trade off
Wei Shu picked up the wooden hairpin from Zhou Cong's hand and examined it closely. A jasmine fragrance emanated from the hairpin. "Have you found anything out?"
"Jiang Erniangzi is gentle and doesn't go out often. She only goes out with Madam Jiang to socialize during festivals or banquets. However, she goes to the temple in the mountains every spring to pray for the family."
"You go every year?" A smile flashed in Wei Shu's eyes as he placed the hairpin on the table. "Add this to the betrothal gifts."
"Yes, it works even during snowstorms." Zhou Cong carefully placed the wooden hairpin into the sandalwood box.
"Continue the investigation. I need to know everything about Jiang Jin." Wei Shu tapped the table with his finger, recalling Jiang Jin's angry expression and laughed, "Gentle and generous, I think she's just audacious."
As the sun rose, Abei quietly woke Jiang Jin and placed the damp cotton cloth beside the copper basin, saying, "Wife, we need to go and pay our respects to the Madam."
"Help me with my hair and makeup; we can't be late for the imperial decree today." When Jiang Jin arrived at the room, quite a few people had already gathered. Maintaining a gentle demeanor, she respectfully greeted her mother.
"Mother, please forgive me, I am late." Jiang Jin kowtowed to her mother. Her mother smiled with satisfaction and was about to tell her to get up when a woman's voice rang out.
"Second sister is really late today. Could it be that you studied too late yesterday and therefore got up late today?" The woman next to her, wearing a light yellow patterned short shirt, covered her mouth and laughed.
"Jiang Su, if you were half as diligent as your third sister, your father wouldn't have had to punish you by making you copy books." Jiang's mother said sternly. The old woman beside her pulled Jiang Jin to sit on the wooden chair next to her.
Seeing that Madam Jiang's expression was displeased, Aunt He quickly pulled Jiang Su aside and apologized, "Madam, Fourth Sister just doesn't know how to speak properly, but she cares about Second Sister."
"You're not a child anymore. You should know what you can and can't say." Mother Jiang gave a few mild reprimands without actually punishing her.
"Madam, someone from the palace has arrived." A maid's voice sounded from outside the door. Jiang Jin's expression remained unchanged, but she tightened her grip on the handkerchief in her hand.
Seeing this, Jiang's mother patted Jiang Jin's hand with heartache and sighed helplessly, "Alright, come with me to receive the imperial decree."
Jiang Jin followed behind her mother, listening to Jiang Su's whispers behind her, "What imperial decree? Could it be that Father has been promoted?"
"Fourth Sister, you don't need to come out these next few days. Just stay in your room and diligently copy the Precepts for Women." Mother Jiang dealt with Jiang Su swiftly and decisively, leaving no room for leniency.
"Yes, Mother." Jiang Su knew her stepmother was angry and dared not argue.
"Your Excellency, the Jiang family has a daughter named Jiang Jin, who is dignified and graceful, beautiful and intelligent, a lady of a prestigious family, and possesses both talent and virtue. Today, I bestow upon her the title of Left Feathered Forest General Wei Shu as his wife. Auspicious day shall be chosen for the wedding. Lord Jiang, please accept the decree."
Although he already knew the decree's contents, when the orange-yellow imperial edict actually arrived, it still felt as heavy as a thousand pounds when placed in Jiang's father's hands. "Eunuch Lin, you've worked hard." A bag of silver was casually stuffed into Eunuch Lin's sleeve.
"Congratulations, Lord Jiang! Lady Jiang and General Wei are a match made in heaven. I'm sure they will treat each other with respect and live up to His Majesty's good intentions."
“My daughter will certainly fulfill her duties as a wife and serve General Wei well. Lin, please take care.” Father Jiang turned around and looked at Jiang Jin, then sighed deeply. “Madam, please manage Second Mistress’s dowry carefully and do not lose your composure.”
"Yes." Everyone returned to their rooms. Some were gloating, some were secretly pleased, and some were deeply worried.
"Second Aunt, from now on you will stay at home and prepare for your wedding. The rest of you, you better keep your minds to yourselves. If I hear any gossip, don't blame me for disregarding any feelings and punishing you." Father Jiang looked at the undisguised expressions on everyone's faces with a gloomy expression.
"My lord, General Wei has sent someone to deliver the betrothal gifts!" The steward said breathlessly as he entered the main hall and addressed Mr. Jiang, who was seated at the head of the table.
"Quickly, let him in!" Father Jiang rose to greet Wei Shu, who was dressed simply in a moon-white round-necked robe, with a jewel-encrusted dagger hanging from his waist belt. Behind him followed a group of armored Imperial Guards, each carrying a substantial dowry.
"Yesterday I accidentally injured Lady Jiang in the street, and I have come today to apologize. Your Majesty, considering that Lady Jiang is of marriageable age but not yet betrothed, and coincidentally, this general has fallen in love with you at first sight, I immediately request Your Majesty to bestow a marriage upon Lady Jiang. This would be an immense honor!" Although Wei Shu spoke tenderly, his eyes remained icy.
"General Wei, you flatter me. As His Majesty's daughter, I will naturally obey your decree and will certainly fulfill my duties from now on." Jiang Jin walked gracefully to Wei Shu and respectfully bowed, her expression unchanged. Wei Shu had, however, noticed a hint of gentleness and quiet grace in Jiang Jin today.
"According to the astronomical calculations, the fifth day of next month will be an auspicious day. The Jiang family should prepare well so as not to lose face on that day."
Wei Shu watched Jiang Jin with great interest, the cold light emanating from the dagger he was playing with illuminating Jiang Jin's face.
"This is a token of love I gave to Second Madam Jiang. I still have to arrest someone, so I won't disturb you any longer." Wei Shu tossed the dagger into Jiang Jin's arms, then used his fingers to lift Jiang Jin's chin.
"Madam Jiang, we have a long future ahead of us." He then turned and stepped out of the main hall.
"General Wei, please wait!" Jiang Jin walked up to Wei Shu with a cold smile. "This is a bracelet that I have worn since I was a child. Consider it a return gift for General Wei."
Seeing that Wei Shu did not move, Jiang Jin directly grabbed his hand and put the jade bracelet into his palm. "General, you should smile more, otherwise others will think that you are unhappy with His Majesty's bestowal of a marriage."
"I hope you'll remain as eloquent as this after you get married, Madam Jiang." With that, Wei Shu, clutching the bracelet, turned and left without looking back, leading the Imperial Guards out the door. The large entourage leaving the Jiang residence looked like the Imperial Guards had come to arrest someone.
"How can he be so arrogant!" Jiang Su trembled with fear and hid behind Aunt He.
"Shut up!" Father Jiang glanced at Jiang Su. "How dare you speak to General Wei like that?"
"Second Aunt, you should go back to your room now. Your mother will take care of everything else. You should get some rest." Father Jiang waved his hand, dismissing Jiang Jin.
"It's Father, then I'll take my leave." Jiang Jin bowed, gripping the dagger in her hand. A slight smile played on her lips as she lowered her head. "Wei Shu, we'll meet again someday."
"Wife..." Abei looked at Jiang Jin with some worry. Wei Shu's behavior today was terrifying.
"It's alright, this is a marriage bestowed by His Majesty. Even if General Wei dislikes me, I will be safe and sound," Jiang Jin gently comforted Abei.
"General, that Second Madam Jiang doesn't seem like someone who can be easily manipulated!" Zhou Cong whispered beside him.
Upon hearing this, Wei Shu, still on horseback, reined in his horse with a mocking expression on his face. "It doesn't matter, the result is the same anyway."
"The Crown Prince and the Third Prince want to send some beauties to the General." Zhou Cong looked at Wei Shu somewhat nervously.
"He's still got a heart of gold. Starting tomorrow, I'll send Miss Jiang a rare treasure every day. I'll make sure everyone in the capital knows that I love Jiang Jin the most."
As night fell, rumors spread throughout the capital. Jiang Jin managed to piece together some details of the morning court proceedings from A Bei's words.
"You said someone impeached Wei Shu, saying that he negligently let a criminal escape and injured me in the street. His Majesty asked me if I was married and wanted to make amends to me. Wei Shu actually said that he fell in love with me at first sight and directly asked for an imperial decree to grant us marriage?"
"That's indeed the rumor outside, my lady." Abei looked at Jiang Jin with some confusion. "My lady, is there a problem?"
"It's alright, Abei, you go outside and keep watch. I'm going to practice my calligraphy for a while." Jiang Jin relaxed instantly upon hearing the cat meowing outside.
"Yes." After lighting incense, Abei closed the door. Jiang Jin straightened her clothes and bowed to the figure behind the screen.
"Your Highness, I pay my respects."
"Ah Jin, there's no need for such formality." The woman behind the screen smiled and stepped out, squatting down to help Jiang Jin up. "Judging from your actions on the long street yesterday, I suppose you've guessed something."
“A little bit. If it weren’t for Your Highness’s intervention behind the scenes, how could His Majesty have set his sights on my father? Since His Majesty has made up his mind, Wei Shu is my future husband. I must make a deep impression on him when we first meet.”
Jiang Jin had some suspicions when she first heard this, and seeing His Highness made her even more certain.
"Letting you marry Wei Shu is the best marriage I can get for you right now, but Ah Jin, in my heart, even the most outstanding man can only barely stand by your side. You shouldn't risk catching a cold to get his attention."
The woman touched Jiang Jin's disheveled hair and sighed helplessly.
"I've already drunk the ginger tea. Besides, Wei Shu is hard-hearted. If I didn't act convincingly, how could I fool him? He's pitiful yet stubborn, brave and resourceful, and has a beautiful appearance. I'm almost falling in love with myself. But why is Your Highness Wei Shu?"
Jiang Jin smiled and pulled the woman to sit down at the head of the table. Jiang Jin sat on a small stool at the woman's feet.
"You're so mischievous. Lately, many in the court have been eyeing the position of Wei Shu's principal wife, so His Majesty is looking for the daughter of a loyal minister to marry Wei Shu." The woman hesitated for a moment before suppressing her thoughts.
"So Your Majesty intends to strike first?" Jiang Jin understood, never expecting that the court intrigue would one day affect him. "Does Your Highness have any mission here tonight?"
"No, I just came to add to the dowry. Wei Shu has already sent people to monitor the Jiang residence, so I can't come anymore." The woman opened the box in her hand; inside was a small bracelet.
"This was made by someone in a rush. Every needle inside is coated with poison, and the antidote is also in the bracelet. I think it can protect you for a while. The poison comes from the maternal family of the Third Prince's concubine. You can use it without harming us. Recently, His Majesty intends to support the Fifth Prince, and the court is going to be in chaos again. But don't worry, Wei Shu will still stand firm."
"Your Highness has gone to great lengths to help me with this matter. Have the Crown Prince and the Third Prince raised any suspicions?"
Jiang Jin, her eyes slightly red, accepted the box and carefully examined the patterns engraved on it.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Wei Shu might not be as cold-hearted as the rumors say. Just be yourself and don't worry about anything else. The time to keep things under control outside is almost up, so I'm leaving now. You should get some rest."
The woman put on a black veil, patted Jiang Jin's hand, and then jumped out of the window. Jiang Jin steadily put the bracelet from the box on her wrist, her expression becoming increasingly resolute.
On the fifth day of the fourth lunar month, all things were auspicious. General Wei Shu of the Left Imperial Guard married Jiang Jin, the daughter of the Imperial Censor.
At the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), Jiang Jin changed into her wedding dress, put on the hair ornament sent by Wei Shu, and stepped into the Jiang family ancestral hall alone. Inside, candles burned continuously, and blue smoke rose from the incense burner. Jiang Jin lit three incense sticks, knelt on the soft cushion, looked at the neatly arranged ancestral tablets, and kowtowed in respect.
"Mother, today I am getting married. My husband is General Wei Shu of the Imperial Guard. Although there are rumors that he is ruthless, our marriage is bestowed by His Majesty, so he will not harm me. The hair ornament on my head was also made by a skilled craftsman at his request. Now everyone in the capital knows that I am the apple of his eye." Jiang Jin wiped away the tears from her eyes and kowtowed three times.
"I will never forget the hatred my maternal grandfather's family harbors. I will make those people die at your and my maternal grandfather's graves as atonement." Jiang Jin gripped her wedding dress tightly, her eyes filled with hatred.
"Don't worry, Mother. Wei Shu loves to act, so I'll make him take it all seriously. I'll make him willingly become my stepping stone!"
"My lady, it's almost time. We should go back to the courtyard."
Abei whispered a reminder to Jiang Jin outside the door. Through the rising smoke, Jiang Jin took one last look at her mother's memorial tablet before leaving the ancestral hall. At the auspicious time, Jiang Jin, holding a round fan, was helped step by step by Abei to Wei Shu's side.
"Madam, please get into the sedan chair." Jiang Jin's heart tightened upon hearing this. Wei Shu's voice sounded like a ghost from hell to her ears. While Jiang Jin was still in a daze, Wei Shu reached out and supported her.
"This is the young lady who captivated that man at first sight. I heard he even personally petitioned for an imperial decree to grant them marriage."
The whispers of the people around her reached Jiang Jin's ears. She quickly broke free from Wei Shu's hand and stepped into the sedan chair.
"Lift the sedan chair!" The sound of music drowned out the murmurs of the crowd. Jiang Jin put down her fan and breathed a sigh of relief. Wei Shu had performed very well today; she could even hear his laughter.
"Don't be afraid, my lady, Abei will always be with you," came Abei's comforting voice.
"Abei, I'm fine." Having made up her mind, Jiang Jin felt more at ease during the unfamiliar ceremony.
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