After the morning court session, Tianwu City was once again stirred up by the Sixth Prince, or rather, the Prince of Chu.
"I heard that His Highness the Prince of Chu today requested His Majesty to grant him a marriage in front of all the civil and military officials."
"Hiss! A marriage decree?! Which family's daughter has His Highness the Prince of Chu taken a fancy to?"
"I'm telling you, but don't go spreading this around."
"Quickly, tell me, who is it?"
"The one from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."
"Really? Has His Highness the King of Chu lost his mind?"
"I don't know, but I've heard that the ominous one is an absolute beauty~"
"A peerless beauty? You've seen her?"
"No, I've only heard about it."
"Tch, what if she's a 200-pound woman like yours?"
"Damn, you never know!"
In people's stereotypical view, those young ladies who are well-versed in poetry and etiquette, and proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting are almost all descendants of civil officials or from wealthy families.
In contrast, those young ladies who are forthright, unpretentious, and carefree seem to be descendants of military generals, influenced by their fathers and military life.
Take, for example, the daughter of the Marquis of Dongping. She was over nine feet tall, with broad shoulders and a thick waist. With a single shake of her arms, she possessed the strength of ten thousand jin. She once fought a bear monster with her bare hands and was known as the Bear Queen, which further deepened the stereotypes people had of her.
The Crown Prince's Residence.
A wisp of white smoke, like a white dragon soaring into the sky, rose gently from the incense burner.
"Your Highness, the Fifth Prince requests an audience!" the young eunuch said respectfully.
On the bed, the cold-faced young man opened his eyes, flicked his purple sleeve embroidered with golden auspicious cloud patterns, and said indifferently, "Let him in."
"Cough cough cough, big brother, why do you always light this lousy cigarette? Doesn't it make you choke?" The disdainful voice came from afar, and a young man dressed in fiery red clothes waved and walked to the bedside.
Shen Muchen sat up, somewhat impatiently, and said, "What business do you have here with me?"
Shen Tengfeng rubbed his hands together and chuckled, "Isn't your younger brother here to help you out of your troubles, elder brother?"
"What worries are you trying to solve?" Shen Muchen frowned.
"Big brother, you were there during the morning court session! Didn't you hear that Sixth Brother is going to marry that ominous woman from the Ye family?"
"That's Sixth Brother's happy occasion. Why do you seem so dissatisfied? Could it be that Fifth Brother has also taken a fancy to Ye Liyan?"
Shen Tengfeng waved his hand dismissively: "How could that be! I've never even seen what she looks like. Just hearing those rumors about her makes me want to avoid the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion!"
"Oh brother, you've led me astray. I'm here to genuinely help you out of your predicament."
"Oh? Then tell me, Fifth Brother." Shen Muchen said with interest, one foot on the bed and the other hand propping up his head.
"Cough cough..."
Shen Tengfeng rubbed his fingers together and coughed twice on purpose.
How much do you want?
"Five hundred taels, uh, three hundred taels is enough!" Shen Tengfeng quickly changed his words after observing Shen Muchen's expression.
"A-Chan, see the guest out," Shen Muchen gestured to the young eunuch, waving his hand.
"No, no, no, brother, two hundred taels is enough!"
"A-Chan!"
"One hundred taels! I want one hundred taels! Brother, can you bear to watch your humble brother starve to death on the streets?"
Shen Muchen raised his hand: "Speak."
Shen Tengfeng was overjoyed and quickly cleared his throat: "Once Lao Liu marries that ominous woman, it will be equivalent to having the Ye family supporting him. Although the Ye family has an ominous woman, they have great prestige in the army."
"Especially the Duke of Zhenguo is a veteran general of two dynasties, the General Who Guards the North, and was once appointed Grand Marshal of the Army by my grandfather. He made unparalleled contributions to the expansion of the Great Qian Dynasty! With such a person supporting Sixth Brother behind the scenes, don't you feel any sense of crisis, Eldest Brother?"
"Why should I feel threatened?" Shen Muchen said indifferently.
"Big brother, aren't you afraid of the sixth brother..." Shen Tengfeng's words were cut off by a cold glare from Shen Muchen.
"How have I taught you? There are some things you shouldn't say, so just keep them to yourself."
"What I mean is to disrupt this marriage to avoid any unforeseen complications...hehe..." Shen Tengfeng scratched his head and chuckled.
If Shen Muchen doesn't become emperor, how will he enjoy wealth and luxury as a carefree prince?
"The imperial edict has already been issued, how can it be taken back? Or do you, Fifth Brother, dare to take back the imperial edict on behalf of Father?"
"Brother, you can't say things like that!" Shen Tengfeng hurriedly waved his hand, knowing that if this accusation were leveled against him, his father would skin him alive.
Shen Muchen stood up and walked to Shen Tengfeng's side, saying calmly, "Next time you come to ask for money, be more direct and avoid gossiping so that no one with ulterior motives will overhear."
"Furthermore, think about how to perform well so that your father will grant you a princely title and allow you to move out of the palace as soon as possible."
Shen Tengfeng's face fell, and he said without a care in the world, "I want to too, but look, Father deducts my salary every month. I'm almost starving. How can I perform well when I'm poor and hungry?"
"Stop going to places of pleasure and causing trouble, and how will you manage to anger Father and have your salary docked?"
"A-Chan, take him to get the money."
Shen Muchen turned around and waved impatiently. If they weren't brothers from the same parents, he really wouldn't want to deal with this notorious playboy brother in Tianwu City.
"Thank you, big brother! I'll definitely come visit you often when I have time! Hehe!"
The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.
A red-robed eunuch, carrying an imperial edict, led a large group of eunuchs and guards into the mansion.
"Miss, why are there so many people from the palace?" Jinlian asked softly.
"Shh, be quiet." Ye Liyan gestured for the two women to remain silent.
Jinxiu and Jinlian quickly shut their mouths.
"Eunuch Xu," Ye Tianze said, bowing.
"Congratulations, Your Excellency Duke. Please accept the imperial decree."
Eunuch Xu opened the imperial edict and said with a smile.
Everyone from the Duke's mansion present knelt down in unison as Ye Tianze did.
"...It is hereby learned that Ye Liyan, daughter of General Ye Fen of the Northern Garrison, is skilled and generous, possesses outstanding appearance and character, and is virtuous and talented..."
"...To make this beautiful woman your wife, I hereby betroth you to the King of Chu as his queen."
"So be it!"
"Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude!"
Ye Tianze accepted the imperial edict with both hands and said respectfully.
"Miss..."
Jinxiu and Jinlian clearly felt their young lady's body tremble slightly a few times.
"Your Excellency, your family will soon be royalty! Congratulations!" Eunuch Xu couldn't help but glance at Ye Liyan, who was standing not far away.
Everyone says that the woman in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is an ominous figure, but how many people have actually seen her?
Even with a black brocade ribbon wrapped around her eyes, it still couldn't conceal her unparalleled beauty.
Now that I see it, everything seems to make sense.
"You're too kind, Eunuch Xu, Afu!" Ye Tianze called out.
The Duke's steward, who was standing not far away, quickly stepped forward and skillfully took a silver pouch from his waist.
"Eunuch Xu, here's a little money for tea."
Xu Gonggong silently accepted the silver pouch, his eyes almost crinkling into slits with laughter: "Your Excellency, then I shall take my leave."
"Please take care, Eunuch Xu."
After the group left the mansion, Ye Tianze spat out, "Pah, you old eunuch."
If he hadn't known what kind of imperial edict the other party had delivered, he wouldn't have given them a friendly look at all.
"Miss, are you alright?"
Hearing Jinxiu's worried voice, Ye Tianze suddenly turned around.
The black brocade ribbon was already soaked with tears, and two tear streaks ran down its back.
"Liyan? What's wrong...?"
Supported by the two girls, Ye Liyan shook her head like a rattle-drum, saying, "I'm sorry, Grandpa... I was just too happy..."
After her grandfather returned home, he told her that something good would happen today. She was curious, but she never expected it to be an imperial decree to grant her marriage. At this moment, the longing she had felt day and night turned into tears that flowed uncontrollably.
Ye Tianze couldn't help but sigh. Heaven had mercy on the Ye family. He had no regrets as he was able to see his poor granddaughter find a good home in his lifetime.