Chapter 52

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Meanwhile, over at the Ministry of War Shangshu Residence, Ai Sheng dragged his heavy footsteps through the front gate like a soulless husk. At this very moment, his mind was still occupied by what had just happened, his whole person in a muddled, dreamlike state.

He never could have imagined that the path of seeking a marriage alliance, which he originally thought would be fraught with difficulties and constant obstacles, would actually go so smoothly. Before this, he had even prepared for the worst — that An Wang might be unwilling to betroth his daughter to his son Ai Chun for various reasons, or might deliberately make things difficult for the two of them, father and son.

For this reason, just last night, when he learned that Ai Chun had set his heart on An Wang's daughter, Ai Sheng flew into a rage and gave Ai Chun a thorough tongue-lashing: "You brat, there are countless women in the world, why did you have to set your sights on An Wang's daughter!"

However, seeing the look of Ai Chun's wholehearted devotion to An Wang's daughter, Ai Sheng's heart ultimately softened. Despite the helplessness and worry in his heart, in the end he still couldn't resist his son's earnest pleading, gritted his teeth and agreed: "Fine, fine, even if I have to throw away this old face of mine, I'll go beg the Emperor to issue a decree bestowing marriage!"

What Ai Sheng never expected was that An Wang turned out to be surprisingly reasonable, agreeing to this marriage without a second word; what delighted him even more was that the Emperor, upon hearing the matter, also agreed readily without hesitation, and immediately issued an imperial edict bestowing marriage. Just like that, the difficult problem that had plagued Ai Sheng and Ai Chun, father and son, was unexpectedly resolved in the blink of an eye.

When the carriage Ai Sheng rode in finally slowly drove back to the Shangshu Residence, Ai Chun had long been unable to contain his inner anxiety, pacing back and forth at the gate for who knows how many circles.

Finally seeing the family carriage appear in his line of sight, he immediately rushed forward in long strides. The moment Ai Sheng stepped down from the carriage, Ai Chun hurriedly crowded up to him, asking with a face full of concern: "Father, how did it go? Did the Emperor bestow marriage on us or not?" At this moment Ai Sheng seemed not yet to have fully recovered from his shock, his whole person looking somewhat dazed.

Seeing this, Ai Chun's heart couldn't help but give a "thump", and he secretly thought: Could it be the marriage bestowal didn't succeed? Could An Wang have gone back on his word? For a moment all sorts of pessimistic thoughts surged into his mind, even the thought of where they should elope to had already surfaced in his mind.

But even so, he still clung to a last thread of hope, unwilling to give up as he pressed: "Father, how was it really? Did the Emperor really not bestow marriage on us?" At this, Ai Sheng finally seemed to wake from a dream, slowly opening his mouth to say: "Marriage was bestowed..." Ai Chun thought he had misheard and hurriedly asked: "Then why do you have this expression?" "Oh, Father just didn't expect it to be this easy, a bit puzzled is all."

The Ministry of War Shangshu replied, Ai Chun let out a long breath of relief, and what followed immediately was overflowing joy, saying to Ai Sheng: "Father, let's hurry and find Mother to tell her this good news." Ai Sheng said fine, and the two of them, father and son, went together to Guo Lanxin's courtyard.

At this moment Guo Lanxin was truly worried sick, her heart hanging high the whole time. She gazed anxiously at the gate, and when she saw father and son enter side by side, both their faces brimming with barely concealed joy, only then did she let out a slight breath of relief.

However, before they had even fully stepped through the door, Guo Lanxin couldn't wait to ask: "How did it go exactly? How was it?"

Ai Chun replied with a beaming smile: "The Emperor has already issued a gracious edict, marriage is bestowed!" Hearing this news, Guo Lanxin was so excited she pressed her palms together, saying repeatedly: "Wonderful! Wonderful! In that case, we must hurry and pick an auspicious day, then arrange the betrothal gifts as soon as possible!"

At this, Ai Sheng, who had been standing to the side, hurriedly took up the conversation: "After obtaining the imperial edict from the Holy One, I immediately went to An Wang to ask for Miss Yan's birth date and time, and rushed it non-stop to the Imperial Observatory to have someone calculate." Guo Lanxin and Ai Chun simultaneously turned their gazes toward him, asking in unison: "So what was the calculated result?"

Ai Sheng pondered briefly and replied: "It is the sixth day of the ninth month this year." Guo Lanxin silently calculated in her heart, and couldn't help but exclaim softly: "Oh, from now until then is roughly four-plus months, not quite five months, time is still fairly ample. Just wonder if this date has been communicated to An Wang?"

Ai Sheng shook his head and answered truthfully: "Not yet informed. Originally I agreed to go to his residence this afternoon to formally propose, but just now I learned from the Imperial Observatory that, according to custom, proposing is best done in the morning; unfortunately the hour is already late, too late to go in person. Later I will instruct the Steward to make a quick trip to An Wangfu, inform An Wang that we will go propose tomorrow morning, and at that time discuss whether the calculated day works; hope he won't blame us for it."

"Mm, fine, then I'd better hurry and prepare the betrothal gifts!" Guo Lanxin said hurriedly, and before her words even finished she rushed out like a gust of wind. Seeing this, Ai Chun hurriedly quick-stepped after her, calling out: "Mother, I'm coming too!"

On this side, Ai Sheng methodically instructed the Steward: "You go quickly and inform An Wang, say we'll go propose tomorrow morning, the Imperial Observatory calculated afternoon proposing is inauspicious, hope An Wang won't take offense." The Steward accepted the order and swiftly departed to carry out the task.

And at this moment at the other end, Guo Lanxin was already in the warehouse, concentrating fully on taking inventory of the family assets. She held a ledger in hand, her sharp gaze sweeping over every item, muttering to herself as she carefully checked for any missing treasures. At her side, Ai Chun wasn't idle either; he assisted his mother in the inventory, occasionally offering an opinion.

Before long, Guo Lanxin had the Steward prepare eight large red boxes. She personally placed various rare objects into the boxes one by one, until each box was stuffed full to the brim.

But that wasn't the end; Guo Lanxin seemed still unsatisfied, and immediately selected another small, exquisite box, likewise stuffing it until there was practically not a sliver of space left.

After finishing all this, she finally nodded in satisfaction, let out a long breath, then turned to look at Ai Chun and asked: "Chun'er, you take a look, are these things acceptable?"

Ai Chun had witnessed the whole process from start to finish, and now hearing his mother ask, couldn't help but show a surprised expression, saying: "Mother, acceptable is acceptable, but with so many precious betrothal gifts all given to me, what will we do when younger brother gets married later?"

Guo Lanxin laughed heartily at this, answering unconcernedly: "Don't rush, don't rush, your younger brother's marriage is still early, your father is only forty, prime age for striving." Finishing, she even winked playfully at Ai Chun.

Faced with his mother's such optimistic and open-minded words, Ai Chun was momentarily at a loss for words, and could only reply helplessly: "Alright then..."

After all matters were fully prepared, Guo Lanxin stood in the courtyard, looking around, but couldn't help a surge of worry in her heart. The more she looked at this house, the more she felt the family seemed a bit old and worn, fearing it might not meet Yan Xiner's approval.

Thinking of this, Guo Lanxin hurriedly summoned the Steward, instructing urgently: "Go quickly and find some master craftsmen, carpenters, and masons! I want to completely renovate Ai Chun's courtyard from top to bottom!"

The Steward, hearing this, first froze slightly, but then quickly reacted, nodding repeatedly: "Madam rest assured, this servant will go handle it at once! Just wonder when specifically would be best to start construction?"

Guo Lanxin pondered a moment and said: "Have them come tomorrow afternoon. Wait until after we've delivered the betrothal gifts before renovating, that way we can also avoid clashing with the auspicious atmosphere."

The Steward accepted the order and left, hurrying off to get busy. He rushed about non-stop inquiring everywhere, seeking out those experienced and highly skilled craftsmen. Before long, a team of master artisans was assembled.

These people each possessed consummate skill, and for house renovation and remodeling they were thoroughly familiar with the work. And at this moment Guo Lanxin, her heart full of anticipation, looked forward to this courtyard being completely renewed, becoming a warm place that Yan Xiner would love...