sjar Chapter 566 The eldest daughter enters the royal palace, and the second daughter marries a new noble
Chapter 566 The eldest daughter enters the royal palace, and the second daughter marries a new noble
Chu Ruohan stood up, curtsied to the old lady, and spoke earnestly.
"That's right. My younger brother has fallen in love with Miss Qinghan. Ruohan's visit is sincere, and she hopes that the old lady will grant her wish."
Old Madam Zhao nodded and turned to instruct the servants, "Go and invite the Second Miss over."
Before long, Zhao Qinghan walked in with her head down and light steps.
She wore a lake-green dress today, which made her skin look even whiter and her features even more exquisite.
She clearly knew the whole story, her pretty face flushed crimson, and she nervously twisted the hem of her clothes.
Old Madam Zhao took her hand, her voice gentler than ever before.
"Han'er, the Duchess has come to ask for your hand in marriage on behalf of her brother. What is your opinion?"
Zhao Qinghan lowered her head even further, letting out a soft "hmm" like a mosquito. She was so shy that she almost buried her head in her chest, but that slight nod of her head expressed all her feelings.
Upon seeing this, Old Madam Zhao burst into laughter and slapped the armrest heavily.
"Good! Good! This old woman agrees to this marriage!"
Her gaze swept over Minister Zhao and his wife with an air of authority.
"Although I have never met Chenyu, he entered the Hanlin Academy at a young age and is the younger brother of the Duchess. His character, appearance, and talent must be excellent! He is more than a match for my Han'er!"
The old lady made the final decision, and the Zhao couple dared not raise any objections. They could only get up quickly and agree with a smile.
The marriage was thus settled.
Chu Ruohan had a very pleasant conversation with Old Madam Zhao and grew to admire this wise and righteous old lady even more.
The two families were overjoyed and immediately began discussing the follow-up matters such as paying taxes and matching birth dates.
However, just as the room was filled with joy and the marriage was being finalized, the Zhao family's steward suddenly rushed in, looking flustered, his voice trembling.
"Old...Old Madam! Master! People from the palace...the palace has arrived!"
Everyone was stunned.
A palace eunuch, carrying a bright yellow imperial edict, strode into the hall, surrounded by several imperial guards. His shrill voice echoed throughout the Zhao residence.
"Imperial edict has arrived! Zhao Qingzhi, eldest daughter of Vice Minister Zhao, receive the edict!"
The eunuch unfolded the imperial edict and read it aloud:
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: It is hereby learned that the Zhao family has a daughter, Qingzhi, who is dignified, wise, gentle, and virtuous. Therefore, she is hereby betrothed to the heir apparent of the Prince of Yong. An auspicious day shall be chosen for the wedding. So be it!"
The stiffness on the faces of Vice Minister Zhao and his wife melted away instantly, replaced by an almost manic ecstasy.
Prince Yong!
Their daughter is going to become the Crown Prince's consort!
This is an incredible fortune that they could never have dreamed of!
Madam Zhao was so excited that she trembled all over and almost couldn't stand up, but Vice Minister Zhao helped her up.
The couple exchanged a glance, their eyes brimming with fervor.
In comparison, the marriage to the Chu family that had just been arranged suddenly seemed lackluster.
After a brief moment of shock, Zhao Qingzhi, whose name was called, seemed to be enveloped in a golden light.
She slowly stepped forward, her meticulously made-up face now radiating an undisguised smugness.
She knelt down to receive the imperial decree, her voice trembling with a touch of pride: "Your subject, Zhao Qingzhi, kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your grace."
From that moment on, it was as if she was no longer the legitimate daughter of the Vice Minister's Mansion, but rather half the mistress of the Prince's Mansion.
Chu Ruohan sat quietly in the guest seat, picked up the slightly cooled tea, and took a small sip.
She took in the expressions of everyone in the hall: the snobbishness of Vice Minister Zhao and his wife, and Zhao Qingzhi's arrogance.
The unfathomable calm of Old Madam Zhao, and Zhao Qinghan in the corner, who always kept her head down, as if she had nothing to do with it all.
She understood, stood up, and smiled slightly at Old Madam Zhao.
"Since there are still important matters at your residence, Ruohan will not stay any longer. I will visit again another day to discuss the wedding date of Chenyu and Qinghan with the Old Madam."
Grandma Zhao nodded, her gaze towards Chu Ruohan filled with a mixture of apology and gratitude.
"I apologize for my neglect today, Madam Duchess."
Only then did Vice Minister Zhao and his wife realize what was happening. They hurriedly stepped forward to say a few perfunctory words before seeing Chu Ruohan off at the door.
The entire Zhao family was immersed in the immense joy of their impending marriage alliance with the Prince of Yong's family, and for a time, the entire capital was astonished.
No one expected that the small Zhao family would arrange two completely different marriages for their two legitimate daughters on the same day.
The eldest daughter entered the royal palace, and the second daughter married a new nobleman.
For a time, the Zhao residence became the center of discussion throughout the capital.
Having received the imperial marriage decree, Zhao Qingzhi became even more arrogant than ever before.
She changed into a newly tailored brocade dress, and wore a set of red jewel headdress bestowed upon her by the Princess Consort of Yong. Leading several sycophantic maids, she walked in a grand procession toward Zhao Qinghan's secluded and serene courtyard.
Ostensibly, it was a sisterly gesture of goodwill, with the two women coming to offer their congratulations.
In reality, it was a show of force and a demonstration.
Zhao Qinghan was practicing calligraphy by the window when she heard noisy footsteps in the courtyard. She put down her brush, looked up, and met Zhao Qingzhi's face, which was full of smugness.
"My sister has such a leisurely life."
Zhao Qingzhi didn't wait for her to get up. She walked into the room on her own, glanced at the simple furnishings, and a mocking smile appeared on her lips.
She stopped in front of Zhao Qinghan and looked her up and down at her slightly worn light blue dress.
“My sister is so lucky to have found a position as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. Although the Chu family has now produced a Duchess and is considered a newly noble family, it is still less established than our Yong Prince’s Mansion.”
She covered her mouth with a handkerchief, laughing so hard she was shaking uncontrollably.
"I heard that Chu Chenyu's ancestors were merchants? Tsk tsk, sister, when you marry into the family, you'd better learn how to be a mistress of the house and manage the servants. Don't disgrace the Zhao family."
She had no idea that although Chu Chenyu was not from a prestigious family, he had passed the imperial examination with his own talent and learning, and was now deeply favored by the emperor in the Hanlin Academy, with a limitless future.
In her eyes, apart from royalty, no one else was worthy of respect.
Zhao Qinghan listened quietly, without a trace of anger on her face, simply looking at her calmly, as if she were watching a clown.
After Zhao Qingzhi finished speaking, she slowly opened her mouth, her voice still gentle.
“Sister is right. I am foolish and do not ask for any great wealth. I only hope that my husband and I will live in harmony and respect each other. That would be enough for me.”
She raised her eyes, her clear gaze meeting Zhao Qingzhi's directly.
"As for the family's reputation, my husband and I will share the responsibility, so there's no need for you to worry about it, sister."
"As for you, elder sister, you will be the Crown Prince's wife. Your status is so noble. From now on, every word and action of yours will represent the dignity of the Prince Yong's mansion. You should be even more careful in your words and deeds and set an example for the mansion."
“After all,” Zhao Qinghan’s voice was as soft as a breeze as it reached Zhao Qingzhi’s ears, “the Yongwang Mansion is a large and powerful family with many troubles. I’m afraid that you will have to worry more than I do in the future.”
These words were like a silent slap in the face to Zhao Qingzhi.
Who doesn't know about the sordid affairs of the Prince Yong's mansion?
Zhao Qingzhi hated it most when others mentioned these things, as if mentioning them would tarnish her noble status as the Crown Prince's consort.
Now, he's being subtly mocked in this way by his younger sister, whom he's always looked down upon.
Her pretty face instantly turned a deep purplish-red, and her chest heaved with anger.
"you……"
She pointed at Zhao Qinghan, but couldn't utter a single word of curse.
Because every word Zhao Qinghan said was reasonable, if she were to lash out, she would only appear weak and insecure.
"You wait for me!"
Zhao Qingzhi could only squeeze out this sentence through gritted teeth, stomped her foot angrily, and stormed off with a belly full of rage.
The courtyard instantly fell silent.
Old Madam Zhao slowly emerged from behind the moon gate. She shook her head as she watched Zhao Qingzhi leave in a huff.
She walked over to Zhao Qinghan, took her granddaughter's hand, patted it gently, and sighed.
"Silly child, with her personality, it's still unknown whether marrying into the Prince Yong's mansion, a den of tigers and wolves, will be a blessing or a curse."
The old lady's eyes were filled with the wisdom and experience of someone who had seen through the ways of the world.
"You don't need to worry about anything, and don't compete with her for these empty titles. Just close the door and live your own life peacefully; that's better than anything else."
Meanwhile, inside the Prince Yong's residence.
When Lin Xingyao heard that the imperial decree had indeed been issued to have her brother propose to Zhao Qingzhi, she felt as if her soul had been ripped out.
The teacup in his hand crashed to the ground with a loud bang, shattering into pieces.