Do you know: I am Qi Heng

"Come here, let me take a closer look!"

Empress Cao smiled and waved.

Minglan stepped forward hesitantly, then stopped a few steps away.

"Closer!"

Empress Cao playfully scolded, then, after Minglan stepped forward, she took her hand and looked her up and down, saying, "From now on, you can call me Godmother in private!"

"Yes." Minglan nodded quickly.

Empress Cao pulled Minglan aside and asked her about her situation, which gradually made Minglan relax a bit.

Just then, Empress Cao changed the subject, asking, "Has your family arranged a marriage for you?"

"Never...never!"

Minglan paused for a moment before shaking her head.

Grandma Sheng intended to marry her off to He Hongwen, and she neither felt any aversion nor liking for him.

Marry a man, and you'll have food and clothing.

A husband is a woman's support, and being able to rely on him is the most important thing.

Grandma Sheng has a keen eye for people, so the people she chose are naturally fine.

Empress Cao asked whether it had been decided yet, but since Old Madam Sheng had not yet made a formal decision, it was naturally not decided yet.

"Then I'll act as your matchmaker!"

Empress Cao patted Minglan's hand, then turned to Princess Pingning and Qi Heng, saying, "Pingning, I like this girl very much. Heng'er's marriage is not yet arranged. If you don't mind, I will ask the Emperor to grant them a marriage!"

"No... I don't mind!"

Princess Pingning's face was somewhat stiff, but she managed a weak smile and said, "With Your Majesty acting as matchmaker and the Emperor bestowing this marriage upon us, it is not only an honor for the Qi family but also a match made in heaven. I am overjoyed."

"Then it's settled!" Empress Cao said with a smile.

Minglan's mind went blank; she was young and infatuated, a young girl experiencing the first stirrings of love.

Qi Heng was outstanding in every way, from his family background and character to his appearance. He had also studied at the Sheng family's school for several years. Although they didn't spend every day together, they saw each other every day for most of the year.

Minglan did have her fantasies, but she was very clear-headed and knew that the two of them were impossible.

So when such a thought flashes through my mind, I immediately put it out.

But today, Empress Cao not only adopted her as her goddaughter, but also asked the Emperor to grant her a marriage with Qi Heng.

This series of events made her feel like she was dreaming.

Qi Heng didn't know why Empress Cao wanted to adopt Minglan as her goddaughter, but seeing that she mentioned it to her mother in person and her mother couldn't refuse, he was relieved.

Yu Yanhong and the eldest daughter of the Jiang family were so jealous that their eyes turned red.

The Jiang family is also a noble family, so it's normal for them to want to marry Qi Heng, since it would be considered a step up for them.

The Yu family is different. Yu Yanhong's grandfather was a high-ranking official. With the Yu family's social standing, she is worthy of being married to royalty or nobility.

But these are just appearances, because her grandfather was very disappointed in her father, who was already over forty years old and was still only a sixth-rank official, holding a position that was not important.

It is common knowledge that Master Yu dislikes his son and is even unwilling to pave the way for him.

Therefore, families in Bianjing who were of equal social standing to the Yu family were unwilling to form a marriage alliance with them.

The Yu family is now considered a first-class family in Bianjing, but once her grandfather retires and returns to his hometown, he will have to give up even the house he lives in now.

Because the house was a gift from the government, it would not be taken back as long as Lord Yu was in the capital, but it would have to be returned to the court as soon as he left.

In fact, although noble families do not have much real power, they have one advantage that civil officials cannot match.

Even if a civil official reaches the highest position, unless his descendants are successful, his or her father's retirement will inevitably lead to his or her decline.

It's not just about status, but also about treatment.

It's different for noble families. Even if they don't have real power, their benefits are still there, and their wealth and honor are guaranteed.

This is also an important reason why people in ancient times were so enthusiastic about titles of nobility.

Yu Yanhong knew her family's situation; it was impossible for her to marry into a family of equal social standing to the Yu family, unless she chose a noble family.

If she had known that the victor would be adopted by Empress Cao as her goddaughter and be betrothed to Qi Heng, she would have fought tooth and nail to win the polo match.

"Since you don't object, then it's settled!"

Empress Cao smiled and nodded, then looked at Minglan and said, "I must also return to the palace now. Since you came with your mother today, you should go back first. Tomorrow I will send someone to fetch you to the palace so you can keep me company for a chat."

"Yes, Your Majesty the Empress!" Minglan bowed and performed a curtsy.

Empress Cao scolded, "Still calling me 'my maternal family'?"

"Godmother!" Minglan hesitated slightly before changing her words.

"Why!"

Empress Cao smiled and agreed, then looked at Zhang Guifen and the others, saying, "You played polo very well; each of you will be rewarded with ten bolts of silk!"

"Your Majesty, we thank you for your generous gift!" Zhang Guifen and the other two quickly expressed their gratitude.

Unfortunately, apart from Zhang Guifen, neither Yu Yanhong nor Zhang Guifen were very happy.

The news that Empress Cao had taken in a goddaughter and betrothed her to Qi Heng after her departure spread throughout the polo field.

When Minglan returned to the tent, her head was spinning. When she saw Madam Wang, she didn't know how to start the conversation.

At this moment, Madam Wu came to offer her congratulations, and only then did Madam Wang learn of the matter.

.........

Qi Heng was unaware of the impact and discussions surrounding this incident at the polo field, and had no interest in thinking about it.

After leaving the polo field, Empress Cao had Princess Pingning ride with her.

At this moment, Qi Heng was filled with trepidation. Although Empress Cao had spoken in front of so many people, Princess Pingning had also agreed.

But agreeing is one thing, and actually accepting Minglan is another.

Pingning couldn't refuse Minglan's entry into the family, but Minglan made things difficult for her after entering, making it hard to resolve the conflict between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Qi Heng is caught in the middle, which is a very difficult situation, and his family will be in chaos.

So marrying Minglan was just the beginning; the real challenge was getting Princess Pingning to truly accept Minglan.

Qi Heng originally thought that since the emperor had arranged the marriage, even if Princess Pingning disliked Minglan, he wouldn't be able to show it.

After all, this was a marriage bestowed by the Emperor. If he showed dissatisfaction with Minglan, wouldn't that be dissatisfaction with the marriage bestowed by the Emperor?

But Empress Cao's actions today were completely unexpected, and it's hard to say how things will develop next.

The imperial guards escorted the convoy to a stop at the palace gate. Princess Pingning alighted from the carriage and bowed to it. Only after the carriage entered the palace did she straighten up and walk towards her own carriage.

"Mother!"

Qi Heng saw her gloomy face and reached out to help her, but she shook him off.

He could only watch as Princess Pingning boarded the carriage, and then reluctantly got on as well.

Princess Pingning remained silent and ignored him when he got into the carriage, coldly instructing the driver to drive on.

Back at the Duke of Qi's residence, Princess Pingning coldly said, "Come with me to the ancestral hall!"

After saying that, he went straight into the mansion.

Qi Heng followed behind, all the way to the ancestral hall.

"Kneel down!"

Princess Pingning stood before the ancestral tablets and spoke coldly.

Qi Heng opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing and knelt down on the prayer mat.

"The Empress Dowager told me that this was something you asked the Emperor and the Empress Dowager to do. She adopted the illegitimate daughter of the Sheng family as her goddaughter in order to elevate her status."

Princess Pingning glared at him, her face ashen, and demanded, "For the sake of a concubine's daughter, you actually went to beg the Emperor and the Empress Dowager! Did you ever consider that marrying her would make the Qi family a laughingstock and bring shame upon our ancestors?"