Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 571 - 291 Curtain Falls_3

Chapter 571: Chapter 291 Curtain Falls_3

Qian Manjiang wondered aloud, "Oh, what’s so good about Father’s discernment?"

Qian Yixiu smiled and said, "Father has chosen the right side. Prince Ning has both virtue and talent, and he bears the aura of an emperor. He will be the one to laugh last, and when he does, he will settle accounts for us."

Qian Manjiang chuckled, "Keep that thought to yourself; you mustn’t spread it around."

The investigation went very smoothly, and by the afternoon of the next day, everything had "come out in the wash." The rumor-monger was Old Grandma Wei from Lady Cui’s retinue—a servant who, having been dissatisfied with not being promoted to a position in charge of the main court, told other servants of the Cui family, claiming that she had heard it from the main Madam herself. Believing it to be true, the servant spread the word within the Cui Mansion, and the rumor eventually leaked out. The rumormongering Sister Wei had already committed suicide the previous night out of fear of her crimes.

The finger was indeed pointed directly at the Liang Family. The Cui family had thus ruthlessly pinned the blame on Lady Cui.

However, the Old Duke Liang, no, the Old fox Liang, had already anticipated this possibility. He first conspired with the Qian family, sharing his analysis and reaching a consensus with both the Qian and Pan families to present a united front. Then he went to the Emperor to confess his failings in family management, claiming that his daughter-in-law had spoken a few words of complaint outside, which were exploited by those with ulterior motives. It seemed as though the Liang family had extricated themselves.

The final conclusion was that Lady Cui first committed the indiscretion of loose talk, and then failed to govern her household properly, leading to Old Grandma Wei spreading rumors at the Cui house. The Cui family was deemed as having poor household management for letting the rumor spread.

The Empress Dowager issued an edict reprimanding Lady Cui, also bestowing upon her a ruler and a "Women’s Admonition." The Family Head, Old Duke Liang, was chastised in person by the Emperor for his failure to manage his household properly.

The head of the Cui family was demoted from a fourth-rank officer to the fifth rank for allowing the rumor to spread through poor household management.

The Wong and Luo families were called out for their poor upbringing of their daughters, allowing Wong Wen and Luo Susu to wildly spread unfounded stories. The family heads were reprimanded, and the Empress Dowager sent two Sisters to the Wong and Luo households to provide guidance to the two young ladies for a year.

Because the Commandery Princess Jingchang was taken ahead of time by the Former Consort and Prince Shou to Cining Palace to apologize, she received a lighter punishment: she was confined for three months and had to copy the "Women’s Admonition" ten times.

The greatest shame and loss from this incident fell upon Lady Cui and the Cui family. Lady Cui lost face and favor, becoming the subject of mockery by outsiders and losing the affection of her in-laws, as well as causing discontent in her husband and son. The Cui family, now on hostile terms with the influential Liang family who held significant sway in the court and whose daughter would no longer be close to them, also saw their Family Head demoted.

The Empress Dowager even specially issued an edict praising the Qian family’s daughter, Yixiu, for her chastity, tranquility, steadiness, and dignity, setting her as a role model for young women, and awarded her a Jade Ruyi.

All these matters concluded by the nineteenth of the twelfth lunar month. On that day’s early court assembly, Liang Zechong was also present. As someone without a specific duty, he didn’t need to attend court unless there were significant state matters.

He didn’t speak out of turn and, after listening for half the day and seeing that the assembly was about to be dismissed, he quickly made his way to the center of the great hall. Bowing, he said, "I have a request to ask of the Emperor."

The Emperor spoke, "You’ve stood there half the morning, just staring at the rooftop, silent. It turns out, you have a request to make."

Liang Zechong bowed and said, "Lord Xiangen’s granddaughter, Miss Qian, is virtuous and tranquil, as well an intellectual and beauty. My eldest grandson, Jinzhao, admires her deeply and has asked for her hand several times. However, the Qian family cherishes their daughter and wishes to keep her at home for a few more years before arranging a marriage. I would like to request the Emperor’s grace in bestowing a marriage between my grandson and the Qian family’s daughter."

The Emperor chuckled coldly and said, "So if I don’t arrange the marriage, I would not be showing kindness?"

Liang Zechong quickly bowed deeply to the ground and said, "I wouldn’t dare to be so disrespectful and defiant."

The Emperor added, "My niece is indeed cherished; not only does your family wish to ask for her hand, but two other courtiers have already requested I arrange a marriage."

Liang Zechong hurriedly said, "As the saying goes, first come, first served. When the Qian family was still in the countryside, I had already sought to arrange a marriage on behalf of my grandson."

The Emperor said, "But what use is having asked before? They did not agree, did they? If the Qian family does not agree, I am also unwilling to play the villain. A marriage alliance is to join two families in harmony. Once the Qian family is willing and their affections are mutual, then come and request an edict."

Liang Zechong’s public plea showed all the court officials his eagerness for the Liang family to marry into the Qian family and his sincere hope that the Emperor would grant the marriage. However, he still did not get his wish.

And with that, the matter was entirely concluded.

That evening, Prince Consort Pan and Qian Manjiang visited the Liang Mansion and in the presence of Liang Zechong, Liang Yiqian, and Liang Jinzhao, proposed to cancel the arrangement. This was a decision they had pondered over and over and, despite their deep reluctance to let go of Liang Jinzhao, they had no choice but to do so.

The recent incident had dragged Lady Cui’s reputation through the mud, and there was no longer any thought of marrying Qian Yixiu into that mess.

Liang Yiqian was Qian Manjiang’s superior, and it was inappropriate for Qian Manjiang to speak, so it was Prince Consort Pan who spoke on their behalf.

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