Chapter 151: Marriage Decree - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter
Chapter 151: Marriage Decree
"Grandfather, it's my fault that Sihan is in this situation today. I shouldn't have left her alone at Changchun Tower," Bai Siruo admitted, surprising both Lin Mama and Princess Wen Yi. Bai Siruo might not like or even detest Bai Sihan, but that didn't mean she would be happy if something happened to her.
Bai Sihan's intention to stay at Changchun Tower was clear to anyone with eyes.
Due to her aversion, Bai Siruo chose to neglect her duty of guiding Bai Sihan. Therefore, Bai Sihan's suffering today was partly due to her own greed and also her own lack of integrity.
Initially, Bai Xiang was somewhat angry, but seeing her sincere acknowledgment of fault, his anger dissipated considerably.
"Siruo, you and your sister are the only siblings of this generation. I don't expect you to love each other, but you mustn't forget that two 'Bai' characters are written together. Today, because you didn't like it, you indulged her in staying alone at Changchun Tower and failed to fulfill the duties of an elder sister. If the Bai family encounters difficulties in the future, will you also abandon her?"
Bai Xiang's words weren't heavy, but they weighed heavily on Bai Siruo, who couldn't lift her head. Today's events seemed to be caused by Bai Sihan offending Princess Changlin and being beaten, but behind the scenes they also exposed the disunity within the Bai family.
A family, if unable to unite and move forward together, what good would even great wealth and prestige bring? It would all be fleeting.
"People often say to sweep the snow from one's own doorstep and not to worry about the frost on others'. However, Siruo, you must understand this principle: if you don't sweep the frost off your own doorstep, even a family as prominent as ours could eventually be buried under a thick layer of snow."
Bai Siruo's eyes were red. Since childhood, she had been the apple of her family's eye. While her grandfather's love for her was not as overt as her parents' or her elder aunt's, he had carefully taught her to be an upright and conscientious person.
It was her own blindness and missteps.
Realizing this, she wiped away her tears and bowed her head to Bai Xiang in apology. "Grandfather, you are right. From now on, your granddaughter will take this as a lesson."
Bai Xiang nodded with relief, while Lin Mama and Princess Wen Yi silently wiped their tears.
After this incident, their daughter had truly grown up, understanding the importance of the family's unity.
Bai Sanlang listened quietly from the side, his expression unchanged. However, privately, he wondered if his father was using his niece's situation to indirectly criticize him. Frowning slightly, he began to calculate many recent matters in his mind.
Seeing his son's current demeanor, Bai Xiang's heart grew colder. Some people could rectify their mistakes with a single step backward, but others seemed to make mistake after mistake, stubbornly heading toward their own downfall.
Sighing inwardly, the pain in his eyes gradually gave way to determination.
As long as he was alive, he would never let this son destroy the Bai family. Therefore, with a cold and resolute tone, he said, "After tomorrow's court session, the results of the examinations will be announced. These days, you should start your journey back to Qiongzhou. After all, you are a local official and shouldn't linger outside for too long."
Bai Sanlang was taken aback. He had thought his daughter's injury would provide him with an excuse to stay.
Unexpectedly, he was shut down like this. Despair flashed through his eyes briefly, leaving only calmness behind.
He clenched and unclenched his fists under his sleeves before finally releasing them, giving a faint reply, "Yes," and said no more.
Inside the room, apart from Shen Shi's intermittent sobbing, there was silence.
This night, the Bai family did not pass happily, and the people of the Wen family were also full of doubts.
The last words left by Princess Changlin before leaving lingered like a curse in Wen Xinglu's mind. Without thinking, if he and Wen Mengsheng were in danger at the same time, he would certainly sacrifice himself to save Wen Mengsheng.
Half of his sister's life was already buried here. Could it be that his lofty ambitions were destined to be buried here as well?
Fear and worry surged through his heart for a moment.
The next day, Emperor Qi opened the morning court session, and all the officials knelt. The first matter discussed was about the congratulations from various countries.
The eldest son of the Duke of Zhengguo, Zheng Junyi, was a deputy minister of the Ministry of Rites. He was usually not very prominent, but now he was very popular.
"Minister Zheng, how are the preparations for the congratulations going?"
"Your Majesty, everything is prepared according to ancestral traditions. The accommodations for the envoys of various countries have been arranged and they can move in immediately upon arrival."
"Good, for handling this matter well, there will be rewards!"
"This is my duty and I will do my best to make thorough arrangements." Zheng Junyi dared not be presumptuous. Even though he was the son of a duke, he was always cautious and humble.
The old secretary of the Ministry of Rites had already submitted a request to retire and return home to retire. If this matter was handled well, it was expected that Zheng Junyi would be the next secretary of the Ministry of Rites.
Although the Ministry of Rites was not prominent among the six ministries, for the Zheng family, it was a lifeline.
The elderly Duke of Zhengguo was old and not in good health. He had only one descendant in the younger generation, but the grandchildren were numerous, and they were intertwined with the major families of the Eastern Capital through marriages. If they attracted too much attention, it would not be good.
The Duke of Weiguo had tentatively tried to establish a relationship with the Zheng family, but he was rejected.
A word about loyalty to His Majesty forever silenced him. Without taking sides or assisting, the Zheng family managed to live quietly, avoiding greed and avoiding trouble.
The lively discussion in the court was not missed by Wen Jingsong, who did not miss any opportunity to climb up.
But returning home, he learned what it was like to be caught in the storm of royal favor.
When the imperial decree arrived, everyone seemed to be stunned in place, afraid to receive it.
Never did they expect that the first decree of the new year would be the marriage decree between Princess Changlin and their son from the Wen family.
The eunuch delivering the decree smiled and congratulated Wen Jingsong, "Sir, what great fortune! Your child is about to become a son-in-law, bestowed directly by the princess herself. This decree is fresh and hot. Don't just stand there, please accept it quickly."
Wen Mengsheng's face turned extremely ugly. If not for a shred of reason telling him not to act rashly, he feared he would have drawn his sword and rushed to the princess's mansion. Ruining someone's future like this, was it because the Wen family had an enemy?
Wen Xinglu beside him stood as if his soul had been sucked dry, dumbfounded.
When Wen Jingsong reacted, he reluctantly forced a smile and said to the eunuch, "Sir, the decree mentions the sons of my Wen family. Could you specify who exactly?"
As soon as these words were spoken, all eyes of the two brothers gathered around, fearing to hear their names from the eunuch's mouth.
"I don't know about that. It's probably up to you to figure out what the princess means. However, sir, it's a great blessing for your son to have this marriage opportunity, bestowed by the heavens."
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