mtlumby2d Chapter 1789 The first day of the first lunar month
Chapter 1789 The first day of the first lunar month
Zhong Siyu smiled: "But you don't need to be afraid. You have a better chance of marrying General Suixin. I haven't met him, but he seems a bit cynical, which is actually quite charming to women. He's also one of the Emperor's confidants, the Grand General of the Southern Expedition. I've heard he's skilled in military strategy and is both brave and resourceful—a rare talent. In short, they're both Grand Generals; you'll be lucky to marry either one. It seems like this is pretty much a done deal!"
Upon hearing this, Zhong Lingding glanced behind her, and what she saw was astonishing: a man was looking in their direction. Seeing Zhong Lingding turn around, the man waved at her and shouted, "Hey—"
Zhong Lingding blushed, turned around and grabbed Zhong Siyu to run away, but in her panic she almost tripped over her own skirt.
Sui Xin shouted again, "Be careful!"
As soon as Sui Xin shouted, a row of men appeared around him, all craning their necks to look, laughing as they watched.
Zhong Lingding couldn't help but turn around and steal another glance. In this glance, she saw a group of people watching her. She even abandoned her aunt and ran away to a more distant place.
Wan Lian wielded his fan, enjoying himself immensely. "His loud and boisterous manner scared that little girl."
He chuckled to himself, "I didn't make much noise. Look how fast she ran, faster than a rabbit."
Shang Xi had lunch in the palace before returning to the Prince's Mansion. When she came back, her hangover from the previous night had completely disappeared. When she arrived at Madam Wan's room, she was carrying a box of jujube cakes that she had brought back from the palace. Wan Lianxing was the one who loved these the most. Because of his love for them, everyone in the palace considered them a delicacy, so they were especially fond of giving jujube cakes as a reward.
"Mother, my uncle's kitchen just made some jujube cakes for lunch, and he asked me to bring you a box!"
Upon hearing about the jujube cakes, Madam Wan waved her hand, "I'm too old to eat anymore, so I'll share them with you!" Although Madam Wan herself couldn't eat anymore, seeing the brownish-red wooden box made her happy. Wan Lianxing, the man she had raised in the palace, still cared about her. "Daughter-in-law, the war in the south has ended, and the two generals have returned. Your uncle must be happy!"
"Not only am I happy, but I also have more energy and spirit than before. Today, I even arranged a marriage for Suixin!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Wan straightened up, found a comfortable position, and leaned back in her chair. "She's already engaged after only two days back? Whose daughter is she?"
“The Zhong family’s daughter, the Empress’s own niece, Zhong Lingding, is sixteen years old. She is both beautiful and talented, a rare and wonderful girl!” Shang Xi stood up: “Mother, I think you are tired. Let me help you to lie down on the soft couch.”
"Buju, tell your mother, who suggested betrothing the Empress's niece to that general?"
Without a word, Shang Xi helped Madam Wan up from the chair and led her step by step toward the soft couch inside the room. "One of them wanted to get married, and the other just happened to have a niece. So it's settled. Luckily it's settled, otherwise I would have to search everywhere for wives for the two generals."
"That big guy, Sui Ming, isn't married either?"
"No way. How can they get married during wartime? Unless their families arrange a marriage, they don't have any relatives. If my uncle doesn't step in, they'll have to stay single. But it's no use getting a wife too early. Look at the eldest son of the Sha family, Sha Yueteng. Even though the emperor bestowed a marriage upon him, his family brought him a wife while he was leading troops in the north. Shi Hongjiao is such a lively girl. She's been married for several years now, but she's never even seen Sha Yueteng once. Yesterday, when she saw the army returning from the south, she cried her eyes out. She looked really pitiful."
Shang Xi rambled on and on, but Madam Wan didn't listen to much of it; all she could think about was leaving it to fate.
"Does fate bring you a girl you like?"
"No, judging from Sui Ming's appearance, he's not in a hurry at all. But the Emperor is a bit anxious, but unfortunately there's no suitable candidate."
When Shang Xi first entered the room, she saw Madam Wan dozing in a chair. Now, however, Madam Wan was wide awake and very interested in what Shang Xi was saying. "Did Sui Ming say what kind of person he would find?"
Shang Xi sat down in a chair and said slowly, "Sui Ming didn't say, but my uncle has high standards. He doesn't even look at the daughters of ordinary ministers. He said that first of all, he has to consider the family background. The family background must match the general's, and the girl must be outstanding! Actually, when you think about it, the requirements aren't that high. The general has been fighting on the battlefield for many years. When he returns victorious, wouldn't he have to carefully choose from the noble ladies of prestigious families? Even the Empress is marrying her daughter to the general's mansion, which shows how much the Emperor and Empress value the two generals."
Madam Wan said thoughtfully, "Family background is important, the girl must be good, and most importantly, they must be a good match!"
Shang Xi nodded in agreement, "Mother is right. The Empress's niece is truly remarkable. She is beautiful and plays the zither beautifully. But what is most stunning is her dance. With a swing of her arm and a flick of her sleeve, she moves like a butterfly fluttering its wings. Even I, a woman, am moved by her beauty! So beautiful! No wonder the General sought someone who can sing and dance so well!"
Recalling Zhong Lingding's dance moves, Shang Xi couldn't help but clap her hands on the small table.
Madam Wan lay down on the couch at some point, and the room was completely quiet.
According to the imperial strategist's calculations and under the emperor's authority, the most auspicious day recently is the fifth day of the first lunar month.
Sui Xin's newly assigned residence had a considerable number of staff, but when it came to marriage, someone still needed to make arrangements. Before Sui Xin could even ask, the Emperor entrusted the matter to the Imperial Clan Court and the Ministry of Rites.
His wedding day was far more grand than that of any other young master from a prominent family, because the Emperor and Empress were there, and the original court officials had all changed out of their court robes and gone. When Wan Lianxing sat on his high seat, it was as if the court had moved house. Right now, his ministers were everywhere, and it was hard to find two unfamiliar faces.
Even so, Wan Lianxing was happy. Not to mention Sui Xin, he had been looking forward to this day.
Wan Lianxing beckoned to Suiming, who then walked over and put his head close to his ear.
"The old butler said that many young ladies from prominent families have come today. Shall we arrange for you to go and take a look at the back?"
Sui Ming and Wan Lianxing looked at each other. Sui Ming shook his head, and Wan Lianxing sighed. Wan Lianxing patted his shoulder, knowing that he couldn't force it, so he lowered his voice and said, "I've asked the old steward and the empress to keep an eye out for you. If there are any good girls, you should take a look!"
Sui Ming shook his head again and whispered, "With so many people around, can we not talk about this?"
"When fighting a battle, you charge forward; why put this matter off!"
"I'm too young!"
"You're young? You're only a few years old! This matter is up to me!"
Sui Ming lowered his voice and said, "I always feel that the Southern Yan Kingdom still has a backup plan. This war is not over yet, and it is not the time for me to get married!"