Chapter 1316: Chapter 1316: Confirming the Eldest Grandson’s Bride

After leaving the side hall, Emperor Chu issued several orders, and large contingents of Jinyi Dragon Guards rode out of the city. Meanwhile, many people were sent to search various obvious and obscure locations within the city. Surprisingly, both Zhao Weiliang, a Junior Minister at the Honglu Temple, and a wealthy household head known as Liu the Good Man were raided.

But that was nothing; what truly shocked everyone was that the Ning family’s members were to be executed at the Meridian Gate on the twenty-fourth of the first lunar month for the crime of treason.

In Shangjing of the twenty-third year of Shengping, the year began with a climate of fear. No one had expected that the Ning family members, who had just entered the capital, would soon be beheaded.

This was not intended to give people any breathing space at all.

Those unaware of the inside story simply watched the commotion, while those in the know understood that this was a ploy to lure the snake out of its hole.

Mr. Ning frowned, steadied himself, and told Zhang Zhi to leave.

Zhang Zhi shook his head.

"Do you want to watch me die in front of you?" Mr. Ning’s face turned grim.

Zhang Zhi’s eyes turned red, and he knelt down: "I will leave once you go, sir."

Seeing him like this, Mr. Ning sighed deeply and looked outside. The sky darkened, and the wind rose.

The political turmoil in the capital did not affect the Prime Minister’s Mansion at all. On the twenty-third day of the first lunar month, Song Lingsu, the eldest grandson, was engaged. As the eldest grandson and the legitimate wife, a grand and proper ceremony was ensured, without omitting any of the traditional three letters and six etiquettes.

The preliminary engagements had long been prepared, and the formal engagement involved the formal exchange of birth-date cards and betrothal letters between the two families, along with the delivery of all tokens of engagement.

Receiving the small treasure box containing the girl’s birth-date card symbolized that, in name, the girl was now the betrothed wife of the eldest grandson of the Song Family. As long as the engagement wasn’t annulled, even if she wasn’t married, she would still be considered part of the Song Family.

Song Ci beamed with a smile that revealed her teeth. This was the first engagement of a male grandchild in the family. With the engagement of the eldest grandson settled, the other grandsons of marriageable age could also be engaged.

To Madam Guan, she naturally addressed her as an in-law.

Although it was just an engagement, Song Ci was generous and gave Guan Shuyan a string of Southern Pearls the size of fingertips as a token of joy and affection.

Guan Shuyan accepted them with a blush: "Thank you, Madam."

"You can change how you address me too. Although you haven’t married into the family yet, you may call me Grandmother like Su’er for a warmer bond," said Song Ci, patting her hand with a smile.

Guan Shuyan’s face turned even redder. Bashfully and with red ears, she stammered like a mosquito and said, "Grandmother."

"Ah," Song Ci replied with a wider smile, "When you do join the family, Grandmother will have an even better welcoming gift for you."

Guan Shuyan blushed shyly.

Song Madam also gave her a hairpin as a gift, and Guan Shuyan called her Aunt with a beaming face.

"Go and chat outside. Before getting married, more communication leads to a happier life." Song Ci pointed at Guan Shuyan and Song Lingsu.

The two youngsters exchanged a glance with blushing faces. Song Lingsu saluted the others and left first, while Guan Shuyan lingered a moment before following suit.

Madam Guan glanced at her senior maid Lan’er, who then followed them out. Although they were engaged, before marriage, it was best to remain proper to avoid any scandal that might cause others to look down on the Guan family’s daughter.

Song Madam saw this, pursed her lips into a smile, and looked increasingly satisfied.

"In-law, the coming-of-age ceremony for Sixth Daughter should be lively. Whom do you plan to invite as the principal guest?" she asked with a smile.

Madam Guan laughed and said, "Actually, I was going to ask a favor of you. If you are willing to do the ceremony of doing her hair and setting her hairpin, it would be this girl’s good fortune."

Inviting the future mother-in-law to be the principal guest not only honors the mother-in-law but also fosters a good relationship in advance, making it a win-win.

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