Chapter 337: The Sky is High and the Earth is Vast
Cheng Shu and Kou Wan's wedding was scheduled for late autumn. They were worried that Cheng Zhiyuan, who was far away overseas, would not be able to return and attend the wedding. Unexpectedly, Cheng Zhiyuan came back in June, the hottest day of the year.
This overseas trip not only exchanged the tea and silk of the Great Zhou for a large amount of gold and silver, but also brought back spices, treasures and other items from overseas.
These foreign goods were very popular among wealthy families. Since Cheng Zhiyuan represented the government, the money earned from the sales was moved into the national treasury.
Ever since Qi Shuo became the crown prince, he had taken on the important task of regent. Emperor Tai'an only intervened in particularly important matters and made decisions, spending the rest of his time recuperating. Upon learning of Cheng Zhiyuan's return, Emperor Tai'an not only perked up to meet him, but also had Qi Shuo accompany him to see the treasury, which was overflowing with gold and silver.
The Ministry of Revenue actually has detailed account books, and it is clear whether the treasury is full or empty just by flipping through them. But can looking at the account books give you the same feeling as seeing a mountain of silver?
Emperor Tai'an had suffered from an empty treasury for a long time. When he was shocked by the huge amount of silver, he was so happy that he not only promoted Cheng Zhiyuan but also awarded him a title.
As a result, more people want Cheng Zhiyuan to be their son-in-law.
These families all knew that the one who could make the decision for Cheng Zhiyuan was the old lady of the Lin family, and immediately the threshold of the general's mansion was trampled down several times.
The old lady called Lin and Cheng Zhiyuan over, patted the pile of notes and asked, "What should we do with these? Do you have any ideas?"
Last year, when her adopted son left Beijing, her daughter chased him to give him gifts, and she saw it all. After that, the adopted son's letters home became thicker and thicker, and they were all written to her daughter.
Now that the person is back, these two people don’t mention serious matters at all. What does that mean?
"I, I'll listen to Wanqing." Cheng Zhiyuan, who was smart and capable when dealing with Westerners, was like a young boy at this time, looking at Lin nervously.
Lin glanced at him, a little embarrassed for once: "I listen to my mother."
The old lady smiled and said, "Then I'll just pick one from this pile of posts. They're all good anyway."
"Mother!"
Cheng Zhiyuan was even more anxious: "Mom, I don't want to marry anyone except Wanqing!"
Lin's face turned slightly red and she remained silent.
The old lady was completely relieved and asked in confusion, "You are not teenagers anymore. Since you know each other's thoughts, how come you are all like gourds with sawed mouths?"
This time it was Lin who spoke up: "Shu'er is getting married soon. We're deciding this so suddenly. I'm afraid they'll be laughed at—"
She didn't care about what others said, but she always had to think about Shu'er and the girl from the Kou family.
The old lady looked at Cheng Zhiyuan again, and Cheng Zhiyuan still had a silly smile on his face: "Anything is fine, I'll listen to Wanqing."
The old lady snorted, "I think you two are just too confused by the situation. The Emperor values Zhiyuan very much now, and since he doesn't have to attend court, he has plenty of free time. Aren't you afraid that he will suddenly become a matchmaker for Zhiyuan? If you decide on it sooner rather than later, not only will it put an end to other people's concerns, but when Shu'er gets married, he'll have both parents to pay their respects to. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"
Cheng Zhiyuan suddenly stood up and bowed deeply: "Mother, I want to marry Wanqing, please agree to it."
Lin looked at the old lady, then at her brother-in-law, and stood up as well.
The old lady looked at the two people standing side by side and couldn't help but smile: "I agree."
Cheng Zhiyuan was remarrying, and Lin was marrying again. At this age, there was no need to be shy, so they quickly went through the six rituals according to the rules and got married in early August.
The wedding was not a grand affair, with only the closest relatives invited. Upon hearing the news, various mansions sent gifts, filling the main courtyard of the Ruichang Marquis's mansion to the brim.
Ruichangbo was Cheng Zhiyuan's title. Emperor Tai'an was very thoughtful and the house he granted him was not far from the general's mansion.
At the wedding, Lin Chan's eyes turned red as she watched her mother kowtow to the old lady. Han Baocheng quickly put his arm around her shoulders to comfort her.
The little girl who was held by her wet nurse saw her father comforting her mother and opened her arms to ask for a hug. However, no one of her young parents paid any attention to her. She felt so aggrieved that she pouted and cried.
Seeing her sister and brother-in-law busy coaxing the child, Lin Hao, whose eyes were originally red, smiled. When she returned to the East Palace, she said to Qi Shuo: "Eldest sister's Zhuzhu is eight months old. She is indeed much prettier than when she was just born."
At least now when her mother praised her granddaughter as being as beautiful as a fairy, she could reluctantly nod along.
"My mother and uncle - my father are still young. Maybe I can even be their older sister." Lin Hao was obviously in a good mood. After talking about his little niece, he talked about his newly married mother.
It turns out that as long as people live well, there will be unexpected possibilities and unexpected happiness.
A hand reached out and took her into his arms.
"Maybe before I become a sister, I can become a mother first."
The palace maids all lowered their eyes, thinking, here it comes again, here it comes again, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess have started to show their affection shamelessly again!
The red silk at the Ruichang Marquis's mansion hadn't faded yet, but they had already been replaced with new silk. Compared to the simple wedding of Lin and Cheng Zhiyuan, the wedding of Cheng Shu and Kou Wan was truly grand.
The Marquis of Weiwu was somewhat aware of the Empress Dowager's death, and had been behaving very cautiously since then. Their biggest worry was that something might happen to Kou Wan's marriage.
Fortunately, everything went well. The Weiwu Marquisate was particularly grateful and increased Kou Wan's dowry by 30%.
The whole city was covered with yellow leaves, the maple forests were red, and a ten-mile-long red wedding had taken place at the Ruichang Earl's Mansion. There were so many guests attending the wedding that there was almost no room to sit.
Cheng Maoming, commander of the Jinlin Guard, came with Du Qing.
Looking at Cheng Shu, who was wearing a bright red wedding dress and toasting at each table, Cheng Maoming was filled with emotion.
He once had a good impression of this young man with the same surname, and even thought of adopting him as his son. Unexpectedly, not only did the young man's father come back, but he also had a mother and a sister who was the Crown Princess!
Thinking of this, Cheng Maoming glanced at Du Qing who was sitting next to him and eating.
This guy has bad luck.
Du Qing frowned.
What's that look from General Cheng?
Cheng Shu came over, accompanied by Han Baocheng and Qi Shuo.
It’s okay for Han Baocheng, but what kind of treatment is it to have the prince toast with him?
Everyone at each table stood up immediately before anyone approached. Not only did they not dare to urge the groom to drink, they also drank with great joy themselves.
Amidst the congratulations, Qi Shuo raised his glass to Cheng Maoming, then looked deeply at Du Qing before following Cheng Shu to the next table.
Cheng Maoming was immediately overjoyed.
The prince really treats him differently!
He discovered at the beginning that Prince Jing was his lucky star, but he didn't expect that even greater blessings were to come. Prince Jing actually became the crown prince!
Thanks to his personal relationship with the prince, he no longer has to worry about being kicked out when the new emperor ascends the throne.
At the wedding banquet of Cheng Shu, the son of the Marquis of Ruichang, the commander of the Jinlin Guard got drunk and started singing opera songs. He was then carried away by a young subordinate. It was said that he had originally chosen Cheng Shu as his son-in-law and was upset.
After Cheng Maoming sobered up and heard the rumor, he felt ashamed: "People with the same surname can't marry each other. How could anyone believe such a rumor?"
Du Qing pointed out expressionlessly, "Maybe it's because you're singing the role of a female warrior?"
Cheng Maoming was furious and said, "Why didn't you stop me then?"
The Jinlin Guards who heard the Grand Commander's scolding outside didn't even show any curiosity and just continued to do what they were supposed to do.
I've gotten used to it. No matter how angry the Grand Commander gets, he won't punish that person with connections!
The sweet days passed quickly. As the weather was getting colder, it was time for Cheng Maoming to travel across the ocean again.
This time, the trip is expected to last longer, allowing the official caravan to gain a firm foothold overseas.
It was still the same pier, and Lin Chan and Kou Wan were among the people seeing him off. Besides Cheng Zhiyuan, Lin was also among the people being seen off.
Looking at her daughter and son-in-law bowing, the old lady was reluctant to let them go, but she was happy for them from the bottom of her heart: "It's a good thing to follow Zhiyuan to see the customs and people overseas. It will broaden your horizons and your heart. It's better than staying in the capital all your life. Don't dawdle, go."
"Mother, you must take care of yourself." Lin was usually careless, but at this moment she couldn't help but shed tears.
Lin Chan softly advised: "Mom, don't worry, I and my sister are here."
Lin Hao was not as reserved as Lin Chan. She rushed over and hugged Lin: "Mom, take care of yourself when you are away. Remember to write back if you encounter anything new and interesting."
After hearing her say this, Mrs. Lin suddenly felt less sad. She held her two daughters' hands and gave them a few words of advice. Then she kowtowed to the old lady and slowly boarded the ship hand in hand with Cheng Zhiyuan.
The newly risen autumn sun bathed the river, its vast, flowing water shimmering with golden hues. The boat moved, riding the wind and waves, shrinking as it drifted away, eventually disappearing where the sky and water met. Even if Lin Hao stood on tiptoe, he could no longer see it.
Only then was her heart completely filled with homesickness and envy.
I was reluctant to let my mother go across the ocean and not be able to see her for a long time. I also envied her for having the rare freedom after all the hardships she had gone through.
Qi Shuo held Lin Hao's hand and promised softly: "Ah Hao, in the future, I will take you to visit overseas."
After a moment of silence, Lin Hao raised the corner of his lips and said, "Okay."
Even if it is not possible, as long as we are still the same as before, it is also fine.
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