Chapter 823: Chapter 821: Our Family Can’t Suffer Such a Loss

This eunuch’s status was not high, but he was one of those who accompanied the emperor on his discreet outing to Chang Garden. He roughly understood the situation that day and knew that the Wong Residence was merely related to the Zhou family by marriage; it was incidentally caught up in this affair, so naturally, he would not offer much courtesy to Lady Zhao, a mere common woman.

Handling errands for the court naturally required reporting to the head of the household, even if the head was a younger generation.

The Imperial Astronomical Observatory officials saw that the eunuch took initiative and naturally understood. The observatory was helping choose a wedding date for the Wong and Zhou families mainly for the Zhou family. They came to the Wong Residence only because they were the Zhou Second Miss’s husband’s family. Thus, they followed the eunuch’s lead, said little, and simply sipped the tea bit by bit.

Lady Zhao was full of anxiety, yet dared not ask what these people had come to her home for, only anxiously listening to the sounds in the yard, hopeful for Wong Qiao’s quick return.

Her family’s Ah Qiao now worked for Prince Fu. Prince Fu was the emperor’s son, so ordinarily, no one would dare provoke their family, right? Why would yamen officials summon her son, and now court officials sit at home with an air of authority?

What, what, what was it all for?

After more than half an hour of anguish, Wong Qiao hurriedly returned home.

He was worried and fearful all the way, not knowing what had happened again. Last time at the Capital Prefecture yamen, he spoke according to Jiang Yifan’s instructions. Even so, he felt a lot of pressure, feeling those words brought him unavoidable responsibility.

Could such matters happen again? Would he have to once more forsake his uncle, play the part of an ungrateful villain?

Seeing Wong Qiao return, Lady Zhao couldn’t contain herself and quickly stepped forward: “Ah Qiao, what exactly is going on? Why are court officials here at our home?”

Then she saw that Wong Qiao’s complexion was also not good. Though her heart was still anxious, she held her tongue. It seemed her son also did not know what was happening.

The Imperial Astronomical Observatory officials and eunuch saw Wong Qiao enter, did not rise, but their expressions improved slightly.

Wong Qiao hurriedly stepped forward to salute the two, exchanged a few simple words, learned that they were an Imperial Palace Eunuch and an Imperial Astronomical Observatory official.

Under the eunuch’s indication, Wong Qiao sat on a chair to the side, feeling even more puzzled.

He was a craftsman; whatever he did should not involve the Imperial Astronomical Observatory. And this eunuch, although the Iron Workshop made mechanical devices, Ye Zi had created trouble at the Capital Prefecture yamen, Wong Qiao did not think such a matter would alarm the emperor and require the eunuch’s personal appearance.

The eunuch glanced at the Imperial Astronomical Observatory official, who smiled slightly and said to Wong Qiao: “Manager Wong, I heard Lord Zhou’s daughter has been betrothed to Manager Wong for some time, but due to various reasons, the marriage has been delayed. Therefore, the superior specifically instructed the Imperial Astronomical Observatory to select an auspicious wedding date for your two families.” Saying this, he took out a document with the auspicious date and handed it to Wong Qiao.

Despite making countless guesses, Wong Qiao never thought court officials would come to his home for this matter.

Wong Qiao took the document in a dazed state. He opened it, perused it—hmm, December 22—he could marry Biyao so soon.

Then, Wong Qiao’s revived eyes wandered to the Imperial Astronomical Observatory official, his heart surging with perplexing astonishment and delight.

He was no longer a little craftsman from a small town. After working with Ye Xinyan and Qi Younian, frequently interacting with Jinrong and Jiang Yifan, especially having done business in the capital, he knew some of its rules.

It wasn’t just him, even Zhou Biyao’s father Zhou Bingyi, didn’t have enough face to have the Imperial Astronomical Observatory choose a wedding date for his daughter, then specially send officials to deliver the document.

This was likely Ye Zi’s handiwork. Ye Zi was not only skilled at making devices but also excelled in other matters, all extremely formidable.

The Imperial Astronomical Observatory official faced Wong Qiao’s uncontrollable shocked expression, also feeling a wave of toothache. The Imperial Astronomical Observatory handled profound and mysterious matters; nobody in either family had entrusted them with the children’s marriage affairs, yet they took the initiative to choose the date and went so far as to send officials to deliver the date.

This matter seemed strange no matter how one looked at it.

The first to awaken from the strangeness was Lady Zhao.

When Lady Zhao heard that the two officials had come to choose a wedding date for her son, her anxious heart calmed, yet dissatisfaction arose. This was the Wong family’s affair; children’s marriage matters should be decided through discussion between both families, setting the wedding date or negotiating a retreat.

Why allow outsiders to interfere?

Was the Zhou family in such haste? Did they secretly use connections to force the Wong family to quickly marry their daughter-in-law?

With such thoughts, Lady Zhao felt even more uneasy. Had Zhou Biyao committed something disgraceful, feared not being able to marry, or would the Wong family regret it upon discovery, prompting such actions?

In Lady Zhao’s view, regardless of the officer’s rank, they shouldn’t interfere in common folk’s marriages, nor force her family to wed. Her family’s Ah Qiao was now working for His Highness Prince Fu.

“Esteemed sir, my son is now serving His Highness Prince Fu. Ah Qiao and the Zhou family daughter’s marriage requires our two families to properly discuss, then make arrangements. Truly, it is inappropriate to burden yourself.”

While saying this, Lady Zhao stood and bowed.

The official had just raised his eyebrows when the eunuch spoke up: “His Majesty heard that Lord Zhou’s daughter is intelligent, capable, possessing both talent and virtue, and particularly gifted in construction affairs. He specifically instructed us to say a few words.”

“Ah…?” Lady Zhao was stunned.

Wong Qiao gave Lady Zhao a tug, making her sit, and smiled apologetically to the eunuch: “My mother is merely worried about the children’s marriage, fearing genuinely to trouble the esteemed sirs and becoming anxious. I hope the esteemed sirs can forgive her. Whatever you instruct, I will comply with your arrangement.”

The eunuch nodded slightly and continued: “His Majesty said that Lord Zhou’s daughter overlooks status differences, can share interests with Craftsman Wong Qiao—truly remarkable. His Majesty wishes that lovers in the world may become united, particularly young couples like Miss Zhou and Manager Wong who share the same interests. After marrying, no one shall restrict Madam Zhou from continuing construction tasks nor hinder Madam Zhou’s construction affairs.”

Lady Zhao felt thunderstruck, even after Wong Qiao saw the Imperial Astronomical Observatory official and eunuch off and returned, she had not regained her senses.

In restless discomfort, Lady Zhao caught sight of Wong Qiao, gripped his arm, saying: “Ah Qiao, you must find out if Zhou Biyao has done anything disgraceful, beyond cover-up, aiming to shift the blame on us. We are a reputable family, we cannot suffer this loss.”