Chapter 396: Marriage Arranged by the Retired Emperor
"To be honest, sir, I am also worried about my elder sister!"
"What mother wouldn't love her daughter? Even though my eldest sister didn't come out of my guts , she calls me mother, just like my second and third sisters!"
"Ever since Master Zhen passed away, I have been worried. It would be good for her to marry into a rich family, but she has no children. How will she survive when she grows old? Now my eldest sister is blessed to be favored by the Marquis. It is her good fortune. I would like to thank the Marquis on my behalf."
"I am an old woman and I will not live for many more years. Although I can't do much, I have saved up some property. Now only my second and third sisters are still unmarried. Apart from that, I don't have any other wishes. Therefore, it is a blessing for us to visit my eldest sister occasionally. As long as my eldest sister lives well, I can close my eyes and see her father after I die."
"Mom!" Old Lady You's words made You burst into tears.
I have to say that although this old lady You has little knowledge or family background, she is definitely a person of character.
First of all, just by looking at the complexion of the second and third sisters, you can tell that when Old Lady You was young, she was destined to be a beauty. Moreover, You and the second and third sisters have different fathers and mothers. How could Old Lady You be incompetent when she was able to marry You's father with two burdens?
These few words first expressed his attitude, and then won Youshi's heart, and also stated what he wanted, which is not something that ordinary people can do.
Although it was clear that Old Lady You had her own agenda, Jia Cong didn't care. Who doesn't live for themselves? And since he wanted her daughter, he owed her something, so he should compensate her.
"Since Old Lady You said so, I feel relieved. This way, Zhi'er won't blame me."
"There's no need for Old Lady You to worry about Zhi'er. What I say is true. She is my woman, so I will naturally love her."
"As for my two younger sisters, you can rest assured. After all, I am their brother-in-law. Whether they are at home or get married in the future, I will be in charge and help them!"
"In that case, I would like to thank you, my Lord!"
"Zhi'er is also a quiet person. If I and my two sisters are free, you can come into the mansion and chat with me. Anyway, we live nearby now, so there is no need to be restrained."
After the matter was talked out, the atmosphere naturally became relaxed. Yu Shi happily took care of everyone, and Jia Cong also accompanied them for a drink, and only left when it was late at night.
Although Jia Cong was moved by the moisture in Youshi's eyes, now that her mothers were here, he had to at least give Youshi some respect. Otherwise, wouldn't he be just coveting her body?
Zhen Muring had gotten used to living in the East Palace. Every day, apart from staying in her own courtyard, she would go to the Yuanyang Courtyard to chat. However, when she occasionally met Jia Cong, she would become nervous and afraid.
Time flies, and it is already the end of June!
On June 26, Dai Quan led a group of eunuchs out of the palace and slowly walked towards the Jia Mansion.
When they arrived outside Ningguo Mansion, the doorman saw what was happening and asked someone to pass the message inside while opening the door wide to welcome Dai Quan and his party into the front hall.
When Jia Cong got the news, he understood immediately that this was probably the emperor who sent him to convey the marriage decree.
"Qingwen, go to the West Mansion and invite the old lady and second uncle to come over. Um... invite the people from the Zhen family to come over as well. Xiaoque'er, Xiangling, the two of you go to Zhen Muring's courtyard and ask her to pack up and get ready to receive the decree."
"Yuanyang, come with Zhen Muring later!"
After giving instructions to everyone, Jia Cong went to the front hall first.
"Meet the Marquis!"
"Old Prime Minister, please sit down quickly. Jia Zhong hasn't served tea yet." Jia Cong sat down next to Dai Quan with a big laugh.
"Today I want to congratulate the Marquis. The Emperor has issued an order to arrange the marriage. I have to ask for a glass of wedding wine. Otherwise, how can I show off to His Majesty when I go back?"
"I'm sorry to bother you, old minister. Isn't a little bit of wine a proper gift?" Jia Cong said with a smile, "Today, time is urgent. Although I am taking a concubine this time, I still have the face of the emperor. So, I plan to invite some old relatives to a banquet in three days. At that time, I will personally send an invitation to the old minister. Even if the emperor disagrees, I will still ask for it."
"After all, the old minister of internal affairs helped to convey the imperial decree, so he can be considered the matchmaker. At that time, anyone can not come to the banquet, but the old minister of internal affairs is indispensable."
"Hahaha, fine. Then I'll wait for the Marquis' wedding in three days!"
The two chatted for a while, and then Yuanyang led Zhen Muring to arrive first. They waited in the side room. Not long after, the people from the West Mansion also drove over in their carriages, and all the people from the Zhen family also arrived.
"Old Prime Minister , everyone in the mansion and the Zhen family are here!"
"Then let's pass on the order first!" Dai Quan said with a smile.
Afterwards, Dai Quan stood up and took out the imperial edict. Everyone from the East and West Mansions, as well as the old lady and the wives of the Zhen family, all bowed to the ground according to their rank.
"By the order of the Emperor Tian Cheng Yun, I have heard that Zhen Mu Ning, the second daughter of Zhen Yingjia, the president of Jinling Provincial Ti Ren Yuan, is virtuous, kind, honest, and outstanding in appearance and character. I am very pleased to hear this!"
"Now, the champion marquis Jia Cong has reached the age of twenty, and it is time to get married. We should choose a virtuous woman to be his partner. Zhen Muring is still unmarried, and you and the champion marquis Jia Cong are a perfect match. In order to make you a perfect match, I will give you to Jia Cong as a concubine. In addition, I will confer the title of third-class lady on Zhen Muring!"
"Announce this to all civil and military officials! I decree this!"
After reading the imperial edict, Dai Quan looked at the dazed Zhen Muring and couldn't help but smile, "Miss Zhen, why don't you accept the edict?"
"I accept the imperial edict!" Zhen Muring finally came to her senses. After bowing, she stood up and took the imperial edict in her hands.
"The Zhen family and the Jia family are getting married. I would like to congratulate you first. There are also gifts from the retired emperor, the queen mother, the emperor, and the queen!"
As he spoke, he waved his hand and the eunuchs behind him brought up all kinds of messy, numerous and expensive things. There were so many kinds of things that Dai Quan directly handed the gift list to Jia Cong.
Jia Cong bowed down, "Your Majesty, I thank the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress for your gifts!"
"Old Prime Minister, please come in and serve tea!"
Dai Quan waved his hand and said, "I shouldn't refuse the invitation from the Marquis, but I have to go back and report to the two emperors, so I won't stay any longer. In a few days, I will come to drink the Marquis' wedding wine!"
Jia Cong did not stay long after seeing this. He waved his hand and asked Jia Zhong to deliver the red envelope, then sent Dai Quan out of the house.
And Grandmother Jia led a group of people back to Ningzheng Hall first.
On the high couch, Jia's mother and the old lady of the Zhen family sat down. The rest of the people from the two mansions also heard the news and rushed over.
