I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 257 Trouble

On September 23, a banquet was held at the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence, and the ladies and gentlemen of noble families who had received invitations attended one after another.

It wasn't just because Princess Xuan was invited to attend, but also because the Marquis of Zhongyong was reinstated, which shows that Jian was favored by the Emperor.

Even if you can't befriend such a family, you should never become enemies with them.

Zhao, having shaken off her former dejected and gloomy demeanor, dressed elegantly and stood in the flower hall to greet the distinguished guests.

The young ladies of the Bai clan surrounded Bai Rouyin, entertaining the young ladies and ladies who came to the banquet.

The Marquis of Zhongyong's residence was bustling with activity, while the atmosphere in the Prince Xuan's villa was quite the opposite.

Consort Han asked in disbelief, "Your Highness, what did you say? You want An'er to marry Bai Rouyin?"

King Xuan turned his head away to avoid Consort Han's gaze.

“An’er has long since completed his mourning period. Now, apart from his two youngest daughters and An’er, all his other children are married.”

King Xuan sighed as he spoke, "Now that the Queen and Consort Qin are both looking for partners, only An'er is left without anyone to take care of her. I really feel bad about it."

"No one cares about An'er?" Consort Han sneered. "Didn't I, as her mother, choose a good marriage for An'er? An'er doesn't want to remarry, and I begged Your Highness to persuade her, but Your Highness just let it go!"

"Is it that no one cares about An'er, or that no father cares about her?"

King Xuan was in the wrong, and though he wanted to say something, he kept quiet and waited for Consort Han to calm down.

How could Consort Han remain calm? Her eldest son, her most proud son, was going to marry that slut Bai Rouyin. What mother could accept that?
Moreover, who knows if Bai Rouyin still has feelings for Gu Ci? Even if she doesn't, it won't work!
Back then, Bai Rouyin's infatuation with Gu Ci was famous throughout the Northwest. An'er marrying Bai Rouyin was no different from directly putting a green hat on his head.
An'er isn't Yang Zhui, who would kneel and fawn over Bai Rouyin just to get the Yue family's support!

"I disagree, I absolutely disagree!" Consort Han looked at Prince Xuan firmly and said, "If Your Highness wants An'er to marry Bai Rouyin, you should strangle me first!"

"What are you saying!" King Xuan knew perfectly well that he was unwilling, but Bai Wei used the debt of saving his life to blackmail him into marrying his daughter to Gu An.

He could repay the life-saving grace in other ways, but the problem was that Bai Wei had already written a memorial and sent it to Luoyang, requesting the emperor to grant him a marriage!
Given Emperor Pingyuan's nature, he would definitely agree to this marriage!
King Xuan was afraid that when the imperial decree of marriage arrived, Consort Han would not be able to withstand the blow and would resist the decree, so he informed her in advance in a roundabout way.

Sure enough, just as the banquet at the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence was about to end, the imperial decree bestowing the marriage arrived at both the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence and the Prince of Xuan's residence.

Consort Han fainted immediately after hearing the imperial edict.

Tang Zhao sighed, thinking that Emperor Pingyuan was far more cunning than his father; a single arranged marriage was enough to disrupt the peace of the Prince Xuan's residence.

Along with the imperial decree of marriage, there was also an imperial physician, who was said to be there specifically to treat the Duke of Wei.

After more than two months of recuperation, Tang Zheng's back injury has improved considerably, and he can walk on the ground, but he is still far from being able to mount a horse and fight.

Emperor Pingyuan was extremely anxious in Luoyang, so he sent the imperial physicians to treat him.

After examining the dregs, the imperial physician confirmed that they were excellent bone-healing medicine, but he didn't know why so much Coptis chinensis and gallbladder had to be added.

Tang Zhao explained, "It's to relieve the heat. After my father injured his back, he felt ashamed of failing His Majesty's high regard for him, and he also resented his own body for being a burden. He was inflamed every day, and a large circle of blisters appeared in his mouth. I had no choice but to ask the doctor to add Coptis chinensis to my father's medicine."

"I see," the imperial physician said, "but there's no need for so much Coptis chinensis. Half the amount should be enough for me."

Tang Zhao nodded repeatedly.

In the detached courtyard of Prince Xuan's mansion, Consort Han drank two large bowls of bitter herbs, yet still felt her heart fire burning intensely.

The maidservant advised, "Consort, you can't keep your anger inside, it will make you sick." Yes, anger shouldn't be bottled up; it has to be released!
Consort Han ordered, "Prepare a carriage for me; I'm leaving the manor!"

When Princess Xuan received news that Consort Han had left the residence, she nodded indifferently and did not stop her.

“Your Highness, judging from the direction the carriage went, it’s heading towards the Marquis of Zhongyong’s residence,” said Granny Meng. “Once Consort Han goes there, she’s bound to cause a huge scene. Are you really not going to stop her?”

"How can I stop her? You know what kind of person Consort Han is. Even if I stop her today, what about tomorrow? What about the day after? She has no legs, what can I do?"

"It's also the Marquis of Zhongyong's family that acted unfairly. How could they choose Gu An out of all the men in the Northwest?"

That's absolutely disgusting!
Princess Xuan put herself in Consort Han's shoes and felt that it was only natural for Consort Han to cause a scene at the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence.

Consort Han arrived at the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence in a carriage, her imposing manner prompting her to rush directly to the backyard without waiting for the gatekeeper to report.

Where is your master?

The maidservant timidly pointed in the direction.

Consort Han followed the trail and, sure enough, found the Marquis of Zhongyong and his family of three enjoying a happy dinner.

Consort Han felt an even greater tightness in her chest. She lifted her skirt and strode into the room, saying resentfully, "The Marquis and his wife are certainly in high spirits!"

When Marquis Zhongyong and Lady Zhao saw the uninvited and furious Consort Han, they wanted to kick her out, but they were afraid that if they offended her now, their daughter would have a hard time after marriage, so they had no choice but to swallow their anger for the time being.

"Our in-laws have arrived, please have a seat."

Consort Han spat, "Who's your in-law? Let me tell you, my son will absolutely never marry your daughter!"

Zhao gritted her teeth, "Do you dare disobey the imperial decree?"

The mere mention of this matter filled Consort Han with hatred. The Marquis of Zhongyong's move to undermine the Xuan Prince's mansion had truly struck at its weakest point.

Would the Prince Xuan's residence dare to defy the imperial decree?
dare not!

"Zhao, is your daughter unable to get married, or are all the men in the world dead except for the Gu family? Why does she insist on marrying into the Gu family?"

"Gu Ci can't marry him, so she wants to marry my son? Do you think my son is a garbage collector?"

"Let me tell you, my son is a true man of integrity. He earned his current official position and military achievements on his own. He is not like that useless Yang Zhui, who had to rely on his wife's family for a bright future!"

"You think you can harm my son? No way!" Consort Han's eyes widened. "I'll go back and write to the Empress Dowager, asking her to stand up for our An'er!"

The smiles of the Marquis of Zhongyong and Lady Zhao could not be maintained when Consort Han belittled Bai Rouyin, and their faces turned cold after Consort Han finished speaking.

Marquis Zhongyong said in a deep voice, "If the concubine wants to write a letter, then let her write it and see if she can persuade His Majesty to retract his order!"

Madam Zhao went even further, tearing off the pretense of civility, "Consort Han, I call you in-law, do you really think you're related to the Marquis of Zhongyong's family by marriage?"

"Don't forget, you're nothing but a concubine. You're not even worthy of hearing Rouyin call you 'Mother'!"

"When Rouyin serves tea in the future, it will be for Princess Xuan, and it will have nothing to do with you, a mere concubine!"

"We're only giving you face because you're Gu An's biological mother, so don't push your luck!"