Read Novel Full Chapter 1669: Return Journey
Chapter 1669: Chapter 1669: Return Journey
Su Xing was pleased, although he was not pampered like the young master, it was quite uncomfortable to stay in this small village.
The next day, Su Xing went to find the village head, taking some food with him for the journey. He left all other possessions to him as a token of gratitude for sheltering us initially.
He also gave the house to the village head, and he could arrange it as he wished.
Su Lin and Su Qiang came over with two carriages, so the siblings didn’t have to squeeze together anymore.
Su Wanshan returned with a hundred people escorting him. The journey should be safe, since they didn’t encounter any bandits or robbers when coming.
This time, it took them a month to reach the Capital, and the siblings went straight home. Su Wanshan had to report for duty.
Yuanyuan once thought the house might have been occupied, but it wasn’t.
The steward was moved to tears when he saw Miss and Young Master returned.
He had been worried since they left.
Yuanyuan felt much more relaxed upon returning. The grand estate had its advantages, at least there was someone to attend to things.
"Miss, I will go buy some little maids."
Yuanyuan had no objections. It was quite nice to have someone to serve us.
Su Wanshan didn’t come back for dinner in the evening. Yuanyuan felt there wouldn’t be any danger.
She quietly went to the cellar and put out all the things again.
The next day, only after hearing from the little maid did she know that Master returned at midnight yesterday.
The life of a young woman in the inner chamber was something Yuanyuan was actually not very comfortable with.
Every day was dull; she just read books and could only meet with her father and brother in the evening.
A month after returning, suddenly a little maid rushed outside, knocking on the door, "Miss, there’s a royal decree at home."
Yuanyuan knew this meant the whole family needed to gather to listen to the decree.
She checked herself over and found no faults. Quickly she followed the little girl to the front courtyard.
Once Yuanyuan entered, she felt something was amiss; her father’s expression was extremely grim. The man with a clean-shaven face looked expressionless.
"Since everyone is here, I shall announce the decree."
The whole family knelt down, and twenty servants knelt outside.
Yuanyuan listened to the rhythmic declaration of the decree and found it quite interesting; it was really similar to what she had seen on television.
In flowery language, but Yuanyuan still understood it meant she was to go to the Imperial Palace to become the Emperor’s concubine?
"General Su, accept the decree. It breaks precedent with your daughter going directly to the concubine position."
Su Wanshan’s expression was not good. However, the decree had already been issued, leaving no room for disagreement from a subordinate.
Yuanyuan was helped up by the maid.
The eunuch who announced the decree smiled and bowed to Yuanyuan, "Congratulations, Miss Su, or rather, congratulations Imperial Concubine."
Yuanyuan tugged the corner of her mouth, thinking she didn’t want this job? Would she also have to experience palace intrigue? She wasn’t suited for this, was she?
This was putting her in a difficult position. Seeing her father’s expression made it clear they were out of options.
Yet Su Xing went over to greet the eunuch and discreetly handed over a silver note.
"General Su, tomorrow there will be teachers from the palace coming. The Imperial Concubine will enter the palace in three months, during which the teachers will be responsible for teaching palace protocol."
Su Wanshan also took out a silver note and handed it to the eunuch.
"Eunuch Wan. Please put effort in arranging a capable Chief Palace for her."
"Rest assured, General Su, the Chief Palace has been arranged; it is the Emperor’s former chamberlain from the Inner Palace."
Su Wanshan was at a loss for words. Everything had been arranged, they had no choice but to wait.
Su Xing escorted Eunuch Wan out. Only the father and daughter remained in the living room.
"Yuanyuan, I just found out myself, if I had known earlier, I would have arranged a marriage for you."
Yuanyuan didn’t know what to say. In ancient times, even if you didn’t marry the Emperor, marrying a commoner meant being part of a polygamous household.
But she was the principal wife; now she became a concubine, the title of Imperial Concubine may sound nice, but she was essentially still a concubine.
When at the border, she once thought about not marrying. But seeing the laws of this era, unmarried women would be sentenced to exile.
She asked Su Xing about it, and he said there were rarely any exiles, usually appointed as concubines to some great households or married to the lowest class, which was worse than marrying properly.
Even if her future husband had concubines, she could just live her own life.
Seeing Su Wanshan’s troubled look, she thought why not be a concubine to the Emperor, she could still live her life. "Father, don’t be troubled. It’s alright; I can live well wherever I am."
"Yuanyuan, life in the palace is very dull." If married outside, even to the nobility, he could back his daughter, but once she entered the palace, what could he do?
"Father, don’t think about it anymore; this is how it is now, we can’t change it. As long as you’re well outside, then I’ll be fine."
Su Wanshan nodded. His daughter was right; he couldn’t support her, nor could he drag her down.
Su Xing came in, looking at his sister, hesitating. Once she asked what if she didn’t marry?
At that time, he promised confidently that his sister would have a grand wedding with a grand carriage.
Now there was nothing; though she’s called an Imperial Concubine, she was still carried inside on a palanquin?
"Alright, let’s not think too much, things are as they are; I’ll be fine inside."
Yuanyuan knew her situation due to her father’s achievements; others saw it as endless glory. But it didn’t suit their family.
After returning to her room, Yuanyuan read again, knowing there wouldn’t be such idle time tomorrow. The oppressive old society, making her marry before fifteen?
In her heart, she wished the Emperor would pass away, then she could go to a temple to practice.
During dinner, her father and brother saw that their daughter and sister seemed fine, without any special emotions, and felt more at ease.
The next day, while Yuanyuan was reading, the maid brought five people over.
She was not yet an Imperial Concubine, but she had to salute palace’s Chief Palace.
"Don’t dare. As long as the noble puts heart in learning and cooperates with me."
"Please teach well, Chief Palace."
"I’ll be by the noble’s side always; even after entering the palace, I will be the noble’s Chief Palace."
In her heart, Yuanyuan thought that was arranging a female official for her? Fine, anyone beside her was alright.
"M’lady, today we’ll start familiarizing with palace rules. Let me first introduce you to some masters in the palace. Her Majesty the Empress is the Emperor’s former wife, and they have one son and one daughter. The Eldest Prince is twelve this year, the Princess six.
Her Majesty the Empress comes from an average family but is quite amiable."
In her heart, Yuanyuan thought no matter how amiable someone was, no one would be happy with someone else sharing their man.
The Emperor had two noble concubines before, each with a son, the Second Prince is ten years old, and the Third Prince ten years old.
Both noble ladies might be conferred as concubines."
Yuanyuan knew that in ancient times a mother’s status rose with the child; having a son definitely raised their status.