Do you know: I am Qi Heng

"The young master actually went to great lengths to get the eldest mistress to intervene on your behalf, which shows how much he cares about you!"

Grandma Sheng forced a smile and said, "Now that you've entered the family, with him protecting you, life won't be difficult."

Her words were not only to comfort Minglan, but also to comfort herself.

Minglan was taken aback when she heard this. She hadn't thought of these things before, but after listening to what Old Madam Sheng said, she thought about it carefully and it seemed to be true.

If Empress Cao adopted her as her goddaughter because she was good at polo, then why did she immediately propose to marry her off to Qi Heng?

If Empress Cao adopts her as her goddaughter, it means she intends to marry her to Qi Heng.

There are so many unmarried women in Bianjing, why her of all people?

Empress Cao suddenly wanted to go to the polo match, and she was then invited by Madam Wu to play polo. After that, she adopted her goddaughter and arranged a marriage for her.

Each of these events is fine on its own, but when they come together, it's just too coincidental.

There was really no other reason besides Qi Heng asking Empress Cao for help.

"But the young master has never shown any signs of it?" Minglan asked, puzzled.

She and Qi Heng would only chat for a few minutes on their way back to Shou'an Hall for meals.

However, Qi Heng remained polite throughout, showing no sign of liking her in his words or eyes.

"This is what makes the young master so precious!"

Old Madam Sheng had calmed down a bit by now and said thoughtfully, "I've always underestimated the young master. I never expected him to have such a sense of responsibility!"

The young master admires you, yet he has maintained restraint and propriety, even pleading with the Empress to intervene—this is truly remarkable!

For someone like Qi Heng, who comes from a privileged background, it's easy for him to meet a woman he likes among the women he usually encounters.

It may be expressed directly in words and actions.

She knows this all too well. Back then, she fell in love with Old Master Sheng at first sight while watching the parade of horses, and when she got home, she told her parents that she wanted to marry him.

Her parents disagreed and tried to reason with her, but she wouldn't listen to a word they said.

The upbringing and discipline of high-ranking families far exceed those of ordinary families. However, with only one child, the pampering and protection they receive can make them very simple-minded and difficult to mature with age.

Despite Qi Heng's many good qualities and humble manners, these are merely ingrained manners and do not represent true inner maturity.

But Qi Heng surprised her this time. He actually considered that Princess Pingning would not agree, so he bypassed Princess Pingning and went to ask the Emperor and Empress Cao for help.

Most remarkably, he actually managed to get the Emperor and Empress Cao to agree.

"Did he really put in so much effort for me?"

Minglan was incredulous upon hearing this, yet also felt an indescribable sense of emotion.

Given Qi Heng's circumstances, the fact that he went to such lengths for her makes it difficult for her to remain unmoved, even if she is mature and resolute.

"They really put their heart into it!"

Grandma Sheng patted Minglan's hand and said, "However, Princess Pingning may not be willing. Although she wouldn't dare refuse if the Emperor bestowed the marriage, you're bound to face difficulties once you enter the family!"

"Granddaughter, don't be afraid!"

Minglan smiled and shook her head, saying, "The young master goes to so much trouble for his granddaughter, so I'll accept any hardship he might cause!"

Even if Princess Pingning made things difficult for her, or even if Qi Heng treated her coldly, she had no other choice.

The outcome is at least not bad.

"Ugh!"

Grandma Sheng sighed silently. Although she praised Minglan, if she had a choice, she would still not want Minglan to marry into that family.

.........

Qi Heng had no idea about the Sheng family's situation; at that moment, he was thinking about how to get his mother to accept Minglan.

Although Princess Pingning did not punish him again, she always had a cold face, and there would inevitably be a lot of trouble after Minglan entered the family.

After much thought, Qi Heng had no better ideas and could only take it one step at a time.

In the evening, someone from the palace came to inform them that an imperial edict would arrive the next day, and that the Qi family should prepare to receive it.

Although Princess Pingning ordered preparations, she was so angry that she didn't even come out for dinner.

"My wife, the matter is settled now, there's no use in getting angry, calm down first."

Qi Xuan advised, "Moreover, Heng'er's words make some sense. Since the Emperor is willing to grant the marriage, it means that he does have concerns in this regard, which is not entirely a bad thing."

"If we hadn't listened to Heng'er beforehand and had arranged his marriage directly, he would certainly not be given important responsibilities in the future."

"I wouldn't be this angry if he had chosen a legitimate daughter, but he actually took a concubine's daughter. How can I face anyone in the future?" Princess Pingning was still furious.

Qi Xuan thought to himself, "If Heng'er really chooses a legitimate daughter of the Sheng family, you will be just as angry as you are now."

He knew his wife's personality too well; he could never satisfy her unless she chose it herself.

"lady!"

Qi Xuan earnestly advised, "It's too late to say all this now. Heng'er has been sensible since he was little. The person he chooses will definitely be good. In any case, the Emperor wants Heng'er to marry into a family of lower status. Does it really matter whether the woman is legitimate or illegitimate?"

"What do you mean he's got his eye on it? It's clearly a scheme by the Sheng family!"

Princess Pingning still believes that the Sheng family did it on purpose, and now she deeply regrets letting Qi Heng study at the Sheng family's school.

Seeing that he couldn't persuade her, Qi Xuan had no choice but to change the subject.

"Someone from the palace came and said that an imperial decree will arrive tomorrow, which should be the decree to grant marriage."

Qi Xuan paused for a moment and said, "No matter what, the imperial decree for marriage has been issued, and our family cannot remain inactive. I will have some gifts prepared, and after receiving the decree tomorrow, we will go to the Sheng family to propose marriage."

A marriage by imperial decree does not mean that one does not need to propose marriage.

When the imperial decree for the marriage is issued, the Qi family must also make a corresponding gesture.

Princess Pingning was aware of all this, so even though she was unwilling, she chose to remain silent.

Seeing this, Qi Xuan summoned his servants and gave them instructions.

.........

The following morning, the palace eunuch arrived to deliver the imperial decree, and as expected, it was indeed an imperial decree to grant a marriage.

Not only the Qi family, but the Sheng family also received the imperial decree for marriage.

After seeing off the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict, Qi Xuan turned around and said, "Let's go. Come with your father to take the imperial edict to the ancestral hall for worship, and then go to the Sheng family to propose marriage."

"yes!"

Qi Heng responded and followed his father to the ancestral hall.

Upon arriving at the ancestral hall, Qi Xuan enshrined the imperial edict, then lit incense and gave a portion to Qi Heng.

"By the grace of our ancestors and the Emperor, His Majesty has bestowed a marriage upon Heng'er..."

Qi Xuan recited a series of words, telling the ancestors about the Emperor's bestowal of marriage upon Qi Heng. After bowing three times, he stepped forward, lit the incense, and then stepped aside.

Qi Heng bowed three times, lit the incense, and left the ancestral hall with his father.

"Since you've taken a liking to that girl from the Sheng family, your mother should be prepared for this," Qi Xuan reminded him.

"I understand!" Qi Heng nodded.

Qi Xuan was silent for a moment before saying, "Before you did this, did you consider how you would respond?"

"I have considered it, but Father knows Mother's temperament."

Qi Heng smiled wryly and said, "I really couldn't think of any better way, so I had no choice but to resort to this."

"Since you know your mother's temper, you should know that when that girl from the Sheng family enters the family, there will be trouble waiting for you!"

Qi Xuan cautioned, "You can protect her then, but you can't talk back to your mother too much!"