Do you know: I am Qi Heng

"I understand."

Qi Heng nodded, somewhat surprised, and asked, "Father doesn't object to this?"

"Whether I object or not, things are already as they are, and there's no way to change them. Since I can't change them, objecting will only make me feel worse."

Qi Xuan shook his head and said, "Besides, your mother and I can't take care of you forever. No matter what, you chose this path."

Qi Heng exclaimed in surprise, "I never expected Father to be so open-minded!"

"You brat, when has your father ever been anything but enlightened?" Qi Xuan said irritably.

"Dad, don't be angry!"

Qi Heng smiled and said, "I just find it strange that you and Mother have such different personalities, yet you can treat each other with such respect."

Princess Pingning has a very strong personality, and people with this kind of personality usually don't have a good relationship with their husbands.

Not to mention that this was in ancient times.

But in Qi Heng's memory, the two of them had never quarreled in all these years.

"Ugh."

Upon hearing this, Qi Xuan sighed and said, "Your mother wasn't actually this strong-willed before."

Qi Heng sensed there was more to the story and asked curiously, "How did Mother end up like this?"

"What's wrong?"

Qi Xuan glared at her and said, "You're disgusted with your mother?"

"No!"

Qi Heng quickly shook his head and said, "How could I dare to dislike my mother? I'm just curious how my mother's personality has become like this!"

Qi Xuan was silent for a moment before saying, "The situation here is a bit complicated. I'm telling you, but don't tell anyone else."

"Father, don't worry, how could I say such things!" Qi Heng quickly assured him.

"You've probably heard about the Gu family, haven't you?"

"It's actually related to the Gu family?"

"It doesn't count!"

Qi Xuan shook his head slightly and said, "The Ningyuan Marquis's family and the Dongchang Marquis's family have been engaged since childhood, but we never expected that the eldest daughter of the Dongchang Marquis would be weak and sickly after birth."

As they grew older, the situation worsened, and the Gu family wanted to dissolve the engagement, while the Qin family was also willing to do so.

However, the eldest son of the old Marquis of Ningyuan was unwilling and insisted on marrying him, because he was at odds with his family at this time.

"What does this have to do with your mother's personality?" Qi Heng asked, frowning.

"The old Marquis of Ningyuan and his wife had no choice but to agree. After their marriage, their child, like his mother, was also frail and sickly."

Everyone says that the old Marquis of Ningyuan and his wife spoiled him.

When your mother gave birth to you, she initially doted on you very much. But some women, using the issue of family responsibility, told your mother that children shouldn't be spoiled too much.

"So, my mother was very strict with me from a young age?"

"That's right!"

Qi Xuan nodded and said, "Actually, those women are just jealous of our family. They know that the Gu family is related to our family, so they deliberately said these things in front of your mother."

Qi Heng then learned that there was such an inside story.

But thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. Although Princess Pingning lost her parents when she was young, she was brought into the palace.

She was later granted the title of Princess and betrothed to Qi Xuan.

The Qi family was a Duke's mansion. After marriage, the couple had a harmonious relationship, and Qi Xuan did not even take a concubine.

What woman wouldn't envy such a smooth and fulfilling life?

They dared not offend Princess Pingning, so they could only try to disgust her in this way.

"Does Mother know?" Qi Heng asked.

"Know!"

Qi Xuan nodded and said, "Precisely because she knew this, she wanted to nurture you into a successful person. As a result, she became increasingly extreme and demanding of you."

"Since Father knew this, why didn't he try to persuade Mother?"

"It wasn't that I didn't try to persuade them, but by the time I realized it, it was too late!"

Qi Xuan sighed and said, "I tried to persuade your mother after I noticed, but she wouldn't listen at all. Since it wasn't a bad thing, I stopped trying!"

Although he noticed that Princess Pingning's personality had changed quite a bit, he realized that it was more evident in Qi Heng's discipline of her.

Qi Heng was indeed well disciplined, so he didn't think there was any major problem.

After failing to persuade him, and not wanting the matter to affect their marital relationship.

"I'm telling you this in the hope that you can understand your mother!"

Qi Xuan patted Qi Heng on the shoulder, and only then did he realize that Qi Heng had grown taller than him.

"I understand!"

Although Qi Heng could somewhat understand Princess Pingning's stubbornness, he did not approve of her actions.

"Let's go, let's go to the Sheng family to propose marriage!"

Qi Xuan saw that they had already arrived at the Intermediate People's Court, so he didn't say anything more.

Upon arriving at the main hall, he told Princess Pingning about his marriage proposal. Princess Pingning didn't say a word and got up to leave.

Everything needed for the marriage proposal had already been prepared, and servants had even prepared a carriage and were waiting at the door.

After the family of three got into the car, they first picked up the matchmaker and then headed to the Sheng family home.

Although it was an official marriage decree, and the marriage proposal was just a formality, a matchmaker was still needed.

After receiving the imperial edict, Qi Xuan sent someone to the Sheng family to inform them.

When Qi Heng and his group arrived at Jiying Lane by car, the entire Sheng family was already waiting at the door to greet them.

Normally, when a man comes to propose marriage, the woman's family doesn't wait to greet him; they only send a younger member of the family.

This is not a lack of manners; as the saying goes, "a family with a daughter will attract a hundred suitors," so the woman's family will definitely have to put on a show.

Even if the man comes from a high social class and it is considered a marriage of convenience, it still has to be done this way.

However, this marriage was somewhat rushed, and it was also an imperial decree.

If the Sheng family acts more proactively, they won't attract gossip.

The carriage stopped, and Qi Xuan and Princess Pingning got off the front carriage.

The couple both wore smiles, but Princess Pingning's smile seemed somewhat forced.

Qi Heng stepped down from the carriage at the back and saw Minglan in the crowd.

Minglan also looked at him, and when she saw him looking at her, she lowered her head.

"The Duke of Qi..."

Sheng Hong and Madam Wang stepped forward, exchanged pleasantries for a while, and welcomed the Qi family inside.

Upon arriving at the main hall, after the guests and hosts took their seats, there was another round of pleasantries, and Qi Xuan spoke first.

"Dr. Sheng, thanks to the Emperor's grace, my son and your daughter have been betrothed. Now that the decree has been issued, the marriage of the two children should be settled."

"That's exactly right."

Sheng Hong nodded with an barely suppressed smile, then looked at Sheng Changbai and said, "Bai'er, take the young master out for a walk, and all of you should go too!"

"yes!"

Sheng Changbai and several younger members of the Sheng family bowed and withdrew.

After the younger generation left, Qi Heng and Sheng Hong began discussing the marriage, while the women remained silent.

Actually, there's not much to discuss. Minglan hasn't come of age yet, and Qi Heng is busy with the imperial examinations.

Today was just a formality, a brief discussion. The two families will sit down and discuss the wedding date again after Minglan comes of age.

After they finished discussing, Old Madam Sheng, who hadn't spoken until now, finally spoke up.

"The Duke of Qi, and the Princess of Pingning!"

Grandma Sheng said in a deep voice, "Although Ming is a concubine's daughter, I raised her myself. I dare not say that she is comparable to those noble ladies in every aspect, but apart from her background, she is not much different."

Years ago, I knew a lady-in-waiting in the palace. Now that she's getting old and about to leave, I'll invite her over to teach me the etiquette again.

"So it was the old lady who taught him; no wonder he's favored by the Empress."

Qi Xuan smiled and said, "Don't worry, Madam. We only have one son, and we've always wanted a daughter. We will definitely treat your daughter-in-law like our own daughter!"