Chapter 7 Want to exchange your marriage? Bring me the dowry!
The person who delivered the message spoke quickly as Cui had instructed.
Luo Yuanshan hurried back, and hurried into the main room. As soon as he saw Cui, he asked hurriedly, "Madam, what's the big deal that you're looking for me so urgently? Did Heng'er get into trouble while playing tricks at his maternal grandparents' house, or is it that my eldest brother from the Yue family is blaming me for not going with him?"
Luo Heng was the second son born to Cui and the only son of Luo Yuanshan, so it was inevitable that he was spoiled.
Although the Cui family of Qingzhou is no longer as powerful as before, its foundation is still there. Luo Yuanshan does not want to have any misunderstandings with the Cui family, and he is even more afraid that his son will cause some unmanageable trouble there.
"Master, don't worry. Heng'er is doing very well in Qingzhou. When Zhen'er and I returned, he insisted on staying there to play with his cousins. We'll send someone to bring him back in a few days." Cui came over, helped him take off his official hat, dismissed the maids and servants, and helped Luo Yuanshan sit down before saying, "It's Zhen'er's business."
"Zhen'er?" Luo Yuanshan suddenly remembered what happened to Luo Zhen a few days ago. His face darkened. "Could it be that Madam was persuaded by her to also exchange marriages?"
Cui nodded, but before she could say anything, Luo Yuanshan slammed the table and said, "Isn't this nonsense? This concerns the inner court, you are risking your lives! Besides, do you think Pei Ji is easy to manipulate? This kid is ruthless and has a fighting spirit. Everyone knows that he has a bright future. He has also set his sights on Fu'er. Can you change this relationship just by saying so?
Madam, you used to be a successful person, why are you fooling around with Zhen'er now? Don't you think about it, even if the marriage is really exchanged, Zhen'er will marry into the Pei family, and Pei Ji doesn't have her in his heart. How can she live a good life? "
Cui was not in a hurry and slowly sat on the other side: "Master, since you know that I have a plan in mind, haven't I thought about the things you are worried about?"
Luo Yuanshan was really surprised when he heard this: "What happened that made you take such a big risk to exchange the bride?"
Cui knew that if she told her daughter's dream, her master would definitely slam the table, so she had to answer in a roundabout way, "Master knows that my father was once the emperor's tutor and knew a lot about the inner court. When the current emperor was still a prince, he had a brain disease. When the disease attacked, he would not recognize his relatives and would be cruel and violent. My father told me about this when he was still alive. I didn't take it seriously before, but this time, for my eldest brother's birthday, some guests from the capital came and hinted that the current emperor was indeed like this."
As she spoke, she leaned closer to Luo Yuanshan and lowered her voice, "The current emperor is so cruel, he will eventually be unable to be suppressed. Master, guess what, with such a tyrant, how much of the country can be left?"
Luo Yuanshan was so frightened that his brows twitched. He opened his mouth to scold her, but after a long time, no words came out.
He was just a local official, and his backer in the capital had already been lost. However, the Cui family of Qingzhou had close ties with the capital. His wife had just returned from Qingzhou, so she naturally knew more than he did.
If the current emperor is indeed a tyrant, then his reign will not last long.
Letting Zhen'er enter the palace did harm her...
Seeing that he was relenting, Cui continued, "Zhen'er is a piece of flesh that fell from my body. I will not let her die in vain. Rather than letting her be buried in the palace with that tyrant, it is better for her to marry Captain Pei Ji.
I know the master values him very much and doesn't want to offend him, but we are not breaking off the engagement, we are just exchanging the marriage, turning a concubine's daughter into a legitimate daughter, so he is taking advantage."
Luo Yuanshan frowned tightly. "But he only has Fu'er in his heart. What good will it do if Zhen'er is forced to marry him? Besides, he will definitely not agree. If we make a fuss and everyone knows about it, I think as long as this tyrant is still on the throne, my entire Luo family will be executed first!"
Cui sat up straight and said slowly, "Marriage is a matter of parents' orders and matchmakers' words. Pei Ji's mother comes from a commoner background, so she won't refuse such a good thing. Pei Ji is also a filial son. With his mother's support, he will definitely not do anything out of line. As for whether he has Zhen'er in his heart, that's not important."
The important thing is to secure the position of Pei Ji's wife, and then wait to sit on the throne of queen!
Luo Yuanshan thought for a long time, and finally nodded slowly: "Then you have to take care of Fu'er and the old lady as well, don't let them cause any trouble."
Cui smiled and said, "Don't worry, Master. I will take care of all these things. You just need to send the money and the letter to the Ministry of Rites to change Zhen'er's name to Luo Fu."
Someone from the inner court will come to propose marriage in a few days, so there is no time to delay.
Luo Yuanshan hurried to the study to write a letter.
Cui called the maid in and ordered, "Go and call the second young lady."
It is already the Xu hour.
Just as Luo Fu was about to go to bed after taking a bath, the maid outside came in with the mistress's maid. Seeing Luo Fu sitting on the bed with her black hair loose, she smiled and said, "Oh, the second lady is about to go to bed. I'm really unlucky to come."
Luo Fu heard from Shang Lu about his wife's return.
She called the maid over at this time, it seems that Luo Zhen has persuaded the lady.
Luo Fu stroked her long hair, but there was a hint of doubt in her dark eyes: "Madam, are you looking for me?"
The eldest maid said, "Yes, Madam has something to say to the second young lady."
Luo Fu nodded: "Sister, wait a moment, I'll be there soon."
Shanglu and Rendong had already brought clothes, skirts and coats to help Luofu put them on.
When she was about to tie her hair up, Luo Fu was worried that she would have to take it off again when she came back, so she said, "Let it be. Madam must have something urgent to ask me so late, and I don't want to keep her waiting."
The Cui family has always been very strict about rules, but they suddenly called someone over at this time, which must be an urgent matter.
The head maidservant didn't want to use that set of rules to pressure Luo Fu, so she just smiled and said, "No wonder the Madam always says that the second young lady is considerate. Let's go quickly."
She turned around and went out first.
Honeysuckle was holding a lantern, and Shanglu was walking behind with Luo Fu in his arms.
When they arrived at Cui's courtyard, Rendong and Shanglu were left outside, and only Luofu followed the head maid into the main hall.
Cui was sitting in the main seat, neatly dressed, with her eyes closed and her face haggard. There were two maids beside her, one massaging her solar plexus and the other beating her legs.
Luo Fu walked over and bowed, "Madam."
Cui opened her eyes and saw that her black hair was loose, not even tied up in a bun. Her brows furrowed, but she had to hold back what she was going to say. She said to the maid beside her, "You guys leave first."
The maids withdrew as instructed. Cui stared at Luo Fu for a long moment before she smiled and said, "Fu'er is so beautiful. Even with her hair disheveled, she's still so charming. It's a shame to let you marry such a rough and tumble man."
Luo Fu was stunned: "Madam..."
Cui said, "Don't be afraid. I won't marry a rough man, nor will I ask you to marry a butcher. I want you to marry someone better. How about entering the palace and becoming a queen?"
Luo Fu was even more stunned: "I enter the palace... then is my elder sister really going to marry Pei Ji?"
Cui said, "Don't worry about your elder sister. She won't enter the palace anyway. It's not because there's anything wrong with her entering. It's just that we've considered that although your elder sister is better than you, her appearance is ultimately inferior. If she enters the palace, she will probably be lost in the crowd. But you are different."
Cui smiled and extended her hand towards Luo Fu.
Love stepped forward and offered her her hand.
Cui stroked Luo Fu's hand, examining her from hand to face, smiling kindly: "Fu'er's beauty is unmatched in small Yanzhou, not to mention even in the capital. You will surely thrive in the palace and win the emperor's heart. So, rather than wasting such a precious opportunity on your elder sister, it would be better to give it to you. When you are honored and favored, we can rise to prominence too. What do you think, Fu'er?"
Luo Fu didn't speak for a long time. After a while, she raised her eyes, and her eyes, which were always clear and bright, contained worry: "But Madam, I'm afraid..."
Cui took her into her arms, patting her like a loving mother: "Good girl, entering the palace as a concubine is a blessing many women would wish for, why are you still afraid?"
Luo Fu obediently fell into her arms: "Fu'er is not as well-educated and well-mannered as big sister, and her dowry is not as rich as big sister. Fu'er is afraid that after entering the palace, she won't even have the chance to see Tian'en..."
Cui's hand that was patting her back stopped and she cursed in her heart, "What a little bitch! She thought I was stupid, but she's not stupid at all. She even knows to ask for a dowry."
But it really doesn't make sense to give it to her as it is.
It's just a small amount of money, which is insignificant compared to the position of queen. Send her to the palace quietly to avoid any trouble.
Cui's hand patted her again and said, "My dear child, your looks are enough to make up for your other shortcomings. You don't have to always look up to your elder sister. As for your dowry, how could your mother treat you unfairly? I will prepare it according to your elder sister's share and will not let you suffer any injustice after entering the palace."
Luo Fu was still hesitant: "But..."
Cui's expression gradually turned cold. "There's no need for a but. Your father has already agreed to this matter. You're just a child and don't know what's going on. Can your father really harm you?"
She used both soft and hard tactics, and Luo Fu couldn't resist. She could only get up from her arms and said softly, "Fu Er will listen to Madam and Daddy."
"That's good." Cui regained her smile. "Since it's settled, you can't keep the things Pei Er gave you. Go back and pack them up and send them to me. I'll return them to Pei Er and help you deal with the aftermath. You don't have to argue with him. Just know that from now on, he is your eldest sister's husband, and you have nothing to do with him anymore."
"yes."
"Okay, it's late, go back to bed."
Luo Fu nodded, and as she was about to leave, she seemed to remember something: "Madam, does the old lady know about this?"
Cui was in a good mood now. She smiled and said, "Your father was busy going to the Ministry of Rites to replace your and your elder sister's name cards. I just came back and haven't had time to tell the old lady yet."
Luo Fu said, "Then let Fu'er go and talk to the old lady."
Cui was of course happy to agree without having to waste her breath: "Of course."
Luo Fufu bowed and said, "Thank you, Madam. Fu'er will go back first."
She stepped out, and Shanglu and Rendong, who were waiting outside, hurried over to help her back.
"Girl, what does the lady want you to do so late at night?"
Honeysuckle walked in front with a lantern and couldn't help asking.
Shang Lu, who was holding Luo Fu, also looked at her, but Luo Fu stopped and said, "Madame Li, why are you here?"
The two maids then realized that Nanny Li, who was standing beside the old lady, was standing in front of them.
Nanny Li glanced towards Cui's courtyard and said, "The old lady has been worried since she heard that Madam has returned. Tonight, she heard that Madam sent for you, and she has been restless ever since. Now that the young lady has come out, go and see her."
Love had planned to tell her grandmother about this matter when she paid her respects tomorrow, otherwise she was afraid that she would not be able to sleep tonight.
I didn't expect that she was still worried about me.
She nodded and quickened her pace to the old lady's yard.
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