Chapter 045

Zhan Shaoying was brought up by Zhang herself. People at that time valued filial piety, and Zhan Shaoying was gentle in nature. Over the years, he almost never argued with Zhang.

This was the first time he said something serious to Zhang.

Zhang was slightly stunned, and even Zhan Tai raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Zhan Shaoying was sitting in a chair without saying a word. If you walked up to him and looked carefully, you would find that his eyes were unusually red.

Today, it was not only Zhang and Zhan Tai who went to pick up the dowry, but also Zhan Shaoying. These days, the Duke's Mansion was bustling with activity because of the affairs of Zhan Yue Shangzhu.

If Your Majesty had not intended to give the eldest princess to him before, it would have been fine, but Your Majesty had clearly expressed this intention. Now, the eldest princess has been married to my fourth uncle, and he is left with the daughter of Marquis Qile.

It’s not that Zhan Shaoying looked down on the Qi Lehou family, but no one would be willing to settle for steamed buns mixed with salted vegetables after eating shark fin and bird’s nest.

However, every word Zhang said vaguely revealed the extremely close relationship between the eldest princess and her fourth uncle.

Isn't this just stabbing him in the heart on purpose?

Did she want to tell him that he would never be as good as her fourth uncle, or did she want to say that it wasn't His Majesty who didn't like him, but the eldest princess?

The more Zhan Shaoying thought about it, the more irritated he became. He thought about the prejudiced looks from the people in the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the decorations at the Duke's Mansion, and the fact that the eldest princess would soon become his fourth aunt...

The smile on Zhan Shaoying's lips was like floating clouds in the sky, gathering and dispersing lightly.

He held his face with one hand, revealing his thin jawline: "Mother, can you let me be quiet for a while?"

Zhang was stunned.

Realizing that this was a bit harsh, Zhan Shaoying had to be patient and said, "Not only is Fourth Uncle getting married, but my marriage to Qi's family is also approaching. Why don't you pay attention to this matter for me?"

Zhang's eyes twitched, and she almost lost control and said, "Is it because of myself that I am working so hard?"

"Mother..." Zhan Shaoying's voice dropped.

Zhan Tai still couldn't stand it, and said with a fierce face: "That's enough."

Zhantai is a man after all, and he always understands his son better than Zhang in some matters. He twirled the short beard on his chin and sighed: "I went to inquire about the temperament of the Qi family girl. Although she is not as beautiful as the princess, she is also from a famous family, and her appearance and character are of the highest quality."

He changed the subject, his eyes widened as he said, "This marriage is also a gift, so clear your minds. Remember not to expect more than you have already achieved!"

This was a warning to Zhang, and also to Zhan Shaoying. He was being warned not to have any inappropriate thoughts about the eldest princess.

Zhan Shaoying's breath weakened slightly. Even though he didn't think about it deliberately, the image of a girl's smiling face floated in his mind uncontrollably.

Should I call her Fourth Auntie when we meet again tomorrow?

Zhan Shaoying's sleeves were wide. He clenched one hand into a fist inside his sleeve and thought expressionlessly.

On the last day before leaving the palace, Fengyang Pavilion was very lively. In the afternoon, Madam Pei and other cousins ​​from her maternal uncle's family came first. After dinner, Emperor Zhanghe and Concubine Jing also came to see Jiashan. They told her to rest early and get dressed early tomorrow.

When most people had left, Zhao Youze came over and lingered with Jiashan for a while, which was a rare occasion.

"I also prepared a gift for my elder sister," Zhao Youze said, holding a mahogany box, his eyes narrowed into a smile, "I hope my elder sister doesn't think it's too shabby."

Since the heart-to-heart talk with his father, Zhao Youze's eyes have become a matter of great concern to Emperor Zhanghe. Kong Lihui went to the palace every three days without fail, and after these days, Zhao Youze's eyes were slightly brighter than before.

Just looking at people and things still doesn't seem real enough.

Everything seems to be developing in a good direction.

Jiashan smiled and pinched Zhao Youze's delicate nose, teasing him, "That depends on whether Yuankang is sincere enough."

"If I open it and find a seal worth several hundred taels of silver, my sister will be very angry." Jiashan's laughter was as sweet as a clear spring.

Zhao Youze thought about it, nodded seriously and said, "I think my sister will need it."

Zhao Youze carefully opened the delicate lock and pulled out a light piece of paper.

Earlier, Jiashan saw him holding the box in a relaxed manner and guessed that there was nothing heavy inside, but he didn't expect that it was just a piece of paper.

Jia Shan asked curiously, "What is it?"

Zhao Youze's lips moved, and he spoke clearly, "With my father providing for my sister, I think my sister has no shortage of material things."

"This is the recipe I specially asked Mr. Xu for at the temple in the south of Beijing." Zhao Youze's eyebrows were gentle, and he said slowly, "I heard that it is very useful for having children."

Even though Jiashan had been married once, she couldn't help but blush. She glared at Zhao Youze and poked his forehead with a finger: "Where did you learn to be so stingy, little brat? How old is Yuankang?"

Zhao Youze just smiled and rubbed the place where Jiashan poked him. He raised the corners of his lips and said, "Sister, you misunderstood me. This is not called being mean."

"My father has always loved my sister. Although my brother-in-law may have a future, he cannot inherit the title. If my sister can give birth to a boy, my father will definitely find a reason to confer a title on her child." Zhao Youze said clearly, "This way, we can save the reputation of the Anguo Mansion and protect my sister for the rest of her life."

"So, I wish my sister to have a son soon," Zhao Youze said with a grin. "Even if my brother-in-law changes his mind in the future, my sister has a child and a title, so there is no need to be afraid of anyone."

After thinking for a while, Zhao Youze seemed to think that it was too unlucky to say "change of heart" at this time, so he added, "Well... please forgive Yuankang for his childish words, Your Majesty. I just said that even if it's the case."

All the good and bad things were said by Zhao Youze alone.

Jiashan couldn't help but smile. She took the paper, put it back into the mahogany box, locked it considerately, and gave it to Su Yu for safekeeping.

Jiashan took the candle from the peach blossom table and waved it carefully in front of Zhao Youze.

Zhao Youze's face was thin and handsome under the flickering candlelight. He rubbed his eyes and asked, "What's wrong, sister?"

"Can you see the flame now?" Jiashan looked at him without blinking and asked softly.

Zhao Youze was silent for a long time, and then replied: "I can see something jumping, but I can't see the specific shape."

Jiashan smiled faintly, her face tender and pretty: "It's better than before."

"After my sister leaves the palace, Yuankang must take good care of himself." Even though he knew his brother was actually very smart, Jiashan still held his hand and said worriedly, "Don't swallow the grievances you suffer, understand?"

After a pause, Jiashan added: "If there is anything unusual with your eyes, tell Concubine Jing and Father immediately, don't hide it."

"I know." Zhao Youze was held by Jiashan with one hand. He stretched out his arms and carefully wrapped them around Jiashan's back, imitating the way Concubine Jing or his aunt held him.

Zhao Youze said: "Sister, it's the same. Don't let yourself be wronged."

"I am the legitimate prince," Zhao Youze raised his head slightly and said softly, "Tomorrow I will send my elder sister off to marry. In the future, I will still support my elder sister."

"Okay." Jiashan smiled, a warm current slowly flowed from her heart, her eyes were as bright as stars, "Sister will wait for this day."

Zhao Youze stood on tiptoe and gently hugged Jiashan's neck like a little adult.

On the eighth day of the second month, the daybreak seemed to come faster than any other day and also seemed to be longer than any other night.

Jiashan was called up at the beginning of the Yin hour, and as soon as she stood up, she was pressed by several maids in front of a pear blossom mirror to draw her eyebrows and do her makeup. She was the first princess of Emperor Zhanghe to marry, and this time, almost all the royal relatives and nobles came to the palace to give her a full show.

The Anguo Duke's Mansion also brought the "Nine-Nine Ceremony" that had been prepared long ago to the Meridian Gate for respectful acceptance.

The auspicious time determined by Qintianjian was 2:00 pm, so there was no rush. However, as a princess, Jiashan still had to go to Baohedian to pay farewell to Emperor Zhanghe.

Jiashan had done this once before when she left the palace in her previous life. Now the past was still fresh in her mind, and time had gone round and round, and finally it was her wedding day again.

Jiashan was wearing a scarlet phoenix crown and a red robe. She knelt on the brick floor below the palace and bowed her head three times to Emperor Zhanghe, who was sitting at the top of the table: "Your son——"

The red lips just opened slightly, but suddenly paused, and there was a slight hoarseness in the tone of the words that came out. Jiashan calmed down for a moment, and then slowly said: "Your son bids farewell to your father."

There seemed to be a warm glow in Emperor Zhanghe's eyes. He nodded and said slowly, "My son should be a good wife and a good family man in the future, and be of the same mind and spirit as the prince consort."

Jiashan half pursed her lips, her knuckles slightly tightened. Thinking of how her father had been working hard to worry about her marriage, all the memories related to Emperor Zhanghe in her previous life and this life suddenly came together in a tangled mess.

Jiashan's chest heaved slightly, and she said, "Yes. I will definitely live up to your expectations."

"Please, father, take care of yourself." Jiashan bowed her head again, her voice becoming softer and gentler, "For the country and for your sons and subjects."

Zhang Hedi's eyes gradually became solemn, and he slowly helped Jiashan up.

The palms of the father and daughter's clasped hands were slightly sweaty.

Jiashan lowered her head, not daring to look her father in the eye at this moment. She raised her hand, gently wiped the corner of her eyes, and turned her face away.

Emperor Zhang He picked up the red veil beside him and, with his strong hands, personally helped Jiashan put on the bridal veil.

"If I miss my child, I will call you back to the palace to live." Emperor Zhanghe gently rubbed Jiashan's black hair, just like when he held her in his arms to comfort her when she was a child. He whispered, "The prince consort is waiting at Dongzhimen. I will have someone carry you out."

Jiashan's nose felt sore and he choked up and said, "Yes."

Among the princes in the palace, Zhao Youcheng was the oldest, but Emperor Zhanghe would not have asked Zhao Youcheng to carry Jiashan on his back to the sedan chair.

Except for Zhao Youcheng, the other princes were either too young or of low status. Emperor Zhanghe simply chose his brother Zhao Youqi, the son of Jiashan's uncle, the Prince of Qin, to do this.

Zhao Youqi is the eldest son of the King of Qin and will inherit the title of king in the future. Among the young people today, he has a noble status.

Zhao Youqi is two years older than Jiashan. He is already married and has some marriage experience. This is also an honor for him.

Hearing Chen Gong calling him, he hurried in and first called Emperor Zhang He "Uncle Emperor". Then he half squatted down and motioned Jiashan to lie on his back.

With the sound of joyous firecrackers, Zhao Youqi formally carried Jiashan on his back to the wedding sedan chair. Jiashan's wedding sedan chair was carried out of the palace gate, and the people from the Anguo family who came to pick up the bride had been waiting there for a long time.

Zhan Yue was wearing a bright red wedding gown, riding a horse and standing in the front. He rarely wore such bright colors. His skin was set off to look as white as snow, and his graceful demeanor was so attractive that everyone's attention could not help but fall on him.

The wedding procession in Jiashan was led by the ceremonial guard, followed by the other palace ladies, and finally the cavalry officers at the rear.

There were Jinwu Guards in the ceremonial guards and the cavalry academy, and they were semi-acquainted with Zhan Yue, but not every selected lady had met Zhan Yue. I heard that His Majesty had chosen a son-in-law for the eldest princess who had no title to inherit, and many ladies had said sour words about him in private.

Now, when they first saw the true face of this prince consort, those who had said sour words automatically shut up.

Although it is not like the Wei and Jin dynasties where men's appearance is used to judge their status, no matter when, people are more tolerant of good-looking people.

Zhan Yue didn't care what others thought.

His eyes were long and the color of his pupils was as bright as the sun. The moment he saw Xi Jiao come out, Zhan Yue could really hear the sound of his own heartbeat.

That was the turbulent waves that could not be concealed under the peaceful surface.

This life finally lived up to my expectations.

Zhan Yue closed his eyes, his heart burning.