Everything starts from Menghualu

Chapter 418 Cao Cheng's Response

"Foster father, if the Jiang family agrees, we will have to start making arrangements. Do you think we should find my second brother first and tell him to avoid any accidents?" Cao Cheng said
"Well, you are right. Cheng'er, go and do your work first. I will talk to Ye'er." Xue Yuan said
After hearing this, Cao Cheng nodded and then left the study. After he left, Xue Yuan asked someone to call Xue Ye over and told him what happened.

"Ah? Father, you said to marry a concubine? Why do you want to marry a concubine for no reason?" Xue Ye said
"What? Could it be that the daughter of the Minister of Revenue has wronged you?" Xue Yuandao
"No, father, that's not what I meant. What I meant was that I don't know whether Jiang Xuehui is beautiful or ugly, or what her personality is like. This, this, this?" Xue Ye hesitated.
"Why do you care so much? She's just a concubine, what can she do?" Xue Yuan said
"Yes, yes, father is right. I understand, I understand," Xue Ye said hurriedly.
"Okay, go out. By the way, you can ask Shu'er about Jiang Xuehui's matter. She knows about it." Xue Yuan said in a deep voice
After hearing this, Xue Ye smiled and left the study room. He went to find his sister. After getting Xue Shu's affirmative answer, Xue Ye finally put down his worries.

As long as she's pretty, it's fine. As for her personality? Once she's in his hands, she'll be obedient. He doesn't worry about her personality.
Time passed quickly, and on the morning of the next day, Xue Shu came to Jiang's house again, to the same place as before.

"What did you say? Miss Xue, you are not kidding me, are you? Concubine? You really can think of that? No matter what, I am the eldest daughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."

"You want me to be your concubine? Don't even think about it. It's impossible. Please go back." Jiang Xuehui said directly

"Jiang Xuehui, there are some things you know. My brother's marriage is not something I can decide. If my father doesn't agree, I can't do anything about it."

"I'll tell you the truth. If it weren't for my eldest brother, you wouldn't even be qualified to be a concubine. Be content. This is already the best condition."

"If you still don't agree, then you can only choose from the people I recommend. Don't worry, no matter which one of them, their family is no worse than yours and they won't let you down." Xue Shu said directly.
"Xue Shu, I made it very clear yesterday that you owe me this. You are using a concubine to exchange for my position as princess. Aren't you thinking too well?" Jiang Xuehui said

"Jiang Xuehui, I have said everything I need to say. Not to mention that you haven't gone to see King Linzi yet, even if you go, what will happen? With my aunt around, you can't become the queen. Face the reality." Xue Shu said
"Yes, I admit that you are right, but even the concubine of King Linzi is much better than the concubine of your Xue family. Xue Shu, don't think you have a sure win."

"If you still look like a beggar, then go back. I believe that even if I become a concubine, I can still be favored by the prince." Jiang Xuehui said

"Jiang Xuehui, you! Okay, okay, I think you are awesome. Tell me, what do you want? I've said before, I can't decide on my brother's marriage, only the concubine can be given to you." Xue Shu said in a deep voice
"Xue Shu, I can promise you not to go to the prince, and I can also promise you to be his concubine, but I don't want to be your Xue family's concubine. I want to be Cao family's concubine." Jiang Xuehui said

"What did you say? The Cao family? You, you want to be my elder brother's concubine? Are you crazy? This is impossible. My elder brother is the emperor's consort. Have you ever heard of a emperor's consort having a concubine?" Xue Shu said
"Of course I know, but since you can't give me dignity, then I can only find a way myself. Only in front of the princess, being a concubine is not shameful, right?"

"You don't need to give me those excuses anymore. I've already given in to you a few steps. Now I won't back down anymore. You can figure out a way yourself."

"By the way, I remind you that you still have two days. I will go to the palace when the two days are up. By then, I will accept you even if you are a concubine." Jiang Xuehui said

After hearing this, Xue Shu looked at Jiang Xuehui's face again. She knew that Jiang Xuehui had made up her mind and it would be useless for her to say anything.

"Okay, wait for my news, but listen to me carefully, if I find out that you met with the prince in the next two days, I will exile your whole family to the border!" After Xue Shu finished speaking, she stood up and left.

After she left, Jiang Xuehui, who had originally had a calm expression, began to shed tears from the corners of her eyes. She then lay down on the table alone, sobbing softly.

After learning that Xue Shu had left, Mrs. Jiang came to her daughter's room. When she reached the door and was about to go in, she heard some crying sounds from inside.

This made her stop and stop the action of knocking on the door. She stood there waiting. After an unknown amount of time, the crying sound gradually stopped in the room.

Madam Jing then knocked on the door and slowly walked in. At this time, Jiang Xuehui was looking at her with red eyes.

"Hui'er, what did Xue Shu say to you? Why did she make you so sad?" Madam Jing asked

After hearing this, Jiang Xuehui did not say anything, but leaned directly on her mother. Seeing this, Mrs. Jiang could only comfort her daughter with a distressed look on her face.

At the same time, Xue Shu, after returning to her own mansion, went directly to her father's study. When she arrived, she found that her father was already waiting for her.

Not only her father, but also her elder brother and younger brother were waiting for her here.

"Shu'er, what are you still standing there for? Come in quickly?" Xue Yuan said
After hearing this, Xue Shu walked into the study room as if awakened from a dream, and then closed the door.

"Shu'er, judging from your expression, Jiang Xuehui didn't agree, right?" Xue Yuandao
"Father, Jiang Xuehui didn't agree, but you can also say she agreed." Xue Shu hesitated.
"Shu'er, if you have something to say, just say it. What do you mean by not agreeing and then agreeing?" Xue Yuan frowned and said
"Father, this is what happened. Jiang Xuehui did not agree to be my younger brother's concubine, but she said that she could be my eldest brother's concubine." After hesitating for a long time, Xue Shu finally said it.

"What? Sister, can you say it again? Who, my concubine? Is she crazy? Doesn't she know my identity? How dare she bring it up?" Cao Cheng asked directly.

"Brother, I asked her the same question, but she said that only in this way could she be respectable. After all, it is normal to lose to the princess." Xue Shu said in a deep voice.
"She is really bold, but since the reign of Emperor Taizu, although there can be other women in the mansion of the prince consort, they cannot have a formal status, not even concubines." Xue Yuan suddenly said
"Father, I told her the same thing, but she clearly didn't want to give up. She said that if she couldn't become the principal wife, then she would be a concubine." Xue Shu said
"Hmm? Shu'er, with your ability, don't you have the confidence to control her?" Xue Yuan asked. "Father, I certainly have confidence, but King Linzi's heart is all on her. Even if I am capable, I can't stop a man's partiality. You should know this, father." Xue Shu said
"Ahem, of course I know. Never mind. If you are so ungrateful, just kill him. Don't worry about it. Your father will take care of it." Xue Yuan said in a deep voice.
"Foster father, this is inappropriate. This man cannot be killed. The Yan family is weak in the court right now. Now is the critical period to seize the time to strike the Yan family. We must not create any unnecessary trouble at this time."

"After all, she is the eldest daughter of the Minister of Revenue. If she dies, His Majesty will definitely order a thorough investigation, and then it will be impossible to hide it from His Majesty."

"His Majesty will certainly be on guard against our Xue family by then. He may not support us in dealing with the Yan family like he does now. We must not lose the big picture for the sake of the small." Cao Cheng said
"Yes, father, what my elder brother said makes sense. If Jiang Xuehui dies, King Linzi will definitely know her identity. Then I will never get what we want."

"After all, how can a living person compete with a dead person?" Xue Shu also said

"Well, then what do you think we should do? She is so ungrateful, what else can we do now? Are you really planning to take a concubine? Even if you have this idea, now is not the time, right?"

"We have to wait until you marry the princess before we plan this matter." Xue Yuan said
"Father, you misunderstood. What I meant is that we don't have to pay any attention to her. Can't we just ask the Queen Mother to issue an order to grant the marriage?"

"There are so many families under our family, it shouldn't be difficult to choose a suitable one from them, right? Then, father, you can go to the palace and ask the Queen Mother to issue an imperial decree, wouldn't it be foolproof?"

"We haven't treated them unfairly. The Jiang family can't disobey the order, right? Even if the matter is reported to His Majesty, His Majesty won't say anything." Cao Cheng said with a smile

"Yes, I am really confused. You are thoughtful. That's right, why should we listen to a little girl? Since she doesn't know how to appreciate it, we don't need to pay attention to her." Xue Yuan said
"Father, if that's the case, I'm afraid it will happen sooner. Jiang Xuehui said that she only gave her daughter two days. Once the time is up, she will go to find King Linzi." Xue Shu said
"Huh? This is simply outrageous. This little girl really doesn't know her place. She actually dares to go against my Xue family. She really doesn't know how to write the word death!"

"After I have dealt with the Yan family, I will send the Jiang family to accompany them. Don't worry, I will consider it now and enter the palace tomorrow. I don't believe that a little girl can rebel against the world." Xue Yuan said
After hearing this, Xue Shu finally felt relieved, and Cao Cheng was also relieved. It’s not that he was not lustful, but the best one had not been tasted yet, so the rest would naturally have to be put aside for later.

What's more, even if you want to eat it, this is not the way to eat it. If you eat it like this, your intention will be too obvious, and your backyard will definitely catch fire.

Xue Yuan drove everyone out and sat alone in the study room, thinking hard. After an unknown amount of time, he finally made a decision.

So he got up and left the house, and did not come back until the evening. From the smile on his face, it can be seen that everything should be going well for him this time.

And in fact, it was indeed the case. This time, he was very successful and directly chose the right family without paying too much. The other party really agreed.

After the court was dismissed the next day, Xue Yuan went directly to the Cining Palace to meet the empress dowager.

"Why are you here today? Have you encountered any problems again?" The Queen Mother asked directly
"You are wise, Queen Mother. We have indeed encountered some minor problems. His Royal Highness Prince Linzi has a favorite person. I have already found the candidate and am waiting for your decree to grant the marriage." Xue Yuan bowed and said
"Hmm? There is actually such a shameless woman? How dare you seduce my Jie'er? Tell me who the candidate is, and I will issue an order to grant the marriage!" The Queen Mother said coldly
"Her Majesty, the candidate is Chang Xun, the eldest son of Chang Sheng, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites." Xue Yuan said
"Hmm? Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites? Isn't that too good for her? Is there anything worse?" the Queen Mother asked
"Queen Mother, time is of the essence this time. In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, we have no choice but to give her a favor. After all, if it's too bad, I'm afraid His Majesty won't agree." Xue Yuan said
"Well, if that's the case, then it's up to him. I'll write it right away." After the Queen Mother said this, she started writing. It wasn't long before she finished writing and stamped it with the Queen Mother's seal.

"Okay, go back now. Remember to send someone to keep a close eye on him. Don't let that bitch get close to my son. Let her prepare her family." The Queen Mother said coldly.
After hearing this, Xue Yuan naturally bowed, then retreated with the imperial edict in both hands. After leaving the palace, he went straight to the Jiang family.

At this time, Shen Lang naturally also received this news.

"What did you say? The Queen Mother issued an imperial decree and gave it to Duke Dingguo?" Shen Lang asked

"Yes, Your Majesty, that is indeed the case. According to the news reported back, this imperial decree should be an order to grant marriage, but I don't know who it is for." Wang Xinyi bowed and said

"Hmm? Grant the marriage, grant the marriage. Keep a close eye on it. I want to see what the Duke of Dingguo is up to. Report to me when you have any news." Shen Lang ordered.
At this time, Xue Yuan had already arrived at the Jiang family and read out the imperial edict.

"Sir, please stay. Please stay. Would you be so kind as to come in and have a cup of tea?" Jiang Boyou said with a smile on his face.
Upon hearing this, Xue Yuan agreed immediately. After all, he was worried that the Jiang family would not abide by the rules. If the incident was brought to the attention of His Majesty, he would also have to explain.

After the two entered the mansion, they went straight to the study. After serving tea, the servants left.

"Sir, if you have any instructions, you can just tell me directly. Why do you have to do this?" Jiang Boyou said

"Haha, from what Lord Jiang said, are you blaming me for meddling in other people's business? Lord Jiang, if some things can be discussed, why would I do this?"

"You know what? Your daughter is too willful. Our Xue family will never agree to her request, so this is the only way."

"But I'm afraid my Xue family is not stingy. You are a minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and you can marry the minister of the Ministry of Rites. It's considered a great honor for your family. It was only because I sold my face that they agreed to it." Xue Yuan said
(End of this chapter)