In the ninth month of the first year of Zhenwu, the Emperor of Yan drafted a decree to officially change the name of Anling City to Tianjing City. The Imperial Palace expanded to the north and named it the Forbidden City.
After the turmoil, the people in the capital city were quickly pacified by the new policies issued by the imperial court. In just three months, the streets and alleys regained their liveliness. Peddlers and servants reappeared in the streets and teahouses and restaurants had people again. On the surface, everything seemed to be the same as before. However, behind the calm of the storm, something seemed to be quietly changing.
On one hand, the imperial court reduced the exorbitant taxes implemented by the previous dynasty. On the other hand, it took action against the previously exempted aristocratic families of Yixue. First, it included the business tax for each Yixue Hall into the law. Then, it banned gambling houses, big and small, and especially prohibited Yixue Masters from participating in gambling. Those who violated the law would be severely punished by stripping them of their official titles. Finally, it changed the Grand Yan Examination that was held once every three years to once every five years. It also reduced the number of admission and added the court examination as a countermeasure. Many regulations had fundamentally curbed the development of Yixue, causing the prosperous aristocratic families of Yixue to go from prosperity to decline.
The aristocratic families of the twelve prefectures were the first to bear the brunt. Even though they were unwilling, they were powerless to resist. The person in charge of the Celestial Commissioner was Yu Shu. She would not stand up for them. The current Emperor did not believe in Taoism, nor did he advocate Yixue. To be honest, after the fall of the An Dynasty, it was already a blessing in disguise that the Celestial Commissioner was able to survive. These aristocratic family heads were all speculating what methods Yu Shu had used to make the Emperor of Yan not use the highly respected Grand National Advisor Liu Yan. Instead, she had taken advantage of him.
Seeing that Yu Shu had once again gained the upper hand, many people were envious. They secretly hoped that the Grand National Advisor would make a fuss. When two tigers fight, one must be injured. Who would have thought that the two of them would live in harmony and mind their own business. The first to "make a fuss" was not Yu Shu or Liu Yan, but King Ping.
One day in October, the Great Exchange Hall of Wangji Tower, which was located in the most prosperous area in the north of the city, opened its doors to welcome customers as usual. The front door was clean and tidy, and the plaque on the door had been washed with water before dawn. The waiters who served the customers were dressed neatly and in high spirits. They showed their white teeth and greeted everyone they met. Regular customers did not need introductions. One group went to "You Qiu Hall", another group went to "Biying Hall", and the other group went to the Tianji List to watch the fun.
"Oh my god, this girl actually gave away fifty thousand taels of gold when looking for a husband. Even if she married a princess, she wouldn't be able to afford it. Tsk tsk tsk. Guests who had just arrived were shocked when they saw the red list of rewards posted at the top of the list of the Tianji List.
The regular customer, who was checking the barometer by the side, turned his head and whispered to the man, "You don't sound like you're from the capital. You're from the north, right? The person who was looking for a son-in-law was not an ordinary woman. Whoever had the ability to marry her, their entire family would ascend to heaven along with her. It's a pity that she's so arrogant that she doesn't care about ordinary people. Otherwise, the notice for son-in-law wouldn't have been up for five years and no one dared to take it. "
"I've broadened my horizons today. Hey, brother, tell me more in detail." The non-local young man grabbed the regular next to him to strike up a conversation. He wanted to hear more about strange people. At this time, a string of golden drums and gongs came from outside the Great Yi Hall. It was a noble who was on a journey and clearing the way.
Not long later, a purple palanquin appeared at the entrance of the Wangji Tower. The two sides were guarded by guards in embroidered clothes and tall hats. After the palanquin landed, a man walked out. He was wearing a white magnolia robe with a cicada robe embroidered with gold and silver thread. He had a string of Heshi jade pendants on his waist and a folding fan. Looking at the man's appearance, he had a high nose and a square jaw, sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. He was outstanding in every aspect.
Without the need for the guards to order, the guests in the hall consciously opened up a path for the noble to pass. He walked straight to the Heavenly Mystery List in the middle of the hall. His eyes fell on the top of the list, and his lips curled into a smile. Then, he stretched out his hand and tore down the notice that everyone was looking for a son-in-law!
"He, he, he took the notice!" There was a burst of low exclamations and a commotion broke out in the hall. How many people present didn't know that the notice for son-in-law had been hanging at the top of the Tianji List since the day the Wangji Tower opened for business? It hadn't been moved for five years. Did the sun rise from the west today? They actually encountered someone taking the notice! What kind of immortal was this master? How, how dare he!
Lin Fu, who was greeting guests in the Treasure Pavilion on the second floor, heard the servant's report. He left the guests and ran downstairs. At this time, the hall was crowded and he couldn't see the situation in front of him. He squeezed out of the crowd with difficulty and covered his head with his hat. He finally saw the man standing under the Tianji List. His legs softened and he almost knelt down and kowtowed.
Xue Rui held the bounty notice in his hand and rolled it into a tube before putting it away. He turned around and saw Lin Fu who had an excited expression, and he said, "You're the manager of this place?"
His other identity couldn't be revealed, so it had been a few months since he came to the capital. This was the first time Lin Fu and his group of servants had come to the Wangji Tower. How could they not be excited?
"Yes, yes, yes," Lin Fu immediately responded. When he came back to his senses, he felt that he shouldn't be like this. He took a deep breath and put on a show. "This master, you took the notice of our Tianji List's notice. Did you see the requirements on the notice?"
Xue Rui's eyes flashed. He took off the Mu Jiang fan at his waist and opened it with a whoosh. He said in a very natural and unrestrained manner, "This notice for son-in-law wants a gentleman with good facial features and a good character. He has no hidden diseases and is skilled in both the pen and the sword. His eight characters are perfect and he has similar interests. Is that right? It just so happens that every one of mine is perfect. "
As he said that, he raised his hand and hooked his index finger at the back of his head. Two guards carried a heavy box in and placed it on the ground. Once the box was opened, it blinded everyone's eyes. All the guests in the hall rubbed their eyes and looked again. They saw that the box was filled with gold ingots!
"I heard that the Wangji Tower wants to take one-tenth of the reward as a reward. Here are five thousand taels of gold. Please accept it. I will definitely take the notice. Quickly send someone to inform them."
Lin Fu, who knew the truth, had cold sweat on his forehead. His two masters loved to play tricks. He couldn't ruin their mood, so he obediently cooperated.
"May I ask for the master's name and where is his residence? This lowly one will be able to reply."
Xue Rui smiled and glanced at him. He waved his fan and turned to leave. Seeing him bend over to get on the sedan and disappear from everyone's sight, a guard who was left behind answered on his behalf, "My master is His Highness King Ping of the Yan Kingdom. Ding Bo Building awaits good news."
After the master left, the Wangji Tower exploded. With so many eyes and ears listening, such a big piece of gossip would probably spread throughout the capital in no time — King Ping had taken down the notice for son-in-law of the Wang Ji Tower. It had to be known that the woman looking for son-in-law was the Great Celestial Commissioner Celestial Commissioner!
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Somehow, the matter of Xue Rui going to the Forgotten Machine Tower to announce the results had spread to the Emperor of Yan's ears, and he used this matter to tease the two of them during the morning court session. He claimed to be their matchmaker, and he bestowed a marriage in front of everyone. Everyone in the court finally understood. No wonder the Grand Preceptor and the Great Commissioner couldn't fight. What kind of father-in-law and daughter-in-law would fight!
When the news reached Empress Dowager Wei's ears, she was filled with anger again.
A few days ago, because of the palace maids she had bestowed, Xue Rui had gone to the Emperor to plead his case. He didn't care about her authority as the Empress Dowager and dragged out the concubine from the previous dynasty. In the end, the Emperor of Yan took her back and sent her back to her Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful. Even though he didn't complain, she knew that she had made her son unhappy.
Empress Dowager Wei was also helpless. She had long been dissatisfied that the Emperor trusted Xue Rui too much. She couldn't persuade him openly, so she could only use this method. She knew that Rui Shu Fei and Xue Rui were old friends, but she still sent the person to him. As long as he remembered their past relationship and kept the person, she would have a way to arouse the Emperor's suspicions of him. This would prevent him from being too favored by the Emperor and having thoughts he shouldn't have.
But Xue Rui wasn't good. He didn't keep the person and instead accused her. Facing the Emperor's suspicions, she could only feign ignorance and push the blame onto that woman who "secretly escaped from the palace."
"She looks to have some beauty. She's so bad that she was sent back." As Empress Dowager Wei locked Rui Zi Zhu back into the Cold Palace, she sent someone to the Emperor of Yan to deliver a message — — "Aijia is old, and has the heart but not the strength to control the Emperor's hougong. If you are filial, choose an Empress as soon as possible to share the burden. Aijia can also enjoy life."
Just like that, the matter passed. Empress Dowager Wei didn't get what she wanted and her mood wasn't good. Hearing that the marriage between Xue Rui and Yu Shu had been finalized, she was first worried about Jiang Ya. But after waiting for so many years, how could she not be sad and sad.
"Princess, she still hasn't returned to the palace? Quickly go find her. Just say aijia's body isn't well. "Empress Dowager Wei held her forehead as she sent the order.
Jiang Ya was used to being free. A palace wall couldn't restrict her. Every few days, she would take a troop of female soldiers out of the city to ride horses and hunt. If she didn't return to the palace when she saw Tian 'er, even the Emperor of Yan couldn't do anything to her.
Empress Dowager Wei waited until the evening before seeing her. Jiang Ya thought she was really sick and whipped her horse back. She didn't even have time to change before she ran to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful. Empress Dowager Wei had been fine but she pretended to be sick, tying a cloth over her forehead as she lay on the bed, trying to make her heart soften before she could speak.
"You were fine two days ago, but you suddenly fell sick. Where are you not well? Has Xuan taiyi seen you?" Jiang Ya sat by the bed, her sharp eyes looking at the palace maids and internal attendants in the bedroom, "If you can't serve the Empress Dowager, what use do you have?"
"Nubi deserves to die." The people in front of her instantly knelt.
"You can't blame them. It was aijia who asked for it," Empress Dowager Wei weakly raised her hand and had everyone leave, leaving only the mother and daughter to talk. "Two days ago, the Palace Bureau sent over a batch of trained palace maids. I have no use for them, so I wanted to do them a favor and reward them to a few meritorious officials. However, there was a mischievous one among them. She turned out to be a concubine from the previous dynasty who had sneaked out of the Cold Palace. She was sent to King Ping, and he recognized her. As a result, the matter was brought to your brother and I was embarrassed."
When Jiang Ya heard it was about Xue Rui, she exploded. She said angrily: "That damned Liu Shining, he dared to disrespect you. Last time, I really shouldn't have let him go. I should have killed that adulterous couple."
She accidentally let it slip and Empress Dowager Wei instantly heard it wasn't right. She grabbed her wrist and asked: "What last time? You told aijia clearly, are you hiding something?"
Jiang Ya wanted face. She wouldn't say that she was captured and almost died under Xue Rui's sword. She could only vaguely reply: "Three months ago, I set a fire in the barracks outside the city and almost burned that Yu Lianfang to death. Liu Shining rushed over and was almost killed by me in a fit of anger."
Empress Dowager Wei sucked in a cold breath. She couldn't resist raising her hand to slap her. She was so angry she trembled: "You, you evil creature, it's better if you anger me to death!" It was a serious crime to set a fire in a barracks. If she really did it, it would be terrible. Yu Shu's death wasn't a pity, but Xue Rui still had military power in his hands at the time. If he flew into a rage for a woman, it would be a great disaster.
Jiang Ya hadn't thought of the consequences. She felt wronged and bared her teeth in pain: "Why are you so angry?"
Empress Dowager Wei poked her forehead, hating iron for not becoming steel, "If that Yu Shu could have been killed, aijia would have already killed her for you and let you marry your ideal husband. But why didn't you think, after she died, would Liu Shining let it go? You really think that just because you're the princess of the Great Yan, you can do whatever you want? Muddleheaded, you're muddleheaded to the end. Ai, why did aijia raise such a useless thing like you? "
Jiang Qiya could only suffer in silence. The one who was truly out of control wasn't her, it was that pair of dogs. One of them kept saying that he wanted to kill her to prevent future troubles, while the other actually let a dog servant take her hostage! Right, there was also that hateful dog servant. He touched her and didn't put her, the princess, in his eyes at all. He deserved to die.
"Don't scold me, I know I was wrong." Her mistake was that she was blind and didn't see that those two were actually a pair. Otherwise, when she was in Ning Dong City, she would have forced herself on Xue Rui. She would have ruined their happy occasion and let them cry.
"You really know you were wrong?" Empress Dowager Wei looked suspiciously at her, probing: "Do you know that your imperial xiong has decreed marriage for the two of them?"
Jiang Ya twisted her neck and snorted coldly.
Empress Dowager Wei hurriedly grabbed her wrist, "You can't be muddle-headed again. If you have to let it go, let it go. Liu Shining has to marry Yu Shu, that's because he has eyes but couldn't see. Aijia heard that woman had married someone a few years ago. The result was that the groom ran away on the day of the wedding, causing a storm in the city. Liu Shining married her in a moment of muddleheadedness. Sooner or later, he will regret it. At that time, you'll see if the two of them can get along."
Jiang Ya said impatiently: "Whether they get along or not, it's none of my business. From now on, don't mention them in front of me."
Empress Dowager Wei paused upon hearing this. She hadn't thought that she would say something that didn't concern her. She seemed to have suddenly thought it through. She should have been happy, but she didn't feel reassured. So she probed: "Then, while your imperial xiong is choosing a fei, aijia will help you find a few candidates for fuma. After your imperial xiong is titled Empress, then I'll organize your marriage. Is that alright?"
Jiang Ya opened her mouth to refuse, but seeing Empress Dowager Wei's hopeful expression, she couldn't say the word "no." Before, she could still use Xue Rui as a shield. Now, what was she going to use as an excuse?
"… … Do as you see fit." She replied in a muffled voice. She stood and walked out, "Rest well, don't worry about my matters."
Empress Dowager Wei had urged for the marriage for five whole years. It was so difficult to wait for Jiang Ya to nod and agree. She really wanted to cry tears of joy. She silently thanked the heavens and earth inside. Seeing Jiang Ya slip away, she didn't stop her. When she left, she couldn't wait to start planning what kind of husband she would find for her precious daughter.
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