Chapter 184 Imperial Edict Arrives

As the sun was rising high overhead, a large procession of carriages and horses appeared at the alley entrance, heading this way.

Only when they got closer did they see clearly the person riding a tall horse at the front. Dressed in a scarlet official robe, he looked noble and dignified. Who else could it be but the Earl of Nanping?

Looking past the guards on horseback behind the Earl of Nanping, one could see a row of more than a dozen carriages lined up neatly behind him. What was going on?

Just as the neighbors were whispering among themselves, the group stopped in front of the Su residence. After the Earl of Nanping dismounted, the steward hurriedly went to greet them.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, everything has been arranged and we are just waiting for your instructions."

The Earl of Nanping nodded and looked at the carriage, where he saw a eunuch dressed in the attire of a palace attendant being helped down from the carriage by the coachman.

The Earl of Nanping stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "I trouble you, Your Excellency, to announce the imperial decree right here at the main gate today."

The eunuch's distinctive high-pitched voice rang out, loud enough for the surrounding crowd to hear clearly:

"Your Excellency is too kind. The imperial edict was obtained by Your Excellency personally from His Majesty. Where the edict is proclaimed is up to you, since I have come with you, I will naturally follow your instructions."

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

They've come to read out an imperial edict?

But who was this imperial edict issued to, and was it a good thing or a bad thing?

Just as the crowd was whispering among themselves, Su Chengniang walked out gracefully, surrounded by a group of old women and maids.

She was dressed in a magnificent gown embroidered with cloud and brocade, and wore a red gold and jade hairpin that shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight. Her brows exuded calmness and composure, and her fair face seemed even more radiant and beautiful than usual, showing no signs of the guilt or haggardness that people might have imagined.

Her appearance instantly attracted everyone's attention, even the eunuch who was announcing the imperial decree couldn't help but take a second look.

Su Chengniang slowly walked to the side of the Marquis of Nanping and gave a slight curtsy, her movements graceful and elegant. The Marquis of Nanping whispered a few words to her, then turned to the imperial eunuch who was delivering the decree, indicating that they could begin.

The two knelt down hand in hand, followed by their attendants and servants.

This was an imperial edict; who would dare stand and listen? Even the neighbors who were watching the commotion dared not make a sound and knelt down to hear what the edict contained.

Seeing that the surroundings had quieted down, the eunuch delivering the imperial edict coughed lightly with satisfaction, picked up the edict in his hand, unfolded it, and his high-pitched voice rang out again as he began to read out the contents word by word.

By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

I have heard that a woman's virtue is inherent, setting a good example within; gentle and virtuous, she is exemplary in her conduct. I have observed that Lady Su, of noble birth and distinguished lineage, possesses exemplary manners… Therefore, I hereby bestow upon her this honor, elevating her to the rank of Second-Rank Imperial Lady, granting her a golden seal and ceremonial robes, and permitting her to wear a phoenix crown and crimson ribbon. I urge her to further cultivate her virtuous conduct, greatly enhancing her family's reputation, thus fulfilling the court's profound intention to honor her. So be it!

The surrounding crowd held their breath, afraid of missing a single word.

It wasn't until Su Chengniang reached out and took the imperial edict, standing up with the Earl of Nanping, that everyone realized it was an imperial edict bestowing upon Su Chengniang the title of Second-Rank Imperial Lady.

Everyone was immediately stunned.

What's going on? Wasn't this woman supposed to be a mistress? Some people even believed the more outrageous rumors, but in the end, she turned out to be the wife of the Earl of Nanping, and now, in full view of everyone, she has become a Lady of Imperial Decree personally bestowed by the Emperor.

That was a slap in the face that came too quickly.

Many people looked at the stunningly beautiful woman before them with awkwardness and trepidation on their faces.

The Earl of Nanping surveyed the expressions of those around him with satisfaction before approaching the imperial eunuch with a gentle smile and politely saying:

"Thank you for your trouble, sir. Please come inside for a cup of tea and rest for a while. We will need you to come back to the Earl's residence with us later."

The imperial eunuch who proclaimed the imperial decree said, "These are all our duties, nothing to do with hardship."

The group politely deferred to each other as they entered the gate.

After settling the imperial eunuch who was supposed to deliver the imperial decree to rest in the main hall, the Earl of Nanping tugged at Su Chengniang's sleeve and whispered:

"Madam, have you packed everything? We agreed that you would move back to the Earl's mansion with me after the imperial edict is read today. If you have packed everything, I will have someone move your luggage onto the carriage right away."

Su Chengniang said in a low voice with a hint of reproach, "Everything is ready. It's just going back to the manor. Why did you make such a big fuss? Why did you bring so many carriages?"

The Earl of Nanping explained in a serious tone, “I was worried that you had too much luggage and the carriage wouldn’t be able to hold it all. Besides, we just want to show those people that you are my rightful wife. With what has happened today, your status is set in stone. Let’s see who dares to gossip about you behind your back. That would be disrespecting the Emperor’s decree and would land them in jail.”

Su Chengniang smiled with satisfaction.

Last night, the two discussed it and the Earl told her that he had already obtained the imperial edict to bestow the title of Lady and that it could be issued at any time. Since that was the case, they would use the imperial edict to shut up those people outside.

Therefore, they deliberately chose to receive the imperial decree at the main gate, so that everyone would see it. Who would dare to slander someone who was praised so highly by the emperor?

Su Chengniang had completely let go of the gloom of the past few days and even felt like saying a few teasing words to the man:

"I didn't pack much luggage, just some things I usually use, and I don't plan to bring anything else. If I feel uncomfortable living in the Nanping Marquis's mansion, I'll just move back here."

Marquis of Nanping: "How could you not be comfortable staying here? Don't worry, I've made all the arrangements. I personally selected the courtyard in the mansion and decorated it according to your preferences. I'm sure you'll like it."

As for your mother, don't worry too much. I've already spoken with her; since she agreed to let you go back, she naturally won't make things too difficult for you. Besides, if anything happens, I'm here for you.”

The two talked and soon arrived at the main courtyard. When Nanpingbo saw the dozen or so large boxes scattered around the courtyard, he was speechless.

It seems Cheng Niang wasn't joking with him; she really didn't plan to take much luggage back with her.

He gestured to Cheng Niang with his hand toward the trunk on the ground, his expression making it all clear: I made such a big fuss to pick you up, and all you're planning to do is take some clothes with you back?

You should know that when they moved their whole family back to the capital before the New Year, the luggage that the four of them brought back filled as many as twenty horse-drawn carriages, and that was because they didn't bring any of the heavy things because of the long journey.

After returning to the capital, they went straight back to the Su residence, where almost all their belongings were kept. When their son and daughter returned home, they only brought some everyday clothes and necessities. Now that Chengniang is also moving back, there should be at least a hundred trunks and baskets.

Su Chengniang, however, disagreed and said, "Take these for now. I wasn't joking with you earlier. If I can't stay at the Earl's mansion, I'll come back to stay here."

Therefore, she left most of her gold, silver, valuables, and other precious items here instead of moving them to the Earl's mansion, and even left two of her most reliable and loyal servants to guard the house for her.

The Earl of Nanping knew very well how stubborn his wife was; once she made up her mind, it was difficult to persuade her otherwise. So he simply sighed and stopped arguing, directing the guards he had brought to carry the luggage onto the carriage.

It had already taken him a lot of effort to persuade his wife to return to the mansion with him; he could do whatever she wanted with these material possessions.