Chapter 72 – Sign the Marriage Certificate

Lord Li was in a hurry. His back was soaked. He did not rush to see The Prince when he entered the house. Instead, he took out a neatly folded white gown from the donkey’s back bag and changed it into a clean and fresh one. Then he entered the hall and waited for The Prince and Lady Liu to sign the marriage certificate.

 

After all, he is the guarantor of the marriage certificate, and he should always dress neatly.

 

Miantang thought Cui Xingzhou was joking, but unexpectedly, he actually asked Lord Li to send the marriage certificate. At the same time, she said angrily, “Have I agreed to sign the marriage certificate? You are not going to force me when you call people here!”

 

Cui Xingzhou put a gold hairpin in her hair and said in a long tone, “Didn’t you… Agreed last night.”

 

Miantang blinked in disbelief, unable to remember that she had ever answered him. So Cui Xingzhou put his thin lips close to her ears and said something low.

 

Miantang’s cheeks seemed to have been smoked by the heat, and they turned blushing red. Last night, when two people were fooling around, Cui Xingzhou indeed use a method to force Miantang when she was immersed in the rounds, and she agreed to sign the marriage letter.

 

“How can… The words said during then count?” Miantang turned her head and pursed her mouth, refusing to admit it. But Cui Xingzhou hugged her tightly and said, “If you don’t want these troublesome procedures, I will only marry you now. Do you want to marry me?”

 

Miantang is silent. Yes, if only thinking about the moment, she would only like to be with him…

 

Just then, Bi Cao said outside the house, “Lord Li is waiting for Your Highness and the Lady!”

 

Cui Xingzhou pull Miantang up, hold her hand, and took her out of the room to the hall.

 

At the door, Miantang didn’t want to step into the hall.

 

Cui Xingzhou saw that Miantang would not want to leave the house to pick up the marriage certificate, so he took her by the hand and said, “Why? Are you going to let Lord Li wait at the door for a day?”

 

Liu Miantang took a deep breath, shook off his hand, and went to the hall. She met Lord Li before. After greeting him, she called Fang Xie to pour a cup of water for Lord Li.

 

Li Guangcai was thirsty. He took a cup of tea from Fang Xie, drank it, and said, “Lady Liu, this is the document issued by the government. If Your Highness refuses to recognize it one day, you can come to me!”

 

Miantang smiled and handed Lord Li a plate of cakes to fulfill some of his hunger, but said, “That’s not necessary… But if I reject the marriage certificate one day, will I need to go through you?”

 

Li Guangcai almost didn’t spit out the tea in his mouth. He thought that Lady Liu was only worried that the wedding of Huaiyang King was not formally proposed and that there were no elders in the Residence to decide. Then The Prince would change his mind, and the girl’s family would lose its honor.

 

But he never thought that before Lady Liu even sign the marriage certificate, she was thinking of quitting… Does she know what she is talking about?

 

Thinking of this, Li Guangcai couldn’t help looking at The Prince suspiciously. Prince Huaiyang was just at the right age. He had already got rid of his childish youth. He was also full of undisguised martial spirit in his elegance. His charm was even better than before!

 

In those years, they met at the Imperial Examination together in the Capital. Although Cui Xingzhou was removed from his examination paper by the Late Emperor, it did not delay their friendship in the same year. But when he was young and frivolous, he occasionally drank and played at the same table, accompanied by singers and dancers. However, Prince Huaiyang was always calm and gentle and did not play with those women. Besides, many beautiful women in the Capital loved The Prince and secretly handed him love letters.

 

“Sai Xiahui” is not a false reputation. There are so many famous flowers in the Capital. He has never seen Prince Huaiyang infatuated with a woman and always felt aloof and unapproachable.

 

It’s a pity that a group of fallen flowers is interested, but the young prince is ruthless.

 

Unexpectedly, the handsome prince who was envied by those scholars in those years was obsessed with an escort agency Lady of ordinary origin.

 

Forget about the part where their family background does not match. To Li Guangcai’s surprise, this young lady seems to have a grudge against Prince Huaiyang.

 

Seeing Li Guangcai’s surprise, Liu Miantang realized that she had let Cui Xingzhou lose face in front of others.

 

Never mind what’s going on in private, but Miantang didn’t want others to look down on Cui Xingzhou, so she hurriedly said, “Don’t misunderstand me, Lord Li, because the Old Princess Consort in The Prince Residence probably doesn’t know about this marriage. If she objects to it… The marriage certificate can’t be counted, otherwise, The Prince will be called unfilial.”

 

Cui Xingzhou cast a deep glance at Miantang, and then looked at Li Guangcai. His composure did not move, but said faintly, “Lord Li, why are you still in a daze? Please tell Lady Liu that the national law of the Great Yan Dynasty has been clearly written. Unless the marriage is bestowed by The Emperor, else, the marriage letter can be turned down.”

 

Li Guangcai was surprised once again to see that Prince Huaiyang was not angry when he had been rejected. However, he was asked by Prince Huaiyang to do the job well, so he immediately said, “If you want to go back on your promise, you can turn down the marriage after discussing it with Your Highness…”

 

Miantang closed her mouth, still uncertain, but Cui Xingzhou looked at her silently. She pinched her finger. After a long time, she hesitated to pick up the brush beside her, dipped it in ink, and wrote her name neatly on the marriage letter.

 

Li Guangcai breathes a sigh of relief for The Prince. He quickly handed over the ink pad and asked Miantang to dip it in it and then press the handprint on her name.

 

Cui Xingzhou did not hesitate to write down his name on the marriage certificate. He not only pressed the handprint but also covered the private seal of Prince Huaiyang.

 

Li Guangcai, as the guarantor, should also sign and affix the official seal.

 

Although the marriage certificate was not presented by the elderly from both families, it could not be regarded as pledging to marry without parental permission, and it was counted in the process.

 

Li Guangcai asked two people to sign two marriage certificates and wrote a certificate of insurance for the two people to sign their names, so he would take it back to the office for filing.

 

Cui Xingzhou now has the marriage letter in hand, and his entire person is relaxed.

 

It’s not easy for Lord Li to come all the way here on a donkey. Since he is their marriage witness, of course, he has to stay and have a meal before leaving, so Cui Xingzhou instructed Servant Li to cook.

 

Servant Li and Mo Ru were watching The Prince signing the marriage certificate with Liu Miantang.

 

However, both of them looked at each other and stared at each other. They couldn’t believe that The Prince was engaged to Liu Miantang.

 

Especially Mo Ru, tears almost burst out. The Prince is the Master. No one dares to judge him in the Residence. But he did not report the matter. After they return… Wouldn’t he be skinned by the Old Princess Consort?

 

Servant Li thinks more than Mo Ru. She regretted that she had neglected to instruct Lady Liu before. If it was the day of the ceremony, Lady Liu would have to learn a lot. If she could not finish teaching, what would she do?

 

However, Miantang was half coaxed and half deceived by Cui Xingzhou to sign the marriage certificate. Seeing she pressed her finger on the red seal, she felt a little bit like in a dream. He could not figure out whether she was regretting, or she was relieved. In a word, the name was signed, and she can only leave the rest to the future step by step.

 

Although she is now an independent woman who set up her own household, she still needs to inform her Grandfather. So when Cui Xingzhou was having a drink with Lord Li, she goes back to her house to write a letter to tell her Grandfather informing him to know first, and then chooses an auspicious day to go back to the Lu Mansion with Cui Xingzhou to pay tribute to her Grandfather.

 

Cui Xingzhou and Li Guangcai had wine together. Cui Xingzhou hold the marriage letter in his hand, and his entire self was much refreshed. He drank with his best friend in the same year, and he also smiled heartily.

 

After Cui Xingzhou and Li Guangcai had a few drinks, Li Guangcai remembered an important thing and said to Prince Huaiyang, “Your Highness, you must have heard about the recent situation in the Capital, right? As I said, it would be better if you could drag your return to the Capital…”

 

Cui Xingzhou understood that Li Guangcai’s “recent” meant the palace.

 

The Young Emperor is not very strong, and he hasn’t gone to Court for a month. Only Empress Dowager Wu behind the curtain was in charge of the government.

 

The Emperor is young, and naturally, there is no heir. Now the courtiers are crazy about who they will choose to sit in front of the curtain if something happens to The Emperor.

 

Cui Xingzhou nodded and said softly, “I’ve heard about it, but I’m thinking about another thing. In this case, what do you think Prince Sui was planning when he hurried out of the Capital?”

 

Li Guangcai also nodded thoughtfully, which others did not know, but he had been with Prince Huaiyang for a long time, and naturally knew that Prince Sui, who seemed to be idle, had always had the ambition of becoming Emperor.

 

But now the Young Emperor’s body is not very clear, and Prince Sui of all nobles has left the Capital without anyone knowing. This is not in line with Prince Sui’s ambition.

 

Li Guangcai was attracted by Prince Huaiyang to think of this, and his expression was tight. He said, “Well… Do you want me to send some people to inquire about the motive of Prince Sui again…”

 

Cui Xingzhou took a sip of wine and said, “No, no matter what he wants to do, we have to stay out of it. That’s why I took the trouble to transfer you to the State of Xi. The three Counties of the State of Zhen… Are very dangerous now!”

 

When Li Guangcai heard this, he smiled heartily and said, “I thought Your Highness had forgotten all the serious things and sent me here to be a flower protector.”

 

Cui Xingzhou smiled and said, “You know that my trip to the Northwest has delayed me too much. The aging wouldn’t wait. I always want to get married.”

 

Li Guangcai raised his glass of wine and said, “Let me toast you a drink for your marriage, Your Highness!”

 

However, Li Guangcai thought that Prince Huaiyang and Prince Sui were opposed, whether in public or privately. Prince Sui also took a fancy to Lady Liu and even went to the door wanting to rob.

 

But Prince Huaiyang turned around and married the beautiful woman whom Prince Sui wanted to take into his possession.

 

He doesn’t know what will happen if Prince Sui knows.

 

The same-year friend of the past had exchanged a couple of cups, but Liu Miantang next door was biting her brush.

 

Because of the presence of an outsider, Servant Li prepared a small table for Miantang, arranged the food, and served it.

 

Seeing Miantang still in a daze, Servant Li sighed secretly.

 

Others do not know, but she knows that Miantang is not a woman who will climb into power and wealth and marry Prince Huaiyang in a hurry.

 

It was also The Prince who get enlightened by the cold quilt in the Northwest. He is willing to put down his manner and went to find Lady Miantang.

 

Liu Miantang, however, was also beaten by the pestering of The Prince, and in addition to the persecution of Prince Sui, it seemed that The Prince was lenient and favor Lady Liu.

 

She finally cooked a pot of fragrant meat over a slow fire. It’s a pity that the piece of meat that was boiled in the pot may not be able to refresh her mind. Now she’s just biting her brush and  daydreaming.

 

Servant Li knows about The Prince’s power of action. Since he has decided to marry Liu Miantang, this little lady must be married back to his Residence and be put on his bed.

 

So Servant Li secretly reminded herself that she should take Lady Liu as the future Princess Consort and serve her well. If nothing happens, she will be the future hostess of the Huaiyang Residence!

 

Thinking of this, she said softly, “Young Lady, eat quickly while the food is hot. Today, I made your favorite stewed pig bones. The white bone soup is very strong, and only tastes good when it is hot…”

 

Miantang looked up and saw Servant Li smiling at her like a spring breeze.

 

Although she knew that Servant Li was very kind to her, she always spoke with a sense of pride and arrogance.

 

She has known her for so long, but she has never seen Servant Li smiling so gently with humility, and in the humbleness, it has some kindness… It seems that her face is a little whiter than usual!

 

After receiving the small soup bowl handed over by Servant Li, Miantang took a sip of it. The soup cooked by Servant Li was really delicious…

 

While Servant Li was waiting for her to eat, Miantang asked about the population in Prince Huaiyang Residence.

 

Before, she didn’t ask because she had nothing to do with him. However, Cui Xingzhou coaxed her to sign the marriage certificate just now. She could not repent and tore it up immediately. She could only go one step at a time. The first thing was to know the situation of her husband’s family that she was going to marry.

 

Servant Li knew everything. She only said that besides the Old Princess Consort, the concubines left by the Old Prince either entered the temple or lived in the Manor.

 

As a result, there are only two concubines left in The Prince Residence, Xiao Li and Qin.

 

The reason why the two concubines were able to remain was that the Old Princess Consort was afraid that if the concubines were all chased out of the Residence, it will attract people to gossip about. Saying that once the Old Prince died, she was mean to the other concubines. So she let her son show mercy and let them stay.

 

Among the two concubines, Cui Yonglan, the daughter of Concubine Xiao Li, is only 13 years old and has not been engaged.

 

The Qin family had a son who suffered from flaccidity at the age of 15, ranking fifth among the brothers, but became paralyzed at a young age and could not walk. But also because of this, it was a blessing in disguise that he was able to survive the bloodbath in The Residence in those years, and stayed quietly in the corner of the Residence.

 

Of course, Servant Li would not say anything about The Prince’s actions, but Miantang guessed something after listening.

 

She used to think that Cui Xingzhou was a Prince who grew up smoothly in a pile of wealth. But after she heard from Servant Li that there were twelve or thirteen concubines in the original Residence, and these are the concubines before counting those maids in name, concubines in reality, she couldn’t help but frown.

 

He is a legitimate son, but he is ranked ninth. Which brother above would treat him with courtesy? She can imagine how serious the quarrel within the family and engaging in internal strife of the brotherhood would be in the Residence.

 

However… He has so many brothers, and there is only a paralytic brother left in the Residence in the end. His method must be extremely cruel…

 

This Cui Xingzhou is the Cui Jiu she doesn’t know very well.

 

Servant Li looked at Miantang making notes while eating. She nodded approvingly and said, “Young Lady, you are talented and intelligent. People say that the nobility’s Residence is as deep as the sea. Naturally, the drowned birds are stupid birds who do not know how to swim. Our Residence is cleaner than other Residences. The Old Princess Consort is kind. As long as you win her joy, you don’t have to answer to anyone else…”

 

Miantang smiled and said, “Even if I can win her favor, it cannot be compared to Lady, Lian, the niece of the Old Princess Consort… By the way, Lady Lian is not living in The Prince Residence after she quits her marriage, right?”

 

Servant Li was not sure about this. She could only say carefully, “After all, she is a relative. She will always be around during the festive period. But after Lady Lian is engaged to marry, she should not be too diligent in the Residence.”

 

Miantang did not speak. Cui Xingzhou is still in the position of a Marshal and will take her back to the State of Zhen to marry after entering the Capital to report his duties. At that time, Lady Lian should also be in the talk about marriage, to avoid the embarrassment of meeting.

 

The biggest thing right now is that she and Cui Xingzhou will need to go to the Lu Mansion for her Grandfather.

 

This time is different from the last time. Although Miantang has set up her own household, the Lu family can also be regarded as her family. She signed a marriage certificate with Cui Xingzhou privately, and always have to tell her family formally.

 

So the next day after the engagement, the sun is good, and it is also an auspicious day. Cui Xingzhou went back to the Lu Mansion with Miantang.

 

The betrothal ceremony was sent from the State of Zhen when he came back from the Northwest.

 

These days, they were shipped to the State of Xi one after another, just in time for loading.

 

It was Servant Li who ordered Cui’s guards to check the gift list, loaded to the gift cart, tie red flowers and arrange them in order, and then set out in a whole team.

 

A dozen carriages, all made of red cloth and hung with red flowers, are really eye-catching.

 

People in the State of Xi have always seen such extravagant bride-price motorcades recently, and they are curious about which Prince came this time to the State of Xi to propose marriage.

 

When they saw that the carriage was still heading towards the Lu Mansion, the people caused a commotion. To be frank, is it possible that someone proposed marriage to Lady Lu again?

 

The last time she got proposed to a marriage, it’s just a few days ago! Why did someone propose marriage again?

 

In addition, this bride prices team was even more extensive than the last time. More than a dozen white horses and red carriages were all in one color, which seemed to be endless at a glance.

 

When the carriage arrives at Lu’s door.

 

The Lu family has been crowded into a pile.

 

When Cui Xingzhou helped Liu Miantang down from the carriage, the female members of the Lu family were also shocked.

 

They did not expect Miantang to be engaged to this Ninth Master Cui and sign the marriage certificate without even informing her family.

 

The Old Master just received a letter last night. This morning, the Old Master slowly said to his family, “Lady Liu is engaged. She will come back today. Ask the kitchen to cook more food.”

 

Before everyone knew, the carriage team of the bride price also arrived. Judging by the formation, it is even more ostentatious than Prince Sui.

 

Quan’s face was tight, and Lu Qingying’s teeth were full of acid water. After her engagement, the bride price of the Su family can be swept to the sky by the strong wind!

 

Liu Miantang is purposely trying to run on her, and make her look ugly, isn’t she?

 

Lu Mu’s face was also black. He didn’t expect Miantang to be so thoughtless to beat Prince Sui in the face. She refused to be engaged to Prince Sui and then agreed to the marriage of Mr. Cui.

 

Cui Jiu is rich, but does he have the power of Prince Sui? That’s the former son of the Queen’s mother! The Imperial Uncle of The Emperor!

 

Thinking of this, Lu Mu made up his mind. Since Miantang had opened a female household, she should decide on her own! What’s the matter of the carriage of the bride price to the Lu family? If Cui Jiu’s bride price is allowed to enter the door, isn’t it become the Lu family beating Prince Sui in his face?

 

Think about it this way. When Cui Xingzhou leads Miantang to the gate, Lu Mu reaches out to stop him. He doesn’t look at Cui Xingzhou but puts on a dignified look of an elder, he said to her, “You have set up a female household and moved out of the Lu family. It is agreed that you will not drag the Lu family down from now on. I am glad that you said this that day. You are better than your father who dragged people down. But now that you have made a marriage and eagerly sending the bride price to the Lu family. What does that mean? People who are unaware of the situation might think that the private marriage chosen by yourself is arranged by the elders of the Lu family!”

 

Lu Mu usually follows the routine of seeking the best from both sides, and rarely speaks so loudly. But now, he’s in an urge to get rid of Miantang.

 

Lu Xian watched his Second Younger Brother suddenly become nasty. He was so worried that he pulled his hand and said, “You are crazy! How can you talk like that!”

 

Lu Mu thought that his Elder Brother was coming to make peace again, so he waved impatiently, “Go away, Elder brother. This person was also attracted by you here! He doesn’t look like a good person! Since he wants to propose marriage, why doesn’t he ask the permission of the Elders in the Lu family? Does he have no mother or father? How can he make such a decision…”

 

Lu Mu’s voice is so loud that everyone in the street can hear it. He thought that Prince Sui was rejected by Miantang, and he must not have given up. If there are his trusted followers here, he will know that Liu Miantang accept and received this marriage privately. The Lu family did not agree!

 

In fact, he can’t complain about Miantang in this big situation today. Cui Xingzhou insisted on making her accept the big ceremony in the State of Xi, so as not to pollute the reputation of the Lu family since Prince Sui forcefully asked them to accept his bride price.

 

The bride price of more than ten cars was given to the Lu family alone. After all, the Lu family also raised Miantang for several years. As for the ceremony, he will prepare another portion to fill into the dowry of Miantang.

 

Unexpectedly, Lu Mu scolded him at the gate.

 

In fact, Miantang immediately understood his cautiousness when she heard the scolding of her Second Uncle.

 

But… Did her Grandfather not tell the family the identity of Cui Xingzhou? Otherwise, how could Her Second Uncle scold so brazenly?

 

Quan also came to help her husband, “Miantang, don’t blame your Second Uncle for being angry. You can’t be too shallow-minded! You rejected Prince Sui with such a handsome appearance and find someone who is not convenient in walking. Even if he has more money, can he have Sui Wang’s dignity…”

 

Mo Ru on the other side couldn’t listen any longer. When Quan was about to make another worst remark, she shouted in accordance with the etiquette of accepting the ceremony, “The Lady outside the Lu Mansion is beautiful and intelligent, with blue temperament and talent. So Cui Xingzhou, Prince Huaiyang in the State of Zhen, came here to ask for a marriage. Here is the gift list. Please look at it and arrange on an auspicious day!”

 

Lu Mu still had a lot of anger to vent, but when he heard this, he thought he was distracted.

 

Prince Huaiyang in the State of Zhen? The Cui Xingzhou, Mashal of the Northwest, who calmed down the chaos in the Northwest and mopped up seven barbarian tribes? Where did such a great Prince come from?

 

Even if he is Cui Xingzhou, he can be trusted if he is here to take concubines. However, he said that he was going to marry Miantang as his legal Princess Consort, he chose Liu Miantang, the daughter of a guilty Lord, which was unbelievable!

 

Where does this come from? How dare he pretend that the Grand Marshal of the Northwest, who has made great contributions for thousands of years, came to cheat her!