Let's see if she doesn't empty out the Imperial Academy by then!
Oh, right, the third anniversary of the Luo family's death is coming up soon! Xiao Ji wronged her while she was alive, and he must make it up to her after his death!
Even if Xiao Ji is unwilling, Xiao Jin has ways to force him to hold a grand celebration!
It's easier to get things done if you're associated with the Duke's mansion!
Xiao Jin deliberately ignored the panic and unease in her heart. She couldn't imagine what kind of life she would have with the legendary cold and irritable Chu Tianshu. She would enjoy it while she could!
Xiao Jin thought dejectedly, hoping that Chu Tianshu wasn't a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Life is something you make by living it...
Xiao Jin repeatedly used this phrase to comfort herself, trying to convince herself that there would be a bright future.
Let's consider the Luo family's matter first! Xiao Jin sat down at his desk, cleared his mind of distractions, picked up his pen, and began to sketch.
In the east side room, Zisu and Huanyue were tidying up the remaining fabric.
Zisu said to Huanyue with a smug look, "I think it's quite good for Miss to marry into the Duke's mansion! The eldest young lady is usually so arrogant, but today she's all obedient and doesn't dare to utter a sound!"
"How dare you say that!" Huan Yue scolded in a low voice. "Have you forgotten all the rumors about Third Master Chu? You mustn't talk about such things in front of Miss!"
Zisu lowered her head sheepishly, feeling remorseful.
How could she forget the unknown life her young lady was about to face...?
Chapter 171
Preventing theft of 2 or 3 chapters
No matter how unwilling Xiao Jin was, she accepted the imperial decree along with Xiao Ji, and then immediately took Xiao Ye back to Jinrong Courtyard.
She didn't want to hear the hypocritical and flattering words on the imperial edict.
What gentleness and kindness, what virtue and beauty, what utmost respect and courtesy...
Those people have never even seen her face! What nonsense are they spouting!
“Sister…” Xiao Ye felt the hand holding his grip tighten, and he couldn’t help but feel uneasy. He didn’t understand why his father was so happy, while his sister was so sad and angry.
It sounds like the family my sister was betrothed to is very good!
"Ye'er, what's wrong?" Xiao Jin forced a smile.
In the blink of an eye, they had arrived at the gate of Jinrong Courtyard. As soon as they stepped over the threshold, Xiao Jin said to the bamboo by the door, "Close the gate!"
The short, slightly harsh tone startled Cuizhu.
"Ye'er, I'm tired. Why don't you go play by yourself for a while?" Xiao Jin was too tired to comfort Xiao Ye anymore. She just patted his head and went into the house on her own.
Xiao Ye hesitated for a moment, then went to the small study alone.
The imperial decree that bestowed a marriage upon Chu Tianshu was even more despairing than the imperial decree that betrothed Ning Ziyan!
Unable to marry Ning Ziyan as she wished, she felt lost and uncertain about the future. Marrying Chu Tianshu, on the other hand, was practically the end of her life!
The Duke's mansion, a hereditary and prestigious family in the capital, why would they choose her? There must be something fishy going on!
But no matter how hard she racked her brains, she couldn't figure out why... She wasn't a renowned talented woman or a beauty in the capital, so who would even notice her...?
Xiao Jin's face was cold and stern, making Lu Mama and Huan Yue Zi Su, who were guarding the side, not dare to breathe.
"Things have come to this, I have nothing more to say." Xiao Jin's voice carried the chill of early spring as she coldly said, "It has always been the parents' decision, and this time it is an imperial decree; I have no right to interfere!"
"Miss!" Madam Lu sensed Xiao Jin's dejection, and her eyes immediately welled up with tears. She felt ashamed of failing Madam's instructions and her mistress's trust! In the end, she couldn't help her mistress at all!
If it were an ordinary family, there might be room for maneuver, but the emperor's decree is difficult to obey. Would they dare to disobey the imperial order?
Xiao Jin, though furious, calmed down. Her expression was composed, and she even smiled gently, "Isn't marrying into the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, a truly hereditary noble family, more noble than marrying into the Marquis of Ningyuan's mansion?"
"Between Yao Niang and Ying Niang, who could marry better than me?"
Upon hearing this, Huanyue and Zisu felt a pang of sorrow and tears immediately streamed down their faces.
Even the ignorant maids knew that the young lady's arranged marriage was truly strange. How could the master so happily sell her off like that!
"Life is something you make yourself!" Xiao Jin didn't know whether she was comforting others or advising herself.
"Aren't they all just waiting to see me make a fool of myself?" A ruthless glint flashed in Xiao Jin's eyes. "I'll make sure they don't get their way!"
Isn't this just a case of the fox borrowing the tiger's power? Since the Duke of Dingguo's mansion is seeking her hand in marriage, it doesn't matter if she borrows their influence first!
*****************
Since receiving the imperial decree, Xiao Jin neither cried nor made a fuss, seemingly accepting everything calmly.
Aunt Chen and Aunt Xu, however, were becoming increasingly impatient. Aunt Chen, in particular, could attribut Xiao Jin's previous inaction to cowardice, but his current inaction was truly strange!
Aunt Xu was more worried about Yao Niang. Xiao Jin's marriage, bestowed by the Emperor, was an honor, but considering the man she married, it wasn't something to envy. But this meant that the person marrying into Grand Secretary Zhao's family… could very well be Yao Niang!
These past few days, Aunt Xu has been using all her charm to whisper sweet nothings in Xiao Ji's ear, trying to persuade him to give up this idea.
"Master, our second young lady's marriage into the Duke's mansion has already aroused the envy of countless people!" Madam Xu didn't think her words were anything but conscientious. "If another daughter were to marry into Grand Secretary Zhao's family, it might be detrimental to your career!"
"There are indeed those petty people who are jealous of you and want to trip you up. That would be terrible!"
Although Xiao Ji did not agree immediately, Aunt Xu could tell from his expression that he had taken most of what she said to heart.