Chapter 80 Engagement
The following day, Zhou Chuanxing took Tang Xinuan to the Li residence and specially invited Princess Chaoli.
Upon arriving at the Li family's residence, the first thing to do was to send Li Zhengyan away.
“Zhengyan, I heard that you have planted a lot of chrysanthemums in your residence. Chaoli always complains that the palace is too stuffy. Why don’t you take her for a walk around?”
Li Zhengyan didn't really want to go.
My father's newly adopted goddaughter, who is also his god-sister, came to visit. I've been wanting to get to know her for a while.
But since the regent had given the order, he couldn't refuse.
"Princess Chaoli, this way please."
When Princess Chaoli first came to the Li family, the first thing she did was, of course, to pay her respects to the master of the house.
But what did it mean that her second brother sent her away as soon as he entered the door?
Could it be that her second brother and Li Ce are going to say something she can't hear?
She hesitated for a moment, but being obedient as always, she followed Li Zhengyan.
Li Ce was an upright and incorruptible official.
Madam Li was gentle and dignified, with a refined and elegant demeanor, yet she exuded an undeniable air of nobility.
Like Li Ce, she especially likes Tang Xinuan.
As soon as he saw her, he grabbed her hand and wouldn't let go.
"I heard your godfather mention more than ten years ago that the Tang family had a beautiful and intelligent girl."
Over the years, he has complained to me a lot about why I didn't give birth to such a lovely and well-behaved daughter.
"Poor us, we weren't so lucky; we only have three rascal boys in the family."
Tang Xinuan was new to social etiquette and could not yet communicate like a normal person.
She can still sense whether others like her or not immediately.
Mrs. Li genuinely liked her.
She took the gift box from the maid and presented it to Madam Li with both hands.
"Godmother, this is a gift I prepared for you. I am so grateful for your kindness, Godfather and Godmother. I will never forget it."
Madam Li pulled her to sit down, personally opened the gift and praised it highly, then ordered the maid to put it away in the storeroom.
He also gave her the gift he had prepared.
It is a bracelet with excellent clarity and translucency.
"This was a gift from my mother when I got married. I'm giving it to you today."
Tang Xinuan was too embarrassed to accept it. "Godmother, you should keep it and give it to your daughter-in-law."
When the topic of her three sons came up, Mrs. Li worried: "There's not even a trace of them, so where are the daughters-in-law?"
She personally put the bracelet on Tang Xinuan's wrist, saying, "Nuannuan has fair skin, which suits this bracelet perfectly."
The more I looked, the more I couldn't help but sigh, "If the Tang family hadn't met with that misfortune back then, our two families might have become in-laws."
Tang Xinuan glanced at Zhou Chuanxing discreetly, but luckily he was talking to Li Ce and didn't notice her.
Madam Li, being an experienced woman, could certainly see through the thoughts of young people.
“Nuannuan and the prince are a match made in heaven. When the time is right, your godparents will help you with the wedding.”
"Thank you so much, godmother," Tang Xinuan said with genuine gratitude.
Mrs. Li prepared a simple family reunion banquet.
Under Zhou Chuanxing's witness, Li Ce led his family and Tang Xinuan through the family reunion ceremony.
Tang Xinuan also changed how she addressed the three sons of the Li family.
Zhou Chuanxing was always concerned about his younger sister's marriage and secretly observed how she and Li Zhengyan got along.
Li Zhengyan is very much like Li Ce at heart: upright, sensible, insightful, and outstanding in appearance among his peers. Most importantly, he is talented and capable.
He felt that the young man had a bright future from the first time he met Li Zhengyan.
They only felt disgusted because of the unfounded marriage arrangement between the Tang and Li families.
Now that he plans to matchmake the other person with his younger sister, he naturally falls more and more in love with her the more he looks at her.
After the Li family and Tang Xinuan finished the family recognition ceremony, he simply and openly brought it up.
"They say good things come in pairs, so let me, the King, decide on the marriage between Young Master Li and Chao Li. What do you think, Lord Li?"
Chao Li had long wondered why her second brother had brought her to the Li family and then had Li Zhengyan take her to see the chrysanthemums.
So that's what they were planning.
In front of so many people, she was too embarrassed, being a young woman with a sensitive face.
"Second brother, what are you saying!"
Princess Chaoli was beautiful and sensible, and she was also the Emperor and the Regent's younger sister, born of the same mother.
Li Ce was of course willing.
"Your Highness, I thank you for your kindness. It is a blessing that our Li family is able to marry a princess. I am just afraid that it will be unfair to Princess Chaoli."
Zhou Chuanxing did not want to force anyone. "I only have this one sister. As long as Young Master Li is happy with her and treats her well, and we are together for life, I have no other requests."
Li Ce gave his son a look.
Li Zhengyan immediately knelt down to express his gratitude, saying, "Princess Chaoli is intelligent and beautiful. I am truly pleased with her and will always put her first in everything I do in the future."
Zheng Yan can swear before the prince that he will treat him with utmost sincerity for the rest of his life, never betraying him, and never taking a concubine. If he breaks this vow, it will be an unforgivable sin against Heaven.
Zhou Chuanxing glanced at his younger sister.
The little girl looked shy and embarrassed.
He bent down and helped the person up.
"Therefore, I hereby order the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to select an auspicious day and try to hold the wedding before the end of the year."
Madam Li didn't react for a moment.
The wedding date is set a bit too soon; I'm afraid the Li family might not be well-prepared and might neglect the princess.
Zhou Chuanxing declared unilaterally: "The imperial court will make preparations for the princess's residence. However, my intention is that after the princess gets married, she does not need to live in the princess's residence. She can live in the Li family with you and your husband."
My father passed away early, and my mother has always been in poor health. My siblings and I have never really experienced the daily realities of family life. Lord Li and Lady Li are both kind people, and they certainly wouldn't wrong Chao Li.
Chao Li is not a domineering girl; she will certainly fulfill her duties as a daughter-in-law.
As for the wedding, let the Ministry of Rites handle the arrangements; the Li family just needs to prepare for the wedding procession.
Zhou Chuanxing settled the marriage in a few words, and Li Ce led the entire family in expressing their gratitude.
Madam Li was so happy she didn't know what to say. She stared at her silly son and Tang Xinuan and said, "No wonder the magpies were chirping on the branches this morning. Your godfather and I have been waiting for our daughter for more than 20 years. She has come to visit us today. This is a joyous occasion."
Zheng Yan, a fool, was blessed with good fortune and actually managed to get involved with the princess.
Look how happy he is, he can't stop smiling.
Chao Li was young and beautiful, intelligent and charming; how could Li Zhengyan not like her?
The regent ordered him to take care of the princess while she admired the chrysanthemums. Before he could think too much about it, he suddenly heard that the regent wanted to bestow a marriage upon him and the "princess," which made him much happier than passing the imperial examination.
"Mother, the princess is still here."
His mother was happier than he was, but worried that she might get carried away, she couldn't help but remind her.
Madam Li sighed, "I knew Nuannuan was lucky. She's only just entered our family, and Zhengyan's marriage is already arranged."
Zhengyan, we treat Nuannuan like our own daughter. You and your two younger brothers must take good care of her.
Li Zhengyan and his two younger brothers obediently agreed.
Madam Li was worried that the princess would feel uncomfortable in the room, so she kept giving Li Zhengyan meaningful glances, saying, "It's the princess's first time here, why don't you show her around?"
Li Zhengyan gladly accepted the order.
Princess Chaoli had just finished strolling through Qiuju Garden with Li Zhengyan when he called her out in front of everyone, making her face burn with embarrassment.
"Young Master Li..."
Li Zhengyan led her to the waterside pavilion.
In winter, the temperature is low, and a thin layer of ice forms on the lake surface.
Occasionally, you can see koi swimming under the ice.
He stopped and asked Chao Li, "Are you cold?"
Chao Li's nose was red from the cold. "It's alright."
Li Zhengyan regretted leaving the house. "My mother thought the princess was as rough as me and not afraid of the cold."
He quickly pulled a jade pendant from his pocket. "This was made by a craftsman by my mother many years ago. There were three pieces in total, one for each of my three brothers. Today, I'll give you this one."
This is an exchange of tokens of love. Chao Li took it and put it away.
While the late emperor and empress left her many rare and precious antiques, the bracelet left by her mother best represents their deep affection.
It's just not suitable for men to wear.
It was a bit strange that she gave it to Li Zhengyan.
After hesitating for a while, she took off the purse she had embroidered herself. "Young Master Li, this is for you."
The little princess, her cheeks flushed with first love, said, "This was sewn by hand, please don't mind."
Li Zhengyan had devoted himself to studying the classics for years, but perhaps due to his mother's nagging recently, he suddenly had an epiphany. Upon seeing the little princess for the first time, he felt that she was beautiful and intelligent, and her beauty was beyond compare.
“Your Highness,” he said, his deep eyes filled with joy, praising it lavishly, “this is the most beautiful purse I have ever seen.”
He carefully put it away and tucked it into his pocket.
"It's cold outside, let's go back inside."
He took off his cloak and draped it over Chao Li's shoulders, saying, "Princess, please don't mind. Take it off when we go inside."
Princess Chaoli was shy and hesitant, seemingly wanting to refuse but actually welcoming.
"Don't call me princess, call me Chao Li."
So this is what it feels like to fall for someone.
She couldn't understand why her third brother had pursued Miss Chu and why her second brother had hidden Miss Tang in the mansion.
Today, I suddenly got engaged to Li Zhengyan. My heart is pounding, but I'm also a little lost.
Previously, her second brother had taken a liking to Wei Minzhao. She had always been obedient and believed that her second brother would not harm her, so she tried to get along with Wei Minzhao.
However, over the months, she remained indifferent to Wei Minzhao, treating him as if he were neither here nor there.
When I saw Li Zhengyan today, it suddenly dawned on me that her husband should look like Li Zhengyan.
...
Zhou Chuan was busy with administrative affairs and did not stay at the Li residence for long.
They also took Tang Xinuan with them when they left.
Madam Li was very reluctant to part with her and repeatedly urged Tang Xinuan to visit more often when she had time.
Tang Xinuan agreed.
However, due to her special status, it's not very convenient for her.
He was especially worried that he would bring trouble to the Li family.
Madam Li watched her leave with tears in her eyes.
Zhou Chuanxing dispatched five groups of men to the Grand Tutor's mansion to steal the imperial pardon granted by the late emperor.
More than a month has passed, and of the four failed attempts, only one remains.
Some disguised themselves as maids, some infiltrated the guards, and some managed to get into the kitchen...
But Grand Tutor Wang is too vigilant, and so far he has found nothing.
Tang Xinuan was inevitably anxious.
Before going to sleep, Zhou Chuanxing came to see her, and the two discussed, "If all else fails, I'll try to overturn my parents' case first. As for the get-out-of-jail-free card, we'll see how it goes."
Zhou Chuanxing pondered for a moment and said, "Someone has impeached Grand Tutor Wang for corruption and perverting the law. Tomorrow I will send people to search the Grand Tutor's mansion. Maybe we will find something."
If we can find it, it will save us a lot of trouble.
We've waited for over a decade, so what's a day or two more?
Tang Xinuan obediently replied, "I'll do whatever you say."
The next day, Zhou Chuanxing ordered Prince Duan to lead the Imperial Guards to search and confiscate the Grand Tutor's residence.
Unfortunately, Prince Duan returned empty-handed.
The main reason was that the Empress received the news and led her people to block the entrance of the Grand Tutor's mansion.
With an imposing presence, the Prince of Duan tried both kindness and force, but the Empress refused to give way no matter what he said. He had no choice but to return to his palace to report.
"Second brother, my sister-in-law took her daughter with her. Even if I don't care about my sister-in-law, I have to consider my niece."
My elder brother only has this one daughter.
Zhou Chuanxing understood Prince Duan's predicament.
"Alright, this isn't urgent, I'll think of another way."
Yesterday I went to the Li family and I thought Li Zhengyan was a good man. They have already arranged a marriage between him and Chao Li and plan to marry Chao Li off before the end of the year. Once the Imperial Observatory sets the date, you should personally keep an eye on the Ministry of Rites to make sure there are no oversights.
"Now that our parents are gone, we must ensure Chao Li has a grand and respectable marriage."
When Prince Duan suddenly heard that his younger sister's marriage had been arranged, he was momentarily stunned.
"Second brother, why are you in such a hurry? You didn't even tell me. I raised Chao Li myself. You should have discussed it with me first."
Besides, Li Zhengyan has just passed the imperial examination and doesn't even have a position yet. How could Chao Li marry such a person?
Even the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was only a third-rank official, not even qualified to be paired with a court official.
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