Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 879 - 715: Choosing a Consort
"Zheng Lun said that his mother met the girl and remarked that she looked dignified and elegant, though her temperament was a bit soft. However, his mother said that it was not a matter of concern, for after marriage, she would surely become a virtuous wife and loving mother."
Hmm? Gu Chengyu noted the implied meaning behind these words: ’dignified and elegant’ without any other adjectives usually meant that the girl’s appearance was just proper.
Otherwise, if she were truly beautiful, they would typically say something like ’features as picturesque as a painting,’ or at least ’delicate and charming.’
Nevertheless, when it comes to marriage, virtue is what Zheng Lun’s mother truly valued and would not mind.
If her son did not fancy her entirely, he could always take a few beautiful concubines.
This was a common ailment of ancient times; not only men thought this way, but even women too.
Moreover, being slightly soft in nature was linked to one’s upbringing environment.
This girl’s position was somewhat awkward, living at the side of her legitimate mother, and on top of that, in the presence of a legitimate daughter.
The legitimate mother would not train her to be too sensible, to avoid overshadowing the aura of the legitimate daughter.
Over time, she would either become a surface-level naïve girl with deep-seated scheming, or develop a timid, submissive personality.
If the legitimate mother were more cunning, she might intentionally raise the legitimate daughter to be sharp-tongued and unpleasant, causing everyone in the mansion to dislike her.
People would then compare her to the obedient and dignified legitimate daughter, making the legitimate daughter the leaf to accentuate the flower.
Even more vicious plots would spread such rumors about the legitimate daughter’s nature, ruining her life.
Of course, not every event is absolute!
He did not know the personalities of that girl and Mrs. Hu; maybe she was indeed a good legitimate mother?
These were all his speculations, naturally not suited to be voiced.
Unlike the convoluted thoughts of Gu Chengyu, Zhu Pang hadn’t considered much.
"Did Zheng Lun tell you this?"
Gu Chengyu believed that Zheng Lun was already attentive and that his mother must have said something for Zheng Lun to roughly gauge the kind of girl his future wife was.
"Yes! However, my mother once met the girl, and even my wife has seen her. My mother only said that the girl’s manners were impeccable, and as for her looks, perhaps just dignified!"
His mother would never have told him the latter part; he had overheard it during a conversation between his mother and his wife.
"Do not utter nonsense in front of Zheng Lun, and refrain from casually judging the girl’s appearance. As the saying goes, ’Seeing is believing, hearing is deceiving.’"
Gu Chengyu offered this advice lightly, believing Zhu Pang would probably only speak freely in front of him.
"Do you know who the matchmaker was?"
More than the girl’s appearance, Gu Chengyu was interested in knowing who arranged the match.
"It is said to be the heir’s wife of Duke Zhen’s Mansion."
Zhu Pang played with a verdant lotus leaf tray in his hand, liking it more and more as he looked at it.
"Oh?" Gu Chengyu was taken aback, wasn’t the heir’s wife from Duke Zhen’s Mansion Yao Mengxian’s mother?
Could it be that the heir of Duke Zhen’s Mansion was closely connected with Dingnan Marquis Mansion or Hu Mansion?
Yet he hadn’t heard of any such relations among the three parties before.
While Gu Chengyu was still puzzled, Zhu Pang unexpectedly spoke again.
"I’ve heard that the Emperor is going to select a Princess Consort for Prince Jing."
Upon hearing this, Gu Chengyu was not too surprised, given that Prince Jing was no longer young. He still pondered why Mrs. Ke was the matchmaker.
The Emperor had once intended to arrange a marriage for Prince Jing, but the reputable aristocratic families in the Capital had devised ways to decline. What was different this time?
"But guess what? Quite a few families in the Capital are now very willing."
This startled Gu Chengyu because previously, no one was willing.
"We won’t mention the small families, but surprisingly, two major aristocratic families are eager! One of them is Anhe Marquis Mansion, which happens to have a legitimate daughter of suitable age."
Zhu Pang spoke casually, causing Gu Chengyu to fall into deep thought.
Anhe Marquis Mansion was once affluent but was now living quite hard-pressed days.
Their willingness is not surprising; after all, Prince Jing is a prince. Marrying the legitimate daughter there would at least elevate her to the Royal Jade Scroll as a Princess Consort, making the Marquis Mansion firmly part of the royal family.
Furthermore, setting other things aside, the status of a Princess Consort is still noble.
The unwilling families naturally have other plans, for this prince lacks real power.
When Prince Jing goes to his fief in the future, it wouldn’t bring any benefits to their families.
"And which is the other family?" Gu Chengyu’s interest lay in knowing who the other family was.
"You wouldn’t guess it, it’s Duke Zhen’s Mansion, your teacher’s granddaughter."
Gu Chengyu suddenly felt disconcerted. What kind of person was Prince Jing?
If things go well in the future, Yao Mengxian could rule the world as the mother of the nation, which wouldn’t be a loss.
But if Prince Jing fails, how would Yao Mengxian and Duke Zhen’s Mansion survive in the future?
The existence of Duke Zhen’s Mansion was none of his concern, and he saw no reason to worry.
But Yao Mengxian was the granddaughter of his teacher; if anything happened to her, his teacher and his teacher’s wife might not survive either.
Yao Mengxian could marry anyone but Prince Jing, or else he would have no choice but to commit to Prince Jing’s faction.
Surely, he could not stand opposed to his teacher.
Seeing Gu Chengyu frown, Zhu Pang examined him with a strange look.
"Ahem! What? Are you very surprised?"
Gu Chengyu came back to his senses, nodding repeatedly, "Indeed, surprised. Did both Duke and the heir of Duke Zhen’s Mansion agree?"
"I’ve heard that Miss Yao’s father agreed, but the Duke has not expressed his opinion yet, no idea what he means by this. Nonetheless, the heir’s wife seems quite active, dropping hints during recent family banquets."
Zhu Pang didn’t have a good impression of Mrs. Ke, even though the legitimate daughter of Duke Zhen’s Mansion was certainly among the candidates for the princess selection. Moreover, the direct branch’s legitimate daughter was the optimal candidate for the Princess Consort.
Yet, Mrs. Ke was exhibiting eagerness to the point of tarnishing Miss Yao’s reputation.
Moreover, which aristocratic family was willing, exactly? Only these two families seem to be vying for it.
He initially looked at Gu Chengyu because that girl was the granddaughter of Liang Mansion, and the two were of similar age...
"Miss Yao could be considered your childhood sweetheart, right?"
Zhu Pang inched closer, grinning slyly at Gu Chengyu.
Gu Chengyu frowned, "Miss Yao and I have hardly met a few times, so don’t utter nonsense and tarnish the girl’s reputation. Besides, marriage is by parental order and matchmaker’s word; Miss Yao and I have a relationship based on propriety and restraint, with no possibility of private exchange."
Upon hearing this from Gu Chengyu, Zhu Pang immediately gave him a disdainful look.
"Ahem! I’m just being talkative; certainly wouldn’t dare say this outside."
He understood the gravity of the girl’s reputation, acknowledging how inappropriate his words were.
Although Gu Chengyu stated this, he had a sudden realization, connecting Zheng Lun’s marriage and Prince Jing’s bride selection.
No, something was definitely going on.
With Zhu Pang present, Gu Chengyu strategically put this matter aside, shifting his inquiries to the date of Zheng Lun’s wedding ceremony.
"When did Zheng Lun get engaged? When is the wedding date?"
Gu Chengyu had missed Zhu Pang’s wedding, and he could not afford to miss this one.
