Chapter 148: The Yun Family's Backup Plan
Aside from Xie Shi'an attending the Imperial College, another major event in the Xie family was Xie Ping's wedding.
Over two months ago, the Emperor had issued a decree betrothing Xie Ping to the Anjing Prince. The wedding was set for September, and the date was fast approaching.
After so many unfortunate incidents in the Xie family recently, they were counting on this grand wedding to restore their prestige and pride. Therefore, both Xie Zhongcheng and Yuan Shi were paying extra attention to the arrangements.
While Yun Chu was busy, a servant from Xie Zhongcheng's side delivered a guest list he had personally drafted to Sheng Residence.
Yun Chu took the list and glanced at it, her brow immediately furrowing.
Not only had Xie Zhongcheng included her father's name on the list, but he had also boldly listed over a dozen military officers of the second, third, and fourth ranks who served under her father.
She picked up a brush and crossed out all those names.
The servant hesitated, not daring to speak, then took the amended list back. Shortly after, Xie Zhongcheng and Yuan Shi arrived together.
"Chu'er," Yuan Shi got straight to the point, "Why did you cross out all these guests' names?"
Yun Chu looked up: "These people have no connection with the Xie family. How could you and Father-in-law consider inviting them to the wedding banquet?"
Xie Zhongcheng looked completely justified: "These military officers are all friends of your father, General Yun. Since your father is attending the Xie family wedding, these people can come along to drink with him, so he won't find it boring staying with our family."
Yun Chu's lips twitched.
Her father-in-law was quite clever at finding ways to boost the Xie family's prestige and save face.
She said calmly: "My father is leaving the capital tomorrow and won't be attending the wedding banquet. Father-in-law needn't worry about this."
"Leaving tomorrow?" Xie Zhongcheng looked astonished. "Ping Jie'er's wedding is in just a few days. As her maternal grandfather, couldn't he wait a few more days to attend his granddaughter's wedding banquet before leaving?"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Shi sharply tugged at her husband's sleeve.
Ping Jie'er wasn't actually Chu'er's biological daughter and shared no blood relation with the Yun family. Why should General Yun extend his stay in the capital for a granddaughter who wasn't related by blood?
When they didn't know Ping Jie'er was born of Concubine He, it was understandable that Yun Chu had given her genuine affection.
But now...
The three children born of He Shi—
What Wei Ge'er had done was known throughout the capital.
An Ge'er... actually placed a flower that could cause infertility in his own father's room.
Ping Jie'er... who knew what she might do in the future.
He Shi's children were each more frightening than the last. If she were in Yun Chu's position, she wouldn't dare continue raising these children either.
"Chu'er, what your father-in-law means is that since your father has returned to the capital with difficulty, we hope the Xie and Yun families can interact more," Yuan Shi said with a smile to smooth things over. "Your father must have official business requiring him to leave the capital. When is he departing? I'll have Jingyu accompany you to see him off."
Yun Chu replied: "My husband isn't feeling well, he shouldn't go. I'll see him off alone, it's fine. My father won't mind."
Yuan Shi could only sigh: "Very well then."
After leaving Yun Chu's courtyard, Xie Zhongcheng stormed off in a huff. Yuan Shi continued sighing as she went to Xie Ping's courtyard.
Xie Ping had already finished embroidering her wedding dress and was currently working on the red veil. Having been raised by He Shi, she had learned some of He Shi's skills—the red veil was exceptionally beautifully embroidered.
Seeing Yuan Shi enter, she stood up and said: "Grandmother, what brings you here?""I've prepared some private funds for you." Yuan Shi took several banknotes from her sleeve. "There will be many places requiring money at Anjing Prince's residence. Here are two thousand taels - not much, but enough to address your urgent needs. Keep them carefully."
Xie Ping pressed her lips together. Only two thousand taels - it was truly rather little.
Still, for her, this amounted to a fortune, as she only had slightly over three hundred taels on hand.
She would probably become the poorest Princess Consort in the dynasty.
"Anjing Prince's residence is different from our Xie family, with much stricter rules. After you marry there, you must be cautious in everything." Yuan Shi instructed. "You are the principal wife, the mistress of the prince's household. You should be a virtuous helpmate, sharing the prince's burdens and solving his problems. Never engage in..."
"I know!" Xie Ping's face showed impatience. "The palace matrons have already taught all this."
Yuan Shi spoke with profound sincerity: "What Wei Ge'er did, you're aware of it. An Ge'er in your father's chamber... let's not speak of that. As your grandmother, I don't ask you to promote the Xie family, only that you remain proper and that all goes well for you."
Xie Ping tightened her lips: "I'll remember."
In just a few days, she would marry into Anjing Prince's household. Initially, she had eagerly anticipated this day, but as it truly approached, indescribable confusion and panic filled her heart.
If she were the only Princess Consort, everything would be manageable. But entering the household alongside her would be a Side Princess Consort.
Thinking of this, Xie Ping couldn't help but sigh.
The next day, before night had fully retreated, Yun Chu rose and took a carriage outside the city walls. Her father was secretly heading to Nanyue with three hundred personal troops.
The three hundred troops had already departed first. Yun Silin bid farewell to his family at the roadside pavilion outside the city.
All the Yun family members were present: Yun Chu's mother Lin Shi, elder brother Yun Ze, sister-in-law Liu Qianqian, and nephew Yun Zhenjiang.
"My journey to Nanyue will likely keep me away for about two years." Yun Silin looked at the Yun family members and said, "After my departure, regarding any major family matters, you should consult more with Chu'er."
Yun Ze nodded: "Father, rest assured, I understand completely."
Neither Lin Shi nor Liu Qianqian questioned why family matters should be discussed with a married-out daughter, both seriously nodding in agreement.
"Chu'er..." Yun Silin looked at his daughter, "Marrying you to Xie Jingyu back then was the best choice under difficult circumstances, but time has proven this choice wrong. Your mother and I have discussed it - we'll find a suitable opportunity to have the clan elders facilitate your divorce. Your elder brother and sister-in-law also support this. After the divorce, you can return to live with the Yun family. We'll provide for you your whole life."
Warmth filled Yun Chu's heart: "Father, I already have plans regarding the divorce. While you're away, don't worry about this minor matter of mine."
"Children's matters are always the most important matters." Yun Silin raised his hand to ruffle her hair. "You've truly grown up - unwilling to share things with your parents, accustomed to solving everything alone. I'm both comforted that you've matured and pained that you've had to... Chu'er, set your heart at ease. I promise you, the things from your dreams won't come to pass."
Yun Chu's eyes stung with emotion as she nodded firmly: "Alright, I'll learn to resolve matters through discussion with elder brother."She feared that if she continued speaking, she would be unable to hold back her tears. Turning around, she took a bank deposit slip from her maid Ting Xue: "Father, here is a deposit of fifty thousand taels of silver, earned from selling ice during the summer. Take this money, go south, buy land and hire laborers to farm, focusing on growing grain—the more, the better."
Yun Silin understood Yun Chu's intention after a brief moment of thought.
If things truly reached that point, having grain would mean the Yun family had a fallback plan.
Just as he was about to speak, Yun Ze suddenly announced: "Prince Pingxi is here."
Yun Silin immediately tucked the fifty-thousand-tael deposit slip into his waist pouch and looked up toward the side, where Prince Pingxi Chu Yi was approaching on horseback.
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