0p0 Chapter 398: Soft Rule 2
Chapter 398: Soft Rule 2
Sure enough, hard work pays off and someone finally came to propose marriage. But when I heard who it was, I was stunned.
"Concubine? No, how can my sister be a concubine? Father, go find my aunt. The Fourth Prince is her son. Tell her to let my sister be the principal wife."
In my heart, my sister is so gentle and kind that she deserves to be the principal wife and have the honor that matches her.
"Don't make a fuss. This is not something you should interrupt."
Seeing that my father was angry, I didn't dare to persuade him anymore. I went to my sister's room and we sat facing each other for the whole afternoon without saying anything. As it got dark, I stood up and prepared to leave.
"Sister!" the younger sister suddenly spoke.
This is the first time in more than ten years that she has called me "sister!"
"I'll be fine!"
I held back my tears: "Sister believes in you!"
A few months later, my younger sister got married. Watching her in her wedding gown, supported by the matchmaker as she walked step by step toward the sedan chair, tears welled up in my eyes. I prayed silently in my heart, hoping that my younger sister would have fewer hardships and more happiness in her uncertain new life.
Not long after, my marriage was settled, and my husband was the eldest son of General Fuyuan!
That day, at the racecourse outside Beijing, the sunlight shone brightly on his armor. He carried a bow and arrow, his back straight as a pine tree, his steed galloping beneath him. He drew his bow, nodding his arrow, and shot, his movements smooth and uninterrupted, each arrow hitting its mark with unerring precision. A thunderous cheer erupted from the training grounds.
He smiled and turned, his gaze piercing the bustling crowd and meeting mine directly. At that moment, time stood still, and only his clear, bright eyes remained in my world.
A few days later, his family sent a matchmaker to propose marriage to my family. After careful consideration, my father finally agreed to the marriage.
When I heard the news, I was overwhelmed with joy. I began to envision the wonderful times we would spend together. Countless times in my mind, I imagined us strolling hand in hand through the courtyard, watching the seasons change and the flowers bloom and fall. I imagined us going on spring outings together, admiring the stars in summer, strolling through the maple forests in autumn, chatting around the fire in winter. I imagined us walking through the years together...
I haven't forgotten my sister and often send people to visit her. I know she's doing well. Concubine Qi, the concubine in the Fourth Prince's household, is a pleasant person, and my sister has a good relationship with her. She manages the household with impeccable order, meticulously arranging everything, and the servants all praise her for her virtuousness and competence. Furthermore, the two of them live in perfect harmony, treating each other with respect and equality. Furthermore, the Fourth Prince, with his talents and wisdom at court, is increasingly favored by the Emperor, and his future is bright.
Not long after, the Fourth Prince was canonized as Prince Yong by the Emperor. He was also the first among many princes to be conferred the title of prince.
I was very happy to hear this news. The Fourth Prince is valued by the Emperor, and my sister's status will also rise accordingly.
Everything is going in the right direction, and my wedding date is slowly approaching.
That day, my father and mother called me into the room.
"What, mother, are you crazy?"
This was the first time I questioned my mother. It wasn’t that I was unfilial, it was just that I heard the most incredible words.
"You want me to be the Fourth Prince's wife?"
"Yes!" Mother's eyes were firm.
"He is my sister's husband."
At this moment, I threw away all the rules, etiquette, and dignity that I had learned for more than ten years, and yelled hysterically at my father and mother.
"Your sister is only a concubine, and you are going to be the principal wife."
"Why?"
"Now that the Fourth Prince is highly regarded by the Emperor, we must fully support him."
"But my sister is already his concubine, and we already support him!"
"Not enough. If Prince Yong ascends the throne, Yixiu is a concubine's daughter. She will not be qualified to rule the country in the future. Only you, the legitimate daughter of the Ulanara family, can sit on the supreme throne and elevate our family to a higher level."
"I'm already engaged!"
"It does not matter."
"I disagree."
Father, who had been silent the whole time, spoke coldly: "You have no choice. You are the daughter of the Ulanara family. The family has raised you for sixteen years. It's time for you to contribute to the family!"
I stood there, chilled. It turned out that in my father's and mother's eyes, I had never been their daughter, but merely a pawn, a pawn to be manipulated at will, used to profit from the family. My feelings, my happiness, were insignificant in their calculations.
I locked myself in the room and cried until my tears dried up, but I couldn't change my father and mother's decision.
My world has been turned upside down since then.
A few days later, my mother brought a dark red palace dress embroidered with gold thread and peony patterns, which was only worn by concubines in the palace on important festivals.
"Mother, these are the clothes of the concubines in the palace. It would be presumptuous of me to wear them!"
"Don't worry, Prince Yong will understand what we mean when he sees this dress."
My mother accompanied me to Prince Yong's mansion. Looking at the red plum blossoms in the courtyard, I softly recited a poem:
A few petals are covered with snow, and it is difficult to draw the solitary flower.
There is a unique charm in the fragrance, so pure that you don’t feel the cold.
Listen to the flute with sorrow, and look at the sick branches leaning against it.
The headwind is like a solution, and it is easy not to destroy.
North wind, if you understand my love for the plum blossom, please don't destroy it easily.
Sister, if you can understand my helplessness, please don’t blame me.
When he saw my clothes, he also understood what my father and mother meant: If you marry her, I will do my best to help you ascend to the throne.
The goal was achieved, and my mother and I returned home. I didn't go to see my sister because I didn't know how to face her.
A few days later, General Fuyuan canceled my marriage with him on the grounds that his "eldest son was ill."
The famous young general in Beijing is actually "sick"!
General Fuyuan was angry, but he didn't dare to vent it, so he could only protest silently with such a lame excuse.
All of this seems like an absurd farce, and I am just a poor actor on this stage being manipulated by fate.
I carefully wiped clean the hairpins, handkerchiefs, clay figurines and other items he asked someone to send to me, put them away one by one, and put them in a box. I held them in my arms and cried all night.