Chapter 1103: Auspicious Beyond Compare
Yun Jiao and Old Madam Tian exchanged a glance at this moment, a glance that sparked fire and thunder.
Old Madam Tian laughed, "My grandson too, he is already eighteen, but his engagement hasn’t been settled yet. I’m worried day by day."
Yun Jiao smiled with pursed lips.
Old Madam Tian’s eyes curved into crescents, "Your Ruru was so likable as a child."
"Nowadays, she’s even more outstanding. If she becomes my granddaughter-in-law, I wouldn’t know how to dote on her!"
Yun Jiao laughed, "The Xie family has a good family style, and you, madam, are kind and gentle. I just wonder if she has the fortune to be your granddaughter-in-law."
"Hahaha..." Old Madam Tian laughed, "I see Ruru’s forehead is full and her chin is rounded, her fortune is great."
"Madam, if you don’t mind my grandson, why don’t we form a family alliance?"
Yun Jiao laughed and said, "Young Master Xie has grown up before my eyes; his character and talent are the best in Xiang City. Our family is delighted, barely able to contain our joy, how could we mind?"
Old Madam Tian was even happier; praising her grandson brought more joy than praising herself.
She stood up, "Then it’s settled. Three days from now is a good day; I will send someone to propose the marriage."
Yun Jiao nodded with a smile.
After sending Old Madam Tian away, Yun Jiao finally felt relieved.
She then dispatched someone to the military camp to send word to the Duke, asking him to come home.
The Duke returned home at dusk, understanding Yun Jiao’s intention to arrange an engagement for Ruru. His emotions were extremely complicated, "But, Ruru is still young; it’s quite alright to wait until after she comes of age to engage her."
Yun Jiao knew the Duke felt hesitant as he realized his daughter had grown up and was leaving home.
She smiled, "Father, it’s just an engagement for now; the marriage is still far away."
"It will be at least one or two years. By then, when the groom’s family requests the date, they will surely seek your approval."
The Duke couldn’t bear to part with such a good son-in-law as Xie Heng, hesitating, "Well, then, let’s proceed with the engagement."
Yun Jiao sensed a poignant loss in the Duke’s tone.
On the third day, Yun Jiao didn’t go to Renxin Hall for consultations; instead, she dressed in guest attire early in the morning, waiting for the matchmaker to arrive.
Ruru had also heard the news and sent Xiao Lu to check the front a few times in private.
By the hour of Si, a famous official matchmaker from Xiang City arrived.
It was Yun Jiao’s first time handling such a significant matter, so she specially called Nanny Su to guide her.
After receiving gifts from the Xie family, Yun Jiao handed Ruru’s birth date and eight characters to the matchmaker.
The next step was to see how the eight characters matched.
Old Madam Tian had consulted the Abbot of Kaiyuan Temple about the eight characters, and the Abbot confirmed with eight words, "Excellent and auspicious, a hundred years of harmony."
Old Madam Tian sent someone to show these words to Yun Jiao, and the two families began the engagement proceedings.
Days slipped away rapidly, and in the blink of an eye, a year had passed.
On this day, Jiang Youzhi returned home, unable to contain his excitement.
Before Yun Jiao could ask, he eagerly exclaimed, "In a few days, the Forbidden Army will hold a grand military competition."
Yun Jiao found it strange; was there any need to be so excited about a military competition?
Jiang Youzhi lowered his voice, "The grand competition is to evaluate the results of these years of training. Afterwards, the Forbidden Army will split into several groups to reach the borders, and then His Majesty will issue a decree, declaring war against Da Jin."
Yun Jiao couldn’t help but feel excited too. After waiting for more than a decade, His Majesty finally decided to take military action against Jin Country.