Transmigration: From Farmer To Empress
Chapter 808 - 809 Expensive Rouge (4)

Chapter 808: Chapter 809 Expensive Rouge (4)

In the capital, Cai Wei’s experiment was in full swing when Brother Ying’s news arrived.

"Master, Du Yuheng has been found!"

"Where is he?" Cai Wei clenched her teeth.

"Oh, he’s in the Osmanthus Pavilion at Duke An’s Mansion, accompanying Duke An in receiving guests. Someone from inside the palace has come to propose marriage on behalf of Marquis Wuchang to the eldest daughter of the Du family...."

Brother Ying babbled about what he saw, stunning Cai Wei so much that her jaw almost dropped!

Having just completed the mourning rites, Duke An’s Mansion was still in a period of deep mourning, yet Noble Concubine Jin brazenly sent someone over to propose marriage. She really did not seem to have any regard for the Duke An’s family at all!

At this moment, the atmosphere in Duke An’s Mansion was extremely awkward.

Duke An Du Ruohai and his eldest son Du Yongzhi were both forcing smiles as they entertained Chief Eunuch Li Hai from Noble Concubine Jin’s palace. Although they did not dare to show a cold face to Noble Concubine Jin’s envoy, the father and son’s awkward mannerisms, along with the underlying implications in their words, made it clear that the Du family was unwilling to forge this marital tie.

Jin Dapeng had already been castrated, a well-known fact. While Duke An always sought honor through his daughters’ marriages, he had not yet lost face to the extent of blatantly marrying his daughter to a eunuch as a principal wife. If Du Wanqiu married Jin Dapeng, she would not be able to produce heirs, failing to solidify the family’s status, not to mention becoming the laughingstock of the capital’s nobility. Duke An’s family couldn’t afford such humiliation!

Furthermore, although the brother’s death did not require three years of mourning, it was only proper to wait at least three months before discussing such matters. The fact that Marquis Wuchang’s Mansion brought it up now must mostly be due to their disrespect for Duke An’s Mansion.

Chief Eunuch Li Hai from the Silk Palace, sitting comfortably next to Duke An, was carelessly lifting his fingers like orchids, leisurely flicking the tea leaves floating on the surface of the tea in his cup, ignoring the pained expressions of Du Ruohai and his son.

"Hehe, Noble Concubine Jin knows it’s inappropriate to come proposing marriage right after an incident in the mansion, but considering the circumstances, Marquis Wuchang has truly been unwell these past few days. His wound became infected, he’s been running a high fever, and just yesterday he went delirious, insisting on killing people with a knife, injuring several concubines who were serving him. Noble Concubine Jin is heartbroken for her younger brother and fears something might go wrong, so she wishes to bring him a wife to cleanse the household. Fortunately, she heard that our Marquis had once sought a marriage with your mansion, and that Old Duke Guo had even agreed, so she sent me to inquire. If Duke An has no objections, let’s settle this matter as soon as possible!"

Du Yongzhi rubbed his hands together, his face showing a look of difficulty as he barely managed to say, "Eunuch Li, as you see, Marquis Wuchang is already... well, he has been, er... how could he still take a wife?"

"Crack!"

No sooner had Du Yongzhi finished speaking than Li Hai’s face had already darkened. He set his cup down on the table with measured indifference and, with a sideways cold smile, said, "What is it, does Adult Du look down on us, a bunch of ’useless’ eunuchs? Or does Duke An’s family’s Miss marry only out of necessity?"

"Uh no no no no no... Eunuch, you misunderstand!"

Seeing Li Hai’s changing expression, Du Yongzhi was so frightened that he repeatedly waved his hands, non-stop explaining, "What I mean is, my son’s family just passed away not a hundred days ago, and if I hastily arrange my daughter’s marriage, I am bound to be criticized. If the Imperial Historian impeaches me to His Majesty, I’m afraid I won’t be able to handle the consequences!"

With a skin-deep smile, Li Hai said, "It’s not wrong for Adult Du to fear His Majesty’s punishment, but have you considered that offending Noble Concubine Jin would also leave you unable to cope with the consequences?"

Upon hearing this, Du Yongbang immediately became anxious. He didn’t care whether the eldest daughter married a man without prospects; he was only concerned about his own interests being harmed. Seeing Li Hai look as if he was about to blow up, Du Yongbang became so agitated that he broke into a sweat and repeatedly coughed, gesturing urgently to his father.