Chapter 71:
The man’s slender fingers fastened on the girl’s lower back, and he began to feel that three months was a bit too long.
They should marry sooner, so he could better protect her in his arms.
At least, the incident of a madman breaking into her boudoir at night would not happen to her again.
…………
The idea of marrying sooner was not only on Pei Yuqing’s mind; his mother was even more eager.
The eldest son had finally relented and expressed his intention to take a wife. With her long-cherished wish about to come true, Princess Duanyang received the message and immediately began bustling with preparations impatiently.
In less than two days, she prepared generous gifts and personally knocked on the gate of Xuanping Marquis’s Estate together with her husband.
Having been greeted in advance, Xie Shu and Madam Zheng were prepared this time, without the fluster they had when Pei Yuqing visited that day.
The vermilion main gate was flung wide open, and the couple solemnly welcomed them.
They entered in the morning and came out at dusk.
Princess Duanyang’s cheeks were flushed with a tipsy glow, her steps unsteady as her husband supported her, yet she still remembered to say a few words to Madam Zheng from time to time. The two madams chatted and laughed amiably, their demeanor extremely warm and intimate.
It was clearly a scene of host and guests enjoying themselves fully.
On the second day, Princess Duanyang visited again. This time Duke Pei did not accompany her, but she still stayed at the Xie Family for a full day as usual, returning with a smile only at dusk.
On the third day, Princess Duanyang visited unfailingly again, beaming with smiles. Her demeanor showed not the slightest arrogance or haughtiness of an imperial princess; instead, it faintly carried a touch of eagerness.
This display led some perceptive families to speculate on the situation.
Those familiar with both families specially came to inquire about the news.
Soon, news of the Pei and Xie families discussing a marriage proposal spread like wildfire.
Madam Zheng was also worn down with no choice. On the evening of this noble imperial princess’s third visit, she complained to her husband, “The Princess really sets aside her status, coming for three consecutive days just to set the wedding date for the two children sooner.”
Yet each time, they were met with smiling faces and polite discussions, without any display of imperial dignity. Madam Zheng could not refuse sternly and could only tactfully say that marriage was, after all, a lifelong event and should not be set too hurriedly.
As a result, perhaps because her attitude was not firm enough, Princess Duanyang grew bolder with each setback, visiting repeatedly just for this matter…
Xie Shu stroked his beard and smiled upon hearing this. He was quite magnanimous and not angry; instead, he comforted his wife: “Madam, do not be annoyed. This precisely shows that the Pei Family values our Wanwan.”
Madam Zheng had already undone her hair, gathering her long hair over her chest and slowly combing it with a jade comb. Hearing this, she raised her eyes to glance at her husband and pouted, “How could I not know that? I’m not really annoyed; it’s just that the Pei Family is too hasty.”
Raising a daughter is like raising a flower, carefully nurturing her with untold effort to grow into her current graceful and poised form. Although Madam Zheng had long prepared to send her daughter off in marriage, it was still too soon after all.
Xie Shu naturally felt reluctance about his youngest daughter marrying out; otherwise, he would not have glared and blown his beard when Pei Yuqing visited a few days ago.
But he was a man after all, more rational and not as emotionally delicate.
He smiled and said, “It’s not surprising that the Pei Family is anxious. If it were Yan’er who took a fancy to some young lady, you as his mother would probably not be any better.”
This reasoning held true; after all, they too had a son of marriageable age who refused to wed, making them empathize deeply like never before.
In any case, they had already agreed to the marriage; whether a few months earlier or later was not a big deal.
Thinking this way, Madam Zheng said disappointedly, “Since that’s the case, then I will agree?”
Matters of children’s marriages were traditionally handled by the inner courtyard madam, and Xie Shu nodded without objection.
He took the jade comb from his wife’s hand and casually placed it on the dressing table, smiling, “The night is deep; it’s time to rest.”
……
When Princess Duanyang visited again on the fourth day, the Xie Family finally agreed to the request for marriage within three months.
Upon hearing this, Princess Duanyang was overjoyed at once. Her well-maintained face creased into smiles, her face glowing as she repeatedly said “good.”
After the joy subsided, she thought that the future in-laws had only one daughter, and marrying her off so hastily might leave them somewhat displeased.
Thinking this, Princess Duanyang paused slightly and said, “Master Yuan Kong of Huguo Temple happens to be in the capital. This palace will invite him to check the two children’s birth dates and times, then calculate an auspicious date.”
Normally, with her status, her eldest son’s marriage could have the Imperial Astronomical Bureau select a good day, but that might take forever. Eager to have a daughter-in-law now, she truly could not wait.
Master Yuan Kong was a famous high monk in the capital; having him calculate the date, Madam Zheng naturally had no objection.
Seeing her satisfied expression, Princess Duanyang added, “Once the date is set, this palace will request His Majesty to issue an Imperial Decree of Marriage.”
Madam Zheng’s expression froze slightly.
“Rest assured,” Princess Duanyang smiled. “This palace has only one son under her knee. The girl he likes must not be treated shabbily no matter what. Hastening the wedding date has already wronged your daughter; she must not lack any of the proper pomp.”
There were many noble ladies in the capital, but few could have the honor of His Majesty personally granting an imperial marriage.
With these words, the last knot in Madam Zheng’s heart completely vanished.
……With an imperial decree, even if their family’s Wanwan had just broken off an engagement not long ago and was now remarrying into a high family with a rushed wedding date, no one would dare to speculate with malice.
…………
While the elders bustled about fervently, the two principals were living an almost isolated life in the suburban villa.
Every day, they either went fishing by the lakeside together or burned incense, brewed tea, played the qin, and enjoyed music.
For the first two days, Xie Ruyu followed them like a little tail, but after Madam Liu learned that the family’s eldest legitimate daughter was discussing a marriage proposal with Young Lord Pei of Duke Pei’s Mansion, and both were now at the suburban villa, she sent her personal maid that very day to bring her daughter back.
Xie Ruyu was extremely unwilling, pouting and muttering that she did not want to leave.
Although she knew deep down that her cousin and future husband were cultivating their affection, and as a cousin she really should not follow along.
Xie Wanning had a very good relationship with this little cousin. Seeing this, she smiled and coaxed her: “I’ll stay a few more days and then return to the capital soon, and play with you then.”
Xie Ruyu huffed and said, “Would you bear to leave your Young Lord Pei to play with me?”
She still harbored resentment over her cousin secretly settling the engagement with someone right under her nose.
“What a thing to say; of course I would.”
Xie Wanning had already figured out this little cousin’s sharp-tongued and proud temperament quite accurately. She made an expression of ‘what are men,’ and continued coaxing: “He is not as important as our Ru Niang.”
“That’s more like it.” Xie Ruyu was coaxed into delight and happily boarded the carriage.
Watching the gradually receding carriage, Xie Wanning withdrew her gaze and turned to return to the residence, only to see a figure in azure standing not far away, looking at her with an inscrutable expression.
It seems there is a double monthly ticket event these few days in early May; begging for monthly tickets~~~
The remarriage plot is coming up soon; the foreplay has already been laid out, and the subsequent content will get more and more…
In short, the double revenge as written in the blurb is literal.
The grievances my Wanwan has suffered will be repaid double.
The Author will work hard to present exciting content to everyone. Dear ones with monthly tickets in hand, don’t hesitate to give them all to me; I can take it.
Hehe~~
