Daughter of the Zhao Clan

"My name is Zhang Mingshu."

Ming Shu and the young maid helped the bride to the main room of the inner courtyard. He didn't know what to do next, his heart filled with apprehension.

This room had just been renovated by Old Zhao these past few days, and Ming Shu himself had never lived in it before.

Although it was simple, all the best materials in the house had been used to fix it up.

The young maid remained silent, only diligently taking care of her young lady the entire way.

The bride hadn't spoken yet, but she and the maid had a tacit understanding. At her subtle hint, the maid finally took out a small, jade-green bamboo ruler from behind her and handed it to Ming Shu.

"Please, son-in-law!"

Ming Shu finally reacted. He took the bamboo ruler and gently lifted the red veil.

Before him was also just a young girl.

Their eyes met.

Ming Shu was so awkward he didn't know what to say.

The other party just looked at him, and finally, she lowered her gaze and nodded.

"Lü'e, go to the front and see if you can get some food."

"Yes, miss." The young maid quickly went out, leaving the two of them alone.

The bride proactively extended her small hand and led Ming Shu to sit on the bed together.

Ming Shu was at a loss. "How about we take a walk?"

As soon as Ming Shu sat down, he jumped up again.

This made the bride cover her mouth and chuckle softly.

"My name is Zhao Siqi. My father is the Young Family Head of the Zhao Clan, his name is Zhao Wuxu."

"He told me a lot about you before I came."

"I'm just a concubine's daughter within the Zhao Clan. You don't need to worry about the difference in our status. Every year, many sons and daughters born to concubines from our clan are sent to marry into other families. Not all of them become the main wife."

She saw Ming Shu's confusion and explained things to him one by one.

Before coming, not only had her father discussed it with her in depth, but her mother had also spoken to her heart and soul for an entire night.

For two people to spend their lives together, the most important thing was mutual trust.

"I probably know you better than you know yourself."

The two of them, hand in hand, strolled in the courtyard.

"You not only have the bloodline of the Imperial Family and the Zhang Family, but the late Emperor's paternal grandmother was also the eldest daughter of the main lineage of my Zhao Clan. You can be considered to have Zhao Clan blood in you as well."

Based on what Ming Shu had learned before, over the past thousand years, the Imperial Family and the Three Great Families had intermarried so much that their bloodlines had become deeply intertwined.

He wasn't surprised by this situation.

He nodded gently.

"Why did you choose me?"

Ming Shu actually wanted to know, in her eyes, what advantages did he possess that were worth her investing her entire life in?

"I'm not sure what deal my father made with the forces behind you. My father asked my sisters and me about it. At first, we only knew that we were going to the East Sea, and there would be some danger."

"It was a young family head, whose family was very small. Later, my father spoke to us separately. When it was my turn, he asked me what my expectations were for my future husband."

"I hope he is a brave person. He doesn't need to be too wise, but he can't be too stupid. I've seen too many idiots within the clan."

"My father promised me that you would be a suitable choice. He told me that you had been lying dormant in the Cold Palace for four years and were finally free."

"He told me that you had the attention of a big shot from above and were someone worth investing in. Your potential was huge, but your starting point was very low. The huge risk also meant huge returns."

"He decided to co-invest. And his foresight would become my confidence and backing."

"Although I am a concubine's daughter in the clan, I am very fortunate to have a father who is the Young Family Head and a mother who is neither servile nor overbearing."

"Even though she was just a concubine, my mother chose my father back then and became his maidservant. She assisted my father in handling many internal and external affairs, yet always remained behind the scenes. Her teachings over the years have made me different from my siblings."

"As I said earlier, the sons born to concubines in the Zhao Clan are also used for marriage alliances, marrying into other families. And they might not even be matched with the main lineage of the other family. A concubine's son matched with a concubine's daughter is the proper way. If I hadn't chosen you, I would have become one of them."

"My mother, like me, believes you are worth a gamble for me, for my entire life. Will you disappoint me?"

Ming Shu was a little stunned as he processed the information he had just received. The Young Family Head of one of the Three Great Families not only personally paid attention to him, but also used him as a transaction, and even offered one of his daughters.

Although he probably had many daughters.

"Although you give me the impression of being very gentle, I don't want you to become a very domineering mistress here. I apologize if my expression is problematic."

"It's alright. One of the most efficient ways of communication is directness. Your directness and honesty also earn my favor," Zhao Siqi said. "Do you know why I've been holding your hand tightly?"

"I don't want us to develop any estrangement from the beginning. Any small doubt can turn into a huge rift." She answered her own question, "I hope that from the initial impression of not disliking you, we can slowly develop trust through honest communication."

"You can rest assured, from the moment I left home, my mother reminded me that I am no longer a daughter of the Zhao Clan. I need to wholeheartedly consider our new home."

"Otherwise, I would end up like those fools I spoke of."

"They just can't tell where they truly belong. They lack a sense of boundaries yet possess an inexplicable sense of superiority. They think that just because they are part of the Zhao Clan, they can look down on everyone else."

"They don't know how many ancestors sacrificed, how much blood was shed, for the Zhao Clan to achieve its current influence and status. Your Imperial Family has always been trying to weaken the Three Great Families."

Ming Shu agreed with this point. The regulation that reduced noble titles upon inheritance was clearly aimed at the Three Great Families.

Unfortunately, in the subsequent power struggles, the Three Great Families joined forces and proved more skillful. Not only were they not weakened, but they also seized more benefits from other nobles.

The Great Jin Immortal Dynasty's current standing is the result of countless past power struggles, each playing a role, big or small.

"This place is still empty. The beginning will be very difficult," Ming Shu said sheepishly.

"I don't think so. Now that I'm here, you're no longer starting from nothing. I've brought some people with me. You don't have to worry about being sidelined; they will all follow your lead."

"I'll introduce them to you later. You can arrange them as you see fit. Whatever decision you make, I will fully support you!"

"I'm thirteen this year, how old are you?" Ming Shu still felt that age was a significant issue.

"I know. I'm a few months older, so we're about the same age. Don't be nervous. My mother has already taught me everything, and I'll teach you."