Chapter 411: Betrothal
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Everyone from the Mu family was present. Even the twins were leaning against their parents’ chairs and staring at them with widened eyes. When Qi Haoran and the rest entered, everyone’s eyes were fixed on them.
The matchmaker, who was walking at the side, almost fell to the ground under everyone’s gazes.
It was Rong Xuan who greeted Mu Shi first with a smile. “Assistant Commander Mu, it’s been a long time since we last met. You look energetic.”
The corners of Mu Shi’s lips twitched. This greeting was terrible, but he still smiled and replied, “It’s been a long time since I last saw Military Advisor Rong.”
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. That’s 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.
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, “We’re not familiar with Qi Haoran.” 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, “Everyone, sit.”
Sighing, Mu Shi asked, “Are you really going to Lin’an Prefecture after you get married?”
Qi Haoran said confidently, “Father-in-law, since I’m a general, of course I can’t stay in Lin’an Prefecture. Don’t 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.”
Fan Zijin and Rong Xuan looked at each other and coughed lightly. “Uncle Mu, Eldest Cousin has the same plan, but no one knows what His Majesty is thinking. He might also ask Ah Ling to stay.”
Fan Zijin braced himself and said, “Although she might have to stay in Lin’an Prefecture, there won’t be any problems with her safety. I’ve decided to move the business back. When the time comes, I’ll help take care of things in the capital…”
“Young Master Fan, I’m not worried about Ah Ling’s safety when she stays in Lin’an Prefecture. It’s just that our family has never been so far apart…” Mu Shi was worried.
In the past, even if he didn’t go home for half a year, he wouldn’t 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 Lin’an Prefecture. Even if one rode a fast horse, it would take half a month. If anything happened to Ah Ling in Lin’an Prefecture, not to mention that it was beyond their reach, they probably wouldn’t 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.
“Isn’t the imperial edict not here yet? Can’t we somehow change that?” 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 Lin’an Prefecture, it didn’t matter if Madam Li was in Lin’an Prefecture or not. Back then, didn’t General Yuan’s 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 Lin’an 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 Zijin’s expressions. Seeing this, he understood and sighed. He didn’t mention this topic anymore. Instead, he perked up and said to Qi Haoran, “Haoran, Ah Ling’s temper can be a little rash sometimes. You have to be more forgiving. If you two get into a quarrel, don’t be angry with her. Tell me when you come back. I’ll teach her a lesson.”
Qi Haoran laughed and said, “Father-in-law, you’re overthinking. Ah Ling has a good temper. When has she ever been rash? Don’t worry, I definitely won’t make her angry.”
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.
“What are you doing?”
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, “Wasn’t it said that we can’t meet before the wedding? Otherwise, it won’t be auspicious.”
“Why didn’t anyone tell me?” Qi Haoran was about to run out when Mu Yangling quickly pulled him back. “Alright, since you’re already here and have seen me, there’s no need to continue avoiding me.”
Qi Haoran lowered his head and refused to look at Mu Yangling. “How is this the same? He who did not know was not guilty. Bodhisattva won’t blame us for that. Alright, I can’t see your face with my head lowered now.”
Mu Yangling looked at the top of his head speechlessly and asked, “Why are you looking for me?”
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. “We’re about to get married. If there’s anything you want, I’ll buy them for you.”
Mu Yangling couldn’t help but smile when she saw his comical appearance. Her previous worries about leaving home dissipated a lot. She said gently, “Didn’t you put everything I want in the betrothal gifts? There’s nothing I particularly want. I just can’t bear to part with these things.”
Mu Yangling caressed the bow as she spoke.
Qi Haoran asked in a daze, “Aren’t you going to bring these things over?”
“Yes, but we can’t bring them all to Lin’an Prefecture, especially this ten-picul bow. I’m afraid we have to leave it in Jingzhao Prefecture. Otherwise, we might not be able to bring it out if we bring it to Lin’an Prefecture.”
Even if Qi Haoran and the others didn’t say anything, she knew that they were going to Lin’an Prefecture to be hostages. If it was before, she could still be optimistic. As long as Qi Xiuyuan didn’t rebel and had military power, they would at most go to Lin’an Prefecture to play and stay for a few years.
However, Yuan Hui’s words from last time still echoed in her mind. She really wanted to say, “The wise do not speak of the superstitious”. 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?
Chapter end
