Chapter 6 Marriage
Seeing that Wen Zhiming was about to leave with his entourage, Meng Xingyuan, who had reacted quickly, rushed to stop him, saying excitedly, "Young Master Wen cannot make this decision. This marriage is invalid. Lingge, don't be ridiculous! Quickly explain to Young Master Wen."
The Prince of Anshun is currently away on a military campaign, and the household is managed by the Princess Consort of Anshun, who is also Wen Zhiming's mother. The Princess Consort of Anshun only has one son, Wen Zhiming, whom she has always cherished like the apple of her eye. If she finds out that her son has been involved in a marriage proposal while attending a banquet, she might think that Meng Lingge couldn't find a suitable husband after breaking off her engagement, so she's clinging to her son.
This is a huge misunderstanding.
We can't let Wen Zhiming go back and cause trouble like this. If we can't explain it later, it will not only affect his relationship with Prince Anshun, but also make this scandal even more unmanageable.
Just as he was about to stop him, he heard a majestic yet clear voice approaching from afar.
"What? Does the Prime Minister intend to lay a hand on the Crown Prince?"
Meng Xingyuan stood frozen in place, recognizing the voice as belonging to Princess Anshun without even turning around.
It's truly a coincidence that Princess Anshun arrived at the perfect time, just as he was ordering people to stop Wen Zhiming. It seems he'll have to spend a lot of time explaining himself.
With a smile plastered on his face, Meng Xingyuan slowly turned his head and bowed to Princess Anshun, saying, "Your Highness has misunderstood. The two children were just playing around. I was afraid they might offend the Crown Prince, so I thought I would try to mediate."
"A joke?" Princess Consort of Anshun frowned. "Just now, in front of so many people, the eldest daughter of the Meng family agreed to marry my Mo'er. Now Mo'er is about to return to the manor to prepare the bridal sedan chair. You say this is a joke? Could it be that you and your daughter are playing tricks on our Anshun Manor and trying to back out of the marriage?"
Princess Anshun hadn't actually just arrived; she had been standing in the shadows behind the crowd since Meng Lingge took the stage.
When she first saw Wen Zhiming run onto the stage, she was indeed worried and unwilling. However, when she saw the smile on Wen Zhiming's face and heard him list the long list of benefits of marrying him, Princess Anshun changed her mind.
Over the past ten years, no one has known Wen Zhiming's situation better than her.
Since that traumatic experience, Wen Zhiming rarely smiled or spoke. At times, he didn't even recognize his own mother. Yet, he still remembered the little girl he hadn't seen for ten years.
His demeanor during his conversation with Meng Lingge showed absolutely no signs of mental impairment.
So, marrying Meng Lingge might actually improve his condition.
Wen Zhiming would sometimes mention the name Xiao Ling'er in the mansion. Only today did Princess Anshun realize that the Xiao Ling'er he was referring to was Meng Lingge, the legitimate daughter of the Meng family.
Meng Lingge's reputation was indeed damaged by breaking off her engagement on the day of her wedding, but that was because Guan Yi'an was such a despicable person. Besides, if it weren't for that incident, a legitimate daughter of a noble family like Meng Lingge wouldn't have married the mentally challenged Mo'er.
Three years ago, she had already planned to choose a virtuous and noble lady as a wife for Mo'er. However, although the Anshun Prince's Mansion was prestigious, Mo'er's situation was special. He was uncooperative when it came to choosing a girl, often scaring the girl away. As a result, the girls from noble families in the capital would panic at the mere mention of Mo'er's name.
There are girls from ordinary families or merchant households who are willing to marry into the family, but Mo'er's illness is difficult to cure. If they were to marry an honest, dull, and low-status girl, wouldn't the couple be at the mercy of others when she and the prince grow old?
Meng Lingge is a very good choice right now.
Bold, decisive, opinionated, good-looking, and most importantly, Mo'er likes him.
Moreover, she is in an awkward situation now. If the Prince of Anshun helps her now, she will be grateful and treat Mo'er sincerely. If she is willful, this matter can be used to manipulate her.
Princess Anshun felt more and more that it was a good match, and the more she looked at Meng Lingge, the more pleasing she became. At this moment, she was even a little grateful to Guan Yi'an, that fool, for not knowing how to cherish this affectionate and sincere girl, thus giving her Anshun Prince's Mansion a free ride.
"This humble official had no such intention. What does Your Highness mean?" Meng Xingyuan paused mid-sentence, then realized what she meant, his eyes widening in shock as he asked uncertainly, "You mean you agree to the Crown Prince marrying my daughter, Lingge?"
Princess Anshun nodded with a smile, "That's right. You said the heir couldn't make the decision. Now that the prince is far away on the battlefield, I'm handling all the affairs of the palace. I agree to Mo'er marrying Meng Lingge, the legitimate daughter of the Meng family, as his principal wife. Your Excellency, tell me, can I really make that decision?"
"Of course, of course...it's all up to the Princess." Meng Xingyuan's forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat, whether from joy or nervousness was unclear.
He and Prince Anshun were close friends, and he knew the situation of Prince Anshun's mansion very well. Although Prince Wen was mentally challenged, Lingge would become the prince's wife after marrying into the family. As long as Princess Anshun took a liking to her, she could enjoy a life of wealth and honor for the rest of her life thanks to Prince Anshun's glory.
Moreover, in terms of moral character, Prince Anshun and his wife were far more kind and reliable than Guan Yi'an's parents.
Things have come to an excellent conclusion.
Seeing the new development, the subordinates shrewdly withdrew, allowing Wen Zhiming to leave with his guards in high spirits.
Having enjoyed the spectacle to the fullest and seeing that the matter was settled, the officials gathered around.
"Congratulations, Princess Consort of Anshun..."
"Congratulations, Your Excellency..."
Meng Xingyuan smiled and returned the greeting with a cupped-hand salute. He recalled that ten years ago, when Prince Anshun saw that Lingge and Wen Zhiming got along well, he had mentioned the matter of arranging a marriage between their children. However, after Wen Zhiming was frightened and became mentally impaired, he was no longer willing to let Lingge and Wen Zhiming meet. Prince Anshun guessed his thoughts and never mentioned the matter again after returning to the capital.
Unexpectedly, time flies, and after many twists and turns, Lingge will eventually marry Wen Zhiming.
The word "marriage" is truly mysterious.
After the guests had finished their sighs and returned to their banquet, Princess Anshun said with a smile, "Since today is my son's wedding day, I must return to the manor as soon as possible to make preparations. Time is short, so regarding the betrothal gifts..."
“There’s definitely no time to prepare the betrothal gifts, I understand,” Meng Xingyuan immediately replied tactfully.
He was not one to covet his daughter's dowry. The wedding was rushed, and Princess Anshun was busy informing relatives and friends, preparing the banquet, and decorating the bridal chamber. If he were to still demand a dowry, it would be asking too much of him.
"Of course not!" Princess Anshun exclaimed. "How can the young master of my Anshun Prince's Mansion marry without a betrothal gift? It's just that I haven't been able to think of a complete solution yet... How about this, what betrothal gift has that boy from the Guan family prepared? Bring up his betrothal gift list, and I'll have someone prepare ten sets according to his specifications!"
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