Xie Ping knelt in the ancestral hall for three days and three nights.
Only He Shi would secretly send her some food. She couldn’t eat anything, only forcing herself to drink a little water. Her entire person became weak to the extreme.
It wasn’t until the fourth day that someone finally came from the palace.
It was the head eunuch by the Emperor’s side, along with the Vice Minister from the Ministry of Rites, who came together to announce the decree.
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The eldest daughter of the Ministry of Revenue Vice Director Xie Jingyu, Xie Ping, is dignified, gentle, respectful, obedient, and virtuous. She is hereby appointed as Princess Consort An’jing. An auspicious day shall be chosen for the wedding. It is hoped that henceforth she will cultivate virtue and self-discipline, and diligently serve with respect…”
The Xie family members knelt on the ground. Except for Yun Chu, each one was overjoyed beyond expectation.
They truly hadn’t imagined that it would actually be the Emperor issuing a decree to grant the marriage. Sister Ping had truly become the princess consort of Prince An’jing’s residence.
“This subject receives the decree and thanks Your Majesty for his great grace. May the Emperor live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!”
Xie Jingyu raised both hands and received the imperial decree. All members of the Xie family kowtowed in worship.
The head eunuch smiled and said: “Congratulations, Master Xie. Felicitations, Master Xie. Originally, His Majesty’s intention was to hold the wedding after Miss Xie reached the hairpin ceremony, but Consort De believed that Prince An’jing is young and doesn’t understand matters, and needs a virtuous helpmate to manage affairs inside and outside the residence. So she consulted with the Empress and set the wedding for three months from now, waiting until after Miss Xie’s hairpin ceremony to consummate the marriage.”
Old Madam Xie couldn’t stop smiling and quickly had maids fetch red envelopes. All the people who came to announce the decree received at least twenty taels of silver each.
After the decree announcers left, Old Madam Xie said sincerely: “Chu’er, it’s all thanks to you. Otherwise, how would such good fortune fall upon our Xie family?”
Yuan Shi grasped Yun Chu’s hand: “Only you truly and sincerely plan for the children. For Sister Ping to have a mother like you is a blessing cultivated in her past life.”
“Madam, you’ve worked hard.” Xie Jingyu looked steadily at Yun Chu. “Although you are a woman, you are in no way inferior to men.”
She calculated every step so precisely. If she were a man and entered court as an official with such computational strategy, she would probably quickly rise to become the head of all officials.
Yun Chu smiled.
All her strategizing was built on the foundation of living life over again. Because she had experienced the previous life, she knew what kind of person Consort De was, knew what Prince An’jing’s temperament was like, knew how dangerous the competition for the throne was, knew what direction matters would develop in… Therefore, she could effortlessly plan out many things.
Xie Ping knelt on the ground, crying tears of extreme joy.
She had once only sought the position of a concubine, but in the end became the legitimate princess consort. This kind of joy was beyond words.
She supported herself on a maid’s hand to stand, walked weakly before Yun Chu, and slowly bowed: “Mother, it was Ping’er who did wrong and brought shame to the Xie family. Mother punished me to kneel in the ancestral hall, yet Ping’er harbored resentment in her heart. Only now do I know that Mother exhausted her mind and effort to strategize and pave the way for Ping’er. Ping’er is endlessly grateful. No matter what happens in the future, Ping’er will be filial to Mother and will absolutely never let Mother regret planning for Ping’er.”
Yun Chu tugged at the corner of her lips.
In the previous life, when Xie Ping intended to scheme against Prince An’jing, she had stopped it in advance, causing Xie Ping to resent her for a long time.
The genuine care she had given was trampled under Xie Ping’s feet.
But now, with false sentiments she schemed for Xie Ping, yet was treated with genuine feeling by Xie Ping.
She only felt it ironic.
She reached out to help Xie Ping up: “Consort De and Prince An’jing must be unwilling in their hearts. You must remember to be cautious in word and deed. Don’t let people catch you in mistakes. Otherwise, your position as princess consort won’t be secure. Do you understand?”
Xie Ping nodded: “Yes, Mother.”
He Shi, standing to the side, felt somewhat sad in her heart.
The daughter she carried for ten months in her womb—she understood her best. Previously, when Sister Ping called Madam “Mother,” it was due to circumstances. But now this “Mother” came from genuine feeling.
Because Madam planned for Sister Ping, Sister Ping truly acknowledged Madam as her mother.
Madam’s position in Sister Ping’s heart would certainly surpass her, the biological mother…
She suppressed her emotions and spoke: “The eldest miss is to marry into Prince An’jing’s residence as princess consort. This dowry will probably be difficult to manage…”
Old Madam Xie immediately reacted. Yes, how could a woman who was to be a princess consort have no dowry? They didn’t dare speak of a ten-li-long bridal procession, but at least there should be one hundred twenty-four carrying loads…
The entire Xie family couldn’t possibly produce such a dowry.
They could only rely on the granddaughter-in-law.
The granddaughter-in-law was Sister Ping’s mother. It was only natural for her to prepare Sister Ping’s dowry.
She was just about to speak.
Yun Chu said: “The Xie residence is a fifth-rank family. It’s reasonable that we cannot produce a dowry befitting a princess consort. We have no need to overextend ourselves. Sister Ping, Mother will only tell you one thing: people don’t establish themselves through family and silver, but through their own intelligence and talent. If you want to stand firm in Prince An’jing’s residence, use your brain more when doing anything.”
Xie Ping firmly engraved these words in her heart: “Ping’er will remember Mother’s teachings.”
“As for the matter of the dowry…” Yun Chu was unhurried and looked toward Xie Jingyu. “Although there’s no need to overextend ourselves, what should be there must be there. Husband, this matter will require you to find a solution.”
Xie Jingyu’s lips opened and closed. He very much wanted to say that dowry matters should be handled by the mistress of the household.
But thinking that Sister Ping was able to become Princess Consort An’jing entirely due to Yun Chu’s strategizing, he couldn’t possibly have everything, inside and out, all handed to Yun Chu.
He could only agree: “Madam can rest assured. I’ll handle this matter.”
Yun Chu lowered her head to drink tea, concealing the mockery in her eyes.
Xie Jingyu was someone who liked cultivating official connections, from time to time sending gifts to his superiors. At the same time, he would also accept gifts sent by lower sixth and seventh-rank minor officials.
After today, people below would all know the Xie family had climbed up to Prince An’jing’s residence. They would probably come one after another to send gifts.
Occasionally accepting some wasn’t a problem, but Xie Jingyu currently lacked money and would definitely accept all comers.
If he accepted too much, something would go wrong sooner or later.
The next day, Lin Shi came to the Xie residence to offer congratulations.
Old Madam Xie, who had always felt she was a head shorter when facing people from the Yun family, could finally hold her head high, even her words carrying much more confidence.
“In the future, when Madam Yun attends any banquets, you can bring our Sister Ping along.” The Old Madam said with a smile. “After Sister Ping becomes Princess Consort An’jing, she’ll inevitably need to become acquainted with those noble madams. Getting to know them in advance will save a lot of trouble.”
Lin Shi casually placated her: “That’s natural.”
After finishing her conversation with the Old Madam, Yun Chu led Lin Shi to her own Sheng Residence.
“Sister Ping is still so young. Why was her marriage settled so early?” Lin Shi detected an unusual scent. “Consort De dotes on Prince An’jing the most. How could she suddenly let a fifth-rank official’s daughter become princess consort? Did something happen?”
Yun Chu knew that anyone would question this matter.
She recounted what happened at Qing’an Temple in a calm tone.
“She… how could she have such audacity!” Lin Shi was dumbfounded. “Although the marriage is settled, Consort De definitely won’t let this go easily. Sister Ping will have hardships to endure in the future.”
Originally, she had prepared a shop to add to Sister Ping’s trousseau. Now it seemed completely unnecessary.
Such a calculating granddaughter who completely disregarded the family’s reputation—their Yun family truly didn’t dare acknowledge her. They felt it would be embarrassing to bring her anywhere…
“Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore.” Lin Shi shook her head. “Imperial Physician Si is leaving the palace to gather medicinal herbs outside. The Empress had Imperial Physician Si conveniently check your pulse along the way. Come, Mother will go with you.”