In recent years, Liang Wentao had been buried in his studies and had little interaction with Liang Yuzhou. However, when they were young, they had a good brotherly relationship, and Liang Wentao still had some understanding of Liang Yuzhou's temper.
This man was terrifyingly smart. As soon as you showed up, he could guess what was on your mind. If he wanted to help you, he'd offer his hand even before you asked. But if he couldn't be bothered, even if you offered him mountains of gold and silver, he wouldn't spare a second glance.
So Liang Wentao skipped the formalities and beating around the bush. Just from that one "Third Brother" from Liang Yuzhou, he knew his trip today wouldn't be in vain.
"Aren't you afraid of offending the Gao family, who's been so eager to arrange a match for you, by rushing to marry Miss Jiang? I heard that your grandmother's reason for rejecting the Gao family was that it's been less than three years since your wife's passing and you're in no hurry to remarry."
Liang Yuzhou wasn't in a rush to agree to Liang Wentao. He wanted to see if Liang Wentao had the ability to handle a crisis. Gao Tianyu was one of the eight marquises, the Marquis of Dingyuan, with 50,000 troops under his command. He was a significant figure in the court. Behind the Gao family stood Lu Siming.
Liang Wentao, who had been in the officialdom for a long time, knew it was dangerous to offend a petty man. Rejecting the Gao family and then turning around to court someone related to the crown prince was too obvious. Angering Lu Siming would be like getting bitten by a venomous snake lurking in the grass.
Liang Wentao still smiled and sat upright, exuding a shrewd and steady air. "I'm afraid a hasty proposal might startle Miss Jiang. It takes time for two strangers to get to know each other. After the third anniversary of my late wife's death, if someone more noble and prestigious than the old matriarch of the Gao family proposes on my behalf, it'll be perfectly reasonable, won't it?"
A faint ripple appeared in Song Wanchu's otherwise calm eyes. She had thought that Liang Wentao was eager to marry Jiang Xiyu just to relieve the crown prince's worries and show his loyalty, all for the sake of his official career. Jiang Xiyu was a complete stranger to him, and her family background wasn't prominent. In her eyes, she was just a tool to be used.
However, she was wrong. The admiration in his eyes when he mentioned Jiang Xiyu wasn't fake. He wasn't simply proposing marriage; he wanted to take his time, get to know her, and let her gradually come to terms with accepting him. He cared about Jiang Xiyu's feelings and respected her emotions.
Liang Wentao was a true gentleman. The crown prince himself was such a person, and he had a good eye for people.
Liang Wentao also noticed the change in Song Wanchu's expression. He stood up solemnly, the corners of his eyes filled with a gentle smile. "I should pay my respects to Princess Yuening, but I dare to call you 'Sister Wanchu'."
Song Wanchu was already on the family register of the Duke's Mansion, the legitimate granddaughter of the old matriarch. In terms of seniority, it wasn't inappropriate for him to call her "Sister Wanchu". It would even make their relationship seem closer.
Song Wanchu responded with a smile. The "person more noble and prestigious than the old matriarch of the Gao family" he mentioned naturally referred to the old matriarch. Liang Wentao was also her grandson, and it would be most appropriate for the old grandmother to propose marriage for her grandson.
This would require Song Wanchu's help. It was such a small favor that the old matriarch would surely be willing to grant it. Moreover, her status outshone that of the old matriarch of the Gao family. Even the imperial noble consort wouldn't dare to challenge someone like the old matriarch.
Liang Wentao had arranged everything to relieve the crown prince's worries clearly. Song Wanchu and Liang Yuzhou just needed to be messengers. Such a talent was a rare and good subordinate. He wouldn't create problems for his superior but would instead relieve as many worries as possible.
Such an upright, intelligent, and noble official was truly a rare breath of fresh air among the wily old foxes in the court.
When Liang Wentao left, he left behind a can of Zhuxi Ningcui tea. It was a tea produced in Yunzhou, with a sweet taste that lingered on the palate. When Song Wanchu was in Yunzhou, Zhuxi Ningcui was the tea she drank most often and liked the most.
Liang Wentao not only knew how to be an official but also how to be a person and give gifts.
Song Wanchu picked up her teacup and blew away the foam on the surface. "He doesn't just want to solve the crown prince's dilemma. He truly wants to find a capable mistress for his family. The admiration he expressed for Xier might not be false."
She had a good impression of Jiang Xiyu. She was not only smart and adaptable but also surprisingly loyal. It would be a great pity if such a woman wasted her youth in the deep palace just to seek the crown prince's favor.
She was a living, breathing person with emotions and should not be simply regarded as a tool to maintain the relationship between the monarch and his subjects. She deserved happiness.
Song Wanchu decided to discuss with Cheng Simian and create an opportunity for the two to be alone. If they were destined, they would surely spark a romance. If not, forcing them together would only lead to a doomed relationship. If Jiang Xiyu chose the wrong person, the crown prince would feel guilty for the rest of his life.
The next day, Cheng Simian took Jiang Xiyu to pay their respects to the empress. Jiang Xiyu was excited. Meeting the empress and winning her favor would mean that her ennoblement as the concubine consort would be just around the corner.
But amidst her excitement, a sense of guilt welled up inside her. The crown princess was kind and magnanimous, which was why she didn't mind her presence. But in this world, how many women would be willing to share their husband with another woman?
The crown prince and the crown princess had a deep affection for each other. Although she had known the crown prince earlier, she knew she was the extra person between them. She didn't ask for much, just to stay by the crown prince's side and love the man in her heart wholeheartedly.
As expected, the empress took a fancy to her. Jiang Xiyu wasn't particularly beautiful but had a delicate and gentle appearance. She wouldn't outshine the crown princess or draw the crown prince's excessive favor. Her personality was also excellent.
In the empress's eyes, she was the perfect candidate for the concubine consort. The empress rewarded her with a pair of jade ruyis. The meaning was self - evident.
With a nervous heart, Jiang Xiyu received the gift and bowed to express her gratitude. The empress then carefully observed Cheng Simian's expression to confirm that she showed not the slightest bit of resentment. She calmly and gracefully accepted Jiang Xiyu. She was truly a broad - minded person.
Although the empress valued Jiang Xiyu, the crown prince had just gotten married, and he wouldn't take a concubine consort within half a year. The pair of jade ruyis were meant to reassure Jiang Xiyu.
After leaving the Yukun Palace, Jiang Xiyu was about to kneel before Cheng Simian. Holding the brocade box with the jade ruyis, tears streamed down her face. "Thank you, Crown Princess, for your kindness. I will surely do my best to serve you and the crown prince."
Cheng Simian helped her up and showed a gentle smile. "It's almost time for the court to adjourn. Let's go to the road the crown prince must pass and tell him this good news."
Jiang Xiyu's eyes dimmed slightly. She knew the crown prince wouldn't be happy, but she still wanted to see him at this moment.
The two walked slowly to the road leading to the Eastern Palace. The carriage stopped on the palace road. Officials who had just finished court came out in twos and threes. When they saw the carriage of the Eastern Palace, they would bow and then continue on their way.
"Crown Princess, who is that person? How can he be so rude? He just ignored the carriage of the Eastern Palace!"
The two couldn't show their faces directly on the long street, but through the fine gauze window, they could see the faces of the people outside. A young man in the official robe of the third rank walked straight past the carriage. Jiang Xiyu saw it clearly.
Cheng Simian pursed her lips and stifled a laugh. Then she regained her solemn expression. "This man is Liang Wentao, the vice - minister of the Secretariat. He must be so proud of his recent promotion that he doesn't even put the crown prince in his eyes. It seems we need to find an opportunity to give him a good warning."
A few days later, Song Wanchu invited Cheng Simian to enjoy the autumn scenery by the Qingjiang River. Cheng Simian also brought Jiang Xiyu along. Coincidentally, Jiang Xiyu saw that high - ranking official who had been disrespectful to the crown prince.