Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Marriage
On the day after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the imperial edict granting marriage from the palace would be issued from Dong'anmen or Xi'anmen.
Before daybreak, the gates of the two palaces in the capital were already crowded with people searching.
The two most important marriages this year are the Shao family's marriage to the Du family and the Yongding Marquis's marriage to his wife.
It seems like just two marriages, but in fact they are a secret competition to see which side can attract the most support.
However, there was news last night that the situation between the Shao family and the Du family might be unstable.
How many people have placed huge bets on this marriage, and right now, everyone outside the two palaces is staring with wide eyes.
When the sun was high in the sky, the first imperial edict was delivered from Xi'an Gate, led by the eunuchs.
The crowd divided into groups and followed the eunuchs to the city. Soon the news came that the emperor had granted a marriage between a royal family member and the daughter of a civil official.
Soon after, news came from Dong'an Gate, and it was said that the imperial edict had been sent to the clan's residence, stating that a county lady was marrying into the earl's residence.
Both are marriages between royal families, but one side is an alliance with upright civil officials, while the other side is an alliance with noble military generals.
Some people can't help but sigh, "Since the founding of the country, there have been many disagreements between the civil and military departments, and there have been so many troubles. Now it's the emperor's turn, and he has to worry about it. It's difficult to reconcile the civil and military departments, and the emperor is also in a difficult position..."
Everyone talked about it and looked towards the palace gate.
Every year, clan marriages are the first to take place, and this year is probably no exception, with the finale inevitably coming later.
Who would have thought that after everyone waited so long from morning till noon, no one came out of the palace, let alone the main event that they had been waiting for for a long time, even the imperial edict for other marriages was not issued.
"this... ..."
It was past noon and the palace gates were closed. In previous years, this meant that there would be no imperial decree to grant marriage.
In a short while, the whole capital was in uproar.
At the Gu family in Huanghuafang, Old Madam Wan is still waiting for the final news.
But Master Gu, who had gone to investigate in person, came back and shook his head with a grim look on his face to his mother.
Madam Wan's heart sank.
But Gu Yangsi hadn't finished speaking yet.
"Not only did the emperor not arrange a marriage for Shao, he also exempted Shao Boju from entering the palace to serve as a tutor to His Royal Highness Prince Yong and replaced him with someone else. His Royal Highness Prince Yong said a few words on behalf of Shao Boju, but the emperor just told him to concentrate on his studies and not think about irrelevant things."
After hearing this, Madam Wan covered her heart.
The affairs between the Shao and Du families are really over.
Liang hurriedly served Madam Wan some calming tea. Madam Wan drank the whole bowl of tea before she recovered her breath.
"Even if this doesn't work out, we can't let the marriage with other families get involved."
She said to Liang, "You said earlier that the Huang family in Jinan and the Shen family in Shunde would send their daughters to me, so let them send them here."
As long as there are other families who still look to her for matchmaking, her title of Beijing Matchmaker will remain stable.
Gu Yangsi said, "Everyone knows my mother's ability. This time it was the Du family's daughter who made trouble out of nothing, otherwise this marriage would have been successful."
At this point, Madam Wan's expression changed.
"So I asked someone to send the girl to me first. I will personally train her. I can't say that I can train her very well, but she must be respectful and attentive. She must not have any inappropriate thoughts and think that she is so great that she will cause trouble for no reason."
Gu Yangsi nodded and asked, "What about the Du family..."
Madam Wan, who had come back to her senses, snorted lightly.
"Unless Du Lingjing cuts her hair and becomes a nun, I will marry her off sooner or later. By then, there won't be a scholar like Shao Boju waiting for her."
*
The Du family in Chengqingfang.
Du Zhiqi also received the news that Shao Boju was dismissed from his position as tutor to Prince Yong.
Not only was there no imperial decree granting the marriage, but Shao was also treated coldly, and Du Zhiqi broke out in a sticky sweat on his neck.
He looked out of the study in annoyance and saw Du Lingjing.
"What did she do again?" Du Zhiqi gets nervous no matter what his niece does now.
The servant went to ask around and came back running.
"The eldest girl was talking to Wenbo, the gatekeeper, and asked him whether he would return to Qingzhou."
Du Zhiqi was stunned, "She is going back to Qingzhou?"
The servant said he saw Qiu Lin ordering people to pack their luggage, "I think so... Master, do you want to stop us?"
Du Zhiqi was dazed for a moment when he heard this, then his eyes widened.
"If she wants to leave, she can leave now. Should I stop her and continue to stir up trouble in Beijing?!"
The servant didn't dare to speak.
Du Zhiqi only felt more sweat on his neck, and he took a handkerchief and wiped the sweat repeatedly.
He really couldn't imagine what would happen if Du Lingjing stayed in the capital and suddenly came to her senses one day and married a high-ranking official.
As he spoke, he gave the servant another instruction.
"No one is allowed to stop her, just let her go!"
Du Lingjing had not planned to come to Beijing in the first place, and now that the storm has subsided, she certainly would not stay any longer.
In front of the mansion gate, she said to Wenbo, "Come back to Qingzhou with me. I will take care of you."
The voice was like a draft in the doorway, causing Wen Bo's old eyes to overflow with tears.
Du Lingjing shook his hand.
In the fourth year of Yinyou, Wenbo's two sons and Ruan Gong's father were on their way back to Beijing to resume their duties with their father when they were suddenly killed in a mountain torrent...
She and Ruan Gong lost their father, and old Wenbo was left without a child.
Wenbo couldn't help but let his tears fall, flowing across his wrinkled face and falling to the ground.
"Okay," he said in a trembling voice, "I will accompany you back."
Du Lingjing's nose felt sore for a moment.
But Acorus ran in from outside like a rocket and almost bumped into Du Lingjing.
Ruan Gong, who was accompanying him, stepped forward and was about to kick him, but Changpu quickly begged for mercy.
"I'm so happy! The girl bet against us, betting that the Shao family and our marriage would fail. She won the bet and made a fortune!"
Ruan Gong retracted his foot and couldn't help asking, "How much did you win from the five hundred taels, young lady?"
Chang Pu said, "It's a big deal. The five hundred taels from the young lady are almost enough to blow up Qianxingfang! We won more than seven times. Apart from the money that Qianxingfang took, there are still three thousand taels left!"
Wen Bo was shocked. "I have been in Beijing for so many years, but I have never heard of anyone winning three thousand in one hand at Qianxingfang."
Ruan Gongxian was also surprised, but then he thought of something and looked at Du Lingjing again.
"This Qianxingfang is too shady. They actually took so much money."
Winning money is a good thing, but he has to remind the girl that the gambling house is not a good place.
The girl is a scholar of elegant appearance, so she should not fall into this habit.
He just nodded in secret, but the girl didn't express her opinion. She just smiled at Chang Pu and said, "Can you take out the money today?"
But Acorus shook her head, "Not yet, girl."
He said that someone had deposited 500 taels of silver in a deposit, which was a guarantee that the marquis would get married this year. However, today, neither the Shao family nor the Yongding Marquis's Mansion had received the imperial decree granting the marriage. Everyone said that he had lost all the 500 taels of silver, but he refused to believe it.
"How is that possible? I have a letter that says the Marquis will marry this year!"
He told Qianxingfang not to share the money, "The sun hasn't set yet, wait until it sets before talking about it!"
Chang Pu said to Du Lingjing, "Because of this, Qianxingfang said that we will divide it again after three days."
Ruan Gong frowned, "The young lady is going to leave early tomorrow morning."
"Ah! The girl won't wait for the money?"
Du Lingjing smiled and left the calamus, "You wait for me."
"But if the girl could see the money being divided in person, she would be so happy!"
As Acorus said this, he saw the girl smile again, but the interest in her eyes slowly faded.
"The Third Master is still waiting for me at home."
As soon as these words were spoken, Acorus immediately quieted down.
In recent years, every time the girl went out, she counted the days to return to Qingzhou.
Every time, the girl said that the Third Master was still waiting for her at home.
But it would be nice if Mr. Jiang San could really wait for the girl at home...
Ruan Gong lowered his head silently, Wen Bo sighed lightly, and Du Lingjing looked calm.
After a period of silence, Acorus became happy again.
"Then I will wait for the money in Beijing for you! I will exchange the banknotes for you to take back with you!"
Du Lingjing smiled and nodded at him, then thought of something and gave Ruan Gong another instruction.
"Thank you, Madam Dowager, for speaking for me last night. If it were up to you, you would not care about these things. In any case, please send all the Changqing tea we brought from Jinan to you."
Ruan Gong took the order and left.
Someone at the second gate of the main courtyard secretly peeked out. It was Du Runqing's maid Ruixue.
She turned to her own girl beside her and said, "Girl, the eldest girl is really leaving."
The leaves in the corner rustled. Du Runqing's mind was in a mess, and he became even more dazed after hearing these words.
My eldest sister actually rejected this marriage proposal.
She really did it on her own, and even her father, grandmother and the Shao family couldn't stop her.
Even my father, grandmother and the Shao family might face other difficulties because of the failure of this matter.
Du Runqing still found it a little unbelievable.
Was my eldest sister really spared from being married to the Shaw family?
At this moment, the rustling sound of leaves stopped for a moment as the wind dissipated, but suddenly there was a sound of clapping to clear the road outside the door.
Du Lingjing was standing in front of the door and also heard the sound of cleaning.
There was silence outside the Du Mansion for a moment.
Then, the guards cleared the way and Eunuch Yang, the emperor's eunuch, appeared in front of the Du family's door.
He saw Du Lingjing standing at the door and started laughing.
"The girl is waiting here?"
He said this was just right, "Everyone in the Du family, please come out. The emperor has issued an order. The Du family should accept it, right?"
Du Lingjing was stunned.
Inside the main courtyard, the maid Ruixue was also surprised, but immediately pulled Du Runqing's hand.
"Girl, the imperial edict has arrived!"
Du Runqing suddenly opened his eyes wide.
"I just said..."
She said, how could her father, grandmother and Shaw Brothers be no match for her eldest sister alone.
My elder sister is just an orphan with no one to rely on...
On the other side, Du Zhiqi heard that the imperial edict had arrived at the door and almost ran out of the study.
When he saw his niece standing at the door in a daze, he saw Eunuch Yang beside the emperor, holding a golden imperial edict in his hand.
He couldn't help but take a deep breath.
Here it comes, the imperial edict has finally arrived.
He couldn't help but whisper as he passed his niece.
"You'd better take care of yourself. Shaw Corporation won't be brought down by you so easily!"
He said this and stepped forward respectfully.
"Eunuch Yang, you have been waiting for a long time. The entire Du family has arrived."
Eunuch Yang glanced at him, at everyone else, and finally looked at Du Lingjing.
"Then everyone, please accept my order."
... ...
Gu Mansion in Huanghuafang.
When Madam Wan heard that the imperial edict had arrived at the Du family, she stood up immediately.
It’s done. The marriage she personally talked about before the emperor is finally done!
She couldn't help but chant a Buddhist chant, "It turns out that the imperial decree was too late, that's all."
However, before he could finish his words, Master Gu Yangsi came hurriedly from outside.
His face turned pale.
Madam Wan looked over and raised her eyebrows, just about to ask what happened.
Gu Yangsi spoke with a trembling voice.
"Mother, the Du family has come to ask for an imperial decree, but the decree is not for the Du family to marry the Shao family. It's about..."
"And what?!"
"Instead, the Marquis is marrying his wife!"
"Which marquis?" Madam Wan's mind was blank.
Gu Yangsi also found it hard to believe.
"It's Lu Shenru, Marquis of Yongding."
He called Madam Wan and repeated it.
"Mother, the Emperor has granted a marriage between the Du family and the Yongding Marquis's Mansion. Then Du Lingjing is the wife of Marquis Lu!"
Madam Wan’s eyes suddenly went dark and her whole body began to shake.
*
The capital city was in an uproar.
When the imperial edict was finally issued, people were everywhere in the streets and alleys telling each other about it. Every restaurant, teahouse, and gambling house was talking about this imperial edict.
"No, the Marquis really got married. After so many years, the Marquis finally got married!"
It is really rare for the Marquis to get married. A powerful official of twenty-five has not yet married. Many people are wondering whether the Marquis will wait for some noble lady to reach the age of 15, such as the daughter of the King's uncle.
It’s just that the daughter of the king’s uncle will not reach marriage age until next year, but the marquis married her this year.
But what was even more bizarre was, "Wasn't the Du family's daughter supposed to marry the third place winner? How did she become the Marquis's wife?"
Everyone was placing their bets on the two marriages, but suddenly things went wrong.
It was as if everyone was caught in a nightmare, becoming even more confused and unbelievable in the midst of the disordered will.
In front of the Du Mansion.
Du Zhiqi, who stepped forward to receive the order, felt a ringing in his ears and asked involuntarily.
"Did your father-in-law make a mistake?"
Eunuch Yang suddenly laughed when he heard this, and asked Mr. Du Er in a shrill voice.
"Master Du, are you questioning our family or the Emperor?"
Du Zhiqi suddenly woke up.
"Your Majesty, your Majesty no longer has this intention."
He quickly took the imperial edict with trembling hands.
Eunuch Yang no longer paid attention to him, but just fixed his eyes on Du Lingjing.
"The Marquis has waited for many years, and this time he finally got his wife."
Du Lingjing felt a hollow ring in her ears, as if she heard it but also as if she didn't hear it. She kept her eyes lowered and remained silent.
But Du Runqing staggered back a step.
*
In Jiqingfang and Yongdinghou Mansion, firecrackers rang out.
Big red firecrackers went off continuously on the avenue in front of the mansion for a full quarter of an hour. The guards brought out two large baskets of copper coins, and anyone who came to congratulate or say auspicious words would get a share.
For a while, the gate of the marquis' mansion was packed with people.
The old nanny at the needlework shop brought the wedding dress herself.
"Your Majesty, please try it on. Clothes made in the spring will inevitably change in size in the fall. This is the dress for your wedding, so it must be of the exact size and proportions."
The man smiled and nodded, his tall figure made even more eye-catching by the bright red wedding dress he was wearing. His eyes were filled with joy, and he raised his hands flat to let the old lady measure him carefully.
The personal guard Chongping had just returned from outside and came to report. As soon as he stepped forward, he heard the Marquis asking.
"How is she doing?"
Chongping naturally knew who the Marquis was asking about.
He looked a little embarrassed, and only spoke after the old lady in the sewing room finished measuring and bowed and left.
"It's hard for me to say, but the Du family doesn't seem to be very happy."
He said that the Du family didn't set off firecrackers at first, but after someone asked about it, the second master Du remembered it and asked someone to set off a few.
The man didn't care about this, but asked in a low voice.
"... ...What about her?"
Chongping lowered his head even more.
"The girl didn't say a word after receiving the order. She returned to the west courtyard and never came out again."
After he finished speaking, he couldn't help but look at his own lord.
The Marquis paused and was silent for a moment, but then he started laughing to himself again.
"No problem."
I don’t know who he is comforting.
Then he called Chongping.
"Pick the nearest auspicious day and I will personally go to your house to deliver the betrothal gifts."
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