According to historical records, Xiang Minzhong died in 1020 AD, which was last year.
But Xiang Minzhong did not die last year.
Not only did he not die, he also went on a mission to the Liao Kingdom in high spirits.
Kou Ji originally thought that his appearance changed Xiang Minzhong's fate.
Now it seems that fate was just delayed for a few days because of his appearance.
Perhaps it was because he helped Xiang Minzhong reappear in the court and resume his post as counselor of political affairs.
Let Xiang Minzhong take advantage of this momentum and live for one more year.
But now, the momentum has obviously weakened.
Kou Ji's feelings for Xiang Minzhong are very complicated.
Sometimes he felt that Xiang Minzhong was like a disrespectful elder who always helped him out when he was in trouble and then used it to make fun of him.
Sometimes he feels that Xiang Minzhong is like one of his best friends. He can always put aside the airs of his elders, treat him as a peer, and talk to him about many interesting things.
The two have an irreversible friendship.
There is friendship and a hint of family affection.
So when Kou Ji learned that Xiang Min had been fatally shot not long ago, he was a little sad and a little anxious.
Kou Ji was very afraid of seeing the white lantern hanging high at the door of Xiang's Mansion, and he was also afraid of seeing the starkness inside Xiang's Mansion.
Fortunately, when Kou Ji arrived at the door of Xiang Mansion, he did not see the white lanterns hanging on both sides of the door lintel, nor did he see the plain silk hanging across the door lintel.
The entrance to Xiangfu remains the same.
In addition to a young disciple, there was also a manager-looking man standing at the door with a sad face to greet the visiting guests.
After the news of Xiang Minzhong's critical condition spread, some friends with Xiang Minzhong and some of his old disciples came to visit him one after another.
The steward and the doorman welcomed them into the mansion and went to a side hall to rest.
After Kou Ji stepped into the gate of Xiang Mansion.
The steward and the doorman came forward together.
"Master Kou..."
Menzi greeted Kou Ji and bowed.
The steward kicked the door and shouted in a low voice: "Young Master Kou, you want to call me uncle. After today, Mr. Kou will be the new uncle in our house."
The disciple hurriedly bowed his eyebrows and saluted Kou Ji and said: "Uncle..."
Kou Ji didn't say anything about this, but asked with a gloomy face: "Where is Grandpa Xiang? I want to visit him."
The steward bowed his back and said with an ugly face: "Uncle, your matchmaker has just come in. It is not appropriate for you to go see me now."
Kou Ji frowned and said, "At this point, how can there be so much etiquette to take care of?"
"Wherever Grandpa Xiang is, take me there quickly."
Kou Ji shouted in a low voice.
The steward did not dare to embarrass him and took him into the Xiang Mansion, bypassing the long corridor in the Xiang Mansion and entering the back house.
As soon as Kou Ji entered the back house, he bumped into Xiang Yan who looked gloomy.
Kou Ji took three steps at a time, stepped forward, and asked softly: "Yan'er, how is Grandpa Xiang's health?"
When Xiang Yan saw Kou Ji, it was as if she saw her backbone, and she dove into Kou Ji's arms.
She grabbed Kou Ji's lapel, unable to hold back the sadness in her heart any longer, and cried out.
Kou Ji held Xiang Yan in his arms and reached out to pat her back. While comforting her, he glared at the manager who was hesitating whether to speak or not.
The steward saw Kou Ji's fierce eyes and was stunned for a moment.
Then he wisely exited the back hall.
Kou Ji patted Xiang Yan's back and comforted him in a low voice: "Don't listen to those doctors' nonsense. Grandpa Xiang must have become ill from overwork. He can just rest for a few days..."
Xiang Yanming knew that Kou Ji was lying to her.
But she still chose to believe Kou Ji's lies and laughed a little while crying.
Kou Ji hugged Xiang Yan, and after she had suffered enough, he whispered: "Take me to see Grandpa Xiang..."
Xiang Yan whispered with a hint of sobs: "Matchmaker...Matchmaker is in my grandfather's room...My father won't let me in..."
"It doesn't matter...I'm responsible for everything."
Kou Ji comforted him.
Xiang Yan pondered for a moment, nodded, and led Kou Ji to Xiang Minzhong's bedroom.
When I walked to the door of Xiang Minzhong's bedroom, I saw the whole family of Xiang Mansion, all guarding in front of Xiang Minzhong's bedroom door.
When they saw Kou Ji, they were a little surprised.
But he didn't say much.
They also knew that it was against the rules and regulations for Kou Ji to appear in Xiang Mansion at this time.
But they were not qualified to reprimand Kou Ji.
Those who are qualified to reprimand Kou Ji are all in Xiang Minzhong's room.
Kou Ji protected Xiang Yan and entered Xiang Minzhong's bedroom.
In the bedroom.
Xiang Minzhong was lying on the bed. Mrs. Xiang and Xiang Chuan were waiting in front of the bed. A woman who looked like a matchmaker stood in front of the three of them and was talking in a low voice.
Xiang Minzhong's other sons and grandsons were staying not far from the bed.
Kou Ji protected Xiang Yan and entered the bedroom when he attracted the attention of everyone in the bedroom.
Everyone was stunned at first.
Then they frowned one after another.
Xiang Chuanzheng said slightly displeased: "Kou Ji, what are you doing here at this time?"
The matchmaker screamed a few times, holding a handkerchief, twisting her waist, and arrived in front of Kou Ji, exclaiming: "Master Kou, what are you doing here at Xiang's house at this time? You are breaking the rules, you are so bad
Those who understand etiquette."
Kou Ji glanced at the matchmaker coldly, "Stay here while you go, I'll double the thank you gift my family promised you, so don't get in the way in front of me."
The matchmaker immediately shut her mouth and stepped aside happily.
Kou Ji patted Xiang Yan and asked her to stand aside. Under the displeased eyes of Xiang Chuanzheng and others, he walked to the bed.
Xiang Minzhong was lying on the bed, his face was pale, his eyes were unfocused, and his body was as hard as ice.
"Grandpa Xiang..."
Kou Ji called in a low voice.
Xiang Minzhong's eyes slowly focused on Kou Ji, and he said slightly surprised: "You...why are you here?"
Kou Ji squatted down, close to the bed, and whispered: "Let's see you..."
Xiang Minzhong said in a weak voice: "It's not etiquette..."
Kou Ji said nonchalantly: "At this point, what etiquette does it matter?"
Hearing this, Xiang Minzhong was slightly startled. He raised the corner of his mouth with difficulty and smiled softly: "You are right... I have observed etiquette all my life. If I am about to die, why should I observe etiquette..."
Kou Ji smiled knowingly.
Xiang Minzhong looked at Kou Ji and said, "How about you get married to Yan'er tomorrow? I won't be able to see you get married, and I won't be able to rest in peace."
"Dad, what did you say?"
Xiang Chuanzheng said in a deep voice: "During the great funeral of the late emperor, how many people in Bianjing dare to get married? Anyway, Yan'er and Kou Ji's marriage has been decided, and they can get married anytime."
Mrs. Xiang nodded aside and said, "What Zheng'er said makes sense..."
Xiang Minzhong hummed twice and cursed: "You guys know nothing."
Mrs. Xiang and Xiang Chuanzheng were scolded so much that they were speechless.
Xiang Minzhong continued: "I just want to see Yan'er get married. Not only do I want to see Yan'er get married, but I also want to see you vacate this house and give it to Yan'er as a dowry."
"Dad...this is not appropriate..."
"Dad, during the late emperor's funeral, if Yan'er and Kou Ji get married, it will attract people's attention."
"..."
Three of Xiang Minzhong's five sons spoke up to stop him.
They are Xiang Chuanzheng, Xiang Chuanshi, and Xiang Chuanshi.
Kou Ji frowned slightly but said nothing. He probably guessed why the third son of the Xiang family spoke to stop him.
Xiang Minzhong sneered, "I'll put away your petty thoughts, you want to covet this house? I'll give it to you, can you keep it?"
Xiang Chuanzheng had a dark face and gritted his teeth and said, "Dad, I don't want to covet this house. It's just that it's not appropriate to get married during the late emperor's funeral. If someone talks about it, we brothers will all suffer."
Xiang Minzhong said calmly: "I will ask the officials for a favor to solve this problem for you."
"father……"
"No need to say more."
Xiang Minzhong's voice became louder without realizing it.
"Ji'er, come here."
Xiang Minzhong stretched out his hand to Kou Ji.
Kou Ji reached out his hand and let him grab it.
Xiang Minzhong waved to Xiang Yan again.
Xiang Yan hurriedly approached Xiang Minzhong.
Xiang Minzhong grabbed their hands, put them together, and warned: "Ji'er is right. Now that things have come to a point, there is no need to stick to those common etiquette. I have made the decision and promised Yan'er to Ji'er.
Since we have the emperor, heaven and queen as evidence, there is no need for those cumbersome vulgar rituals."
Xiang Yan nodded with tears in her eyes.
Kou Ji said dumbfounded: "Grandpa Xiang, aren't you being a little hasty?"
Xiang Minzhong glared and said: "How could you be so hasty? I am the head of the family. I have promised Yan'er to you, and no one can refute it. Later I will write to the officials and ask them to allow you to stay during the funeral of the late emperor.
marry.
I'm going to die soon.
My last wish will not be fulfilled even if the officials don’t agree to it.”
After a pause, Xiang Minzhong stared at Kou Ji and said, "Is it because you don't want to?"
Kou Ji shook his head and said, "I'm not unwilling, kid."
Xiang Minzhong smiled with satisfaction and said: "That's it... after you return home, let the people in your Kou Mansion start preparations."
Kou Ji hesitated.
Getting married was a big event, and he didn't want to do it in a hurry.
I always feel a little less cheerful.
Xiang Minzhong seemed to have read Kou Ji's thoughts, and the smile on his face slowly faded away. He suddenly held Kou Ji's hand tightly and said in a deep voice: "Boy, why am I so anxious to marry Yan'er?"
For you, you know very well why."
Of course Kou Ji knew what Xiang Minzhong was thinking.
Xiang Minzhong is paving the way for future generations.
It was also to get Xiang Fu close to Kou Ji as soon as possible so that Kou Ji could take care of Xiang Fu.
In the past, Kou Ji felt that doing this to Xiang Minzhong was a bit too utilitarian.
Now he has changed his mind.
He saw the ugly behavior shown by Xiang Minzhong's three sons just now in their fight for Xiang Mansion's house.
Obviously some short-sightedness.
If you really have the ability to enter and exit, you will not care about these financial gains and losses at all.
People like Kou Zhun, Xiang Minzhong, Wang Zeng, Li Di and others have never deliberately pursued money.
In their eyes, power is the most fundamental thing.
Once you have power, what do you want?
Without power, what will happen even if you are rich?
It's not just fish and meat left to be slaughtered.
Xiang Minzhong must have noticed very early on that his sons were useless, so he anxiously married his eldest granddaughter to Kou Ji to create a way out for his descendants.
Seeing that Kou Ji was reluctant to agree, Xiang Minzhong showed a look of begging in his eyes.
Kou Ji sighed secretly and nodded: "I listen to grandpa..."
Xiang Minzhong smiled with satisfaction when he heard this.
He asked his housekeeper to prepare pen and ink, and personally watched Xiang Chuanzheng write a memorial and stamp it with his seal.
Then he asked the fifth son to Xiang Chuanfan and deliver the memorial to the palace for him.
Xiang Chuanfan, the fifth son of the Xiang family, can be regarded as the only promising one among the five sons of the Xiang family.
Of course, his success does not come from himself, but from his wife.
He married the head of Anfu County, the daughter of Nanyang County Prince Zhao Weiji, and became a Mizhou observer by using his reputation as a royal relative.
Zhao Weiji, the king of Nanyang County, was the grandson of Taizu Zhao Kuangyin and the son of Zhao Dezhao.
In the previous erysipelas incident, the Nanyang County Prince's family was not implicated.
After Zhao Zhen ascended the throne, he gave various rewards to the princes of Nanyang County.
Xiang Chuanfan also received some awards through this.
Although Xiang Chuanfan is married to the head of Anfu County and will never be able to participate in political affairs in the court, but with the protection of the Nanyang County Prince's family, he will not lack glory and wealth in his life.
Therefore, Xiang Chuanfan will not be greedy for Xiang Mansion's house.
Xiang Minzhong can safely let him send the memorial.
After Xiang Minzhong's memorial was sent to the palace, Wang Zeng reviewed it and sent someone to the Kou Mansion to invite Kou Zhun back.
After Kou Zhun entered the palace, he invited Zhao Zhen and the three of them discussed it for a while.
Finally decided to agree to Xiang Minzhong's request.
The funeral of the late emperor was important, but considering Xiang Minzhong's status and his contribution to the court, it was necessary for the court to set a precedent for him.
After making a decision.
Zhao Zhen ordered someone to draft an edict to marry Kou Ji and Xiang Yan, so that they could get married quickly.
Of course, in addition to granting marriage, the imperial edict also has many restrictions.
The Kou government was allowed to wear red and colorful decorations, but joy was not allowed.
The bride-to-be wedding team from the Kou Mansion is allowed to go around the city, but the wedding team must not exceed a hundred people.
…
The reason why there are many restrictions is also to avoid the great mourning of the late emperor.
At the same time, it was also to prevent the common people from following suit after seeing Kou Ji getting married.
The edict was quickly sent to the Kou Mansion.
The Kou Mansion sent people to the Xiang Mansion, discussed it with the people in the Xiang Mansion, and decided to officially get married in three days.
Xiang Minzhong mentioned in the memorial that he hoped that Kou Ji and Xiang Yan would get married the day after he submitted the memorial.
But this is obviously impossible to do.
When two wealthy families get married, there are countless things to prepare and guests to entertain. It cannot be completed in half a day.
So people from Kou Mansion went to Xiang Mansion and asked for Xiang Minzhong's opinion.
Xiang Minzhong felt that he might not die for a while, so he asked someone to choose an auspicious day, and found that it would be an auspicious day in three days.
Kou Ji and Xiang Yan's marriage was scheduled for three days.
However, as the protagonist, Kou Ji is dizzy from beginning to end.
He didn't expect that he would get married so soon.
A little sudden, a little caught off guard, a little emotional...