Forced marriage
Inside the Prince Duan's residence.
As the day Xie Zhuo set off for the expedition drew closer, Zuo Murui's mindset became increasingly unstable.
Besides being reluctant to see Xie Zhuo leave, she was even more worried about his safety. On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes, and he might lose his life. She resented her husband in her heart, wondering why he had to let their son take the path of a military general. Why couldn't he have entered officialdom and become a civil official?
Xie Chi comforted her, "Zhuo'er is only a deputy general in the army and is also a reinforcement from the rear. General Luo will not send him to the front line. Wang Qianxin is also protecting him. He will be fine, so don't worry!"
Zuo Murui wouldn't listen to any of this. Xie Zhuo was her only son, the only heir of the royal family. What would happen if something happened to him? She knelt in the Buddhist hall, sincerely praying to Buddha to bless her son so that he could return safely.
Guo Sulan's visiting card was delivered at this time. She first inquired about Zuo Murui's health and chatted about gossip for a while. Then she subtly inquired about Xie Zhuo's marriage: "Speaking of which, the young master is not young anymore. Does the princess have a family she likes?"
When it comes to her son's marriage, Zuo Murui also has a headache. "I would like to, but that boy is very opinionated and doesn't want to get married."
"Mu Rui, have you heard of the youngest daughter of the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies? People say she is beautiful and talented. She is also the eldest daughter of the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. She grew up in Jiangnan and is gentle and kind."
Zuo Murui finally understood and looked at Guo Sulan, "What, are you here today to play matchmaker?"
Guo Sulan covered her mouth and laughed twice.
Zuo Murui was very curious and asked Guo Sulan why she suddenly proposed to act as a matchmaker for Xie Zhuo.
Guo Sulan sighed and said with feigned helplessness, "Your Highness, I've heard some rumors about the Crown Prince these past few days, and after thinking it over, I still feel I have to tell you about it."
Zuo Murui raised an eyebrow. "It's nothing. Just say what you have to say."
Guo Sulan composed herself, slowly exhaled, and asked, "Does Your Highness have a woman in mind?"
Zuo Murui frowned: "Why does Su Lan ask that?"
Guo Sulan replied, "A few days ago, someone saw the Crown Prince chatting happily with a young woman at Yong'an Temple. There are rumors that a wedding is imminent in the Prince's residence!"
"Impossible!" Zuo Murui immediately denied it when she heard that her son had met a woman at Yong'an Temple. She knew her son's character. He had just said that he had someone he liked not long ago. It was impossible for him to have a new love so soon.
"Would I lie to you about something like this?" Guo Sulan tugged at her handkerchief and said with a forced smile, "A few days ago, my second brother's wife took the women of the family to Yong'an Temple to offer incense, and they saw the young master riding in a carriage with a woman. I only found out about this yesterday from what they were talking about, but they weren't sure if the person was the young master. They just said that the man looked a lot like him. So, I came to tell you right away."
Zuo Murui was struck dumb upon hearing the news.
Guo Sulan didn't directly say she saw Xie Zhuo, but instead said there was a man who looked a lot like him. After she finished speaking, she kept an eye on Zuo Murui's expression.
Seeing that Zuo Murui's shock seemed genuine, she guessed that Zuo Murui was unaware of the situation, so she comforted her, "Your Highness, don't worry too much. Maybe they've seen it wrong."
Guo Sulan's words made Zuo Murui very uneasy. She wondered if that woman was Xie Zhuo's sweetheart. Wasn't she from Qingzhou? Could it be that Xie Zhuo had brought her to the capital?
Zuo Murui was furious. In her opinion, Xie Zhuo's behavior was no different from keeping a mistress.
But in front of Guo Sulan, she couldn't directly express her anger, so she could only give an awkward smile and agree, "You must have seen it wrong. Zhuo'er trains in the military camp every day. The one at Yong'an Temple should be someone who looks similar."
"Yes, that's what I think too. Your Highness, please don't blame me for spreading rumors in front of you. It concerns the reputation of the Crown Prince, so I dare not hide it from you. There were many people at Yong'an Temple that day, and there's no guarantee that others won't mistake the Crown Prince for someone else. Your Highness should be careful."
Even without Guo Sulan's reminder, Zuo Murui would have investigated anyway.
Guo Sulan noticed Zuo Murui's displeasure. She placed her hand on Zuo Murui's hand and smiled faintly: "The young master is handsome and has already made military achievements at a young age. He will surely be a pillar of the court in the future. Your Highness, please don't worry too much."
After Guo Sulan's flattery, Zuo Murui's expression finally improved.
Guo Sulan changed the subject for a few more minutes, then sighed, "The last time we sat down and had a heart-to-heart talk was back in our private quarters. So many years have passed in the blink of an eye, and we're both mothers now. Once my Yadan finds a good husband, I'll have no regrets in this life."
“Your Yadan is sixteen now, right? She’s almost at the age to get married.” Zuo Murui’s attention was indeed diverted.
Guo Sulan nodded with a smile, "Yes! A life-long marriage cannot be taken lightly. My husband still wants to keep her for two more years! As her mother, I just want to find her a suitable marriage. I don't expect her to marry into a wealthy family. I just hope that she won't suffer any grievances in her husband's family."
Guo Sulan spoke earnestly, and Zuo Murui deeply empathized with her. She agreed, "A young woman's youth is the most precious time, you must choose carefully."
"Of course I have to choose carefully. If my Yadan had such an understanding mother-in-law as you, I would be overjoyed."
The obvious flattery pleased Zuo Murui. A thought struck her: since both children were of marriageable age, why not bring them together?
"If I could have a daughter-in-law as virtuous and sensible as Yadan, that would be wonderful."
Guo Sulan picked up the teacup in front of her and gently brushed the floating tea leaves aside with the lid. Upon hearing this, her eyes lit up, and she quickly put down the teacup. "Is what the Princess said true?"
Zuo Murui wasn't stupid either; she knew perfectly well what Guo Sulan was up to by deliberately mentioning her daughter in front of her.
In the capital, apart from a few princes, Xie Zhuo was the most prestigious, so it wasn't unusual for Guo Sulan to ask for a marriage for her daughter.
“I’ve watched Yadan grow up since she was little, so I’m naturally more than willing for her to be my daughter-in-law. But as you know, Sulan, Zhuo’er’s marriage requires the approval of the Prince and the old Prince; I can’t make the decision on my own.”
Although Zuo Murui was also interested in Yadan, she did not agree directly. She had previously considered arranging a marriage between Xie Zhuo and her son, but Xie Zhuo refused to agree and wouldn't even take a look at them. So she said, "We can let the two children get to know each other first. If they are compatible, that would be even better."
Guo Sulan was a smart woman, and after a little thought, she understood Zuo Murui's deeper meaning.
It's true that Xie Zhuo's marriage requires the approval of the old prince and the prince, but as long as Xie Zhuo himself agrees, everything else is negotiable.
The two exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word.
Guo Sulan breathed a sigh of relief. Prince Duan, Xie Chi, was known for his attentiveness and consideration towards his wife. Given such a family tradition, it was unlikely that the heir was a philanderer. Although marrying the daughter of the Minister's family to the heir of a prince's family was a step up for their family in terms of social status, her daughter, Ya Dan, was still a well-regarded young lady in the capital, praised by everyone for her talent and beauty, ranking among the best in the entire city.
After seeing Guo Sulan off, Zuo Murui's face darkened. She rubbed her temples in annoyance and asked Granny Zhang, "Has the young master returned?"
"Not yet? We've already notified the gatekeeper to invite the young master to Yuzhu Pavilion as soon as he returns to the manor."
Yuzhuxuan was the courtyard where Zuo Murui lived. Xie Zhuo had just returned to the Prince's Mansion when a servant came to report that the Princess Consort was looking for him.
He went back to his room to change out of his armor and into a dark blue cloud-patterned robe before heading to Yuzhu Pavilion. On the way, he ran into Xie Huaiwei.
Xie Huaiwei's tone carried a hint of schadenfreude, "Brother, the wife of the Minister of Rites came to see Mother today. I overheard them talking outside the window about arranging a marriage between you and Sister Yadan!"
Xie Zhuo's face visibly darkened.
Xie Huaiwei stole a glance at him and continued to ask, "Brother, do you really not like Sister Yadan? I heard from Mother that you two used to play together when you were little!"
Xie Zhuo deliberately put on a stern face: "Mind your own business."
Hearing Xie Zhuo's reprimand, Xie Huaiwei pouted and obediently walked to the side, saying, "Hmph! Mother is determined to arrange a marriage for you this time, so you'd better pray for good luck!"
Xie Zhuo's head started to hurt again.
Upon entering the main hall of Yuzhuxuan, Zuo Murui's first words were: "You brought that woman from Qingzhou to the capital?"
Xie Zhuo: "..."
Before he could answer, Zuo Murui pointed at him with a finger, looking heartbroken: "You're not even married yet and you're already keeping a mistress? How dare you?"
"What are you saying, Mother? When did your son start keeping a mistress?"
Hearing Xie Zhuo deny it, Zuo Murui felt extremely embarrassed: "You still try to deny it? People saw you riding in the same carriage with that woman at Yong'an Temple."
Zuo Murui cherishes the reputation of her family. If word gets out that Xie Zhuo is keeping a mistress before he is even married, outsiders will laugh at the Duan Prince's Mansion and at her for not raising her son properly!
Xie Zhuo then understood the reason for the matter. His mother thought that he had brought Fu Zhi Qiao to the capital as a mistress, and immediately asked, "Where did you hear these rumors, Mother?"
"Just tell me directly, was the woman the one who rode in the carriage with you at Yong'an Temple?"
"It is her! But not the one you described..."
Zuo Murui was so angry that she was dizzy and couldn't hear anything else. "You bastard! What happened to all the propriety and shame you learned since childhood? Did you just read them all into your dog's belly?"
"The idea of keeping a mistress is utter nonsense!"
Zuo Murui didn't give him a chance to interrupt at all: "What exactly is your relationship with that woman? If you really like her, then bring her into your household. What kind of talk is it to keep her hidden away outside?"
No wonder he's been running around a lot lately, and he's not even in the Prince's Mansion after his shift. In Zuo Murui's eyes, Xie Zhuo had already brought Fu Zhiqiao to the capital and was taking her in and out of Yong'an Temple in public, so she naturally assumed that the two of them had already gotten together.
The most urgent task is to bring the person into the manor as soon as possible, lest the news get out and damage the reputation of the Prince's Mansion.
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