bayedsolid Chapter 249 (The End) (Part 2)
Chapter 249 (The End) (Part 2)
Fang Heng is over forty years old and still unmarried.
This time, Fang Qiong helped Zisu choose a woman, and also selected a good one for her elder brother. This woman was named Tian Xiang, the daughter of a fifth-rank official, from a scholarly family.
Tian Xiang is twenty-two years old this year. She delayed her marriage because she had been observing mourning for six consecutive years. Now, at twenty-two, her options are either to become a second wife, a concubine, or marry a poor man who cannot afford to marry.
In short, Tian Xiang is now finding it difficult to get married. She's mentally prepared to remain an old maid for life and plans to move to her own estate after a while. Living at her parents' house means frequent visits, and some of the ladies are quite gossipy, asking all sorts of questions that cause embarrassment and unhappiness for her family. She herself is also very troubled and unhappy.
Rather than this, it would be better to move to the estate; that way, everyone would have fewer troubles. This estate was my mother's dowry, and she had only recently transferred it to her name.
Fang Qiong kept praising Tian Xiang in front of her elder brother: "Brother, Tian Xiang is really good. She's kind-hearted and beautiful. You should marry her. That way, you can still have two more children while you're still young."
Hearing this from the side, Yun Duo said to her father, "Father, since Aunt thinks so highly of this Miss Tian, why don't you marry her? Now, my elder brother is already married, and I am also married. Even if she doesn't turn out well in the future, you can always divorce her and remarry. There's no need to worry too much! You're always alone, and it must be quite lonely for you. My elder brother, my aunt, and I all miss you very much!"
Ru Feng also advised, "Yes, Father, the person that Aunt has chosen shouldn't be too bad. Why don't you marry her? With such a good opportunity, why don't you get married? Are you going to wait until later to marry a sixteen-year-old girl?" If that were the case, he and his sister would feel very awkward. He couldn't bring himself to call a woman so much younger than him "Mother."
Fang Heng thought for a moment and then relented: "Alright, I agree! However, I need to do some research first. If she is indeed a person of good character, then I will really consider it!" Good character is not enough; she also has to be pleasing to his eye. Otherwise, he will not marry her.
Sigh, living alone all the time isn't a good thing. Putting aside the physical need, just coming home at night means there's no one to confide in. It's a little better now, but as I get older, I'm afraid I'll feel incredibly lonely.
Very well, since his sister and the children are so enthusiastic, he'll investigate Tian Xiang thoroughly. If she's a good person, he'll marry her! Yun Duo is right; if Tian Xiang is unreliable, he can always divorce her later. Giving up because of a potential problem isn't a good idea. As the Left Prime Minister, he should have that kind of decisiveness and shouldn't worry too much.
Fang Heng finally sent a matchmaker to Tian Xiang's house to propose marriage.
Upon hearing that the Left Prime Minister had come to propose marriage, Tian Xiang was utterly dumbfounded. Could it be? Was she dreaming? How could someone as outstanding as the Left Prime Minister, an old maid who couldn't find a husband, possibly propose to her?
She pinched herself hard and found it hurt terribly. Only then did she realize that this wasn't a dream; it was real. She couldn't help but cry—tears of joy and excitement.
She secretly vowed to herself that she would be a good wife, a good daughter-in-law, and a good stepmother in the future. She would treat the Prime Minister's beloved family members very well, doing everything in her power to be good to them, and would never cause the Prime Minister the slightest trouble or unhappiness!
She knew very well that the Left Prime Minister had almost become Princess Yulin's husband. The reason Princess Yulin ultimately gave up on the Left Prime Minister was not because of him, but because at that time, the Left Prime Minister's mother had done something bad to Princess Yulin, crossing her bottom line.
Imagine this: back then, the Left Prime Minister was merely a minor county magistrate with two children. Yet, the extraordinary Princess of Yulin fell in love with him and wanted to marry him. Clearly, the Left Prime Minister's charm was irresistible and incredibly powerful.
Although the Left Prime Minister was now over forty, half her age, he was in good health and looked to be only in his early thirties. Yes, she had the privilege of meeting him once, and although they were from a distance, she had clearly seen his appearance. Undeniably, he was a very attractive man, with a noble air, approachable demeanor, and elegant manners.
Anyway, he's a good man.
In the past, she never dreamed that she could have anything to do with such an outstanding person. Now, he actually sent someone to propose marriage, wanting money from her!
Tian Xiang's mother had mixed feelings. She asked her daughter, "The Left Prime Minister is twenty years older than you and has two grown children. Are you willing to marry him?"
Tian Xiang nodded vigorously: "My daughter is willing, very willing!"
Mother Tian couldn't help but sigh: "Well, although he is a bit older, even older than me, he is indeed a good man. Rather than marrying one of those young playboys as a second wife or concubine, it would be better to marry the Left Prime Minister! Now that such a good man is willing to marry you, the big stone in my heart can finally be put down! Alas, the only regret is that he is still a bit too old."
In the future, if the Left Prime Minister were to call her "mother-in-law," she would feel embarrassed to respond. Just imagine, a man older than herself calling her "mother-in-law"—could she accept it without feeling awkward? Alas, heaven is blind; what a flaw!
Tian Xiang: "Mother, please rest assured, the Left Prime Minister is in excellent health and possesses superb martial arts skills. He is a man of both literary and martial talents, and I bet he will live to be eighty. Such a man is far better than those young masters and noblemen who are ruined by wine and women at a young age!"
Hearing her daughter's words, Tian's mother finally felt a little relieved: "Yes, you're right, that makes sense! Don't worry, just focus on preparing your wedding dress. As for the dowry, I'll do my best to make sure you don't lose face after you marry into the family!"
This daughter of hers is truly unfortunate. It's fortunate that the Left Prime Minister came to propose marriage. Otherwise, she probably would have moved to the estate and never married. She only has one daughter, and she can't let her suffer. She has to give most of her own dowry to her daughter!
Fang Heng felt a little guilty about marrying a woman who was about twenty years younger than him, so he gave very generous betrothal gifts. Moreover, he personally went to present the betrothal gifts.
His arrival stunned the Tian family.
In general, the groom's family would indeed go to the betrothal ceremony in person. However, this was the case for ordinary families; people of high status rarely went in person. Most of the time, they would send either their steward or a relative.
Tian's father was just a minor fifth-rank official, a year or two younger than Fang Heng. In front of the imposing Left Prime Minister, his heart was pounding.
Fang Heng was a little embarrassed, but fortunately, he looked to be no more than thirty-something. On the other hand, Tian's father, who was only thirty-seven or thirty-eight, looked to be over forty. As a result, everyone felt a little more at ease and the awkwardness lessened.
On this day, Fang Heng and Tian Xiang officially met and exchanged a few words. Fang Heng had a good impression of her. Thus, the engagement was formally settled, and the wedding date was set for three months later.
Three months passed quickly.
On this day, the Marquis of Zhongxin's residence was brightly decorated and filled with joy.
Fang Heng officially married Tian Xiang, and people came to offer their congratulations in an endless stream.
At the wedding banquet, several unexpected people showed up.
Firstly, it was the Emperor himself who attended the wedding of his most trusted subordinate, showing great respect. However, he neither bestowed the marriage nor officiated at the ceremony. This way, if Fang Heng were to become dissatisfied with his wife later, he could still divorce her or have her remarried.
After Consort Cheng's instigation to bestow a woman upon Prince Duan, the Emperor became much more clear-headed. He knew that not everyone appreciated his bestowal of marriages. Sometimes, good intentions can backfire. Now, unless both parties request his marriage, he generally won't bestow it, to avoid being disliked and cursed behind his back.
The second person was Zisu, and the third person was Prince Duan.
And the fourth person is Jiang Chun.
Fang Heng wasn't particularly surprised that Prince Duan would come, after all, he had maintained a good relationship with both Zisu and Prince Duan over the years. He would always go to celebrate any happy occasion at Prince Duan's residence.
However, Jiang Chun's arrival surprised him greatly.
After all, Jiang Chun was a complete stranger to him, and had even been his rival in love. However, upon reflection, he couldn't help but feel relieved. His younger sister, Fang Qiong, was very close friends with Jiang Chun's younger sister, Hua'er. Even he himself was a close friend of Jiang Chun's father, Jiang Shichang, despite their age difference.
Zisu and Prince Duan entered the Marquis of Zhongxin's residence at almost the same time.
"Welcome to my wedding, thank you very much!" Fang Heng smiled slightly as he walked towards Zisu and Prince Duan, and then towards Jiang Chun.
Zisu smiled and nodded at him: "Lord Fang, congratulations! I wish you and your bride a long and happy marriage!"
Fang Heng smiled in response: "Thank you, and I wish you happiness and joy forever!"
Prince Duan handed over a large red envelope: "This is a gift from our whole family to you. Please accept it. It's just a small token of our family's appreciation!"
Inside the red envelope was a full three thousand taels of silver. As the heir of the Marquis of Zhongxin's mansion, he was poor. Whether he was a county magistrate, a prefect, the Minister of Personnel, or the Left Chancellor, he was an honest and good official, no different from Yu Zhe, who was always incorruptible.
Therefore, he was actually very poor.
This trip to the Tian family to propose marriage almost used up all of his savings.
Fang Heng accepted the red envelope and felt that it contained several silver notes. He was extremely grateful: "Thank you, Your Highness. I will definitely repay you when I have the opportunity in the future!"
This was a wedding gift, and he couldn't return it. He could return gifts from others, but he knew he had no choice but to accept it from Prince Duan and Zisu. Zisu and Prince Duan were the most genuine people imaginable; if they gave it, it must have come from the bottom of their hearts.
The bride quickly noticed her husband's financial difficulties.
The day after her husband's return visit to his parents' home, she discovered that he was a very poor man. Because of his incorruptibility, he had very little money. Fortunately, the Marquis's household expenses were maintained by the ancestral property of the Marquis of Zhongxin. Several years ago, his son and daughter got married, and he used most of his savings to pay the betrothal gifts to the Tian family, exhausting all his savings.
It is said that Prince Duan gave a dowry of three thousand taels of silver, which is all the husband has left. The rest of the dowry was collected by the steward and is now in his mother's hands.
Sigh, why is this mother-in-law still so unreliable?
I heard that the mother-in-law's dowry was extremely generous. Why didn't she use some of it to help her only son? And what about Marquis Zhongxin? With so many properties in his mansion, why didn't he give his son any? Did he perhaps think that once his son became a high-ranking official, money would just flow in?
Those are corrupt officials, aren't they?!
Tian Xiang couldn't understand her in-laws.
Feeling sorry for her husband, she took out 20,000 taels of silver notes from her savings and handed them to him, saying, "Please accept these notes. Don't embezzle or accept bribes just because you're short of money!" Her husband was so strapped for cash, yet he still gave such a generous dowry to make her proud. Her husband was loyal and devoted to her, and she couldn't be heartless and unfaithful to him.
Fang Heng's face turned as red as a sheet of red cloth, and he hurriedly refused, "I don't want it. How can I, a dignified man, use my wife's dowry money? If word gets out, how can I face anyone?"
Tian Xiang couldn't help but laugh: "No third person will know. As long as you and I don't tell anyone, who will know? Now that we are both fathers, why be so particular? What's yours is mine, and what's mine can be yours. Just accept it! You accepted the silver that Prince Duan gave you, so you have even less reason to hesitate about what I give you!"
At this point, she couldn't help but chuckle playfully, "If you feel guilty, just be nicer to me in the future and don't take a concubine!"
Fang Heng was deeply moved and pulled her into his arms, saying guiltily, "I'm sorry, it's my fault for being incompetent and causing you so much trouble. However, I have three thousand taels of silver on hand. If I encounter difficulties in the future, I'll ask you for help. Don't worry, I have no intention of taking a concubine. I've already married off my two maids who were originally my concubines! In the future, as long as you are sincere to me, I will definitely not let you down!"
"Otherwise, I'll give you five thousand taels first! You're traveling around, and as the Left Prime Minister, you'll always have to socialize. How can you manage without enough money? Don't worry, my parents and elder brother have put all the betrothal gifts you gave me into my dowry, and they've brought them back to the Fang family! Now, my dowry, converted into silver, is at least one hundred thousand taels. As long as we don't squander it, it'll be enough for a lifetime!"
Tian Xiang was adamant and stuffed five thousand taels of silver into Fang Heng's pocket.
Fang Heng's eyes welled up with tears: "Very well, I'll find an opportunity to return the three thousand taels to Prince Duan." Normally, the wedding gift money is only ten or twenty taels. Three thousand taels is far too much.
Originally, he planned to repay Prince Duan after inheriting the Zhongxin Marquis's estate. Now that his wife had given him money, he figured he should return it to Prince Duan as soon as possible. It's hard to feel guilty about owing someone favors or money. Although, both Prince Duan and Zisu were sincere.
Tian Xiang: "That's right, you're right to think that way. However, when returning the money, you need to be careful about your tone and attitude. Prince Duan and Princess Yulin are both very kind people. They mean well, and if you don't pay attention to your manner and attitude, you might hurt their feelings, which would be bad!"
Fang Heng: "I know, I will be careful. Besides, Prince Duan and Princess Yulin are both very kind people, they won't hold it against me."
Tian Xiang: "I heard that my aunt has a very good relationship with Princess Yulin?"
Fang Heng: "Yes, we're as close as sisters."
Tian Xiang: "I'm so envious of my aunt, she can become good friends with such a wonderful person!"
Fang Heng: "Princess Yulin is a very good person. Perhaps you can become friends after you get to know each other better." At this point, he couldn't help but add: "Princess Yulin and I almost got engaged. Many people know this. Do you mind?"
Tian Xiang: "I know about this. I've known about it since I was very young. Back then, I felt really sorry for you! Don't worry, I won't overthink it. I also know that Princess Yulin is your savior. You two are just friends now, and I can completely understand that."
Fang Heng: "I'm glad you don't mind. Actually, Princess Yulin and I have never met alone. Besides, I have a very good relationship with Prince Duan. If there were something between Princess Yulin and me, how could Prince Duan treat me like a friend?"
Tian Xiang: "You don't need to explain, I understand. Both Princess Yulin and Prince Duan are people of high moral character. You are also a person of high moral character, otherwise, why would I have agreed to marry you? Before agreeing to marry you, I had thought these questions very clearly." She didn't mind, nor did she have the right to mind. Because she knew that Princess Yulin was an extraordinary woman, and also a woman of great self-respect and self-love.
Fang Heng found an opportunity to return the money to Prince Duan.
Prince Duan didn't say anything, just smiled faintly and accepted it calmly.