Chapter 688: Marriage

On Yu Mingzhu's birthday, the imperial decree of marriage arrived at the Duke of Xin's mansion, which concisely designated Yu Mingzhu as the Fourth Prince's consort, and would marry after she reached the age of 15.

For a moment, the entire birthday banquet was filled with envious voices, saying that Yu Mingzhu was indeed a famous beauty in the capital. Even the royal family was afraid of missing out on Yu Mingzhu, and arranged a marriage for the fourth prince early on.

Yu Mingzhu had a smile on her face, looking very graceful and elegant. She accepted everyone's congratulations and said a few humble words from time to time. She really looked like a prince's consort.

As Yu Mingzhu's mother, Jiao was naturally congratulated by many people and praised for her good parenting.

Jiao was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling.

After receiving the imperial edict, the old lady of Duke Xin had someone put it in a place specially for enshrining imperial edicts, and then returned to her own courtyard with a calm expression.

Since the old Duke Xin has already told His Majesty about Yu Mingzhu's life story, His Majesty still issued this imperial decree, which shows that the Fourth Prince also agrees.

Could this really be true love?

The old lady of Duke Xin did not comment.

Jiao's eyes were filled with joy. She avoided everyone and came to ask the old lady of Duke Xin for instructions: "... Mother, since the imperial decree of marriage has been issued, then Zhuzhu's request to move to another courtyard..."

The old lady of Duke Xin laughed with an unclear emotion.

Indeed, the imperial decree of marriage has been issued, and it is indeed not convenient to ask Yu Mingzhu to move out of the Duke of Xin's Mansion at this moment.

The old lady of Duke Xin said calmly, "Then stay here."

Jiao was overjoyed and couldn't hide her joy on her face.

The old lady of Duke Xin caught a glimpse of this and became more and more annoyed.

Jiao is a person who is confused.

Her own daughter was still wandering outside, but she didn't care about it, but was wholeheartedly planning for others.

It is true that they had a mother-daughter relationship for more than ten years, but isn't the child who was swapped at birth more pitiful?

They are her own flesh and blood. Doesn't she want to be reunited with them as soon as possible?

When the day comes for her family to be reunited, how will she place Yu Mingzhu?

The old lady of Duke Xin was annoyed when she saw Jiao's face. She waved her hand and said, "If there is nothing else, you can go down."

Mrs. Jiao got her mother-in-law's approval and didn't worry about her expulsion. She happily responded: "Okay, mother, I have to go and help with Zhuzhu's birthday party, so I'll go back first."

With a smile on her face, Jiao turned and left.

The old lady of Duke Xin couldn't help but sigh and held her head with her hands, feeling a little headache.

When Nanny Qingluan saw this, she stood behind the old lady of Duke Xin and gently rubbed the area near her temples to relieve her headache.

Madam Qingluan sighed and said, "Old Madam, please don't worry. It is said that children and grandchildren have their own blessings, so don't worry. In my opinion, it may not be a good thing for Miss Mingzhu to be promised to the Fourth Prince. She is planning to marry into the royal family, but isn't the royal family a good place to get along with?"

How could the old lady of Duke Xin not know this?

"Forget it," the old lady of Duke Xin sighed, "The dowry I prepared for Mingzhu is still in the warehouse, right?"

Nanny Qingluan smiled and sighed, "Yes, old lady. I've always said that you are soft-hearted. Even though you want to drive Miss Mingzhu out of the Xinguo Mansion, didn't you still prepare a dowry for her?"

The old lady of Duke Xin looked a little indifferent, but also a little uninterested: "The dowry I prepared for Mingzhu at first was based on the share of the legitimate daughter of the family. Now that Mingzhu's status has been approved by the emperor, I will give her half of it and make it the share of a concubine's daughter."

Nanny Qingluan smiled and sighed, "You are very kind... But Miss Mingzhu is marrying into the royal family after all, so if we prepare a dowry according to the share of a concubine's daughter... wouldn't it be a little too little?"

"Hmph, with Jiao's personality, do you think she will give less allowance to her good daughter? I'm afraid that all the dowry she brought from the Jiao family will be given to her good daughter." The old lady of Duke Xin felt more and more annoyed when she thought of Jiao who was confused. "As for my daughter-in-law's dowry, I am too lazy to interfere, but I think it's not worth it for our Xingxing. In my private storehouse, except for the dowries prepared in advance for the granddaughters in the mansion, the rest will be given to our Xingxing."

Nanny Qingluan said jokingly, "Then our princess will be truly rich enough to rival an entire country. There are so many wonderful things in your storehouse, it's like a huge treasure house. From what I've seen, it's not less than the legendary treasures of the previous dynasty, right? When our princess gets married, she will be dressed in real red makeup, and I'm afraid everyone in the capital will be envious!"

The old lady of Duke Xin felt better after thinking about it, and she smiled a little: "Our Xingxing, if she wants to get married, she can get married. Shilihongzhuang will never let her down. But if she doesn't want to get married, then I have prepared so much wealth for her. It will be her way out, enough for her to live happily for several lifetimes."

The old lady of Duke Xin felt sorry for Xingxing and felt that among all the good men in the capital, none of them was worthy of her. It didn't matter whether she got married or not. She just hoped that her Xingxing could live happily and without worries.

…

The news that the emperor had betrothed Yu Mingzhu to the fourth prince spread quickly throughout the capital.

Xingxing was shopping with Lou Ruhui at the time. When they heard people talking on the street, Lou Ruhui immediately made a "tsk" sound.

"My cousin is really capable," Lou Ruhui whispered to Xing Xing, "I don't know how sad Dou Chengsong must be."

Lou Ruhui spoke very casually, as if she was just discussing some gossip with Xingxing. When Xingxing saw this, she knew that Lou Ruhui had really let it go.

However, Xingxing recalled the scene she and the third prince saw on New Year's Day when they hid in the bushes through a dog hole.

Isn't the Fourth Prince...in love with that lady named Su Chun'er?

At that time, we were in the mood to open up to each other, and although she thought it was very corny, it seemed quite sincere, didn't she?

Why did His Majesty give Yu Mingzhu to the Fourth Prince in marriage now?

As a man of His Majesty, he wouldn't make such random comments, right?

Xing Xing's mind was in a mess, and she suddenly remembered the day when she saw the Fourth Prince and Yu Mingzhu go to Su Yang Restaurant for dinner. She felt that this matter might not be without trace.

"It's such a mess..." Xingxing sighed sincerely.

Perhaps it was because people were not allowed to talk about others behind their backs. Not long after Lou Ruhui finished talking about Dou Chengsong, she saw Dou Chengsong setting up a letter-writing stall on the street and writing letters for people.

"It's a bit unlucky." Lou Ruhui looked a little confused and was about to turn around while pulling Xingxing.

However, the little girl who was playing sepak takraw next to Dou Chengsong's stall saw Lou Ruhui and shouted happily, "Sister Lou!"

Lou Ru Hui Hun's body stiffened.

This little girl was the one she met when she gave money to help the people in the suburbs repair their houses. Her name was Chu Yaoniang.

Chu Yaoniang came over happily holding the ball and held out one hand to hold Lou Ruhui's hand: "Sister Lou, where have you been these days? I haven't seen you for a long time. I asked Brother Dou, but he was hesitant and couldn't give a clear answer. We all miss you so much!"

Chu Yao Niang was only six or seven years old. How could she know the complicated things that happened among adults?

She really likes Lou Ruhui.

Lou Ruhui was also somewhat moved. She touched Chu Yaoniang's sparse little braid and said, "I've been a bit busy recently..."

Chu Yaoniang showed a little shrewd look: "Oh, I know. Sister Lou, is your family looking for someone to marry you? ... My mother-in-law said that when I grow up, she will also find me a very good family."

These words came from the mouth of a child of six or seven years old. Even Lou Ruhui, who had a cheerful personality, could not help feeling a little embarrassed. She coughed and was about to say something when Dou Chengsong, who had just finished writing a letter, came over.

Dou Chengsong was inevitably a little embarrassed: "Miss Lou."

Lou Ruhui was in full control of her feelings and nodded lightly towards Dou Chengsong.

Dou Chengsong became more and more embarrassed.

Ever since the last time Dou Chengsong saw with his own eyes that Yu Mingzhu, the girl he called "the kindest and most beautiful", pulled the maid beside her to shield herself from a knife, Dou Chengsong and Lou Ruhui have never seen each other again.

However, Lou Ruhui heard vaguely that Dou Chengsong seemed to have fallen seriously ill after returning.

Of course, those rumors came out later, and Lou Ruhui was not in a good condition at the time, so she didn't care about others.

But one thing is certain, Lou Ruhui has really let go of Dou Chengsong.

As she said before, she now has the title of Lady of the Country, and is loved by her parents, so how could she not find a good husband?

Why hang yourself on a blind tree?

Lou Ruhui is very open-minded, but looking at the current situation, Dou Chengsong is the one who can't get out of it.

Dou Chengsong looked at Lou Ruhui with embarrassment and guilt: "...I misunderstood you before. I still owe you an apology."

Lou Ruhui waved her hand and said, "It's okay, it's nothing."

She looked at Dou Chengsong, "Anything else?"

Dou Chengsong stood there awkwardly, not knowing where to put his hands and feet.

Chu Yaoniang, on the other hand, looked at Lou Ruhui and then at Dou Chengsong. As a child, she had no idea what had happened between the two siblings, but she was sensitive enough to sense that the two seemed to have become much more estranged.

They were so close before, and they would even play games with the kids together...

Chu Yao Niang pursed her lips and felt a little uncomfortable.

"Sister Lou." Chu Yaoniang reached for Lou Ruhui's hand again, "Can you play with me again?"

Chu Yaoniang looked at Lou Ruhui longingly.

Lou Ruhui looked at Xing Xing inquiringly.

After all, she was out strolling with Xingxing today, so there was no reason for her to leave Xingxing aside and go out to play with someone else.

Xing Xing was very generous and said with a smile: "It's nothing, Sister Lou, we have almost finished shopping. Let's just play with this little sister for a while."

Xingxing said so, and Lou Ruhui smiled and said, "Okay then."

Chu Yaoniang immediately cheered: "Oh! Thank you, Sister Lou, and thank you to this beautiful sister!"

Chu Yaoniang took Lou Ruhui's hand and went into the alley.

Xingxing followed behind Lou Ruhui.

After walking a few steps, Xing Xing heard some rustling noises behind her. She looked up and saw that it was Dou Chengsong who had taken over his letter-writing stall and was following behind her.

Xing Xing asked directly: "Mr. Dou, what's wrong?"

Dou Chengsong was a little embarrassed: "Princess, I've just finished my work here, so I'll go back with you."

Xingxing raised her eyebrows and said nothing.

No, it's not that after Dou Chengsong's impression of Mingzhu as the "kindest and most beautiful" was shattered, he turned around and discovered the good in his sister Lou and "changed his mind" again, right?

No, otherwise she would find it a bit annoying.

Chu Yaoniang and Lou Ruhui in front naturally heard the conversation between Xingxing and Dou Chengsong.

Chu Yaoniang shouted happily: "Let's play together, let's play together!"

Seeing this, Lou Ruhui didn't know what to say.

Chu Yao Niang took Lou Ruhui with her, walked through the streets and alleys, and arrived at an alley.

There is a slightly spacious area near the well in front of the alley, and groups of children are playing there.

Chu Yaoniang pulled Lou Ruhui over. Surprisingly, all the children knew Lou Ruhui. As soon as they saw her, they called her "Sister Lou" and surrounded her chattering.

Lou Ruhui greeted the children with a smile and shared the cakes she had bought earlier with them.

Several children shouted even more happily: "Sister Lou is so nice!"

Several children were happily eating snacks with joy on their faces.

Dou Chengsong laughed and said to himself: "I also bought some maltose, so it seems we don't have to share it."

A few children had sharp ears. When they heard the word "maltose", they surrounded Dou Chengsong and shouted happily, stretching out their little hands to ask for it.

Dou Chengsong shared the small bag of maltose he had bought with the children, and the children spread out contentedly, holding snacks in their left hands and maltose in their right hands, eating with great joy.

"Hehe, I'm so happy, it's better than what we ate during Chinese New Year!"

"Thank you, Sister Lou, thank you, Brother Dou!"

After finishing the meal, the children licked the foam on their fingers and were already looking forward to the next time.

"It would be nice if Sister Lou and Brother Dou came over every now and then!"

"Yes, yes, we should come together!"

Chu Yaoniang's eyes suddenly lit up: "If Sister Lou and Brother Dou become a couple..."

Before Chu Yaoniang finished her words, Dou Chengsong's expression changed slightly, and he said anxiously: "Yaoniang, don't talk nonsense!"

Chu Yao Niang stuck out her tongue and quickly admitted her mistake: "Oh!"

Dou Chengsong glanced at Lou Ruhui awkwardly and apologized to her: "Yao Niang is still a child, don't bother with her..."

These words brought back some bad memories for Lou Ruhui.

Lou Ru smiled: "No, Mr. Dou, who are you to me? Why do you always tell me not to bother with others? Before, she was my good cousin, and now she is my youngest mother - why, in your mind, I am such a calculating person, right?! Then I really have to bother with you today!"

When Dou Chengsong saw that Lou Ruhui was angry, he quickly apologized: "No, no, I didn't mean that..."

Lou Ruhui, however, was no longer in a good mood. She said to Chu Yaoniang hastily, "Yaoniang, I have something else to do. I'm afraid I can't play with you. I'll come to see you next time and bring you some snacks."

After saying this, Lou Ruhui took Xingxing's hand and was about to leave.

Chu Yaoniang was a little dazed and didn't know how to keep Lou Ruhui.

Dou Chengsong was anxious, and hurriedly walked in front of Lou Ruhui: "Miss Lou, I, I really didn't mean that..."