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Chapter 146: Newlywed Life
Chapter 146: Newlywed Life
On the 17th of April, the weather was pleasant and sunny.
Yesterday, the Grand Viceroy had a grand wedding, with gongs and drums resounding throughout the capital. Today, when the common folk learned that his new bride was Meng Qianqian, the entire city was in an uproar.
In the tea houses, the storytellers put aside their usual tales and instead spoke about the new lady of the Viceroy's mansion.
"Meng Qianqian? Is it the same Meng Qianqian I know?"
A young man dressed as a scholar asked. Despite his attire, it was clear he had no love for books, having spent the entire morning loitering in the tea house.
A young noble beside him said, "Who else could it be? How many people with that name are there in the capital?"
"But I heard she was married before and even divorced," the scholar said, confused.
"It was a severance of ties," the young noble corrected him. "It was the Emperor who issued the decree."
The scholar said, "Even if it was a severance of ties, she was still married once. How could the Grand Viceroy, with his high position and power, take a wife who has been married before?"
Another guest chimed in, "Yes, I remember the Grand Viceroy's fiancee was supposed to be the daughter of a chieftain from Miao Territory!"
"So what if she was married before? Do any of your sisters or daughters remain unmarried? Would the Grand Viceroy even deign to look at them?"
"Hey, how dare you speak to me like that?"
"This young master always speaks like this!"
"And who are you to her?"
"I'm her little brother!"
The young noble was none other than Han Lin, who had sworn brotherhood with Yu Li.
Han Lin had spent the entire morning in the tea house, arguing with those who questioned Meng Qianqian's character. He may have never won a fight, but he never lost an argument.
The news spread to every corner of the capital, and by the time it reached the palace, it was already noon.
Liguifei, the imperial consort, had been in high spirits lately. Her son was about to be married, and the future empress was her niece.
Soon, the emperor would begin ruling on his own, now that he had come of age.
Naturally, Lu Yuan would not willingly give up his grip on political power. However, there were limits to his arrogance. No matter how powerful Lu Yuan was and how reluctant he was to relinquish control, he could not ignore the imperial traditions.
A eunuch named Wang rushed in and bowed to Liguifei. "Your Highness!"
Liguifei was sitting on the couch meant for imperial consorts, having her fingernails painted with cardamom by a little palace maid.
She was quite taken with the new shade of cardamom.
"Your Highness."
Seeing that Liguifei was absorbed in the beauty of her freshly painted nails, Eunuch Wang called out again.
"I heard you," Liguifei said, admiring her freshly painted left hand. "Can't you see that I'm busy?"
Eunuch Wang said, "Your Highness, something big has happened."
Liguifei nonchalantly replied, "Isn't it just that Lu Yuan didn't show up for the morning court? He's newly married and understandably immersed in marital bliss. It's only natural for him to be captivated by his new wife. The more he indulges in her beauty, the more it benefits us."
Eunuch Wang anxiously said, "The Grand Viceroy didn't marry the daughter of the Miao chieftain. There was never any such daughter from the Miao Territory!"
Liguifei's eyebrows knitted together in annoyance. "Then who did he marry?"
Eunuch Wang steeled himself and said, "Meng Xiaojiu."
Liguifei's hand twitched, and the little palace maid accidentally smeared cardamom on her fingertip. Frightened, the little palace maid knelt and begged for forgiveness.
Eunuch Wang glared at the little palace maid and snapped, "Get out of here! Are you trying to obstruct Her Highness' view?"
"Yes! Yes!" The little palace maid scurried out.
Liguifei coldly said, "Are you sure you didn't make a mistake?"
Eunuch Wang said, "There's no mistake! I heard it directly from the ministers during the morning court. Yesterday's wedding procession was quite a spectacle. The bride was carried in a palanquin borne by eight men, and the bearers were Zhang Feihu and other generals who have made great contributions on the battlefield!"
Liguifei was absolutely furious. She had never been so angry in her life.
Lu Yuan had chosen her son's wedding day to marry. She had assumed it was the doing of that mad sister, so she gave in without hesitation.
But Lu Yuan... Lu Yuan was taking revenge on her. He intended to make Meng Qianqian his concubine!
What a brilliant move, akin to stealing a march on her. First, he created an air of mystery, leading her to believe he was marrying the daughter of the Miao chieftain. Then, just before the imperial wedding, he brought Meng Qianqian into his household. By the time she realized what had happened, it was too late!
She could ask her son to issue a decree and make Meng Qianqian a concubine, but she couldn't very well take the wife of a subject for herself!
And to think she had sent such a valuable gift...
"That damn Lu Yuan... How dare he play me for a fool!"
When the news broke that Lu Yuan's new wife was Meng Qianqian, some were angry, but others were delighted.
The ladies of the Wang family, for instance.
Lu Yuan had sent wedding invitations to the Wang and Zhou families, but Lady Wang, assuming he was marrying the Miao daughter, refused to attend the wedding and even forbade Wang Yu, the imperial censor, from going.
Xing Furen, Zhou Furen, and Lin Furen, despite not restricting their husbands, followed Wang Furen's example and proudly refused the banquet invitation.
It wasn't until nightfall that the three ladies learned the truth, regretting their absence and missing out on the occasion.
Early the next morning, the trio independently made their way to Wang Furen's residence to share the joyous news of Meng Qianqian's marriage.
Wang Furen, at her wits' end, said, "I already knew. I spent the entire night scolding Wang Daniu."
Xing Furen asked in confusion, "Why scold him?"
Wang Furen sighed, "That man, despite his age, has no backbone. As the saying goes, 'the husband is the wife's foundation.' Yet, he listens to me, a mere woman. If he hadn't listened to me and instead dragged me to the banquet, I wouldn't have missed Qianqian's wedding."
The three ladies were left speechless.
At the Zhou residence, Zhou Nanyan also heard that the bride was her sister, Meng Qianqian. She exclaimed, "So that's how it is."
"What do you mean, 'so that's how it is'?"
Zhou Ye approached her with a beaming smile.
Seated in the corridor, Zhou Nanyan turned around, surprised, and asked, "Second Brother? Are you on a break?"
Zhou Ye attended the Imperial University, and today wasn't a day for a break.
Zhou Ye explained, "The Imperial University is closed for three days."
The sudden holiday was likely to commemorate the wedding in the Viceroy's mansion, wasn't it?
Zhou Nanyan nodded, realizing this and feeling enlightened.
Zhou Ye found her reaction amusing. "I've been watching you for a while. Did you just have an epiphany about some great matter of life? You look like you've had a profound realization."
Zhou Nanyan was too excited to keep it in any longer. She looked around and, pulling Zhou Ye closer, whispered, "Second Brother, the Emperor's second pot of peonies was actually sent to Sister Meng's house."
Zhou Ye was shocked. "What? Does the Emperor intend to make Meng Xiaojiu his concubine?"
Zhou Nanyan quickly covered his mouth. "Shh! Keep your voice down, Second Brother! Don't let others hear! I promised Sister Meng that I wouldn't tell anyone. I haven't even told Mother!"
Zhou Ye removed her hand and, just like his sister, had a moment of realization. "No wonder the Grand Viceroy was in such a rush to get married. After the Emperor's wedding, he will officially take a concubine. When the imperial decree arrives, if Meng Xiaojiu doesn't enter the palace, she will be defying the Emperor's order."
In truth, Zhou Ye hoped that his sister could also meet a man who would defy the Emperor for her, so she wouldn't have to enter the palace.
But such men were rare in this world.
In the past, he had held strong prejudices and misunderstandings about the Grand Viceroy, but through this incident, he now saw him in a new light. Lu Yuan was an exceptional man.
At the Viceroy's mansion...
Lu Yuan's parents were not in the mansion, and by custom, the new bride didn't need to serve tea to her in-laws today.
Unexpectedly, the elderly madam woke up and demanded to see Lu Yuan. "Where is my great-grandson-in-law? Hurry up and call him to serve me tea!"
The servants looked at her in horror. Was she trying to get the Grand Viceroy to serve her tea? Was she seeking death?
But to everyone's surprise, Lu Yuan actually arrived.
Meng Qianqian was in the courtyard, helping Baoshui practice walking, and she was taken aback to see him. "Grand Viceroy, why are you here?"
Lu Yuan replied calmly, "Didn't you call for me?"
Meng Qianqian: "Hmm?"
"Come on, let's go."
"Oh."
Meng Qianqian handed Baoshui to Qingfrost and followed Lu Yuan into the main hall of Tinglan Garden.
The elderly madam was beaming with joy as she sat in the main seat. "Quick, quick, quick! Great-grandson-in-law, I want some tea!"
Meng Qianqian: "Great-grandmother..."
A maid served the tea, and Lu Yuan took the cup and presented it to the elderly madam. "Great-grandmother, please have some tea."
Meng Qianqian watched him, utterly bewildered.
The elderly madam couldn't stop smiling. "Good, good, good! Tea served by my great-grandson-in-law tastes better! Qianqian, your turn!"
Meng Qianqian took the cup from the maid and slowly walked forward. "Great-grandmother, please have some tea."
The elderly madam chuckled. "Good, good."
After the elderly madam finished her tea, she gave the couple a large, heavy red packet and held their hands together. "From now on, the continuation of the Meng family's lineage depends on you two. You must work hard to have children soon, do you understand?"
Lu Yuan's expression remained unchanged as he replied, "Yes, great-grandmother."
Meng Qianqian stared at him, her eyes wide.
"Off you go now!"
The elderly madam happily waved them off.
Lu Yuan and Meng Qianqian stood up and left the hall together.
As soon as they let go of each other's hands, the elderly madam jumped off her chair, grabbed their hands again, and said solemnly, "Hold hands!"
Meng Qianqian: "..."
Hahahaha!
(End of Chapter)
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