The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 459 This marriage is hasty
The long marriage proposal at Xuande Gate Tower caused a huge sensation and spread throughout Kaifeng City.

When Zhu Xiu returned to the Hou Mansion, Zhu Wu and Yang Qiaolian came forward to question the details. Zhu Xiu didn't say much, but just smiled and asked Yang Qiaolian to start the process of getting married.

Yang Qiaolian was stunned, overjoyed, and choked with sobs: "It's great, our brother Xiu is finally getting married!"

Zhu Wu immediately went to the small ancestral hall in the back house, offered incense and knelt down to his late father and the ancestors of the Zhu family, and reported the good news.

As for the excitement above the Xuande Gate Tower, Zhu Xiu didn't say much. He went to the back hall to visit his mother alone with his hands behind his back, leaving Bi Zhenhai to deal with two chirping children and a bunch of wide-eyed Houfu waiting to eat melons. the masses.

Seeing Zhou Xian walking out of the bedroom with a food plate head-on, Zhu Xiu opened his mouth, but Zhou Xian ignored him, didn't even look at him, and passed by.

Zhu Xiu smiled bitterly, pushed the door open and stepped into the bedroom.

"Mom, my child is getting married."

Beside the bed, Zhu Xiu held Wu Youdi's withered hand and whispered.

Wu Youdi just ate some clear porridge, and she was in good spirits. She tried her best to hold the child's hand tightly, and said in a trembling voice, "Okay~Okay! Which girl is it?"

"The second wife of the Fu family, Fu Jinhuan."

Wu Youdi tried hard to remember, her cloudy eyes glowed with a long-lost brilliance, and she murmured: "Ms. Fu. But you told your mother before that you were the daughter of the powerful general's family?"

"Exactly, Mom has a good memory." Zhu Xiu laughed softly.

Wu Youdi was visibly thinner, her complexion was sallow, and her eye sockets were deeply sunken. When she clenched her calloused hands, she could clearly feel the stiff and painful bones.

Zhu Xiu knew that there was no cure for her illness. Even if Yuan Jingrun treated her in person, she could only relieve her pain and barely survive.

The cold clear river water outside Qingliu Pass exhausted Wu Youdi's last hope.

Looking at my mother's weak look, a feeling of sadness came to my heart. Zhu Xiu's eyes were warm and mist accumulated, and she lowered her head, not wanting her to see her crying in sadness.

Wu Youdi clasped Zhu Xiu with trembling hands, leaned back on the bed, and murmured: "Brother Xiu really gave our parents Zhu face, if your father is still alive, I don't know how happy he would be.
Mom, your life has not been in vain. I have to endure it until I meet you again, and my family is reunited until I can see you get married with my own eyes.
When you get married, your mother will have nothing to worry about anymore.
It’s a pity that my mother’s body is not strong enough to survive the time when you become a father.”

Zhu Xiu wiped the corners of her eyes and said with a smile: "Mom, please rest assured that your health will get better as soon as possible. When my son gives birth to a baby in the future, I will have to trouble my mother to help take care of the baby!"

Wu Youdi smiled very happily, and patted Zhu Xiu's hand lightly: "Okay~Okay~ Mother is waiting for this day."

"Mother, have a good rest. Son, please leave." Zhu Xiu tucked in the quilt and quietly left the bedroom.

Closing the door, Zhu Xiu sighed deeply.

Ma Qing stood behind him and said softly: "Master Marquis, the Duke of Taiyuan, the Duke of Hanoi, and the Prince Consort are all here, drinking tea in the front hall."

It must be that news about the Xuande Gate Tower spread and he came here to inquire about the situation.

Zhu Xiu calmed down and forced a smile: "Let's go, follow me to welcome the guests."

~~~
Early the next morning, a eunuch came into the mansion to announce the decree.

As Zhu Xiu expected, it was a formal marriage edict, handwritten by the newly promoted Tongping Zhangshi Fan Zhi.

Needless to say, Fan Zhi's literary talents are natural. He also wrote a marriage letter for Zhu Xiu. He really exhausted the gorgeousness of his pen and ink. When he read it, it was like a lotus flower with a bright tongue. He almost compared Zhu Xiu and Fu Jinhuan to a golden boy and a beautiful girl. They were destined to be married in the previous life. Reshape a good relationship in this life.

Zhu Xiu knelt down and listened calmly, kowtow to express gratitude.

The old eunuch helped Zhu Xiu stand up, handed him the marriage certificate, and said with a smile on his chubby face painted with makeup: "When I left the palace, I asked you to rush to Huaiyang Palace immediately after receiving the decree to discuss the six rites. Official The family has decided on the wedding date for you, and on November [-]th, Supervisor Si Tian was taking a few professors to calculate the auspicious time without eating or drinking for seven days!"

Zhu Xiu frowned and said in a disgusting tone: "Can you ask Si Tianjian to change the time?"

The old eunuch was shocked and rolled his eyes at him angrily: "How can such an auspicious day be changed? What's more, the wedding date of Taiyuan County Duke and Mrs. Fu is also the same day!"

Zhu Xiu was surprised and said, "I and the Duke of Taiyuan County are getting married on the same day?"

The old eunuch said with a smile: "Exactly, Mrs. Fu married two daughters on the same day, it can be said to be a double happiness!"

Zhu Xiu was silent, but considering that Chai Rong was still a county official in name only, it would not be a taboo to marry him on the same day.

Since it was Uncle Guo who granted the marriage and set the wedding date, he could only reluctantly agree.

Zhu Xiu fluttered her sleeves and took a small bag of silver beans in her hand and stuffed it into the old eunuch's hand: "How is Princess Shou'an's reorganization of the harem going?"

The old eunuch squeezed the embroidery bag, smiled from ear to ear, held Zhu Xiu's arm affectionately, and whispered: "The princess is very clever, she caught many palace beetles in just one day."

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "You are an old man in the official family, so I ask you to give me some advice. In the future, I also ask you to take care of me at the Taiping Palace."

"Master Zhu Hou's order, I must take it to heart." The old eunuch glanced at him, and the two of them smiled knowingly.

"Go slowly!" Zhu Xiu personally escorted him out of the Marquis' Mansion.

After unfolding the imperial edict and reading it several times, Zhu Xiu sighed melancholy.

Even though his marriage was settled, he and Fu Jinhuan finally came together.

It's not unexpected, but I feel a little bit disappointed and guilty at the same time I'm excited.

Although Fu Jinhuan and Wufenglou proposed to marry each other, they could only bear the affection of Shi Lingyan and Zhou Xian for him.

After silently receiving the imperial edict, Zhu Xiu calmed down and prepared to go to the Huaiyang Palace.

According to the marriage process of princes and nobles, he should now enter the six rites stage and find a matchmaker to go to the Huaiyang Prince's Mansion with him to propose marriage.

But this marriage was a royal gift from the official family, and Zhu Xiu didn't know what etiquette should be followed.

After discussing with Zhu Wu and Yang Qiaolian for a long time, there was no result. Zhu Xiu had to change into a new robe and visit the Huaiyang Prince's Mansion first.

~~~
The reaction of the Huaiyang Prince's Mansion was faster than Zhu Xiu expected. The gate of the mansion was decorated with lights and decorations, and even the servants who were sweeping in and out were put on new clothes. There was a joyous atmosphere inside and outside the mansion.

"Second brother-in-law, you're here!" Fu Zhaoxin happily pulled him into the house.

"What is the meaning of the poem you sent to Que Tower yesterday? The second sister cried and laughed after reading it, and my father stroked his beard after reading it and said yes, but no one told me what the poem meant! Come on with me!" Let me tell you!"

Fu Zhaoxin roared anxiously, apparently caring a lot about the love poem.

Zhu Xiu smiled slightly. If the love poem between the talented woman Zhang Hongqiao and Lin Hong could be seen through by a warrior like you, how could it be passed down through the ages?

Fu Jinhuan has been studying since she was a child and is proficient in the six arts. She is already considered a very literate group among the daughters of today's aristocratic families. She can understand the meaning of love poems at a glance, and Zhu Xiu completely believes it.

But as for the old prince Fu Yanqing, Zhu Xiuke was skeptical if he could read it.

If you smooth your beard and say yes with a smile, I'm afraid it's just a pretense.

This future father-in-law is really interesting.

Zhu Xiu said casually, "It means expressing love and affection through a woman's mouth."

Fu Zhaoxin scratched his head and thought for a while, then said a long "Oh": "That's it!"

The eldest brother-in-law looked suddenly enlightened, and Zhu Xiu saw it and didn't point it out.

In the flower hall, Fu Yanqing, Wei Renpu, and Zheng Renjie were drinking tea and talking and laughing. What surprised Zhu Xiu most was that Shi Kuangwei was also there.

After seeing the ceremony, Zhu Xiu turned to Shi Kuangwei and whispered, "What are you doing here?" Zhu Xiu was a little nervous. Could it be that Lao Shi was here to cause trouble?

In case he fights with Fu Yanqing later, who should he help?

SQuangwei gave him a sideways glance, hummed and ignored.

Fu Yanqing laughed and said: "Nephew, you must have received the government's order, so don't gossip, let's discuss it and settle the marriage as soon as possible."

Zhu Xiu bowed his head and said: "Uncle, please forgive my nephew for coming in a hurry and not fully preparing for the six rituals."

Fu Yanqing waved his hand and said, "No need to bother, this is a marriage granted by the official family. Both your family and I agree, so there is no need to follow the six ritual procedures."

Fu Yanqing pointed at Wei Renpu and Zheng Renjie: "Dao Jigong will be the matchmaker, and Zheng Xianggong will be the ceremony. Let's agree on the five matters of accepting the lottery, asking for the name, accepting the gift, accepting the levy, and asking for the date."

Zhu Xiu stared. Could it be that five of the six wedding rites had to be completed in one day?
Is there any need to be so anxious?

Is Fu Yanqing afraid that he will run away?
Zhu Xiu couldn't laugh or cry, and said helplessly: "But there are still many rituals that I haven't prepared, such as the swan geese that are needed when accepting the lottery."

Just as he was talking, Fu Zhaoxin strode over carrying a gray-brown goose. The goose's wings were twisted and it kept quacking.

"Here, I've prepared it for you!" Fu Zhaoxin stuffed Hongyan into his arms and smiled extremely proudly.

Zhu Xiu hurriedly hugged the swan goose and was speechless.

Fu Yanqing smiled and said, "My dear nephew, I have everything in my house. If there is anything missing, just say something."

"Follow uncle's orders in everything." What else could Zhu Xiu say, and said with a wry smile.

Wei Renpu twisted his beard and said: "This matchmaker did it easily, and the marriage between the two families was already decided without wasting any more words.

Since this marriage is a gift from the official family, it is enough to go through the redundant and cumbersome procedures. "

Fu Zhaoxin roughly took Hongyan from Zhu Xiu's arms, took it out from his arms again, and gave him a brocade and jade belt:
"This Yanzi is your betrothal gift. This belt was sewn by my second sister. There is also a hair rope she knitted inside. It is a return gift from my Fu family."

Zhu Xiu held the belt and had black lines all over her forehead. Is this gift of receiving a gift considered over?
The belt is made of good quality materials, but the workmanship is a bit unflattering. The threads and corners are rough, and the embroidery is crooked. Zhu Xiu absolutely believes it when he says it was made by Fu Jinhuan himself.

Wei Renpu smiled and said: "Excuse me, King Huaiyang, how about Ling Qianjin's birth date?"

Fu Yanqing smiled and talked about the time.

"Zhu Xiu, what is your birth date?"

Zhu Xiu replied dryly.

Zheng Renjie shook his head, pretending to make some calculations, and said several times: "The horoscopes of men and women are extremely compatible! It is really a first-rate marriage!"

"Haha~" Fu Yanqing laughed heartily.

Zhu Xiu could only smile stiffly and roll his eyes inwardly.

Zheng Renjie served as the third envoy and said that Zhu Xiuxin was a good mathematician, but if he said that this fat man could also tell fortunes, Zhu Xiu would not believe it even if he killed him.

Wei Renpu smiled and said: "Najili, please go back and find a fortune teller to calculate it yourself. The next step is to accept the betrothal gift. How should the groom's family prepare the betrothal gift?"

Zhu Xiu hesitated and said: "My nephew has some property in Kaifeng City. When the time comes, we will allocate a Taihe Building, two Guanghe Shops, 500 taels of gold, 300 taels of silver, and [-] copper coins. We will choose an auspicious day to deliver them to your mansion." .”

Zheng Renhui jokingly said: "It is said that Lord Zhuhou is rich, it is true!"

Wei Renpu said regretfully: "It's a pity that I no longer have a daughter of the right age. Otherwise, I would have to compete with the King of Huaiyang for this generous betrothal gift."

Everyone laughed, Shi Kuangwei curled his lips and snorted heavily, Zhu Xiu could only laugh dryly.

Fu Yanqing smiled and said: "When Huan'er comes through, the Fu family will not let you suffer. In addition to a dowry, I will give you a dowry on the outskirts of Kaifeng, hundreds of hectares of fertile land by the Caishui River, and then allocate [-] elite soldiers from the Huwei capital to give it to you." you!"

When the words came out, everyone was shocked.

Zhu Xiu was even more stunned.

There are indeed many hundred hectares of fertile land beside Caishui River, but with Fu's background, it is not surprising that it would be used as a dowry.

What really shocked Zhu Xiu were the three hundred elite soldiers of the Tiger Guard.

The Tiger Guards are all members of the Fu family and have been protecting the Fu family since the days of Fu Yanqing's father, Fu Cunshen.

This was also a private army approved by the imperial court, nominally affiliated with the Yunzhou Tianping Army, and receiving government pay, but in fact it was only controlled by the Fu family.

The exact number of people is unknown, but Fu Yanqing can allocate 300 people at once, so it is conceivable that the entire army has a lot of people.

When the Zhou Dynasty was founded, Fu Yanqing originally asked the court to incorporate the Huwei capital, but Guo Wei showed his greatest trust and allowed the Fu family to keep this private army, and also used the taxes from Yunzhou to help the Fu family raise the army.

This kind of good thing is only shared by the Fu family in all the feudal towns in the world.

This fully shows its special status and weight in the Zhou army.

The three hundred Tiger Guards are all private soldiers, and their value cannot be measured in terms of money.

Fu Yanqing smiled and said: "Of course, these 300 people will be transferred out and have nothing to do with the Tiger Guard from now on. The Fu family will no longer bear their food, salary and family expenses. You have to think clearly whether you want them or not!"

Zhu Xiu didn't even think about it, suppressed his excitement and said: "Yes! Uncle, don't worry, my nephew will definitely not treat the brothers in Huweidu badly!"

Fu Yanqing stroked his beard and smiled, nodded and said hello.

You will have to get kicked in the head by a donkey to reject these three hundred powerful songs.

Wei Renpu smiled and said: "You two have verbally agreed on the betrothal gift and dowry, now it's time to set a certain wedding date.

The auspicious time has been set in the official marriage certificate, which is November [-]th, an auspicious day.

The old prince and Mr. Zhu only need to discuss the date of engagement. "

Fu Yanqing said: "If my nephew has no objections, how about setting the date three days later? You will prepare the letter of appointment, and the place will be the Huaiyang Palace. When the time comes, just invite all the princes in the court and relatives and friends of the two families to come over and be witnesses."

Zhu Xiu said hurriedly: "That's very good."

Everyone clapped their hands and laughed, and the marriage was decided hastily, briefly and slightly hastily.

Fu Yanqing glanced at Shi Kuangwei and said with a smile: "One more thing, I have adopted General Shi's daughter Lingyan as my adopted daughter. Huan'er and her are also sisters. On the day of their wedding, Lingyan will be used as a dowry concubine. What do you think of marrying into the Marquis Mansion with Huan'er?"

"This..." Zhu Xiu was shocked and extremely surprised. He didn't expect that Fu Yanqing would be so considerate of him, and he didn't expect that Lao Shi would be so reasonable this time.

Shi Kuangwei curled his lips and snorted coldly: "Yan'er has already agreed to this matter, which is an advantage for you!"

Zhu Xiu didn't know what to say, so she could only bow down and clap her hands in thanks.

Wei Renpu laughed and said: "Congratulations to Mr. Zhu for enjoying the blessings of all the people!"

Zheng Renjie said with a smile: "The King of Huaiyang managed to acquire two son-in-laws who rode a dragon in one day. This will definitely become a good story in the future!"

(End of this chapter)