42. Propose a marriage
◎Surprisingly so...confident...◎
Chapter 42
"Ji Kang, this is the Prince of Wei's palace, and this is the Prince of Wei's coming-of-age ceremony." The voice was serious, with a hint of anger.
Ji Ci clenched Ji Kang's arm tightly, and he gradually felt the pain. In a blink of an eye, he looked at Jiang Qiuye who was still performing in front of him. He still couldn't understand why she could cry so naturally. The tears came so easily, and he couldn't help but admire her deeply.
It's getting more and more interesting.
He tried to break free from Ji Ci's grip on his arm, but was unable to do so.
In the end, he could only reluctantly give in and said, "Uncle, I know I was wrong. It's really... Miss Qiu is too beautiful."
He chose to hide the fact that Jiang Qiuye seduced him. After all, such interesting things were rare.
Seeing this, Ji Ci slowly released his arm, squinted at Jiang Qiuye, and turned to leave. Seeing this, she secretly curled her lips into a smile, not hiding it in front of Ji Kang, and quickly followed Ji Ci.
Ji Kang and she were of the same kind, and from the moment he saw through her, she had no intention of hiding anything from him. She was also very confident that Ji Kang would not break up with her because she was attractive enough to him.
She lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then suddenly heard the person in front of her sneer and ask, "How long are you going to follow me?"
She looked up and found that Ji Ci had stopped but did not turn around, which made her feel colder than winter.
Jiang Qiuye usually thinks very quickly when facing others, but since that night when they slept in the same bed together, she has become particularly tongue-tied when facing Ji Ci.
"Your Majesty. Thank you for today. If it weren't for you, I don't know what I would do."
Listening to her soft voice, Ji Ci remained unmoved and simply said, "Even after learning your lesson, you are still so scheming today."
Jiang Qiuye didn't understand whether he was referring to Susu or Ji Kang.
But it didn't matter anymore. Jiang Qiuye took two steps forward, walked in front of him, and faced him. There were still tears in her eyes, and she looked fragile and helpless.
"Your Highness, I know I was wrong about drugging you earlier. I was completely wrong. But Your Highness, you've never experienced what I've experienced. How could you know that it was because of those schemes you mentioned that I was able to walk step by step from Wuzhou to Shengjing?"
She smiled bitterly and said, "Although I am the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Anguo, I live as if I have no parents and no one to educate me. In Wuzhou, I am even worse off than the servants. If I were truly a chaste lady, I might have died in Wuzhou long ago."
Jiang Qiuye wiped her tears, pondered for a long time, and finally bowed to Ji Ci, then turned and left with her head hung.
He silently watched her back disappearing around the corner, feeling indifferent yet uncontrollably moved.
I should not be deceived by this little widow's tears again.
When he returned to the banquet, Jiang Qiuye had not come back and seemed to have left long ago.
He had no interest in the food at the banquet. He didn't eat a single bite from beginning to end. He just sat in the corner and drank a few glasses of wine.
It should be said that he has not been able to eat well since Jiang Qiuye left the palace, and his appetite is even worse than before, but he is unwilling to accept the medicinal food she sent.
I poured myself another glass of wine and sipped it, when I suddenly heard the conversation of the women in front of me.
"I never thought that the daughter of the Duke of Anguo would do such a shameless thing."
"She's a widow after all. I've heard many widows are just as reckless, even going so far as to have affairs with their guards and servants in broad daylight, not caring about their status at all. This is normal."
"No wonder he was kicked out of the palace by His Royal Highness Prince Qi."
"Yes, it's no wonder that Duke Anguo doesn't want to acknowledge his daughter. Perhaps her mother is just such a person, which is why the Duke hates her and his daughter together."
Ji Ci felt deeply upset after hearing this, feeling a burning anger in his chest, consuming his very bones. He threw his wine glass onto the table with all his might, and the loud noise startled the women. They then realized that Prince Qi was right beside them, and they all shut their mouths, not daring to say another word.
After a moment of silence, he stood up and left.
…
On the third day after Jiang Qiuye returned to the courtyard, she suddenly received a letter from the Anguo Mansion, asking her to return home.
Although she was in a bad mood and didn't even want to open a new store, let alone mediate with this family, she had nothing to do recently and decided to go back.
The attitude of Duke Anguo and others towards her changed obviously. As soon as she entered the mansion, they asked about her well-being, and the family had lunch in harmony.
After the meeting, they chatted at the desk and the topic turned to Jiang Qiuye.
After exchanging glances with Duke Anguo, Concubine Qian turned and said gently, "Ye'er, do you know Ding Zhao, the son of the Right Chancellor?"
Jiang Qiuye rinsed his mouth with warm water, wiped his mouth, and shook his head gently: "I don't have any impression."
She seemed to understand their intention of calling her back. The Shangshu Youcheng was a fourth-rank official in the court, and she would never pay attention to people who had no benefit to her.
Aunt Qian didn't care and said without hesitation: "Oh, I've met Ding Zhao. He's a handsome man. He was also a Jinshi before. He has a bright future."
"So, what does Auntie mean?"
"The Ding family came to our house yesterday to discuss a marriage. They said their son saw Ye'er at the King of Wei's coronation ceremony and was impressed by her virtuous character. He fell in love with her and wanted to marry you. We thought that since you are now widowed, we are worried that you will be alone in the future, so we agreed to the marriage. They will come to formally propose in two days."
Aunt Qian felt a little guilty when she said this, and didn't dare to look at Jiang Qiuye, but she finished her words despite the pressure from Duke Anguo.
Jiang Qiuye was stunned and said, "Auntie, I've never met Ding Zhao and have no interest in him at all. Besides, I plan to remain a widow and don't want to remarry so early. If outsiders knew about this, I'd be embarrassed."
Qiu Ying seemed a little anxious and said, "Sister, I also met Ding Zhao yesterday. He is a rare and good man. Your reputation in Shengjing City is getting worse and worse, especially after the King of Wei's coronation ceremony. Everyone says... everyone says..."
"What did you say?"
Seeing this, Duke Anguo angrily took over the conversation, "Everyone says you are shameless and seduces men, and you were kicked out of the palace by Prince Qi."
He said, with a look of incompetence, "I thought you could live peacefully in Prince Qi's mansion and maybe even get a concubine. I didn't expect you to do such a despicable thing. No wonder you were kicked out. With your reputation, it's a blessing to be chosen by the Ding family, and even the position of wife."
Jiang Qiuye rolled her eyes helplessly. "Since my reputation has been ruined, I'll just sever ties with the Anguo Mansion. After all, a daughter who's married off is like spilled water. Now, I'm a member of the Zhang family in life and a ghost of the Zhang family in death."
Qiu Ying bit her lip, her face pale. "Sister, what nonsense are you talking about? The Zhang family has a terrible reputation. Why don't you want the good things and only want the bad things? Even though Ding Zhao has more concubines and maids, it's a blessing that he's willing to marry you."
"Marriage is a major matter, it's the parents' orders and the matchmaker's words, it's not your turn to decide." Duke Anguo shouted.
Jiang Qiuye stood up, patted her skirt, and prepared to leave.
"Sister, wait a minute." When Jiang Qiuye walked into the courtyard, Qiu Ying caught up with her, grabbed her, and said with red eyes: "Sister, you must know the secrets of the Huo family. My cousin and I can't get married. But...but..."
"But what happened?"
"But I'm pregnant." She looked around as she said this to make sure no servants heard.
Jiang Qiuye was shocked, "You? Huo Heng?"
Qiu Ying nodded. "My mother wants to find another marriage for me. She thinks that if she can marry me off within a month, she can put this matter behind her. But your reputation is so... so if you can get married, the rumors will naturally disappear, and I can find a marriage."
Jiang Qiuye was still in a daze from the news of Qiu Ying's pregnancy. She secretly sighed that if Ji Ci was like Huo Heng, she wouldn't have to live so hard.
If she got pregnant with his child, they would be completely tied together. Even if her identity was discovered in the future, he would definitely help her avoid those troubles for the sake of the child.
"Sister, Ding Zhao will come to visit us in a few days. You can go and see him. Maybe you will like him."
"You guys are awesome! I really sympathize with your future husband." Jiang Qiuye shook her head in admiration.
Forget it, Qiu Ying’s pregnancy was so interesting that she was a little reluctant to leave.
Qiu Ying's story was like a storybook, which made her always want to know how the plot would develop next.
If she doesn't get married within a month, will she hang herself or have an abortion?
It would be best to abort the fetus and then completely break off relations with Huo Heng. Five years later, when Huo Heng gave birth prematurely in prison, he accidentally learned the truth from his maid, who had gone through so much pain for him.
Regret will fill his heart, and he will spend every day in self-blame and torment, and then the drama of chasing his wife to the crematorium will begin.
"Okay, then I'll stay in the mansion for a while."
Qiu Ying finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this.
Knowing that Jiang Qiuye had moved back into the Anguo Mansion, Ding Zhao quickly sent a visiting card and paid her a visit.
When he saw Jiang Qiuye so close to him, he seemed to be blinded by her. He stood there, staring at her motionlessly.
Jiang Qiuye was also looking at Ding Zhao from the opposite side.
He wasn't as tall as Ji Ci, nor as handsome as Ji Ci, or even as good-looking as Ji Kang and Ji Sang. He was so frail that she feared she could kill him with a single three-point punch. His character wasn't good either; the sight of her made him look like a fool. And his eyes revealed an immense sense of pride, a sense of superiority.
It’s really bad, really bad.
A man like this is not worthy of her calling him brother.
Ding Zhao took out a golden hairpin, pushed it towards Jiang Qiuye and said, "Miss Qiu, this is a little gift from me."
Jiang Qiuye didn't take it, but just lowered her head to glance at it. It was a very thick gold hairpin.
Then he spoke to himself, "Miss Qiu, my Ding family has many members, especially my concubines. When you marry me, I will stay in your room at least three days a week. But I require my wives and concubines not to become jealous and commit the seven offenses of divorce."
“…”
After hearing this, Jiang Qiuye felt dizzy, had some tinnitus, and widened his eyes.
Ding Zhao continued with a smile, "Besides, filial piety is the most important virtue. When you enter the mansion, you must be filial to your mother-in-law. I know my mother is quite strong-willed and sometimes makes some demands. You should bear with her. Although there are servants on weekdays, my mother loves to eat the meals prepared by her daughter-in-law. I heard that you are good at medicinal cuisine, so I think this is perfect."
Jiang Qiuye: “…”
"Then, there's the issue of children. Although my concubine has already given birth to three sons, they were all illegitimate. I'm now twenty-one, and I still want a legitimate child as soon as possible. So, after you enter the mansion, I hope you'll be pregnant within three months. Of course, you don't have to worry about me alienating you after you get pregnant. You can bring a maid with you to serve you, and I'll stay in your room during your pregnancy."
Jiang Qiuye: “???”
Ding Zhao: "Finally..."
Noticing the excited expressions of the three members of the Qiu family beside him, Jiang Qiuye shook his head and interrupted him, saying, "Wait a minute, after seeing each other for a while, I still feel that I am not destined to be with you. Sir, I have made up my mind to remain a widow for the Zhang family."
"Sister, what are you talking about? Didn't you promise me?" Qiu Ying looked anxious.
"I agreed to meet you, but I didn't agree to the marriage." Jiang Qiuye looked at Ding Zhao with a smile, and then gradually couldn't help laughing, "Mr. Ding, I'm sorry, I really can't hold it in. I really didn't expect that you would be... so... confident..."
Ding Zhao blushed, and anger turned into shame. He said, "Miss Qiu, do you know your reputation in Shengjing now? I am young and promising, and I am willing to marry you as my wife. It is already a favor. Others may take you as a concubine for your beauty at most."
Jiang Qiuye sighed helplessly, thinking that it was an insult to Ji Ci that she compared this man with Ji Ci in the first place.
Reaching out and picking up the gold hairpin on the table, Ding Zhao saw a smile on her face as she accepted the gift, and felt that his words had worked.
This is how you should treat a woman. Don’t spoil her. Let her know where her place is.
With a "snap" sound, Jiang Qiuye actually broke the thumb-thick gold hairpin into two pieces with one hand, and then put it back in front of Ding Zhao.
Seeing his ugly face, she said, "This hairpin looks really tacky. Sir, take it back and have it melted down. Oh, by the way, I tend to be rather irritable on weekdays. Please forgive me."
"You..." Ding Zhao was furious, pointing at Jiang Qiuye's nose and unable to speak.
Just as Duke Anguo was slamming the table in anger, a servant suddenly came forward to report that someone had come from the palace.
"The palace? Why would someone suddenly come to the palace?" Duke Anguo tried hard to think about his recent actions. There shouldn't be anything that would anger the emperor.
Seeing this, Aunt Qian asked, "What's the matter?"
The servant shook his head and just said that he was calling everyone in the mansion to go out and listen to the order.
A group of people, including Ding Zhao and Jiang Qiuye, went to the courtyard. The timid Duke Anguo was trembling with fear, wiping the sweat from his forehead. When he arrived at the courtyard and saw that it was the eunuch Li, the internal servant, the Duke Anguo immediately took out a few gold leaves and stuffed them into the eunuch's hand. The eunuch smiled and waved his hand, simply glancing around at the people in the courtyard and asking, "Is the Duke Anguo's daughter, Qiu Ziye, here?"
"Yes, yes." Duke Anguo was confused after hearing this and immediately turned around to let Jiang Qiuye come forward.
When Eunuch Li saw Jiang Qiuye, he sang loudly: "Qiu Ziye, listen to the order!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the courtyard knelt down. Jiang Qiuye knelt in the front, wondering when she had met the emperor and why an imperial edict suddenly came.
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor declares: Ye, the legitimate daughter of the Anguo Duke Qiu, is exceptionally talented, virtuous, chaste, and gentle. Yet, she possesses the qualities of a lotus in pure water, quiet, upright, and courteous. She is a model for the Great Jin. I am delighted to hear of this news, and I hereby grant her marriage to Prince Ci of Qi as his principal wife, thereby establishing a harmonious relationship between the two families. I direct the Ministry of Rites to select an auspicious date for the wedding. I decree this!"
This imperial edict was like a thunderbolt, which shocked everyone present into silence, especially Ding Zhao, whose face looked as if he had eaten dirt.
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