Xu Yan and his wife were still waiting for Xu Cotoneaster to bring Zhu Wen over, but unexpectedly, only Xu Cotoneaster came. Xu Cotoneaster looked as normal and said, “My son has already asked Zhu Wen, he said that it was just a casual remark to cope with his parents’ forced kiss ……”
“Nonsense!”
Before he finished, Xu Yan was furious, he had always thought that Zhu Wen was a good boy, but he had never thought that he would do such an absurd thing.
“My son also felt that he had gone too far, and threw him out, and forbade him to come to the Xu family’s door again in the future.”
When the dishes were ready, Song Wangyue had them brought to the dining room and sent someone to call over for dinner.
The three of them gathered their emotions and went over there. As soon as they entered the dining room, they smelled the aroma and Mrs. Xu Yan said with a smile, “I’ve gained a lot of weight these days and I can’t even wear my clothes anymore.”
“It’s just right for auntie to put on more weight, she’s too thin now.”
Mrs Xu Yan laughed and pointed at her, “You’re the only one who can say that.”
Several people took their seats and each picked up their chopsticks to eat.
The Xu family was a large family, and it was important to eat without saying anything, but since Song Wangyue had arrived, this rule had gone.
Xu Yan put a piece of roast pork in his mouth, chewed it and swallowed it before he said contentedly, “Your cousin asked Zhu Wen about it, he said he had said he had his heart set on you in order to avoid Lord and Lady Zhu’s forced marriage, your cousin has already taught him a lesson.”
“It seems he was really pushed, when auntie replies to Madam Zhu tomorrow just say it was my unwillingness and don’t say anything else.”
Mrs Xu Yan had thought of telling the truth when she went to see Madam Zhu tomorrow, so that Zhu Wen would suffer a little and remember.
When she heard what she wanted to say, Xu Yan spoke, “Just listen to Yue’er.”
Mrs. Xu Yan swallowed the words that were on her lips.
Song Wan Yue changed the subject, “When is cousin going on his tour?”
“I’ve already given my husband a leave of absence, so when I’ve passed this monthly exam, I can travel.”
The monthly exam was at the end of the month, it was now twenty, there were still ten days to go, Song Wan Yue nodded and told him about the people she was sending to him.
Xu Cotoneaster had no problem with it, he had come across a lot of things during those years when he followed his parents around outside in search of his aunt, and knew that there would be danger wherever he went. If there was someone to protect them, they wouldn’t panic even if something happened.
“I’ll go back when my cousin leaves.”
The three of them couldn’t wait for her not to go back and stay as long as possible.
The next day, Madam Xu Yan went to the Zhu residence, and when she heard that Song Wan Yue was reluctant, the smile on Madam Zhu’s face stiffened.
“Is Miss Song unable to look at her youngest child?”
“No, Yue’er said she is still young and does not want to talk about marriage for the time being, after all, we are only aunts and uncles, we can’t force her, you’d better choose a good marriage for Mr. Zhu.”
Madam Zhu wanted to, but Zhu Wen didn’t want to. She wanted to fight again, but Mrs. Xu Yan did not give her the chance, and after saying some other words, she left without even drinking tea.
At this time in the palace, the emperor had also received the news, he put down his pen and looked at Eunuch Huang, “Are you saying that Zhu Zhihong’s son has taken a fancy to Song Wangyue?”
Eunuch Huang bowed, “Yes.”
“That’s interesting.”
The emperor smiled meaningfully, Zhu Zhihong was a cabinet minister, his son would have a place in the court in the future without the imperial examinations, there was no telling how many girls in the capital would want to marry him.
However, if Song Wan Yue married Zhu Wen …… that Song Yin, whom he had been looking for for years, would be in disarray when he heard the news, right?
“Go and declare Zhu Zhihong here.”
Zhu Zhihong came quickly, “My servant has seen Your Majesty.”
“Get up.”
The emperor gestured to Eunuch Huang to move a stool for him, Zhu Zhihong sat down apprehensively, and before he could speak, he heard the emperor ask, “I heard that your son has his heart set on Song Wangyue?”
Zhu Zhihong hurriedly stood up again, “He is talking nonsense, I have already taught him a lesson.”
“You… you ……”
The emperor pointed at him, “Although it is said that marriage is a matter of parental order and matchmaking, but it is good for a child to have a man of his choice, what is the point of lecturing him? I think he is very discerning.
Zhu Zhihong, who had reached the rank of university scholar, was naturally not a fool, and he understood the meaning of the emperor’s words almost immediately. But he also knew that Song Wangyue had sued the emperor and forced him to punish the most favoured third prince, and the emperor must have remembered this in his heart, not knowing when he would settle accounts in the autumn.
The reason why I feel that this marriage is not good is because Song Wan Yue was engaged to be married, and the fact that she was able to go to the extent of risking her life for her late fiancé’s family shows the status of that person in her heart. I don’t want my unworthy son to be compared to a dead person in the future; furthermore, I studied under the old gentleman, and now my son is thinking of his great-granddaughter, the old gentleman will be angry with me when he finds out.”
“The old gentleman is a sensible man, how could he be angry, he might even be happy. If Song Wangyue marries your son, he will be able to live in the capital often in the future.”
Zhu Zhihong was about to say something else when the emperor waved his hand, “None of your concerns are a problem, I can help you solve them all, the main thing now is to settle this marriage early. If you hesitate any longer, someone else may be the first to get the job. If you are not sure, I can intervene on your behalf.”
Zhu Zhihong’s mind flew around and thought of a way to delay, “Thank you, Your Majesty, I would like to send a letter to the old man to inquire first before making a decision.”
The emperor was not forcing him to make a decision now, he just needed to let the matter get out, nodding, “I should.”
When Zhu Zhihong retired, the emperor ordered, “Send someone to tell the third prince about this, and tell him to find a way to spread the word to the border. Also send someone to spread the word.”
At that moment, Song Yin was struggling to carry a cup of tea for all the generals to see.
The people could see clearly, their hearts were sour, except for the general, Song Yin is the highest martial arts skills among them, and is also good at arranging troops, as the general said that day, he may take the general’s place in the future, but now ……
“I can no longer afford to hold a sword, I still ask the general to allow me to retire from the army.”
“No!”
At Song Yin’s words, Lieutenant Wei objected loudly, “You only injured your left arm, you can still hold a weapon in your right hand, so you can still stay in the barracks to train soldiers even if you don’t kill the enemy, you can’t be discharged from the army.”
Song Yin smiled miserably, “As a soldier, but can’t go into battle to kill the enemy, what’s the difference between that and a waste? If you really treat me as a brother, don’t stop me.”