The Minister of Revenue's residence, outer study.
Hou Wenyao had been drinking and felt somewhat weary, but his eyes remained clear.
He accepted the sobering tea a servant handed him and looked intently at Hou Yuchen, who stood nearby. "Today in the Imperial Study, His Majesty bestowed a marriage between you and the eldest daughter of the Jinyang Marquis's Residence."
Top Graduate Hou replied calmly, "I know, Father."
Hou Wenyao glanced at his son, his gaze darkening. "You aren't surprised at all?"
Top Graduate Hou said, "I've visited the Jinyang Marquis's Residence a few times."
He had already heard Fifth Miss's inner voice.
Given how much the emperor favored Fifth Miss, a marriage decree had only been a matter of time.
He had already hinted to his mother that she need not keep searching for a match, and that an excellent marriage would be arranged after the New Year. His mother had thought he was talking nonsense.
He had not expected it to happen even sooner than he had predicted.
Hou Wenyao furrowed his brow. "You and the First Miss of the Jinyang Marquis's Residence..."
Top Graduate Hou said, "I've been respectful and observed propriety. We haven't even spoken. Every visit I've made to the Jinyang Marquis's Residence has been on official business."
His son had been precocious from a young age and was proud and ambitious, often complaining that compiling histories at the Hanlin Academy was a waste of his talents.
Hou Wenyao and several uncles from the clan had always felt that his ambitions were too lofty and that he ought to spend a few years tempering himself at the Hanlin Academy. They had never expected that, after all those twists and turns, he would still end up at the Ministry of Revenue.
According to the emperor's wishes,