marriage
...
That's how it is.
After a long pause, Liu Xu gasped as he listened to Xie Lingxi finish speaking.
"Has this matter alarmed His Majesty?"
Xie Lingxi looked up at the silvery stream, where the abundant water covered all the stones in the riverbed, leaving no room for anything.
"His Majesty is not a heartless and emotionless saint. How could he not know the actions of his ministers?"
This matter has been brewing for a long time, and we can still deal with it calmly for now. But when the situation becomes truly urgent, we will be ready to act decisively.
With three parties currently vying for power, and many eyes secretly watching her marriage, waiting for an opportunity to act, if it really drags on until the Emperor makes a decision, there will be no way to stop it.
A warm breeze blew by, and the mandarin ducks called out twice, reminding Xie Lingxi of the unpleasant events of the past few days.
No one knows how her conversation with Xu Yuan in the palace reached the Chen family's ears, nor what they understood. The next day, Madam Chen personally came to their door to discuss her marriage to her eldest son.
The woman seemed to have some kind of leverage over her; she feigned concern about the rumors circulating about her in the capital, but her words, both overt and covert, conveyed the same meaning—
Even with your current notorious reputation, Xie Lingxi, who would dare to marry her as a daughter-in-law besides the Chen family?
But once you're in the Chen family, the position of the eldest son's principal wife is something they're bestowing upon you out of respect for the Xie family.
The mother was at home at the time. Upon hearing this, her face turned pale and then red. Unable to bear it any longer, she ordered her men to grab brooms and throw Mrs. Chen and the matchmaker out.
The Chen family is just a rising star in Chang'an. It's only because Lord Chen has now risen to a high position in the court and gained some power that he has become arrogant and domineering, setting his sights on Xie Lingxi.
This matter immediately spread like wildfire in the capital, becoming a topic of conversation among merchants and common people: no matter how unworthy Miss Xie is, what does it have to do with your Chen family?
Let alone the fact that the Third Miss is a beautiful and kind-hearted person who distributed porridge and did good deeds during the famine, they all think she is a perfect match for any outstanding young man in the world. Why should the Chen family take this opportunity to humiliate her?
The other prominent families also spread rumors that they would tease and ridicule Xie Yuan whenever they met him. It was this behavior of the Chen family that brought them great joy and allowed them to catch their breath in the treacherous political situation.
Xie Yuan gave them a slap on the wrist, and the family heads shut their mouths outside, happily going home to talk about it.
In short, some people are laughing while others are sad. Now all the noise and commotion has subsided, and no one dares to make any moves on Xie Lingxi's marriage.
But with undercurrents swirling beneath the surface, how can one know the true intentions of those scheming for power?
Life is unpredictable; we must always plan ahead.
At the Orchid Pavilion, amidst the murmuring stream and lush willows, Xie Lingxi brushed the strands of hair that had blown into her face by the wind and said slowly, "Do you still remember what you said back then?"
Liu Xu vaguely understood what she was talking about, but it was all rather rushed and somewhat offensive.
Xie Lingxi turned slightly to the side, and before her was Liu Xu's chest. This body was healthy, upright, and of a fairly tall stature. And the person perched on his neck was not a blockhead; he could laugh and scold.
The young man's smile possessed an elegance that was like rain pattering on bamboo outside the window, or a stream flowing over ice, as serene and graceful as the misty, romantic scenes she had encountered in books.
Xie Lingxi glanced at the book quickly, then raised her chin in satisfaction. The gesture was subtle, but it was different from her usual restrained behavior. At this moment, her eyes also held a faint smile, like pear blossoms reflected in snow: "You want to marry me? I agree."
The willow trees in front of the courtyard gate seemed to form a closed loop with the surroundings, swaying and dancing in the wind. Liu Xu's gaze was no different from before, only less naive. Chang'an had gradually molded him into a steady little boat amidst the turmoil of the storm.
“My parents are still alive, and we have surplus grain. We own an acre of fertile land and two houses in Jiangzhou. I recently passed the imperial examination and will be able to enter the Hanlin Academy. If you are willing to marry me, I will definitely treat you with all my heart.”
There was also a companion on board. Xie Lingxi smiled gently and said, "Let's go for the wedding."
...
Getting married is not as easy as it seems.
Xie Lingxi went home and told her parents and brothers about it. Xie Yuan seemed unsurprised, and said with a slight smile, "I knew it would be like this." Her older brothers and sisters teased her a few times, and then took her to the backyard.
Madam Xie pulled out an old almanac, carefully calculated an auspicious day, and suddenly looked up and said, "Husband, is this your way of finding a husband after the imperial examination?"
Minister Xie patted his chest, concealing his achievements and fame.
Next came the three letters and six rites, and the signing of the alliance.
No, it's an engagement.
At this moment, Xie Lingxi was upstairs in Xiaoyao Tower, sitting opposite Zhang Liaoran, absentmindedly shaking her teacup.
Seeing Zhang Liaoran still gnawing on a pig's trotter, he suddenly felt a surge of anger and coldly rebuked, "Stop eating!"
The ending note was clean and crisp, like a kite that had vanished in early spring, gone forever with the chilly mountain air.
Xie Lingxi rarely spoke like this; she was usually very amiable. Zhang Liaoran was startled by her voice and lost her grip, causing a half-eaten pig's trotter to fall to the ground, where it rolled under the table, covered in dust.
"oops!"
Zhang Liaoran looked regretful. Seeing Xie Lingxi's indifferent expression, he said helplessly, "What brings you here today that you must be disturbing my meal?"
Xie Lingxi stared at him and said coolly, "Did I disturb your meal?"
It was well past lunchtime, and the restaurant was rather deserted. The first floor, once filled with food and drink, had been completely transformed into the storyteller's private hall, where he was now speaking in a melodious and lingering tone—
"Look at that woman, her sleeves soaked with tears, more wet than Sima's blue robe. Green hills bid her farewell before the window, a lone swallow flies west. She is drunk before she has even drunk any wine, her eyes filled with tears and her brows furrowed with sorrow. She asks, when will my beloved return..."
"Alas, the sparse woods are uncooperative; in the wispy twilight, not even a silhouette can be seen. How can I hear words of longing from my beloved?"
"..."
As the singer on stage sang, tears welled up in his eyes and fell uncontrollably onto his clothes.
A sudden silence fell over the audience. In the clear, bright daylight, the listeners' eyes darted about, and then a word "sadness" appeared. As the storyteller clapped his clappers, they gradually emerged from their emotions and shouted "Bravo!"
"well--!!"
Xie Lingxi was even more agitated by what she heard. She frowned tightly, her whole demeanor changed, and her eyes turned red, revealing a hint of vulnerability.
Seeing that something was wrong, Zhang Liaoran tentatively asked, "My lady, have you been troubled lately?"
He racked his brains for a moment, "Could it be rumors from the capital? No way... just a few harmless words, or has someone upset my wife?"
Seeing Xie Lingxi's brow twitch and her eyes narrow slightly, she felt that she had guessed half of it correctly. She looked around and saw that Liu Langjun, who usually sat opposite her and played chess with her, was nowhere to be seen. She said with certainty, "What kind of scoundrel did that Liu Chengzhi do?"
People were coming and going outside the private room. Xie Lingxi listened to their uneven footsteps and finally spoke up: "The door is not closed properly."
After Zhang Liaoran walked over and closed the curtain, Xie Lingxi slowly asked, "What do you think of me and Liu Xu?"
Two scourges?
Zhang Liaoran pondered slowly. He noticed that Xie Sanniang didn't seem to have feelings for Liu Chengzhi. She was either playful or cold and aloof, just like she treated other people.
However, it seemed that when the two were together, Xie Lingxi was surrounded by a layer of veil, and her whole being became more vibrant.
He slightly opened his mouth: "Good...friends?"
Xie Lingxi said calmly, "There are so many good friends in the world."
Zhang Liaoran cried out in his heart, "I've never seen you treat me like a friend!"
He continued, "Closest friends?"
"Close friend?"
Xie Lingxi suddenly sat up straight, the crimson sash embroidered with pearls and jewels hanging from her shoulder on the table in the sunlight. She casually reached out her hand, "I'm getting married to Liu Xu. Please tell my fortune—is this auspicious or inauspicious?"
Zhang Liaoran was stunned for a moment, then jumped up: "My goodness! What did I just hear?!"
"Who did you just say you wanted to marry?"
Xie Lingxi calmly replied, "Liu Xu."
Ouch!
"This is absolutely unbelievable!"
Zhang Liaoran finally calmed down. "Tell me... who do you want to marry?"
The previous sentence, spoken in a flat tone, seemed to be a question, not a question. Now, suspicion arose: "You're going to marry Liu Xu?!"
Xie Lingxi: "Surprised?"
"No... back then the rumors were rampant, and you two remained unmoved. What are you going to do now? I can't see the slightest bit of affection you have for him?"
Xie Lingxi tilted her head in thought: "Does not loving someone mean you can't get married? Is it really that important whether it's true or not?"
Zhang Liaoran believed that only people in love could get married. Although he couldn't understand it, he still did a divination for her, saying, "Fine, I don't understand you guys... wait!"
He jumped up again, this time bumping into the corner of the table—"It's very auspicious."
"Great fortune..."
...
Xie Lingxi did not take the marriage too seriously, but no matter how she tried to comfort herself, it felt like Mount Tai was pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe. That's when she thought of the fortune teller's explanation and came to Xiaoyao Tower to talk to him.
Having received the blessing of "great fortune," he slowly wandered the streets and unknowingly arrived at the Cui family's house.
The Xie and Cui families had been friends for generations, and she often came to play with the Cui siblings since she was a child. When the servants at the gate saw her, they welcomed her in without saying a word, and even sent a maid to accompany her all the way to Cui Yi's Huan Cui Garden.
Cui Yi wore a light green dress with clusters of twin lotus flowers embroidered in silver thread of the same color at the hem. The silk shimmered and was reflected in the sparkling pond.
Cui Yi was feeding the fish, and the koi in the pond were rolling around. When they saw Xie Lingxi coming, they suddenly hid to the side.
Upon seeing this, Cui Yi looked back and exclaimed in surprise, "Lingxi! What brings you here?"
Xie Lingxi didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly, clutching her belt and jokingly saying, "What, Xie Heng can come, but I can't?"
Cui Yi sat down next to her affectionately, saying, "Don't joke with me. Xie Heng is such a blockhead; what would he be like if he hadn't met me?"
“But you,” Cui Yi took Xie Lingxi’s hand, having just seen her twisting the sash, “you don’t come here without a reason, you must have something important to tell me.”
The koi in the pond popped their heads out, blew a circle of bubbles, and looked at the two beautiful women sitting side by side with a blank expression.
Xie Lingxi chuckled: "It is indeed my marriage. I am going to marry Liu Xu."
Upon hearing the first part of the sentence, Cui Yi was startled. After Xie Lingxi finished speaking, she tremblingly raised her hand and gestured, "Young Master Liu? Is he the one I told you about before?"
Seeing Xie Lingxi nod, she smiled knowingly: "Then what are you worried about! When have I, Cui Yi, ever had bad taste? This person is a good match for you!"
Upon hearing this, Xie Lingxi subconsciously touched her face, "I'm not worried..."
Cui Yi suddenly stood up and pulled her along, "Do you think I don't know how worried you are? This is incredible... Our Lingxi has married a top scholar... Come in with me quickly, I have a precious gift for you!"
Cui Yi was straightforward, but when it came to understanding people's hearts, she was no match for those cunning old foxes. Her courtyard was different from Xie Lingxi's; it lacked a bit of refinement, but it was spacious enough.
Xie Lingxi disregarded the inappropriate use of the term "esteemed guest" and followed her into the room, only to find that the once empty bookshelves were now piled high with books.
Ayi simply disliked reading scriptures full of "morality," but otherwise she was well-read and could easily understand poetry. Xie Lingxi picked up a book and asked, "Is this what you've been procuring these past few days?"
Cui Yi said mysteriously, "These are useful. Look, these three books on the right are exactly what you need right now."
Xie Lingxi wondered what she needed, and flipped open the title page to take a look—
"The Record of Extraordinary Men of Chang'an? Thirty-Two Ways to Tame a Husband? A Treatise on Marriage?"
Xie Lingxi's body trembled, and her two pale wrists fell limply to the ground, trembling, "Ayi!"
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