Daughter of aristocratic family

Chapter 407 Accident
Just when Yun Hao was rushing day and night to Zhenhaiwei, something happened in the capital. Prince Zuo asked the emperor to grant a marriage between him and Wu Lin'er on the day of Wu Lin'er's coming of age.

On the second day of April, the Yongchang Marquis' Mansion held a coming-of-age ceremony for Wu Lin'er.

Zhao Wangshu received the invitation and went to the marquis's mansion to watch the ceremony that day.

There was a constant stream of traffic and distinguished guests in front of the Yongchang Marquis Mansion.

When Zhao Wangshu got off the carriage, he happened to see Prince Zuo who was about to be welcomed into the mansion by the prince of the marquisate.

He was wearing a silver-red brocade robe embroidered with a round blessing pattern, a jade belt around his waist, and a jade crown on his head. He had a tall and slender figure and was handsome and extraordinary.

Zhao Wangshu did not chase after him to greet him. She did not have the slightest good impression of this man who secretly wanted to harm her family.

After the Marquis of Yongchang accompanied Prince Zuo inside, Zhao Wangshu walked over slowly. The Crown Prince's wife smiled and said, "Madam Yun is here. Please come in, please come in."

Zhao Wangshu smiled and nodded, then followed the Crown Prince's wife into the mansion.

The garden of the Marquis's mansion had been decorated, with a shed and a scarlet carpet on the stage.

Zhao Wangshu saw Yao Shanzhi drinking tea and chatting with others, and walked over, "Shanzhi."

After nodding and greeting the others, he sat down in the empty seat.

"Wangshu, why are you so late?" Yao Shanzhi asked.

"Yuer was a little noisy and wouldn't let me leave. I had to coax him for a while before he let me go." Zhao Wangshu explained with a smile.

"I haven't seen Yu'er for several days. I miss him so much." Yao Shanzhi said with a smile.

"By the way, what have you been busy with these days?" Zhao Wangshu asked curiously.

"I'm not busy at all. I just have a cousin who brought her children to live with me, and I'm helping my mother settle them down." Yao Shanzhi said simply.

The two chatted for a few more words, and then the officiant said, "The auspicious time has arrived!"

To hold a coming-of-age ceremony, one must also choose an auspicious time.

The guests of honor and the sponsors arrived one by one. Marquis Yongchang smiled at the guests and said, "My niece Lin'er is having her coming-of-age ceremony. Thank you all for coming to witness it."

After a pause, "Lin'er, the 15-year-old girl, greets all the friends."

As soon as she finished speaking, Wu Lin'er, wearing a plain satin dress and two buns, came out from the east shed, walked slowly to the center of the stage, saluted everyone, and then knelt on the cushion.

What followed was the same old process. Wu Lin'er, dressed in gorgeous clothes, was incredibly beautiful.

A noblewoman beside him whispered, "Prince Zuo is so lucky."

Indeed, compared to the late Wu, Wu Lin'er is superior in both appearance and family background.

After the coming-of-age ceremony, the guests took their seats, and Wu Lin'er returned to the courtyard accompanied by her maid.

Her boudoir was filled with all kinds of gifts, all sent by the guests who attended the ceremony.

"Miss, this is a gift from Prince Zuo." The maid came in holding an exquisite gift box, her face full of envy, "I just took a peek and it turned out to be a dazzling South China Sea pearl!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Lin'er raised the corners of her lips and revealed a proud smile. She was the daughter of the second wife, and her father was just a small county magistrate. Relying on the Yongchang Marquis Mansion, she had only married an official of the fifth or sixth rank.

But she didn't expect that after the death of her two cousin princes, she would be required to marry the Zuo Prince. Although she was a concubine, she had no legitimate son from the original wife to bother her. If she gave birth to a son in the future, he would be the crown prince of the palace.

And according to the current situation, she will have the opportunity to be the mother of the country in the future. Thinking of this, Wu Lin'er's smile became brighter. She reached out to take the gift box and opened it impatiently. She saw a huge pearl lying quietly in the box, emitting a soft and bright light.

She stroked the pearls gently, her heart filled with joy. These South Sea pearls were extremely rare treasures. She had heard from her mother that only high-ranking concubines in the harem could wear them.

"Young lady, you are so lucky." Seeing this, the maid hurriedly complimented her, "When you become a princess in the future, you can wear these pearls at will."

"You're the only one who can say that. Hurry up and let them come in to help me dress up. I have to receive the imperial edict later." Wu Lin'er ordered.

After receiving the imperial decree granting her marriage, she became the future princess!

"Yes, young lady." The maids responded and got busy, helping Wu Lin'er put on gorgeous dresses and combing her exquisite hair.

Wu Lin'er sat in front of the bronze mirror, looking at her increasingly beautiful face in the mirror, her heart full of anticipation and longing.

"Miss, the eunuch from the palace has arrived." A maid came in and said.

Wu Lin'er immediately stood up, straightened her dress, and walked out with light steps.

The maids followed closely behind, escorting Wu Lin'er all the way to the main hall of the mansion.

In the main hall, a eunuch in official uniform and with an extraordinary demeanor was sitting upright, holding a yellow scroll with a solemn expression.

Wu Lin'er looked a little nervous, but more excited and expectant.

Seeing Wu Lin'er coming in, he quickly stood up and said, "My Lord, Miss Wu is here, so I will read out the decree."

"Thank you, eunuch." Marquis Yongchang said politely.

Marquis Yongchang led his family to kneel, but at this moment, an accident happened. Wu Lin'er's clothes suddenly tore and slipped off, revealing her pink bellyband and jade-like shoulders.

The atmosphere in the main hall became extremely awkward and everyone was stunned, including the eunuch, Marquis Yongchang, and Prince Zuo.

Wu Lin'er's face turned pale in an instant. She tried to cover her slipping clothes in panic, but it was too late.

Her heart was filled with shame and despair. Everything had been prepared so perfectly, but she didn't expect such an embarrassing thing to happen at this time.

The maids reacted quickly, screaming in panic and scrambling to cover up for Wu Lin'er.

But anyone present who was not blind had seen Wu Lin'er's sudden exposure of her beauty.

Yongchang Hou's face turned pale and blue. He stood up hastily and apologized to Prince Zuo: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Lin'er has always been chaste and respectful. Someone must have secretly framed her. I will investigate this matter and give you an explanation."

The eunuch held the imperial edict and looked at Prince Zuo. Do you still want to read the imperial edict granting the marriage?

Prince Zuo, who always showed a gentle and elegant smile, now had a face so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip out.

"Your Excellency is too kind. What happened today is indeed a little strange. Your Excellency should investigate it carefully." Prince Zuo looked at Wu Lin'er and said, "Miss Wu, please change your clothes first and then come to receive the decree."

He needed the support of the Yongchang Marquisate. He could not give up on this marriage. Even though Wu Lin'er had made such a fool of herself, he could only swallow it with gritted teeth.

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness." Marquis Yongchang also did not want to lose this marriage. Prince Zuo was willing to let the eunuch read the imperial edict, so he was relieved.

Wu Lin'er looked at Prince Zuo with gratitude, hurried back to the back house, changed her clothes, and then came out to receive the order.

This time there was no more surprise. The eunuch read out in a shrill voice: "The Emperor, in accordance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims: Wu Lin'er of Yongchang Marquis's Mansion is virtuous and has outstanding appearance. I am very pleased to hear of her. Now that Prince Zuo is getting married, a virtuous woman should be chosen to marry him. Wu Lin'er is waiting for you in the boudoir. You and Prince Zuo are a perfect match. In order to make you a beautiful woman, I hereby betroth you to Prince Zuo as the Princess. All the ceremonies will be handled by the Ministry of Rites and the Director of the Imperial Observatory, and an auspicious date will be chosen for the wedding. This will be announced to the whole country and abroad. I decree this!"

"I accept your order and thank you."