Chapter 445: Extra Story - Chu Rui 3
Chu Zhixia allowed Yun Chu to support her.
After taking a few steps, she spoke softly: "I heard Miss Yun also has an elder brother?"
Her voice was hoarse from recent crying.
"Yes, I have an elder brother." The young girl's face brightened with a radiant smile. "My elder brother is truly remarkable!"
Chu Zhixia smiled: "I've also heard of Young Master Yun's excellence."
In truth, having lived secluded in the palace with rare outings, she had never actually heard of the Yun family's eldest young master's exploits. But she knew of the Yun family—a first-rank general's residence.
A first-rank general's residence shouldn't be inferior to the Lu family.
Since she couldn't marry the one she loved, perhaps... she should change her approach.
The Empress Dowager dreamed of restoring her father's empire and had been secretly plotting all along. If the Yun family could be utilized by the Empress Dowager...
Thinking this, Chu Zhixia felt sorrowful.
She actually didn't approve of the Empress Dowager's actions.
But now, aside from this matter, she didn't know what else she could do.
She slowly said: "Miss Yun, this direction leads to the Buddhist chapel..."
She chuckled softly, "Miss Yun probably isn't familiar with the palace routes. Let me escort you to reunite with your Yun family members instead."
Yun Chu couldn't help sticking out her tongue sheepishly.
Although she often entered the palace, she only visited specific locations and would easily get confused while walking.
Chu Zhixia led Yun Chu back the way they came. She wanted to see the Yun family's eldest young master. If possible, she was willing to create an incident that would force the Yun family's eldest young master to take responsibility for her and marry her...
Along the way, she subtly inquired about Yun Ze's affairs.
As they approached the banquet entrance, a woman came toward them wearing a light pink dress, graceful and dignified.
Yun Chu leaned closer to Chu Zhixia and whispered: "Your Highness, see this lady? She's my future sister-in-law, my elder brother's beloved. They're about to get engaged soon."
"Is... is that so?" Chu Zhixia's expression froze. "How wonderful, truly wonderful..."
Lovers finally uniting was the most beautiful thing in this world.
How could she bear to destroy someone else's marriage?
"Chu'er, your elder brother has been looking everywhere for you. Where have you been? Don't get lost." Liu Qianqian approached, glancing at the woman beside Yun Chu. It took her a moment to recognize her. "Greetings to Your Highness, Princess Fukang."
Chu Zhixia waved her hand: "Since Miss Yun has found her family, that's good. I'll take my leave now."
She turned and left quickly, her figure somewhat fleeing in haste.
Just a little more, and she would have made a terrible mistake...
After the New Year celebrations, the imperial court issued an edict arranging marriage for the Lu family's eldest young master with a noble lady from the capital. The engagement was set for March, with the wedding scheduled for June.
Chu Zhixia's marriage was also arranged—a match personally chosen for her by Empress Dowager Feng.
"After you marry into that family, you'll be the mistress of the household." The Empress Dowager was speaking with Chu Zhixia. "The Xie family is a proper second-rank residence holding significant power. This marriage isn't bad at all."
As soon as she finished speaking, Chu Rui strode in, frowning: "The Xie family has three legitimate sons, but all three are already married. Is Eldest Sister marrying a concubine-born son of the Xie family?"
The room suddenly fell silent.
This silence gave Chu Rui an ominous premonition: "Eldest Sister?"
Chu Zhixia lowered her head, speaking calmly: "I'm marrying the head of the Xie family, Lord Xie, to become the mistress of the Xie household."
"Wh-what?" Chu Rui's body swayed violently. Supporting himself against the table, he asked incredulously: "Empress Dowager, Grandmother, is what Eldest Sister saying true?"Empress Dowager Feng's voice was faint: "The betrothal documents have already been exchanged. The wedding will take place in June."
"No!" Chu Rui exclaimed involuntarily. "He's over forty years old - old enough to be our father! Why should Eldest Sister marry someone so old? Moreover, all three of his previous wives died. He's cursed to bring misfortune to his wives!"
"Rui'er, your words are rather ridiculous." Empress Dowager Feng curled her lips slightly. "Since ancient times, marriage matters have been decided by parental arrangements and matchmakers' words. Both I and the Xie family have agreed, and both parties have consented. Where do you get the right to disagree? Don't speak such childish words."
Chu Rui looked at Chu Zhixia: "Eldest Sister, did you really consent?"
Chu Zhixia raised her head, meeting his gaze directly: "Yes, I'm willing to marry him."
Chu Rui took a deep breath.
He grabbed Chu Zhixia's arm firmly and dragged her outside Kunning Palace.
Due to using too much force and his poor physical condition, he leaned against his chest, gasping for breath.
"Eldest Sister, is the Empress Dowager forcing you to marry into the Xie family?" he said through gritted teeth. "For the sake of the throne, the Empress Dowager would actually do such a thing! I'm so disappointed in her! Eldest Sister, I'll arrange for someone to take you out of the palace. Hide for a while, and I'll deal with the Empress Dowager in the palace. After the engagement is called off, you can return to the capital."
"Rui'er, no one is forcing me." Chu Zhixia smiled gently. "I'm already twenty-one years old - quite old for marriage. It's hard to find a suitable match. Minister Xie is the best marriage prospect within my options. Moreover, because Minister Xie has had several wives before, the Emperor won't interfere too much... This marriage is really quite good..."
"No, it's not good." Chu Rui hugged Chu Zhixia tightly. "Rather than marrying such a person, it would be better not to marry at all. Sister, let's escape from the palace together."
"What foolish talk." Chu Zhixia still smiled gently. "A woman's ultimate destiny in life is to marry and bear children. Rui'er, I want your blessing. Can you give it to me?"
She took Chu Rui's hand and led him toward the Golden Glory Hall.
The two of them were just like when they were children - the older sister leading the younger brother, relying on each other...
Afterward, Chu Zhixia spent her days embroidering her wedding dress.
Chu Rui became busy, pulling strings everywhere to ruin this marriage.
But he was too weak. No matter how much he struggled, he couldn't shake this marriage arrangement. In the blink of an eye, June arrived.
The eldest young master of the Lu family was getting married.
Minister Xie, head of the Xie family, was also taking a wife.
Chu Rui carried Chu Zhixia on his back as she entered the bridal sedan. He rode a tall horse, personally escorting his eldest sister to the Xie family.
The Xie residence was a second-rank official's mansion. Even though this was Minister Xie's fourth marriage, congratulatory guests kept streaming in continuously. The place was crowded with people, filled with joyous atmosphere.
The wedding matron led Chu Zhixia out of the bridal sedan and handed the large red flower to Minister Xie. The newlyweds walked into the main hall to begin the heaven-and-earth ceremony.
Chu Rui stood among the guests, his eyes silently watching Chu Zhixia.
Soon, the bride was escorted to the bridal chamber.
Chu Rui mixed in with the crowd and quietly followed toward the direction of the bridal chamber.
He saw that the bridal chamber was very large - larger than his eldest sister's bedroom in the palace. Ice blocks were placed everywhere, dispelling the summer heat. The amount of ice here exceeded even the palace's allocated portion.
He thought to himself: although Eldest Sister didn't marry the one she loved, at least her future days would be comfortable and stable.
Moreover, Minister Xie's parents were both dead. With no elders above her, and Eldest Sister managing the household, she should... be quite content, right?
Only those three legitimate sons remained a concern...Chu Rui's gaze turned cold as he looked at the three men standing together not far away—they were the legitimate sons of the Xie family.
Over the past few months, he had devised a plan to create some trouble for these three men, ensuring they would disappear forever.
This way, the child born to his elder sister would become the Xie family's sole legitimate heir.
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