Chapter 411: Betrothal
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Everyone from the Mu family was present. Even the twins were leaning against their parentsâ chairs and staring at them with widened eyes. When Qi Haoran and the rest entered, everyoneâs eyes were fixed on them.
The matchmaker, who was walking at the side, almost fell to the ground under everyoneâs gazes.
It was Rong Xuan who greeted Mu Shi first with a smile. âAssistant Commander Mu, itâs been a long time since we last met. You look energetic.â
The corners of Mu Shiâs lips twitched. This greeting was terrible, but he still smiled and replied, âItâs been a long time since I last saw Military Advisor Rong.â
Both parties sat down. Qi Haoran stole a glance at the people present and realized that although the Mu family was present, Mu Yangling was sitting behind the screen. He was surprised. Was there a need for this?
Mu Shi and Shu Wanniang were not very pleased, but given the urgency of the matter, they had no choice but to agree.
Moreover, the Qi family was very sincere. In order for his daughter to have a better life in the Qi family in the future, Mu Shi was also very easy to talk to. Almost as soon as the matchmaker proposed, he agreed. Then, both parties chose to get married nine days later. Thatâs right, nine days later. In order to help Qi Xiuyuan get rid of the bad luck, Mu Yangling naturally had to marry into the family as soon as possible.
Similarly, they would go to the government office tomorrow to apply for the marriage contract. Then, Fan Zijin would immediately return to the capital with the marriage contract.
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A few days ago, Qi Xiuyuan had already sent a pigeon back to the capital and found a few people to hint or persuade Minister Qin to not agree to the Emperor first.
The matchmaker knew that the two families had already agreed to the marriage, and she was just a medium, so she did her best to convey the opinions of both parties. Fortunately, neither party had any objections to the betrothal gifts, dowry, or the banquet menu. Everything was quickly decided upon. Then, after receiving the reward money, the matchmaker went back first.
Mu Shi sent the group of children away and brought the three of them to the study.
Only then did Qi Haoran not suppress the smile on his face and solicitously pull out a chair for Mu Shi. Rong Xuan and Fan Zijin really wanted to put up a sign that said, âWeâre not familiar with Qi Haoran.â He was too much of an embarrassment.
Mu Shi probably felt that this son-in-law of his was a little embarrassing, so he felt slightly awkward and said, âEveryone, sit.â
Sighing, Mu Shi asked, âAre you really going to Linâan Prefecture after you get married?â
Qi Haoran said confidently, âFather-in-law, since Iâm a general, of course I canât stay in Linâan Prefecture. Donât worry, my sister-in-law will most likely be staying in the capital. I still have to come back to lead the troops, so Ah Ling will naturally follow me.â
Fan Zijin and Rong Xuan looked at each other and coughed lightly. âUncle Mu, Eldest Cousin has the same plan, but no one knows what His Majesty is thinking. He might also ask Ah Ling to stay.â
Fan Zijin braced himself and said, âAlthough she might have to stay in Linâan Prefecture, there wonât be any problems with her safety. Iâve decided to move the business back. When the time comes, Iâll help take care of things in the capitalâŠâ
âYoung Master Fan, Iâm not worried about Ah Lingâs safety when she stays in Linâan Prefecture. Itâs just that our family has never been so far apartâŠâ Mu Shi was worried.
In the past, even if he didnât go home for half a year, he wouldnât go far beyond three prefectures away. He knew that his family was in Xingzhou Prefecture, and he would be able to return home in two to three days if he speedily rode back. However, it was different in Linâan Prefecture. Even if one rode a fast horse, it would take half a month. If anything happened to Ah Ling in Linâan Prefecture, not to mention that it was beyond their reach, they probably wouldnât even be able to get the news. By the time they heard of the news, it would be too late.
Mu Shi was already very reluctant to marry his daughter a year earlier than expected, and now his daughter was going so far away from home. (f)reeweb(n)ovel.com
âIsnât the imperial edict not here yet? Canât we somehow change that?â The Emperor was still in the preparation stage, and they had yet to receive the decree to go back.
Rong Xuan smiled bitterly. Who could tell what the Emperor was thinking?
Initially, since the entire Qi family was in Linâan Prefecture, it didnât matter if Madam Li was in Linâan Prefecture or not. Back then, didnât General Yuanâs mother also volunteer to be a hostage in the capital for the sake of the Yuan family and let her daughter-in-law follow her son to the borders? However, who knew that the Emperor would be unreasonable enough to let Madam Li return to the capital and also call Qi Haoran back?
Rong Xuan was only worried about the fact that Madam Li did not have a child yet.
The two of them already knew what Qi Xiuyuan wanted to do. If he could have a legitimate son before the uprising, it would be very beneficial to their matters. However, Madam Li was not pregnant yet. If she went to Linâan Prefecture, who knew when this legitimate son would be born?
Rong Xuan glanced at Qi Haoran. They could only guarantee that Qi Haoran would be transferred out of the capital openly now. As for the rest, they were not too confident yet, so it was not appropriate to be too confident.
Mu Shi mainly looked at Rong Xuan and Fan Zijinâs expressions. Seeing this, he understood and sighed. He didnât mention this topic anymore. Instead, he perked up and said to Qi Haoran, âHaoran, Ah Lingâs temper can be a little rash sometimes. You have to be more forgiving. If you two get into a quarrel, donât be angry with her. Tell me when you come back. Iâll teach her a lesson.â
Qi Haoran laughed and said, âFather-in-law, youâre overthinking. Ah Ling has a good temper. When has she ever been rash? Donât worry, I definitely wonât make her angry.â
Seeing that he was smiling so widely, Mu Shi was happy, too.
Fan Zijin glared at Qi Haoran resentfully. Rong Xuan waved his fan gently and did not even turn his head, pretending not to know this person.
After the three of them stayed for dinner, Qi Haoran sneaked in to see Mu Yangling when no one was paying attention.
There were no servants in the Mu family, so no one noticed.
Mu Yangling was sitting in her boudoir, wiping her weapons, short daggers, broadswords, and six bows, especially the ten-picul bow. She hugged it in her arms and touched it repeatedly, clearly reluctant to let go.
âWhat are you doing?â
Focused on her weapon, Mu Yangling was shocked. When she turned around and saw Qi Haoran, she hurriedly looked outside. Seeing that there were no other people, she hurriedly pulled him in and said, âWasnât it said that we canât meet before the wedding? Otherwise, it wonât be auspicious.â
âWhy didnât anyone tell me?â Qi Haoran was about to run out when Mu Yangling quickly pulled him back. âAlright, since youâre already here and have seen me, thereâs no need to continue avoiding me.â
Qi Haoran lowered his head and refused to look at Mu Yangling. âHow is this the same? He who did not know was not guilty. Bodhisattva wonât blame us for that. Alright, I canât see your face with my head lowered now.â
Mu Yangling looked at the top of his head speechlessly and asked, âWhy are you looking for me?â
As soon as Mu Yangling asked, Qi Haoran looked up smugly. Then, he remembered to lower his head. Mu Yangling could only hear his smug voice. âWeâre about to get married. If thereâs anything you want, Iâll buy them for you.â
Mu Yangling couldnât help but smile when she saw his comical appearance. Her previous worries about leaving home dissipated a lot. She said gently, âDidnât you put everything I want in the betrothal gifts? Thereâs nothing I particularly want. I just canât bear to part with these things.â
Mu Yangling caressed the bow as she spoke.
Qi Haoran asked in a daze, âArenât you going to bring these things over?â
âYes, but we canât bring them all to Linâan Prefecture, especially this ten-picul bow. Iâm afraid we have to leave it in Jingzhao Prefecture. Otherwise, we might not be able to bring it out if we bring it to Linâan Prefecture.â
Even if Qi Haoran and the others didnât say anything, she knew that they were going to Linâan Prefecture to be hostages. If it was before, she could still be optimistic. As long as Qi Xiuyuan didnât rebel and had military power, they would at most go to Linâan Prefecture to play and stay for a few years.
However, Yuan Huiâs words from last time still echoed in her mind. She really wanted to say, âThe wise do not speak of the superstitiousâ. However, the truth could clearly be seen. Moreover, the world was already in chaos and there were rebels everywhere.. Was Qi Xiuyuan really willing to submit to others even though he led a 100,000-strong army?
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