Chapter 36 She is his now.
The following morning, Xue Mingyao entered the palace, and at dusk, the imperial decree bestowing the marriage upon her was delivered to the Xue residence.
Xue Mingyao knelt down calmly to receive the imperial decree. Lüzhi presented the silver pastries she had prepared to the eunuch who was delivering the decree and saw him out.
With all the masters of the Xue household present, after a moment of silence, Xue Xingtai smiled and said, "Yaoniang, you are going to be a general's wife."
He had just returned from his shift at the Jade Unicorn Guard, still wearing his military uniform. After Xie Zhuo's reforms, the guard had a completely new look, and Xue Xingtai dared not leave early or be absent from work anymore.
Xue Mingyao laughed, "A second marriage, and you're going to be a general's wife again."
“Not only is she the General’s wife, but this time she’s the Marquis’s wife!” Xue Xingtai’s grin widened even further.
But his smile was somewhat complicated.
Even if Xue Xingtai didn't say it, Xue Mingyao knew that working under Xie Zhuo was probably not a pleasant experience.
Now that his boss has become his brother-in-law, it's hard to tell whether it's helping him or making things even more awkward for him.
But at least it saved him from the risk of being dismissed.
Xue Mingyao said, "Brother, you've been having a run of bad luck lately. Let me offer you my marriage to bring you some good fortune."
"Is this how you use 'chong xi' (a traditional Chinese custom of bringing good luck)?" Xue Xingtai muttered to himself, still wanting to drink with his brothers, as he staggered away.
"Congratulations, elder sister." Xue Mingyu and she had been arguing for a long time, but now she was finally willing to speak calmly. Her sister-in-law also offered her congratulations.
Xue Mingyao accepted it calmly. Seeing that her sister-in-law's tone was somewhat awkward, she knew it was because she had scolded Xie Zhuo a few days ago, so she considerately changed the subject.
"I'm getting married twice already, Yuniang, you should get married soon too."
The older sister-in-law also said, "Yes, Yuniang, you're not young anymore."
“I know,” Xue Mingyu replied calmly. “Sister-in-law, don’t choose a civil official for me. Even a Hanlin Academician is meaningless.”
“Alright, then let’s choose from the military officers. Pick someone with a straightforward and simple personality, like your brother, so they’re easy to get along with,” the sister-in-law said with a smile.
Xue Mingyu looked dejected and not in high spirits.
Xue Mingyao thought that at least her younger sister could choose her husband, but she couldn't. Twice, she had no choice.
The imperial edict in his hand was slightly hot. He guessed that Xie Zhuo had also received the edict at this moment, and he must be very proud of himself.
Times have changed, and he truly got his revenge.
She belongs to him.
However, Xue Mingyao secretly vowed that she would not let him off easily, just as he had never been subservient to her when he belonged to her.
In April, news of the arranged marriage quickly spread throughout Zhongjing's elite social circles.
Even though rumors had circulated beforehand, it still caused quite a bit of controversy. Princess Yongning was a widow with a notorious reputation, and not long ago she openly expressed her affection for Chen Hanlin at the spring hunt, while Marquis Pingnan, General Xie, was a first-rate young talent, without a single flaw. How could such two people be a good match?
The young noble ladies were somewhat disappointed in Xie Zhuo, while those with experience sighed that even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman. Some officials even submitted memorials on the matter, stating that the Xie and Xue families insisted on this undignified marriage, going beyond simply appointing a matchmaker to plead with the Emperor to preside over the matchmaking, which was truly laughable.
Emperor Deyuan tossed the memorial to Xie Zhuo and laughed, "Minister Xie, you're getting married, and I'll take the blame for you."
Xie Zhuo sighed helplessly, "Your humble servant is filled with trepidation."
Emperor Deyuan waved his hand, "Treat Yongning well. She's a bit willful, but she's actually a good girl. My sons also came to ask for her hand in marriage back then, Jingyun, Jingchen..." The Emperor's voice softened, then he continued, "They didn't have your good fortune!"
Xie Zhuo bowed deeply, saying, "Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail to repay your kindness."
As Xie Zhuo stepped out of the palace, the word "good fortune" lingered in his mind for a moment, and he smiled self-deprecatingly.
Whether Xue Mingyao was a blessing or a curse, he could never say for sure.
......
On this fine day, a few grey-feathered ducks and geese swam leisurely on the clear pond of the Xie residence. In the small pavilion by the pond, the young censor Bai Bingzhi held a cup of hot tea and sighed, "Xie Qinglang, it really is you!"
"It's me, Brother Bai. I've been quite busy lately, so I only managed to find time to invite you to meet. Please don't take offense," Xie Zhuo said with a smile.
Bai Bingzhi was the same censor he met on his first day of court after removing his facial hair; they had been classmates at the academy in Xichuan.
"Brother Xie, it's so good to see you. You don't know, I've often thought of you these past few years, but I haven't heard from you anywhere, it's like you've vanished into thin air," Bai Bingzhi put down his tea and asked impatiently, "How did you become a general?"
Xie Zhuo gave a vague answer, saying, "When the conflict broke out in the northwest, I wanted to serve the court, so I joined the army."
Bai Bingzhi didn't believe it and said indignantly, "It must have been that princess who did this. Didn't she threaten to remove your quota as a tribute student and prevent you from participating in the autumn examination? You can't succeed in literature, so you can only pursue martial arts, right?"
Xue Mingyao did indeed threaten him in that way back then.
Xie Zhuo didn't believe she had the ability or the guts to do such a thing, but since it concerned his future, he had to be cautious. In the end, Xue Mingyao used this to secure a two-year agreement with him, asking him to stay by her side for two years. If he still insisted on leaving after two years, she would grant him his freedom and allow him to go to the capital to participate in the imperial examination.
At first, Xie Qinglang felt like each day was an eternity, but later he felt that the days and nights flew by.
But to his utter surprise, before the two-year term was up, Xue Mingyao discarded him like a worn-out shoe.
They also gave him a sum of money, as if to send away a divorced concubine.
A gentle breeze stirred the surface of the green water, creating ripples. Xie Zhuo gazed at the flock of geese on the pond and shook his head. "She didn't really do that."
Bai Bingzhi frowned, still not quite understanding, and asked one question after another, "Speaking of Princess Yongning, how did you escape her clutches back then? Why are you going to marry her now?"
Xie Zhuo took a sip of tea.
Back then, Bai Bingzhi wasn't particularly close to him, but he had a strong sense of justice. Xue Mingyao came to the academy to harass him several times, and his classmates envied him for enjoying the princess's good fortune. Only Bai Bingzhi understood his resentment and stood up for him.
Even after he moved into the princess's residence, Bai Bingzhi crawled through a dog hole to find him, claiming he wanted to rescue him. After being politely refused, Bai Bingzhi came up with another plan: since the local magistrate and the princess were in cahoots, he would go to Zhongjing and file a complaint with the emperor on his behalf. He refused to believe that the great Zhou Dynasty would tolerate a mere princess bullying men and women!
He politely declined.
He can't afford to lose face.
"Thank you for your concern, Brother Bai, but it's really inconvenient to discuss the details," he said.
Bai Bingzhi sighed, "You're unwilling to say it because you're concerned about saving face, but I can guess what it is."
Xie Zhuo's hand, which was holding the teacup, paused in mid-air.
Bai Bingzhi slammed his fist on the table. “She just won’t let you go! You, a scholar, were inexplicably forced into military service; it must have been her doing. She comes from a military family and has connections in the army, so she put you in there and helped you rise to the rank of general. Then, once you’ve achieved fame and success, she’ll make you marry her, determined to keep you by her side for life. Brother Xie, am I right?”
Xie Zhuo slowly put down his tea. "Brother Bai, you're so good at guessing, I don't know what to say."
Bai Bingzhi became agitated, "Brother Xie, you're just too kind. You were like that back in the academy, even taking care of an injured sparrow. You never refused anyone who came to ask you for advice on writing. You bowed your head when you were weaker than others, but now that you've made something of yourself, you can marry any girl you want. Why do you still cater to her? She's a widow, cunning and unreasonable, bullying the weak and not a virtuous wife. It would be a joke for her to be your wife!"
Bai Bingzhi spoke passionately for a while, then looked up and saw that the person opposite him had disappeared.
Xie Zhuo held food in his palms and squatted down by the pond to feed the gray geese. The geese were not afraid of people and happily swam over to eat.
Bai Bingzhi walked downstairs, and Xie Zhuo turned to look at him, smiling, "I know you mean well, but you should stay out of this matter."
“I understand. His Majesty has decreed this marriage, and it cannot be taken back. It’s just that I couldn’t help you back then, and now I feel really bad seeing you being bullied by that princess.”
Xie Zhuo patted his shoulder with considerable force, and Bai Bingzhi let out a soft gasp.
“Brother Bai, things are different now. I will not let her bully me anymore.”
"But you can't suffer in vain the injustices you endured at her hands before."
After Bai Bingzhi finished speaking angrily, he suddenly said, "Hey, Brother Xie, I have a way to help you vent your anger."
Xie Zhuo looked at him.
“Brother, I like to write some legends and novels to sell to storytellers and bookstores. Firstly, it’s a hobby to pass the time, and secondly, it helps supplement the family income. After all, rice is expensive in Zhongjing, and the salary of an imperial censor is meager,” Bai Bingzhi said a little embarrassed. “How about I write you a story about a princess forcibly taking a scholar, and the scholar transforming into a general and returning to seek revenge? Let the people know about the evil deeds she has done!”
That does make some sense, Xie Zhuo thought.
He stood up and solemnly refused again, saying, "Brother Bai, I appreciate your kindness, but what happened to me in Xichuan back then is not something that should be brought up again, much less known to outsiders. Could you please keep this a secret for me?"
His words were sincere, and no matter how indignant Bai Bingzhi was, he had no choice but to agree.
“Brother Xie, if you don’t want to, I won’t bring it up. Alas, what is the reason for this? You were so outstanding at the academy, and your writing was so good. Why did you abandon your pen for the sword and even change your name, as if those years in Xichuan were so humiliating?”
"Brother Bai, I want to look ahead," Xie Zhuo said gently.
Looking back, there is too much pain and hatred; only by looking forward can we find solace and hope.
"By the way, you're a bit short on money. If you don't mind, I can help you out with some cash..."
Bai Bingzhi's sadness vanished instantly. "I don't mind, Brother Xie, I don't mind at all!"
......
On the second floor of the Xue residence, Xue Mingyao was organizing her collection of paintings. The ancient paintings she had painstakingly collected over the years were to be taken to the Xie residence as part of her dowry.
The scrolls were fragile, and she didn't want to rely on others, so she came over to collect them herself. Walking among the quiet easels, memories of her last visit here with Xie Zhuo vividly surfaced before her eyes. She still remembered where he had held her in his arms, touched her, kissed her, and teased her.
While feeling angry, Xue Mingyao couldn't help but feel sad.
How did that once aloof and cold young man become such a scheming and intimidating figure?
Xie Zhuo's existence seems to be a betrayal of Xie Qinglang.
He would have been better off not showing up at all, so as not to shatter the beautiful memories she held. The years Xie Zhuo considered shameful were so cherished by her; Xue Mingyao thought to herself that she was either too despicable or too wicked.
"Princess, the Xie family has sent betrothal guests and delivered a live goose!" Green Branch's lively voice rang out. "You should go and see!"
"Live geese?" Xue Mingyao wrapped a scroll in brocade and put it into a wooden box. "How is that possible?"
Among the six rites of marriage, from betrothal to presenting gifts, there is a custom of presenting a goose. Every time the groom's family visits, they bring a goose as a symbol of good fortune. However, live geese are difficult to catch, so swans are usually used instead. In the past, when the Cen family came to visit, they brought swans.
But when Xue Mingyao reluctantly arrived at the front yard, she actually saw a gray bird with a rope tied to its leg standing in the center of the yard.
"It must have been General Xie who caught the goose himself; no ordinary person could do that," the servants watching discussed.
"General Xie values our princess very much!"
Xue Mingyao pursed her lips, "Even if His Majesty bestows a marriage upon him, he wouldn't dare to underestimate it."
She looked down at the bird's flat beak, the goose's pointed beak, and the wild goose's flat beak; it was indeed a wild goose without a doubt.
At this moment, Yan also turned around, staring at her with his two beady eyes.
Their eyes met, and before two moments had passed, the gray goose suddenly took off from the ground, flapping its feathers and flying aggressively towards her.
Xue Mingyao screamed in fright, ran into the house, and closed the door.
The goose was still circling outside the door, trying to fly into the house, so the servants had to pull it down with a rope.
Xue Mingyao gritted her teeth, convinced that Xie Zhuo was doing it on purpose.
He ordered the geese to attack her!
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