Chapter 263 - 262: No Other Choice
On New Year’s Eve, an imperial decree of marriage was delivered to the Wei Family.
Young General Wei thought it was his sister who persuaded the Emperor to marry Xie Yunling to him.
When he knelt to receive the decree, he couldn’t hide the smile on his face.
He felt that his sister’s honor was safeguarded.
And that he would marry a suitable wife.
Unexpectedly, the name written in the decree was one he had never heard of.
The smile on Young General Wei’s face gradually faded, and finally, his expression became tight and serious.
After the eunuch who announced the decree left, he asked, "Zhao Yuqing... Wasn’t the one my sister chose Xie Yunling? How did it suddenly change?"
With no outsiders around, there was no need for pretense; Young General Wei looked extremely displeased.
Mr. Zhao was just a minor official, not prominent in the court.
The benefits of marrying Zhao Yuqing were not even as good as marrying the orphan, Ji Mingzhu!
He read the decree word by word three times, and the name on it was still Zhao Yuqing.
Young General Wei’s heart slowly sank, and his gaze turned icy.
Out of interest, he wanted to marry Xie Yunling.
Out of personal desire, he still wanted to marry Xie Yunling!
"Where did this Zhao Yuqing come from, and how is she suddenly being thrown at me?"
Mrs. Wei explained to him, "Your sister personally chose her. For your marriage, she almost angered the Emperor. If she hadn’t compromised, she might have fallen out of favor."
"She has her difficulties, and you must not act out again. Otherwise, if you cause her trouble, neither your father nor I will forgive you."
"But she clearly favored Xie Yunling."
Although Young General Wei was somewhat impulsive, he wasn’t stupid. The fact that the Emperor was willing to grant a marriage decree showed that this marriage had his favor.
Previously, in the grand hall, the Emperor did not agree to his sister’s suggestion immediately, which meant he did not want the Wei and Duke Mansions to form an alliance!
Clutching the imperial decree in its vibrant yellow, the feeling of having one’s fate in someone’s control felt utterly wretched!
"A ruler must use both benevolence and authority. This time, your father received great rewards, and your nephew was appointed Crown Prince. If you marry a noble lady from a prestigious family, it would be too conspicuous."
Mrs. Wei said earnestly, "Fortunately, the Zhao family was personally chosen by your mother and sister. Although their family background doesn’t match the Wei Family, she is upright in character and not a foolish woman, so this marriage isn’t too bad."
People are most likely to act recklessly when they are proud.
Now, what the Wei Family should do is live low-key.
Otherwise, they would become a thorn in the Emperor’s side, and once the court stabilizes, perhaps the Emperor would no longer tolerate them.
The road to power is this ruthless.
Ever since her daughter entered the palace and became Empress, Mrs. Wei had acted even more cautiously.
Maternal relatives can be a support or an obstacle.
They intended to be the former!
Young General Wei understood these principles, but inside, he felt utterly confused.
Recently, he had prepared many gifts, intending to send them to the Xie family during the New Year to please Xie Yunling.
The Emperor did not wish to grant a marriage decree, but if he and Xie Yunling were emotionally attached, could the Emperor really prevent them from marrying?
Unexpectedly, before he could visit the Xie family, the marriage decree had already arrived at their mansion.
In frustration, he slapped the table hard.
"They throw just anyone into my room, as if I’ve done something unforgivable to deserve such punishment!"
Mrs. Wei was urgently alarmed.
"My dear child, you better shut your mouth. If these words reach the Emperor’s ears, the entire Wei Family will suffer because of you!"
Young General Wei looked gloomy.
Suddenly, he let out a cold laugh, "To think I was considering that I couldn’t let anyone disrespect my sister’s honor, even if Xie Yunling didn’t like me, I would propose publicly. Now, it seems my sister is clear-minded enough and doesn’t need me to do anything for her."
"Mother knows you truly care for your sister, but she is the Empress. She has her difficulties, and you mustn’t blame her for this matter."
Young General Wei laughed at himself, "Why should I blame her? She’s not the one making the decision."
Clearly, the Wei Family’s status was rising, with endless glory, and no one dared to show them disrespect outside.
Even members of the Imperial Family, with little say in the mansion, had to avoid clashing with the Wei Family.
Yet, for some reason, Mrs. Wei just felt like crying.
Crying for her daughter’s high status, but also for having to act cautiously in all she did.
Knowing the Emperor had someone on his mind, yet she couldn’t question, couldn’t act rashly.
Even to give Ji Mingzhu a warning involved tremendous risk.
She was the Empress, yet she couldn’t live as freely as Ji Mingzhu.
How could she swallow this indignation?
Now, with her son forced to marry a girl he didn’t like, Mrs. Wei felt even more like crying.
If the Zhao family could bring some advantage, it might have been bearable, having at least love or interest.
But now that both were empty, it was no wonder her son couldn’t accept it.
"You must endure it and not act impulsively. If worse comes to worst, you can divorce her and remarry after three or five years, just don’t provoke the Emperor now."
"I understand."
With these words, Young General Wei left the mansion, feeling lost.
To say he deeply loved Xie Yunling would be a lie.
At most, he only admired her a little.
Not wanting to marry Xie Yunling and being unable to marry Xie Yunling were two different things.
A sense of rebellion started to grow within him.
His hands clenched into fists behind his back.
He was unmarried, and she was unwed; he refused to believe there was truly nothing he could do!
...
In the Duke Mansion.
Xie Yunzhen and Ji Mingzhu returned home for the New Year. To make it convenient for Ji Mingzhu to rest, they temporarily moved back to the courtyard where they lived when they got married.
The registration for Gold had already been processed, and Ji Mingzhu set up a household for her. After the New Year, she could leave the Ji Mansion.
The mansion had invited a troupe to perform.
After watching two shows, Ji Mingzhu began to lose interest.
Xie Yunzhen came from the study and naturally sat beside her, "Are you tired?"
"Not tired."
"Then why aren’t you interested? Are the performances not to your liking?"
Ji Mingzhu smiled, "I’ve attended many banquets with you these days; I’ve heard plenty of songs and seen plenty of dances."
Xie Yunzhen was set to leave the capital after the New Year, and during this time, invitations flooded the mansion like snowflakes.
Almost all were declined by Xie Yunzhen.
For those he couldn’t refuse, he took Mingzhu along.
Ji Mingzhu knew some people wished to use such occasions to present beauties to noble families.
Xie Yunzhen wanted to bring her along, and since her health was fine, she accompanied him to liven things up a few times.
Perhaps because Xie Yunzhen didn’t give any chances, or perhaps because she was present, some things were not brought to the forefront, so they didn’t encounter any unpleasant situations.
Xie Yunzhen squeezed Ji Mingzhu’s hand, "Shall we go out for a walk?"
Ji Mingzhu was a bit tempted but also a bit worried, "There will surely be many people outside today, so let’s not join the crowd."
She was still pregnant, and Ji Mingzhu felt staying in the mansion was safer.
Xie Yunzhen smiled, "We won’t go to crowded places."
He then reached to touch her belly, wondering if it was an illusion, feeling there was already a slight curve.
Xie Yunzhen’s gaze grew increasingly tender, "Let’s let the child see the world."
Ji Mingzhu chuckled, "He’s still young, doesn’t know anything yet."
The man looked serious, "Prenatal education cannot be delayed!"