Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 458 I disagree with this marriage!

Early August marks the beginning of autumn.

As autumn begins, grains ripen, yang energy gradually recedes, and yin energy gradually increases.

The Tang Dynasty had two solar term holidays every month, plus three days of public holidays, for a total of at least five days off. With the addition of various festivals, one could get about ten days off a month if they were lucky.

During holidays, Wu Minzhi would get up late every day.

He has now left the Wu family mansion and lives in a separate residence. The three-courtyard house was a gift from Wu Meiniang, and he lives there comfortably all by himself.

Although it is the beginning of autumn, the weather is still scorching hot.

Around mid-morning, the scorching sunlight streamed in through the window, hitting Wu Minzhi's face and making her feel a burning sensation.

In a daze, Wu Minzhi turned to her side, preparing to continue sleeping, when suddenly the door was pushed open. A person rushed into the room, threw himself on the bedside, and sobbed.

Wu Minzhi suddenly woke up, sat up, and looked down to see that the person who came was his sister, Helan Minrou.

"Sister, what's wrong?" Wu Minzhi touched her forehead, still looking a little confused.

Helan Minrou just cried and didn't say anything.

Wu Minzhi gently patted her shoulder, wanting to get up to comfort his sister, but he was only wearing a pair of trousers underneath, making it inconvenient for him to get up.

Fortunately, Helan Minrou cried for a while, and her crying finally subsided.

Wu Minzhi hurriedly asked, "Little sister, what happened? Who bullied you? Your brother will stand up for you!"

Helan Minrou sobbed, "Brother, Mother wants to marry me off to the Xue family."

Wu Minzhi was taken aback: "Does it mean you're to marry Xue Ne?"

He Lanminrou nodded her chin with a wronged expression.

Wu Minzhi knew that her mother liked to curry favor with the powerful. Now that Xue Rengui was at the height of his power and had a very high reputation in Chang'an, it was not surprising that she would marry her younger sister to the Xue family.

"Did your aunt agree?" He was more concerned with another question.

"Mother... Mother said... She has already spoken to Aunt Empress, and Aunt Empress did not object." Helan Minrou started crying again.

Wu Minzhi thought to herself, "Xue Ne is on good terms with the Crown Prince. My aunt probably wants to use Minrou to further solidify this relationship."

Seeing that he didn't speak, Helan Minrou raised her red and swollen eyes and looked at him: "Brother, why aren't you saying anything? Don't you care about Rou'er anymore?"

Wu Minzhi said in a deep voice, "Since you are unwilling to marry, I will definitely not let you suffer any injustice. You go out and wait, I will get dressed and go to the Wu residence to find my mother and explain this matter to her. As for my aunt, just leave it to me!"

As if she had found her pillar of support, Helan Minrou gave a strong "hmm," wiped away her tears, and left the room.

Wu Minzhi quickly dressed, not even bothering to eat breakfast, and headed straight for the Wu residence with Helan Minrou in tow.

Walking on Pingkangfang Street, where the Wu family mansion is located, I noticed many young men carrying schoolbags on their backs. They were all members of the Wu family and were heading towards the Wu family mansion.

Many people greeted the brother and sister.

Wu Minzhi asked curiously, "What are they going there for?"

He Lanminrou said, "My aunt recently gave an order to open a private school in the old mansion. She invited three renowned teachers to sit in the classroom. All the children of the Wu family can study for free, and there is also free tea and snacks. Therefore, all the relatives have sent their children here."

The Wu Mansion has been expanded several times, covering a vast area, and is divided into the new mansion area and the old mansion area.

The old government district is basically abandoned and uninhabited. It wouldn't be bad to use it as a private school to teach the clansmen.

Wu Minzhi has made great progress and can no longer stand seeing his clansmen neglecting their duties, so he nodded in agreement.

Before long, they entered the mansion gate and arrived at the third courtyard.

Wu Shun attended a tea party for high-society ladies last night and came home late. It's already this late, and he's still fast asleep.

Wu Minzhi and his sister announced the news from outside the door.

When Wu Shun heard that his son had returned, he was initially happy, but when he heard that his daughter had also come, he immediately sensed something was wrong, knowing that Helan Minrou had complained to his son.

She got dressed, let her son and daughter into the house, and said with a smile, "Minzhi, what brings you back today?"

Wu Minzhi snorted and said, "Mother, why didn't you discuss Rou'er's wedding with me before making the decision on your own?"

When Wu Shun saw that his son had indeed come to interrogate him, he glared at Helan Minrou and said to Wu Minzhi with a forced smile, "This is not my fault. It was your aunt who made the decision. What could I do?"

Wu Minzhi snorted, "Then I'll go to the palace immediately and ask my aunt for clarification!"

He turned to leave.

Wu Shun quickly stopped him and laughed, "You silly child, you don't even believe what I say anymore. This matter was discussed by your aunt and me. General Xue's son has inherited his father's martial arts and strategy, and he is on good terms with His Highness the Crown Prince. He has a bright future ahead of him. What's wrong with your sister marrying him?"

Wu Minzhi rolled her eyes and said, "No matter how good it is, Rou'er has to like it first. Aren't you going to ask for her opinion?"

Wu Shun glanced at Helan Minrou and said calmly, "Rou'er, do you have any complaints about this marriage that your mother arranged for you?"

Helan Minrou lowered her head, not daring to argue with her mother.

Wu Minzhi glared and said, "Rou'er just ran to me crying and complaining. Of course she's not satisfied. In short, I don't agree to this marriage!"

Wu Shun said angrily, "You child, your aunt and I arranged this for her own good. You're young and inexperienced; you don't understand what's most important to a woman!" Wu Minzhi shouted, "I don't care! I promised Rou'er I wouldn't let her suffer. With Father gone, Rou'er's marriage is my decision. Even if this matter goes to His Majesty, it's still my right!"

Wu Shun was both angry and anxious. Unable to do anything about her son, she could only vent her anger on her daughter.

"You silly girl, how can you be so insensible? Do you know how much I've worried about your marriage and how I finally found you such a wonderful husband? And you went to your brother to complain? Are you trying to drive me crazy?"

Helan Minrou lowered her head even further, tears streaming down her face. How could she dare to utter a single word in reply?
Wu Minzhi stepped forward, blocking Helan Minrou's path, and sneered, "Mother, if you scold Rou'er again, I'll take her to my place."

Wu Shun sighed, "I must have done something terrible in my past life to give birth to such a little tyrant like you. Fine, I can compromise on your sister's marriage, but you must get married as soon as possible. You've been married for over a year now, it's time to get married."

Wu Minzhi hesitated.

Wu Shun snorted, "If you don't agree, I'll make a scene at your aunt's place, and then things might not go your way!"

Wu Minzhi waved his hand and said, "Alright, I agree."

Wu Shun was overjoyed and said, "Your maternal grandmother and I have already discussed and decided on the candidate. It will be the eighth daughter of the Yang family of Hongnong. She is a very gentle woman. Rong Zhi is also beautiful, and you have met him a few times!"

The Hongnong Yang clan was the family of Lady Yang, a member of the former Sui imperial family.

Wu Minzhi waved his hand and said, "You can decide for yourselves, there's no need to ask me." He took Helan Minrou's hand, turned around, and strode away.

After leaving the house, Helan Minrou began to sob softly again.

Wu Minzhi laughed and said, "The problem has been solved, so why are you still crying?"

Helan Minrou choked back tears, saying, "My brother is sacrificing his own marriage to help me. If I had known this would happen, I would have preferred to marry Xue Ne..."

Wu Minzhi laughed and said, "You don't need to worry about me. I'm already twenty-one years old and will have to get married sooner or later. Anyway, I don't have anyone I like, so I'll just marry anyone. Besides, I've met that Yang woman before, and she's quite a beauty. It wouldn't hurt to take her into my household."

Helan Minrou looked up at him and asked, "Is that really what you think, brother?"

Wu Minzhi sighed, "My maternal grandmother was so good to me. I had already decided to marry Yang Shi to make her happy. My previous refusal was just because I wanted to play around for another two years."

Seeing his expression, Helan Minrou knew he wasn't lying, and felt much better.

After having breakfast at the Wu residence, the two went to pay their respects to Madam Yang and chatted with her for a while.

After lunch, Madam Yang went to rest.

Wu Minzhi was preparing to return to his residence when Helan Minrou saw him off at the door. However, she refused to go back and followed Wu Minzhi all the way.

"Rou'er, you should go back now, don't see me off."

He Lanmin asked, "Brother, what do you want to do this afternoon?"

Wu Minzhi said, "Of course, I'm going to visit my friends."

Helan Minrou smiled and asked, "Are you going to find that young Prince Wu?"

Wu Minzhi laughed and said, "That's right, I haven't seen him for a few days. Let's talk to him, play some chess, and have a drink."

"Then I'll go too."

Wu Minzhi chuckled and said, "What are you going to do? You definitely won't be interested in what we're talking about."

Helan Minrou lowered her head and thought for a while, then whispered, "Brother, if I... were to marry the King of Wu, would you be happy?"

Wu Minzhi asked in surprise, "Do you like him?"

Helan Minrou blushed slightly and said, "I wouldn't say I like him. I've only heard Princess Gao'an mention some things about him. I feel that he is a pitiful person, and he is also very similar to my brother."

Wu Minzhi asked curiously, "Does he look a lot like me?"

“Yes, you are both very gentle and considerate. Since you’re going to marry someone anyway, why not marry him?” He Lan Minrou was referring to the gentleness and consideration that both of them doted on their younger sister.

Wu Minzhi laughed and said, "Silly girl, if you want to marry someone, you should at least ask if they agree to it first, right?"

He Lanminrou's face turned even redder, and she twisted her small hands together, whispering, "Does he have someone he likes?"

“No, not at all.” Wu Minzhi rubbed his chin and said, “But I did mention you to him, and he didn’t seem to have any particular reaction.”

Upon hearing this, Helan Minrou's eyebrows arched slightly. Although she was gentle by nature, she also had a proud and arrogant side.

The scions of noble families in Chang'an hailed her as the most beautiful woman. Every young man who saw her would try his best to please her. Even Wu Zetian praised her appearance.

Therefore, she was very confident in herself. Originally, she wanted to marry Li Ji only because he had a good relationship with her brother and she didn't dislike him too much.

Hearing Wu Minzhi say this, he felt a bit unconvinced and thought to himself, "I'll see that little Wu King a few more times and smile at him. I don't believe he'll be so blind."

She was rather shy and wouldn't reveal her true feelings, so she smiled and said, "If that's the case, then forget it. But I've heard that the King of Wu has several younger sisters, and I'd like to get closer to them as well."

Wu Minzhi nodded and said, "Brother Li's sisters have all suffered and are pitiful. It would be good for you to go and talk to them."

The two immediately headed towards the Wu King's residence.

……

(End of this chapter)