RWNEFE -Chapter 677 Requesting an Imperial Marriage Again!

Shen Emei’s face flushed red with anger at once. What did that mean? Were they saying she was old, a leftover woman?

When Shen Yuanxu heard that the match was the third young master of the Assistant Minister of Rites, he also frowned. Why not the eldest son? The eldest son could inherit the family estate. Although the third son was also born of the main wife, when the family divided, he would only receive a small portion of the property; the resources he would obtain would be worlds apart from those of the legitimate eldest son.

And then there was the age.

He knew that at his daughter’s age, finding someone of similar years, with a good family background, and without concubines or entanglements was almost impossible.

But three years younger—wasn’t that a bit too young?

“Why aren’t you kneeling to receive the decree and thank His Majesty!” the pale-faced eunuch said coldly, narrowing his eyes.

Shen Yuanjing quickly stepped forward to accept the imperial edict.

The eunuch lifted his chin and left the Shen residence.

Since the Shen family had asked the Emperor to grant a marriage, they should obediently accept whatever arrangements the Emperor made.

What kind of attitude had that been just now? Asking the Emperor for a marriage, yet disliking the person he granted? Why didn’t they go ask a courtesan for a chastity archway while they were at it?

…

“Emei, do you know the third young master of the Assistant Minister of Rites?” Shen Yuanjing had recently been dealing mostly with officials from the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue; the Ministry of Rites had been the last on his list.

Shen Emei had naturally heard of him, but had never met him in person.

“Your daughter is older than he is, and we didn’t study at the same academy. I’ve heard of him, but I’ve never seen him.”

From his daughter’s expression, Shen Yuanjing could tell she did not like the husband chosen for her.

“Emei, are you dissatisfied with this marriage?”

Shen Emei had already weighed things in her mind.

“No. Your daughter understands that at my age, finding someone of similar age, similar status, and with a clean household is almost impossible. The person His Majesty chose for me may be a little younger, but everything else about him is good.”

Seeing that his daughter had come to terms with it herself, Shen Yuanjing felt relieved.

“This man passed the provincial examination at sixteen and was already appointed to an external post. His future prospects are limitless.”

What rank was a county magistrate, after all?

Fortunately, his household was clean; that at least made up for some of the shortcomings.

“Father, I also want to become an official.” There were now quite a few female officials in the court. Whenever Shen Emei saw those women wearing court robes and leaving the court, she felt deeply envious.

Shen Yuanjing immediately frowned.

“It’s not like the previous dynasty anymore. Those who can become officials now are selected step by step through the imperial examinations. If it were someone else, I might be able to make some arrangements, but your identity is too conspicuous.”

Shen Emei was unconvinced.

“Just because I’m from the Shen family, others can have positions arranged for them by their families, but I can’t?”

Shen Yuanjing quickly glanced toward the door.

“Shh—keep your voice down.”

Though still dissatisfied, Shen Emei did not dare to speak recklessly again.

“Aren’t the others in the family also without official posts? Even Chengfeng, who surpasses you in everything, is still a commoner, isn’t he?”

Shen Emei continued to sulk, and no matter how Shen Yuanjing tried to persuade her, she remained silent.

…

“Father, I want to obtain an official post first, and only then settle my marriage.” When Shen Chengfeng heard that his father wanted to request an imperial decree to arrange his marriage, he spoke reluctantly.

Shen Yuanxu said, “Since ancient times, people marry first and establish their careers afterward. You saw what happened with Cheng Zheng before. If something happens again, your marriage will be delayed once more.”

Shen Chengfeng lowered his head and said nothing.

“Look at Emei—she delayed and delayed, and now at this age she can only marry a younger son who won’t carry on the main household. If you keep wasting time, will there still be any good candidates left?”

Thinking about how Shen Emei had chosen a husband three years younger than herself, and one assigned to an official post in a poor and remote area, the frustration in Shen Chengfeng’s heart eased a little.

“Father, are you also planning to ask His Majesty to choose a woman and grant me a marriage?”

Shen Yuanxu shook his head with a grave expression. “I have my eye on the legitimate daughter of the Minister of War. If you can marry her, you will certainly gain support in court in the future.”

Shen Chengfeng thought for a moment, his expression turning somewhat strange.

“Father, you’re not talking about the fourth young lady of the Vice Minister of War’s family, are you?”

Shen Yuanxu said, “Yes.”

Shen Chengfeng exclaimed, “How old is she? She hasn’t even come of age yet, has she?”

Shen Yuanxu replied, “It’s normal for a man to be older than his wife. I’ve had people inquire about that fourth young lady—she’s refined, intelligent, and very good-looking. She’ll certainly be a virtuous helpmate in the future.”

Just moments ago he had mocked Shen Emei for marrying a husband three years younger than herself, yet the girl he was now being matched with was six years younger than him. Shen Chengfeng could no longer laugh.

When Shen Yuanxu went to the palace to request an imperial marriage, Shen Lanxi did not ask many questions and directly agreed.

With two consecutive imperial marriage edicts issued, the Shen household became extremely lively.

“Eldest Sister has always thought highly of herself and didn’t want to marry early. Now she’s only been matched with a minor official—isn’t that what they call having high standards but low ability?”

“And Eldest Brother—his marriage has really been full of twists and turns. Who knows whether this fourth young lady will even live to come of age this time?”

“Shh, a maid is coming.”

Only after the maid passed did the young ladies of the Shen family continue speaking.

“We’re all at marriageable age, and families usually start arranging matches by now. Only us—because Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister haven’t married, we can’t either.”

“If we wait any longer, all the good candidates will be taken.”

“We don’t even have mothers to help arrange things for us. We’ll have to manage our marriages ourselves.”

Shen Yuanjing had already had two wives, both of whom had left behind children. His current wife was heavily pregnant and could barely take care of herself, let alone them.

The situation in Shen Yuanxu’s household was similar. When Hu Jinyu was still alive, she had helped arrange things to some extent, but after her death, all the connections she had built gradually faded.

Too many incidents had happened to the Shen family over the past few years. The powerful families in the capital showed respect openly, but in private they were unwilling to form marriage alliances with them.

“Let’s go find Father!”

“Alright!”

A group of marriageable young women gathered together and went to seek out their respective fathers.

Shen Yuanjing and Shen Yuanxu were pestered the entire afternoon. The next day after court, the two of them, without prior discussion, both went to see Shen Lanxi.

“Your Majesty, the sons and daughters in our households have all reached marriageable age, yet none of their marriages have been settled. Seeing that Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister have been granted marriages, they’ve all come to us one after another.”

“Please, Your Majesty, make the decision and arrange marriages for these marriageable children in our families as well!”

After pouring out their grievances one after the other, the two began to make their request.

Shen Lanxi said, “By rights, matters of marriage should be decided by the parents.”

Shen Yuanxu cupped his fists. “This minister’s wife has passed away, and there is no one to manage the inner household. As a man, it is truly inconvenient for me.”

Shen Yuanjing added, “This minister’s wife is pregnant and cannot overexert herself. Moreover, she is from another people and does not understand the marriage customs of our Aolai Kingdom. It would be inappropriate to entrust the matter to her.”

Shen Lanxi said, “What about Madam Miao? She is your elder and also their elder. It would certainly be appropriate for her to handle it.”

Shen Yuanjing and Shen Yuanxu both shook their heads.

“Ever since Yuanhao left the capital, Third Aunt’s temperament has grown increasingly strange. At home, I often hear the sounds of smashing and breaking coming from the third branch.”

Shen Lanxi narrowed her eyes. “Is she dissatisfied that I transferred Shen Yuanhao out of the capital?”