Although Zhangsun Che really hadn't done anything to Murong Wanru, everyone had seen the scene in the room and blushed with shame.
In other words, Murong Wanru's chastity had been stolen by Zhangsun Che. Naturally, Zhangsun Che's crimes couldn't be forgiven, so how could Grand Concubine Yi forgive him so easily? Even killing him wouldn't be enough to vent her anger!
But Murong Wanru was still an unmarried maiden who'd lost her chastity to Zhangsun Che. If Zhangsun Che died, what would happen to Murong Wanru? Who else could she marry?
Would anyone higher than Marquis Pingbei's estate be willing to marry her? Even if she lowered her demands, no one would want to marry her.
Smart people knew that the only way to save Murong Wanru's life was to marry her off to Zhangsun Che!
In the silence of the room, Grand Concubine Yi didn't speak.
Naturally, Marquis Pingbei was a smart man as well. Although he was furious at his son's actions, he'd long analyzed the situation thoroughly.
Seeing Grand Concubine Yi's silence, Marquis Pingbei raised his head and spoke first. "Esteemed imperial concubine, my unfilial son committed such a heinous crime. It's truly unforgivable. It's the father and son's fault for not teaching their son. No matter what esteemed imperial concubine decides, this official and his wife will have no complaints. Only, I beg esteemed imperial concubine to think of Miss Wanru's future and let my unfilial son take responsibility for her until the end!"
When Marquis Pingbei finished speaking, Grand Concubine Yi glared at him and slammed the table a few more times without a word.
Marquis Pingbei secretly nudged his son next to him. Zhangsun Che had already sobered up and knew the severity of the situation. At his father's reminder, he braced himself to raise his head.
Fortunately, Grand Concubine Yi wasn't looking at him, or else he wouldn't have the guts.
He clasped his hands in front of his chest, his face earnest. "Esteemed imperial concubine, please marry Miss Wanru to me. I'll definitely take responsibility until the end and treat her well for the rest of my life!"
"Boom!"
Grand Concubine Yi slammed the table and glared at him. Frightened, Zhangsun Che immediately lowered his head, not daring to make a sound.
Seeing him as cowardly as a mouse, Grand Concubine Yi grew even more indignant!
Of course, she knew that the best and only's's best option was to marry Murong Wanru to Zhangsun Che. but she couldn't accept it. she couldn't accept it.
Wan Wan was the adopted daughter of the Duke of Qin's residence. Marrying the legitimate son of Marquis Pingbei was not considered marrying down. However, Marquis Pingbei's Young Master was dissolute by nature. He even touched his father's concubine. How could she marry such a dissolute person who ruined the family's reputation?
....... '''t's's Wanru's.
't't't ','t''t's, ''t't't't' ''s?'s it..
Even though Han Yunxi had mentioned marriage before, Grand Concubine Yi had only agreed half-heartedly. In her heart, she still couldn't bear to part with her daughter and hoped that one day she'd become the Duke of Qin's concubine so she could keep her company at home.
But now she had no choice but to marry, and to such a disgraceful thing!
Marquis Pingbei kept tugging at his son's robes, urging him to take on more responsibility. But Zhangsun Che looked like a suave, dandy, and arrogant man, but he was only strong on the outside and weak on the inside. After Grand Concubine Yi's scare, he didn't dare to raise his head again.
Moreover, he didn't want to marry Murong Wanru, either. If she married into Marquis Pingbei's' estate as Grand Concubine Yi's foster daughter, wouldn't he be tightly controlled? How could he have good days in the future?
Unable to urge his son, Marquis Pingbei spoke again, his tone earnest and heartfelt. "Esteemed Imperial Concubine, things have already come to this. For the sake of Miss Wanru's future … please think thrice!"
Han Yunxi, who'd been silent all this time, spoke up in a low voice. "Mufei, you didn't see the scene. All the participants of the Plum Blossom Meet, men and women, including the servants, all saw it. Good deeds don't leave the house, but evil deeds travel a thousand li. Who knows what kind of rumors will spread tomorrow morning? They'll definitely add oil and vinegar to the fire. If they hurt Wanru then, wouldn't she be even more … "
Grand Concubine Yi knitted her brows as Han Yunxi lowered her voice again. "Mufei, chenqie knows that you're unwilling to accept things as they are. Wanru isn't willing either, but it's better than having Wanru carry an infamy for the rest of her life and hide in the estate."
Actually, Grand Concubine Yi understood even without Han Yunxi's words. She just couldn't swallow her anger!
Zhangsun Che had committed a crime, but not only had he escaped punishment, he'd gained a wife for nothing!
Seeing that Grand Concubine Yi still wouldn't relent, Han Yunxi's eyes flashed with craftiness before she continued. "Mufei, since there's still time tonight, why don't we agree to this marriage? Tomorrow morning, we can have Marquis Pingbei's estate announce the engagement with great fanfare and cover up all the rumors. We'll spread the word to the public that Wanru and Zhangsun Che are mutually in love and have been in love for a long time. This way, no matter whether outsiders believe it or not, we can at least save some face, right?"
At these words, Grand Concubine Yi finally looked at Han Yunxi seriously. "Engagement?"
"Exactly. First, the engagement will suppress the rumors outside and give Wanru some time to cool down. As for marriage … after both sides have calmed down, we'll talk about our plans."
Han Yunxi found her own words laughable as she spoke. Announcing the engagement with great fanfare was the same as cooking raw rice into cooked rice. Then the marriage was inevitable and there was nothing else to plan.
But to the vexed Grand Concubine Yi, these words were like a cup of cold tea in the hottest days of the summer. Finally, it suppressed the flames of anger in her heart!
She gave Han Yunxi a serious look before exhaling. "That's all we can do."
Han Yunxi rejoiced in her heart before she said considerately, "Mufei, chenqie counts as Wanru's sister-in-law. Let chenqie discuss the details of the engagement with Marquis Pingbei and his wife."
Grand Concubine Yi didn't even want to spare Zhangsun Che a glance, much less discuss the details. She had no choice but to agree.
After making her decision, Grand Concubine Yi finally recovered from the blow. Cold, she looked towards Marquis Pingbei with an air of haughtiness. "Zhangsun Zhongde, since Wanru and your son are mutually in love with each other, and you and your wife came overnight to propose marriage, I won't make things difficult for you. Tomorrow morning, we'll settle the marriage. As for when, we'll discuss it another day!"
This was an order, not a discussion.
As soon as Grand Concubine Yi finished, she rose to leave with a flick of her sleeves, leaving Marquis Pingbei's family of three kneeling in place.
Both of them were in love with each other?
"When did Murong Wanru and I …"
Zhangsun Che couldn't figure it out. He was about to ask when Marquis Pingbei shut him up with a glare.
Han Yunxi looked over with a smile. "Marquis Zhangsun, do you have any objections?"
Marquis Pingbei hastened to say, "No! No! My son and Miss Wanru are mutually in love with each other, that's something everyone knows. Many thanks to esteemed imperial concubine for her favor and willing to marry Miss Wanru off to Marquis Pingbei's estate. We husband and wife can't thank you enough! Tomorrow morning, we'll definitely prepare the betrothal gifts and personally deliver the betrothal gifts! "
As expected, Marquis Pingbei was a smart man. He caught on with a hint, which saved Han Yunxi a lot of talking. She smiled in satisfaction. "Miss Wanru might be the Duke of Qin's foster daughter, but she's still one of us. An engagement isn't a small matter. Marquis Zhangsun shouldn't be too shabby, lest you make esteemed imperial concubine unhappy …"
Han Yunxi didn't finish her sentence, but Marquis Pingbei was already nodding his head. "Many thanks to esteemed wangfei for the reminder. Everything … this official knows what to do! I know! "
Very good!
Han Yunxi liked to talk to smart people. She was certain that tomorrow's engagement ceremony would be a grand affair that wouldn't lose out to the wedding procession.
She didn't make things difficult for them, but left them with a few more words before letting them go back.
Currently, Grand Concubine Yi was coaxing Murong Wanru in the Orchid Courtyard. Standing by the courtyard entrance, one could hear Murong Wanru's sobs and Grand Concubine Yi's occasional angry rebukes.
Han Yunxi glanced at it and couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Bai Lianhua, ah, Bai Lianhua. Even you didn't think you'd fall into the hole you dug for yourself!
Once tomorrow's wedding was set, Bai Lianhua would be married off after the new year. Thinking up to here, Han Yunxi couldn't help but look forward to the future.
Bai Lianhua wasn't living in the estate, but she was on good terms with Grand Concubine Yi. Her days would be much more stable now, and she wouldn't have to live in a corner of the Hibiscus Courtyard anymore.
When she reached the gates of the Hibiscus Courtyard, she glanced at the pitch-black sleeping quarters in the distance. Han Yunxi mused that if she wanted to move out of the Hibiscus Courtyard, that bastard Long Feiye shouldn't refuse, right?
He'd rather she stay far away from his lands, wouldn't he?
As Han Yunxi mused, she unconsciously stood there for a long time. She hadn't seen him for days now, so she didn't know what he was busy with …
Early the next morning, the sound of firecrackers could be heard from Xuanwu Avenue. While others gave their daughters ten li of red dowry, Marquis Pingbei's estate gave their betrothal gifts ten li away.
Two red-robed servants carried a chest full of betrothal gifts and lined it up in pairs. They formed a long dragon on Xuanwu Avenue, mighty and bustling with noise and excitement. Marquis Pingbei and his wife brought Zhangsun Che along with a wedding nanny at the very front. Aside from Zhangsun Che's unsightly expression, everyone else was beaming from ear to ear with happiness.
It wasn't far from Marquis Pingbei's estate to the Duke of Qin's estate, but the procession took a detour on purpose to attract countless onlookers.
As soon as they heard that Marquis Pingbei was going to the Duke of Qin's estate for the betrothal, everyone broke into discussion. Moreover, Marquis Pingbei had arranged for quite a few people in the crowd. Thus, news of Murong Wanru and Zhangsun Che's mutual affection spread like wildfire. Although news of yesterday's Plum Blossom Meet spread as well, it didn't gain the upper hand.
It wasn't clear how Grand Concubine Yi had convinced Murong Wanru, but she still attended the engagement ceremony. Her eyes were red as she glared at Han Yunxi. Her previous delicate and pitiful demeanor was nowhere to be seen. Most likely, she knew Han Yunxi was the one who came up with the idea.
Han Yunxi allowed her to look as she pleased, but she didn't expect Long Feiye to show up as well. Still, after thinking it over, she realized that as her older brother, he really should be there.
After the engagement ceremony, everyone dispersed.
Grand Concubine Yi exhaled and said, "Feiye, Wanru's marriage … what do you think?"
Hearing this, Murong Wanru quickly looked over, but Long Fei Ye only replied, "It's too rushed to get married within the year. Let's set it after the new year."
This wasn't the answer Grand Concubine Yi wanted, much less Murong Wanru!
When she realized that she had no fate with the Duke of Qin in this lifetime, Murong Wanru's heart filled with sorrow. Her eyes reddened as she covered her mouth and ran away …
All of this was caused by Han Yunxi. It was all Han Yunxi's fault. She silently vowed in her heart that even if she got married, she wouldn't let Han Yunxi off so easily!
Seeing Murong Wanru like this and her son's cold demeanor, Grand Concubine Yi couldn't help but knit her brows. So annoying!
But it was then that Gui mama came to report, "Grand Imperial Concubine, Your Highness, Princess Rongle has come to pay a visit."
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