Chapter 84: Xie Ping Becomes Princess Consort
Xie Ping knelt in the ancestral hall for three days and three nights.
Only He Shi would secretly bring her some food, but she couldn't eat anything, barely managing to drink some water. Her entire body had become extremely weak.
By the fourth day, someone finally arrived from the palace.
It was the chief eunuch from the Emperor's side, along with the Vice Minister of Rites, coming together to announce the imperial decree.
"By the decree of Heaven and the Emperor's mandate, the eldest daughter of Xie Jingyu, Minister of Revenue, Xie Ping, is virtuous and gentle, respectful and kind. She is hereby appointed as Princess Anjing, to be married on an auspicious date. May she cultivate virtue and diligently serve her superiors..."
The Xie family knelt on the ground, overjoyed one and all—except for Yun Chu.
They truly hadn't expected it to be an imperial decree from the Emperor bestowing marriage. Ping Jie'er had actually become the Princess Consort of Anjing Prince's residence.
"Your servant receives the decree, thanking His Majesty for his great grace! Long live the Emperor!"
Xie Jingyu raised both hands to receive the imperial decree, while all members of the Xie family knelt and kowtowed.
The chief eunuch smiled and said, "Congratulations, Minister Xie, congratulations! Originally, His Majesty intended to hold the wedding after Miss Xie's coming-of-age ceremony. However, Consort De believes Anjing Prince is young and inexperienced, needing a virtuous partner to manage affairs both inside and outside the residence. After discussing with the Empress, they set the wedding for three months later, with the consummation to occur after Miss Xie's coming-of-age ceremony."
Xie Laotaitai grinned from ear to ear, immediately instructing maids to bring Red Envelopes. Everyone who came to announce the decree received at least twenty taels of silver each.
After the decree announcers left, Xie Laotaitai said sincerely, "Chu'er, it's all thanks to you. Otherwise, such good fortune would never have befallen our Xie family."
Yuan Shi grasped Yun Chu's hand: "Only you genuinely plan for the children's future. For Ping Jie'er to have a mother like you is blessings accumulated from her previous life."
"Madam, you've worked hard." Xie Jingyu gazed steadily at Yun Chu. "Although you're a woman, you're in no way inferior to men."
Every step she calculated so precisely—if she were a man serving in court, with such strategic planning, she might quickly rise to lead all officials.
Yun Chu smiled slightly.
All her schemes were built upon reliving a lifetime. Because she had experienced her previous life, she knew what kind of person Consort De was, understood Anjing Prince's temperament, recognized the dangers of competing for the throne, and knew how events would unfold... Therefore, she could effortlessly plan many things.
Xie Ping knelt on the ground, weeping with joy.
She had once only hoped for a position as a low-ranking imperial concubine, but ultimately became the legitimate Princess Consort. Such joy was beyond words.
Supporting herself with a maid's hand, she stood up weakly and walked to Yun Chu, slowly kneeling: "Mother, Ping'er made mistakes and brought shame to the Xie family. When Mother punished me to kneel in the ancestral hall, Ping'er harbored resentment in my heart. Only now do I understand that Mother exhausted efforts to plan and pave the way for Ping'er. Ping'er is endlessly grateful. No matter what happens in the future, Ping'er will always honor Mother and never make Mother regret planning for Ping'er."
Yun Chu's lips curved slightly.
In her previous life, when Xie Ping attempted to scheme against Anjing Prince, she had intervened early, causing Xie Ping to resent her for a long time.
The sincerity she had once offered was trampled underfoot by Xie Ping.
Now, with false feelings she schemed for Xie Ping, yet Xie Ping treated her with genuine sincerity.
She found it utterly ironic.She reached out to help Xie Ping up: "Consort De and Prince Anjing must be resentful in their hearts. Remember to be cautious in words and deeds, never give others any leverage. Otherwise, you won't be able to maintain your position as Princess Consort. Do you understand?"
Xie Ping nodded: "Yes, Mother."
He Shi, standing nearby, felt a pang of sorrow.
She knew the daughter she had carried for ten months better than anyone. Previously, when Ping Jie'er called the lady "Mother," it was out of necessity, but now this address came from genuine feeling.
Because the lady had schemed for Ping Jie'er's benefit, Ping Jie'er had truly accepted her as a mother.
The lady's position in Ping Jie'er's heart had surely surpassed that of her own birth mother...
Suppressing her emotions, she spoke up: "The eldest young lady is to marry into Prince Anjing's mansion as Princess Consort, but the dowry might be difficult to manage..."
Old Madam Xie immediately understood—yes, how could a woman becoming Princess Consort lack a dowry? They couldn't aspire to a procession stretching ten li, but at the very least, they needed one hundred and twenty-four chests...
Where would the entire Xie family get such a dowry?
They could only rely on the granddaughter-in-law.
As Ping Jie'er's mother, it was only right for the granddaughter-in-law to prepare the dowry.
Just as she was about to speak,
Yun Chu said: "The Xie family holds a fifth-rank position—it's reasonable that we cannot provide the dowry befitting a Princess Consort. There's no need for us to keep up appearances beyond our means. Ping Jie'er, Mother will tell you one thing: a person stands firm not by relying on family background or silver, but by their own intelligence and wisdom. If you want to secure your footing in Prince Anjing's mansion, use your head more in everything you do."
Xie Ping firmly committed these words to memory: "Ping'er will remember Mother's teachings."
"As for the dowry..." Yun Chu said unhurriedly, turning to Xie Jingyu, "Although we shouldn't keep up appearances beyond our means, we must still have what is necessary. Husband, this matter will be up to you to figure out."
Xie Jingyu opened his mouth, wanting to say that the dowry should be handled by the lady of the house.
But then he remembered that Ping Jie'er's ability to become Princess Anjing was entirely due to Yun Chu's planning. He couldn't leave every single matter, inside and out, to Yun Chu.
He had no choice but to agree: "Rest assured, Madame, I will take care of this matter."
Yun Chu lowered her head to sip tea, hiding the mockery in her eyes.
Xie Jingyu was someone who enjoyed maneuvering in official circles, occasionally sending gifts to his superiors while also accepting presents from lower-ranking sixth or seventh-grade officials.
After today, those below would learn that the Xie family had connections with Prince Anjing's mansion and would likely come one after another to offer gifts.
Accepting occasionally was nothing, but Xie Jingyu was currently short on funds and would probably accept without refusal.
If he accepted too much, trouble was bound to arise sooner or later.
The next day, Lin Shi came to the Xie residence to offer congratulations.
Old Madam Xie, who had always felt inferior in front of the Yun family, finally felt she could hold her head high, speaking with much more confidence.
"If Madame Yun attends any banquets in the future, you could take our Ping Jie'er along," the Old Madam said with a smile. "Once Ping Jie'er becomes Princess Anjing, she will need to acquaint herself with noble ladies. Getting to know them early will save much trouble."
Lin Shi replied perfunctorily: "Naturally."
After speaking with the Old Madam, Yun Chu brought Lin Shi to her own residence, Sheng Ju.
"Ping Jie'er is still so young—why has her marriage been decided so early?" Lin Shi sensed something unusual. "Consort De dotes on Prince Anjing the most. Why would she suddenly allow the daughter of a fifth-rank official to become Princess Consort? Did something happen?"Yun Chu knew that anyone would question this matter.
She calmly recounted the events that had occurred at Qing'an Temple.
"How... how could she have such audacity!" Lin Shi was dumbfounded. "Although the marriage is settled, Consort De will certainly not let this rest. Ping Jie'er will face hardships in the future."
She had originally prepared a shop to add to Ping Jie'er's dowry, but now it seemed completely unnecessary.
Such a scheming granddaughter, completely disregarding the family's reputation—the Yun family hardly dared to acknowledge her. They even felt ashamed to be seen with her...
"Alright, let's not speak of this anymore." Lin Shi shook her head. "Divine Doctor Si is leaving the palace to gather herbs, and the Empress has asked him to conveniently check your pulse. Come, I'll go with you."
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