novelden Chapter 115 Marriage Grant
Chapter 115 Marriage Grant
The carriage slowly approached the palace gate. Feng Qing and Feng Yu, who was unhappy about not being able to enjoy the hot pot, got out of the carriage and saw the Imperial Aunt who had been waiting for them.
Feng Qing had a bad feeling. She hurriedly pulled up her sleeve to cover her face, intending to pretend she hadn't seen the other person. She grabbed Feng Yu and ran into the palace.
"Your Highnesses, please wait!" the imperial attendant hurriedly called out, then continued, "His Majesty requests your presence!"
Left with no other choice, the two had to follow her to the Imperial Study.
When they arrived, they found that Feng Zhao was also there. However, Feng Qing, who had always been at odds with Feng Zhao, kept her head down and did not say a word to him for a while.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
Feng Han scrutinized the Third Princess and the Seventh Prince who had entered. One of them never dared to raise her head, while the other kept pouting, looking unhappy.
She ignored Feng Qing and couldn't help but ask the Seventh Prince with amusement, "Who upset Little Stone?"
Just as Feng Yu was about to complain, Feng Qing, who was standing to the side with her head down, tugged at her sleeve, causing her to swallow her words instantly.
"Third brother, raise your head!" Feng Han's sharp gaze fell on Feng Qing.
Feng Qing looked up helplessly.
"What happened?" Feng Han stared at the wounds on her face, her voice calm and her expression unreadable. Then she pointed at Feng Yu: "Little Stone, you tell me!"
Feng Yu thought the Empress was going to stand up for them, so despite Feng Qing's obstruction, he recounted the events of the day in detail with a face full of indignation.
Sure enough, after saying that, Feng Han slammed her hand on the table: "This is outrageous!"
Then he stared at Feng Qing, his face full of disgust:
"To be beaten so badly by a mere man that he fled in disgrace! What a disgrace to the royal family!"
Tell me, you and the boss, one is neither good at academics nor martial arts, and the other is completely ignorant and incompetent…
"Those people from the Qin Dynasty can be called men? They're even more ruthless than women." Feng Qing muttered to herself, the wound on her face still stinging slightly.
"Mother, let's talk about serious matters first!" Feng Zhao glanced at Feng Qing and said, intentionally changing the subject.
"Hmph." As if remembering that the other party was speaking for her, Feng Qing did not contradict him, but only gave a light hum.
Feng Han then remembered that the reason she had summoned Feng Qing today was to discuss the marriages of the children.
The eldest princess, Feng Xin, got married five years ago; her husband was the son of a fourth-rank military commander.
Crown Princess Feng Zhao was betrothed three years ago to Feng Ci, the son of the former Grand Tutor. The former Grand Tutor had many disciples, and a third of the civil officials in the court were his students. Unfortunately, he passed away three years ago, so the wedding was postponed.
As for Feng Qing, she has not yet married because Xu Guijun has been picky.
Having thought this through, Feng Han had already made up her mind and said to Feng Zhao:
"Zhao'er, the Feng family's son has completed his three-year mourning period, it's time to set a wedding date."
Furthermore, I hereby bestow upon you the residence of the General Who Protects the Nation, and your cousin as your concubine. Once the principal consort enters the Eastern Palace, a date may be chosen for your marriage.”
Upon hearing this, Feng Zhao bowed and said, "Thank you, Mother Empress!"
Feng Han nodded slightly in satisfaction, then looked at Feng Qing, gazing at the scars on her face, and said:
"As for the third son, your father has been hesitant to make a decision about your marriage, so today I will arrange a marriage for you directly."
"I find Qin Shi of the Duke of Qin's family quite suitable, so I have betrothed him to you, as the proper consort of the Third Prince."
"What?" It took Feng Qing a long time to recover from the words "Qin Shi," and she hurriedly declined, "No, Mother! This... this subject is unworthy of Young Master Qin."
She felt fear whenever she thought of Qin Shi's imposing figure. If she were to marry him, she would be beaten every day!
Feng Han waved her sleeve lightly, her mind made up: "Alright! You are my princess, how are you unworthy of me? This matter is settled."
Feng Qing felt like crying but couldn't shed a tear.
Seeing that the Second Princess and the Third Princess had already been chosen, but he was not mentioned at all, Feng Yu became a little anxious and looked at Feng Han expectantly.
Feng Han naturally noticed his gaze, so she pretended to be serious and teased him: "As for my seventh prince, considering that he is still young, I plan to keep him for another two years."
Upon hearing this, everyone present nodded in agreement. However, a chubby boy blinked his big eyes, which suddenly welled up with tears. His lips trembled, and he looked as if he was about to burst into tears...
Feng Han quickly changed her tune: "However, a son is no longer under his mother's control once he grows up! I find the newly appointed top scholar, Lin Shu, to be very good, so I will bestow you in marriage to her!" In reality, she was having a headache from Lin Shu's annoyance.
The chubby boy then turned his sorrow into joy.
The matter had seemingly come to an end, but the imperial aunt beside Feng Han leaned closer and whispered a reminder: "Your Majesty, the eldest princess..."
Today, I will be bestowing marriages upon all the princesses and princes. It would be inappropriate to omit the eldest princess.
Feng Han had almost forgotten about this matter. The eldest princess's husband was timid and narrow-minded, making it difficult for him to manage the eldest princess's residence. Moreover, after five years of marriage, he still had not conceived.
Afterwards, Feng Han considered the eligible young men in the court, but still could not find a suitable one. She couldn't very well bestow the Grand Tutor's grandson upon her!
Moreover, none of the people in the Grand Tutor's mansion, regardless of gender, are worthy of the royal children; otherwise, how could that modest young master Ji Heng still be alive today?
Too high a status is unacceptable, and too low a status is also unacceptable, so he had no choice but to ask helplessly, "Zhao'er, I wish to bestow a concubine upon the eldest son. Who do you think would be more suitable?"
Feng Zhao pondered for a moment before saying, "Your subject believes that the eldest son of Minister Qi is a suitable match!"
Upon hearing this, Feng Han felt even more that it was appropriate. Although Qi Xin was the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, a third-rank official, and held the top position among the Six Ministries, he did not actually wield as much real power as the Ministers of the Six Ministries. His son was indeed a suitable candidate.
However, before Feng Han could speak, the Third Princess Feng Qing interjected:
"Mother Empress, how about letting me switch places with that good-for-nothing... uh, eldest sister? I saw her having dinner with Qin Shi today, so let's not separate them..."
This man is his to be taken by whoever wants him!
Upon hearing this, Feng Han narrowed her eyes and glanced at Feng Qing sideways. Feng Qing immediately fell silent and dared not say another word.
The matter was thus settled.
That evening, several imperial edicts bestowing marriages were issued in succession, and the expressions of the people receiving the edicts varied.
The Third Princess, Feng Qing, couldn't help but lament why she had to marry a man who couldn't find a husband.
Xu Guijun was quite satisfied this time, after all, although the Duke of Qin was transferred back to the capital, he still controlled 50,000 Jingji Guards.
When Qin Shi returned to his residence, he was relieved to learn that Feng Qing had not complained to His Majesty.
Who knew that not long after, an imperial decree would force her into marriage! And to Feng Qing no less! Revenge! It had to be revenge!
……
The palace of the Grand Princess.
After the messenger aunt left, Feng Xin returned to her study, dismissed the servants, and then gripped the imperial edict tightly in her hand with a gloomy expression.
"Your Highness, what should we do now? The young master Qin you favored has been given to the Third Princess!" came the voice of the strategist behind him.
After a long while, Feng Xin finally spoke in a gloomy tone:
"My good mother is truly wonderful!"
Of the three princesses, Feng Zhao was paired with one who was the son of the former Grand Tutor, who represented one-third of the civil officials in the court, and another who was the son of a first-rank general who represented most of the military officers.
Feng Qing's spouse was also the son of a first-rank duke who held military power.
And what has been bestowed upon me, Fengxin? Merely a minor official of the third rank, with no real power whatsoever!
After saying this, she slammed the imperial edict in her hand to the ground with a gloomy expression.
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