Even though she was a princess married for political alliance, she still deserved the proper ceremony.
Aisha did not move directly into the Ning King's mansion. Instead, she prepared for the wedding at the Court of Colonial Affairs. Five million taels of silver were deposited into the national treasury. Emperor Changwu generously bestowed upon Princess Aisha a dowry of one hundred and twenty-eight loads, and also presented one hundred and twenty-eight loads of betrothal gifts.
The Imperial Observatory declared the sixth day of the sixth lunar month to be an auspicious day for marriage.
And so, that day became the grand occasion for the Ning King to take a consort.
Ouyang Wen was extremely displeased. The sixth day of the sixth lunar month was the date he had chosen as a good day, and now it had to be postponed. "Damn it, the next auspicious day is in August. Old Ji, tell me, isn't the Imperial Observatory deliberately messing with me?"
Ji Jin didn't even lift his eyelids. "Isn't that better? If we get married on the sixth, Ah Yan still won't be back."
"When that scoundrel got married back then, neither of us received any news, and he still wants me to wait for him to return before getting married?"
Ji Jin: "...As long as you're happy."
Ouyang Wen saw him looking down at his book again and felt displeased. He moved closer and said, "Old Ji, why are you so absent-minded today? Could it be that seeing your brother embrace a beauty has also stirred up your spring fever? Tell me, which young lady has caught your eye? I'll go and propose for you."
"No need to propose. Come with me to De Yi Lou."
Ouyang Wen retreated eight feet. "Old Ji, your heart is too poisonous. Even if you can't find a wife, you can't drag me down to be single for a lifetime."
"Ouyang." Ji Jin turned to look at him and said seriously, "I'm in a bad mood today. Let me be quiet."
Ouyang Wen was stunned and immediately dropped his flippant demeanor.
Ji Jin was dedicated to his studies and often complained about Ouyang Wen being noisy. However, this was the first time he had spoken so earnestly. It seemed his brother had genuinely encountered something, though he had no idea what. But he knew Ji Jin's character; if he didn't want to talk, not even a vise could pry his mouth open.
He patted his brother's shoulder helplessly. "Do you need any help?"
"Not for now."
"Then I'll be going. If you need anything, remember to ask."
Ji Jin saw Ouyang Wen out of his house and then went back inside to retrieve the ghost doctor's mask.
Situ Jue was about to get married, but his condition hadn't been cured yet. He wondered if he would bother Shengsong, as he had always asked Shengsong to help him find a doctor. He pondered with the mask for a while and finally decided to go to De Yi Lou to take a look.
Hmm, tonight it is.
Qi Ying Marquis Mansion
The Jian family's three men gathered in the study, their brows furrowed. They had calculated everything, but never expected a princess married for political alliance to appear.
Jian Shijie said, "Father, what should we do? Third Sister and Fourth Sister probably won't be able to enter the Ning King's mansion now."
Jian Shizhao glanced at him, a hint of disdain rising in his eyes. Even at this point, he was still thinking about a political marriage. Situ Jue's influence was clearly on the decline, wasn't it?
Marquis Qi Ying was disappointed and turned to his second son. "Shizhao, what do you think?"
"Father, the Emperor having the Ning King marry a princess for political alliance clearly indicates he has no intention of letting him inherit the throne. We should make other arrangements."
"Having supported him for so many years, I am truly unwilling to give up just like that." Both of his legitimate daughters had been sacrificed. Where could he find the time to bet on someone else now?
Jian Shizhao was also unwilling. "Father, what is more urgent than us is the Ning King. Let's just wait. Within two days, he will definitely come looking for us."
"What good will it do if he comes looking for us?"
"At the very least, it will make him understand our family's importance. Furthermore, the Emperor appears to be in good health, and court affairs are unpredictable. Who knows what will happen? Let's observe slowly; there will always be opportunities. However, there is one person who must be eliminated."
Marquis Qi Ying nodded in understanding. "Indeed. With him around, the Ning King will have no hope in this life."
Jian Shijie was not entirely foolish and suddenly realized, "Are you referring to the Rui King?"
In the past two years, the Rui King's achievements had indeed been too dazzling. Thinking of the pressure he had endured at the Dali Temple, Jian Shijie narrowed his eyes. If it weren't for him, he would have long been the head of the Dali Temple.
If Father eliminates him...
Jian Shijie immediately cupped his hands and said, "Father, how do you plan to proceed with this matter? Your son will definitely cooperate fully."
Marquis Qi Ying, however, subconsciously looked at Jian Shizhao.
Jian Shizhao stood steadily, silent. Since his elder brother would take action, he was naturally happy to be idle. As for whether it could be achieved, that was something for his father to worry about.