Murong Jie looked at Aunt Sizhu's desperate face and suddenly panicked, "Someone come!"
"Here!" The guard came out from behind him.
"Keep a close eye on the noble concubine. Report to me immediately if there is anything unusual." Murong Jie ordered.
"Yes!" The guard took the order and left.
The evening of the second day of August.
Tomorrow is the auspicious day when Prime Minister Xia Huaijun of Great Zhou marries Ximen Xiaoyue, the granddaughter of Duke of Jin.
The law of the Great Zhou Dynasty, "Zhou Law. Household Law. Marriage", stipulates that a man in the Great Zhou Dynasty can only marry one wife. Although the co-wife is called a wife, her status is the same as that of a concubine.
Therefore, the so-called equal wife is just a respectful name given by the people to the other wife, but according to the law, she is still a concubine.
Therefore, there are some rules for marrying a concubine that are different from those for marrying a legitimate wife. First, the concubine cannot wear bright red wedding clothes, but must wear pink or other colors similar to red. Second, the bridal sedan cannot be parked at the main door, but must be welcomed at the side door. The main door is also acceptable, but red carpets cannot be laid, and long firecrackers cannot be set off at the main door. Third, because there is no such thing as marrying a legitimate wife, the concubine still has to offer tea to the legitimate wife before the ceremony is over.
However, on the first day of August, Ximen Xiaoyue was conferred the title of First-Rank Lady by the Empress Dowager. Because of the title, she proposed that on the wedding day, she must enter through the main gate, follow the formalities of a formal marriage, roll out the red carpet, and set off long firecrackers instead of short ones after the bride enters the mansion.
Moreover, she would wear a bright red phoenix coronet and bridal robe and ride in a sedan chair carried by eight people.
Furthermore, she said that Yuan Shiyi was not allowed to be in the mansion on the wedding day because of her zodiac sign conflict. The eldest and second daughters of the prime minister's mansion had to kneel down and serve tea to her in front of the guests, respecting her as a mother.
In other words, she wanted to move into the Prime Minister's Mansion as the Prime Minister's wife.
Xia Wan'er would be fine, because she was born to a concubine, so it was not excessive for her to serve tea to the concubine and respect her as a mother.
However, Xia Zian was the eldest daughter born of a legitimate wife, and her mother was the principal wife of the prime minister's mansion and the mistress of the household. According to etiquette, she did not need to kowtow or offer tea to the concubine, nor did she have to respect her as her mother, because the status of the eldest daughter born of a legitimate wife was higher than that of all concubines, including the concubines recognized by the people.
There is another thing. Ximen Xiaoyue asked someone to look at the location of the Prime Minister's Mansion and felt that it would be better for her to live in Xiazhi Garden. However, because Xiazhi Garden is rather simple now, after she gets married, she will temporarily live in the courtyard where Madam Linglong used to live. However, she asked to change the name to "Wangyue Pavilion". After Xiazhi Garden is renovated, she will move to Xiazhi Garden. The plaque of Wangyue Pavilion will then replace Xiazhi Garden.
With the title, you can consider everything stipulated by the laws.
Everything depends on whether the Prime Minister agrees or not.
The Prime Minister's Mansion quickly gave a reply, agreeing to all of Ximen Xiaoyue's requests. Not only that, the betrothal gift requested by the Duke of Jin was doubled.
Duke Jin was very satisfied, and Ximen Xiaoyue was also very satisfied.
The Mansion of Duke of Jin.
It was almost a sleepless night in the mansion tonight. The old lady invited a lucky woman in the city to come and comb Ximen Xiaoyue's hair and put flowers in her hair. Almost all the women in the family came.
In modern terms, Ximen Xiaoyue is a famous figure of the Jin Duke family. She is the widow of a loyal and brave man. The late emperor had previously conferred her the title of second-rank lady, and now she has been promoted to first-rank by the empress dowager. The second and first ranks seem to be only one word apart, but the difference is as great as heaven and earth.
There are many second-rank ladies in this dynasty, but only three or four first-rank ladies.
Even the wife of the Duke of Jin was only of the second rank. Now that her granddaughter has become successful and married into the prime minister's family, she has been conferred the first rank. This is a huge honor for the Duke of Jin's family.
Because the Ximen family has not had any promising people for a long time.
The old lady came to Ximen Xiaoyue's room in person, dismissed the people around her, and left Ximen Xiaoyue alone to talk.
"Now the Xiangfu has agreed to our request, but don't think that the Xiangfu values you very much. They only value your grandfather's influence. Now your grandmother has told you that after you marry, you must not keep Yuan. This person has a great reputation. Although she has been suppressed, her daughter Xia Zian may be married to the regent. The regent has never liked your grandfather, so Xia Zian will not be our ally. Therefore, you have to think of a way to drive Yuan out first."
Ximen Xiaoyue nodded, "Don't worry, grandma. I know what's going on."
"Well, you have always been a smart child. Grandmother is very confident in you. Also, although Chen Linglong is disliked by the Prime Minister's Mansion, she has not been driven out yet. Xia Wan'er is about to marry the prince. Chen Linglong may turn things around. You must prevent her from taking power again. You must understand that a person is the least threatening only when he is dead."
"Then grandma, what do you think, should we start with Chen Linglong or Yuan first?" Ximen Xiaoyue asked humbly.
"Chen Linglong won't cause any trouble for the time being, but Yuan and Xia Zian are in the spotlight. There is no benefit in provoking them now. Instead, they may be used against us. Let's get rid of Chen Linglong first. As for Yuan, all her influence lies in her reputation. The Prime Minister's Mansion has tried to ruin her reputation many times but failed. It can be seen that she is very smart. Her daughter should not be underestimated either. However, there is one person who can be used."
"Who?" Although Ximen Xiaoyue had not married yet, she had heard of Yuan's reputation. A woman like this should not be allowed to stay in the world, at least she should not be allowed to become a threat to her.
"Prince An," the old lady coughed and said in a deep voice, "Prince An has never forgotten his love for Yuan and has not married yet. Your grandfather has some contacts with Prince An, so you can mention Yuan's situation in the mansion appropriately. When you are dealing with Chen Linglong, you can also pretend to be on good terms with Yuan and tell her about Prince An's infatuation with her to make her fall in love."
Ximen Xiaoyue shook her head, "My granddaughter can't do such a thing to please her. I don't like Yuan, and we have already made a request that she can't be in the mansion when I enter the house. How can she believe me if I pretend to please her later?"
The old lady looked a little annoyed, "Just now I said you were smart, but now you are stupid. Tomorrow she is not allowed to stay in the mansion to give her a warning. We should use both kindness and force, understand? As for pretending to be friendly, it is not to please her, but just to avoid falling out. It is acceptable for face. It is best to say a few words occasionally to make Yuan feel moved. If she is not moved, at least she will feel guilty, so that it will be easier for us to do things in the future."
Ximen Xiaoyue thought for a moment, "My granddaughter is not self-righteous, but Yuan Shi is not worthy of my granddaughter's flattery. Although this person is famous, I think he is overrated. For so many years, he has been suppressed by Chen Linglong and has not been able to make a name for himself. It can be seen that he is not an outstanding person."
The old lady couldn't help but frown. "You are wrong to say that. Yuan Shi has the reputation she has today, and after more than ten years, she is still in everyone's heart. She must have something outstanding. At least, you can't do this. Although you are famous, it is because of your dead husband. You are not on the same level as her. If you are proud, you will definitely lose to her."
(End of this chapter)