Since their feelings became clear, Jing Yan would often run to Duke Jiang's residence. If he couldn't come out due to being too busy, he would send a eunuch to deliver a letter to her.
The letters were not long, but they expressed his deep longing for her.
However, it seemed that his fiancée (as he unilaterally assumed) didn't have the same profound feelings for him as he imagined, which made him feel a bit anxious.
For example, two days ago, he wrote to her: "Like stars and moons, you are as bright as ever. The stars last night were beautiful, and it made me miss you again."
His fiancée replied: "If love is meant to be lasting, it doesn't depend on seeing each other every day. Staying up late at night to watch stars, do you want to have dark circles under your eyes?"
That was quite speechless.
And then yesterday, he said: "Green collars, my heart is deeply attached to you. If I don't go, will you not send any news? The red roses in the imperial garden have bloomed, and I remember how much you liked them. Qingqing, would you like to come with me to admire them?"
Her reply was: "No, I have two surgeries today and can't leave. If possible, could you please pick some unopened flower buds for me? I want to make some rose tea."
His heart felt a bit broken.
Today, he sent someone to deliver another letter to her: "On the branches under the moon, let's meet after dusk. Qingqing, there will be a grand song and dance performance tonight at the theater. Shall we go together?"
After anxiously waiting for half a day, the eunuch who delivered the letter came back trembling, stuttering, "Your Highness, Duke Jiang asked me to deliver a message to you."
Jing Yan was taken aback, sensing that it wasn't good news. "What message?"
"The Duke said, he said, when you go to watch the performance, can you take him along?"
Jing Yan: "..." It seems that his future father-in-law holds quite a strong grudge against him!
Since the mountain won't come to me, I'll go to the mountain. Holding onto this belief, Jing Yan arrived at Duke Jiang's residence right around mealtime.
Since he had reached the doorstep, even if Duke Jiang was unhappy, he couldn't just turn him away. So, with a sour face, he welcomed Jing Yan into his home.
Then, as he watched a certain annoying brat who kept serving his precious daughter food and peeling shrimp at the dining table, he felt that all the rice he put in his mouth turned sour.
As someone with experience, he had noticed over these days that his precious daughter seemed to be falling for him.
Deep in his heart, this young man was indeed outstanding. He had an impressive stature and appearance, and his courage and strategy were equally remarkable. He also showed his affection for his daughter. Only one thing, his status as the crown prince was inappropriate.
But as a father, even if he was the crown prince, he had to say what needed to be said. So after finishing the meal, he called Jing Yan into the study.
"I wonder where Your Highness intends to place my daughter?"
"I am the heir apparent, and she will be the consort of the heir apparent. If I become emperor, she will be the empress."
Jiang Wenyuan didn't express approval or disapproval. "Your Highness should know that our Jiang family has a rule against taking concubines. My daughter has grown up in a sheltered environment, and she may not be able to accept being one of many if you cannot remain faithful to her throughout your life.
If you cannot promise a lifetime of exclusivity, I kindly ask you to spare my daughter."
Jing Yan looked directly into Jiang Wenyuan's eyes and solemnly said, "Even the Taizu Emperor had only one empress in his lifetime.
I love Qingqing more than my own life, so how could I take another woman and make her sad?"
"If I, the younger daughter, have no remarkable future or only bear daughters, what will happen?" This question can be considered quite sharp.
Jing Yan, with an imposing gesture, replied, "If it is destined by the heavens that I have no heir, then the son of Prince Fu can be appointed as the crown prince. If I have a daughter as talented as Qingqing, she can become the next empress, why not?"
"I hope Your Highness remembers today's words. I must confess, in my Jiang family for generations, there is only this one daughter, cherished like a precious treasure. If Your Highness breaks your promise in the future and causes any harm to my daughter, I will spare no effort, even risking my life and fortune, to make sure you don't have it easy!"
"Rest assured, Duke Jiang. That day will never come!"
"Your Highness often visits the young lady, which is improper and bound to draw criticism. It would be better to be more cautious, so as not to tarnish the young lady's reputation."
It's best if you don't come anymore. Day after day, showing up at the doorstep and writing love letters—it's simply shameless! Hmph!
Jing Yan raised an eyebrow, a hint of delight appearing in his eyes. He made a bow and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Duke Jiang. I understand what I should do now."
Jiang Wenyuan was somewhat puzzled. He had just told him to visit Qingqing less often, so why was this little rascal so happy?
Could there be something wrong with his brain? Something doesn't seem quite right.
After leaving Jiang's residence, Jing Yan informed Jiang Yuqing and left the Jiang family in big strides.
For some reason, Jiang Yuqing felt that his steps today seemed unusually joyous.
What did he say to her father in the study?
Now, let's talk about Jing Yan. After leaving the Jiang family, he went straight to Qinzheng Hall to request a marriage decree from his father.
Upon hearing this, the emperor's eyes widened in surprise. "Son, you didn't mishear, did you? When did that old man become so easy to talk to?"
"It's unlikely, Duke Jiang has always been trustworthy."
The emperor still couldn't believe it. "Tell me exactly what he said."
Jing Yan recited Jiang Wenyuan's words, "Your Highness often visits the young lady, which is improper and bound to draw criticism." He continued, "The meaning behind Duke Jiang's words is to imply that the son can go and propose marriage, right?"
The emperor repeated these words in his mind twice and felt that his son had understood them correctly. But when he thought of that daughter-in-law of his, it couldn't be so simple.
Forget it, never mind whether it's true or not. Even if it's not, the imperial edict has been issued. I don't believe he would dare to defy it.
The next day happened to be a day of rest. Jiang Wenyuan and his son were both at home. After having their meal and tidying up to visit friends, there was a sudden report that the imperial edict had arrived.
Both father and son were surprised. It wasn't a festive season, and there was no one in the family who had accomplished any great deeds or committed any major crimes deserving of a decree. Why would an imperial edict be issued?
Although they had doubts in their hearts, they still had to follow the proper procedures. They quickly opened the main gate, set up the incense table, bathed and burned incense, and the entire family knelt down in perfect order.
The imperial edict messenger unfolded the imperial edict and began to read, "By the grace of the heavens, the emperor summons... It is heard that the daughter of Duke Jiang, Jiang Yuqing, the Guardian of the Nation, is virtuous, graceful, gentle, kind-hearted, and exceptionally beautiful. We, the emperor and empress, are greatly pleased upon hearing this."
The Crown Prince has reached the age of twenty, the appropriate time for marriage, and it is necessary to choose a virtuous lady to be his consort. The Princess of Huguo, Jiang Yuqing, who is highly regarded in the boudoir, is a perfect match for the Crown Prince. In order to achieve the beauty of an exceptional woman, she is granted the title of Crown Princess.
All ceremonial matters will be handled jointly by the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Astronomy Bureau. After the Crown Princess reaches the age of adulthood, an auspicious day will be chosen for the wedding.
The proclamation will be made known to both the internal and external realms.
Hear this!"
Upon hearing this sudden decree of a bestowed marriage, the Jiang family was dumbfounded. An imperial messenger held the edict and said to Jiang Yuqing, "Crown Princess, please receive the edict!"
Jiang Yuqing finally regained her senses and took a deep breath, saying, "I, your humble subject, accept the edict and thank Your Majesty for the great favor. Long live the Emperor!"
The others also reacted and hurriedly bowed to express their gratitude.
Jiang Wenyuan gritted his teeth and got up from the ground, turning around to run towards the storeroom. Jiang Yuchuan was startled and quickly grabbed his father, asking, "Where are you going?"
Jiang Wenyuan raged, "I'm going to find a stick and beat that damned brat surnamed Jing to death!
I haven't even seen my flowers grow, and he's already taken the pot away from me.
Yesterday, I told him not to come, and today he directly asks for the decree of marriage. This bastard, does he have nothing better to do?"
This situation truly frightened the imperial messenger.
At this moment, he suddenly understood why including Li Gonggong, several close courtiers of the princess, were unwilling to deliver this imperial edict.
It seemed like a good opportunity, but in reality, it was life-threatening. Look, even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is about to be beaten up. How could this little lackey of his escape unscathed?
Goodness gracious, run quickly, your life is at stake.
Fortunately, Lu still had some clarity and saw the imperial messenger attempting to flee. She quickly handed him a fifty-tael silver note and asked Zhao Housekeeper to escort him out.
The crowd managed to stop Jiang Wenyuan and inquired about the situation.
Jiang Yuchuan looked at his father with a speechless expression and said, "Can you blame others for this? Just think about the implications of what you said.
Not to mention the Crown Prince, who is determined to win over my sister, even I think that you were implying for him to come and propose!"
Jiang Wenyuan finally realized what he had said and knew he was in the wrong, but he refused to admit it. "Must he complicate things like this?
I only have this one precious daughter, I wish she could stay at home forever.
How could she be married off before reaching adulthood? It truly makes me furious. I suspect that father and son did this on purpose."
Lu stood with her hands on her hips, sighed, and said, "Even if they did it on purpose, what can you do? The imperial edict has been issued, can you defy it?
I advise you not to be stubborn. We can't twist the arm of someone more powerful than us. Since our precious daughter is destined to be a member of the royal family, what difference does it make whether it happens sooner or later?
Moreover, the Crown Prince has reached the age where ministers have been pressuring the Emperor for a marriage. If it weren't for waiting for our precious daughter, His Majesty and the Crown Prince wouldn't have to endure such immense pressure.
Furthermore, His Highness has a special fondness for our precious daughter. Every day he either writes her love letters or comes to visit her. If this continues for too long, it will inevitably give rise to gossip.
It's better to formalize their status sooner, to prevent those envious people from spreading rumors."
After being persuaded by his family, Jiang Wenyuan's mood finally calmed down. Although he knew that what his wife and son said made sense, he couldn't help but feel stifled inside.
On that day, Jiang Yuqing went to the palace to find Jing Yan and angrily pulled him aside, saying, "What on earth are you and His Majesty up to? Do you know that the imperial decree for the marriage nearly drove my father crazy?"
Jing Yan coughed into his fist, looking embarrassed, and replied, "I didn't expect Duke Guo to be so naive. I thought he was hinting at me to propose."
Clearly, he also learned about the big misunderstanding from the eunuch who delivered the decree.
"What are you saying? My father has always been straightforward. At least, I mean, at least when it comes to matters related to me, he doesn't hold back. Whatever he says, he means it. It's just that you have too many thoughts," Jiang Yuqing retorted, holding his hand.
Jing Yan held her hand and patiently reassured her, "Alright, don't be angry anymore. It's my fault this time, and there won't be a next time. Besides, the imperial decree has already been issued, so it's not appropriate to retract it, right?"
"Hmph! Hmph!" Jiang Yuqing vented her anger for a while and finally calmed down.
The rice has already been cooked, and the boat has already sailed. Being angry won't change the predetermined outcome.
Besides, there will always be a time like this sooner or later, and it doesn't seem to make much difference whether it happens sooner or later.
Moreover, the imperial decree also stated that they will proceed with the marriage after she comes of age. By then, they can find an excuse to delay it for two or three years if they want. So, what's the point of being angry?
Thus, without Jing Yan having to make much effort, he comforted himself, having such a lovely, beautiful, and broad-minded fiancée.
Due to this frustrating misunderstanding, for a long time, Jiang Wenyuan wore a grim expression whenever he saw Jing Yan.
Until a distress letter from Tubo shattered the tranquility of the court.
