Jiang's mother was delighted to hear everyone praising her daughter. She quickly said, "Thank you all for the compliments. I'm honored to have your appreciation. My daughter is proficient in various flower-growing techniques, so let her share some tips for you."
"Yes, mother!" Jiang Meiyu led everyone into the garden to introduce the varieties of flowers and how to care for them. The mistresses of each family looked at her with admiration, and they couldn't help but think in their hearts: "It would be great if my son could marry such a beautiful and capable woman. I will definitely find a chance to mention it to the mistress of the Jiang family later."
Jiang Meiyu didn't know what they were thinking, and continued to talk to them seriously about how to grow flowers.
"This is the peony, known as the 'king of flowers,' with large, showy flowers in a variety of colors. It prefers sunny, warm, humid environments, but can also tolerate partial shade and cold weather. When caring for it, you need to keep the soil moist but not too wet to avoid waterlogging that can cause root rot. Also, fertilize regularly to provide adequate nutrients."
"This is the plum blossom, which holds a special place in Chinese culture, symbolizing perseverance and purity. Plum blossoms prefer sunny and well-ventilated environments, but can also tolerate severe cold. In winter, special attention should be paid to keeping the flowers warm. You can cover them with straw or plastic film for protection."
"This is an orchid, known as the 'flower of the gentleman,' possessing an elegant temperament. Orchids prefer semi-shaded, well-ventilated environments and have high temperature and humidity requirements. When caring for them, be careful to avoid direct sunlight, maintain good air circulation, and control the amount and frequency of watering to prevent root rot."
…
As she walked, Jiang Meiyu explained in detail the characteristics and care methods of each flower. Her explanations were lively and interesting, keeping everyone engaged. The wives of the various families nodded in praise, their admiration for Jiang Meiyu's talent and beauty growing.
Sunlight streamed down the Imperial Garden, where green trees shaded the grounds and flowers shone in vibrant colors. In the center of the garden lay a large lotus pond, its leaves lush and its flowers in full bloom, emitting a delicate fragrance. Around the pond stood exquisite stone tables and benches, laden with tea, snacks, and other delicacies for the public to savor.
A crowd gathered here, some enjoying tea and chatting, others admiring the beautiful scenery. The atmosphere was relaxed and joyful. Just then, a eunuch hurried in. He was dressed in gorgeous court attire, his expression solemn. Everyone looked closely and saw that it was Eunuch Gao, the emperor's attendant. Eunuch Gao held a roll of yellow silk and slowly unrolled it.
"The imperial edict has arrived--" With a loud shout, everyone present knelt on the ground and lowered their heads to listen to the edict.
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: I have heard that husband and wife are the beginning of human relations and the source of morality. Therefore, marriage is a matter of human relations and must be handled with caution. The eldest prince, Prince Gong, is both talented and handsome, with noble character; and the daughter of the Grand Tutor, Jiang Meiyu, is gentle, virtuous, dignified and beautiful. They are a match made in heaven, and I am delighted. I hereby grant them an auspicious date for their marriage. I hope that they will treat each other with respect and dignity from now on. I decree this!"
Eunuch Gao said in a shrill voice, "Grandmaster, congratulations! Please accept the order quickly!"
"I thank the Lord for His Majesty's grace. Long live the Emperor!" Imperial Tutor Jiang knelt down to receive the decree. When he stood up, the steward beside him politely took out a bag of silver and handed it to him. Imperial Tutor Jiang smiled and said to Eunuch Gao, "Eunuch Gao, thank you for your kindness. This is a small gift. Please accept it!"
"That's not true, Grand Tutor. This is my job." Eunuch Gao said politely while putting the bag of silver into his sleeve. Then he smiled and said, "I have to go back to the palace to report. Goodbye!" After that, Eunuch Gao turned around and left the Jiang Mansion Garden.
Mrs. Jiang was bewildered and at a loss at what to do at this sudden arranged marriage. When she finally realized what was happening, she quickly pulled Tutor Jiang into the side room and asked, "Master, what's going on? Why would the Emperor grant a marriage for no reason? And even though Prince Gong is a prince, he can't have children after all!"
"Madam, please keep your voice down. Be careful, there are ears." Imperial Tutor Jiang looked at his wife solemnly, his eyes filled with worry and helplessness. He lowered his voice and said to Madam Jiang, "Since the imperial decree has been issued, it's a foregone conclusion. We can't change anything. But if Yu'er doesn't want to marry the Crown Prince, I will go and ask the Emperor to revoke the decree, even if it costs me my life!"
Mrs. Jiang was moved to tears upon hearing this. She knew her husband's deep love for their daughter and felt deeply relieved. However, when she thought of the predicament her daughter would soon face, she couldn't help but feel distressed and tears flowed uncontrollably. She gently wiped the tears from her eyes with a handkerchief and said with a choked voice, "Let's discuss this matter tonight. We have so many guests now, so it's more important to take care of them first."
After saying this, Madam Jiang took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. She and Grand Tutor Jiang left the wing and headed to the garden to entertain the guests. Along the way, they forced smiles and tried their best to maintain an elegant and calm demeanor, but their hearts were filled with anxiety and uneasiness.
Mrs. Jiang held her husband's hand tightly, as if drawing strength from him. Meanwhile, Master Jiang silently comforted his wife, telling her that everything would be fine. Although they knew they might face many difficulties in the future, they were determined to face them together and protect their daughter.
When they stepped into the garden, a lively atmosphere hit them.
Everyone congratulated the Grand Tutor on his upcoming marriage into the royal family, and Grand Tutor Jiang politely said thank you.
Jiang Meilian's hatred was already peaking. "Why can she marry Prince Gong and always be superior to me?!" Her eyes narrowed slightly, and deep in them, blazing anger and deep jealousy flashed, as if they could spit fire. Her fingers clenched the corner of her clothes tightly, and her knuckles turned slightly white from the force.
At this moment, Jiang Meiyu suddenly felt a strange gaze staring at her. The gaze was so cold that it made her shudder. She became alert and subconsciously looked around, trying to find the source of the gaze.
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