Actually, the most appropriate person, one who could be able to pry into the reason behind this marriage, would be Wei Shengyi. However, having lost his wife not long ago, even if he could put his sadness aside to help, Wei Shengyi, who was still in mourning, was not suitable to go to the palace. Having thought of all the relatives and friends that Old Madam Song had told her about before she had become married, Wei Changying thought that the person who most likely knew the inside story was the vice-premier, Wei Yu. She then told the thoughtful Mrs. Huang to prepare a gift and sent her over there.

Mrs. Huang didn't come back until close to curfew. Not bothering to have some water, she started to speak about what had happened, "The wife of the vice-premier said she was about to send someone over to tell you about this, young madam. This is what happened. Since Dowager Duchess Ji has passed away and His Majesty has ordered all his children in the capital to pay their respects to their late concubine mother, Princess Lingxian went there as well, but she was excluded by her half-siblings and looked miserable throughout the event, so someone recounted it to His Majesty."

Wei Changying frowned, asking, "Who?"

"Young madam, you will be very surprised. That was Honored Consort Deng." Mrs. Huang said.

Wei Changying was stunned and then said, "Honored Consort Deng? Didn't you say that her Sixth Prince was murdered by Consort Huo and Ji Ying? Later on, the Deng Family harmed Ji Qubing so much that Ji Qubing still refuses to give medical treatment to people in the Deng Family." Regardless of what exactly had happened, everyone believed that it was the truth. Honored Consort Deng also seemed to have believed that it was the reason all these years, even if Empress Qian had long ago been ordered to commit suicide.

"Who can tell what's really going on in the palace?" Mrs. Huang signed, "It is said that Honored Consort Deng told His Majesty that Princess Lingxian is a sad woman. The Sixth Price's death was caused by Consort Huo's stupidity, but Princess Lingxian is innocent. Having witnessed Princess Lingxian, a child of His Majesty, in such a bad state, she could not bear to see it."

Wei Changying pondered for a moment and said, "When Princess Lingxian's daughter, Su Nianchu, suggested Princess Qingxin learn to paint, even her father was scolded by His Majesty. His Majesty doesn't really regard Princess Lingxian as his daughter anymore and even treats her worse than the wives and daughters of his officials! Do you think what the Honored Consort said worked?"

"The vice-premier's wife said that His Majesty had been a little indifferent at the time, but Miao Jieyu was also present, saying coquettishly that in the first month of this year, there had been two funerals in the capital and this was really a bad omen, so how about approving the marriage so as to escape from the misfortune?" Mrs. Huang said, "As His Majesty has been unwell these days and Miao Jieyu has been looking after him, he wondered if his illness was caused by the funerals of Dowager Duchess Ji and the Second Madam of our family."

Wei Changying was very unhappy that her brother's marriage was being used in the fights between concubines in the Imperial Harem, saying disgustedly, "His Majesty is the son of Heaven, the predestined man, so there shouldn't be anything unlucky that could harm His Majesty!"

Though she said that, since the Emperor wanted to believe it, nobody could do anything about it.

"At that time, His Majesty asked Miao Jieyu if she could think of anyone suitable for the marriage. Miao Jieyu said that one of the funerals in the first month of the year was for the royal family and the other was for the Wei Family, so why not make a couple from these two families, so that both families could get rid of the misfortune. His Majesty thought that she was going to choose a wife for the Twelfth Prince from the Wei Family, but Miao Jieyu said, Her Grace had mentioned Princess Lingxian, so why not just give Princess Lingxian some decency, showing His Majesty's consideration for his daughter and showing the magnanimity of Her Grace?"

Mrs. Huang had spoken too quickly. Having caught her breath, she continued, "His Majesty asked how to give Princess Lingxian some decency. Honored Consort Deng said that Princess Lingxian's daughter, the Fifth Miss of the Su Family was beautiful and talented. She would be a good match for the fifth young master of our family. The Fifth Miss of the Su Family is a lineal granddaughter of His Majesty, having His Majesty's blood, and can almost represent the royal family. As for the Twelfth Prince and others, due to the death of Dowager Duchess Ji, the royal family had to delay the wedding of Duke Yi and Princess Linchuan. If they had to ask the Ministry of Rites to arrange a wedding for a third prince or princess, the Ministry of Rites would be too busy. By then, they wouldn't be able to make good arrangements for the three royal family members, failing to show that His Majesty loves his children! So, giving a gift to Princess Lingxian would be festive and save both time and labor for the people in the palace. His Majesty considered it for a while and somehow agreed to it."

Wei Changying frowned, pondering before muttering, "Honored Consort Deng had persuaded Dowager Duchess Ji to commit suicide, giving both Duke Ji and Duke Yi a reason to stay in the capital instead of going to their fiefs. Obviously, it is..." Having almost said what the Shen Family was planning to do, Wei Changying quickly shut up, paused for a moment, and then continued, "The Honored Consort has been so considerate. This is her trying to gain support for Duke Ji and Duke Yi, isn't it? Princess Lingxian is hated by His Majesty because of her mother, Consort Huo, but her daughter, Su Nianchu, is a lineal daughter of the Su Family. Although she is not from the maternal grandfather's branch, I heard from cousin Su that the maternal grandfather cares a lot about his niece. In addition, as Princess Lingxian and her husband love each other very much, the couple must love their daughter a lot as well."

Mrs. Huang understood her meaning, saying, "For Princess Lingxian and her husband, if the Fifth Miss of the Su Family can marry our fifth young master, it will, of course, be a good marriage."

Wei Changfeng was of similar age to Su Nianchu. He was the lineal grandson of a family of gentlefolks and the only lineal grandson of the Family Head of Ruiyu Hall, so he had all the attention of his grandparents. He had not only become the disciple of Wei Zhijiao, a nationally famous scholar, at a young age, but he had become famous in the capital despite having always lived in Fengzhou. No matter how people looked at it, his future was promising.

Of course, the Su Family was totally aware of the fights within Ruiyu Hall, but since Old Madam Song was still in good health, Wei Changfeng would probably win. There was no need to even mention the death of Wei Shengyi's wife due to illness. It deceived many people, but there were always some people who could see the traces of truth, knowing that Wei Shengyi's branch had clearly been at a disadvantage.

There hadn't been any news that Ruiyu Hall had proposed marriage with the Su Family. If the marriage hadn't been approved by the Emperor, Su Nianchu might not have been able to marry Wei Changfeng. Since Honored Consort Deng had given such a wonderful present to Princess Lingxian and her husband, the parents who loved their daughter so much, would definitely be grateful to her.

Even though Princess Lingxian's husband couldn't represent the whole Su Family in Qingzhou, he could be of help. After all, he was in his prime. His official rank was not low, and he was also quite capable.

Su Nianchu's family would be grateful to Honored Consort Deng, but Wei Changfeng's family...

Wei Changying looked serious, thinking about this for a long time, then she said, "Her family background is good, but I don't know how Su Nianchu really is. I only glanced at her from afar last time at the banquet. I can remember that she looks quite good, but to be Changfeng's wife, the most important thing is not good looks, but competence. However, Cousin Su told me that she gave Princess Qingxin suggestions without careful consideration, and got her father into trouble. I guess, after all, she is only a little girl, isn't she?"

"The Fifth Miss of the Su Family will turn fifteen after the New Year festival." Mrs. Huang said.

"So, she will reach the marriageable age this year?" Wei Changying mused, "My first sister-in-law said she is sensible. If she really is, it will be wonderful."

In fact, the reason why Old Madam Song had hesitated to make the decision on who Wei Changfeng's wife should be, was that she had not only wanted to find a girl with a good family background but also, more importantly, the girl herself must be capable. The person who Old Madam Song always used as an example was Song Zaishui.

Therefore, Wei Changying became agitated by this sudden marriage which was forced onto her family, but then she calmed down and put her mind at ease. She started to pray, hoping that the more capable Su Nianchu could be, the better it would be. Otherwise, since the imperial edict had been issued, Wei Changfeng would be in trouble if he married a burden.

While she was praying that she could have a capable sister-in-law, in Princess Lingxian's mansion, Princess Lingxian was teaching her daughter.

Princess Lingxian was a gentle person. Of course, as a princess who had fallen into disfavor, and whom even the Empress with a reputation of being virtuous didn't bother to smile at, it was impossible for her to act as her half-sisters did, throwing their weight around. So, although Su Nianchu, who was being brought up by her, hadn't fully grown up, she was sitting nicely on the right, radiating gentleness and gracefulness.

Su Nianchu was, after all, young, so she was not as calm as Princess Lingxian, fluttering her eyelashes innocently. Princess Lingxian looked at her daughter carefully, thinking that her looks and temperament should be good enough to meet the standards the Wei Family was asking for in Wei Changfeng's wife.

The Princess thought for a moment before speaking, "What a surprise this is! I had only wanted to find you an honest kind boy from an aristocratic family. I didn't expect the Honored Consort would suddenly... Wei Changfeng is the only lineal grandson from Ruiyu Hall, and very valued in the family, even more important than your fourth cousin or fifth cousin. In particular, his grandmother, Old Madam Song, has always loved him and his sister, Wei Changying, the third young madam of the Shen Family who married into the capital last year."

Listening to her mother talking about her marriage, Su Nianchu couldn't help but blush. She looked down slightly, fiddling with the corner of her dress. Having heard what her mother had said, she asked quickly, "Is the Madam from the Shen Family Wei Changfeng's sister? Last time, I glanced from afar and she looks really beautiful..." Having said that, realizing that her mother must have noticed what she really wanted to say, her face turned red. She turned her face slightly away from her mother, not daring to look at her.

Princess Lingxian smiled understandingly, saying, "Silly, I have told all the servants to leave, so what can't you say to me? You want to know how Wei Changfeng looks, don't you? Honestly, I have never seen him before, but the Wei Family in Fengzhou is often the home to beauties. There are always people in their family with outstanding looks and manners. You know Wei Changying is stunning. She and Wei Changfeng are siblings from the same parents, so Wei Changfeng won't be bad looking!"

"..." Su Nianchu bit her lips and kept quiet, but she couldn't stop turning up the corners of her mouth. A girl of her age, who didn't like handsome boys? Wei Changfeng's family and status were perfect, but the girl thought it would be even better if her fiance was handsome and had fair skin.

Having understood that her mother believed that Wei Changfeng probably looked good, Su Nianchu was naturally bursting with joy. If she had been alone in her room, she would certainly have been holding the duvet, giggling for a long time.

"But you have to marry at a place so far away. I don't want you to go." Princess Lingxian sighed, stroking her daughter's hair, saying, "Wei Changfeng should be a good person. Despite the competition between the uncle and the nephew in Ruiyu Hall, his mother and grandmother... They are both strict people!"

Su Nianchu paused, asking, "Mother, are you talking about Madam Song and Old Madam Song?"

"Yes." Princess Lingxian looked at her lovingly, saying, "Wei Changfeng is the only child of Wei Zhenghong who is the lineal eldest son of Wei Huan, the Family Head of the Wei Family, but he is only the fifth among his cousins. This is all because his father has been weak and sick since childhood, so he had his children late. This is why his second uncle, Wei Shengyi, is now competing with him for the position of Family Head. Apart from that, Old Madam Song only has Wei Zhenghong, the only living child, and in terms of lineal grandchildren, she only has Wei Changying and Wei Changfeng. The third young madam of the Shen Family is known to have been loved by her elders before she got married!"

Having said that, Princess Lingxian lowered her voice, "You know, the year before last year, Rumor had it that Wei Changying had been... by people from the Northern Tribes. No matter if it was true or not, her reputation was tarnished, but, in the end, the third young master of the Shen Family still married her. Of course, perhaps it was because the third young master of the Shen Family was magnanimous, or perhaps the Wei Family especially promised him a lot of benefits for their granddaughter. The third young madam of the Shen Family is just the granddaughter of Old Madam Song, but you are marrying the only grandson of Old Madam Song! Wei Changfeng must have been spoiled by his grandmother and mother. Although in order to put him in charge of Ruiyu Hall, they didn't turn him into a playboy. They must have done whatever they could to please him and indulged him so much that they probably expect a high standard of their future daughter-in-law."

On hearing that, Su Nianchu was surprised, saying unthinkingly, "The Wei Family and our Su Family are both families of gentlefolks. Mother, you are a princess, so as long as I behave according to the rules, being self-restrained and devoted, I believe Old Madam Song and Madam Song will not deliberately pick on me, surely? After all, I have no grudge against them, and they are also daughters of a family amidst the gentry, so they wouldn't take it out on me for nothing, would they?"

"I don't think they will deliberately make your life difficult." Princess Lingxian was having mixed feelings. She was happy that her daughter would marry a perfect husband, have a good marriage and have a great future, but she was also worried that her daughter would be wronged after she was married into this family as her husband was so cherished by his elders, so now she was warning her daughter as well as reassuring her, "Before Old Madam Song and Madam Song returned to Fengzhou, they were known in the capital for being strict! Old Madam Song had raised three Misses. They were the three aunts of Wei Changying and her brother and each of them was an example to young ladies in the capital. It can be clearly seen how strictly she disciplines the younger generation and how devotedly she abides by the rules! Madam Song and Old Madam Song are aunt and niece. Although, unlike Old Madam Song, Madam Song hadn't turned Wei Changying into an example for the ladies in high society, the Madam had made all her sisters-in-law obedient to her and no one dares to go against her! So, you must behave, never make any mistakes, so that they won't be difficult with you. Anyway, you are good enough for Wei Changfeng."

"Mother, you are saying...?" Su Nianchu who had been overjoyed on she learning that Wei Changfeng was handsome, started to ask cautiously.

Princess Lingxian wanted to speak but then stopped for a moment before saying, "You will live your lives as a couple, and I'm worried that if Wei Changfeng makes mistakes, Old Madam Song and Madam Song will blame you for them, instead of blaming their own flesh and blood."