37 - Bestowal of Marriage

Chapter 37 – Bestowal of marriage

“Official positions and wealth are like floating clouds* to Chen .”

(Floating clouds have a lot of meanings based on different situations and scenarios but here, it means that DJ does not care for the official positions and wealth as they mean nothing to him.)

The Emperor sighed. The time that he had spent with this subject was not a matter of only a day or two. He understood Di Jing’s temperament and could not help but laugh to himself.

This Di Jing is truly able to keep his composure!

Recently, whenever Consort An has a chance, she would pillow talk to him, complaining that Shangguan Yan is a vixen who bewitched their son, the Ninth Prince and that Old Nine stubbornly insisted on marrying her as his concubine. Consort An had wanted him to help to deal with that woman.

Recently, the Emperor could not enjoy any peace because of the noisy complaints.

The Emperor looked at Di Jing…….although he remained silent, he used actions to protect her.

He doesn’t want an official position or wealth, but isn’t that just taking a roundabout way to ask for that person?

“ Zhen understands your character. Don’t pretend, just tell me.”

Di Jing also did not intend to drag and said. “In that case, Your Highness, please bestow a marriage.”

The Emperor waited and sure enough, Di Jing had spoken. However, the Emperor was able to maintain his composure and deliberately put on a show of being placed in a difficult position.

“Minister Di is forcing me to be a villain and help you to snatch a wife!” The Emperor shook his head.

“It’s heard that Shangguan Family’s girl has a childhood sweetheart and both of them had the intention to get married. Although they are not engaged, they had a verbal agreement. Besides, my Old Nine also likes her and insisted on marrying her. He came personally to beg Zhen! Zhen is put in a difficult position.”

After the Emperor had said so much, complaining about being difficult here and there, it was clear that the Emperor was deliberately keeping him on tenterhooks.

Di Jing who has always maintain a quiet expression said calmly.

“If the Emperor’s golden mouth is willing to speak, Chen will clean up the mess.”

The Emperor teased with interest. “ Zhen heard that the Shangguan girl is very capable. She is a constable and is also good at doing business. Even my Old Nine is helpless with her and it seems she is hard to handle.”

“Someone has to handle her and Chen is willing to take this responsibility.”

The Emperor smiled. After talking so much, Di Jing was still planning on the Shangguan girl. The Emperor was very satisfied with officials who had made great contributions to the country but still did not seek official positions.

What he needs is this kind of subject who is loyal and not greedy.

It’s only a bestowal of marriage, so why can’t it be given?

“ Zhen will grant your request.”

“Thanks to Your Highness.”

With just a chess game, Di Jing had successfully calculated someone. Finally, he could have her as his wife. With the Emperor as the matchmaker, who will dare to have an opinion?

The next morning during the imperial court session, the Emperor publicly promoted the meritorious minister, Di Jing to a Second-ranked Minister and made him the Governor of Zhenzhou. He was gifted with a set of brocade robes and a betrothal to Shangguan Yan, the Fifth Miss of the Shangguan Family. It was also decreed that the marriage ceremony be held before the Mid-Autumn Festival.

When the news about the bestowal of marriage was sent to the Shangguan Family that day, the Shangguan Family was so shocked that they did not know what to do. Even the four Shangguan daughters who were already married rushed back immediately to their maternal home to show concern for their Fifth Sister’s marriage.

Initially, Old Master Shangguan and his wife were still thinking about how to deal with their daughter’s marriage. First, they did not dare to offend the Ninth Prince and secondly, they did not dare to marry their daughter to the Pan Family. Just as they were still worrying over this matter, their daughter was suddenly promised to Lord Di, and also, it was the Emperor who had decided on this marriage!

The next morning, the eunuch, Lu Gonggong came to Shangguan Mansion with the Emperor’s marriage decree.

After yesterday’s shock had passed, today the whole Shangguan Family, from the head of the household to the servants, bathed and cleansed themselves, prepared incense, and knelt in the front courtyard to receive the imperial decree.

Shangguan Yan was also in shock for a long time. Although she knew in her heart that she would be marrying Di Jing, she never expected that he would request a marriage decree from the Emperor.

After receiving the imperial decree, the Shangguan Family, from the Old Master, his wife to the children, and the daughters-in-law, all gathered around ShangguanYan to ask about the details of the matter.

After ShangguanYan gave a rough explanation of the matter, then only did Old Master Shangguan realized that this Lord Di had long intended to marry his daughter. He could not help but stroke his beard thoughtfully.

“That’s really out of expectation……..”

Old Madam Shangguan who was still in shock and unable to recover could only cling to her husband’s arm.

“Old Master, what kind of person is this Lord DI?” What Old Madam Shangguan cared more about is the origins of the future son-in-law, whether he is easy to get along with, and his character. Their daughter was suddenly betrothed to another man, so how could she not feel worried as a mother?!

Old Master Shangguan replied. “Based on Yan’er’s explanation, this Lord Di is an organized man, one who knows how to judge a situation and a good planner.”

Old Madam Shangguan became anxious. “Good character is important! Old Master, quickly get someone to find out!”

“His character is very good. Mother doesn’t need to worry.” Shangguan Yan replied smoothly causing everyone to stare at her.

Eldest Sister refused to let her off and hung on to her Fifth Sister to question her. “Speak! Do you like him very much as well?”

Second Eldest Sister was also dying of curiosity. “Do you like him? When did it happen?”

Third Eldest Sister also could not wait to ask. “So both of you were interested in each other a long time ago? You kept it hidden for so long!”

The others also joined in and everyone started to question her. They were determined to find out from their Fifth Sister when did she begin to have feelings for a man!

Shangguan Yan had always been the one who forced confessions from others but today she was suddenly questioned by her family. No matter how thick-skinned she normally is, but this time, she could not help but blush.

“No, no…….I was also surprised.”

“If that is so, how can you be blushing? In the past when you were with Big Brother Pan you’ve never blushed!”

Everyone started to bombard her with teases from left and right. Initially, they were still worried that she would feel sad but they never expected she had fallen in love with the other party.

Sixth Sister, Shangguan Xin smiled and said. “Father, can this be considered as the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind? The mantis is naturally the Ninth Prince and the oriole is, of course, Lord Di. As for Big Brother Pan , ai……. even before he could touch the side, he was forced out.”

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“What nonsense! Royal matters are not to be discussed! Take care and don’t let it spread out!” Old Madam Shangguan reprimanded in a soft voice but she was also laughing.

Eldest Daughter-in-law also joked. “Then isn’t Yan’er the cicada that is being calculated?”

Second Brother also chipped in for fun. “Fifth Sister’s peach blossom has always been prosperous since she was a child. After dragging it until now and if she still doesn’t get married, then it will make everyone feel worried.”

“So everyone is teasing me……I won’t let you off!” As Shangguan Yan retorted, she moved forward to tickle everyone. Everyone burst into laughter then started to dodge and run all over the place.

Shangguan Xin hid behind their mother, stuck out her tongue, and continued to joke. “I heard that the future Fifth Brother-in-law is handsome and he is the Lord Governor. So awesome! Fifth Sister is going to be an official’s wife!”

Glaring at her Sixth Sister, Shangguan Yan’s cheeks had turned very red which added to her beauty. It showed she was not opposed to the marriage and even if she wanted to hide it, she could not do so.

The bestowal of marriage………she did not expect that in the end, she would marry him. At that time when she was discussing the marriage with Di Jing, she still felt it would not happen but now it had suddenly come true and on the contrary, she felt it was magical….. how shall she put it?…… Her heart seems to be at ease.

Following that, Old Master Shangguan hurriedly led the whole mansion, the Shangguan Family including the servants, to prepare for the sacrificial ceremony to inform the ancestors of the matter. Then the imperial decree was placed on the altar table as a form of respect.

The next day, Di Jing, who was already the Lord Governor, ordered someone to send over a card to say that he would be coming in person to visit his future parents-in-law.

Although the Shangguan Family is a royal merchant family, it is still a family of commoners without official rank or status.