Chapter 38: The Joy of Marriage

Proofread By:- Mim

After Qi Desheng heard Chu Jinyao’s words, he felt that the dust had finally settled in his heart.

He had been frightened and fearful for many days now and could finally speak about it. He had had enough of it!

Chu Jinyao was surprised to see Qi Desheng’s expression of relief. He stood up and bowed asking, “Benefactor, is this a place to talk?”

Chu Jinyao gave Linglong a glance, and she immediately got up to sit at the doors of the room, guarding against the oncoming people. Qi Desheng then sat down and drank some water to suppress his shock before saying, “Actually all these things do not belong to this lowly one. This lowly one has been entrusted by others to give it to Young Lady as a compensation to suppress your shock.”

“Who is it?”

“That GongGong that almost injured Young Lady on the streets that day.”

“GongGong?” Chu Jinyao almost stood up in fright. Qi De sheng nodded eagerly, “It is him.”

“But…” Chu Jinyao could not understand it, “He was so arrogant back then, so why did he gift these things? Also, even if he were to gift them, how could it be so valuable?”

Qi Desheng spread his hands out and said, “This lowly one also doesn’t understand. That day when I returned from the shop, I suddenly saw this Eunuch in my study. The GongGong said that it was not convenient for him to come forward, and thus used my name to send some small playthings to Chu Young Lady.”

Chu Jinyao did not know what to say, “Are these called small playthings? No. That is not important. Why is he doing this?”

Qi Desheng shook his head and said, “This lowly one does not know anything more. This lowly one is just a merchant and since the message has been relayed, this lowly one is unable to help with anything more.”

“So, the brocade shop that you insisted on giving me also belongs to that GongGong?”

Qi Desheng nodded embarrassedly and said, “Of course. If this lowly one had just a big shop, one would wake up laughing from one’s dream. That shop’s daily revenue is like running water, it is just amazing…” Qi Desheng caught himself when his bad habit appeared again. He was a merchant, thus he liked to talk about these superficial things, but Chu Jinyao was a Young Lady of a Marquis lineage, how would she be interested in such things? Qi Desheng stopped himself hurriedly and paused before saying, “Chu Young Lady, since these words have been spoken, then this lowly one would not hide anything. The business contract that one handed  over that day, actually has no relations with the Qi family. This lowly one has seen that the shop has everything, thus there is no need for you to worry and just receive the monthly dividends. This lowly one knows that Young Lady is above all and looks down on money matters, but there is no harm in having more of those by one’s side. May this lowly one be so bold to ask a favour, if in the future Young Lady’s shop is purchasing goods and encounters the Qi family, may Young Lady please help look after.”

Chu Jinyao hurriedly spoke, “One does not dare. This matter is very serious, and I dare not take matters into my own hands. I have to leave it to Father and Grandmother to decide. As for those words, may Manager Qi not speak like that.”

When Qi Desheng saw Chu Jinyao’s vigilance, he wanted to say that she did not have to be like that. After seeing the expression on that eunuch that day, it was obvious that he was acting on another’s orders and did not dare to neglect Chu Jinyao in the slightest. Thus, Chu Jinyao should accept everything in confidence as these people dared not do anything to her. However, Qi Desheng only dared to think about it in his heart and did not have the guts to say anything.

To put it bluntly, he was just a lowly merchant, to speak those words, did he resent his life for being too long? If in the future, if Chu Jinyao’s shop grew and he continued to maintain contact with Chu Jinyao, it would be enough to obtain a little profit. As for more, he dared not touch it.

After sending Qi Desheng away, Chu Jinyao immediately retrieved the contract, intact in the wooden box, and handed it to Old Madam Chu. As the remaining chests were too big, Chu Jinyao dared not move it casually, but she dared not hold on to this shop by herself.

Heavens, this was actually given to her by the Palace eunuch through another’s hands! This frightened her to death! Chu Jinyao was initially still happy that she had a location to place her sister in, but upon hearing the other party’s background, she immediately had no more expectations. Forget it, it would be better for her to rely on herself to obtain a store instead. She dared not accept things from the Palace’s GongGong.

After Old Madam Chu heard Chu Jinyao’s retelling of Manager Qi’s words, she was also very confused. As she looked at the wooden box, she immediately felt that this problem was a headache. Old Madam Chu then said, “How could this involve the GongGong? I cannot decide on this. When your father returns, let him decide then.”

Chu Jinyao complied, and right then Chu Jinxian entered. She only heard the second half of Old Madam Chu’s words and asked out of surprise, “What is the matter? What matter could Grandmother be unable to decide and have to trouble Father?”

Old Madam Chu continued to turn her Buddhist beads and said nothing. Some matters could not be said to her granddaughter, no matter how doted upon she was. Chu Jinyao quietly tugged Chu Jinxian’s hands, “Nothing. Eldest Sister, I have not seen you for a long time. What are you doing these days?”

Chu Jinxian suddenly blushed and did not bother to continue the topic from before. Gu Momo was stationed outside so upon hearing these words, she came in to speak as she smiled, “Eldest Young Lady’s marriage is approaching, so these days, Eldest Young Lady is busy embroidering her dowry.”

“Momo!” Chu Jinxian groaned. Chu Jinyao was stunned for a while before she realised that her Eldest Sister was about to get married.

She was not clear what kind of feeling she felt. There was reluctance and disappointment, but at the end, Chu Jinyao smiled as she wished Chu Jinxian blessings, “So Older Sister is busy with these things. No wonder she has no time to be bothered with me these days. It is still early now, so I will wish Older Sister and JieFu (Older Sister’s husband) to be like a pair of love birds and grow old together.”

No matter how magnanimous and calm Chu Jinxian was, upon hearing such teasing, she could no longer stand it and snorted before turning to leave. Gu Momo, Chu Jinyao and the rest standing behind laughed, even Old Madam Chu showed a faint smile. The shadow that had shrouded due to Tang GongGong had disappeared unknowingly.

In the evening, Old Madam Chu deliberately retained Chu Jinyao for dinner, and this was incredible treatment. After the meal, Old Madam Chu sent everyone away but retained Chu Jinyao and Marquis Changxing.

When the others went out, they could not help but look back repeatedly at Chu Jinyao.

Who would not be envious of the position of most respectable granddaughter by Old Madam Chu’s side? Previously with Chu Jinxian around, no one could touch Chu Jinxian’s position, so everyone could only bear with it. With great difficulty, they had waited until Chu Jinxian was to be married off. The young ladies felt that they had seen the light of day, but how was this Chu Jinyao, who had appeared halfway, able to jump in?

She became a monk late in life*, so how could it be her?

 (She became a monk late in life: it refers to Chu Jinyao becoming a Young Lady/granddaughter only recently, instead of from the very beginning like the rest of the young ladies.)

No matter how dissatisfied the Madams and young ladies were, they could not change anything and also the fact that Old Madam Chu told Chu Jinyao to stay behind.

Marquis Changxing saw the situation and knew that Old Madam Chu had something important to say. As to why Chu Jinyao was staying behind… Marquis Changxing looked at his recently returned daughter, obviously unable to guess the reason.

Old Madam Chu cleared her throat, and both Marquis Changxing and Chu Jinyao immediately recover to their senses. Old Madam Chu then said, “Today Jinyao requested me to invite the manager of the Qi family for questions. It turns out that the things that Manager Qi gifted that day, including that shop, were not the Qi family’s property at all.”

Marquis Changxing was clearly surprised, “It is not?”

“Yes.” Old Madam Chu nodded and continued, “He said that it was that GongGong who sent it in his name a few days back.”

“Tang GongGong!” Marquis Changxing was terrified. “It turned out to be Tang GongGong?”

Old Madam Chu sighed and said, “Even though I have lived many more days, I am after all a woman in the inner courtyard who does not know anything about the outside world. As to why GongGong gave us these things, or if these things can be accepted, I do not have any opinion. Marquis, since you are the pillar of this residence, you have the final say on what should be our next step.”.

Marquis Changxing could no longer sit still. He stood up and paced about the room in circles, mumbling. Chu Jinyao and Old Madam Chu watched as Marquis Changxing walked around when he suddenly stopped, clapped his hands loudly and said, “Accept it. Don’t return it!”

Old Madam Chu was somewhat inclined to return them as they were. It was them who gifts GongGong things, how could one accept GongGong’s gifts? However, Marquis Changxing said decisively not to return it, so Old Madam Chu asked, puzzled, “Why?”

“Tang GongGong is powerful but is after all a eunuch. Although the people in court respect Tang Xinyi, they are all taking His Highness the Crown Prince into consideration. Without the Crown Prince, what would Tang Xinyi be?”

Old Madam Chu still did not understand, but Chu Jinyao vaguely felt that something was not right and said softly, “Could it be that this is the Crown Prince’s intention? But why?”

Chu Jinyao had thought that her voice was very soft, but Marquis Changxing still heard it. Marquis Changxing laughed out as he spoke, “Jinyao has spoken correctly. I think that it is most probably the Crown Prince’s order.”

Old Madam Chu glanced in amazement at Chu Jinyao before quickly retrieving her gaze and asked, “Why do this? His Highness is a dignified Crown Prince. Not to mention Jinyao, one fears that our entire residence of Marquis Changxing would not be qualified to enter his eyes, so why would he purposely instruct Tang GongGong to send gifts to our family?” Moreover the gifts were that valuable. Due to Chu Jinyao’s presence, Old Madam Chu did not continue speaking. If there was no action after so long, she would have thought that the Crown Prince had the intention to marry one of their family’s young ladies.

This was a point that Marquis Changxing was thinking about. He spoke as he was guessing, “His Highness seemed to use Manager Qi’s name to gift to Jinyao’s name? How would he know Jinyao… Oh yes, that day on the streets, Jinyao was almost injured by Tang Xinyi. Now this adds up. The Crown Prince’s people were riding horses on the streets and injured the young lady of the Chu family. How could the Crown Prince not say anything? He is currently in the Eastern Palace, so he could not be directly involved with officials and thus had Qi Desheng come forward and place everything under Jinyao’s name, saying that it is a gift to suppress her shock. I think that His Highness’s real intention is to win over our Marquis Changxing residence!”

Old Madam Chu was both surprised and joyous when she heard it. It wasn’t that she didn’t feel that logic was not comprehensive, but the overtly beautiful guess quickly suppressed all logic, making her unable to consider other possibilities. Old Madam Chu smiled joyously and said, “Yes. The Crown Prince has spent so much effort to send things to Jinyao, it is definitely because of his intentions to win our family over. Due to his status as a Prince, it is not good to be close with the officials and could only use a young lady’s namesake as a detour. Even if Tang GongGong were to injure Jinyao, why would there be a need to gift so generously to a young lady that one has never met before?”

“That is right…” Marquis Changxing was also immersed in the beautiful fantasies that he could not extricate himself from them. “So these gifts cannot be returned. Who is the Crown Prince? How can the gifts he bestowed be returned to him? Not only we cannot return them, but we also have to keep them well and prepare another set of gifts for the Eastern Palace. If the Crown Prince really had the intention, then he would use this opportunity to connect with our family.” As Marquis Changxing spoke, he started to clap his palms and laugh with excitement, “This is simply our Chu family’s glory for generations!”

Chu Jinyao just listened as Marquis Changxing and Old Madam Chu conversed, and the more they spoke, the more it seemed real. Although Marquis Changxing’s words were logical, Chu Jinyao felt that something was wrong with it. In this current period, both males and females would be very guarded against the other, so if the Crown Prince had the intention to win over the Chu family, then he should be giving the Second Young Master an inexpensive but meaningful gift, like an ink slab or brushes. What was the logic of giving an unmarried female jewellery and fabric? If Chu Jinyao was not sure that she really did not know the Crown Prince before, she could almost believe that the Crown Prince had other thoughts.

The clothes and jewelry were all given blindly?

Chu Jinyao was really gloomy and felt embarrassed. However, she dared not mention it to Old Madam Chu and Marquis Changxing.

Marquis Changxing thought about it for a while and as he saw Chu Jinyao standing silently at the side, the more comfortable he felt as he looked at her. It seemed that ever since Chu Jinyao was brought back, there has been a continuous good fortune that was befalling the Chu family and now they had the grace of the Crown Prince. Even though Marquis Changxing was self-reliant and disdained the superstitions about ghost and Gods, who didn’t like good omens?

Marquis Changxing looked at Chu Jinyao. She was wearing a white jacquard jacket with an eight Immortals red patterned folded skirt. Her beautiful lush hair was pulled up, and her face was slightly lowered at the side. As the light from the candlestick shone on her face, it made her face more pronounced, with her delicate skin and picturesque brows. As Marquis Changxing looked, a gentle smile appeared on her face. His daughter was indeed born with features of wealth and nobility. Despite such beautiful features, it did not seem seductive and instead looked dignified. Wasn’t this just a natural fit for the Princes and descendants? If the Crown Prince really intended to win over Marquis Changxing residence, then the position of the consort of the heir of Prince Huailing would definitely be Chu Jinyao’s. Maybe the two families would even join hands to win the position of the Crown Princess in the future.

Many thoughts had already passed through Marquis Changxing’s mind. Thoughts about the residence of Marquis Changxing, Second Ranked Prince Huailing and even the Crown Prince. Finally, Marquis Changxing smiled as he nodded and spoke to Chu Jinyao warmly and kindly, “Since it is an apology gift from Tang GongGong, then you can accept it with a peace of mind. The returning gifts would be taken care of by this Father.”

Chu Jinyao hesitated and said, “But this shop…”

“Accept it all.” Marquis Changxing had thought that since the Crown Prince was willing to go great lengths to send gifts using Chu Jinyao’s name, then how could they destroy His Highness’s disguises? Since it was turning another’s trick to one’s own, then one had to treat these things as an apology gift for one’s daughter.

Chu Jinyao really wanted to tell Marquis Changxing that the things that the Crown Prince sent over were inappropriate, but in the end, she gave up after opening her mouth.

She felt that for her, a boudoir lady, to speak those words, it would seem that there were some intentions behind it. The Crown Prince was of a noble and benevolent character, straightforward and upright. So how could he have such intentions? Perhaps it was the trend for the high-ranking people of the Palace to gift such things.

In the end, Chu Jinyao brought the wooden box back intact. She was moody all the way back, and when she returned, she looked towards the western room and her heart felt stranger.

Yun brocade, fabric shop, hair ornaments… Why did she feel that Tang GongGong’s, or perhaps the Crown Prince’s, gifts were all so coincidental?

…

As the day for Chu Jinxian to leave the boudoir got closer, the sisters of the Chu family started to show their reluctance even though there were always small fights and quarrels. Without aligning with each other, a few of the young ladies stopped bickering with each other and gathered at Chu Jinxian’s. As Chu Jinxian embroidered her dowry, they sat at the side to talk and do needlework, accompanying Chu Jinxian in the last leg of her boudoir life.

Chu Jinyao currently spent most of her time here with Chu Jinxian. Chu Jin Xiao felt both reluctance and sad as her Eldest Sister would be married off. When Chu Jinxian left, the last person that truly cared for her in the Marquis residence would be gone. Moreover, being a Young Lady was very much different from being a married woman. A Young Lady was a delicate guest but a married woman would be serving and learning the rules in the husband’s family. Even if Chu Jinxian married into the family of an external cousin (meant that they do not have the same surname), and there were still WaiGrandmother and JiuJiu looking after her, JiuMu, who was Chu Jinxian’s Mother-in-law, was after all an outsider. Chu Jinyao was very worried for Chu Jinxian, but she was not one to speak of such things to ruin Chu Jinxian’s current mood. As such, she could only stay in Chu Jinxian’s room and accompany her Older Sister as much as possible.

Chu Jinxian was busy embroidering her dowry these days. A noble family’s dowry would all be prepared long ago, and young ladies would not need to work on clothes as the embroidery ladies would worry about it. Logically, Chu Jinxian’s wedding dress should be personally embroidered by the new bride, and even if it was not done by her, she just needed to sew a few times in pretense. Besides, even if the wedding clothes could be assisted by the maids, how could the maids be able to sew shoes for Father-in-law, Mother-in-law and husband?

These days, Chu Jinyao was busy with these. Chu Jinyao was not good at embroidery but was good with needlework, thus she helped Chu Jinxian prepare the needlework for her husband’s family. It was not proper for her to work on JieFu’s (Brother-in-law) item, but for the gifts for the younger generations, like pouches and sachets, she could still help out.

As the skies grew darker, Second Young Lady and the rest got up to return together. Before they left, they asked Chu Jinyao, “Fifth Younger Sister, do you want to leave together?”

“This handkerchief is almost completed, I will hurry up and finish it today. You all should go ahead first!”

Chu Jinmiao took a glance back and indifferently lifted the curtain to leave. Sixth Young Lady tidied her skirt up, smiled and said, “Then we will leave first. Eldest Sister, Fifth Older Sister, see you tomorrow.”

Chu Jinxian stood up and instructed the maids, “Send the few Young Ladies back safely.”

Chu Jinyao also stood up slightly to send the guests off. After returning from sending both of them back, Chu Jinyao tugged Chu Jinxian’s hand, “Older Sister, I have something for you.”

Chu Jinxian had long expected that Chu Jinyao had deliberately stayed behind today so she replied, “Go into the room first.”

When both of them sat down, Chu Jinyao instructed Linglong to bring the tray over, then she personally took it over and handed it to Chu Jinxian. “Older Sister, I have nothing good to give you. These are some of my sincere thoughts.”

The trays were covered with red silk, with concentric knot tassels hanging at both ends, making it look elegant and festive. Chu Jinxian’s expression warmed up as she said, “Your sincere heart is enough. There is no need to prepare these things and spend so much effort.”

“It is worth all the effort to marry my Older Sister off.” Chu Jinyao smiled as she pushed the tray towards Chu Jinxian and said, “Older Sister, take a look at it.”

Chu Jinxian obliged and lifted the red cloth with a smile. There was a well-carved sandalwood box under the red silk. There were a few clothes that were placed below it. Chu Jinxian felt the fabric before opening up the box and took a glance, and a shocked expression appeared on her face, “Jinyao, you…”

Chu Jinyao quickly held Chu Jinxian’s hands and made a shh-ing expression. “Older Sister, you just need to keep it in your heart and not speak of it.”

Chu Jinxian looked at the contents on the tray and her brows were filled with surprise, “What is this all about?” She just touched it roughly and felt that the fabric used for clothes at the bottom were very expensive and things in the box were even more frightening. There was a set of gold inlaid jade hair jewellery and a pair of jade bracelets. Chu Jinxian knew that Chu Jinyao’s treatment was much better these days, and her food had risen to the same level as her. Even so, how could Chu Jinyao afford such valuable things like these? Chu Jinxian lowered her voice as she asked, “Where did you get these things?”

Chu Jinyao whispered, “Older Sister, do you remember Tang GongGong that day on the streets?”

Of course Chu Jinxian remembered. That day when Marquis Changxing spoke of Tang GongGong, she was also present, and they only saw this one Palace servant so when Chu Jinyao spoke of it, Chu Jinxian quickly knew who he was. Chu Jinxian was shocked, “What about him?”

“Didn’t he knock against the wooden frame that day and injure my arm? Not too long afterwards, he sent me a lot of apology gifts through Manager Qi’s name, and there were a few sets of headdress jewelry, silk and satin. There are too many things to keep and use, so I can only shamefully present it as clothes for Older Sister. Older Sister must not despise my rough craftsmanship.”

“Ah?” This time it was Chu Jinxian who was surprised, “It was actually he who gave you these things?”

“Yes.”

Everybody in the courtyard knew about Chu Jinyao’s gifts, but only Old Madam Chu, Marquis Changxing and Chu Jinyao knew about the details of it. This was something that was likely to involve the court, so Old Madam Chu and Marquis Changxing knew how serious the issue was and thus did not reveal it to anyone. Even though Chu Jinyao wanted to secretly add to Chu Jinxian’s trousseau, she was unable to explain where the money came from and could only disclose a little bit of the matter and ensure that Chu Jinxian was a bit aware of the matter.

Chu Jinxian blinked, still feeling that this matter was mind-blowing, “But he is a GongGong! How could he take the initiative to bow down and apologise to us?”

“Who knows?” Chu Jinyao did not tell Chu Jinxian about Old Madam Chu’s and Marquis Changxing’s conjectures as they were unfounded, so there was no need to speak of it and confuse other’s thoughts. She said casually, “It may be because Tang GongGong is from the Eastern Palace and they fear the notoriety of riding a horse on the streets, and thus the Crown Prince’s reputation would not be good. So they privately use money to stuff our mouths.”

Chu Jinxian felt that it was not right, but she could not think of any other reason and thus could only nod, “That makes sense. We have no need to worry about matters outside. Since they sent it, you should just accept it with a peace of mind. For the rest of the matters, there is still Father and Second Younger Brother to handle them. It is just nice as you are short of money at the moment and now there are such things at your side. This is a good thing.”

Good thing? Chu Jinyao thought about those things inside those few big chests and smiled forcefully.

Chu Jinxian did not know the details and thought that this was just ordinary apology gifts, thus she was genuinely happy for Chu Jinyao. Chu Jinxian then continued, “A kind heart is rewarded in the end. Manager Qi sent two chestfuls of fabric, and even the Crown Prince has instructed people to send apology gifts. They have handled it with a clear mind, it is not a waste of your efforts to save that child with your life. Oh yes. How is the injury on your arm?”

“It is all right.” Chu Jinyao pulled her sleeves up and showed Chu Jinxian her arm. “It was just a brush. It looked scary on that day, but it was all right after it scabbed.”

Chu Jinxian took a closer look and noticed that there were only a few scabs left on Chu Jinyao’s forearm. Fair and tender skin had grown on the injuries and the edges were somewhat powdery. Chu Jinxian sighed in relief, “Fortunately, there are no scars. At that time, when I saw you were injured that badly, I was worried that it would not be healed well.”

“I was initially worried about that too.” Chu Jinyao retracted her arm and spoke while she was tidying up her sleeves, “But I found a few bottles of ointment in Tang GongGong’s apology gifts and tested it with pretty good effect. I felt that they, as important characters in the Eastern Palace, would not go back on their words and want me to give back their medicinal ointment right? So I used it.”

Chu Jinxian’s intuition felt that something was wrong and she asked, “What kind of medication is it?”

Chu Jinyao sighed, feeling inexplicably guilty, her tone of voice when she was replying became weaker, “Jade Soothing Cream”

“That seems to be Imperial medicine right…” Chu Jinxian frowned as she thought and her face suddenly turned solemn, “Jinyao, did you encounter the Crown Prince before?”

“No!” Chu Jinyao immediately denied loudly and almost raised her fingers to swear, “I have only gone out once since my return, so where would I meet such a noble person? Absolutely not.”

Chu Jinxian also felt that it was impossible. Chu Jinyao had been in the Su household in the village for thirteen years, and after returning to the residence on the end of the first month, she had been staying within sight ever since. Where would she go to meet the Crown Prince? Since Chu Jinyao never interacted with the Crown Prince, then why would the Crown Prince gift these things? If it was as said, that it was for the Eastern Palace to avoid being accused by others and thus used such courtesy gifts to stuff the residence of Marquis Changxing, then why would one place an Imperial medicine in the chest without instructions from the master? Then the question became stranger. Since there were no relations, not family or friends, why would the Crown Prince worry about these things?

Just what did he want to do by giving a Young Lady ointment?

Chu Jinxian frowned as she could not guess the reason after thinking for a long time. Chu Jinyao comforted her saying, “Perhaps, the person from Eastern Palace had heard GongGong’s report, and in order to protect his virtuous reputation as heir apparent, he then sent our family such things to suppress the shock. As for this ointment, perhaps it was only mentioned casually and the subordinates below arranged it as such.”

This made sense. The nobles in the Palace would only move their lips and the rest of the matters would be handled by the ones below. These gifts might be beautiful and exquisite, but one feared that they were handled by the Palace people and the Crown Prince did not even see it. Chu Jinxian felt that Chu Jinyao’s logic was very reasonable and thus nodded, “Since it is as such, you should use it with a peace of mind and not care about anything else. That person is the Crown Prince, so he would have to handle numerous matters every day. One fears that our family’s issue is like a flower splashing, and he would forget about it after turning his head. We are so different from him, like dirt and clouds, so there would not be any interaction with him in this lifetime. It is enough for us to live our lives peacefully.

“Yes. That is also my thought.” Chu Jinyao was convinced and relieved. The other party was the Crown Prince, what could he conspire against her? Chu Jinyao abandoned this strange matter and stood up happily as she retrieved the newly made clothes, “Older Sister, Do you think that this Yun brocade looks good with this kind of pleats? I deliberately pinched it at the sides, so that the edges match the patterns of this brocade. Quickly try it on!”

While the two sisters happily tried on clothes, in the study of Marquis Changxing, Chu Jing was holding his breath as he wrote an invitation carefully before placing it with the letter, “Be sure to send this invitation to His Highness’s hand. And the gifts for His Highness, are they prepared?”

“Old Madam Chu has personally reviewed it several times. There will not be any problems.”

“That’s good.” Marquis Changxing breathed a sigh of relief before handing the envelope to his confidant and personally watched as he left the residence and galloped northbound.

…

At the temporary Imperial Palace, Tang Xinyi personally handed the envelope to Qin Yi.

Qin Yi looked at it strangely, “What?”

“Marquis Changxing’s reply is accompanied with a gift, wishing Your Highness good health. This servant has already instructed people to temporarily put it away.”

“Why did he give me these things?”

En? Tang Xinyi was now confused. Qin Yi had personally ordered him to send apology gifts to the residence of Marquis Changxing. Naturally, His Highness’s original instructions was not like this, but the underlying rationale was as such. Even though it was gifts to suppress one’s scare, His Highness was very generous. However, as the Crown Prince had always done things unexpectedly, Tang Xinyi had thought that Qin Yi’s instruction was to have a connection with Marquis Changxing or pass information secretly. However, with Marquis Changxing’s reply, Qin Yi actually asked why?

Tang Xinyi wanted to ask why and what exactly was the Crown Prince doing. He had been blinded for a long time and was really scared for not being able to guess what was on his master’s mind. There was no expression on Tang Xinyi’s deadpan face as he spoke, “Then this servant will instruct the others to hold it off and not accept it for the time being. By the way, Your Highness, Marquis Changxing also sent an invitation. Do you want to take a look?”

There was indifference and calmness in Qin Yi’s eyes as he asked casually, “What invitation?”

“Your Highness is invited to attend Marquis Changxing’s Di-daughter’s wedding banquet.”

Qin Yi was perusing ten lines of military report at a time and waved his hands at Tang Xinyi without raising his head. Tang Xingyi knew that it meant that His Highness had no interest in it. That was also proper. How did the residence of Marquis Changxing dare to abruptly invite the Crown Prince to a banquet? What kind of confidence did Chu Jing had?

Tang Xingyi slowly withdrew and when he was halfway out, he suddenly heard Qin Yi stopping him, “Did you just say the wedding banquet of Chu Jing’s Di daughter?”

Tang Xinyi did not understand why Qin Yi asked the question and thus replied conservatively, “Yes.”

As soon as Tang Xinyi finished speaking, he saw the Crown Prince suddenly stop writing and his eyes became as cold as ice, “How old is she that she could actually be engaged?”