nycdaug Chapter 181 Decision
Chapter 181 Decision
Upon receiving the imperial decree, Consort Qin beamed with delight, overjoyed. Her son was finally getting married! Heh heh! From now on, she would have a powerful ally; let's see what that vile woman, Lady Lu, could do against her!
The Emperor set the wedding date in his imperial edict, three months from now, on the first day of the tenth month.
Consort Qin was overjoyed and laughed heartily: "Give the order that everyone's monthly salary be increased by one month's allowance, except for the guards and cooks on duty. Everyone will be given a day off, and the whole household will celebrate!"
The Prince Duan's mansion was filled with a joyful atmosphere, as if happy notes were flowing among the flowers, plants, and trees. Apart from the Lu family, almost everyone was overjoyed.
When Lady Lu heard that Princess Yulin had accepted Prince Duan's marriage proposal, she couldn't help but sneer. Her smile was extremely cold, as if it were covered in a thousand-year-old ice: "Princess Yulin, I'm waiting to test my skills against you! Hmph! Isn't she just a farmer? Moreover, she was exiled to the Northwest and even picked up horse manure! How intelligent can a woman who has never attended a proper school be? The legendary extraordinary women are probably just exaggerated stories, aren't they?"
What tricks could a country girl like that have? It's a wonder that bastard Xiao Hao likes her so much; I don't know what's wrong with him, it's like he's lost his mind. Otherwise, why would he choose such a strange woman who forbids her husband from taking concubines, instead of so many good girls from good families?
When the imperial envoy arrived at the General's Mansion and read out the imperial edict, Shangguan Mufeng and Madam Yu both breathed a sigh of relief. They had three months to prepare, and by then Madam Yu would be out of confinement. That was good! Previously, the two had worried that the Emperor would have Zisu and Prince Duan marry within a month.
If Madam Yu hasn't given birth within a month, she won't be able to personally oversee Zisu's wedding. This would inevitably leave many regrets. Moreover, if Zisu marries before Madam Yu gives birth, Madam Yu will lose a major support. Without Zisu constantly protecting Madam Yu, Shangguan Mufeng will also feel uneasy going to the yamen to perform his duties.
With the wedding date set, the General's Mansion was thrown into a state of extreme busyness as preparations for Zisu's dowry began. First and foremost, the wedding dress needed to be prepared. Due to the tight schedule, Zisu couldn't embroider the dress within three months, so she sought help from the Ni Chang Pavilion.
Ni Chang Ge is the best embroidery shop in the capital, mainly engaged in making wedding dresses and also custom-made clothes for nobles. Of course, the prices are very high, and not something that ordinary people can afford.
Zisu went to the Ni Chang Pavilion to order a wedding dress, and the deposit alone cost three thousand taels of silver. The wedding dress, bridal veil, headscarf, and embroidered shoes were expected to cost a total of five thousand taels of silver.
A wedding handkerchief is a handkerchief used exclusively on the wedding day.
In addition, the Ministry of Rites would prepare a set of phoenix coronet and embroidered robe. The wedding dress made by the Ni Chang Pavilion would be worn underneath, and the phoenix coronet and embroidered robe would be worn on the outside. The wedding dress ordered from the Ni Chang Pavilion would serve as both an outer garment and an inner garment. This outer garment could also be worn as formal attire later to attend some very grand banquets, such as court banquets.
Zisu had already considered this. Otherwise, what a waste it would be! Five thousand taels of silver was a huge sum of money, and Zisu couldn't bear to waste it.
Besides her wedding dress, Zisu also had six other outfits made at the Ni Chang Pavilion: three for autumn and three for winter. After marrying Prince Duan, she would be a princess consort. As a royal wife, she couldn't be as casual as before, lest she tarnish the royal family's reputation. Moreover, after marriage, she would undoubtedly have to frequently visit the palace and interact with the women of other royal residences. Dressing too plainly would invite ridicule and mockery.
Upon learning this, Prince Duan secretly went to the Ni Chang Pavilion again and ordered five sets of autumn clothes and five sets of winter clothes for Zisu.
The owner of Ni Chang Pavilion was overjoyed. He had received so many orders in just one month. The money he earned from making wedding dresses and everyday clothes for Princess Yulin was enough for her to live on for several years!
It's important to know that when a prince makes a purchase, it's always a masterpiece. The cheapest casual garment costs three thousand taels of silver, while the most expensive reaches ten thousand taels. This is a rare and extravagant gesture; in the Western Liang Kingdom, only Prince Duan possesses such boldness and financial resources.
It is said that Prince Duan was not only a formidable warrior but also an exceptional businessman. It is said that he owned countless properties, as numerous as hairs on a cow. Calling him one of the ten richest men in the Western Liang Kingdom is no exaggeration.
Princess Yulin is so lucky to have such a good man's love; she is truly blessed!
Every morning, Zisu would accompany Madam Yu for a walk, chat, or cook delicious meals for her herself. In the afternoon, Madam Yu would take a long nap, and Zisu would use this time to quickly sew clothes for Prince Duan and make several sets of pajamas.
I learned the concept of pajamas from Shangguan Zhihua.
As for the wedding dress, that's a tradition of the Western Liang Kingdom. Before the bride gets married, she has to make several sets of wedding dresses for the groom. If she has time, she also has to make shoes, socks, and a belt.
When the news reached Fang Heng's ears, he couldn't help but feel saddened.
Fang Qiong was also very sad.
Zisu, this extraordinary woman of unparalleled talent, almost became his wife and sister-in-law. However, all of this was ruined by their mother.
Fang Qiong remained silent for a long time before finally saying to Fang Heng, "Brother, I want to go back to the Marquis's residence!"
Fang Heng: "Little sister, the Marquis's mansion is a den of wolves. How can I feel at ease letting you go back alone?"
Fang Qiong: "Brother, that's our home, it's only natural for me to go back. Besides, I'm not the same person I was a year ago. Those petty people won't be able to bully me so easily anymore! This time, I'll bring back the maids that Sister Zisu helped me train, as well as four burly, rough-looking old women! Those maids all know a little martial arts and are quite strong. Moreover, I've also learned a few self-defense moves from Sister Zisu. When we return to the Marquis's mansion, we'll be able to intimidate those shameless people!"
Besides, when I go back this time, I will definitely try to improve my relationship with Father. He's not entirely heartless towards us siblings; if I deliberately try to please him, he'll protect me to some extent. Brother, don't worry, once I've firmly established myself in the Marquis's mansion, I'll bring Yunduo and Rufeng back!"
Hearing her say that, Fang Heng finally felt a little relieved: "Alright, you must be careful and don't let those people harm you. Don't eat or use anything they give you!"
Fang Qiong: "Big brother, I understand all of this. You don't need to worry about me. I'm all grown up now! Besides, I have a very good relationship with Sister Zisu. When we return to the capital, I will keep in close contact with her. If I encounter any difficulties, I will ask Sister Zisu for help. You don't need to worry too much!"
Fang Heng couldn't help but sigh deeply: "Alas, if Princess Yulin were your sister-in-law, why would those ghosts in the Marquis's mansion be able to harm people again? What a pity, Mother isn't one to cherish blessings, she was willing to give up such a good daughter-in-law!"
Fang Qiong: "Brother, now that things have come to this, you have to be more open-minded. After what Mother did, no woman would want a mother-in-law like her. Sister Zisu is such a proud person, how could she bear to have such a mother-in-law in the future? It's understandable that she didn't choose you. I hope you won't resent Sister Zisu!"
Fang Heng: "You're overthinking it. In my heart, I only feel heartache, regret, and deep sorrow for Zisu. Resentment? How could that be? In this life, I'm the one who wronged her. Before coming to Zhangshu County, I should have gone to the General's Mansion to propose marriage. However, because of my pride, I delayed, which gave my mother the opportunity to cause trouble in Wuliping and scare Zisu away."
Looking back, it's all my fault for betraying her feelings for me. Now it's too late for regrets! In this life, I will never resent her; I will only sincerely wish her happiness, peace, and joy! Letting go is also a way of loving. Don't worry, I will absolutely not let love turn into hatred for her! That kind of love is too narrow-minded and too hypocritical!
Fang Qiong breathed a sigh of relief. This was for the best; otherwise, she wouldn't have had the face to see Zisu, let alone ask for her help when she encountered difficulties.
Seeking help from Zisu wasn't necessarily about asking for her assistance, but rather that each time she met with Zisu and chatted with her, she gained confidence and courage, and received life lessons. It could be said that Zisu, on many occasions, was a guiding light and a source of hope for her.
Zisu was both a teacher and a friend. She didn't want to lose such a good person. She sincerely hoped to be lifelong friends with Zisu, to be true confidantes. In fact, she could speak freely in front of Zisu. And every time, Zisu would listen patiently and offer heartfelt advice. Losing such a friend would be the greatest regret of her life.
Upon hearing that her daughter wanted to return to the Marquis's mansion, Madam Ying firmly disagreed: "If you leave, leaving behind two children, how can I take care of them all by myself?"
Fang Qiong: "Why don't you come back to the Marquis's mansion with me? Yun Duo and Ru Feng are almost seven years old. We can send them to Wuliping Academy to be boarders."
Upon hearing this, Madam Ying's face turned pale: "I'm not going back. That's a den of wolves and tigers. I'm living a carefree life here, and I'm not foolish enough to go back. That place is a terrifying place for me. I'm used to living here, and if I go back to the Marquis's mansion, I'm afraid I won't be able to eat or sleep in peace!"
Fang Qiong: "Since that's the case, then Mother, please don't say anything more. Before I leave, I will personally take Yunduo and Rufeng to school. At Wuliping Academy, even during winter and summer vacations, there are teachers on duty, so children who are not looked after can stay at the academy indefinitely!"
To be honest, given her mother's current mindset, Fang Qiong is still worried about leaving Yun Duo and Ru Feng entirely in her care!
Fang Heng thought the same as his sister: "Yes, sending her to be a boarding student is a good idea! Aren't all the children of the Left Prime Minister boarding at the academy? Besides, we can ask the people at Xiaoshitan to look after her a little, so that they can notify me in time if anything happens! So, Mother, please don't stop my sister, just let her go back to the capital!"
Qiong'er is not young anymore; it's time for her to return to the capital and make some close friends. Otherwise, she will be ostracized by the ladies and young women and become all alone. If she stays in Zhangshu County, it will be difficult for her to find a husband in the future. Even Zisu is looked down upon by those ladies and young women, who call Zisu a country bumpkin, let alone Qiong'er.
In terms of family background, intelligence, beauty, and temperament, Qiong'er is inferior to Zisu in every way! Even Zisu is disliked, let alone Qiong'er!
Ying remained silent, unsure of what to say.
She could sense that her children were becoming distant from her; the close bond they used to share was gone. Often, when her daughter was with her, they wouldn't exchange more than a few words all day. Even when they did chat, they no longer shared their true feelings; they just rambled on about random things.
This feeling is bad, very bad!
No! She couldn't let her daughter go back to the capital, otherwise, she and her daughter would become even more estranged in the future!
She then adopted a motherly demeanor and said sternly, "No, she can't go back alone! If she wants to go, she can only do so after your three-year term is up. You can then find an official position in the capital and we can all go back together!"
Fang Heng: "Mother, listen to me. Wuliping Academy is excellent. I plan to have Yunduo and Rufeng study there for a few years, until they turn twelve! That way, I don't plan to return to the capital to take up my post so soon. Perhaps after my three-year term is over, I will try to get a position as prefect in Yulin County. With my performance over the past two years, plus my status as the heir of the Marquis of Zhongxin, it shouldn't be too difficult!"
Ying was shocked and furious: "What? Your term is over, and you don't want to go back to the capital? So you really want your sister to stay alone in that dangerous place?"
Fang Heng: "Mother, please don't say that! What you're saying is really unpleasant. If you're worried about my sister, why don't you go back to the Marquis's mansion with her? My sister is thirteen years old this year, it's time for her to get engaged. If you don't go back to help her choose a marriage partner, are you going to let Aunt Li and the others pick out a random family for her?!"
In the end, he got a little angry.
Ying was speechless and had no reply.
Yes, logically speaking, she should go back with her daughter. However, she was used to a carefree life, and the thought of returning to that den of wolves made her scalp tingle.
Fang Heng: "Since you have nothing to say, then it's settled! My sister is not young anymore, it's time for her to go back to the Marquis's mansion to gain some experience, otherwise, after she gets married, she won't have any fighting power to live under her mother-in-law's thumb!"
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