Chapter 2: Proposal and Acceptance.
True to his word, after reaching the Imperial palace Weng MinLi took some maids to gather treasures and goods to give away as a dowry to ask for General Ying's hand in marriage.
And despite himself, MinLi was still sceptical about his Emperor's decision to marry the Failure General. But as long as the Greatest Emperor of Zhao wishes for it, he can do nothing to change his mind. With that Weng MinLi checked over all the goods the maids collected and set off to the Ying Manor outside the capital City..
Prime Minister Ying's family was well respected by the people of Zhao and praised by the other officials. It was also the subject of envy for many. Patriarch is smart and honorable man, First and Second wife was of notable blood, Three Children already so accomplished. Of course many would Envy them.
First Son Ying Da Chen(Great Morning) was a scholar, following after his father's footstep.
Second Son Ying Wu Su (Military Respectfully (Respectful Military) ) was already an accomplished martial artist of Cloudy Mountain sect.
Youngest and only daughter Ying Xiulan (Beautiful Orchid) was a young woman of great beauty and temper. She was fair and kind as well as generous. Lots of fair men come asking for her hand but all were refused.
But there was another child in the Ying Family. Their third son General Ying Yu-Yin, the Failure General as people call him. He was the black stain of Ying family and people already consider him shameless for leeching off of the kindness of Ying family without working for it.
The fact that Ying family hadn't kicked him and his mother out should be considered a blessing. It was also the show of Ying Family's kindness.
The truth couldn't be the farthest from people's opinion. In the Ying Household, Ying Yu-Yin and his mother Princess Yesulen was held dearly.
Because Princess Yesulen, despite being the third wife was kind and fair, she was a strong woman who fought to live despite her weak physique was Prime Minister Ying's most loved wife. Instead of being jealous, First wife Ying Shufen (good fragrance) and the Second wife Ying FangAi (beautiful love) cared for the sick Yesulen. The other three children respected Princess Yesulen for she had taught them what she knew and told them the stories of her homeland.
And Yu-Yin had not only inherited her mother's temperament, her beauty and grace. But unfortunately also her weak physique.
Ever since young Yu-Yin would get sick a lot and would have to be kept in bed. So he had few friends of his age and grew up only playing with his siblings.
After his 16th birthday Ying Yu-Yin had been drafted off to the war. During those four years he raised through the ranks quickly, reaching the rank of General at the age of 19. By then, the war had reached its peak and in one final battle on the day of his 20th birthday. Yu-Yin ended the war, killing the enemy leader in one on one battle, He single-handedly won it.
But because of the number of casualties, even if the war was over thanks to him. None of the people felt the victory. So people resented him for not doing a better job, for not protecting their sons as he had promised. Even then what could have one man done? Fight the war by Himself? Although there were a few that did not resent him, sadly they were part of the minority.
Despite all those grievances, the soldiers serving under Young General Ying were all loyal to him. As for the rumors of Yu-Yin falling sick and not leaving his home often, it was also the truth. After returning from the war, Ying Yu-Yin's sickness resurfaced and had worsened,leaving him bedridden for weeks. But only those inside the family manor knew it, to prevent from assassination attempts manor's security has also been increased.
Today, had been the first time Yu-Yin had left the manor in three months and it ended with his hair cut.
When Yu-Yin came home, his mother and servants freaked out upon seeing his hair.
It quickly spread across the manor, even his father was quickly called home. And now, simply put it was a chaos.
"Our Little Yu's hair! It's cut! Unevenly at that! What if they had hurt him!? Husband! Capture and punish those people!"
Ying Shufen demanded as she took in the state of Yu-Yin's hair. Right now, Yu-Yin was blank faced as he was checked over by the worried women of the household. Not just women if those glances his brothers kept shooting him were to deciphered right.
"I Agree father! Find those people! To dare attack our Xiao Yu! They are surely bored of living!"
"Yes yes! Find them and punish them!"
Both Ying FangAi and Ying Xiulan agreed with the first wife. They were furious that some random ass commoner had dared to bully their Yu'er into cutting his beautiful hair! Oh~they know that Yu-Yin can handle himself just fine. But to actually touch his hair and cut it? Not just cutting it, but to cut it this uneven ugly? That was simply unforgivable!
During those, Yu-Yin looked helplessly at her mother Yesulen who just smiled serenely and waved. 'I knew you're amused so don't act serene' he thought and looked at his father for help. Seeing his son's pleading look, the father rubbed his temple. On one hand, he agreed with his two wives, sons and daughter (cause he knows what the looks those two are shooting him means) on the second hand, he can't actually do that. Well technically he can but morally speaking he shouldn't.
Unfortunately or Fortunately, he was saved from answering when a voice loudly boomed from outside the manor gates.
"YING FAMILY'S PATRIARCH YING ZHENRU(1) COME OUT AND ACCEPT THE IMPERIAL DEGREE!"
Hearing those words everyone in the family ran out, throwing the gates open they were greeted with a sight.
There were ten highly decorated carriage all bearing gifts, many guards and maids bowing to show their greetings. And in front of it all, stood his majesty The Emperor's personal guard and right hand-man Weng MinLi holding the Imperial degree.
They quickly scrambled to bow down and show their respect.
All around people whispered as they watched the events unfold. "Isn't that the Emperor's guard!?"
"are those dowry gifts? Was the Emperor asking Young Miss Ying's hand?"
"How lucky! They should quickly accept!"
"I'm jealous! The young miss Ying is so lucky to catch the emperor's eyes!"
As they whisper, The Ying family could Only listen in silence as Weng MinLi continued to read the degree.
"On the day 7th day of April! This Emperor Zhou Jinghe will take Ying Family's Third Son Ying Yu-Yin as his Royal Consort! We send these gifts as a sign of goodwill and ask you to bless this marriage!"
- as he finished, The maid handed the list of dowry to the Ying Patriarch and people broke into brand new whispers.
" Marry the third son!? Isn't that the rumored failure general!? "
" at least he's good for something! "
" why him!? What is-"
" shush! Do you want to get beheaded!? Keep quiet!"
Ignoring all this Weng MinLi focused on the reactions of the Ying family instead.
Their faces were pale in shock, but there were also hints of protectiveness and curiosity.
So Weng MinLi decided to test them further
" Come and accept the Imperial degree Patriarch Ying!"
Instead of instantly coming over and accepting, Ying ZHENRU looked towards his third wife and son. Princess Yesulen looked suspicious of the degree but could not refuse. So they turned to Ying Yu-Yin, who looked on calmly instead of excited, shocked or scared. It was indeed reaction worthy of a General.
He gave a discreet nod of acceptance, in turn his family's expression turned grim but Prime Minister stepped up and bowed down to accept.
"This one humbly accepts His Majesty The Emperor's degree"
With a satisfied nod, Weng MinLi placed the degree down on his hands, the whole family bowed down once again and stood up to accept the dowry.
After tasking the maids and the guards to deliver the gifts inside and send them to the Third Young Master's Courtyard. He left to inform His Majesty of the Ying Family's acceptance and the impression of their family relationship.
While Weng MinLi left in good spirits, Ying Family was left with only one thought in their heads.
'Your Highness, Just what are you planning?'
(1). Ying ZhenRu- Virtious scholar
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