"The imperial edict is here."
The sentence "the imperial edict is here" coming from outside interrupted the Gong family's conversation and also attracted the attention of neighbors on both sides, and they rushed out to watch the excitement.
"Where is the Gong family?" Another shout was heard again in the yard.
Dad Gong immediately stood up and walked to the front, with others following behind, and quickly came to the yard.
When they arrived in the yard, they saw three people standing in the yard. The leader was an old man with an imperial edict in both hands. On both sides were two guards.
Behind the three were groups of neighbors who had never encountered the scene of delivering an imperial edict in their lives. They all squeezed into the small yard to watch the excitement.
The old man who came was Wu Gonggong, one of King's close old eunuchs.
"Miss Gong, your family really took me a long time to find." Wu Gonggong said. He left the palace before dawn to announce the edict. From Qin's house to Gong's house, it took nearly an hour to find Gong's house.
Upon hearing this, Dad Gong immediately came forward and said to Wu Gonggong, "Sorry to trouble you, Gonggong." Then he took out two taels of silver from his body and stuffed it into Wu Gonggong's hand.
Wu Gonggong took the silver and glanced at it. It was only two taels. This family was indeed one that could not get on the stage.
However, considering that Gong Xiaohua was about to marry the Qin family, he didn't dare to make things too difficult for the Gong family. He had to say, "Miss Gong, receive the edict."
Gong Xiaohua walked to the front, knelt down on one knee, and the others knelt down too. "Your humble servant Gong Xiaohua and family receive the edict."
"By order of King, the Gong family has a daughter, virtuous and gentle, elegant and talented, proficient in both literary and martial arts... Especially bestowed upon the Gong family's young daughter, Gong Xiaohua, to marry Qin Chuyuan, son of Minister Qin's family, in three months."
The edict was very long, and it took nearly a quarter of an hour to read it completely. When it was over, everyone seemed to understand it, but also seemed not to understand, especially the last sentence about choosing an auspicious day to get married with the Qin Prime Minister's family.
Gong Xiaohua raised both hands above her head and said, "Your humble servant receives the edict, thank you, Your Majesty."
At this moment, the crowd suddenly exploded. The Gong family was going to make a great fortune!
"Gonggong and two adults, please come in and take a break, have a cup of tea." Dad Gong quickly invited Wu Gonggong into the room.
"Gong catcher, don't be so polite. I've been out for a while, and I have to go back and report."
After speaking, he said to the two guards beside him: "Let's go."
"Yes."
After Wu Gonggong and the two guards left, the surrounding neighbors came up one by one and congratulated the Gong family.
"Congratulations, congratulations."
A burst of congratulations came from the crowd. Someone even said, "Brother Gong, Sister-in-law Gong, congratulations! I knew when Xiaohua was little that she was destined for great fortune. She is beautiful and virtuous, and has the looks of a rich madam."
"Yes, yes, Xiaohua has always been good-looking since she was a child. I could tell she was destined to be a madam in a wealthy family."
The Gong family listened with twitching faces. They didn't know who were the ones that used to laugh at Xiaohua behind their backs, and now were congratulating them.
"Thank you all, neighbors, but we can't entertain everyone today. We will invite you for tea another day." Dad Gong and Madam Gong saw the neighbors off.
"Alright, alright."
Before leaving, everyone went to Gong Xiaohua and greeted her, then reluctantly walked out.
"Xiaohua, you look more and more handsome."
Gong Xiaohua smiled, hehe!
"Xiaohua, come play with Hui'er at my house another day."
Gong Xiaohua smiled and nodded.
"Xiaohua, look, your figure looks perfect for bearing sons."
Gong Xiaohua wanted to roll her eyes, hehe!
...
The wedding date was set for the fifteenth day of the ninth month, three months later.
From the time she received the edict, Madam Gong began talking nonstop, assigning tasks to Gong Xiaohua and others.
"The time is so pressing, and the dowry hasn't been prepared yet. No, we have to start taking action now, or it will be too late. Husband, go to the furniture store today and start preparing the furniture, or it will be late."
"Xiao Nan, write a letter to your grandfather and your mother's family to notify them to come drink wedding wine three months later."
"Xiaohua, starting today, make your own bridal clothes. You also have to make a few sets of clothes for the young master..."
"I also have to find a tutor for you."
...!
Gong Xiaohua heard that she had to make her own bridal clothes, and also prepare for the groom's side.
She said she could wield a knife and also a ladle, but she couldn't pick up a tiny embroidery needle.
"Mother, please find someone to make the bridal clothes and the groom's clothes. I can't do it, and I don't have time."
"It's not proper for others to make your bridal clothes. I can teach you if you don't know how. You have to make time."
Gong Xiaohua: ??
"Mother, I'm going to work now."
After saying that, she ran out of the yard in one go. If she didn't leave, she would suffocate here.
Lin Family.
King's close eunuch Huang Gonggong came to deliver the edict.
Regarding this marriage with the Sixth Prince, Minister Lin felt that it was a blessing in disguise.
The marriage between the Qin and Lin families was just a mutual use. For the Lin family, the Qins were just a stepping stone.
Among King’s many princes, aside from the Crown Prince, the Sixth Prince had the most noble status and was favored by King.
If he made good use of his military power in the Lin family and worked hard on the Sixth Prince, he had a great hope of competing for that position.
In the future, after his daughter gave birth to a grandson for the Sixth Prince, when the grandson ascended the throne, the Lin family would lead the vassals with the Son of Heaven. The Lin family would soon become the Number One family in Daye.
"Ru Er, how are you recently?" Minister Lin asked Madam Lin beside him.
"She's not eating or drinking, just smashing things in her room."
"Master, the cause of all these things is that Gong girl. I won't be able to get this hatred out of my heart without retaliation."
"Other than the old Minister Qin in the Qin family, Qin Chuyuan is the most sly. If what Ru Er said is true, Qin Chuyuan is interested in the Gong girl, he must have arranged for people to protect them during this period, and we may be under surveillance."
"So we just let them go?"
"A small Gong family is nothing to worry about. Ru Er's wedding is just a month away. It's not advisable to cause unnecessary trouble now. We'll make plans after the wedding."
"I will follow Master's decision."
"Mmm, comfort Ru Er more."
"Yes."
