Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 163 Pinlan's Wedding, Sun Zhigao and the Widow

In mid-July of the third year of the Hongwu reign, cicadas chirped incessantly.

Hai Chaoyun gave birth to a daughter, whom Sheng Changbai personally named Sheng Yuanhui, with the nickname Huijie'er.

With both a son and a daughter, the Sheng family was filled with joy.

During the full moon celebration, many mistresses of noble families would personally visit to deliver congratulatory gifts, and their words even implied a desire to arrange a marriage between their grandchildren.

However, Sheng Hong and Sheng Changbai had already spoken to Wang Ruofu, and Hui Jie'er's marriage could not be settled now, no matter who brought it up!

His father was the emperor's brother-in-law, handsome and with a bright future ahead of him.

Her mother came from the prestigious Hai family of Jiangning. She was gentle, dignified, well-educated, and reasonable. Her aunt was the Empress, a model of virtue for the nation.

With such a family background, they were already among the top in the Bianjing aristocratic circle, and they would have no trouble finding a good family to marry into in the future.

After understanding the implications, Wang Ruofu naturally dared not make a decision on his own.

Today's morning court session has ended.

Zhao Han had planned to go to the Wenhua Hall to review memorials, but just then, Shulan sent her maid Yue'e to invite him over.

Inside Yanfu Palace, a wisp of smoke slowly rose from the incense burner.

Although Shulan came from a merchant family, under the tutelage of Madam Li, she was well-read, had a simple and unpretentious nature, disliked extravagance, and her surroundings were decorated in a simple and elegant manner, with a faint fragrance of ink lingering around her.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"

"This humble woman greets Your Majesty!"

Shulan was dressed in a lotus-colored brocade dress, her beautiful face lightly powdered, and her figure, now that she was a mother, was even more plump and delicate.

Pinlan, standing beside her, had curved eyebrows and a pair of shallow dimples at the corners of her mouth.

"No need for formalities." Zhao Han took Shulan's hand and sat down on the soft couch together. Then he turned his gaze to Pinlan.

"After not seeing you for many days, the Fourth Miss has grown into an even more graceful young lady."

Since moving to the capital, Pinlan's horizons have broadened, and her demeanor has changed dramatically compared to when she was in Youyang. She is now dignified but also lively and spirited.

As the second legitimate daughter of the Rongchang Earl's family, families eager to marry her had already formed a long line in the capital.

Pinlan smiled and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. It is all thanks to Your Majesty and my sister that I am where I am today."

"Today, I have come to the palace for two reasons: first, to visit my elder sister, and second, to bring some novel trinkets from outside the palace to make her happy."

Zhao Han picked up the teacup on the table and said with a smile, "You're such a thoughtful aunt."

"That's right, Ling'er's eyebrows and eyes are very similar to Second Sister's, I like her at first sight!"

"This humble woman would like to visit Consort Zhaorong later, and hopes Your Majesty will grant her permission." Pinlan smiled broadly, her eyes clear and sincere.

Zhao Han knew that she and Minglan were compatible in temperament.

While in Youyang, they often went hunting in the mountains, fishing in the river, and even climbing trees to steal bird nests, for which they were often scolded by Li.

He smiled and nodded, then said, "When I entered the hall just now, I vaguely heard you mention the Sun family."

"Is it the family with whom you had a verbal engagement before, Shu'er?"

Shulan gave a soft "hmm," knowing she wouldn't dare hide such a thing from Zhao Han.

She revealed everything when she entered the household as a concubine; if someone else were to say it later, it would mean something completely different.

Pinlan shook her head and said with a sneer, "Your Majesty is unaware that Sun Zhigao has repeatedly failed the imperial examinations and has not made any progress whatsoever."

"During the time I was in mourning in Youyang, I learned that he had married a widow in the west of the city who had been widowed for many years."

"I heard that the widow is ugly and fierce by nature. She takes advantage of her more than ten acres of fertile land and a two-courtyard house to treat Sun Zhigao with no respect whatsoever."

“If he dares to slack off or go to brothels, the widow will pick up a stick and beat him without any mercy.”

She felt more and more satisfied as she spoke, and then snorted, "But he deserved it!"

"I spend my days idly at home and am disliked in Youyang, so I have to put up with it."

Zhao Han listened to her words and sighed softly.

A child prodigy who passed the imperial examination at the age of twelve was indeed a potential prime minister.

It's truly lamentable that they've fallen to this state.

However, given the personalities of the Sun family mother and son, even without the fortune teller and the Sheng family's assistance, they might not have been able to pass the imperial examinations and become officials.

Shulan glanced at Pinlan, pursed her lips, and then stood up and said, "Your Majesty, the reason I invited you here today is actually for the sake of my fourth sister's marriage."

Seeing this, Pinlan quickly gathered her thoughts and stood up from the soft stool, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment.

"Oh? Which young man has Fourth Miss taken a fancy to?" Zhao Han raised an eyebrow, looking at them with great interest.

"I've been busy taking care of Ling'er and haven't had a chance to look for a suitable match for her yet."

"It was a few days ago when Princess Pingning hosted a banquet. Pinlan went with her mother and happened to meet General Zheng, the second son of Marquis Zhongjing."

"My mother said that when the two of them greeted each other, they both looked shy."

"After returning home, her mother pressed Pinlan for details and learned that the two had known each other since the Liang family polo match last year."

As Shulan spoke, Pinlan unconsciously lowered her eyes.

He whispered, "Although I've known him for a long time, I've never crossed any lines, and we've only exchanged letters a few times."

Zhao Han secretly weighed the situation in his mind. Sheng Wei's title of Earl of Rongchang was just a nominal one, with no real power.

Although Sheng Changwu was honest and reliable, his abilities were ultimately limited, and he was firmly under the command of several capable generals, including Gu Tingye, Wei Ling, and Zhang Zheng, the eldest son of Zhang Fu.

In the future, he will be appointed as a fourth-rank deputy commander in the Imperial Guard Cavalry, which will be sufficient for him.

Meanwhile, Zheng Jun, the eldest son of Marquis Zhongjing, had been stationed at Yanmen Pass for many years and held real power.

His wife, Meng, came from a distinguished family. Among her ancestors were those who were honored in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and her uncles were also enshrined in the Temple of Loyal Martyrs.

The women in the clan were also of both talent and virtue; the Meng clan alone accounted for 10% of the chastity arches erected in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Lady Zhongjing was frail and sickly, and was bedridden for most of the year.

As soon as Meng entered the house, she began to take care of household affairs and looked after her young uncle Zheng Xiao with utmost care.

She took care of everything from clothing, food, housing, and transportation to her studies and martial arts, and had long been known as a virtuous woman in the capital.

Zheng Xiaoyi himself is exceptionally capable. If he were to marry a noblewoman from a powerful family, the Zheng family would inevitably become too prominent in the court.

In this way, Pinlan is indeed a good match, with a respectable family background and a cheerful and insightful personality.

Zhao Han put down her teacup and looked at them with a smile.

"Since you two are already in love, I will summon Zheng Xiao to the palace tomorrow and personally bestow a marriage upon you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Pinlan immediately curtsied.

Some people in the capital had been gossiping behind her back about her merchant family background, and she knew that her family's current status was only due to Shulan.

With Zhao Han's imperial decree bestowing the marriage upon them, it was as if the marriage had been gilded.

Even if some people in the capital thought she was marrying above her station with the Zheng family, they would never dare to say such a thing out loud.

On the surface, they must respectfully call it a match made in heaven.

Shulan looked at Zhao Han with eyes full of gratitude. She had already inquired in detail about the character of Zheng Xiao and everyone in the Zhongjing Marquis's mansion.

Lady Zhongjing was the most kind and gentle, and so was Madam Meng.

Pinlan had no reason to suffer any grievances after marrying into the family.

The next day, in Gonghou Lane, the main gate of the Marquis of Zhongjing's mansion was wide open, and everyone inside was dressed in formal attire.

Inside the main hall, the head eunuch, holding the imperial edict, announced loudly, "The Marquis of Zhongjing's residence receives the imperial decree—"

The emperor decreed: "When Heaven and Earth are in harmony, all things flourish; when the ruler and his ministers are of one mind, the world is at peace."

Zheng Xiao, the second son of Marquis Zhongjing, was loyal and virtuous, and made outstanding contributions to the court. His wife, Sheng, the second daughter of the Marquis of Rongchang, was gentle, virtuous, and a good wife and mother.

The two were of similar age and had similar appearances; they were truly a match made in heaven.

I am very pleased and hereby bestow this marriage upon you to show my imperial favor.

May you forever be of one heart and mind, respect and love each other, uphold human ethics, jointly inherit the family business, be righteous as husband and obedient as wife, and continue the ancestral rites.

Qin Zai. "

Marquis Zhongjing raised both hands and respectfully accepted the imperial edict. “On behalf of my son Zheng Xiao, this old minister thanks Your Majesty for your great favor. The entire household is grateful for Your Majesty’s compassion!”

Zheng Xiao's ears turned slightly red. Zhao Han's personal bestowal of the marriage was a great honor for both him and Pinlan.

In his view, Pinlan was lively and agile, unpretentious, and did not put on airs as the legitimate daughter of an earl's family.

She was quite different from the girls from ordinary official families in the capital.

After the eunuch left, Lady Zhongjing, supported by a maid, sat down on a sandalwood armchair.

"Being able to witness Xiao'er's success and marriage is enough for me in this life."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Xiao quickly cupped his hands and said, "Mother, please don't say such things. I hope you will see the addition of new members to our family and grandchildren around you in the future."

Lady Zhongjing nodded with a smile, her heart filled with emotion.

Although the Rongchang Marquis's family was not as powerful or influential as the Zheng family, it was a true cousin of the Sheng family, and Consort Shu had given birth to an imperial heir for the Emperor.

More importantly, Zheng Xiao himself was very satisfied with this marriage.

Marquis Zhongjing stroked his white beard and said in a deep voice, "With the Emperor bestowing a marriage upon us, we must hurry up and prepare the betrothal gifts to send to the Rongchang Earl's residence so that we can set the wedding date as soon as possible."

"Thank you for your help, Father and Mother." Zheng Xiao bowed respectfully.

-

As the year draws to a close.

Wei Ling has already married Yu Yanrong, the only daughter of the fourth branch of the Yu family, while Zheng Xiao and Pinlan's wedding date is set for the spring of next year.

After returning to Beijing and resting for a few days, Xu Pingyuan took a boat to Nanjing three days ago.

The matter of each household in Gyeonggi Province paying back land taxes has been almost settled, totaling 60 million taels of silver.

Families like the fourth and fifth branches of the Gu family, who couldn't afford to pay the outstanding fees, had no choice but to sell their houses and land, which was better than having their property confiscated and being exiled by the Imperial City Guard.

Imperial Palace, Wenhua Hall.

After Gu Tingye, Wang Anshi, Gu Qianfan, Shi Tou, and others brushed the snow off their cloaks outside the hall, they lifted the heavy curtain and stepped into the hall.

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"

Zhao Han put down the memorial in his hand, looked up at them, and waved his hand, "No need for formalities."

Wang Anshi has been promoted from Hanlin Academician to Councilor of State Affairs, holding the rank of second grade official, for his meritorious service in surveying and measuring land.

"The land survey in the capital region has yielded fruitful results. I plan to continue the land survey after the new year, starting with the Liangzhe region and the two eastern and western regions of Jiangnan."

Wang Anshi was the first to cup his hands and say, "Your Majesty is wise. Your subject is willing to accept the order and personally oversee this matter!"

"The situation in the Jiangnan region is complex, with powerful families and clans deeply rooted in the region. Moreover, the emperor is far away, so conducting a thorough investigation will be much more difficult than in the capital region."

"You should make more preparations for your trip."

After saying that, Zhao Han turned her gaze to the stone.

After understanding, Shi Tou looked solemn and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, rest assured, my brother and the brothers of the Canal Gang will do everything in their power to help you."

With a smile on his face, Gu Tingye continued, "In the Jiangnan region, there is no news that the Canal Gang cannot obtain. With the Imperial City Guard also here, Your Majesty can rest assured."

Currently, the people in the fourth and fifth houses have nowhere to live, and having been used to a life of luxury, they are simply unwilling to lower themselves to work in street shops to earn some money.

It was only because the old lady couldn't bear to see them like this that she found a long-abandoned house in the suburbs for them to stay in temporarily.

Even though Aunt Gu's fourth and fifth aunts wanted to go back to their parents' home, their parents' home was now entirely managed by their elder brother and sister-in-law, so why would they want to add another idle burden?

Moreover, they were also afraid of offending Gu Tingye, so they all claimed to be sick and stayed at home.

Seeing the man who used to be so domineering in the Marquis's mansion and repeatedly mistreat her and her mother fall into such a state.

Gu Tingye had been feeling incredibly happy these past few days, and he couldn't help but laugh whenever he spoke.

Zhao Han nodded in satisfaction. "If this matter is handled smoothly, I will reward the entire Canal Transport Gang handsomely."

"I will write a letter to my elder brother as soon as I get back!" Shi Tou bowed respectfully.

Then, Zhao Han turned to look at Gu Qianfan, who was wearing a dark green official robe, with an upright posture and a calm expression.

Now, his reputation as a living Yama is known to everyone in Bianjing.

"The current prefect of Suzhou is named Xiao Qinyan."

"Gu Qianfan, if I were to assign you to oversee this matter alongside Minister Wang, would you be capable of handling such an important task?"

"Upon successfully completing the land surveys in Jiangnan, upon returning to the capital, you will be appointed as the Deputy Envoy of the Imperial City Guard."

Upon hearing this, Gu Qianfan's heart trembled, and he clenched his fists tightly beneath his wide sleeves.

He wasn't surprised that Zhao Han knew about his background.

In his view, since he had given up the path of nobility and insisted on entering the Imperial City Guard, how could Zhao Han not have someone investigate him?

Since entering the Imperial City Guard, he has been openly and secretly searching for evidence of Xiao Qinyan's corruption and abuse of power, and now he has made some progress.

He also knew that with Xiao Qinyan's qualifications, once he was transferred back to the capital, he would definitely be appointed to an important position in one of the Six Ministries. With the support of influential people, he might even be able to join the ranks of councilors.

By then, it will be even more difficult for me to bring him down and avenge my mother.

The evidence collected so far could be easily erased by him.

Therefore, Gu Qianfan bowed deeply, his expression more solemn than ever before, "I have never acted with favoritism or abuse of power, and I am capable of shouldering this heavy responsibility!"

"Okay!" Zhao Han raised her hand and patted his shoulder.

As they left the Wenhua Hall, a gust of cold wind swept in. Gu Tingye pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders and looked at Gu Qianfan with curiosity in his eyes.

"Why did Your Majesty mention the Prefect of Suzhou just now? Do you know him?"

Gu Qianfan straightened his back and walked steadily toward the palace gate.

After a long silence, he suddenly said, "Xiao Qinyan is my biological father."

"What? What did you say?"

Gu Tingye stumbled in surprise, his face full of shock. He only knew that Gu Shuniang had returned home after a divorce.

After tugging at Gu Qianfan's sleeve and thinking for a while, he suddenly realized, "No wonder you rarely showed your face in public when you were young. It turns out it wasn't just because your grandfather was too strict."

“My grandfather was doing it for my own good.”

Gu Qianfan sighed softly, and then told Gu Tingye all about her grievances with Xiao Qinyan.

Gu Tingye was increasingly shocked as he listened, feeling that Xiao Qinyan was even more outrageous than his own father.

(End of this chapter)