bestfiction Chapter 456 Imperial Marriage
Chapter 456 Imperial Marriage
Chapter 456 Imperial Marriage
Emperor Zhou's gaze was deep. In fact, he had already guessed it. His mother was old and had experienced palace coups and injuries in the past. It was already a blessing from heaven that she had survived until now.
However, thinking about the reason why his mother fainted this time, Emperor Zhou was filled with anger. He did not expect that unfilial daughter would dare to come here to criticize his mother, and with such unbearable words. It was as if she was stabbing his mother in the heart again. It was something that he had not dared to mention all these years, but that rebellious daughter said it in public.
How could he not know that the Prince of Lingnan was no good man? However, when she did such a rebellious thing—heartlessly hurting her grandmother, who had loved her for more than ten years and cherished her like a treasure—he no longer had any feelings for this daughter.
Therefore, he resolutely decided to marry her off to the heir of the Prince of Lingnan. As for what her future life would hold—whether it would be happy and fulfilling or filled with hardship—that would depend entirely on her own fate and destiny. Perhaps, this was the punishment she deserved…
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has awakened," Eunuch Wei reported. Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhou immediately put down the memorial he was holding and rushed over.
"Empress Dowager, how are you? Imperial Physician, come quickly and examine the Empress Dowager." Seeing the weak Empress Dowager, Emperor Zhou's face, which had been happy because the Empress Dowager had woken up, immediately showed worry.
"No need, I know my own body very well." The Empress Dowager waved her hand gently, her face, weathered by time yet still dignified and noble, remained calm and serene.
"Mother Empress," Emperor Zhou called out worriedly, his heart filled with fear.
"Your Majesty, Qing...where is she?"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhou's expression immediately changed: "Mother, that rebellious daughter who disrespects her grandmother has been placed under house arrest. Moreover, I have already betrothed her to the heir of the Prince of Lingnan, and she will marry him once she recovers from her injuries." Emperor Zhou's anger was barely contained when the Fourth Princess was mentioned.
"You..." The Empress Dowager was about to say something, but the words caught in her throat. Thinking of what had happened before, her eyes were filled with pain.
He was heartbroken that his beloved granddaughter, whom he had cherished for so many years, thought he was such a despicable person, and he was also heartbroken that his granddaughter would ruthlessly tear apart his already broken heart.
She had kept that matter in her heart for so many years, deceiving herself into not wanting to think about it. But now that the Fourth Princess had brought it up, she still couldn't let it go.
Back then, the late emperor was incompetent and tyrannical, neglecting state affairs, and the harem was constantly embroiled in infighting. In order to protect the current emperor, the empress dowager could not abandon her youngest son, a matter that had always been a source of pain for her.
So many years have passed, and she thought she had forgotten about this matter, but in fact it was deeply rooted in her heart. Now that the Fourth Princess has brought it up, she is overwhelmed with emotion.
The scene of the child's death kept flashing before her eyes. He must blame her, he must. How old was he then? So well-behaved. But she gave up. She had lived for so many years. It was time to go find her son. How lonely he must be in that cold underground.
"Mother." Emperor Zhou looked at the Empress Dowager, whose face was gradually turning painful, and knew what she was thinking. His heart ached as well. This was something he had been unwilling to mention for many years. He owed his younger brother something.
The Empress Dowager suddenly came to her senses and gave Emperor Zhou a forced smile: "I'm fine, Your Majesty, you can go about your business."
"Your Majesty, please take good care of yourself." Knowing that the Empress Dowager didn't want to be disturbed at the moment, Emperor Zhou said this and then left.
-
As evening approached, the Xiao family received an imperial edict from His Majesty, delivered by Eunuch Wei.
[By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I have heard that Heaven and Earth are in their proper places, Yin and Yang are in harmony, and the prosperity of the nation and its people depends on propriety and righteousness. Now I see Lu Zhijin, the third young master of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, a second-rank Assistant General of the State, from a distinguished family, exceptionally talented, learned, and possessing strategic acumen, who has repeatedly made outstanding contributions in the court; and Xiao Siyue, the daughter of the Marquis of De'an, the Princess of Zhaoning, a lady of a prestigious family, gentle and virtuous, possessing both beauty and virtue, and outstanding talent, renowned throughout the capital.]
Both are of upright character and are a perfect match. I am greatly pleased and hereby bestow this auspicious union upon you. The Ministry of Rites is hereby ordered to select an auspicious day and time for the wedding, and all expenses shall be covered by the national treasury. I hope that you two will live in harmony and mutual respect after your marriage, bringing honor to your families and blessings to the nation.
"Lord Xiao, congratulations to Princess Zhaoning!" Eunuch Wei handed over the imperial edict with a broad smile.
"Haha, thank you so much, Father-in-law. Please come in and have a cup of tea," Xiao Qinian laughed heartily and invited.
"No, His Majesty is not waiting for my reply, so I will not stay any longer." In fact, there was no need for him to deliver the decree, but His Majesty sent him to show the Xiao family his sincerity.
"Then I'll see you off, sir. Take care." Xiao Qinian handed over a packet of silver and saw Eunuch Wei out.
"Oh my, I never expected that before the Lu family even came to propose marriage, His Majesty would send an imperial decree to bestow a marriage upon us. This is truly an immense honor." Looking at the imperial decree in Xiao Siyue's hand, Old Lady Xiao was overjoyed.
Of all the noble ladies in the capital, how many can be as fortunate as Yue'er, who received a personal decree from His Majesty to be married? Indeed, Yue'er is truly blessed.
"Haha, yes, but I don't know when the Ministry of Rites will set the wedding date. If it's too early, we won't have time to prepare," Uncle Xiao said with some worry.
"What's your rush? Didn't you hear the imperial edict say that all the wedding expenses will be covered by the national treasury? We don't need to do anything," Aunt said, nudging Uncle Xiao.
"Oh dear! I'm telling you, my dear wife! Even though this wedding is funded by the national treasury, we still need to prepare a generous dowry for our Yue'er! After all, this is a major life event for Yue'er, and we absolutely cannot treat it carelessly. We can't let others see it and then point fingers and gossip behind her back. That would be such a disgrace to our Yue'er! Don't you agree? So, no matter what, we must do our best to prepare this dowry properly!"
"Yes, yes, you're right." Auntie also realized that the money came from the national treasury, and they still needed to prepare what they needed to prepare themselves. She also loved her niece Yue'er, so she had to prepare well.
“There’s no need to rush. Although the Ministry of Rites sets the date, we can look at the approximate dates ourselves, and then tell the Ministry of Rites so they can choose a suitable one,” Xiao Qinian said with a smile after hearing this as he saw Eunuch Wei in.
He wanted to keep his daughter for another year; how could she be married off so soon? He would discuss it with the Lu family and then have the Ministry of Rites choose an auspicious date the year after next.