The most reckless man in the Ming Dynasty

Duke Ying's Mansion.

Zhang Maoren had not returned yet, but he had sent someone to pass on the news.

When Zhang Lun learned that the wedding was scheduled for three days later, he was not happy at all, but was furious.

Because according to the provisions of "The Marriage of Scholars", the wedding usually has six steps, namely, Nacai, Wenming, Naji, Nazheng, Qingqi and Qinying. This is the wedding tradition known as the "Six Rites", and it is also a norm that must be strictly followed by the rich and powerful.

Of course, the situation in different dynasties is different, and the customs have also changed slightly, but basically they still roughly follow this process and concept.

However, it is only roughly followed, because if you really follow the steps of "The Marriage of Scholars" to the specific direction of each action, it is too unrealistic.

But no matter what, you have to have the most basic etiquette such as matchmaking, betrothal, and daughter-in-law marrying, right?

But what about this damned Zhongshan Marquis?

He is simply a barbarian who knows no etiquette and has no education at all!

Without going through the most basic procedures of proposing marriage and giving betrothal gifts, this barbarian actually directly set the wedding date three days later!

What is this?

Ah?

The Duke of Yingzhou is the first noble of the Ming Dynasty!

You are clearly humiliating the Duke of Yingzhou!

The original words that Zhang Mao sent back were to immediately let the entire Duke of Yingzhou start preparations, and prepare wedding invitations and red lanterns immediately.

However, Zhang Lun was furious after reading it, and then decisively found the "person involved" Zhang Jingshu!

This kind and loving father could not escape the temptation of the silver.

He also wanted to take this opportunity to persuade his precious daughter again.

"Shu'er, what does this mean?"

"Father has said it long ago, that the Marquis of Zhongshan is a barbarian who does not know etiquette. He did not even go through the basic procedures of proposing marriage and three letters and six betrothal gifts, and he directly set your wedding date three days later. This clearly shows that he does not care about you!"

The voice came before the person arrived.

Zhang Jingshu was stunned when she heard this, and her face gradually turned pale.

But before she could answer, a gorgeous woman dressed up beside her laughed.

"Hehe... sister, it seems that your choice is not good either!"

"You gave up being the wife of Marquis Wu'an and insisted on marrying a barbarian. Now, isn't it? You are humiliated by this barbarian!"

This woman is Zhang Lun's legitimate daughter. She married Zhu Hui's son Zhu Qi as his wife. If nothing unexpected happens, this woman will become the wife of the Duke of Baoguo. Let's call her Zhu Zhang for the time being.

Zhu Zhang's words seemed to be defending her sister, but in fact they were full of humiliation.

That's right, it was humiliation!

In this era, a woman's reputation is the most important!

Without a marriage proposal, three letters and six engagements, there would be no eight-man sedan chair and phoenix crown and bridal robe!

Zhang Jingshu never thought that the result of her shaving her head to show her determination would be so tragic and ridiculous!

The overbearing Marquis Zhongshan was still as overbearing as ever, and directly forced the marriage of the two to be scheduled three days later!

It was as if marrying a concubine's daughter of the Duke of Yingguo did not require him to spend any more time!

Zhang Jingshu's face was as pale as paper, and her silver teeth bit her red lips tightly.

She was born with extraordinary intelligence and natural beauty, so she suffered from the jealousy of Zhu Zhangshi, and was often beaten and scolded. Unfortunately, because she was a concubine's daughter, she met a dandy father Zhang Lun who didn't care about anything, so she had to endure it silently, hoping to get married as soon as possible and escape from this cave cage.

But Zhang Jingshu could never have imagined that her life would be so miserable, and even the husband she was going to spend her life with would be such a bastard.

It is conceivable that if she really married him three days later, what a miserable end she would have!

Zhu Zhang had a bun with a phoenix hairpin on her head, a lock of hair curled around her cheeks, a gold and jade necklace on her neck, a sable cape with a double-breasted skirt, and rings and pendants on her waist, which made her look noble and elegant, but her oval face was full of meanness and satisfaction.

Meanness, because of jealousy!

This lowly concubine in front of her, obviously just a concubine, is more beautiful than her, a legitimate daughter, why?

How can a maid's child be compared with her, a real legitimate daughter, why must she be better than herself in appearance?

So Zhu Zhang hated this concubine's sister in front of her very much, and she wanted to scratch her pitiful face with a hairpin!

Satisfaction, because she was happy!

As long as she thought that this bitch was about to marry the barbarian who shaved his head and beard, and then lived a life worse than death, Zhu Zhang felt that her heart was sweeter than eating candied fruit!

"My dear sister!"

"It's not too late for you to regret now. Maybe if I go to Wu'an Marquis's mansion and lie down, I can make Wu'an Marquis change his mind. I believe they will give me this little face."

As soon as the voice fell, another round of mischievous laughter sounded.

Zhu Zhang just liked to humiliate Zhang Jingshu like this. She couldn't wait to see this pretentious good sister kneel down at her feet the next moment and beg her to help her escape from the clutches of Zhongshan Marquis!

Zhang Lun was not surprised by this kind of thing where the legitimate daughter bullied the illegitimate daughter, and he didn't bother to take a second look.

Instead, he took this opportunity to suggest: "Don't be afraid, Shu'er, my father is here. If you really don't want to get married, my father will go to Wu'an Marquis himself. That guy Zheng Hong is my father's good brother. He I will definitely not refuse..."

Before Zhang Lun finished speaking, Mrs. Zhu Zhang immediately turned her back.

She was just talking, hoping to coax Zhang Jingshu to kneel on the ground and plead for her. How could you, a father, take it seriously?

She didn't want to see such a good show ruined by her father Zhang Lun!

Mrs. Zhu Zhang just wanted to see this disgusting sister fall into the abyss and never be able to stand up again!

"Father, please don't talk nonsense!"

"Sister, you have already sharpened your willpower before. You are so determined. If you go to find Marquis Wu'an now, wouldn't you be humiliating yourself?"

Hearing this, Zhang Lun was in trouble for a while.

If he had simply refused before, then he could still be shameless and give it a try.

But this girl had no good intentions last time, and Zhang Lun was impatient with Zheng Hong, the Marquis of Wu'an, so he said it directly when they were drinking last time. As a result, the two parties broke up in the end.

Now if we really let him come to our door, it would be a bit embarrassing indeed!

"Shu'er, what do you think? As a father, you would never..."

Before Zhang Lun had finished playing the role of "loving father", Zhang Jingshu suddenly raised her head and looked at the two relatives in front of her calmly.

"I'll marry you!"

"Hey, that's right. As long as you don't want to get married...what did you say?!"

Zhang Lun had spoken proudly before, but before he could finish his words, he froze on the spot, looking at his concubine with astonishment on his face!

"What did you say?"

"I said I will marry!" Zhang Jingshu looked directly at her biological father calmly, "This is your grandfather's order. Shu'er believes in your grandfather. No matter how ignorant the Zhongshan Marquis is of etiquette and how overbearing he is, now that the wedding date has been decided, then Shu'er is Tang's wife!"

"Father, please pay attention to your dignity and stop talking about Marquis Wu'an. It's about Shu'er's chastity!"

The previous sentence directly expressed Zhang Jingshu's attitude, or it was a bitter mockery of Zhang Lun.

This is the opinion of Zhang Mao, the leader of the British government. No matter how dissatisfied you Zhang Lun is, what can you do?

At least before you, Zhang Lun, took over the British Dukedom, you were a good-for-nothing dandy who didn’t even dare to disobey Zhang Mao’s orders!

The latter sentence reminds Zhang Lun that you are shameless, and I, Zhang Jingshu, am still shameless!

Zhang Lun was a man who had no other skills but his ability to eat, drink, have fun, chat and brag.

Therefore, it was difficult for him not to hear the underlying meaning of what he, a concubine, was saying. Then his face became livid and he stared at Zhang Jingshu with an angry look on his face.

"OK!"

"It's really good!"

"You're a pickpocket, and now you feel like you've climbed onto the high branch of the Marquis of Zhongshan. Do you dare to mock your biological father?"

Zhang Jingshu's face was still very calm, without any fluctuations.

"Father, you are joking. How dare Shuer'an be disrespectful to you?"

"After all, Shu'er's mother died in the hands of your father!"

As soon as these words came out, the whole place was silent.

All the maids and servants fell to their knees, too frightened to even speak out.

But Mrs. Zhu Zhang hurriedly covered her mouth because she was almost going crazy laughing.

I really didn’t expect that!

If I go back to my hometown today, I can still see this great drama of the breakup between father and daughter!

But in this way, Zhang Jingshu, this bitch, is equivalent to cutting off her own future. Even if she is humiliated to death in the Zhongshan Marquis Mansion, no one will seek justice for her!

Because this bitch has no family left!

Zhang Lun looked at the concubine in front of him in astonishment. After all, he still wanted to maintain his father's face in front of everyone, so he suppressed the anger in his heart, put on the posture of a strict father, and sternly scolded: "Why? Father, I don’t know what rumors you have heard, but it would be disrespectful for you to talk to my father like this. Where did you learn your female virtues? It seems that your father still lacks discipline..."

"Ha!" Zhang Jingshu finally broke out, "When did you discipline Shu'er?"

"You, a father, spend your whole day fighting, sleeping in brothels, and playing with women. How often do you spend time in this home? How often do you discipline your children?"

"Zhang Jingshu!" Zhang Lun was almost going crazy.

In front of so many servants, the concubine publicly contradicted him, the prince of the country. If word spread, Zhang Lun would probably become the laughing stock of the capital!

"My father kindly helped you mediate your marriage so that you could have a better future, but in the end you..."

"Do you have good intentions?" Zhang Jingshu gritted her teeth and yelled angrily: "You clearly took the money from Marquis Wu An and wanted to sell your daughter as a commodity! How could there be such a ruthless and vicious person in the world like you? Father!"

As soon as the words fell, there was a crisp "pop" sound. Zhang Lun finally couldn't help but take action and slapped him hard.

It is only right for me to discipline my daughter!

Even if this concubine is beaten to death today, no one can say no!

Zhang Jingshu covered her red and swollen face and stared at Zhang Lun with hatred.

However, Mrs. Zhu Zhang pretended to exclaim at this moment, stepped forward and said with concern: "Good sister, let me take a look!"

"Father, how could you be so cruel?"

"My sister is getting married in three days. Is it possible that you want your sister to go out to meet people like this?"

At the end of the sentence, Mrs. Zhu Zhang almost couldn't help but laugh out loud.

In fact, she didn't know why she hated this concubine so much.

Maybe it's because she looks more beautiful than him?

Maybe it's because she always looks disgusting and calm when things happen?

But no matter what, disgust is disgust!

Mrs. Zhu Zhang wished that this damn concubine would marry that barbarian who shaved off his hair and beard, and then suffer humiliation and torture!

Zhang Lun angrily scolded: "You are really just like your mother, you are a bitch who can't stand up to the stage..."

"What qualifications do you have to mention my mother?!" Zhang Jingshu fired back not to be outdone.

Seeing this situation, Zhang Lun raised his hand again.

However, at this moment, the housekeeper arrived in a hurry.

"Your Majesty, someone is coming from the palace and they say they have a will!"

Someone from the palace has a purpose!

Upon hearing these words, Zhang Lun's eyes suddenly lit up.

As a noble family of Jingnan, the British Crown Prince is deeply trusted by the royal family, so it is common for the palace to issue decrees.

However, this was all before the Zhengtong Dynasty.

Ever since the Tumu Fort Incident, when the British Duke Zhang Fu died on the battlefield, there has been some inexplicable estrangement between the British Dukes and the royal family. Anyway, since then, all British Dukes have lost the opportunity to lead the army in war. .

Zhang Mao had only done some superficial work in supervising history books in his life, and gradually drifted away from the royal family.

In other words, this is a decree from the palace that has not been seen for a long time!

Zhang Lun did not dare to neglect and immediately ordered: "Open the middle door and prepare the incense case!"

After all, the British government is a long-established noble family, so the process of receiving orders is still very familiar.

But before Zhang Lun left, he shouted at his servants: "Lock this evil obstacle in the room and strictly prohibit her from going out. In three days, she will be married to the Marquis of Zhongshan!"

Since you have to choose a road of no return and marry that barbarian who shaves off his hair and beard, then don’t blame me as a father!

Zhang Jingshu looked at her father's back coldly, feeling sad or ridiculous.

Being born into such a wealthy family and being a concubine is an extremely sad thing in itself.

In her life, she was destined to become a tool for marriage between wealthy families, but she had always been unlucky. This time she met a domineering and arrogant Marquis of Zhongshan!

Zhang Lun hurried to the scene with Zhu Zhang and everyone in the mansion, then knelt down in front of the incense table and looked at the palace envoy with hope.

This time, the people who came were two "big shots".

One of them is Chen Kuan, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony. He is responsible for announcing the decree on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor.

The other one is Qiu Chan, the head of Kunning Palace and concurrently the Shang Gong of the Palace Bureau. He is the undisputed number one female official and the absolute confidant of the Empress.

After all, Zhang Lun was the prince of the country, so he still knew Chen Kuan.

This means that what happened today must be a good thing!

Why would Chen Kuan, the first minister of the inner court, come in person?

There are really not many people or things worthy of Chen Kuan’s appearance!

He couldn't help but patiently asked: "Da Xun, why are you here this time?"

Chen Kuan originally had a slight smile on his face, but after looking around for a week, he didn't see the real owner, and his smile suddenly stopped.

"Prince Lun, the decree is for the lady of your house!"

Miss?

Hearing this, Mrs. Zhu Zhang suddenly perked up and her whole body became hot with excitement.

If it was a decree given to her, then there was only one possibility left—a decree!

It’s definitely a decree!

Starting from the Song Dynasty, imperial edicts were used to change the rank of civil and military officials, to give posthumous gifts to ministers, to demote and convict officials, and to grant gifts to their grandfathers and wives.

In the Ming Dynasty, officials of the fifth rank and above had the opportunity to receive imperial orders from the emperor if they had outstanding achievements, while those of officials below the sixth rank were called imperial orders.

A woman who has received imperial orders is called "Mrs. Imperial Order", and there is a strict hierarchy. The first- and second-rank official's wife is called "Madam", and the aunt's mother is called "Mrs."; the third-rank official is a lady, the fourth-rank official is a respectful person, and the fifth-rank official is a respectful person. The highest rank is pleasant, the sixth rank is peaceful, and the seventh rank and below are Ruren.

Madam Gaoming can go to the harem on major festival days and attend banquets hosted by the queen. In other words, this is the highest honor that all women in the world long for!

Even Zhang Lun subconsciously looked at his daughter and secretly sighed that his son-in-law Zhu Qi was truly in love. How could he find a way to get his daughter's life so quickly?

Chen Kuan looked at the helpless Zhang Lun and Zhu Zhang, and couldn't help but shook his head speechlessly.

"What we are talking about is the lady of your house, not the woman!"

"Prince Lun, please invite the rightful master to come out immediately, don't waste any time!"

As soon as these words came out, Zhang Lun and Zhu Zhang were stunned on the spot, looking at each other with dull expressions.

Fortunately, Chen Kuan's reminder had an effect, and Zhang Lun said in a hoarse voice: "Go and invite the second young lady... over here!"

Miss, not a woman!

How many young ladies can there be in this British government?

Second young lady, Zhang Jingshu!

Mrs. Zhu Zhang stood there in a daze.

She even wanted to question the eunuch if he had made a mistake.

However, as Zhang Jingshu hurried to the scene and Chen Kuan read out the edict in public, everyone realized that they had indeed made a mistake. The edict had named Zhang Jingshu.

This is an imperial edict for marriage, and the wedding date is three days later.

It is such an honor to be married by the emperor!

And at the end of the imperial edict, there is indeed an imperial decree, but it is for Zhang Jingshu.

In view of the outstanding contributions made by the Marquis of Zhongshan to the Ming Dynasty, His Majesty the Emperor has conferred Zhang Jingshu the title of a first-class imperial lady!

And this is not over yet, because there is a big figure in the palace waiting on the side.

Qiu Chan, the head of Kunning Palace, smiled and read out the imperial decree of the Empress. In addition to granting a large number of enviable rewards, she immediately summoned Zhang Jingshu to the palace.

It seems that the Empress is full of interest in the concubine of the Duke of Yingguo, who was personally requested by the Marquis of Zhongshan to marry.

After the decree was read out, Zhang Jingshu accepted the decree and thanked him.

But just as she was about to get up and leave, her eyes touched the rewards of the Empress, and Zhang Jingshu made an unexpected move.

"Empress Qiuchan, please send these rewards to the Zhongshan Marquis' Mansion, which will be my...home in the future!" Qiuchan was stunned at first, but when she noticed Zhang Jingshu's swollen cheeks and Zhang Lun's grief-stricken look, she guessed roughly what happened. "Okay, it's just a small matter." "Now follow me into the palace!" Zhang Jingshu strode away, leaving the Zhang family deeply shocked. Zhang Lun looked at his daughter's back and collapsed to the ground. The emperor granted marriage and the queen summoned him! Either of them indicated that Zhang Jingshu was valued! "Damn it!" "What did I do before?"