, "Send the third young lady back to her courtyard. Keep an eye on her for the next two days. She's getting married the day after tomorrow. If she runs away, you don't have to stay in the mansion. Beat her to death."
Several servants responded quickly.
"Father, Father, you can't treat me like this..."
Xu Qinhui, who was dragged out of the study by the servant, burst into tears, her face full of despair.
Xu Shuping could only watch as his daughter was dragged back to her room and guarded by the servants.
But how could Xu Qinhui give in like this? She cried all the way. Even Mrs. Mei, the third wife of Xu, heard her daughter's crying. When she came out and saw several servants carrying her daughter, she immediately went up to them and scolded them, saying that they were so bold to treat the master of the mansion like this, and asked them to let Xu Qinhui go immediately.
Mei wanted to stop it, but several maids said that it was the third master's idea. Mei had no choice but to go to the study to see her husband.
Xu Shuping was sitting in the study. He let his wife in only after hearing the servant's announcement.
Seeing the anger on his wife's face, he remained motionless. He tiredly told her about what happened today when General Huo came to see him. He added, "Father and Mother already know about this. They have agreed to let Hui Niang marry into the Song family. There is nothing we can do about it. If Hui Niang doesn't marry into the Song family, then our Dechang Marquisate will lose its title. Except for the people in the second and first wives, everyone in the Dechang Marquisate, including you, me, my parents, etc., will be exiled to the coal mines. Madam, are you willing to be exiled to the coal mines to do hard labor? Then not only Hui Niang will have to go, but you too, and the eldest brother's family as well."
The eldest son's family is naturally Xu Shuping's eldest son, who has become his biological son and even has a grandson.
Mei was stunned and completely speechless.
She knew in her heart that if she really told her husband this, her whole family would have no good life without Hui Niang.
She could only watch her daughter marry into the Song family.
Mei couldn't help crying. After crying for a long time, she asked, "When will Hui Niang be allowed to marry?"
Xu Shuping said, "We don't have much time left before the Queen's coronation ceremony, the day after tomorrow. Please find the wedding dress you left for Hui Niang."
Mei couldn't help crying again, "But you know Hui Niang's personality. She only wants to be His Majesty's concubine. How could she willingly marry into the Song family? I'm afraid there will be a scene on the way there. Hui Niang will definitely resent us. I'm afraid she would rather die with her whole family than marry into the Song family. If there is a scene on the way there, it will also be bad for the reputation of the Marquisate."
Xu Shuping had thought of this a long time ago. He said, "Have Hui Niang use some soul-soothing incense. On the day of her wedding, dress her in her wedding dress and send her to the Song family in a sedan chair."
Mei was stunned for a moment before she cried out, "Retribution, it's all retribution."
At first, Yu Niang was sent to Prince Shu's palace in a sedan chair, but now it is Hui Niang's turn.
But she dared not refuse. If she did, she, her eldest brother's family and her grandson would all be sent to the coal mine to suffer.
…
Xu Qinhui started to make a fuss when she was sent to her own yard, wanting to go out, but the maids kept stopping her. She couldn't get out and could only cry. Mei came to persuade her daughter. She cried and asked Mei to let her out, but Mei hesitated to persuade her daughter. Xu Qinhui immediately understood that her mother also wanted her to marry Song Bingjian honestly in exchange for the safety of the family. She really couldn't bear the blow, and scolded Mei and went out.
Xu Qinhui cursed all night and fell asleep because she was tired.
The next day, she woke up, but still no one let her out. Only the maid brought her food and drinks, but she refused to eat or drink. On the third day, Ping'er came in, brought her food and drinks, and lit a plate of incense for her, asking her to have a good rest. Xu Qinhui scolded the maid and sent her out, then started crying again. As she cried, she felt very sleepy and fell asleep on the bed in a daze.
When Xu Qinhui woke up again, she found that she was no longer in her boudoir, but in an unfamiliar house. The furniture in the house was very simple and the room was very small. She was lying on a bed covered with a big red wedding quilt. Xu Qinhui's face changed, and she turned her head slightly, only to find a bruised man lying next to her, staring at her fiercely.
Xu Qinhui screamed in fright and quickly climbed up from the bed. She staggered towards the door, but found that the door was locked from the outside and could not be opened from the inside.
At this moment, she realized that she was just like Xu Qinyu at that time. She was drugged, sent to the Song family in a sedan chair, and married to Song Bingjian. The person who was neither human nor ghost on the bed was Song Bingjian.
She had no idea that Song Bingjian had become like this.
Song Bingjian glared at Xu Qinhui fiercely. He already knew that if Xu Qinhui had not said anything nonsense in front of the Empress that day, he would not have been beaten like this. His tongue was completely broken and he would never be able to speak again. Although his two legs were also broken, he was sent back to see a doctor, who helped him set the bones and said that he would have to stay in bed for a full year. Even so, it would be impossible for him to walk like a normal person in the future. He could only take a few steps with the help of crutches.
He couldn't hate the Queen and the Emperor, so naturally he blamed everything on Xu Qinhui.
Song Bingjian hated Xu Qinhui so much, but he couldn't move or speak at the moment, so he could only look at Xu Qinhui like this. However, he had already told his family with gestures to keep an eye on Xu Qinhui, and that Xu Qinhui would have to stay in the Song family and serve him for the rest of her life.
Xu Qinhui saw that the door could not be opened, and then looked back at Song Bingjian's resentful eyes on the bed. She slowly squatted down, screamed, and then slowly hugged her head and burst into tears.
She didn't understand why things turned out like this.
Living a new life, this life is even more miserable than the previous one.
It would have been better if she had married Emperor Sheng Yuan in her previous life and was eventually killed by Prince Shu with a single sword. At least during the ten years she was Emperor Sheng Yuan's concubine, she enjoyed a carefree and glorious life.
Although I am still alive in this life, I will have to spend the rest of my days in endless pain and failure...
…
Xu Qinyu also knew about Xu Qinhui's affairs. She herself was unaware of them, but the commotion in Xu Qinhui's courtyard over the past two days was so intense that even from a distance, her curses could be heard. However, Xu Qinyu didn't really want to know about the affairs of the third house, so she naturally ignored them and didn't ask the maids in the mansion.
But Lianhua was someone who liked to join in the fun. She had already known about Xu Qinhui's accident and even secretly ran to watch Xu Qinhui's wedding. She was carried out of the Marquis' Mansion through the back door in a sedan chair and sent to the Song family.
Lianhua was a secret guard, and she knew everything about the queen, so she naturally told Xu Qinyu.
Only then did Xu Qinyu know that Xu Qinhui had been carried to the Song family in a sedan chair by people from the Dechang Marquis Mansion and married to Song Bingjian.
She was slightly stunned, knowing that her fourth brother must have done something, otherwise Mr. Xu San, the old lady of Marquis Dechang and Mrs. Xu San would not have married Xu Qinhui to the Song family. Moreover, Song Bingjian was already in that state, and he might not be able to walk properly in his life. He was a disabled person, and the third house definitely didn't want anything from him. So it must be that her fourth brother did something.
After Xu Qinyu found out, she was very grateful to her fourth brother.
No matter what, Fourth Brother has avenged his original body.
Just like her original body died young, Xu Qinhui suffered the same fate.
Cause and effect, retribution is the result that Xu Qinhui deserves.
At this moment, Xu Qinyu was truly calm. She no longer paid attention to the third house and Xu Qinhui. Xu Qinhui would have to be entangled with Song Bingjian for the rest of her life.
In two days, the ceremony of crowning the queen will be held. Many maids and palace servants have come to the palace to take care of her.
She would be married off just like ordinary girls, wearing a phoenix coronet and a red robe, and being sent to the palace in a sedan chair carried by eight people. She would first worship heaven and earth with her fourth brother, and then change into a phoenix robe to attend the ceremony of being crowned queen with her fourth brother, and worship heaven and earth.
Xu Qinyu has not left the Marquis' Mansion for the past two days. She tried on the phoenix coronet, bridal veil and phoenix robe, and they both fit her perfectly.
The phoenix crown, bridal bridal robe and phoenix robe were all embroidered by dozens of the best embroiderers in the palace, working day and night. The phoenix crown alone made Xu Qinyu amazed.
The phoenix crown is made entirely by hand with kingfisher feathers and filigree inlays, and is adorned with nine dragons and nine phoenixes inlaid with various gems as well as pearls and agates. The nine dragons and nine phoenixes are coiled around each other and soaring up, feeling heavy when held in the palm of the hand.
The shawl was made of bright red brocade, and was also embroidered with nine dragons and nine phoenixes. The nine dragons and nine phoenixes were embroidered with gold thread, and were still entwined with each other. When the hem of the shawl was gently swayed, the dragons and phoenixes seemed to come alive, entwined and soaring up, dazzling.
Xu Qinyu waited in such anxiety until the first day of February.
She couldn't sleep at night, and only after the maid in the palace prepared some calming incense for her did she fall asleep.
She woke up just at the end of the Yin hour, and the palace maids and maids began to help her wash and dress.
After she finished washing up, she returned to her room and started to dress up.
Today, the only people who came to the Marquis of Dechang's Mansion to escort Xu Qinyu into the palace were the old maids in the palace, people from the second branch of the Xu family, and the brothers, sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces from Xue's natal family.
In addition, there are several respected old ladies in the capital, all of whom are old ladies from aristocratic families.
While Xu Qinyu was dressing up, Xue came into the room to visit her daughter who was going to marry into the palace. Looking at Yu Niang's pretty face, Xue couldn't help but want to cry.
Today was a happy day, and she couldn't cry, not even out of excitement.
She had never thought that her daughter, who was exiled to the frontier, would come back one day, but now her daughter came back safely and became the most envied girl in the world. So why did she cry? She was just happy for her daughter.
Just based on how much the emperor cares about Yu Niang, Xue knows that the emperor will never let Yu Niang down in his life.
No matter how late the emperor is busy in the palace, he will come to the Dechang Marquis's Mansion in the evening to accompany Yu Niang.
It was only during these three days that His Majesty did not come over at night due to custom.
So Xue knew that Yu Niang would live a good life in the palace.
The Queen Mother and the Princess treated Yu Niang very well, so she really had nothing to worry about.
Xu Qinyu also looked at Xue and smiled, but she was extremely nervous.
When she was dressed up, the nanny and the palace maid helped her put on her wedding dress and bridal robe. Xue couldn't hold back her tears.
She had never seen Yu Niang look so stunning and charming. This was the look of a girl getting married, not being sent away in a sedan chair.
Xu Qinyu also felt a little uncomfortable. She couldn't bear to leave Xue, her father, and Li Ge'er. For the first time, she felt the warmth of her family.
She went forward and hugged Xue, choking with sobs, "Mom, I will come back to see you often in the future."
In the future, she will be able to leave the palace and open a restaurant, and naturally she will be able to come back to visit her family often.
Xue patted Xu Qinyu's back gently, her voice choked with sobs, "My dear, I finally saw you get married with my own eyes, and I can finally feel at ease. In the future, you must treat His Majesty better and don't have a bad temper. His Majesty treats you very well and impeccably. Remember to be filial to the Empress Dowager." The Empress Dowager wanted to move all the things in her private storehouse to the Marquis' Mansion as a dowry for Yu Niang.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'll save it."
Xu Qinyu gently wiped the corners of her eyes, not daring to cry for fear of ruining her makeup.
Soon after, my aunt, cousin and several old ladies came in.
Xu Qinyu's small boudoir was crowded with people.
Several old ladies spoke auspicious words and symbolically combed Xu Qinyu's hair. Then the maids in the palace helped her to tie her hair into a bun and put on the phoenix crown.
Seeing that the time had come, the old lady Yizhen shouted auspicious words and sent Xu Qinyu off to get married.
When a girl gets married, her brothers from her natal family carry her in the sedan chair.
Although Li Ge'er was only thirteen or fourteen years old, he was already taller than Xu Qinyu. He was also tall and strong, so it was effortless for him to carry his sister on his back.
Xu Qinyu lay on Li Ge'er's back. Li Ge'er slowly sent his sister to get married. He hoped that his sister could be happy in this life and never have to suffer any hardship again.
Until her sister was sent to the bridal sedan, Xu Qinyu was taken away by someone. She felt the strong chest and embrace of her fourth brother, as well as the familiar scent on his body. It was her fourth brother who took her and carried her into the bridal sedan.
Xu Qinyu sat in the spacious sedan chair and was carried smoothly into the palace. She could hear the excited voices of the people outside the sedan chair, all shouting "Long live the emperor" and "A thousand years of life for the queen", congratulating them and wishing them a happy marriage.
Until this moment, she was still a little dazed. How did she become a queen from a cook in the future? It was like a dream, but she didn't want to wake up from it.
She only wishes to stay by her fourth brother's side for the rest of her life.
Half an hour later, she was sent to the palace, where she was led by her fourth brother to pay her respects to her parents and to heaven and earth.
Because it was the marriage between the emperor and the empress, it was different from that of ordinary families. The fourth brother did not have to accompany the relatives to drink and eat. After the greetings, the fourth brother took her back to the bedroom.
Along the way, Xu Qinyu's heart was pounding as she slowly followed her fourth brother back to the bedroom.
When they entered the bedroom, her fourth brother took her hand and sat her on the bed. He picked up the jade ruyi on the wedding cloth and lifted the red veil. Xu Qinyu also saw her fourth brother in red clothes at a glance.
On the contrary, the moment she saw her fourth brother, she was no longer panicked or confused. She couldn't help but smile sweetly at her fourth brother and called him "fourth brother".
Pei Weixuan looked at the stunning Yu Niang in front of him, his heart softening. He agreed and asked, "Are you hungry? Let's go eat something first. We have to hold the Queen's coronation ceremony soon."
Xu Qinyu nodded, "Fourth brother, have some too."
It was already late, almost noon. She had gotten up in the morning and had a little breakfast, so she was a little hungry now.
"good."
Pei Weixuan took Yu Niang to the table.
Looking at the wine cups on the table, Xu Qinyu smiled and said, "Fourth brother, should we drink the wedding wine first?"
Pei Weixuan just smiled and said "OK". He poured two glasses of fruit wine from the wine cup.
There was fruit wine in the wine cup. Because they were going to drink the wedding wine, he had asked someone to replace the wine in the wine cup with sweet fruit wine, which was the wine brewed by Yu Niang herself.
There were two white jade cups filled with purple-red wine. Pei Weixuan picked up the two white jade cups and handed them to Yu Niang.
The two men put their arms around each other, faced each other, and drank the fruit wine in their glasses.
By the time the two of them let go and put down the white jade cup, a faint blush had already appeared on Xu Qinyu's face. The wine didn't make people drunk, but people were drunk by themselves.
Xu Qinyu looked at her fourth brother, but was reluctant to let go.
It turns out that "good-looking and delicious" can also be used to describe men.
Fourth Brother’s appearance was the most handsome she had ever seen, and he looked even more attractive in red today.
However, the queen's coronation ceremony had to be held in the afternoon. Xu Qinyu was a little worried but didn't dare to do anything at this moment. She just leaned over and kissed the corner of her fourth brother's lips, "Fourth brother, let's eat something first."
Pei Weixuan's eyes darkened slightly, and he said the word "good" in a hoarse voice.
By the time the two of them finished eating, it was already late.
The palace maids filed in and helped the two of them change into dragon and phoenix robes.
After changing into court robes and waiting for an auspicious time, the two walked hand in hand to the bedroom.
Outside the bedroom, the sun shines on the earth, and the golden light is bright.
The two of them were covered in a layer of golden light, as if the rest of their lives were very long and far away, enough for them to accompany each other for their entire lives.
(End of text)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
