Chapter 328 Brother-in-law, leave some room for maneuver.
Meng Xingjiang cupped his hands in greeting and replied somewhat awkwardly, "Uncle He, you flatter me. He Ran... is very good."
The "very good" was uttered haltingly, but everyone present could hear the sincerity in it.
Meng Shilan watched from the side and couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.
It turns out that her unromantic brother also has such a pure and innocent side.
“In that case, I think we should ask the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to choose an auspicious day and set the wedding date,” Meng Yushan decided.
"When Xingjiang returned to the capital this time, His Majesty granted him a month's leave, which is just the right time to prepare for his wedding."
"I think we should set it for March when spring is in full bloom, the weather will be perfect then, what do you think?"
He Wenting was overjoyed upon hearing this, as it was precisely the main purpose of his trip.
"Perfect, perfect!" He nodded repeatedly. "Everything is up to Lord Meng."
An invisible confrontation was cleverly resolved by the two elderly people with just a few words.
The rest of the conversation revolved around Meng Xingjiang and He Ran's marriage.
From betrothal and asking the name, to auspicious date selection and gift presentation, and finally setting the wedding date, every single matter was discussed and agreed upon properly.
The atmosphere in the flower hall has returned to its original warmth and harmony.
It was as if that episode about the Divine Machine Battalion had never happened.
Only Zhou Congxian knew that there was always a thorn stuck in He Wenting's heart.
Meng Xingjiang, in the most direct way, expressed his stance and bottom line to his future father-in-law.
The relationship between ruler and subject takes precedence over that between father-in-law and son-in-law.
National law takes precedence over personal feelings.
This seemingly harmonious meeting had actually drawn a clear line between the father-in-law and son-in-law.
Half an hour later, He Wenting got up and took his leave with his three sons, feeling satisfied.
With the marriage arranged, he had achieved half of his goal for this trip, and the smile on his face became much more genuine.
Meng Yushan led the group and escorted them all the way to the gate of the mansion.
"Please wait, Lord Meng." He Wenting mounted his horse and bowed to Meng Yushan.
After the He family father and son disappeared around the street corner, Meng Yushan turned around, looked at Meng Xingjiang, and said with satisfaction, "Xingjiang, you did a great job today."
Meng Xingjiang lowered his head, "As a subject, I have only done my duty."
"Hmm." Meng Yushan nodded, then looked at Zhou Congxian and laughed, "You've made a fool of yourself."
Zhou Congxian curled his lips into a smile, slowly walked to Meng Xingjiang's side, and whispered a sarcastic remark in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"Brother-in-law, your future father-in-law is not easy to deal with."
Meng Xingjiang looked straight ahead and said, "It should be done in an official manner."
As he spoke, he turned his head and glanced at him.
"About you and Yao'er..."
"It must be publicly funded!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the smile on Zhou Congxian's face vanished instantly.
"Brother-in-law, leave some room for maneuver, so you can meet again in the future..."
Meng Xingjiang turned and went back to his residence, leaving only the back of his head in his sight.
Whether it's good or bad, we'll see later.
Zhou Congxian, “…”
He watched Meng Xingjiang's departing figure.
After a long pause, he managed to squeeze out a sentence through gritted teeth.
"You...you're ruthless."
Standing to the side, Meng Shilan watched Zhou Congxian's embarrassed expression and finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Upon hearing the sound, Zhou Congxian slowly turned his head, his deep eyes fixed on her.
"Are you still laughing?"
His voice carried a hint of grievance, like a big dog whose beloved possession had been stolen.
Meng Shilan quickly suppressed her smile, stepped forward, and gently straightened his clothes.
Her fingertips were warm and soft, carrying a faint fragrance, as they brushed against his chest, soothing the knots in his heart.
"Alright, brother was just joking with you."
She comforted him softly, but a sly smile lurked in her eyes.
"joke?"
Zhou Congxian raised an eyebrow, grabbed her mischievous hand, and wrapped it in his warm palm.
"I think he's clearly settling a personal score."
"Who told you to laugh at him just now?" Meng Shilan glared at him reproachfully.
Zhou Congxian didn't say anything, but just held her hand tighter.
A gentle evening breeze swept by, carrying the chill of early winter.
He looked at her nose, which was slightly red from the wind, and her eyes, which shone brightly in the moonlight, and his heart softened.
He lowered his head, brought his breath close to her ear, and his warm breath brushed against her earlobe, sending a slight shiver down her spine.
“He said he wanted it to be done through the government, so I did it to show him.”
His voice was deep and resolute.
"I will go to the palace now and invite Lord Liu of the Imperial Observatory."
"What are you doing at the Imperial Observatory so late?"
Zhou Congxian's lips curled into a confident smile once more.
"Naturally... I'll choose the nearest auspicious day!"
Looking at the undisguised love and possessiveness in his eyes, Meng Shilan felt her cheeks burning and her heart pounding like a drum.
"you……"
She wanted to say something, but found that her throat felt blocked.
Zhou Congxian then gave her no further chance to speak.
He released her hand, turned around, and strode towards his horse.
"Ji Xiaoman!"
"Your subordinate is here!" Guo Fan responded from the shadows.
"Prepare the horses, and come with me to the palace!"
"yes!"
...
Three days later.
Inside the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, a warm and inviting atmosphere prevailed.
Meng Shilan was sitting on a soft couch by the window, holding a roll of embroidery patterns, choosing a design for the bridal veil for the upcoming wedding.
Fu'er sat obediently to the side, her little fingers holding the brush, carefully copying the calligraphy model stroke by stroke.
Little Fatty Xi, like a little dumpling, rolled around on the carpet, chasing a colorful embroidered ball, his giggles filling the whole room with life.
Chunxing walked in carrying a bright red quilt.
"Miss, what do you think of this 'Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Auspiciousness' design? It's grand and festive."
Although the household had already made preparations once.
But I still prepared a new quilt cover.
Meng Shilan picked up the embroidery pattern and examined it carefully, a gentle smile spreading across her lips.
"It's very beautiful."
Just then, a series of hurried yet steady footsteps came from outside the door.
Before you see him, you hear his voice.
"Shi Lan!"
Zhou Congxian strode in, covered in dust from his journey.
His face was filled with undisguised excitement and joy, and he was clutching a bright red invitation card tightly in his hand.
"Father!"
When Fu'er and Xiao Pang saw him, they cheered and rushed over to him.
Zhou Congxian scooped the chubby little boy into his arms and kissed him on his round face.
He ruffled Fu'er's hair again, but his gaze remained fixed on Meng Shilan.
"Shi Lan, the date has been chosen!"
He walked up to Meng Shilan in a few steps and presented the red invitation card to her like a treasure.
It was an auspicious wedding invitation written by the Director of the Imperial Observatory.
"It is auspicious for marriage, auspicious for nuptial cups, and suitable for all matters."
The third day of next month.
Meng Shilan's breath hitched.
"So fast?"
Does that mean there are less than ten days left?
Zhou Congxian raised his eyebrows smugly.
“I personally went to ask Lord Liu for help. He spent three days and three nights calculating to find such an auspicious day bestowed by heaven.”
His eyes sparkled with a brilliant light, as if filled with a sky full of stars.
"Ten days from now, brother-in-law, don't even think about stopping me!"
The entire Duke Zhenguo's mansion was immersed in a joyous atmosphere.
The red auspicious invitation was carefully placed in the most prominent position in the hall, as if to herald the imminent arrival of a belated but perfect ending.
"Young Master! Your Highness!"
A piercing scream, like a thunderclap, suddenly rang out from outside the mansion gate.
A moment of silence fell over the flower hall, and everyone's smiles froze on their faces.
Zhou Congxian's brows furrowed suddenly.
The British ducal steward scrambled in.
He didn't even have time to bow, "Young Master!"
"Something terrible has happened!"
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