Chapter One: The Shocking Marriage News

The grandson understands. Shen Du nodded and said, the world is about to fall into chaos, and all heroes will rise to pursue their ambitions, yet in their eagerness for success, they may not necessarily reap future blessings

"Well then, Ruo Pu's mother, you should start preparing for this marriage," said Qi's mother. "Build a special princess mansion for Princess Anle, and discuss the wedding date with Zhongzhou. Before the mansion is completed, we cannot let Princess Anle be wronged; it would be best to set the date for the year after next, as I believe the Empress Su would also want to keep her only daughter a little longer. If the situation changes, perhaps Jizhou will not need to marry this daughter of the demon queen after all.

Do not be fooled by the gentle smile that often graces the lips of Shen Jialiu nowadays, exuding an air of refined elegance; in his early years, he was the most troublesome troublemaker in the family, with a personality that was self-willed and unruly. Even when his father was alive, the family discipline was enforced with countless beatings, yet it never managed to make Shen Du bow his head.

What is to be done about this? It is often said that one should marry a virtuous wife, yet she is even more extravagant than her mother. Is she not an even greater source of calamity? Her mother has already brought ruin to the Ji family's fortunes; must she now bring disaster upon our family as well?

The situation in Liangzhou has turned against us. The Emperor wishes to send troops to quell the rebellion, but the forces are insufficient, and there is fear of being attacked from both the front and the rear. The arrival of people from Zhongzhou this time is likely to request that I dispatch troops to suppress the rebellion.

The Shen family has always been extremely cautious in the matter of selecting a daughter-in-law. The ancestral teachings state: "A virtuous wife brings prosperity to the family, while a foolish one leads to its decline." Therefore, even two years after the passing of his first wife, Yun, Shen Du had not taken a new wife, as his mother, Qi, and the Xue family were still meticulously choosing the future Lady of the Marquis. Unexpectedly, a shocking turn of events occurred when the enchanting Empress Su Jiang arranged for her only daughter, Princess Anle, to be betrothed to Shen Du

What an uncertain return date, the envoy from Zhongzhou conveys the decree, yet Duke Ji remains so arrogantly indifferent. Lu Youxiang feels a sense of frustration within, but does not dare to show any sign of it on his face, instead smiling and saying: "Thank you for your efforts, Chief Steward."

It is simply outrageous. Our Shen family has worked tirelessly for the sake of the Ji family's dominion, and now only a few adult males remain in our household. Yet they still demean us in this way. Su Jiang has already brought disaster upon the emperor, and as if that were not enough, she dares to marry her daughter into our Shen family. Is her daughter so undesirable that she must be forcefully given to us?

Shen Duliang is indeed as insightful as a deity, and Lu Youxiang truly possesses the emperor's handwritten edict. I urge Shen Duliang to swiftly mobilize troops to attack Liang. However, the matters proclaimed in this imperial decree were unforeseen by anyone.

I have indeed seen the little princess of comfort in her childhood; at such a young age, she was already a beauty, and when she grows up, she may surpass her mother in beauty.

Yu Da arranged for Lu Youxiang and his party to stay at the Water Mirror Terrace in the villa. Lu Youxiang gazed into the distance from the terrace, where he beheld the peaks and ridges shrouded in mist, the pines and cypress trees flourishing, appearing as if naturally formed. Nearby, the corridors wound around, with eaves jutting out at angles, intricately carved beams and painted rafters, a marvel of craftsmanship. The Xinyang Marquis's residence, having been meticulously maintained by several generations, stood solemn and magnificent, exuding an air of grandeur that goes without saying

In the early spring, amidst the fragrance of pear blossoms carried by the spring breeze, the only sounds that remain, apart from the chirping of birds, are the crisp clattering of Go pieces falling onto the board.

The others sitting in Taihe Courtyard, although not as furious as Jiang, all had unpleasant expressions on their faces

After Shen Du left, Qi's mother sighed, "Why is Ruo Pu's marriage so fraught with difficulties? The Yun family departed too early. This current arrangement is merely a stopgap measure. I hope that next time..."

"The soldiers must be deployed," Shen Du concluded his statement. Seeing the worried expression on Grandmother Qi's face, he continued to reassure her, saying, "Grandmother, do not worry. I am not a reckless person. At present, we are not yet strong enough, and with the Xianbei and Rouran eyeing us from the north, the world is not yet in chaos. The fortunes of the Central Plains have not yet run out, but the power of Liang must be restrained."

"What do you mean by that?" asked Qi's mother

The tyrant and the enchantress do not play by the rules, and no one could have anticipated this move from them

The speaker is Jiang, the second aunt of Shen Du. She has a fiery temper, yet she is also a person of misfortune. Shen Du's second uncle lost his life ten years ago in a battle against the Xianbei Murong clan. Their son, Shen Geng, ranks fourth among Shen Du's generation and was injured in the leg during the battle at Pingcheng, leaving him with a permanent disability.

However, Lu Youxiang personally delivered the portrait of Princess Anle, but he secretly presented it to Shen Du behind the backs of Qi Mu and others. Men in the world, regardless of whether they are lecherous or not, are likely unable to resist the allure of the extraordinary beauty depicted in the painting

"Ruopu, what do you say?" Qi's mother looked at Shen Du and said

Shen Duyu's Qimu Dao: "Grandmother, delaying the marriage may not be appropriate. Liangzhou has just been pacified, and if we are to ensure the safety of Zhongzhou, it entirely depends on my Jizhou sending troops. Jizhou and Liang do not connect, and sending troops will inevitably require passing through Bingzhou or Zhongzhou. Wang Ke of Bingzhou will certainly not agree to lend his route, so we can only pass through Zhongzhou. Su Jiang's descent of Princess Anle is likely intended to reassure each other."

Seeing Shen Ducheng with a clear plan in mind, Qi's mother could not help but feel a sense of emotion. The rough jade of the past has today been refined into a fine material through the craftsmanship of the phoenix. Surely, the spirit of the old marquis can now rest in peace. The character chosen by Old Man Min for Ruopu, "Feng Zhuo," indeed carries profound significance.

According to the grandson, it would suffice to designate the Northern Garden as the princess's residence, without the need to burden the people or waste resources on constructing a new mansion. However, with the princess's descent, it is feared that in the future, it may temporarily inconvenience the grandmother and mother, for which the grandson truly feels remorseful

Although Su Jiang is a calamity for a fallen nation, Princess Anle herself is rarely mentioned, and moreover, she is still young; her temperament may still be amendable

Lu Youxiang raised his hand to stop his attendant from continuing to speak, adjusted his black beard on his chest, and let out a long sigh. He observed the Xinyang Marquis's residence, which was orderly and well-organized, exuding a sense of prosperity. In contrast, the Central Plains were like the sun setting in the west, with the once-great land having fallen into ruin in just twenty years. To this day, the edicts do not emanate from the Central Plains, and with predators lurking around, it seemed that the ancestral family temple was on the verge of being lost. This time, as he traveled to Jizhou, he was under the imperial command and had requests to make of others; how could he dare to act with the airs of a celestial being.

Shen Du's tone was淡淡, but anyone could see that the future of that Princess Anle was likely not to be a good one

Although the two individuals playing chess by the stream do not regard the envoy from Zhongzhou with any importance, Yu Da does not dare to delay. He immediately turned around and returned to the Marquis's residence. After all, the other party is also an envoy from Zhongzhou, and the Marquis of Xinyang's residence cannot neglect the formalities. Otherwise, it would be too dismissive and would only invite criticism.

"If only Ruopu's wife hadn't left so early," said Madam Ding from the third household. The Ruopu's wife she referred to was Yun, the original spouse of Shen Du. Yun hailed from the Yun family of Fanyang, possessing a beautiful appearance, elegance, and grace, as well as being well-educated and sensible. After marrying into the family, she managed the household, served her in-laws with filial piety, maintained harmony among her sisters-in-law, and was praised by everyone in the household as a good lady of the Duke. Unfortunately, her life was short; she suffered an injury while giving birth to Shen Du's eldest son. When she passed away, there was not a single person who did not mourn her loss, even Mother Qi shed a bowl of tears, lamenting that such a virtuous woman was hard to come by.

The news that Lord Shen Du of Xinyang was to marry Princess Anle spread like wildfire, and within half a day, everyone in the residence, from top to bottom, was aware of it

However ... ...

As Xinyang is the administrative center of Jizhou, and Shen Du governs the military and political affairs of Jizhou as the Marquis of Xinyang, others habitually refer to him as the Marquis of Jizhou; in reality, the title he holds is that of the Marquis of Xinyang

The Emperor of Zhongzhou is still recognized as the ruler by all under heaven. As long as Jizhou continues to pay tribute to Wei from the south, and Princess Anle enters the residence of the Marquis of Xinyang, even Qi's mother must pay her respects to her

Madam Xue, however, does not necessarily view this marriage in the same light as Lady Qi. "Mother, Princess Anle possesses such beauty, and if Pupu is someone who values appearance above all, could it be..." What Madam Xue intended to say was whether it would follow in the footsteps of Emperor Wei, but as a mother, she naturally could not curse her own son in such a manner, thus she omitted the latter part of her sentence.

Min Hao stroked his snow-white long beard and said: "Feng Zhuo's chess skills have become increasingly advanced, intricate and unpredictable, making it difficult for one to defend against. I have lost another piece in this game."

The Wei Emperor naturally feared that Shen Du would take advantage of the situation in Zhongzhou to eliminate him as well, which is why he was willing to marry off his most beloved Princess Anle. It seems he had great confidence in the art of managing her husband.

After breakfast, the incense table had been set up in front of the "Zhuangjing Hall" of the Xinyang Marquis's residence, in preparation for receiving the imperial edict. Lady Qi and Madam Xue, the mother of Shen Du, had already donned their ceremonial robes and went to Zhuangjing Hall together with Shen Du

This is my wish. Min Hao readily agreed

"First, settle the people down," Shen Du said slowly after making his move, and Yu Da responded and withdrew.

Mother, like mother, like daughter. With Su Jiang's teachings and example, how good can Princess Anle, raised by her, possibly be? It is known that when Su Jiang was thirteen, she eloped with Ji Shu, and later caused a rift between Ji Shu and his father and son, only to marry Shi Zun afterwards

Madam Xue was about to say more when she heard Mother Qi say: "The Qi and Liu ladies in his house, which one is not a beauty? Do you see him indulging? If Pu is not soft-hearted, he has practiced martial arts since childhood, is strong and healthy, and is inherently different from others. Even if there are a few more people in the house, it is not a big deal; it is beneficial for his health, and I have agreed to it all."

The rare smile that had lingered at the corner of Shen Du's mouth had now completely vanished, leaving not even a trace. He brushed off the nonexistent dust from his robe and spoke: "Now is not the time to fall out with Zhongzhou; the Emperor is marrying off his daughter, how could one dare to refuse?"

Nowadays, the Emperor of Zhongzhou intends to force a marriage with just a thin piece of paper, and this matter is likely to not end well in the future

Madam Xue should not think this way. The people in Shen Du's house do not count, but who knows how many are outside? The courtesans and dancers in the other courtyards are countless, it is simply an incomprehensible mess. However, Madam Xue does not wish to add to Mother Qi's troubles, so she said: "Mother, am I not just worrying too much?"

"Ruo Pu, what is the matter with the visitors from Zhongzhou this time?" Qi's mother asked Shen Du. The term "Ruo Pu" is a familial reference to Duke Shen Du of the State of Ji, as when he was born, the divine monk from Jialan City once praised him, saying, "This child is as pure as uncut jade." Therefore, since the time of the old duke, "Ruo Pu" has been used as Shen Du's childhood name.

Those present fell silent upon hearing this. Su Jiang, renowned for her beauty at the age of thirteen, captured the attention of the talented youth Ji Shu. However, unbeknownst to Ji Shu, Su Jiang later became involved with his father while staying at Ji Shu's home. When the affair was discovered, she had no choice but to flee, only to be captured by Shi Zun of Liangzhou, who showered her with exceptional favor. This incident offers a glimpse into Su Jiang's character.

When everyone heard the Ding family mention the Yun family, and compared it to the current arranged marriage of Princess Anle, it was truly a world of difference, leaving them even more speechless

Qī's mother consoled, "Since we cannot fall out with the Central Plains, this marriage must be arranged in a way that leaves no room for gossip. Your two daughters-in-law are capable; have them help you prepare for it."

With a single sentence, Shen Du settled the matter, and even the Jiang family had no further words to say

The clear blue stream encircles the thatched cottage, and beneath the pear tree, which is clustered with jade-colored flowers, an old man and a young boy are engrossed in a game of chess.

Moreover, this Su Jiang indeed possesses remarkable skills, as she has managed to captivate the emperor to the point of losing his senses, leading to the complete ruin of a century-old family business in just twenty short years. As for Su Jiang herself, she is adept at sowing discord, using her charm to deceive her lord, plotting against the loyal and virtuous, and is ruthless and merciless; her wickedness is beyond measure.

Shen Du smiled and said, "How about we have another game, sir?"

Everyone turned to look at Mother Qi, "Grandmother, please say something." Shen Du's sister-in-law, Pei, spoke up. Shen Du's elder brother was a full sibling, ten years older than him, and had died ten years ago in the same brutal battle as their second uncle, leaving Shen Du's sister-in-law to raise their young child alone. Pei was also ten years older than Shen Du. There is an ancient saying that a sister-in-law is like a mother, and Shen Du had always respected her, so Pei was particularly concerned about Shen Du's marriage.

Madam Xue agreed and then got up to leave

The next morning, Shen Du returned home from outside, attended by his concubine Dayu Ji, who helped him change his clothes. He first went to Taihe Courtyard to pay his respects to the old lady

Lu Youxiang sighed, and heard a retainer beside him say: "My lord, this Duke of Ji is indeed too arrogant, daring to treat the heavenly envoy with such neglect"

Qī's mother sighed and said, "Now I can rest assured. You have just annexed Youzhou, and the people's hearts are still unsettled; indeed, this is not the time for radical actions. The calculations from Jialan City indicate that although Ziwēi is confused by the demonic stars, shrouded in darkness, the royal aura has not yet dissipated"

Lu Youxiang had been waiting in the side hall for quite some time when he finally saw Yu Da enter hurriedly. "My lord Lu, I sincerely apologize. The lord is out visiting friends, and the return time is uncertain. I have already sent someone to invite him. In the meantime, please rest a while. This evening, Lord Changshi will host a banquet for you at Tianyi Building by the Daluze River to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey"

"Your Excellency, the envoy from the Central Plains has arrived, bearing the Emperor's imperial decree." Yu Da stood respectfully one zhang away, and after saying this, he lowered his gaze and bowed his head, remaining silent thereafter

After everyone left, only Madam Xue and Shen Du remained

Qimother lowered her gaze in contemplation, "You may take charge of everything as you see fit."

Qi's mother furrowed her brows and said, "What nonsense are you talking? If Ruopu is your son, do you not know what kind of person he is? Although he was a bit reckless in his youth, after the death of his father and brothers, have you not observed his conduct over the years? Has he acted in any way that is inappropriate?"

Reflecting on twenty years ago, when he accompanied the esteemed Lord Zhang on a diplomatic mission to Jizhou, how courteous was the old Duke of Ji. Now, looking at the present, Lu Youxiang lets out a long sigh again