Chapter 12 Giving the Princess the Greatest Dignity
The news that the prince was going to accompany the princess on her return visit to her parents' home spread throughout the manor, and Steward Cheng hurriedly selected some gifts from the storeroom.
Xie Shang glanced at them and asked Cheng Zhong, "Are these going to be sent to the Jiang residence?"
Cheng Zhongdao replied, "Yes, Your Highness."
Xie Shang frowned and asked again, "Is the homecoming ceremony really that important? Should it be a grand affair?"
"The homecoming ceremony is the final ritual of the wedding, and it is of great importance, especially to the bride's family. It's hard to explain its importance in just a few words. In short, the groom accompanies his new wife, carrying gifts, to pay respects to his parents-in-law. This is a matter of etiquette. Whether the homecoming ceremony is well-organized reflects whether the bride has married well and whether she is valued by her husband. Ordinary families attach great importance to it, and wealthy families care even more about appearances. However, since His Highness is of noble status, he doesn't need to bow to a mere Jiang Shaofu. It's a blessing for his family that His Highness is going..." Steward Cheng continued eloquently.
Xie Shang pondered for a moment, then glanced at the gifts prepared by Steward Cheng for the bride's return visit, and said, "Go to the storeroom and get some more things."
Cheng Zhong had only picked a few things at random, just going through the motions. It wouldn't hurt to get some more according to the princess's standards.
Just as he was about to leave, Xie Shang said again, "Steward Cheng, have someone ask the Princess's family who they are, what their interests are, and then choose a gift for each of them according to their preferences!"
Butler Cheng was stunned upon hearing this. "Give each person another item?"
"I can't afford to give it away?" Although the Heng Prince's mansion is not favored by the emperor, the Heng Prince himself is still a person with private property.
Butler Cheng shook his head, "I can afford it, I can afford it, this old servant will take care of it right away."
Xie Shang slept in Jiang Fenghua's bedroom for two consecutive nights. Butler Cheng assumed that he was very fond of the princess and only chose the best gifts for her.
The Jiang residence is located on Yangliu Street in the north of the city. Jiang Huai serves as the Junior Tutor at the Imperial Academy, and is one of the many Junior Tutors there. He is highly respected for his effective teaching methods, outstanding character, and long tenure. He has been repeatedly commended as an excellent Junior Tutor.
However, because he didn't compete or fight for anything, he missed many opportunities for promotion. He stayed at the Imperial Academy to teach the princes, princesses, and the sons of court officials. For such a family to be chosen by the Empress as the Princess Consort of Heng was something the Jiang family could never achieve even with eight generations of good fortune. Everyone unanimously agreed, with a hint of envy, that the Jiang family was incredibly lucky to have climbed the social ladder and become related to the imperial family.
Because it was Princess Heng's homecoming day, Jiang Shaofu was given a day off. Jiang's mother couldn't sleep since the early hours of last night and started busying herself in the kitchen. Jiang's eldest daughter, Jiang Rumeng, and her son-in-law, Jin Ji, also arrived at the Jiang residence early in the morning.
The entire Jiang family, fearing they might slight Prince Heng, dressed in their finest clothes and eagerly awaited his arrival. Then, a servant rushed in, shouting, "They've arrived! They've arrived! Prince Heng's entourage is at the alley entrance, three carriages in total..."
Jiang Shaofu, along with his wife, children, and elderly relatives, went to the main gate to greet them. Only then did they see the Hengwang Mansion's convoy slowly approaching from afar, looking quite impressive.
The carriage stopped in front of the Jiang residence. Steward Cheng stepped forward, bowed, and greeted them. He then instructed the guards of the Prince's residence to unload the return gifts.
Beside another luxurious carriage, Xie Shang alighted first, while Jiang Fenghua was slowly helped out by her maid.
Madam Jiang looked at her son-in-law, who was as handsome as an orchid and a tree, and couldn't stop smiling. She was stunned for a moment. Jiang Shaofu quickly pulled his wife and gestured for the Jiang family to follow him in bowing. "Your humble servant greets Prince Heng and Princess Heng."
Seeing her parents bow to her, Jiang Fenghua's eyes reddened slightly. She knew this was royal etiquette, so she let them do as they pleased.
Seeing that she was about to cry again, Xie Shang said in a deep voice, "Jiang... Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, please do not stand on ceremony."
The Jiang family members stood up, and the next second, Xie Shang suddenly took Jiang Fenghua from the maid and picked her up in his arms, explaining, "The princess twisted her ankle when she entered the palace yesterday and has difficulty moving around, so I carried her in."
Jiang Fenghua had expected him to carry her out of the car, but she never imagined he would call her parents "father-in-law" and "mother-in-law." She was momentarily stunned. After all, in her previous life, he was too lazy to even see them. The Jiang family was glorious for a time because of her, but was despised by the world for a lifetime. Everyone in the Jiang family suffered because of this, all because the man she married did not like her.
Xie Shang then turned to Jiang Huai and said, "Father-in-law, is there a place for us to rest? The princess's foot is a little uncomfortable."
"Let's go sit in the main hall." Jiang Huai glanced at his daughter's legs, full of worry, but didn't overstep his bounds to check on them.
“Father, there’s no need to worry. It’s just that the Prince is making a mountain out of a molehill. I’m actually fine now,” Jiang Fenghua said with a smile.
Jiang Huai glared at his daughter, his eyes full of heartache. "Dinner is about to start. Ruan Ruan, please stay with the Prince for now... I'll go check on your mother and your second sister." He had originally intended to suggest they take a stroll around, but seeing that her leg was injured, he didn't say anything more.
Xie Shang nodded. Once they reached the main hall, Xie Shang helped her onto a chair, and only then did she speak softly, "Thank you."
Xie Shang raised an eyebrow at her, leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Is this decent enough now?"
Jiang Fenghua's cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head, appearing to have a very harmonious relationship with Prince Heng. Her pretty face was tinged with shyness, and she whispered again, "Yes, thank you, thank you so much."
Having only known each other for three days, Xie Shang had already heard her say thank you many times. Was she already satisfied with that?
At this moment, Jiang Zhiqin, the fourth young master of the Jiang family, walked towards them with a smile. "Zhiqin greets Your Highness and brother-in-law. Third sister, how are you?"
Immediately afterwards, he bowed to Xie Shang and said, "Thank you for the gift, brother-in-law."
Xie Shang paused. The boy in front of him was thirteen or fourteen years old. He had the same features as Jiang Fenghua, and his smiling face looked unrestrained and extremely handsome. He felt a little embarrassed. "No need for formalities."
"The inkstones from Zixuanzhai are so valuable that you might not be able to buy them even if you have the money. I will definitely treasure them." Jiang Zhiqin's eyes were full of light; he was extremely fond of them.
Xie Shang was very happy to see that the things he had prepared were so well-liked.
Jiang Rumeng also personally came over to invite them to dinner in the side hall, expressed her gratitude to Prince Heng, and affectionately called him "brother-in-law".
The gift she received was a set of valuable jewelry from Cuiyuxuan. Jiang Rumeng was also considered to be of high appearance. Both sisters inherited their mother Feng Jingyuan's beauty. Jiang Rumeng is now twenty-four years old and a mother of two. Her figure is still perfect, and she looks even more charming.
Xie Shang not only prepared jewelry for Jiang Rumeng, but also toys for her two children, all of which were the latest models on the market. Naturally, these were purchased by Butler Cheng on short notice.
Jiang Rumeng's husband, Jin Ji, is a businessman. Xie Shang gave him a golden abacus. The Jin family is not short of money, but the gift from the prince is of great significance, so he naturally cherishes it.
Jiang's mother was overjoyed and wept tears of happiness upon seeing that her daughter had married so well and was so loved by her husband.
Jiang Fenghua hugged her mother and comforted her, "I'm doing fine, Mother, why are you crying again?"
"Mother is truly happy." Jiang's mother couldn't stop crying. "Ruan Ruan has married a wonderful man, and Mother is so happy."
Jiang Rumeng was genuinely happy for her younger sister and whispered, "I originally thought that my third sister would have to live at the mercy of others after marrying into the Heng Prince's mansion. But now it seems that His Highness the Heng Prince is not only handsome but also considerate. Mother was right, my third sister has truly married a perfect husband."
Jiang Fenghua lowered her head and drank her soup, feigning shyness, thinking to herself: They don't know that in her previous life, not only was there no homecoming gift, but Xie Shang didn't even glance at her. When Prince Heng personally welcomed Consort Su into the house in a bright red wedding dress, she was invited to drink tea with the mistress of the house. Everyone pointed at her and humiliated her. She became the biggest joke in the entire capital. Watching them being so affectionate, her heart was bleeding.
The banquet was divided into two tables, one for men and one for women, separated by a screen embroidered with plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums representing the four seasons. Xie Shang happened to be sitting back to back with Jiang Fenghua. He saw Jiang's mother sobbing and thought to himself, "Jiang Fenghua's tendency to cry is probably inherited from her mother. Her mother looks so gentle and kind."
Jiang Huai was also very happy. After drinking some wine, he began to share his philosophy of life at the table, "Your Highness is now the Prefect of the Capital, a position of great importance, closely related to the lives of ordinary people..."
"Oh dear, Jiang Huai, how much horse piss have you drunk? You're lecturing again. Doesn't your son-in-law know more about these things than you? Can't you let people eat in peace?" Feng Jingyuan's sharp voice suddenly came from the other side of the screen.
Jiang Huai shut his mouth immediately after being yelled at, raised his wine cup to Xie Shang and said, "This humble subject toasts Your Highness."
Xie Shang was shocked and somewhat amused. He hadn't expected that Jiang Shaofu was henpecked at home, and he was even more surprised by the dramatic change in Jiang Fenghua's mother's emotions. He raised his wine glass and took a sip to hide his embarrassment.
Jiang Zhiqin didn't drink, but to break the awkward silence, he quickly changed the subject, "Brother-in-law, don't just drink, eat more of the dishes. These dishes were all made by my mother, and they are all her specialties."
Jin Ji also said, "My mother-in-law's cooking is top-notch." His voice was full of flattery.
Jiang Huai didn't dare to utter a sound even after being yelled at, and ate his food obediently, a stark contrast to his imposing presence and prestige in the school.
The Jiang family was enjoying a harmonious time together, but Xie Shang felt a pang of sadness. Looking at the mountain of delicacies piled up in his bowl, he didn't mind and ate heartily.
These were all served to him by Jin Ji using serving chopsticks. Jin Ji was flattered and overwhelmed. Not only did he eat and drink at the same table as Prince Heng, but he also ate the food that Jin Ji had served him. The most prestigious thing was that Prince Heng was his brother-in-law.
Xie Shang had never felt so relaxed, and in his joy, he drank more wine than usual.
As for the Su family, Xie Shang immediately sent a trusted confidant to deliver the message that he would choose another auspicious day to marry her. Jiang Fenghua also promised that their wedding would be grand and that Su Tingwan would not suffer any grievances.
He thought Jiang Fenghua was very magnanimous for doing this, so he backed down. He figured Wanwan was a broad-minded woman and would understand.
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