GBP Chapter 50 Wedding (1)
Chapter 50 Wedding (1)
The Emperor of Eastern Qin quickly resolved the Fang family's matter.
Normally, such matters would require investigation and wouldn't be dealt with too strictly.
After all, this was just a matter within the minister's own backyard.
As long as no one dies as a result, the worst that can happen is a bad reputation.
However, this Lord Fang was unlucky and happened to encounter Qin Wu, a ruthless man, who wanted to wipe out his entire clan.
The key issue is that killing one family wasn't enough; they even wanted to wipe out the Left Prime Minister's residence as well.
If the Eastern Qin Emperor had been too lenient in his punishment, Qin Wu would never have accepted it.
In the end, all that could be done was for Dongfang Yu to take her dowry and one-third of the Fang family's assets as compensation, and then leave the Fang family with her daughter, Fang Yueming, in a divorce.
Qin Wu was not very satisfied with this punishment.
But since the Emperor of Eastern Qin had already given the punishment, he couldn't say much more and could only let it go.
What the Eastern Qin Emperor and his people didn't know was that if Qin Wu were to handle the matter, he would implicate the Empress and the Prince of Zhou as well.
Then we'll deal with the Empress and Prince Zhou together.
If the Emperor of Eastern Qin knew Qin Wu's true thoughts, he would definitely curse Qin Wu as a madman in his heart.
However, the Emperor of Eastern Qin will never know Qin Wu's thoughts again.
After dealing with Dongfang Yu's matter, nothing else happened. After everyone finished their dinner together, they returned to their respective residences.
The news of the Fang family's affair spread throughout the capital.
No one expected that favoring a concubine over one's wife would result in such a severe punishment for a high-ranking official of the third rank in the imperial court.
The method of Qin Wu's punishment was leaked out by someone.
Upon hearing of Qin Wu's method of punishment, the officials exclaimed that he was a living Yama (King of Hell).
This further elevates Qin Wu's madness and ruthlessness.
They would rather offend the Emperor of Eastern Qin than offend Emperor Wu of Qin.
Offending the Emperor of Eastern Qin would at most mean death, but offending Qin Wu, the living Yama, might mean much more than just death.
For no apparent reason, nine generations of their family were implicated.
What was originally just a death sentence turned into the extermination of the entire clan, or even the extermination of three or nine generations.
That's true ruthlessness.
When the Left Chancellor learned that Qin Wu was planning to implicate him and even lead troops to wipe out his entire family, he was terrified.
In his decades of official service, this was the first time he had ever heard of someone being implicated and their entire family wiped out because of favoring a concubine over their wife.
He secretly vowed to warn his married daughters that if any of them did anything that Qin Wu could use against them, they should not be blamed for being expelled from the family.
To avoid implicating him.
However, this incident also caused many officials who favored their concubines over their wives to immediately change their attitudes toward their wives.
They didn't want their entire clan to be wiped out because of this.
This made many of the ladies feel grateful to Qin Wu in their hearts, as it made their future lives much easier.
Even if they are not favored by their husbands, they don't have to worry about their concubines daring to bully them.
Qin Wu unintentionally did a good deed.
Two days after the banquet.
The entire Divine Martial Prince's Mansion and the Imperial Palace were bustling with activity.
To make up for his past shortcomings towards Qin Wu, the Emperor of Eastern Qin held a grand banquet in the palace for prominent families and nobles.
It can be said that the wedding was conducted with the same standards as the Crown Prince's wedding.
But no one said anything, not even the upright and incorruptible censors.
It's not that they don't want to, but that they dare not.
No one dared to offend Qin Wu, lest they incur the wrath of this living devil. They feared that one day they might accidentally offend him.
This living devil is looking for an excuse to give them a clan-wide elimination game.
No one objected, which made the entire wedding preparations go exceptionally smoothly, and the entire palace and the Shenwu Prince's Mansion were quickly decorated.
The wedding day has arrived.
Qin Wu got up early in the morning to wash and dress.
When the auspicious hour arrived, Qin Wu led the wedding procession to the Zhennan Marquis's residence.
The wedding car used to pick up the bride was drawn by seven fine horses.
The entire wedding car was inlaid with gold and silver, exuding luxury and extravagance.
The onlookers were shocked.
It was the first time they had ever seen such a luxurious wedding car.
It can be said to be unique in the entire Eastern Qin, and even in the surrounding countries.
Behind the wedding car was an endless stream of betrothal gifts.
This demonstrated the wealth of the Divine Martial King to everyone.
Originally, everyone thought that the Divine Martial King did not have the support of his maternal clan and did not have much money.
But today they realize just how wrong they were.
Little did they know that although the environment in the North was harsh, it didn't mean there weren't good things there.
On the contrary, good products from the North are quite valuable.
Over the years, Qin Wu has been the biggest bandit in the north.
Besides defending against the Northern Barbarian army, he also secretly led troops to plunder the Northern Barbarians, and in the past few years he has amassed an untold fortune.
He then used this wealth to secretly cultivate his power and make money, which allowed Qin Wu to amass a substantial fortune.
The largest chamber of commerce in the north today was secretly cultivated by Qin Wu.
The gifts presented for today's wedding are just a drop in the ocean.
Meanwhile, the Zhennan Marquis's residence began to bustle with activity before dawn.
Although the wedding will not be held at the Zhennan Marquis's residence, the proper etiquette must still be observed.
Lady Zhennan rushed back day and night for this grand wedding.
As for the Marquis of Zhennan, due to the turmoil in Southern Qi, he could not leave easily and therefore could not return to attend his youngest daughter's wedding.
This is one of Jiang Pingle's regrets.
However, Jiang Pingle was already very satisfied.
"Girl, I didn't expect you to be getting married so soon."
As the Lady of Zhennan was doing Jiang Pingle's makeup, she spoke with some sadness.
The whole family cherished their daughter, but because the couple guarded the border, they spent very little time with her and always felt they owed her a debt.
I never imagined that my daughter would be getting married so soon after she comes of age. After she marries into the Divine Martial Prince's Mansion, it will be even more difficult to see her again.
"Mother, don't be sad. The Prince's mansion is very close to our Marquis's mansion. As long as you come back, you will be able to see your daughter."
Jiang Pingle's eyes were filled with tears.
She didn't want to get married so early. Originally, after she came of age, she planned to go to the border to stay with her parents for two years.
But unexpectedly, a palace banquet forced her to get married.
Fortunately, the person she was going to marry treated her very well, which was her good fortune.
"Hmm, how does the Divine Martial King treat you?"
When asked, the Lady of Zhennan asked why she had only arrived last night. Although she had heard some rumors, she had not seen the person in person.
She was still a little worried.
"Don't worry, Mother. He's a good man and dotes on his daughter. Although I had no choice but to marry him, he will definitely be a responsible and good husband."
Jiang Pingle recalled Qin Wu's feelings for her during this time.
That was truly wonderful, even indulgent; he never refused her requests.
Moreover, the Prince's account books had already been given to her just two days ago.
This is something no other man could ever do.
"That's good. Now that you've married into the Divine Martial Prince's Mansion, there's nothing we can do to help you. If you're not doing well, just come back. The Zhennan Marquis's Mansion will always be your home."
Lady Zhennan felt somewhat relieved after hearing her daughter's words.
"Mother, don't worry, the Divine Martial King is really good to my sister. He gave her the keys to the Divine Martial King's storeroom and the manor's account books the day before yesterday."
“My sister will be the head of the household as soon as she arrives, and she won’t have a mother-in-law to keep her from being oppressed. Her future will definitely be bright.”
Jiang Pingxin said from the side.
"Pingxin, have you thought this through?"
Lady Zhennan looked at Jiang Pingxin.
This daughter has also suffered; she married a ruthless husband, and her life is ruined.
“Mother, I’ve made up my mind. I will never get married in my life. Staying at home for too long will affect the marriage prospects of the other women in the clan.”
"It would be better to become my younger sister's dowry. I can take care of her when I go to the Divine Martial Prince's Mansion."
Jiang Pingxin said.
In this world, when a woman marries, she will choose a woman from her clan as part of her dowry, usually from a collateral branch.
It is almost impossible for them to choose their own sisters.
However, Jiang Pingxin's situation was special; she returned home due to special reasons.
However, this world is too harsh on women. It is almost impossible for a woman to return home after a divorce, and staying at home would also affect the other women in the clan.
It can be said that women who are divorced or abandoned have almost no chance of survival.
That's why Jiang Pingxin decided to become her younger sister's dowry companion and marry into the Shenwu Royal Palace together.
"Is the Divine Martial King aware of this matter?"
The Lady of Zhennan asked.
After all, dowries never included divorced women.
They were afraid of displeasing King Shenwu by doing so.
“Mother, the Prince knows about it, and he also gave his permission.”
"The prince said that anyone who dares to gossip will pay the price."
Jiang Pingle said.
Without Qin Wu's approval, she wouldn't have dared to let her sister take the risk.
The main problem is that there have been too many rumors lately. Although her sister didn't say anything, she could tell that her sister was contemplating suicide.
If it weren't for her upcoming wedding, her sister would probably have already committed suicide.
Only then did she discuss with her brother about choosing dowry members, and decide to have Jiang Pingxin accompany her.
After discussing it with Qin Wu, they told Jiang Pingxin, and they persuaded her for a long time before she finally agreed.
"That's good. Pingxin has had a hard life. It's your father's and my fault for not choosing a good husband for you."
"But it's good now. Although it's just a dowry, with your sister here, the people of the Divine Martial Prince's Mansion won't dare to bully you. Your mother and father just hope that you can live well and not think too much."
As the Lady of Zhennan spoke, tears began to flow.
After receiving news of Jiang Pingxin's departure and return home, she worried that Jiang Pingxin might commit suicide.
She is already very content to see that her daughter did not attempt suicide.
"Mother, don't cry. Today is my sister's wedding. Crying is bad luck."
Jiang Pingxin stepped forward to wipe away the tears of the Lady of Zhennan.
Actually, if Jiang Pingle hadn't been getting married soon, she would have had suicidal thoughts. The rumors and gossip she'd been going through lately were almost too much for her to bear.
Only after repeated persuasion from her younger sister and older brother did she finally agree.
She also knew that this was a way out that her younger sister and older brother had found for her because they didn't want her to commit suicide.
If anyone in the world can silence public opinion, it would be the Divine Martial King, known as the Living Yama.
To put her family at ease, she finally agreed.
That's how the dowry came about today.
"Okay, don't cry, don't cry."
Lady Zhennan wiped away her tears and said.
As long as my daughter is alive and well, I'll include her in the dowry.
It's better to be part of the dowry to the Divine Martial Prince's Mansion than to commit suicide.
"Madam, Miss, the Divine Martial King has arrived."
A maidservant hurried in to remind her.
Lady Zhennan then covered the heads of her two daughters with veils.
The two sons carried the two women to the main hall.
"Mother, please have some tea."
Qin Wu accepted the tea brought by the maid and respectfully handed it to the Lady of Zhennan Marquis.
"Very well, Your Highness, I entrust my two daughters to you. I hope you can live happily ever after."
The Lady of Zhennan took the teacup and gave her some instructions.
"Mother, please rest assured that I will treat Ping Le and Ping Xin well after they marry into my Divine Martial Prince's Mansion, and I will not let anyone bully them."
"I have already given the order that Ping Le will be the principal wife, and Ping Xin will also be a concubine."
"The entire Divine Martial Royal Palace will respect them."
Qin Wu assured him.
According to the rules, Jiang Pingxin was not entitled to a formal title and could only become a concubine.
However, Qin Wu still decided to give her a title to avoid her awkward position in the Prince's Mansion.
As for concubines, that's impossible; the royal family would never agree to it.
Even his concubine was only agreed to after he beat up two elders of the Imperial Clan Court.
Qin Wu's words greatly surprised the Lady of Zhennan Marquis and everyone in the Zhennan Marquis's mansion.
None of them expected that Qin Wu would give Jiang Pingxin a formal title.
After all, Jiang Pingxin was returning home after a divorce, so it was already quite unusual for her to be included as part of her dowry.
Now that she has been granted the title of a concubine, she can be considered one of the masters of the Prince's mansion.
"Thank you for the divine favor, King Shenwu."
Jiang Pingxin stepped forward and knelt down to express her gratitude.
She never expected that she would actually receive a formal title.
In the future, she will be eligible to have her own children.
This was something she had never dared to imagine before.
"Get up. You are Ping Le's eldest sister. The dowry you received was already too much for you. It's just a title. As long as you don't feel like you're losing out, that's fine."
Qin Wu helped Jiang Pingxin up.
He actually felt sorry for this gentle and generous woman. If she hadn't married the wrong person, she would have been a very good wife.
"I won't suffer any loss, I won't suffer any loss. If I can gain the prince's favor and a title, that would already be a great blessing."
Jiang Pingxin finally couldn't hold back her tears.
She had been holding back her frustrations for too long, and today, with Qin Wu's promise, she finally felt relieved.
"Alright, alright, don't cry. Pingxin, today is your day of great joy and peace. You mustn't cry, you mustn't cry."
Lady Zhennan stepped forward and hugged Jiang Pingxin to comfort her.
"Yes, sister, don't cry. Today is a big day for us sisters."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."
Jiang Pingle also bowed to Qin Wu to express his gratitude.
"Alright, everyone cheer up. Today is our big day. The auspicious time has arrived, and we're about to set off."
Qin Wu comforted him.
Jiang Pingwu and his second brother stepped forward and carried the two sisters on their backs.
Qin Wu walked out of the Marquis's residence.
Logically, as part of the dowry, one shouldn't need to be carried out of the mansion. However, now that Qin Wu has given her a formal title, her brothers can carry her out of the mansion.
At this moment, Jiang Pingle finally realized why Qin Wu had made his elder sister wear a wedding dress as part of the dowry.
She was initially puzzled, as wearing a wedding dress as part of a dowry was against etiquette and could lead to impeachment by the censor.
Now everything finally makes sense.
Qin Wu is trying to give his elder sister a formal title.