Happy Spring Every Year

The moment Jiang Xun left General Dingguo's mansion, the people who had been waiting there openly and secretly scattered in all directions.

When Prince Rui Zhao Huailang received the news, he was at Cui Mansion wishing his grandfather, the Minister of Personnel Cui Daoyuan, a happy new year.

Apart from the two of them, there was only Cui Mingjue in the room.

Zhao Huailang waved his hand to let the messenger leave, then looked at Cui Mingjue beside him.

The young man was born handsome, with slightly raised sword-like eyebrows, which made him look heroic.

Today he was wearing a navy blue brocade robe and black boots. As he sat quietly aside, he subtly suppressed the youthful vigor and showed a calmness beyond his age.

However, when he heard that Jiang Xun was very likely to go to the Shen Mansion to propose marriage, his eyelids suddenly opened, and after being surprised, he could not hide the disappointment on his face.

Zhao Huailang sighed lightly upon seeing this, "Mingjue, no wonder Miss Shen rejected you that day. Now it seems that she has already had Jiang Xun in her heart."

Since Jiang Xun was able to stay in the Shen residence for two hours, it was obvious that the marriage between the two families was settled.

Cui Mingjue opened his mouth when he heard this, but could not utter a word and could only lower his head dejectedly.

At this time, a deep voice came over: "I gave you a chance, Mingjue, it's you who didn't live up to it."

The person who spoke was Cui Daoyuan, who was sitting next to Zhao Huailang. He was in his sixties and had neatly combed white hair.

Although there were a few wrinkles on his forehead, the majesty between his brows could not be concealed, especially his eyes, which were deep and sharp, worthy of being an old veteran who had been up and down in the court for decades.

"Grandpa, don't say that to Jue. This kind of thing is consensual and cannot be forced."

Zhao Huailang immediately said something good for Cui Mingjue.

Cui Daoyuan frowned when he heard this and looked at him meaningfully.

Zhao Huailang choked and had nothing to say.

He naturally knew what his grandfather meant in his eyes, but Ajin... he just couldn't let go.

"One or two—"

Cui Daoyuan shook his head, not wanting to dwell on this topic any longer, and turned to talk about the Shen Mansion.

"Shen Zhengsheng... is a difficult person to deal with. Although Lu Yongzhu is the one carrying the banner now, he was a member of Shen Zhengsheng's staff and still calls him General."

"If Shen Zhengsheng goes there, it won't be a good thing anyway."

When talking about business, Zhao Huailang also looked serious.

"Yes, Jiang Xun made a great move without saying anything."

Cui Daoyuan sneered when he heard this: "This chess move has not yet been made. It's just verbal talk. The three matchmakers and six ceremonials haven't been completed yet."

"So what even if he's gone? This isn't the first time the Shen family has had an engagement rejected."

Cui Mingjue frowned when he heard this, and then he heard his grandfather say calmly:

"Huai Lang, what did Princess An Ning say? Why is there no news after the welcoming banquet?"

Zhao Huailang shook his head. "The Princess still doesn't agree. The Anyang Marquis and his wife acted so shamelessly at the dinner that day. It was indeed inappropriate."

"Besides, the princess will be leaving for Yue soon. She wants to choose a husband for An Ning with impeccable family background and character. This is also human nature. Even the emperor no longer asks about it."

Cui Daoyuan's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this, and he said with a hint of meaning, "From what I saw that day, Princess An Ning seemed to be particularly fond of Jiang Xun."

"A girl can no longer control her mother. I believe Princess An Ning has her own ideas about some things."

Zhao Huailang's eyes flickered as he responded, "That day in the Imperial Garden, An Ning seemed quite impressed with Miss Shen and even regarded her as a close friend."

"If she knew that Jiang Xun had gone to the Shen residence to propose marriage just a few days ago, she would definitely feel like she was being played a trick."

"The Emperor dotes on An Ning and values ​​her very much. Even if An Ning did something out of the ordinary, she wouldn't be blamed as long as the Princess is here."

When Cui Mingjue heard this, his heart sank. For some reason, he suddenly thought of what Shen Jiasui had said to him that night in the wax plum forest:

"Mr. Cui, you just can't see the difficulties women face..."

When today's incident happened, it was clearly Jiang Xun who came to propose marriage, and it was also Jiang Xun who wanted to pull the Shen family into the emperor's grandson's camp.

But the first thought that my grandfather and cousin had to break the deadlock was to deal with Miss Shen as a matter of course.

Because Jiang Xun has always been cautious, it is extremely difficult to find loopholes in him. Moreover, when it comes to marriage, women are more bound by etiquette and reputation, and are naturally at a disadvantage.

He had never thought about these things before, but once Miss Shen reminded him, the cruel truth was laid bare before him.

Turns out...it's true.

"Ming Jue?"

Zhao Huailang's voice suddenly sounded, bringing Cui Mingjue back to his senses.

"Why, are you heartbroken?"

There was still a teasing smile in Zhao Huailang's voice. Cui Mingjue was about to shake his head when Zhao Huailang suddenly stopped smiling and said in a deep voice:

"Mingjue, my cousin has arranged everything. You will be making your debut in the imperial court soon. You should know—"

"Love is just a decoration after all."

When Zhao Huailang said this, he suddenly sighed very softly. It was unclear whether he was talking to Cui Mingjue or to himself.

Cui Mingjue had already suppressed all his expression at this time. He immediately stood up, bowed, and said solemnly: "Mingjue dare not disappoint my cousin's expectations. I will do my best."

Zhao Huailang nodded with satisfaction, but he had no intention of pushing Cui Mingjue too hard, and said softly:

"If Miss Shen fails in her two attempts at marriage, I don't think anyone in the capital would dare to marry her again."

"If you remain true to your original intention, Mingjue, you can try again. With such sincerity, I think the ice will melt."

Cui Mingjue seemed to have just reacted after hearing this. A light suddenly flashed in his eyes and he looked happy.

Seeing him like this, Zhao Huailang couldn't help but chuckle and shook his head, then turned around and continued talking to Cui Daoyuan.

Cui Mingjue slowly sat back and lowered his eyes to look at the black boots on his feet. In an instant, all the joy and expectation disappeared from his eyes.

Miss Shen is such a smart and stubborn woman. Once she sets her mind on someone, I'm afraid she won't change her mind.

Even if she and Jiang Xun could not get married, it was impossible for her to accept him no matter what.

What's more, it was his grandfather and cousin who ruined this marriage.

"Adhere to righteousness, be upright in appearance and upright in shadow."

In the struggle for power and profit, these eight words are so heavy and unrealistic. How did Jiang Xun...do it?

Under his sleeves, Cui Mingjue clenched his fists tightly, his emotions were in turmoil and he couldn't calm down for a long time.

At this time, Zhao Huailang's voice sounded again, bringing another important news:

"Grandpa, on the second day of the second lunar month during the Flower Festival this year, my father intends to climb Mount Zhou to pray for blessings."

"Is it settled?"

Even Cui Daoyuan looked surprised when he heard this.

When Prince Xianhuai was still alive, he represented the emperor to climb Mount Zhou for three consecutive years to pray for good weather and good harvests for the prosperous country.

But after the death of Crown Prince Xianhuai, the emperor was deeply saddened, and no one dared to mention praying on the Flower Festival anymore.

Zhao Huailang nodded. "During the family dinner on the first day of the new year, it was Father who brought it up himself. Now that he's said it, it must be a done deal."

Cui Daoyuan stood up suddenly after hearing this, his eyes shining, and said in a deep voice: "Huai Lang, this trip - there is great potential!"