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 hard to disobey. How could they dare to defy 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 the young lady 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.
She gently touched her lower abdomen, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
I absolutely must have a son!
After Xiao Ji went to the outer study, Aunt Xu instructed, "Qiaozhi, go and call the eldest young lady here!" She also wanted to give Yao Niang a few more instructions, telling her not to cause any trouble these days, as she needed to hurry up and find a suitable marriage for Yao Niang!
Qiaozhi agreed and went, returning a moment later. "Auntie, the Third Miss has invited the Eldest Miss to the Second Miss's courtyard!"
Yingniang came to ask Yaoniang to go see Jinniang? Aunt Xu frowned slightly, feeling somewhat displeased.
Yingniang is too cunning; I'm afraid even two Yaoniangs wouldn't be a match for her!
"Have the young lady come to me as soon as she returns!"
******************
Jinrong Academy.
Yingniang dragged Yaoniang along to see Xiao Jin, just so that she could pin anything on Yaoniang.
She knew Yao Niang's temperament all too well; with the slightest provocation, she couldn't contain herself.
"Second sister! Eldest sister and I have come to see you!" Yingniang's silvery voice rang out in Jinrong Courtyard.
Xiao Jin's brow twitched. What were they doing here? Were they gathering information for his two concubines? It seemed his calm demeanor had unsettled them!
Very well, since they want to cause trouble... then let's find something for them to do!
"Elder sister, Yingniang!" When Xiao Jin appeared before them, looking radiant, they all felt a strange sensation. How could Xiao Jin be so different from what they had imagined!
"Jinniang, you look radiant!" Yaoniang said with a seemingly carefree smile. "That saying is true, people are in high spirits when they have good news! You have great joy! Marrying into the Duke's mansion means you'll enjoy endless wealth and honor for the rest of your life!"
To their surprise, Xiao Jin readily accepted Yao Niang's "compliment," smiling and saying, "Thank you, elder sister!"
She really thinks she's married into a high-class family! Yao Niang was furious and said sarcastically, "Sister, you're so lucky! Third Master Chu has some flaws in his face, but to be able to marry a wife as beautiful as you, he must dote on you!"
"Thank you for your kind words, elder sister!" Xiao Jin remained unperturbed and continued to smile.