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墨書 Inktalez
Regardless of the dynasty, filial piety has always been emphasized. In every era, family is of great importance. Even in the Twenty-First Century, couples who do not receive their parents' blessings still face various misfortunes.
However, this does not apply to imperial arranged marriages. Once the emperor issues a decree, regardless of whether the man or woman is unwilling, they must accept it, and there will be no chance for divorce.
Not long after returning to the capital, Gao Feng went to the palace to request an imperial decree for marriage.
The Empress Dowager was actually not very willing. Given Gao Feng's status and military power, there were very few capable generals in the Song Dynasty. The Empress Dowager hoped to marry her daughter to him as a means of control. Even if she did not intend to betroth her princess to him, she at least wanted to arrange a marriage with some princess or another. It was quite absurd that a former governor of Jiunzhou, who had been a criminal for many years, managed to win over General Gao instead of her daughter; how could she be pleased about that?
However, the matter regarding the Qin Family's vindication had caused quite a stir. Qin Yizhi was well-regarded among the civil officials, and Qingliu had a very favorable impression of him.
As for Qin Yaru, she was not without fame in Kaifeng. With a distinguished figure like Gao Feng who had achieved great merit, he sought nothing but Qin Yaru.
Even for royalty, it was not appropriate to meddle in such matters and disrupt couples.
Furthermore, the Empress Dowager was getting older and could no longer fully control the emperor as she did in previous years.
Although the emperor was purely filial, he had clashed with the Empress Dowager on several occasions regarding the position of Queen. He had grown impatient with her and was still young, harboring romantic notions. Gao Feng had painted his relationship with Qin Yaru as beautiful and enchanting, describing her as an exceptional woman. The emperor, being sentimental, issued the decree without hesitation.
Once the marriage decree was issued, how could the Empress Dowager openly oppose it? Besides, she would not go against the emperor over a subject's marriage.
When the Gao Family received the decree, everyone had their own thoughts—some indifferent, some gloating, and of course, some displeased.
It happened to be springtime with pleasant sunshine and blooming flowers when the matriarch of the Gao Family suddenly sent an invitation to meet Qin Yaru. This was not surprising; since her son’s bride had been decided and betrothal gifts were soon to be presented, it was only natural for a mother to want to meet her future daughter-in-law.
Qin Yaru arrived at the old residence of the Gao Family with Gao Feng but did not encounter any difficulties.
Gao Family has a long-standing tradition of scholarly pursuits, and their lifestyle has always been simple. The arrangement of the house is likely far less extravagant than that of wealthy merchants, but it reveals an elegant charm through subtle details.
The Lady-in-Waiting of the Gao Family politely escorted Qin Yaru to the backyard, while Gao Feng went to the front yard to meet his father, Gao Xi.
He was not worried about his wife; after all, their marriage was settled. His Stepmother was a sensible woman and would never make things difficult for Qin Yaru. Moreover, there was no woman in this world who could make Qin Yaru feel uncomfortable.
Qin Yaru smoothly entered the house and met Gao Feng's Stepmother, Fang Family.
Fang Family was a gentle woman who smiled warmly as she held Qin Yaru's hand and chatted with her about everyday matters, reminding her to take good care of Gao Feng.
Qin Yaru quietly agreed. After a few exchanges, the dishes from the kitchen were brought out. The food looked exquisite but was overly delicate; it appeared beautiful but tasted rather bland.
A group of young women, all dressed similarly, neatly arranged the dishes and stood by to serve Fang Family during the meal.
At first, Qin Yaru thought these women were Ladies-in-Waiting, but one of them, who was particularly beautiful, looked at her with eyes full of sorrow and a strange meaning. The shape of her brows and eyes bore some resemblance to the current Gao Feng. Realizing this, she understood that these women were surely concubines of the Gao Family. Each one was so proper that they seemed rigid; even Gao Feng's Biological Mother looked no different from an ordinary concubine.
Now that Gao Feng was a general, she still had to maintain decorum in front of the mistress three meals a day.
After dinner, Fang Family called over Gao Feng's sisters for introductions. Since she had no daughters herself, all the girls present were illegitimate.
Some of these girls were beautiful while others were ordinary-looking, but they all behaved properly, speaking softly and quietly during meals. They showed neither curiosity nor malice towards her as their Sister-in-law, and their words seemed rehearsed hundreds of times.
Qin Yaru frowned, suddenly feeling that these girls resembled her past self, perhaps even more aware of propriety than she had been.
She also came from a Scholarly Family, though the Qin Family could not be compared to the Gao Family. She had been raised by her father like a son, showered with love and care that was certainly not less than what her brother received. Occasionally, she could accompany her father on outings. However, these Wives seemed as if they had come off an assembly line; their actions were all identical. Meeting one might elicit comments about their upbringing—indeed, they were refined and worthy representatives of a Scholarly Family, completely different from those wild girls outside who ran around chaotically. But when standing together in a group…
This feeling truly leaves one speechless.
At least Qin Yaru suddenly made up her mind. If she were to have a daughter in the future, she definitely could not raise her to be like this. Even if she received praise from many people, if life had no flavor, what joy could there be in living?
However, Qin Yaru could also understand that this group was all illegitimate children. The head matriarch wouldn't genuinely care; it was merely about following the rules and training them. She probably feared they would do something improper, which would cause her, as the Stepmother, to mistreat the Legitimate Daughter and drag down the Gao Family's reputation.
In any case, after finishing this meal, Qin Yaru felt very fortunate. Fortunately, Gao Feng had his own general's residence and had long since separated from the main household; they were just short of formally splitting the family. Otherwise, even if it killed her, she wouldn't agree to marry in. It would be better to remain unmarried for life than to have to run to the Stepmother every day for rules.
By dusk, Qin Yaru finally managed to leave and got into the carriage with Gao Feng.
Once in the carriage, Gao Feng casually curled his long legs and wrapped his arms around his wife's waist, stuffing a few pieces of snacks into her mouth. "You didn't eat enough, did you? See, I have such foresight; let's have a little something now, and later we can make do with a meal at the tavern."
Qin Yaru chuckled. "It seems you have quite a bit of experience?"
"Every time I finish eating at my Stepmother's place, I always need a second serving." Gao Feng deliberately made a pained expression. "Don't worry; we will be separating soon. We won't have much interaction in the future; just put on an act for now."
He was now a military general, and the Gao Family held a high status in Qingliu. The combination of civil and military affairs was a major taboo. For his own good and for the Gao Family's benefit, separation was inevitable. Gao Xi had always been shrewd; he didn't need Gao Feng to remind him; he knew what needed to be done.
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