Besides Xie Shi’an entering the Imperial Academy, the Xie family had another major event—Xie Ping’s marriage.
Over two months ago, the Emperor issued an edict bestowing marriage between Prince An’jing and Xie Ping. The wedding was set for the ninth month, and the wedding day was fast approaching.
During this period, so many unfortunate things had happened to the Xie family. They were counting on this grand wedding to turn things around and hold their heads high again. Therefore, both Xie Zhongcheng and Yuan Shi placed great importance on it.
While Yun Chu was busy, a servant from Xie Zhongcheng’s side delivered a guest invitation list that he had personally drafted to Sheng Residence.
Yun Chu took it and glanced at it, her brow immediately furrowing.
Not only had Xie Zhongcheng written her father’s name on the list, but the names of her father’s subordinates—over a dozen military generals of the second, third, and fourth ranks—were also prominently listed.
She picked up her brush and crossed out all these names.
The servant paused, not daring to speak. He took the list back, and before long, Xie Zhongcheng and Yuan Shi came together.
“Chu’er.” Yuan Shi got straight to the point. “These guests’ names—why did you cross them all out?”
Yun Chu raised her eyes: “These people have no dealings with the Xie family. Why would Mother and Father-in-law think to invite these people to the wedding banquet?”
Xie Zhongcheng had a matter-of-fact expression: “These military generals are all friends of your father, General Yun. When your father comes to the Xie family for the wedding, these people coming along can also keep your father company for drinks, so he won’t be bored staying at the Xie family home.”
Yun Chu’s lips curved.
Her father-in-law really knew how to think of ways to save face and bolster prestige for the Xie family.
She said lightly: “My father is leaving the capital tomorrow and won’t come to the wedding banquet. Father-in-law need not worry about this.”
“Leaving tomorrow?” Xie Zhongcheng looked utterly shocked. “In just a few days it will be Ping’er’s wedding. As her maternal grandfather, how can he not wait a few more days, attend his granddaughter’s wedding banquet before leaving?”
Hearing this, Yuan Shi tugged heavily at her husband.
Ping’er wasn’t Chu’er’s biological daughter at all and had no blood relationship with the Yun family whatsoever. Why would General Yun stay in the capital a few extra days for a granddaughter with no blood connection?
Before, when they didn’t know Ping’er was born to Concubine He, it was fine for Yun Chu to genuinely care for her.
But now…
The three children born to He Shi—
What Brother Wei did, the entire capital knew.
Brother An… actually placed a pot of contraceptive flowers in his own biological father’s room.
Ping’er… who knew what kind of things she might do in the future.
He Shi’s children, each one more frightening than the last. If she were Yun Chu, she wouldn’t dare continue raising these children either.
“Chu’er, your father-in-law means that since your father has finally returned to the capital, he hopes our Xie and Yun families can interact more.” Yuan Shi smiled and smoothed things over. “Your father’s departure must be due to official duties. I don’t know when he’s setting out. I’ll have Jingyu go with you to see him off.”
Yun Chu said: “My husband is unwell. It’s better he doesn’t go. I’ll see Father off alone—it’s fine. My father won’t mind.”
Yuan Shi could only sigh: “Very well then.”
After leaving Yun Chu’s courtyard, Xie Zhongcheng flicked his sleeves and left. Yuan Shi continued sighing and went to Xie Ping’s courtyard.
Xie Ping’s wedding dress had already been embroidered. Currently, she was embroidering the red bridal veil. Having grown up following He Shi, she had learned some of He Shi’s skills. That red bridal veil was embroidered exceptionally beautifully.
Seeing Yuan Shi enter, she stood up: “Grandmother, why have you come?”
“I’ve prepared some personal money for you.” Yuan Shi took out several banknotes from her sleeve. “Once you go to Prince An’jing’s residence, there will be many places requiring money. Here are two thousand taels of silver. It’s not much, but it can help you through urgent needs. Keep it carefully.”
Xie Ping pressed her lips together. Only two thousand taels of silver—that truly was rather little.
However, for her, it could also be considered a large sum, because she only had just over three hundred taels in hand.
She would probably become the poorest princess consort in this dynasty.
“Prince An’jing’s residence is different from our Xie family—the rules are stricter. After you marry over, you must be careful in everything.” Yuan Shi instructed. “You are the principal consort, the mistress in charge of the prince’s residence. You must be a virtuous helpmate, sharing the prince’s worries and solving his difficulties. You absolutely must not do those…”
“I know!” Xie Ping’s face showed impatience. “The palace matrons have already taught all this.”
Yuan Shi spoke with heartfelt earnestness: “You know what Brother Wei did. And Brother An in your father’s room… We won’t speak of these things. As your grandmother, I don’t ask that you promote the Xie family. I only ask that you be proper and well-behaved, and all will be well.”
Xie Ping pressed her lips tight: “I’ll remember.”
In just a few days, she would marry into Prince An’jing’s residence. Initially, she had always looked forward to this day, but when the day was truly about to arrive, her heart was filled with indescribable confusion and panic.
If she were the only princess consort, everything would be fine. But entering the household together with her was a secondary consort.
Thinking of this, Xie Ping couldn’t help but sigh as well.
The next day, before the night had fully dispersed, Yun Chu rose and took a carriage outside the city. Her father was leading three hundred personal guards secretly to South Yue.
The three hundred personal guards had already set out ahead. Yun Silin was at the pavilion outside the city saying goodbye to his family.
All the Yun family members were there—Yun Chu’s mother Lin Shi, eldest brother Yun Ze, eldest sister-in-law Liu Qianqian, and nephew Yun Zhenjiang.
“This trip to South Yue, I probably won’t be able to return for about two years.” Yun Silin looked at the Yun family members and said, “After I leave, if anything major happens to the Yun family, you must discuss it with Chu’er.”
Yun Ze nodded: “Father, rest assured. I understand everything.”
Lin Shi and Liu Qianqian didn’t ask why Yun family matters needed to be discussed with a married-out daughter. They both nodded seriously in agreement.
“Chu’er…” Yun Silin looked at his daughter. “Initially marrying you to Xie Jingyu was the best choice under unavoidable circumstances, but time has proven that choice was wrong. Your mother and I have discussed it—we’ll find an appropriate opportunity and ask the clan elders to come forward to arrange a divorce for you. Your elder brother and sister-in-law also agree with this. After the divorce, you’ll move back to the Yun family. Our Yun family will support you for life.”
Yun Chu’s heart felt warm: “Father, regarding the divorce, I already have a plan in mind. When you’re away, don’t worry about this small matter of mine.”
“Children’s matters are always the most important matters.” Yun Silin raised his hand and ruffled her hair. “You’ve truly grown up. You’re unwilling to tell your parents about anything, accustomed to solving everything alone. Father is both gratified that you’ve grown up and pained that you’ve grown up… Chu’er, set your mind at ease. Father promises you—what happened in your dream won’t occur.”
Yun Chu’s eyes stung. She nodded forcefully: “Alright. I’ll learn to discuss things with Elder Brother and solve them together.”
She feared that if she continued speaking, she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from crying. She turned and took a bank deposit slip from the hands of her maid Tingxue behind her: “Father, this contains fifty thousand taels of silver, earned from selling ice in the summer. Take this money, Father. Go south, buy land, hire people to farm—just grow grain, the more the better.”
With just a moment’s thought, Yun Silin understood Yun Chu’s meaning.
If things truly reached that point, with grain, the Yun family would have a backup plan.
He was about to speak when Yun Ze suddenly said: “Prince Pingxi is coming.”
Yun Silin immediately tucked the fifty-thousand-tael deposit slip into his waistband, raised his head to look to the side. Prince Pingxi Chu Yi was riding a horse toward them.