I dress up as a poor noblewoman, and I bring my whole family home with my literary talent.

Chapter 105 Engagement
"You're angry that I didn't go to ask for the imperial edict. That day, I discussed with my parents about asking His Majesty to grant us a marriage, but my mother said that she hadn't formally met you and your elders yet, and she was afraid that it would be impolite, so she invited you to the mansion for a chat first. Fortunately, we exchanged tokens today, and the marriage is tentatively settled." Xie Yanshu raised his lips with a bright smile.

"Am I that stingy in your heart?" Song Lingyi pretended to be dissatisfied and curled her lips.

"No, no, no, of course not." Xie Yanshu scratched his head, "In my heart, you are the best girl in the world!"

The girl smiled and clasped her fingers together, feeling a little shy.

……

The boy and girl were being affectionate in the back, and the four elders in the front could not bear to watch it any longer. Madam Song couldn't help but wonder if her little daughter had fed the young marquis some kind of love potion?

The best girl in the world...

If he knew that he had previously behaved unfilially by scolding his father and asking his parents to pour tea to apologize, would he still say this?

Mr. Song cleared his throat and said, "Okay, it's time to go back."

Li and the old marquis were still watching, and Song Lingyi responded softly, "Okay, father."

This was the first official meeting between the two families, and no matter what, they had to leave a good impression so as not to give others anything to talk about.

On the carriage back to the Song residence, the more Mr. Song looked at the jade bracelet, the happier he became. He exclaimed with a beaming smile, "Liao Liao is indeed our family's lucky star! Not only did he become an official, but he also found a son-in-law for Dad!"

The youngest daughter was suddenly going to marry into the Marquis's mansion. Madam Song felt guilty for her previous mistreatment and agreed, "Yes, when Lele was still in Zhao's belly, a fortune teller said that this child would be blessed!"

Song Lingyi looked at her father and mother indifferently.

They didn't say that before.

The reincarnation of a fierce ghost, the reincarnation of Sha Xing, these eight words were heard from Zhao Xiaoniang on the first day she came to Daliang. Was Zhao Xiaoniang the only one in the family who said this? Obviously not. Besides, they didn't give birth to her because she was blessed with this pregnancy. It was the fortune teller who said that this pregnancy was a son, so the Song family hurriedly carried Zhao Xiaoniang, with a bulging belly, into the house.

What is the saying?

When a person becomes famous, he will find that there are good people around him.

……

In Chang'an City, the news about the engagement of the Xie and Song families spread like wildfire. Some people were angry, some were jealous, and some were amazed. Most people thought that the master of the Song family was only a sixth-rank official, and Song Lingyi was only a seventh-rank female official. She must be a resourceful and scheming girl to be able to marry into the Marquis's mansion.

When the news of the marriage reached the palace, Ye Xuan happened to be in the Xuanzheng Hall.

Today is the first meeting between the emperor and his subjects since the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month. When the empress asked about this marriage, Ye Xuan'an did not react much. The empress knew that Ye Xuan'an had known about it for a long time.

"The Imperial Master once said that this woman was also part of the hexagram sixteen years ago. If that's the case, it would have an impact if she got engaged at this time." The Empress' eyes were sharp and she said in a deep voice. The hexagram was related to the fate of Daliang, so it couldn't be taken lightly.

Ye Xuan smiled calmly: "If there is any impact, I will not let it happen, Your Majesty, please rest assured."

Behind the imperial desk, the empress's expression relaxed slightly. She picked up the wolf hair brush again, dipped the tip of the brush in some red ink, and began to draw on the memorial.

Master Ye has always been good at planning, so since he is the guarantor, there is no need to worry. However, according to her understanding, the wife of Marquis Wu'an has traditional ideas and believes that women are virtuous if they are not talented. But the palace ladies are different from ordinary women. They are outstanding in ability and have ambitions.

Putting aside family background, just the values, this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are not compatible. Whether this marriage can be successful in the end is a question.

The smoke of agarwood incense rose from the green-glazed Suan Ni incense burner. The emperor and his ministers talked for a long time. The empress looked up at the sundial in the courtyard. It was already past noon. She stopped writing and ordered, "Serve the meal."

Sixteen years ago, Imperial Master Ye often stayed for meals. The eunuch who served the meals in front of the emperor did not ask any questions and directly brought two sets of bowls and chopsticks.

According to custom, the emperor and his ministers sat down opposite each other at a square table carved from huanghuali wood with a dragon head near the window in the side hall.

The sunlight poured in through the window, illuminating the few strands of white hair on the empress's temples. Ye Xuan picked up the teacup beside him with one hand, with a complex emotion in his eyes.

Time flies by. The empress went to war with the army at the age of 15, led the army into the capital at the age of 18, quelled political chaos, overthrew powerful officials, and at the age of 20, she wore the first year of her natal dress and took charge of the government. The high-spirited female general could not stop the flow of time and her hair turned gray early.

Perhaps it was because the days before he took power were too difficult and he had been away from the capital for sixteen years, so in his impression, Her Majesty was still as young and vigorous as she was back then. When he suddenly saw the white hair on her temples, he couldn't help feeling a little sad.

"What's the matter with you, Imperial Master?" The empress's eyes curved slightly as she said calmly, "I haven't had a meal in the palace for many years. Are you unfamiliar with it?"

Ye Xu'an retracted his gaze, "Your Majesty, you are too kind."

There was a gust of north wind outside the window, blowing up a few fallen leaves and hitting the window frame.

Because of the gloomy weather, copper candles as thick as a child's arm were lit everywhere in the Xuanzheng Hall.

The lights were bright, making the two people's shadows very long.

…………

The engagement was set, and the overjoyed Xie Yanshu began to report to the Song family every day. He was always given something - the first time he received was fresh fruit sent from the southwest, and the second time was newly woven brocade from the south of the Yangtze River.

The mouth is soft when eating someone's food, and the hand is short when receiving someone's money. Moreover, Xie Yanshu is so concerned about Song Lingyi that the whole Song family is full of praise for this future son-in-law. Even Zhao Xiaoniang, who usually treats Song Lingyi in a sarcastic way, softens her tone as she touches the silk and satin and gold, silver and jade jewelry on her body.

Song Lingyi was naturally happy, but she still had something on her mind.

As dusk approached, Fengxian Tower was crowded with guests.
Song Lingyi sat in the private room nervously. The table in front of her was filled with the most delicious dishes from Fengxianlou.

I don't know how long I waited, but the door of the private room creaked open from the outside.

Song Lingyi looked in the direction of the voice and saw Zhao Yinxian walking in from the door. Her face was not very good. She was casual by nature, and unlike the ordinary noble ladies in Chang'an who followed the rules, she never hid her dissatisfaction.

Song Lingyi stood up and greeted her warmly: "Sister Zhao, please sit down."

Zhao Yinxian glanced at the table full of delicacies, and finally her eyes fell on Song Lingyi. She sat down opposite her, crossed her arms and snorted, "You and Xie Yanshu are really doing great things quietly. If I hadn't heard from my maid, I wouldn't have known that your two families had exchanged engagement tokens!"

Song Lingyi looked embarrassed, pursed her lips and said, "Please forgive me, Sister Zhao, the engagement was indeed sudden. I invited you here today because I wanted to apologize to you."

"Apologize?" Zhao Yinxian's expression changed slightly, and then returned to her cold and frosty look. "Apologize for what?"

Song Lingyi pondered for a moment, poured her a glass of wine, and said with a smile: "I was wrong for not telling Sister Zhao about the engagement earlier. Sister Zhao and Xie Yanshu have been childhood sweethearts, and both families have tacitly agreed to the marriage...but marriage between a man and a woman is a big deal and cannot be compromised."