sovbooks Chapter 936 - 772: A Shrewd Calculation
Chapter 936 - 772: A Shrewd Calculation
Although amazed at Gu Chengyu’s rapid promotion, it was only a matter of time for a capable minister like him to be promoted.Moreover, having achieved considerable merit beforehand, no one could really object to his promotion.
Yao Qinglan’s expression was extremely unsightly; he never expected Gu Chengyu would wish to marry his legitimate daughter.
He previously thought to offer the daughter of the second or third family to Gu Chengyu, but upon seeing Gu Chengyu’s potential, he considered the daughter of his concubine, who had little presence.
This concubine’s daughter was the same age as the second household’s fourth daughter, only two years younger than Gu Chengyu.
However, this girl was born of a concubine due to an accident back then, otherwise, he wouldn’t have tarnished his reputation by keeping a concubine outside the family.
He never planned to bring this girl back to the family, merely intending to give her some Silver once she came of age.
Otherwise, bringing her back would ruin his reputation entirely.
Moreover, with his official wife pregnant, he was even less inclined to bring them back. As time passed, he almost forgot about this mother and daughter duo.
His plan was well thought out, making Gu Chengyu his son-in-law; in the future, why would he worry about Gu Chengyu not sharing his goals?
But who would have thought the son-in-law indeed turned out to be a son-in-law, yet what they wanted was his legitimate daughter.
Originally, he intended to save his legitimate daughter for a marriage alliance with another aristocratic family, how could he let a Secondary Fifth Rank officer marry her? Especially one with no foundation.
Yao Qinglan’s anger was incensed; now those aristocratic families in the Capital will surely laugh behind their backs.
Compared to Yao Qinglan’s livid expression, the Old Duke was much calmer. Though initially stunned by the marriage decree, experience made him realize that an imperial decree must be obeyed, like it or not.
Having lived long and become wise, he was naturally better at controlling his emotions.
Displaying emotions openly is a major taboo in officialdom — if he were thrown off balance by this small issue, what was the point of all those years spent navigating the political landscape?
"Many thanks to Eunuch Quan, today certainly is a good day." After accepting the decree, the Old Duke stood up and instructed his eldest son to personally place the Holy Decree in the ancestral hall for worship.
He took a step forward, signaling the followers behind him to take out the red packet.
Being the Lord Duke, he had to express his stance, and the red packet was indispensable.
"There is one question that still puzzles me, I wonder if Eunuch Quan knows the details."
"Oh? What does Lord Duke find unclear?" Xiao Quanzi smiled broadly, well aware of what the Old Duke wished to inquire about.
"If I haven’t remembered incorrectly, wasn’t Mr. Gu in a Standard Sixth Rank position? When did he become Assistant Lecturer of the Hanlin Academy?" Duke Zhen asked with curiosity.
"Perhaps you haven’t heard! Today, Mr. Gu indeed embraced double happiness: not only was he promoted, but he was also granted a marriage. Furthermore, he had the good fortune to be connected with your family’s mansion. These joyful events are truly arriving one after another!"
Xiao Quanzi laughed heartily, and then proceeded to explain.
Xiao Huanzi, who was dispatched to Gu Chengyu’s place, set off a bit earlier on account of the promotion decree, so the announcement had to be beforehand.
The decree he carried had already revised Gu Chengyu’s rank and position, thus it was necessary to announce it first at the other side.
"Oh! That’s how it is." The Old Duke’s eyes glimmered sharply; he hadn’t expected Gu Chengyu to be this capable — even as a Secondary Fifth Rank, the Emperor issued the decree personally.
This action certainly seemed to be making a show of favor to Gu Chengyu, implying that the Emperor valued him highly.
Besides, for someone so young to rise to Secondary Fifth Rank purely through his own talent speaks volumes of his prowess and boundless future potential.
The Old Duke found some consolation for his previous gloom, since, other than his background, there was almost nothing to nitpick.
The girls accepted the Holy Decree and returned to the inner courtyard, and as soon as they stepped in, Yao Menglian looked at Yao Mengxian with a face full of mockery.
"Third sister really has calculated well; you’ve gotten your wish, haven’t you? Yet you pushed others into harm’s way to shield yourself; I wonder what kind of heartless intentions you hold."
Yao Menglian’s tone was extremely sharp, startling Yao Mengxian, who was lost in her thoughts.
She quickly regained her composure, and upon seeing Yao Menglian’s somewhat distorted face, couldn’t help but become very angry.
"Second sister, what do you mean by this? This marriage decree was established by the Emperor and Prince Jing; as women, how could we possibly influence their decisions? The household is full of prying eyes and loose tongues right now, second sister should speak and act cautiously to avoid bringing trouble upon the family."
Yao Mengxian felt she was suffering an undeserved disaster; who could anticipate that Prince Jing would choose her second sister to be a concubine?
Yao Mengxian knew well who her second sister had in mind, but that was ultimately wishful thinking — that lady wouldn’t be free for another year or so!
Her second sister was already fifteen this year, could they possibly delay any longer?
She couldn’t understand how her second sister convinced her second aunt not to arrange a marriage, but she knew well that there was absolutely no possibility between her second sister and that person.
Yao Menglian’s face turned somewhat pale with rage; her eyes glinted with tears and a fierce look.
"Hmph! Just a mere Secondary Fifth Rank officer! Is that worthy of third sister’s meticulous scheming? Surely you must have been secretly collaborating all along?"
Thinking of how Yao Mengxian’s maternal grandfather was precisely Gu Chengyu’s mentor, and how she frequently stayed at her maternal grandfather’s estate, it was quite possible they had long since conspired quietly.
Moreover, she had also heard from her mother about Liang Zhirui’s trip to the palace a few days ago — what else could it be for besides the marriage of the third daughter?
"Why does second sister have to mock me so? I can’t influence this Holy Decree. If your words spread, you’ll ruin not only my reputation. We are all daughters of Duke Mansion, equally share glory and misery. Is it possible that second sister, having received the marriage decree today, is too overjoyed and speaking without consideration?"
Yao Mengxian was irritated by Yao Menglian’s disregard for consequences, knowing if these remarks spread, her reputation would be entirely ruined.
Moreover, this was a marriage decree issued personally by the Emperor; was she implying dissatisfaction? That’s tantamount to disrespecting the Emperor.
This had escalated beyond mere children’s quarrel, concerning the entire Duke Mansion.
Once the Emperor or those officials hear about it, Duke Zhen’s Mansion would surely face the Emperor’s reprimand, affecting their uncle and father’s official career irreparably.
Of course, her affection for Duke Mansion wasn’t profound, as no one aided her during her dream, and some even struck her down when she was down.
Her grandfather and father valued each other’s usable traits; genuine familial affection was nowhere to be found.
She harbored no feelings toward them, rightfully believing they reciprocated her apathy.
Nonetheless, she wasn’t ready for Duke Mansion to be implicated, since she hadn’t yet married and had to remain there for two years, if not longer.
"Besides, the marriage is granted directly by the Emperor; if I really had a secret affair with Mr. Gu, why would the Emperor authorize a marriage for us? The Emperor is perceptive and thorough, does second sister think him muddled? This is sheer audacity, showing severe disrespect."