Chapter 566 The eldest daughter enters the palace, and the second daughter marries a new noble.
Chu Ruohan stood up, bowed to the old lady, and spoke sincerely.
"That's right. My brother has a crush on Miss Qinghan. Ruohan came here with a sincere heart and hopes that the old lady will agree to it."
Old Lady Zhao nodded, then turned and told the servants, "Go and invite the second young lady over."
Not long after, Zhao Qinghan walked in with her head lowered and her steps light and graceful.
She was wearing a lake green dress today, which made her skin look whiter than snow and her features look more picturesque.
She obviously knew the whole story. Her pretty face was red as if it was about to bleed, and she was nervously twisting the corner of her clothes.
Old Lady Zhao took her hand, her voice gentler than ever before.
"Sister Han, the Duke's wife is asking for your hand in marriage on behalf of her brother. What do you think?"
Zhao Qinghan lowered her head even lower, and uttered a mosquito-like "hmm". Then she was so embarrassed that she almost buried her head in her chest, but that slight nod of her head expressed all her feelings.
Seeing this, Old Lady Zhao laughed heartily and slapped the armrest heavily.
"Good! Good! I, an old woman, accept this marriage!"
She swept her gaze over Minister Zhao and his wife with dignity.
"Although I've never met Chen Yu, he's already been admitted to the Imperial Academy at such a young age. He's also the younger brother of the Duke's wife, so his character, appearance, and talent must be excellent! He's more than a perfect match for my sister Han!"
The old lady had made the final decision, and Minister Zhao and his wife no longer dared to raise any objections. They could only quickly stand up and agree with a smile.
The marriage was finally settled.
Chu Ruohan had a very pleasant conversation with Old Lady Zhao, and she admired this old lady who was so wise and righteous even more.
The two families were overjoyed and immediately began to discuss subsequent matters such as the betrothal gift and matching horoscopes.
However, just when the room was filled with joy and the marriage was just being decided, the housekeeper of the Zhao Mansion suddenly rushed in with a panicked look on his face and his voice changed.
"Old... Old Madam! Master! Someone is coming from the palace!"
Everyone was stunned.
A palace eunuch, holding a bright yellow imperial edict in his hand, strode into the hall, surrounded by several imperial guards. His shrill voice echoed throughout the Zhao Mansion.
"The imperial edict has arrived! Zhao Qingzhi, the eldest daughter of Minister Zhao, receive it!"
The eunuch unfolded the imperial edict and read aloud:
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Upon hearing that the Zhao family has a daughter, Qingzhi, who is dignified, wise, gentle, and virtuous, I hereby grant her marriage to the Crown Prince of Yong. An auspicious date will be chosen for the ceremony. I decree—"
The stiffness on Minister Zhao and Madam Zhao's faces melted away instantly, replaced by an almost insane ecstasy.
Prince Yong!
Their daughter is going to become the Crown Prince Consort of Prince Yong!
This is the wealth they could never even dream of!
Mrs. Zhao was so excited that she was shaking all over and almost couldn't stand, and was supported by Minister Zhao.
The couple looked at each other, the enthusiasm in their eyes almost overflowing.
In comparison, the marriage with the Chu family that had just been arranged suddenly became dim.
Zhao Qingzhi, whose name was called, was briefly shocked, and then her whole body seemed to be enveloped by a golden light.
She walked forward slowly, and the pride on her carefully made-up face could no longer be concealed.
She knelt down to receive the decree, her voice trembling with dignity: "Your Highness, I, Zhao Qingzhi, bow to thank you for your grace."
It seemed as if from this moment on, she was no longer the legitimate daughter of the Minister's Mansion, but the mistress of half the royal palace.
Chu Ruohan sat quietly in the guest seat, picked up the slightly cold tea, and took a sip.
She took in the expressions of everyone in the hall, the snobbery of Minister Zhao and his wife, and the arrogance of Zhao Qingzhi.
The unfathomable calmness of Old Lady Zhao, and Zhao Qinghan in the corner who always kept his head down, as if he had nothing to do with all this.
She understood, stood up and smiled at Old Lady Zhao.
"Since there are important matters at the mansion, Ruohan will not stay for long. I will come again another day to discuss the wedding date of Chenyu and Miss Qinghan with the old lady."
Old Lady Zhao nodded and looked at Chu Ruohan with a hint of apology and gratitude in her eyes.
"I'm sorry for being so slow today. Madam, take care."
Minister Zhao and his wife finally woke up from their dream. They hurried forward and said a few words to Chu Ruohan, then couldn't wait to send her out the door.
The entire Zhao Mansion was immersed in the great joy of the upcoming marriage with Prince Yong's Mansion. For a time, the whole capital was shocked.
No one expected that the small Zhao Shilang Mansion would arrange two completely different marriages for its two legitimate daughters on the same day.
The eldest daughter entered the palace of the king, and the second daughter married a new noble.
For a time, the Zhao Mansion became the center of discussion in the entire capital.
Zhao Qingzhi, who was granted marriage, became more arrogant than ever before.
She changed into a newly tailored brocade long dress, and wore a set of red jeweled headdresses secretly given to her by Princess Yong. She led a few maids who flattered her and walked towards Zhao Qinghan's remote and simple courtyard.
In name, they came to congratulate out of sisterly love.
In fact, they came here to show off their power.
Zhao Qinghan was copying calligraphy by the window when she heard noisy footsteps in the yard. She put down her pen, raised her head, and met Zhao Qingzhi's face full of boasting.
"My sister is so free."
Zhao Qingzhi didn't wait for her to get up, but walked into the house on her own. She glanced at the simple furnishings in the house, and a hint of sarcasm appeared at the corner of her mouth.
She stopped in front of Zhao Qinghan and looked up and down at the half-worn light green dress she was wearing.
"My sister is so lucky to have found a job as a compiler in the Imperial Academy. Although the Chu family now has a Duke's wife, and can be considered a new noble, compared to our Yongwang Mansion, its foundation is still a little shallow."
She covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed so hard that her whole body shook.
"I heard that Chu Chenyu's ancestors were from a merchant family? Tsk tsk, sister, when you marry into the family, you must learn how to be the mistress of the house and manage the servants. Don't lose face for our Zhao family."
She had no idea that although Chu Chenyu was not from a high-class family, he had passed the imperial examination based on his real talent and knowledge. Now he was deeply favored by the emperor in the Hanlin Academy and his future was limitless.
In her eyes, apart from the royal family, no one else is worthy of being on the stage.
Zhao Qinghan listened quietly, without any anger on his face. He just looked at her calmly, as if he was looking at a clown.
After Zhao Qingzhi finished speaking, she slowly spoke, her voice still gentle.
"Sister, you're right. I'm a simpleton, and I don't ask for overwhelming wealth. I just want a harmonious marriage and respect for each other in the future. That would be enough for me."
She raised her eyes and looked directly at Zhao Qingzhi with her clear eyes.
"As for the family's reputation, my husband and I will shoulder the responsibility together. You don't need to worry about it, sister."
"Sister, you will be the Crown Prince's consort soon. Your status is so noble. From now on, your every word and action will represent the dignity of Prince Yong's Mansion. You should be more cautious in what you say and do and set an example for the mansion."
"After all," Zhao Qinghan's voice was as light as a gust of wind, blowing into Zhao Qingzhi's ears, "The Yongwang Mansion is a large family with a lot of right and wrong. I'm afraid that my elder sister will have to worry more than my younger sister in the future."
These words were like a silent slap in Zhao Qingzhi's face.
Who doesn’t know about the dirty things happening in Prince Yong’s Mansion?
Zhao Qingzhi hated it most when others mentioned these things, as if mentioning them would tarnish her noble status as the Crown Prince's Consort.
Now, he is being ridiculed by his sister, whom he has always looked down upon.
Her pretty face suddenly turned the color of liver, and her chest heaved with anger.
"you……"
She pointed at Zhao Qinghan but couldn't utter a single word.
Because everything Zhao Qinghan said made sense, if she lost her temper, it would make her appear guilty and short of breath.
"Just wait for me!"
In the end, Zhao Qingzhi could only squeeze out these words from between her teeth, stomped her feet hard, and walked away with a heart full of anger.
The yard instantly returned to silence.
The figure of Old Lady Zhao slowly walked out from behind the moon gate. She looked at Zhao Qingzhi's back as she left in a rage and shook her head.
She walked to Zhao Qinghan, took her granddaughter's hand, patted it gently, and sighed.
"Silly child, with her personality, marrying into a den of tigers and wolves like Prince Yong's Mansion is a blessing or a curse. It's still unknown."
The old lady's eyes were full of insight into the vicissitudes of life.
"Don't worry about anything, and don't compete with her for these empty names. Just close the door and live your own life peacefully. That's better than anything else."
At the same time, in Prince Yong’s Mansion.
When Lin Xingyao heard that her brother had really requested the imperial decree to marry Zhao Qingzhi, she felt as if her soul had been taken away.
The teacup in his hand fell to the ground with a clang and shattered into pieces.
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