Chapter: 107.1 out of 171
If you wanted to talk about Wu Rong and Da Liang’s relationship, three days and three nights wouldn’t be enough to finish discussing.
Da Liang’s citizens’ primary impression of Wu Rong people was that they were bloody and cruel. They massacred and wreaked havoc. Wu Rong used to frequently invaded Da Liang’s territory. Da Liang’s people who lived in the borders had been subjected to their torment and their lives had been extremely bitter and full of fear. This was why Da Liang’s people didn’t have any favorable impressions of Wu Rong people.
Since many years ago, as soon as people saw Wu Rong people on the street, they would attack first before talking or asking for reason. Currently, the relationship between the two countries had slightly improved and that type of situation had decreased. However, Da Liang’s citizen bias against Wu Rong was deep-rooted and hadn’t changed.
Starting from ten years ago, there had been several battles between Wu Rong and Da Liang. Wu Rong ended up retreating little by little and gradually curbed their arrogance. One of Wu Rong’s heaviest casualties was when fifteen-year-old Zhao Jie led an army into battle for the very first time. Zhao Jie excelled at military matters and effectively deployed his troops. His unfathomable tactics were cunning and unpredictable. No one could guess what he would do next. Wu Rong’s army was completely defeated without any chances to retaliate. They had to retreat about two hundred miles, apologize and pay reparations to Da Liang, and also express that they would no longer try to invade and occupy Da Liang.
After that battle, Wu Rong’s emperor had a deep impression of Zhao Jie and had the utmost fear towards this youth, who was outstanding, despite only being fifteen year old. He couldn’t help shivering at the mere mention of Zhao Jie’s name. After several years had passed, Zhao Jie’s military glory still remained. Who knows how that old emperor would react after seeing Zhao Jie.
It was natural that she would feel proud that Zhao Jie was so powerful.
However, she felt it would be embarrassing to show this. She was afraid that Fourth Madam would laugh at her, so she kept her head lowered and pretended to drink tea to cover up her smiling moth.
Wei Luo picked up a piece of candied white melon from a white and blue porcelain plate with a lotus flower pattern, put the candy into her mouth, blinked, and said, “Fourth aunt, just directly say what you want to say.”
After saying half of the sentence, she didn’t continue, but Wei Luo understood her meaning.
But really, would he be willing to hurt her?
Wei Luo thought of how she had rested her head on his leg as he warmed her stomach in the carriage. She had clearly felt his response, but he had endured and resisted merely because of her words. And, when they had met Song Hui, Wei Luo had clearly felt the change in Zhao Jie’s mood. But, he had kept his anger under control and didn’t embarrass her. Even though he had shown restraint to the point that his face had turned livid, he had only said, “Don’t keep thinking about Song Hui” after bring her back home. He was this considerate and fond of her. At the moment, Wei Luo couldn’t find another man like him.
——–
The day before the palace banquet, there was trouble in second branch’s Bamboo Courtyard again.
Only Wei Bao Shan could cause Second Madam and Second Master to argue. At present, Second Madam had listened to everyone’s advice and didn’t lower herself to his level. She was waiting until Wei Bao Shan reached marriage age, then she would send her away by casually arranging a marriage for her. This matter would then pass. Although a crack had appeared in their martial relationship, they would still have to spend the rest of their lives together.
Then, why were they arguing this time?
Chapter: 107.2 out of 171
Right after Second Madam finished speaking, Second Master Wei Cheng said, “This is why I wanted to talk with father to quickly give Wei Bao Shan a proper title and add her to our family’s genealogy…”
Second Madam almost fainted from anger.
Even Wei Luo felt that Second Master was too muddled. Was there any meaning in his action? Wei Bao Shan was only a daughter born from an outside mistress. Even if she was included in House Wei’s genealogy, her status wasn’t honorable. The proper young masters and ladies in Duke Ying’s residence all felt disdain towards her.
Wei Luo thought for a moment. Second Master wanted to let Wei Bao Shan attend the palace banquet, so that she could show her face in public and have a chance at a good marriage partner. For him to be so muddled-headed, it seemed like this daughter had bewitched him.
Even if she appeared in a public gathering, nothing would change. She was a daughter born by an outside mistress that shouldn’t see the light of day. The aristocratic families that accumulated wealth over a long period of time and knew the truth about her status wouldn’t be interested her. Even if they were interested in her, it wouldn’t be as a legal wife. At most, she would only be a concubine. It would better if she obediently married into an ordinary family. This way, she would have a say in her husband’s family.
Wei Bao Shan was wearing a white silk jacket and a violet silk skirt. Her simple and unobtrusive style of dress made the fragility of her character seem even more apparent. It was easy to find her pitiful. Her head was lowered and her eyes were red. Sensing that someone had come into the room, she only looked up for a moment before lowering her head again.
Second Madam was tired from arguing. She had sat down on rosewood chair to rest.
Wei Cheng was also feeling angry. He didn’t respond to her words.
Wei Bao Shan had gotten used to calling her biological mother, “mother”. After coming to Duke Ying’s residence, she still hadn’t changed how she addressed her biological mother. Who didn’t know that this was taboo? Under the strict rules of aristocratic families, only the legal wife could be addressed as “mother”.
Lin was Second Master’s outside mistress’s last name.
It goes without saying that Second Madam rarely saw Bao Shan and wouldn’t show any mercy when she did talk to her. “Your knowledge of rules is this lacking. If you attend a palace banquet, wouldn’t people laugh at House Wei?”
Wei Bao Shan shrunk her shoulders. She didn’t say a word after this lecture.
Wei Luo had originally been standing at the side watching the excitement. She hadn’t expected that conversation would suddenly turn to her. She froze for a moment, then she refused, “I have to go to Mister Xue’s and Madam Han’s for classes. I don’t have free time…”
——–
In the blink of an eye, it was already September 8th. The banquet arranged by Emperor Chong Zhen to entertain Wu Rong’s emperor was today.
The palace banquet was held at Rong Hua Hall, which was next to the western pond. There were a hundred and eight tables inside the hall. The occasion was very grand. It could be seen that Emperor Chong Zhen was paying absolute attention to the diplomatic relations. After all, this negotiation was related to the common people at the borders and even the stability of Da Liang for the coming decades.
Wei Luo followed her family into the palace. She was wearing a short pink top with scattered flowers and a simple, light green gauzy long skirt. Her style of dress wasn’t too outstanding. It was because it was clear in everyone’s mind that diplomatic relationships between two countries could only happen by becoming allies through marriage.
Standing out would only result in being punished. Whoever wanted to go to Wu Rong could stand out.
P.s. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question and writing out your thoughts.)
