Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 665 - 665 666 Marrying an Old Man_1

Chapter 665: Chapter 666 Marrying an Old Man_1 Chapter 665: Chapter 666 Marrying an Old Man_1 When Yu Ze initially talked about it so casually, she actually believed him, but now, after half a year, the situation was still tense. Just this fact alone showed that his words back then were, at most, thirty percent true—he simply wanted to reassure her.

If it were not for the concern for her two children, Muniang would have already raced to the frontier on horseback.

Muniang sighed, gently caressed her still-sleeping child’s cheek, and murmured, “What will you do if your father dares to renege on his promises?”

Thinking that the weather was also about to cool down, and the children had grown quite a bit, last year’s clothes would definitely not fit, it was time to start making new ones.

Although Muniang was particularly lenient in raising her children—mainly because she didn’t want various rules to constrain their nature—she was extraordinarily attentive in matters of food, clothing, and daily needs.

Take the children’s clothes, for instance—all were personally made by her, which also served to pass the time.

“Princess, you’ve received a letter,” Qingya suddenly pushed the door open, startling Muniang for a moment and almost pricking her finger with the needle and thread in her hand.

“Has Prince Heir sent a letter?” Muniang asked, standing up quickly.

Qingya said sheepishly, “It’s a letter from Madam Qiao.”

A flicker of disappointment crossed Muniang’s face, but she still took the letter from Qingya’s hand, opened the seal, and read it carefully.

It turned out to be about Tianniu. Zhao Jiangshui had returned home for half a year now, and would soon return to the Capital to take up his post. He was so intent on marrying Tianniu that he had already proposed. Madam Liu had someone fetch Tianniu, who was still traveling with the touring troupe, in preparation for the wedding next month.

Muniang said with a faint smile, “They are getting married, which is indeed a joyous occasion. It’s a pity that I am far away in the Capital and cannot go back to prepare her dowry. Otherwise, no matter what, as her sister, I should be there to accompany her on her wedding day.”

Qingya laughed and said, “What’s there to worry about? If the Princess’s good intentions are conveyed, it will be enough. Miss Qiao knows that the Princess has always adored her the most—how could she fret over such matters? Besides, in not too many days, Miss Qiao will come to the Capital with Mr. Zhao and will have to visit, so the Princess doesn’t need to rush for this moment.”

Muniang breathed a sigh of relief, “Naturally, there’s no rush. A wedding is but a formality, while it’s a pity I can’t be there this time, as long as they live well together, everything is fine.”

Seeing Muniang’s increasingly somber mood these days, Qingya couldn’t help but try to comfort her, “Perhaps it’s just that the frontier is in a state of emergency, making it inconvenient for the Prince Heir to write. No news might be good news. The Princess always being so gloomy isn’t enjoyable. If the Prince Heir knew, he would probably be heartbroken.”

Muniang nodded absently and then fell silent. Qingya sighed, realizing that if the Prince Heir did not return soon, the Princess might truly become depressed.

Just then, the children woke up. With their eyes brimming with tears, they whimpered a few times. Muniang picked one up and softly soothed them until they were content, well-behaved as they were.

“Oh, I also heard something else,” Qingya suddenly said with enthusiasm. “It’s about Miss Jin, does the Princess know?”

While soothing her child, Muniang asked casually, “What about her?”

Qingya smiled and said, “She’s getting married, to the Marquis Ningyuan, does the Princess know?”

Muniang’s eyes widened, “The Marquis Ningyuan? Isn’t he almost fifty years old, while Jin Qingqing is merely sixteen, in the prime of her youth? Instead of choosing a young and talented man, why settle for such an old fellow?”

“Exactly, the Marquis Ningyuan’s wife passed away just three months ago, and every one of his children is older than Miss Jin. With Miss Jin’s haughty temperament, who knows if she’ll be able to keep things under control once she’s married over there.” Qingya continued, “As for the reason, it’s still related to the Crown Prince acting as regent. Ever since he started overseeing governmental affairs, he’s been diligent in reforming the court hierarchy. The Jin Family is the Empress Dowager’s maternal family, part of the extended royal family. Although they don’t hold significant official positions in court, they receive a hefty annual salary. The Crown Prince intends to streamline these extended royal families and cut back on their expenses, even potentially getting rid of them.”

Understanding dawned on Muniang as she snorted lightly, “The Empress Dowager’s influence is not what it used to be, confined to her sickbed, and it’ll only be a few years before she passes. Without support, and with the Crown Prince intent on their removal, the Jin Family will inevitably decline once the Crown Prince ascends the throne. They’re wisely seeking a powerful ally now. However, it’s well known that the Jin Family adores their daughter, yet now, for the family’s benefit, they’re marrying her off to a widower much older than she is. It seems that even among prestigious families, kinship is indeed indifferent.”

But even so, it’s all in vain. The Emperor is merely clinging to life, and the Crown Prince’s ascension is inevitable. Once the Crown Prince becomes the Emperor, a complete overhaul of the court hierarchy is only natural, and even the Marquis Ningyuan might not be spared the Crown Prince’s disregard.

Seeing that the sun was just right outside and the two little ones were eagerly looking out, Muniang smiled and said, “Alright, I understand you can’t stay put, let’s go out and play, my dears.”

The two little ones happily bounced toward the door but were reined back in by Muniang, who added a warm coat on them. It was the melting season, and although the sun was shining brightly, the temperature was still very low.

Once everything was ready, Muniang took one child by the hand and went out.

The carriage was already waiting outside, but Muniang, feeling like taking a walk for a change, had the coachman stand down. She decided to take the children for a stroll on the streets to soak up the lively atmosphere.

Muniang didn’t bring many people with her when she went out, just Qingya and Nanny Li, but Yu Ze’s Hidden Guards were, of course, closely stationed around, hidden from view yet not far from Muniang.

Xiaobai and Xiaohua were thrilled to be outside, pointing at everything and babbling on. While others might not understand their indistinct chatter, Muniang always could and would engage them, echoing, “Yes, dear.”

As they passed a silver shop, Xiaobai was drawn by the shiny silver ornaments inside and toddled eagerly towards it. Muniang had no choice but to follow.

The Shopkeeper was a shrewd character who, upon seeing Muniang’s imposing presence, understood she must be from a significant household, and his attitude became even more respectful, “What would the Lady like? Our store has just received some new items, or would you prefer I have someone bring them out for your perusal?”

Muniang already possessed more jewelry than she needed, given as rewards or gifts, so she naturally didn’t lack any, and she wasn’t particularly interested in them either. However, when she saw Xiaobai and Xiaohua eagerly eyeing those glittering items, she softly murmured, “Just bring out a few items for the children to play with.”

“Yes, yes, right away, Lady. Please wait a moment,” the Shopkeeper hastily agreed, gesturing to his assistants with a nod, and they promptly went to fetch the newly arrived jewelry.