Chapter 476: Chapter 473: Their Backbone Is Straighter and Harder Than Ours

The celebratory procession set out from the Ministry of the Imperial Household, making its way towards the Marquis Zhongyong Mansion with fanfare along the way.

At the entrance of the Marquis Zhongyong Mansion, the guests were abundant, and the sound of congratulations was deafening. The red silk under the eaves fluttered like waves, and large amounts of wedding coins were thrown onto the street by the retainers, prompting the townsfolk and children to scramble for them.

Gu Fuju stood at the doorway, not dressed in the official uniform, yet exuding a commanding presence that brought awe without anger. His eyes were calm, as tranquil as an undisturbed ancient well.

The guests who arrived to congratulate the Duke Zhongyong all approached to greet him with respect.

"Lord Grand Tutor." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Gu Fuju merely nodded in response, saying nothing.

The Duke Zhongyong’s face was almost frozen from smiling too much.

He approached Gu Fuju.

"Are you stealing my thunder here?"

Gu Fuju couldn’t be bothered to respond, only watching the street.

He had been quite busy these days.

Unable to find time to see Yu Tingwan.

"I have this only son, and it’s been hard enough for him to get married."

"Forget it."

The Duke Zhongyong, being a military general, spoke without much thought when with familiar people: "Your daughter got married, but you didn’t even get to have a cup of wedding wine."

He realized that was wrong as soon as he said it.

Wasn’t he just hitting Gu Fuju’s sore spot?

But words already spoken couldn’t be taken back.

The Duke Zhongyong observed his expression: "About that..."

Gu Fuju furrowed his brow slightly, his tone flat.

"When a daughter from the Gu Family marries, the ceremony won’t be understated."

"Her mother saved up her dowry year by year until she left for her husband’s house. The courtyard prepared for her by the mansion, she never got to see it. What her mother saved up filled a whole courtyard."

Money might be earthly, but it is also a woman’s support and confidence, ensuring no one looks down on her easily.

"I should have carefully chosen a good son-in-law for her, personally carrying her on my back and earnestly advising her before sending her to the bridal sedan."

He was not much of a talker outside usually.

But how could his heart remain undisturbed in such a scene?

Let alone him.

Jiasan learned that the Marchioness Zhongyong put a lot of effort into the bride’s wedding dress, finding thirty seamstresses from Jiangnan in merely two months. These nights, he found it hard to sleep.

His eyes darkened: "But at that time, Yaoyao had nothing. As far as I know, only a few friends from the village put together a table for a meal, and that was it."

The Duke Zhongyong: ...

I’m truly despicable!

"But you didn’t know, that was the best the Wei Family could give her, and this child was easily content."

Why be content?

Because she received too little.

"Even a poor family would prepare a wooden comb, a copper mirror, two quilts, a clay pot, and a tile basin when marrying off a daughter."

"But she had nothing."

"She was all alone, saying goodbye to her miserable early life, carrying a flat cloth bag with only a few thin, washed-out, and ill-fitting clothes, full of hope and anticipation as she stepped into the Wei Family, entrusting her life."

In that, there was a desperate determination.

Gu Fuju: "Now she has everything. I haven’t helped her at all."

"What I and Jiasan owe cannot be repaid in this lifetime."

The Duke Zhongyong: ...

I’m at fault.

He scratched his head.

"Well..."

He wasn’t good at comforting words, so he just patted Gu Fuju’s shoulder in the end.

"Yang Changzheng and his entire family were imprisoned, their execution is imminent."

The marriage between the Yang Family and Ying Cheng also fell through.

"Shangjing seems calm now, but once Huaian’s marriage passes, it should become chaotic."

"Ying Zhi has been attending to the Holy Emperor these days, yet he’s never been favored. A few days ago, the Holy Emperor found some random mistake and had him kneel outside the hall overnight. The night damp aggravated his leg issue, and I heard that he could hardly walk the next morning. His influence is no match for Ying Yin."

Ying Yin isn’t favored either.

When free, he wouldn’t show up under the Dog Emperor’s watchful eyes.

The Black Shadow serving the Dog Emperor hasn’t been mentioned outside, but anyone with keen eyes knows it’s always been the trump card of past emperors, leading the brothers to surmise.

Ying Yin didn’t advance, but under the covert and overt pressures from the emperor, he had his feathers and followers trimmed several times, leading a difficult life.

Thus, Ying Fuyan stepped in.

Through his repeated dedication to the Fifth Prince and forming alliances with other advisers.

Whenever other advisers faced dissatisfaction, he showed great loyalty, willing to put in extra effort to help.

Through his efforts, he is now the head of the advisers.

Ying Fuyan quietly reminded.

—"Fifth Prince, currently you’re at a disadvantage, just slightly better than the Second Prince."

—"If the poison on the Holy Emperor can’t be cured, over time, he’s bound to get negligent with state affairs. But as long as he’s breathing, he won’t loosen his grip on the government, letting officials or princes take charge."

—"If he recovers... and if he lives for decades, would you ever have the chance to rise?"

It isn’t rare for former emperors to outlive the Crown Prince.

His words brought nods from other advisers, agreeing wholeheartedly!

Even Elder Cao, who had been working for Ying Yin, respectfully suggested privately in those days.

"Currently, the situation is unfavorable to you, but it’s also a great opportunity."

Ying Yin had already thought about it, but never dared to act.

In the past, even his father could remove the rightful successor, King Yan, and sit on the throne through killings and fake edicts, why couldn’t he?

—"Jia Yan."

That was Ying Fuyan’s false name.

Yin—Yan.

—"What do you think I should do?"

—"Master, haven’t you already decided? Even if it fails, you can retreat unscathed. It’s all gain with no harm."

What was it?

Borrow power with power.

Someone is bound to make a desperate move.

Therefore, aside from being cold-shouldered and experiencing constant failures under imperial pressure, Ying Zhi was subtly pressured by Ying Yin as well.

Ying Cheng, once the marriage was off, found everything smooth sailing.

He intended to repay Wei Zhao, also wanting to make a good impression. He often mentioned in front of the emperor.

—"Father, don’t be too kind to me, or the Second Brother will be displeased."

Saying it with a tone that seemed simple-minded and naively candid.

—"Truly envy the Fifth Prince, no matter where he goes, he receives admiration. Many old officials show him reverence as if seeing you, Father."

After saying this, when he ran into Ying Zhi, he didn’t forget to run excitedly and greet him.

—"Second Brother, how are your legs after kneeling all night? Stay at the mansion and recuperate for a while, the Fifth Brother was so worried about you."

Within the Imperial Family, when plotting against each other.

Xiao Huaian found time to get married.

The Duke Zhongyong looked at his friend.

He sighed with emotion.

"Do you remember? Back when Feng Xing was still around, we used to drink together. Whether successful or not, we were bound, and to some degree, our edges were worn down by royal authority."

"Now we’ve aged, but the subsequent generation gathers once more."

"Huaian endured much over the years, for me, for the Xiao Family, suffering and enduring disdain, and now he’s finally seeing the end of hardship."

"I’ve always been timid, not daring to contend with those above. Yet it’s been to no avail, all it brought was the other side’s relentless encroachment."

"This brat is more accomplished than I am."

"You know very well what kind of person Wei Zhao is without me saying."

"Fuju."

"Your daughter’s intelligence closely resembles you and your wife. Today’s younger generation stands straighter, and tougher, than we do."