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墨書 Inktalez
After the court session, Prince Pei Zhirui was retained in the Imperial Study by Emperor Jing.
"Zhirui, I have heard that there is a young lady named Gu Yanran in Minister Gu's family. She is dignified and well-educated. How about I grant her to you as a secondary consort?"
Last night, Emperor Jing had already drafted a marriage edict for his son Jing'er and Gu Qingning. Today, he thought of another daughter from the Gu family, Gu Wanning, but she had suffered from an eye ailment since childhood and could not enter the royal household.
In his dilemma, he recalled that Minister Gu, Gu Siyuan, also had a daughter named Gu Yanran, who was beautiful but slightly less so than Gu Qingning. It would be acceptable for her to become a secondary consort.
Emperor Jing's voice was not loud, yet it struck Pei Zhirui like a thunderclap in his heart. His expression changed dramatically as he stared blankly for a moment before looking up at Emperor Jing, confusion filling his eyes.
Just the other day, he had clearly requested his father to grant him marriage with Gu Qingning, only to be outright rejected by Gu Changqing. How could it be that today his father suddenly wanted to bestow Gu Yanran upon him as a secondary consort? Was there some unforeseen development regarding his marriage with Gu Qingning?
"Father, my heart belongs to the daughter of Duke Zhongyuan, Gu Qingning. If what Duke Zhongyuan said is true—that she has just come of age and does not wish to marry early—I am willing to wait." Pei Zhirui's face was resolute as he expressed his firm stance.
He was unaware that last night, Pei Zhiqing had requested Emperor Jing for a marriage edict.
Emperor Jing sighed in difficulty and after some contemplation said wearily, "Zhirui, I have already granted your ninth brother a marriage with Gu Qingning."
Pei Zhirui was stunned and immediately knelt down, saying, "Father, I am wholeheartedly devoted to Gu Qingning. Long ago, when I first met her, I found her gentle and virtuous, dignified and elegant; I truly admire her. It was only because she has a younger sister to care for that I delayed my request for your blessing until today."
He could not believe that his father would grant a marriage between his ninth brother and Gu Qingning. He had personally asked both his father and Duke Zhongyuan for permission to marry her and had been rejected on the spot.
Now, less than three days later, his father had actually arranged for his ninth brother to marry her. He absolutely could not allow such an opportunity to slip away from him like this. Moreover, how could Duke Zhongyuan possibly agree to marry off his daughter to someone labeled as a short-lived ghost by others?
What method did his ninth brother use to persuade their father into granting him this marriage with Gu Qingning?
"Zhirui, your father has already agreed to your ninth brother's request. Besides, there are many noble ladies in the capital; it's not just Gu Qingning who is a good match. You can consider others as well."
Seeing his stubborn son before him, a look of helplessness crossed Emperor Jing's face. He did not wish to refuse Pei Zhirui marrying Gu Qingning; it was just that he favored Jing'er more.
"I do not wish for this! I earnestly request Father to grant me marriage with Gu Qingning!" Pei Zhirui remained kneeling on the ground without rising again. He knocked his head against the floor once more and sincerely pleaded.
If Gu Qingning were to marry someone else, the entire Gu family would become a significant obstacle in his path to ascend the throne in the future.
Even if that person was known to be unable to survive past the age of nineteen, he was still unwilling to take the risk of letting go.
Since you are all so insistent, why not invite Lord Zhongyuan and Gu Qingning to the palace? Emperor Jing thought for a moment and then instructed the eunuch beside him, Xu Gonggong, to also summon Jing'er.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Miss, Miss, something terrible has happened!" Bai Zhi rushed into the inner chamber with a panicked expression, breathless as she spoke. "The Master wants you to hurry and get dressed to accompany him to the palace."
"Green Smoke, help me with my hair." Gu Qingning set down the book she had been reading and moved to sit in front of the bronze mirror.
On the day she was reborn, she had thought that the current emperor had already arranged a marriage between her and Pei Zhirui. She didn’t understand why the imperial decree had been delayed for so many days.
Upon reflection, it seemed that her encounter with Pei Zijing had altered the original trajectory of events.
As Gu Qingning prepared to enter the palace, Gu Changqing shared a carriage with her.
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