The banquet is over.
Miss Zhou said goodbye to the wife of the Duke of Zhuguo and left.
Gu Rui was filled with melancholy.
When Gu Mei learned that Miss Zhou had rejected the marriage proposal, she cursed, "Serves you right!"
Of course, Gu Rui deserved to be scolded.
It was so easy to break off the engagement back then, but now I feel so melancholy here, haha.
Miss Zhou is great, but she can't just do what big brother wants.
Gu Jiu laughed at her, "Sister Mei, which side are you on?"
Gu Mei pursed her lips and smiled, "I'm on the side of reason. I had no idea that my elder brother was engaged to Miss Zhou, nor had I heard anyone mention it.
The engagement was called off quietly, and soon afterward, Jia's sister-in-law came in. You know what happened later, and how much trouble it caused.
I always thought that my eldest brother and Jia's wife were childhood sweethearts, that they had a good relationship since childhood, and that marriage was a natural thing. But I never expected that there was a Miss Zhou in between.
If I had known from the beginning that my elder brother had canceled the Zhou family's marriage proposal and married Jia's sister-in-law, I would not have supported his marriage to Jia's sister-in-law. "
"No one in the Marquis' Mansion actually knows that my cousin is engaged to Miss Zhou. This matter has been kept secret so well." Gu Jiu seemed to be thinking about something.
Gu Mei nodded. "Now that I think about it, there are indeed many strange things going on here. Could it be that out of consideration for Sister-in-law Jia's feelings, he's afraid that she'll have wild thoughts if she learns about this, so Big Brother asked us not to make this public? Father and Mother are really something, always letting Big Brother do what he wants, even hiding it from me."
Gu Mei was dissatisfied and wanted to go to her mother to find out.
Such a big thing, but no one has said a word about it for so many years.
Madam Wei was also filled with grievances. "You know your eldest brother's temper. Once he makes a decision, no one can change it.
Back then, your eldest brother negotiated with your father and the old marquis about abandoning literature and embracing the military. What could your father and the old marquis do? Our mansion was founded on military merit and remains so through military success.
Your elder brother is the eldest son of the Marquis's family. If he is determined to pursue a career in literature and officialdom, it is really hard to predict where this huge Marquis's family will go in the future.
Faced with a choice between family prospects and an engagement, you had no choice but to give up the engagement and choose your future. Your eldest brother chose to abandon his literary career and take up military service, continuing to fight for the family on the battlefield.
When your eldest brother was negotiating, he requested that this matter not be made public and not be spread to the Jia family.
Your eldest brother is very opinionated. Even your father and I, under the pressure of him, have no choice but to accept his orders.
Fortunately, although your eldest brother is confused in his emotions, he is very clear-headed in his duties and has made some military achievements over the years."
Gu Mei asked, "Brother, do you regret it now? Miss Zhou is doing well, right?"
Madam Wei laughed. "I don't know if your eldest brother regrets it, but he has finally come to his senses and knows how to move on. He said he wants to marry Miss Zhou. But Miss Zhou has suffered so much, how can she agree so easily? This marriage needs to be carefully considered. Otherwise, your eldest brother won't learn his lesson."
Gu Mei laughed, "Someone should teach Big Brother a lesson, so that he won't be so capricious and will have to obey him in everything."
The eldest lady, Mrs. Wei, agreed with this.
Gu Rui is an affectionate person, but also a willful and stubborn one.
As the eldest grandson of the Marquis's family, he has a very decisive temper. Once he makes a decision, he will not back down even if he hits a wall.
Madam Wei was thinking about visiting the Zhou family's residence in the capital tomorrow, bringing gifts with her, to strengthen the relationship between the two families and try to finalize the marriage as soon as possible.
Why!
Children are a debt.
Gu Rui, the debt collector, met Jia Shi, which was his fate.
Fortunately, everything is over.
Gu Jiu returned to the Gu Mansion.
Xie hurriedly found Mr. Gu.
"Master, you want to arrange a marriage for Liu Lang. How come I don't know about this? I'm Liu Lang's mother. Shouldn't you ask me about his marriage?"
Lord Gu frowned, "Isn't this what I was about to discuss with you?"
Gu Cheng is getting engaged.
As early as the Shangsi Festival, he had come into contact with the girl, and they both fell in love with each other.
That girl was the daughter of the Minister of Rites mentioned earlier.
When the emperor's grandson was choosing a wife, every household in the capital was extremely anxious, fearing that their daughters would be chosen.
Lord Hu, the Minister of Rites, once asked a matchmaker to sound out the Gu family's attitude.
Later, because the emperor's grandson's wife selection was completed in just two or three days, the marriage was shelved.
It was not until the Shangsi Festival this year that Gu Cheng met Miss Hu on the banks of the Wei River.
The two chatted privately for half an hour, and the more they talked, the more they got along.
Later, at a banquet on the high platform, with wine flowing in the winding stream, Gu Cheng once again displayed his talent. Seeing this, Miss Hu was inevitably moved.
After the Shangsi Festival, Gu Cheng spent an entire night talking to Lord Gu. After that, Lord Gu began to contact the Hu family through a matchmaker.
Now that he had the confirmed news, Lord Gu remembered to discuss it with Mrs. Xie.
Taking advantage of the fact that Gu Jiu and Gu Cheng were at home today, Lord Gu made the matter clear with Mrs. Xie.
Xie's face looked grim, as if a thousand horses were galloping through her heart.
She was ignored from the beginning to the end of this marriage.
It was her duty to find a daughter-in-law, but Gu Yan did it in private.
It was also her responsibility to ask a matchmaker to make the contact, but Lord Gu did it secretly.
Now that the two families have fallen in love with each other, they plan to have a formal meeting and finalize the marriage, and finally they thought of her.
Xie's anger rose. "Do you still have me in your eyes? Gu Cheng, do you still have me as your mother in your eyes? Miss Xiangkan, why didn't you tell me?"
Gu Yan smiled bitterly, he really overlooked it.
In fact, it was not ignoring, but intentionally excluding the Xie family.
He was worried that if Xie came forward, it would ruin the marriage.
Nothing he said now would be right, so Gu Cheng could only bow and apologize, "My son was wrong, please punish me, mother."
Mrs. Xie was furious. "What Miss Hu? I haven't even met her. I won't agree."
Lord Gu's face was stern. "What's wrong with being the daughter of the Minister of Rites? I've already set my sights on this marriage. Once the two families meet, we'll finalize the marriage."
Mrs. Xie was annoyed. "Is that Miss Hu really that good?"
Gu Cheng nodded. "She is truly wonderful and a perfect match for my son. Mother, please, for my sake, don't be picky. I'm deeply grateful."
Xie's eyes were sore. "You kid, begging for help like this for a girl who's not even engaged yet, are you trying to piss me off to death?"
"I don't dare. I just don't want to miss this marriage. Please support me, mother."
Gu Yan lowered his head in front of Xie for the first time.
Mrs. Xie didn't feel angry, she just felt sad. Her son was so proud, he bowed his head and begged her. If she continued to be stubborn, wouldn't her son hate her forever?
She wiped her eyes and said, "Children are all debts. When will we meet with the Hu family?"
"The time is set for three days from now. We will visit the Hu family."
Xie nodded and said, "I will be there on time in three days."
Gu Cheng breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you, mother."
Mrs. Xie said, "I just hope that Miss Hu is as good as you say."
Although Xie compromised, she was still angry.
After the matter was settled, she took her people and left the hall.
Master Gu warned Gu Cheng, "Wait a few days until your mother's anger subsides, then you can go and apologize."
"My son knows."
Gu Jiu stepped forward and congratulated him, "Congratulations, Sixth Brother."
Gu Cheng was very happy, "The marriage is done, I will treat you to the wedding wine."
"Of course I'll drink at Sixth Brother's wedding."
While it was still early, Gu Jiu set off back to the palace.
As soon as I got off the carriage at the second gate, I heard the maid report that Princess Huyang had gone to the palace.
Gu Jiu was stunned for a moment and wanted to say that the Han family was so quick to find a new man for Princess Huyang so quickly.
Then she laughed.
She was just overthinking it.
No matter how fast the Han family is, it is impossible for them to come up with an idea in the morning and prepare everything in the afternoon.
Return to the upper room in the east courtyard.
Gu Jiu relaxed his whole body and lay on the soft couch to rest.
She called Xiao Cui to her side and asked, "Princess Huyang came to the palace, what's going on?"
Could it be that Princess Huyang is not afraid anymore?
Xiao Cui said, "I heard that the Empress Shufei from the palace sent someone to invite her, so Princess Huyang went to the palace excitedly."
"Oh? Has the storm in the palace cleared up?"
"I don't know."
That night, Princess Huyang did not return.
At dinner, Pei ate half an extra bowl.
She smiled and said, "My appetite has improved since Huyang is not at home."
"Your Majesty is just worrying too much." said the maid Cherry.
Pei sighed, "For the past few months, Huyang has been tormenting me to the point of making me dizzy and dizzy. I wish I could pack him up and send him to the Princess's residence. Congratulations, Concubine Shu has finally remembered Princess Huyang."
"It was thanks to your painstaking planning that Huyang was summoned by Concubine Shu. If it weren't for your earnest persuasion, Princess Huyang would still be staying in the mansion and refusing to leave."
Pei laughed, "You are such a clever maid."
Two days ago, Pei went to the palace to meet with the Concubine Shu. During the meeting, she talked about the matter of Princess Huyang, analyzed the pros and cons, and finally persuaded the Concubine Shu.
However, changing the princess's mansion is not a trivial matter, and Concubine Shu still has to ask Princess Huyang in person.
Today, someone was sent to call Hu Yang to the palace for questioning.
Pei felt relieved. "As long as the Concubine Shu is willing to issue an order to find another house for Princess Huyang, I will pay for her to move and send her away quickly."
Princess Huyang is like a plague in Pei's heart.
In order to get Huyang to move out of the palace, Pei Shi also tried her best.
Yingtao smiled and said, "When the time comes, I will keep an eye on it for you, Your Majesty. I will definitely not let Princess Huyang take a single needle or thread from the palace."
"You're just mean."
Thinking that Princess Huyang was living and eating in the palace and even trying to steal things, Pei felt heartbroken.
She didn't feel sorry for the money, she just felt aggrieved.
She was the mistress of the palace, but she could not control Huyang and had to watch Huyang harm the palace. It was really outrageous.
"Princess Huyang will definitely be staying in Concubine Shu's palace tonight. Who knows, Concubine Shu might issue an order tomorrow."
"I hope so."
"Your Highness, Your Highness..."
The maid's voice was very urgent.
Immediately afterwards, Prince Ning rushed into the dining room and glared at Pei.
Pei raised her eyebrows and waved her hand, and all the maids retreated.
Pei asked, "Has Prince Ning had dinner yet?"
Prince Ning sat down in front of Pei with a sullen look on his face.
"Why is your Highness looking at me like that? Is something wrong?"
"What's going on with Huyang entering the palace?" Prince Ning asked sternly.
Pei frowned, "Of course it was my mother who summoned her to the palace."
"Why did my mother suddenly summon her to the palace?"
"Are you doubting me, Your Highness?" Pei looked displeased.
Prince Ning snorted, "If it weren't for you, why would Mother suddenly summon Huyang to the palace?"
Pei took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the corner of her mouth. "Your Highness is wrong. You thought I was the one who spread rumors in front of my mother." Then my mother summoned Huyang to the palace.
However, it was Hu Yang who came to me and asked me to find time to go to the palace to meet with my mother. I begged my mother to issue an order to select another mansion as the princess's residence.
Huyang was afraid that the ghost of Prince Consort Chen would linger in the princess's mansion, so he didn't dare to live in it and planned to sell it.
Hu Yang used all sorts of threats and inducements, and I was completely harassed by her, so I had no choice but to go to the palace to see my mother. The prince knows everything that happened next, so there's no need for me to say more."
Prince Ning frowned, "If it's true as you said, it was Huyang who forced you to enter the palace."
"Of course. Your Highness can confront Hu Yang."
"I can't find him. Hu Yang is being held captive in the palace by my father."
ah?
Pei was shocked. "What's going on? Why is Hu Yang being detained by the emperor? There's been no movement in the palace about Hu Yang keeping a lover. Why would the emperor suddenly detain Hu Yang?"
Prince Ning frowned and said angrily, "Just because there's no movement in the palace doesn't mean there's no attitude. Father is busy with government affairs and can't spare the time to deal with Huyang's affairs.
But you and Hu Yang actually took the initiative to run into this kind of thing when others would not even have time to avoid it. It's just stupid.
As soon as Hu Yang entered the palace, he alarmed his father, who immediately ordered Hu Yang to be detained.
In the past, when Hu Yang wasn't around, Father didn't bother to care about her. Today, she took the initiative to bump into him, how could Father let her go so easily? "
Pei's face turned panicked. "Is this serious? Will it implicate our palace?"
Prince Ning said with a stern face, "Tomorrow morning, you will come with me to the palace to plead guilty."
Pei's face turned pale, "I want to go too?"
"Nonsense!" Prince Ning was extremely dissatisfied.
Pei calmed down and asked, "How will the emperor deal with Hu Yang?"
"I cannot guess what my father is thinking. Anyway, I will act according to the circumstances after entering the palace tomorrow."
After giving some instructions, Prince Ning left with a flick of his sleeves.
Mr. Pei was uneasy.
She cursed angrily, "Huyang's jinx, nothing good will come of it if you get involved with her. This princess is going to be killed by her."
Yingtao said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. Even if someone is held responsible, it will only be Princess Huyang. Your Majesty has done nothing wrong, so His Majesty won't blame you."
"I hope so."
Pei didn't sleep well all night. Before dawn, she dressed and followed Prince Ning into the palace.
…
When Concubine Shen got up early in the morning, she was in a good mood.
During breakfast, she chatted with Ouyang Fu, "Being a concubine has its advantages. For example, today, I can sit here and eat breakfast peacefully, but the princess can't."
Ouyang Fu waited on the side, "The prince and princess should be safe this time when they enter the palace."
"Who knows? Princess Huyang is usually arrogant, and you can't be sure if someone is secretly taking advantage of her misfortune this time. A few days ago, there was no movement in the palace. But yesterday, as soon as Huyang entered the palace, he was detained by His Majesty. It shows that this person must grasp the balance in everything he does, and can't be too cowardly or too arrogant."
"My mother-in-law is right. Princess Huyang has been so arrogant for so many years, it's time to learn a lesson."
Concubine Shen smiled and said, "I was hoping that Princess Huyang could stay in the palace for a while longer, but I don't know if it will happen."
Ouyang Fu didn't think so. She wished Princess Huyang would move out of the palace as soon as possible. With her in the palace, there would be so much more trouble.
Concubine Shen suddenly asked, "I heard that Chen Lu moved back to the Chen Mansion. Have you sent anyone to check on him?"
Ouyang Fu nodded, "Eunuch Chang sent someone over to check on it a couple of days ago, and he also sent rice, flour, grain, oil, furniture, and bedding."
"The Chen family is truly tragic. Because of Princess Huyang, the entire family, young and old, died. No wonder Princess Huyang dared not return to the Princess Mansion. She was afraid that the ghost of Prince Consort Chen would come to find her."
"Princess Huyang performed a ritual for Prince Consort Chen, so he should be fine now."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Shen immediately sneered.
"How do you think she performed a ritual? The monks were chanting in the main hall, while she and her lover were making love in the backyard. Tell me, can the ghost of Prince Consort Chen rest in peace? If Prince Consort Chen were still alive, he would definitely climb out of his coffin.
Huyang was so rude. After all, she let Prince Consort Chen leave peacefully and report to the underworld after a hundred days. But she ended up doing all sorts of rubbish. Chen Lu is a bit ambitious, but I don't know how long he can keep it up.
Ouyang Fu said, "How about I, the daughter-in-law, send two people over to check on them in the name of my mother-in-law? After all, they are relatives, so we can't just ignore them."
Concubine Shen smiled mischievously, "Go ask Gu Jiu and Xiao Qin'er about this. You have to pay money to visit someone. Ask them to contribute as well."
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