bestowed marriage
The imperial edict was issued quickly.
The Duke of Wei's Mansion.
Su Chenghai read the imperial edict aloud in the outer courtyard.
"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"
I believe that the Book of Changes governs human relations, and the Book of Rites emphasizes the righteousness of marriage. The foundation of a nation truly lies in the union of husband and wife. Now, there is Xu Qingyao, daughter of Duke Xu Lian of Wei, born into a distinguished family, virtuous and gentle, with a kind and refined heart, possessing the elegance of a hermit; and General Xiao Zhouyan, the General Who Guards the Distant Lands, brave and loyal, with outstanding strategic skills, distinguished on the frontier, a pillar of the nation. The two are of suitable age, their talents and virtues complement each other, truly a match made in heaven.
By special decree, Xu Qingyao is to be married to Xiao Zhouyan, and the wedding will take place on the sixth day of the tenth month of the third year of Jinghe. May you be a good wife and mother, upholding the virtues of high-ranking officials; may you be of one heart and one mind, working together to contribute to the prosperity of the nation.
...
So be it!
Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!
"It's a great honor for the Duke's mansion to trouble Eunuch Su to make this trip," Xu Lian said with a smile.
The steward took out the prepared silver and handed it to Su Chenghai.
"I would like to offer my congratulations to the Duke of Wei and Miss Xu." Su Chenghai closed the imperial edict and handed it to Xu Qingyao.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."
Xu Qingyao accepted the imperial edict.
I was stunned for a long time. Damn it!
What that man said was true!!
He actually went to ask the Emperor to grant him a marriage decree!!!
Didn't Yuejian say that General Zhenyuan had a penchant for men? Could it be that he had a falling out with his little male favorite, and with the Marquis of Zhenyuan pressuring him to get married, he impulsively... sold off his own life's most important matter?
As for what the man said when he stopped her earlier, she completely forgot about it after comparing it with the rumors Yuejian had told about the Zhenyuan General.
After all, no one would believe that a virile young man could be without a woman by his side.
However, if the man has homosexual tendencies, then the story becomes believable.
Another possibility is that this General Zhenyuan... has some unspeakable secret that requires him to marry as a cover, thus saving face for both the General Zhenyuan and the Zhenyuan Marquis's Mansion.
The more Xu Qingyao thought about it, the more sense it made.
"Qingyao, come to my study when you're done. I have something to tell you."
Xu Lian spoke with a heavy tone, his face showing his deep sorrow.
"Yes, Father."
*
Inside the study.
"Father, is it something that happened today that has caused you such distress?"
Xu Qingyao watched Xu Lian pacing back and forth for half an hour; the tea had gone cold.
"I had anticipated what would happen today, but... I didn't expect it to come so quickly."
Xu Lian sighed and recounted how Xiao Zhouyan had come to see him.
On the second day of the Qixi Festival, Xiao Zhouyan came to the mansion as a guest, saying that he had important matters to discuss with the Duke of Wei.
Just as Xiao Zhouyan was led into the study and before he could even sit down, the man suddenly knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist and said to Xu Lian, "I hereby request the Duke of Wei to marry his daughter, Xu Qingyao, to me. I am willing to offer my entire fortune as a dowry and to protect the Duke's daughter with my life."
Xu Lian remained silent for a while, then sat down, poured himself a fresh cup of tea, and slowly sipped it.
One lamp after another, while occasionally flipping through the miscellaneous notes on the desk.
Time passed quietly, and the two in the study maintained this tacit understanding.
Until there was a knock on the study door.
"It's getting late, and the Xu family's place is small, so we won't keep Young Master Xiao for a meal."
Xu Lian helped Xiao Zhouyan up. "However, regarding what you said, I must ask my daughter's opinion. If you and she are in love, I will do my part. If... you are in love, I would even defy the imperial decree for my daughter's happiness."
That's what they say, but Xu Lian has no intention of marrying his daughter off. If she is bullied in her husband's family, he has to consider the reputation of both families.
If she doesn't get married, he'll risk his life to get her into a position second only to the emperor, so that his daughter can have a bright future.
Xu Lian personally escorted Xiao Zhouyan out of the mansion, intending to discuss the matter with his daughter in a few days.
Xiao Zhouyan's attitude was appropriate; the General Zhenyuan was certainly worthy of the Duke of Wei's daughter.
Oh! I forgot to ask them how they met.
They were only focused on intimidating that kid...
This kid is really something, a hothead. He doesn't say anything, who just comes up and kneels down?
...
Xu Qingyao, after hearing the whole story: "..."
She thought this General Zhenyuan was going to threaten the Duke of Wei with force, but it turns out he just knelt down as soon as he saw him.
Xu Qingyao clapped her hands inwardly.
Well done! Excellent kneeling!
It's not shameful to kneel in front of your future father-in-law.
Xu Qingyao still had some questions: "Father and Xiao Zhouyan spent the whole morning in the study, and they didn't get anything out of him?"
“This…” Xu Lian stroked his beard a few times, “That kid said those things after he went in. As a father, I can’t stand hearing such things. I’m a civil official, and he’s a military general. I can’t beat him in a fight, so I can only give him the cold shoulder…”
"If the dignified General Zhenyuan has given up the idea of marrying you because of my actions, that's a good thing. It means he was just lustful at first sight, and if he meets someone prettier and younger than you later, he will abandon you..."
"Besides, I didn't intend to make him kneel for long. He's known as the 'Jade-Faced Yama.' If we make him kneel for too long, he'll probably hold a grudge against our family."
"I didn't ask, but I was thinking of asking. But... I forgot." Duke Wei was a little guilty.
He wanted to ask, but seeing Xiao Zhouyan's imposing aura, although he wasn't intimidated, he wanted to keep the kid quiet, so he didn't say anything more.
Fortunately, this young man is sincere in wanting to marry his daughter, so there will be someone to protect her after the marriage.
The Duke of Wei's family is not in the same situation as before. Although the emperor has given preferential treatment to families of founding heroes, he has also been taking back the rights of aristocratic families in recent years.
Every step the Duke of Wei's family takes now is fraught with danger, fearing they might inadvertently fall into someone's trap.
The court appears calm on the surface, but in reality, everyone is secretly plotting to kill their rivals.
This is why the Duke of Wei's mansion chose to remain neutral, because no matter which faction they followed, they would inevitably be caught in the crossfire.
“Yaoyao, I should have asked you yesterday, but I was delayed by some things. What do you think now? Although the imperial decree has been issued and the imperial command is difficult to disobey, everything still depends on your wishes.” Xu Lian looked at his youngest daughter with some heartache.
“If Father didn’t want his daughter to get married, he would have refused him back then.” Xu Qingyao knew there was a reason for this. “But Father didn’t. I think Father was making plans for his daughter in advance. Father has a good eye for people. I think Father is satisfied with Xiao Zhouyan.”
Xu Lian sighed, "Yao Yao has really grown up; she can't hide anything from you now."
He did consider refusing Xiao Zhouyan that day, but his only worry was his daughter.
Back then, Madam Wanxin left after giving birth to Yaoyao, leaving him, a grown man, to be both father and mother to Yaoyao, raising her little by little.
Some people suggested that he should remarry, but he and his wife were childhood sweethearts, and after their marriage they were even more harmonious and loving. He did not want to live that kind of life with anyone else.
Although the Zhenyuan Marquis's Mansion and the Weiguo Duke's Mansion were both families of founding heroes, they are still somewhat different after so many years.
The old Marquis of Zhenyuan passed away early, leaving behind only his wife, Lady Guo, and two sons.
When Guo learned of the death of the Marquis of Zhenyuan, she locked herself in her room for three days without eating or drinking. Afterward, she sent both of her sons to the army camp.
In the twenty-fourth year of the Zhengshi era, Xiao Yanzhi and his brother Xiao Zhouyan were ordered to attack the Wuhuan. However, they were ambushed by the enemy and Xiao Yanzhi was killed by several arrows. Xiao Zhouyan's whereabouts are unknown.
When the news reached the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence, Madam Guo was devastated. After dismissing the servants in the residence, she took the maid who had always followed her to Hongfu Temple, where she chanted Buddhist scriptures and prayed every day, hoping for the safety of her youngest son.
Two months later, a report came from the front lines that Xiao Zhouyan had led two thousand elite soldiers to capture a Wuheng general alive, and the Wuheng leader had handed over a document of submission.
Along with Xiao Zhouyan, besides the document of Wu Heng's allegiance, Xiao Yanzhi's corpse also returned.
The people of the city spontaneously lined both sides of the street to welcome the hero home.
Only then did Madam Guo return to the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence to handle Xiao Yanzhi's funeral arrangements.
The Xiao family was sparsely populated, and Madam Guo only returned to the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion once a year during festivals. The mansion was left with only the steward and some servants who were unwilling to leave the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion.
Once Xu Qingyao marries into the household, she won't need to participate in the power struggles within the inner quarters, nor will she have to worry about being bullied.
Even though outsiders might think that a marriage alliance between the Marquis of Zhenyuan's mansion and the Duke of Wei's mansion would strengthen the Fifth Prince's power, arouse the Emperor's suspicion, and change the original balance of power, the situation was still very different.
As long as Xiao Zhouyan is around, Xu Qingyao can live a peaceful life.
Others may not know, but he does know that Xiao Zhouyan is extremely protective of his own.
“So, Xiao Zhouyan may not be the best one, but he is definitely the most suitable for you.” Xu Lian said earnestly, “If one day your father and your elder brother are in trouble, he will still be there to protect you.”
After listening to her father's analysis, Xu Qingyao naturally understood his good intentions, and a warm feeling washed over her: "I will follow Father's arrangements."
Her parents in modern times never considered things this way for her.
Although she was her only child, her parents gave birth to her but did not raise her. Her biological father spent all his time playing mahjong, always hovering around the mahjong table, but always losing. After giving birth to her, her biological mother sent her to live with her maternal grandmother and ignored her completely.
I barely call her twice a year, I don't remember when her birthday is, and I never ask her what she likes, whether she's grown taller, or what color clothes she likes to wear...
Therefore, she was moved by Xu Lian, her adoptive father, and felt loved.
Even though today is her third day here.
***
Since the arranged marriage, Xu Qingyao has been able to find something she mentioned that day on the windowsill every night.
There are common toys and storybooks for relieving fatigue, as well as rare and precious fabrics and hair accessories.
Xu Qingyao looked at the sachet that had appeared on the windowsill today. It was embroidered with a stalk of osmanthus in gold and silver thread, and when she picked it up, she could smell the light and lingering fragrance of osmanthus.
"well..."
Who is it? It's so hard to guess.
"It looks good and smells good," Xu Qingyao commented in a standard, unremarkable manner.
You can't say that they treat you badly, after all, you mentioned wanting something during the day and they brought it to you that night.
But this osmanthus sachet...
It looks nice, and it smells nice. But she was really just saying it offhand... She doesn't have any major flaws, she just likes to talk nonsense, but she doesn't actually like this stuff.
Time returns to daytime.
Since arriving here, her daily routine has become more regular. As soon as she gets up and opens the door, she can smell the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms with morning dew, fresh and delicate, yet lingering in her memory.
"Miss, it's the season for osmanthus flowers to bloom now. Why don't we pick some osmanthus flowers to make sachets?" Yuejian was just about to wake Xu Qingyao up.
"A sachet? That sounds interesting." Xu Qingyao showed some interest, but then shook her head. "No, your young lady prefers ready-made things now, whether it's food, household items, or toys."
“Miss, although you get up early, you’re always reading storybooks as soon as you get up. I’m afraid you’ll get sick if you stay in the room any longer.”
Tsukimi advised her that her young lady had been staying in the house for several days without going out. If this continued, she would really suspect that she was possessed by the old monk and was sitting as still as a bell.
"I think the real reason for going out is to go shopping, not to pick some osmanthus flowers to make sachets."
After washing up, Xu Qingyao lay on the chaise lounge and looked at the storybook that had appeared on the windowsill a couple of days ago.
"Miss~ Let's go for a walk~" Tsukimi used her last resort—pleading: "The weather isn't hot today, perfect for shopping~"
"Fine... I'll go, okay? Good moon, I'm really afraid of this trick of yours."
Xu Qingyao can't stand girls acting cute.
But Tsukimi knew that this was exactly what she was looking for.
"That sachet..."
"I'll make them, I love making sachets the most," Yuejian readily agreed.
...
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