Chapter 171 Arranged Marriage (Two Chapters in One)
"Your Majesty, I understand clearly that my father-in-law did not know about this. It is absolutely true. This matter has nothing to do with my father-in-law, but I did lie. It is all my fault."
The Third Prince spoke sincerely, and it seemed that Feng Ke really did not know about this matter. Emperor Yongjia looked at him with a little more kindness in his eyes.
"Stand up and answer. Since this matter has nothing to do with your father-in-law, how did you lie?"
The third prince quickly stood up, his face full of guilt, and carefully told the truth.
It turns out that the one who really fell in love with Yan Xia was Miss Lang, Lang Yuyu herself.
Yan Xia became famous in the capital because of his success in solving major cases. After Lang Yuyu came to the capital, she met Yan Xia by chance on the street and fell in love with him. However, the Lang family wanted to marry her to the prince's mansion. Lang Yuyu did not dare to disobey her family, so she secretly told the Third Princess Feng Jiahe, and wanted to ask Concubine Qiao to help mediate. If Concubine Qiao was willing to help, then Lord Lang and Madam Lang would have no choice but to agree, and the marriage would be a success.
In the final analysis, this was Lang Yuyu's unrequited love, and Feng Jiahe wanted to help her best friend. The Third Prince loved his wife dearly, so he came to Concubine Qiao for help.
Imperial Concubine Qiao looked helpless and scolded, "Your Majesty, listen to this! These are just childish talk. You two are really treating marriage like a child's game. Since ancient times, marriage has always been about the union of two families. It's not as simple as you think."
Emperor Yongjia also laughed. So that's how it is. It's just a little girl's little thoughts.
But he quickly put away his smile. This matter was caused by Lang Yuyu. Lang Yuyu was afraid of her father's objection, so she bypassed the Lang family and asked the third prince to present the matter to Concubine Qiao. But what if the Lang family knew their daughter's thoughts? Would Lang Jing really object?
Emperor Yongjia had no good feelings towards Lang Jing, who was a sycophant. This was also the main reason why Concubine Qiao was reluctant to agree to let Lang Yuyu be the concubine of the third prince.
If the Lang family knew that their daughter liked Yan Xia, they would most likely agree to the marriage.
After all, there is only one Weiguo Mansion and one Yan Family in the entire court, and Yan Xia is the most outstanding among the sons of nobles.
Once Lang Yuyu marries into the Duke of Weiguo's Mansion, the Yan and Lang families will be married, which is equivalent to the marriage between the Yan and Feng families.
How could Emperor Yongjia still laugh when he thought about the marriage between the Duke of Weiguo's Mansion and the Feng family?
The head of the civil officials is Feng Ke. Although the Duke of Weiguo is not the head of the military generals, the Yan family has a very high reputation among the military generals. If these two families were to marry... this is what Emperor Yongjia least wants to see!
The Third Prince trembled with fear and whispered, "Father, please don't get yourself sick from anger. I won't dare to do that again."
Emperor Yongjia sighed and said, "You still lack the maturity to do things, and need more practice. How about this, starting tomorrow, go to the Dali Temple to observe government affairs."
The third prince was secretly delighted. As princes, they had to avoid the Ministry of Personnel, the Dali Temple and the Censorate, even though his father-in-law was an official in the Ministry of Personnel.
Now that his father asked him to go to the Dali Temple to observe government affairs, he knew very well what this meant.
As for the fact that Lang Yuyu had a crush on Yan Xia, of course that was just a fabrication.
That Lang Yuyu almost had the words "want to climb into bed" written on her face. She even flirted with him in front of Feng Jiahe. Only the fool Qingchuan County Master could not see what she was thinking.
The Lang family is the Feng family's lackey. The third prince already has Feng Jiahe, and he doesn't want another woman related to the Feng family in the harem.
However, after this incident, the emperor became even more displeased with Lang Yuyu and the Lang family. For the sake of his father-in-law's face, he would not target Lang Jing. However, it would be extremely difficult for Lang Yuyu to find a good marriage.
In the evening, after Emperor Yongjia finished dealing with the memorials, Liu Daban brought him a midnight snack. Emperor Yongjia tasted a piece of dessert. Although the dessert came from the imperial kitchen, it was made according to Concubine Qiao's recipe. Thinking of Concubine Qiao, Emperor Yongjia thought of the third prince, and also remembered what happened today.
Now, it is not only the Feng family that wants to win over the Yan family, and the best way to win over the Yan family is through marriage.
Of course, there is more than one Yan Xia in the Yan family who is of the right age, but Yan Xia is the most valuable one.
Emperor Yongjia pondered for a long time and finally made a decision.
......
The next day, the Empress summoned Lady Yu, the wife of the Duke of Wei, to the palace. The Empress smiled and said, "In the blink of an eye, the children have all grown up. Alas, we are getting old too."
As soon as the Queen started talking, Madam Yu guessed what she was going to say. She smiled and said, "That's right. I'm just hoping that my young man will come to his senses sooner so that I can drink some tea as a daughter-in-law sooner."
The Queen said, "There is a good match for me right now, but I have to wait another two years. Do you mind?"
Madam Yu understood: "Good food is never too late, and a good woman never has trouble finding a husband. Since we are a good match, why not wait a few more years? I hope that the Empress will do me a favor and take some time to care for this young man in my family."
The queen breathed a sigh of relief. She was indeed her best friend, and she understood everything immediately.
"So, you know whose girl this is?"
Madam Yu smiled and asked, "The one from Prince Liang's Mansion?"
The Queen nodded. "That's right, she's the same age as Yan Xia. Logically, she's also of marriageable age, but she's still in mourning. Even if we arrange a marriage, it'll take two years. I just don't know if Yan Xia is willing."
Madam Yu looked disgusted. "What does he know? He's a man who studied at the Hall of Justice for five years, and he still wants to be picky? Is he worthy? He's the eldest grandson of the eldest son's family, how can he not get married? Not to mention that she's a princess, even if she came from a humble family, as long as she's docile and obedient, I would be more than happy to marry her."
Hearing the words "docile and obedient", the Queen felt a little embarrassed: "The princess of the Liang Palace is said to have practiced martial arts since she was young, so she might not be docile enough."
Madam Yu laughed and said, "Oh, Your Majesty, you must be joking. The old Princess Liang is from the Nie family, a family of scholars. The old Princess Liang is a very disciplined person. Even if the daughter she raised has been practicing martial arts since childhood, she will definitely be well-behaved, not to mention her temperament. Besides, it's inevitable that a new bride will have some shortcomings when she marries in. Her family is far away, so I will teach her when the time comes."
The queen's hair stood on end when she heard the last sentence. Thinking of her friend's usual behavior, she began to worry about the future wife of the crown prince.
Even before the wedding, he has already made preparations to marry his daughter-in-law far away.
I don’t know how this man is going to teach his daughter-in-law, whether to beat her or make her kneel down as punishment.
After all, she is the princess. Would she really hit her? Even hitting the princess? But if I think about it carefully, other mothers-in-law might not dare to do that, but this one, she might really dare!
"Since you have no objection, then go back and wait for good news." The queen picked up the tea.
Before leaving, Madam Yu repeatedly expressed that she was extremely satisfied with the marriage, and that she did not want to have any dealings with her in-laws at all, and wished she would never see them again in her life. A palace like the Prince of Liang's, which was thousands of miles away but of equal status, was the most suitable choice.
After sending Madam Yu away, the Empress sighed. At this moment, Emperor Yongjia came out from behind the screen. The Empress hurriedly stood up to greet him. Emperor Yongjia smiled and said, "No need to be polite, Zitong. Come and sit next to me."
The empress did not dare to sit down directly. She waited until Emperor Yongjia sat down before sitting down below him.
Emperor Yongjia said, "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed that you and she were close friends. Zi Tong is gentle and virtuous, but as for that Duke's wife, haha."
Emperor Yongjia shook his head helplessly. He had grown up in the palace since he was a child, and the women he had met were either virtuous, gentle and considerate, or enchanting and charming. He had only seen Yu, the legendary shrew.
The Queen said hurriedly, "Although she was unruly and headstrong when she was young, she was also quite chivalrous. Whenever I was bullied, she would stand up for me."
Emperor Yongjia had already investigated their past. Although the empress came from a prominent family, she lost her father at a young age and was an orphan with a widowed mother, dependent on others for support. She was often bullied by the clan. Madam Yu was just the opposite. She was the daughter of a general and the eldest daughter. She was the center of attention at home, which made her develop a spoiled and unruly character. As the empress said, their friendship began when the empress was bullied by her sisters in the clan and Madam Yu protected her behind her back.
Emperor Yongjia thought back to what Yu had just said and sneered in his heart. Although they had not yet gotten married, he could already foresee that Zhao Yunnuan's life would not be easy after marrying into the Duke of Weiguo's Mansion.
First, Yan Xia could not forget his cousin who died because of him, and then there was Yu, the evil mother-in-law who wanted to torture her daughter-in-law. Even though Zhao Yunnuan was as brave as a man, after entering the harem, she was just a bride bound by rules.
Nothing can wear down a person's spirit and edge more than being locked in a cage.
Emperor Yongjia took the empress's hand and said with a smile, "The queen is destined to drink this bowl of matchmaker tea."
The Queen's brows twitched slightly, and a smile spread across her lips: "Thanks to your majesty's grace, I will be waiting for tea."
......
Madam Yu left the palace and didn't pat her chest until she was in her own carriage. Then she snorted proudly. Did she think she was stupid? What was her relationship with the Queen? She understood everything with just one look from the Queen. She knew how to act.
After returning to the mansion, Madam Yu had just sat down when Duke Weiguo came back.
Seeing Madam Yu, the Duke of Wei looked her up and down several times. Madam Yu glared at him and asked, "What are you looking at?"
The Duke of Wei said, "I saw that you had returned in one piece. Fortunately, you hadn't lost any limbs."
"Get out of here!" Mrs. Yu gave him a cold look.
Duke Weiguo quickly approached with a thick face and asked: "What does the Queen want you to come into the palace for?"
Madam Yu said, "It's nothing. I just proposed a marriage for my eldest son. I have accepted it. You can just wait for the imperial edict."
Duke Wei was stunned. "What did you say? Your eldest son's marriage was decided the moment you entered the palace? You didn't even ask me!"
"Is it useful to ask you? This is what that person meant. You don't know that when I was talking to the Queen today, that person was hiding behind the screen and eavesdropping. Tsk tsk tsk tsk, the emperor also eavesdropped. Oh my, I really don't know what to say." Mrs. Yu curled her lips.
Duke Weiguo plopped down on the table and said, "Don't ask me anymore. You're definitely talking nonsense again. You're going to accuse me of not managing my household properly and failing to uphold the husband's authority. How shameful it would be for me!"
Madam Yu pouted, "Our family's good life is all due to my nonsense. Isn't it natural for you to be weak as a husband?"
Duke Weiguo: "What nonsense are you talking about this time?"
Madam Yu: "Not really, I just played the role of a wicked mother-in-law."
......
Three days later, an imperial edict was delivered to the Duke of Wei's mansion, betrothing Princess Zhao Yunnuan of Xingyang to the Duke of Wei's son Yan Xia. Zhao Yunnuan got married after completing her mourning period.
At the same time, the angel announcing the decree left the capital and headed for Liangdu.
Zhao Tingxuan, the second son of Prince Liang's Mansion, heard about this marriage when the whole capital was talking about it.
He was stunned for a moment, then quickly sent someone to deliver a letter to Zhao Shiqing. The brother and sister agreed to meet at the teahouse that Zhen Wuduo had just bought.
As soon as they met, Zhao Tingxuan couldn't wait to say, "Little sister, have you heard? My eldest sister has been betrothed to Yan Xia!"
Zhao Shiqing was somewhat helpless: "Second brother, before this, you really didn't hear anything?"
Zhao Tingxuan shook his head: "Did you hear it?"
Zhao Shiqing thought to himself, it's more than just rumors, I also contributed to the success of this marriage.
If it weren't for her, the one who was granted marriage might not be Yan Xia, but Zhu Yu.
But she would not tell Zhao Tingxuan about this. She said to him, "Second brother, once the imperial decree is issued to grant the marriage, you should prepare to return to Liangdi."
Zhao Tingxuan was confused: "Returning to Liangdi? How is that possible? Big brother doesn't have any children yet."
It is impossible for his nephew to go back before he is five years old.
Sometimes, Zhao Shiqing wanted to open his second brother's head to see if it was a mess.
"Why do you think the emperor suddenly wants to arrange a marriage for my eldest sister?"
Zhao Tingxuan looked bewildered: "Is my eldest sister old enough to get married?"
Zhao Shiqing thought of her second brother's tragic ending in her dream, and she felt that it would be better not to hide some things from him.
"The eldest sister's arranged marriage is also due to you."
"My reasons?" Zhao Tingxuan pointed at his nose, incredulous. "How is this possible? Could it be that the Emperor wants us to make peace because of what Yan Xia did to Nie Da and Nie Er last time? That shouldn't be the case. I've already been punished, and Yan Xia doesn't seem like someone who holds grudges."
Seeing that he was still mumbling, Zhao Shiqing interrupted him and said, "The old princess has been communicating with Concubine Qiao. Did you know about this?"
Zhao Tingxuan's heart moved, and he suddenly remembered that his mother had said in a letter that she had a way to get him back to Liangdi, and Concubine Qiao was willing to help.
His eyes widened. He was not stupid, he just thought everything was too simple.
"My eldest sister has been betrothed to Yan Xia, so she will have to marry in the capital. If my eldest sister goes to the capital, then I..." His face instantly lost its color and he shook his head vigorously, "No, definitely not. My eldest sister is my mother's biological daughter. My mother will not, definitely not..."
Zhao Shiqing interrupted him impatiently: "Actually, you've already thought of it, but you just don't want to believe it. You know she can do it."
The "she" that Zhao Shiqing mentioned is the old Princess Nie of Prince Liang!
Zhao Tingxuan was stunned.
Zhao Shiqing continued to stab him in the heart: "In fact, the man they originally wanted to arrange for my eldest sister to marry wasn't Yan Xia, but Zhu Yu, the damned eunuch Zhu Yu who had done so many evil things and was filled with evil!"
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