Chapter 11 [11] A number is hung in front of the King of Hell
【11】/First release
When Zheng woke up again, she saw the familiar green bamboo leaf curtain with dark patterns, and the air was filled with the familiar goose pear fragrance.
She stared at the embroidery on the ceiling for a few breaths, then turned her head and saw her little daughter sleeping soundly on the bed.
"Ranran?" She was surprised.
"Um……"
Yun Ran was a light sleeper to begin with, and when he heard the noise, he rubbed his sleepy eyes and sat up.
Seeing Zheng wake up, she immediately smiled: "Great, mother is finally awake! You lie down first, I'll go tell Dad and the others -"
Before she could stand up, her hand was grabbed.
Yun Ran looked back in confusion: "Ah..."
Before he could even utter the word "mother", Zheng hugged him tightly.
As if holding a treasure that had been lost and found again, Zheng buried her face deeply in Yun Ran's soft neck, and choked with a hoarse voice: "Ran Ran, my good child."
Her breath was hot, but it didn't make people feel uncomfortable. Instead, it made Yun Ran's heart soften.
She raised her hand and patted Zheng's back awkwardly: "Mother, are you...are you okay?"
Zheng took a long time to let go of her daughter: "It's okay, I just had a nightmare."
The light in the curtains was dim, but Yun Ran could still see the red circles under Zheng's eyes. "What nightmare did you have, mother?"
"If it's not a good thing, I won't say it."
Zheng raised her sleeve to wipe the corners of her eyes. Just as she was about to ask Yun Ran why he was standing by the bed, she suddenly caught a glimpse of emerald green out of the corner of her eye.
In an instant, her whole body froze and the blood drained from her face again.
“This…this is…”
She stared at the spicy green spot on her daughter's snow-white wrist, and her throat seemed to be strangled by an invisible big hand, making it almost impossible to breathe.
Seeing this, Yun Ran quickly hid the jade bracelet in his sleeve and held his mother's hand again: "Mother, the imperial physician said you can't get excited anymore, otherwise it will be bad for your health."
Imperial physician.
The last bit of hope in Zheng's heart was shattered by this word.
She looked at Yun Ran with a pair of desperate eyes, "What's going on?"
Yun Ran knew that her mother cared about her too much, which was why she became overly emotional and fainted at the palace banquet.
Not only her, but everyone at the banquet was shocked at that time. Her father didn't care about etiquette and rushed up to hug her mother.
Just as the scene was in chaos, the emperor summoned the imperial physician and said to everyone, "The Marquis' wife must be overjoyed. Marquis Yun, you must be more calm and not be as overjoyed as your wife and lose your mind."
The emperor offered the opportunity, and Marquis Changxin naturally took advantage of it. He forced a smile and replied, "I am a humble woman, and have not seen much of the world. I beg Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager to forgive me for my impropriety in front of the palace. Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager have taken a liking to my little daughter, which is a blessing for our family. I am here with my daughter to express my gratitude for your grace."
This was Yun Ran's first time entering the palace, and he had never seen such a scene before.
Seeing her father kneeling down, she followed suit and knelt down to express her gratitude.
It wasn't until he got on the carriage back home that Yun Ran realized what was happening.
While entering the palace for a banquet, she had already arranged a marriage without thinking.
The person she was fiancéed to was still the notorious and eccentric Prince Jing.
To be honest, until this moment, she still felt as if she was in a dream and had no sense of reality.
But Zheng was different. She had been in Chang'an for many years and knew more about the evil side of King Jing. For her daughter, getting married to him was like registering herself in front of the King of Hell and waiting to die!
"My poor child, what sin have you committed? You left home at such a young age, suffered so much, endured so much pain, and finally came back, but before you could enjoy a few days of good life, you, just... wuwu"
The more Zheng thought about it, the more upset she felt. Suddenly, she was overcome with grief and burst into tears. "God damn it, if you want revenge, just come at me. Why do you torture my son again and again—"
Seeing Zheng crying so sadly, Yun Ran felt a pang of sadness on her face. "Mother, please stop crying. Maybe it's not as bad as you think. Prince Jing... maybe he's not that scary."
It would have been fine if she didn't mention King Jing, but once she did, Zheng found it even harder to accept, and many outrageous thoughts arose in her mind.
She couldn't help but blame the Queen Mother. As a mother, her son was a treasure, while other people's daughters were weeds. Could she just use her life's happiness and life to fill a hole?
How hateful! How hateful that the imperial power oppresses people, and they still have to bow down and thank the emperor for his grace.
Soon, upon learning that Zheng had woken up, Marquis Changxin and his first and third wives, as well as Silang Yunshang, also rushed over.
Seeing the mother and daughter hugging each other and crying beside the bed, everyone present felt sad.
"It's already midnight, and you're just about to wake up. Be careful not to be overly sad or happy."
Marquis Changxin sighed and whispered to his wife, "Please stop crying and don't make the children suffer."
Zheng raised her tear-red eyes and glanced at her children and daughters-in-law beside the bed. Seeing that they all had sad brows and gloomy eyes, she felt sorry for them and gradually stopped crying.
"Okay, it's getting late."
Marquis Changxin glanced at everyone with a calm expression and said, "Everyone, go back to your rooms and rest."
The younger generations of the Yun family said a few words of concern to Zheng in turn, then bowed and left.
When I walked out of the main courtyard, the bright Mid-Autumn moon was still hanging high in the sky, shining like an eternal and bright lamp.
When they reached the fork in the road, Yun Yi stopped and turned to look at Yun Ran, who was walking at the end. She pursed her lips and said, "Ran Ran."
Yun Ran's daily routine is very stable. She works from sunrise to sunset every day. Normally, she would have gone to bed at this time, so she is sleepy and tired now, and her eyelids are fighting each other.
Suddenly hearing her elder brother calling her, she shuddered and forced herself to open her eyes and walked forward: "Brother, is there something you want to ask me?"
Seeing her sister in such a sleepy and confused state, Yun Yi was choked by what she wanted to say.
Why did he look at this little girl as if she hadn't realized the seriousness of this marriage?
Never mind, maybe being confused is bliss.
"You... are tired today. Go back and have a rest early. Don't think too much." Yun Yi said.
"Oh, okay."
Yun Ran nodded, still remembering the etiquette, and looked at his brothers and sisters-in-law one by one: "Eldest brother and sister-in-law, third brother and sister-in-law, fourth brother, you should also rest early."
The brothers and sisters-in-law forced smiles and nodded, "Okay."
Yun Ran yawned, and with the help of his maid Qing Ling, he staggered towards his Tingxiaxuan.
The brothers and sisters-in-law stood there, looking at the small figure gradually moving away under the silvery moonlight, feeling mixed emotions in their hearts.
"Why did it have to be our sister..."
Third sister-in-law Qian Sijin was the first to lose her temper, her eyes reddened: "She is still so young, and has just come to Chang'an, she doesn't know anything, isn't this like a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth?"
Originally, the whole family was happily celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival in the mansion while eating moon cakes. Suddenly, the housekeeper came to report that the father-in-law had brought the mother-in-law back home, and the younger sister was married to King Jing. Qian Sijin was completely dumbfounded at that time.
On the way to the main house, she kept holding Yunze's hand: "Pinch me, am I dreaming? Or did I drink too much osmanthus wine?"
Yunze was also confused.
Before his parents and sister went out, he and his elder brother were at most worried that since his sister was so beautiful, she would be surrounded by fools who wanted to take advantage of her in the future.
Now that my sister has been granted marriage to King Jing, I no longer have to worry about those crazy suitors coming towards me.
Even normal people would probably stay away from it.
Li Wanrong has always been calm and composed, but when she heard such bad news today, she secretly pinched her palms until they turned red.
She couldn't help but feel regretful. Was it because she had taught her sister etiquette too well that she caught the empress dowager's eye?
"Well, now that the matter is done, there's no point in saying more."
Yun Yi, mindful of his role as the eldest brother, looked at his younger brother and sister-in-law and said, "The Queen Mother's granting of this marriage shows her respect for our Yun family. You must know what to say and what not to say. Remember, walls have ears, and words can bring disaster."
After hearing this, the others calmed down.
By the time everyone had dispersed, Yun Ran had already changed out of her elaborate and gorgeous dress and was soaking comfortably in the bathtub.
After lying beside the steaming wooden barrel for a long time, she finally opened her eyes and looked at her own hands.
On her left hand she wore a plain-looking string of wooden beads, and on her right hand she wore a gorgeous jade bracelet.
Does this count as an engagement?
Although she had never been married, she knew that there were many complicated steps involved in a marriage, such as the three letters and six ceremonies, the three matchmakers and six betrothals...
But her marriage was decided because of a word from the Queen Mother.
She had never even seen King Jing. Apart from the terrible rumors about him from the outside world, she didn't know what he looked like, let alone what kind of person he was.
The family was in chaos because of this marriage, and everyone was in panic. What about King Jing?
What did he think of this sudden marriage?
Yun Ran's mind was full of questions, but before she could figure them out, fatigue and sleepiness came over her and she fell asleep in the steaming bathtub.
***
Sima Jing only learned about the engagement the next day.
When he learned that the wife of Marquis Changxin had fainted on the spot, his face became even gloomier.
"Your Highness, Your Highness!"
Inside Jiashou Palace, the palace maids hurried forward to stop the black-robed man who was striding in. "You can't trespass before the message is passed—"
Before she could finish her words, the man gave them a cold look, and the palace maids' backs suddenly stiffened and they dared not come any closer.
Sima Jing did not rush directly into the inner room. Instead, he stood at the doorway, looking at the light silk beaded curtain drooping with a stern expression: "Mother, don't you think you should give me an explanation?"
There was silence behind the beaded curtain for a long time before Queen Mother Zhao's gentle voice could be heard: "Come in and talk."
After the words fell, Nanny Lan Gui, who was beside the Queen Mother, came out and opened the curtain. Her round face was full of respectful smiles. "Your Highness, please."
Sima Jing walked in without saying a word.
The magnificent inner chamber was divided into the East and West Warm Rooms and the Flower Hall. The east section housed the Empress Dowager's resting place, separated by layers of aqua-green soft smoke curtains. The west warm room served as the study. Beyond the desk, chairs, and benches, there was a wall-length bookshelf, and beside it hung a painting of pine and cranes symbolizing longevity.
Sandalwood was burning slowly in the copper crane incense burner in the corner of the hall, and Queen Mother Zhao, dressed in a dark purple palace dress, was sitting on a long couch by the window in the flower hall, drinking fragrant tea slowly and leisurely.
Hearing the sound of footsteps coming in, she slowly raised her eyes and saw her youngest son, who was handsome and elegant. The smile between her eyebrows became more gentle: "A Jing is here. Has he had breakfast yet? If not, it's a good opportunity for you to accompany your mother."
Sima Jing was tired of beating around the bush with her, so he walked to the window and got straight to the point: "Why did you take the initiative and arrange another marriage for me?"
Queen Mother Zhao's smile faltered, and her brows furrowed. "Watch your tone. Even if I'm dissatisfied, I'm still your mother!"
Sima Jing: “…”
He looked quietly at the woman beside the couch.
The mother in my childhood memories was as gentle and loving as a goddess. After ten years of separation, we met again. She was still beautiful and noble, but so unfamiliar.
She was so unfamiliar to him that he even suspected that the mother in his childhood memory might just be his imagination.
"Ah Jing, don't look at me like that."
Queen Mother Zhao really disliked the look in her son's eyes; it was cold, sharp, strange and inhuman.
Upon hearing this, Sima Jing calmly withdrew his gaze and looked away.
"This marriage is very different. Please sit down and listen to what I have to say."
Queen Mother Zhao quickly put on a smiling face again and gave a look to the palace maid beside her.
The palace maid understood and immediately brought over a crescent stool, "Your Highness, please sit down."
Sima Jing was silent for a moment, then finally lifted his robe and sat down.
Seeing this, Queen Mother Zhao smiled even more broadly, "That's right, sit down and talk slowly. We are mother and son, not enemies."
Seeing the young man's brow furrowed slightly, Queen Dowager Zhao quickly stopped her clichés and turned to talk about the newly arranged marriage: "Speaking of which, this young lady from the Marquis of Changxin's mansion is also very destined for you. Do you remember the girl who took the initiative to talk to you while you were admiring the moon at Yuehua Pavilion last night?"
Sima Jing frowned.
When he met Queen Mother Zhao's expectant and affirmative smile, his thick brows furrowed even deeper.
It turned out to be her.
The author has something to say:
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Here we go, have a nice weekend everyone, this chapter also draws a small red envelope~
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