"The banquet should be held as planned. Don't waste money just because I'm coming." Xiao Junzhan said, waved his hand, and said, "If there's nothing else, leave."
Wei Ping and Shen Xing bowed and slowly retreated. They did not look at each other until they were out of the hall, with uncontrollable joy on their faces.
They kept silent in tacit understanding, left the palace together and went straight to the Jiaofangsi.
The official kiln run by the imperial court was a good place for court officials to relax and get together.
"Uncle," while the dancers were performing, there were only the two of them in the room, and Shen Xing just whispered: "In your opinion, what is the meaning of His Highness being so concerned about the marriage of our children this time?"
"Your Highness has his own intentions in his actions, which are beyond our comprehension." Wei Ping's frowning brows relaxed unconsciously. He stroked his beard and smiled, "However, Your Highness's presence at the Wei Mansion's wedding banquet shows that you value this marriage between our two families."
Wei Ping spoke very politely, saying that both families attached great importance to the marriage, but in his heart he had already attributed all the honor given by the prince to himself.
You know, it was the same wedding, and the Wei and Shen families were also holding banquets at the same time three days later.
One was a wedding banquet, the other was a wedding banquet, but His Royal Highness the Crown Prince made it clear that the banquet was to be held at his Wei Mansion.
Isn't this just to give Wei Ping face?
I think it was because the wise and powerful Crown Prince finally discovered that he had served as an official for decades, worked diligently and made great contributions, and had real talent and hard work, so he specially encouraged and rewarded him.
As for the possibility of forming a marriage alliance, Shen Xing and Wei Ping had the same opinion and believed that the Crown Prince's move was to bring honor to the Wei Mansion and also to send a signal to other court officials and aristocratic families.
A signal that His Highness wants to promote the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery.
Taking time out of his busy schedule to attend a wedding banquet for a girl from a marquis's mansion is probably just the beginning of the flattery...
Thinking of this, Shen Xing picked up the fine wine on the table, raised his glass with a smile and said, "Brother Shi has been the right chancellor of the Shangshu Province for many years, right? He has always been steady in his work and has never made any mistakes. Your Highness must have remembered all of this, so it's time to give him some advice."
After hearing this, Wei Ping agreed deeply in his heart. He was nearly sixty years old and still a military officer. His energy was long gone. If His Highness really wanted to promote the Wei family, the most likely option would be to promote his son Wei Huan.
The two families were in-laws, and they didn't treat each other as outsiders. Wei Ping didn't hide his joy at all, and only earnestly reminded: "It's good for you and me to know about this matter. Don't publicize it before it's finalized."
Shen Xing said yes repeatedly, and was very happy in his heart. His son married Wei Huan's legitimate daughter, and his father-in-law had a bright future, which was naturally a good thing, right?
………………
Changji Palace.
After the two old ministers left, Xiao Junzhan reviewed the memorials for a while. After a while, he put down the pen in his hand and said softly, "Ning Hai, tell me, if I go to the Wei Mansion in three days, will Ranran be angry again?"
...How should I know.
Ning Hai no longer dared to guess what the hot-tempered young lady from the Wei family was thinking. He secretly complained in his heart and said with embarrassment, "If you go, it will bring great honor to the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery's Mansion. Young lady Wei should not be angry."
His voice became quieter as he spoke, and it was obvious that he was lacking in confidence.
How could Xiao Junzhan not hear it? He concentrated on thinking for a long time and sighed, "What an enemy."
When had he ever been so cautious in his actions? He knew what it meant that there was always someone stronger than him. After meeting Wei Hanzhang, Xiao Junzhan finally understood.
Although he clearly wanted to do something wrong, he didn't even dare to go see her, for fear that she would blame him for trespassing into a girl's bedroom...
Unfortunately, the girl stayed at home all day and never went out, so it was difficult for him to even meet her by chance.
Ning Hai, who was standing by, knew that his master had been worried and yearning for Miss Wei these days, so he wanted to share his worries, so he said, "Don't let the Wei family see your feelings for Miss Wei. I'm sure Miss Wei won't be upset."
Xiao Junzhan's expression eased a little, and after a little thought, he nodded and said, "This is the only way."
It was rare to see his master in a good mood in recent days. Ning Hai was extremely sad. His Highness was so noble, rich, respected by the people, and trusted by the court officials. Who would have thought that the Crown Prince would need to make such a plan just to see his beloved? It was really...
Ning Hai suddenly had an idea and whispered, "Your Highness wants to see Miss Wei, why not go and see her quietly without her noticing? That way, Miss Wei won't be angry."
Temporarily relieve the pain of lovesickness...
Xiao Junzhan paused, then turned his head to look over: "What do you mean by that?"
………………
It was late at night and the summer insects had stopped chirping. In the darkness, the wooden door on the courtyard wall that had not been opened for some time was slowly pushed open.
As July approaches, the weather becomes increasingly hot and humid, even the wind is hot, and Tingfeng Pavilion has already started using ice.
The girl's boudoir was on the second floor. The lights had been turned off early, and only two lanterns were lit under the eaves on the first floor.
Wei Hanzhang did not have the habit of asking maids to keep watch in the house at night. Luzhu and Lulan took turns on night duty and slept on the square bed in the outer room in case their master occasionally got up at night and needed service.
There were also two maids on night duty on the first floor. They were dozing off at the entrance of the corridor. Suddenly, a dark shadow flashed under the dim light and tapped the back of their necks. The maids, who were already very sleepy, fell into a sleepy state.
The person on duty at the corridor entrance was suddenly replaced by the eunuch chief Ning Hai.
Xiao Junzhan slowly went up to the second floor. It was his first time visiting the boudoir at night. He was actually quite uneasy. He stood quietly outside the door for a long time. Finally, his longing got the better of him and he gently pushed open the door.
After many days, I stepped into this place again.
The room was filled with the scent of the girl. Xiao Junzhan paused slightly, walked past the maid in the outer room who was also on night watch and had her sleep acupuncture points pressed in the same way, and went towards the girl on the bed in the inner room.
…………
Early morning is the time of day in summer when there is barely any cool air.
Today is the day when the sixth daughter of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery is getting married, so Wei Hanzhang got up very early.
She got up, rubbing her neck which had been inexplicably sore for the past few days, and let her two personal maids help her to dress and wash.
In this era, girls who had not yet reached the age of 15 wore their hair in two buns. Wei Hanzhang was usually lazy, and when she was not going out, she would just casually tie her hair up with a hairpin. She seldom wanted to wear her hair in two neat buns.
But today there is a wedding banquet at home, and even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will be in person. The Marquis's wife Liu had given orders a few days ago that on this day, the rules and etiquette of the whole house must be followed to the letter. If anyone offends the emperor, it will be a disaster for the whole family.
So, she had to wear her hair in two neat little buns today, which was the hairstyle for girls who had not yet reached the age of marriage.
It means she is still underage.
(End of this chapter)