Chapter 211 The Bride-Groom

Inside Qiansong Hall, the old lady had finished lunch and was taking a nap.

The weather is getting hotter day by day, but it's not yet the height of summer, which is very comfortable for someone of the old lady's age.

The head maid, Chuncao, came in and called softly, "Madam, wake up."

The elderly lady, who was sleeping well, did not react.

Chuncao paused for a moment, then spoke softly, "Madam, the Sixth Miss has arrived."

The old lady suddenly opened her eyes and sat up, so quickly that Chuncao's heart skipped a beat.

Who's here?

"Sixth Miss".

The old lady was stunned for a moment, and then she was shocked.

For the past few months, the sixth daughter has gone to the palace almost every day, stayed at her eldest granddaughter's place for lunch, and then went straight back to Lengxiang Residence to rest after returning to the mansion.

She went from being apprehensive at first to gradually getting used to it. Why is he suddenly coming back to find her?

This is trouble!

They must have gotten themselves into trouble!

"Spring grass—"

"This servant is here."

"Pour me a cup of iced tea."

"yes."

The old lady took the cool tea that Chuncao brought her, took two big gulps to calm her nerves, and then said weakly, "Please invite Sixth Miss in."

Not long after, Qiu Heng walked in and curtsied, saying, "Grandmother."

"Why did you come at this time?" The old lady tried to remain calm, but she was already certain that something had happened, and it was just a matter of how serious it was.

Qiu Heng hesitated for a moment when she heard the old lady ask this question.

The matter is indeed significant and sudden; let her carefully consider her wording.

Her hesitation caused the old lady's vision to blur, and she stretched out her hand: "Wait a minute!"

The old lady picked up her teacup and took another sip: "Go ahead and speak."

"It's like this, I stayed at the Jade Palace a bit too long today and ran into His Majesty—"

The old lady's voice unconsciously rose: "The Emperor has taken a liking to you?"

Qiu Heng: "..."

"Grandmother, please don't joke."

The old lady breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as it's not this one, it's fine.

"His Majesty was discussing Princess Rongning's marriage with Consort Yu, and Consort Yu suggested that I be in charge of escorting Princess Rongning to her wedding..."

The old lady closed her eyes, her mind churning.

This girl always does the unexpected!

"Grandma, don't worry, I have experience with long journeys."

"Stop speaking!" The old lady felt a tightness in her chest, then suddenly realized, "The Emperor still intends to bestow honors upon your father!"

"Yes, Father should be granted the rank of a fifth-grade official."

This kind of official title is a purely honorary one, with a salary, and is mostly awarded as a reward. It is most suitable for people like Master Qiu San. But the old lady found out that something bad had happened.

The third son is such a scoundrel. The moment he heard that the reward was obtained in exchange for his daughter going to a foreign country, he was about to jump up in front of the messenger. We had to persuade him beforehand.

"Chuncao, go and invite the Third Master here."

Contrary to expectations, not long after Chuncao left, a maid rushed in: "Madam, someone from the palace has come with an imperial decree."

When the imperial edict is read aloud, all the heads of the household must be present.

The people in each courtyard were completely bewildered upon receiving the news and hurriedly rushed to the front courtyard.

The imperial messenger and others were almost all present when the imperial decree was read out, announcing that Qiu Heng was to escort Princess Rongning to her wedding and that Qiu San was to be granted the title of Zhongsan Dafu (a high-ranking official).

After a moment of stunned silence, Master Qiu tried to stand up, but fortunately, the old lady had instructed someone to quickly cover his mouth and hold him down as soon as he made a move.

Qiu Heng calmly accepted the imperial decree.

After the imperial messenger and his entourage left, Master Qiu was released and staggered toward Qiu Heng.

"Heng'er, this won't do, this won't do!"

The Earl of Yongqing slapped his arm: "What are you crying for? If word gets out that you're dissatisfied with the Emperor's will and want to kill your daughter?"

Master Qiu suddenly covered his mouth.

"Let's all go inside and talk."

Soon a group of people entered the hall. Master Qiu held Qiu Heng's hand, tears streaming down his face: "Heng'er, your father doesn't want these things. Can you beg His Majesty to send someone else instead?"

Master Qiu, standing to the side, was so jealous that his mouth twisted into a crook.

Officials in the Great Xia Dynasty have generous salaries, receiving the salary of a fifth-rank official for nothing! That third brother is a scoundrel who gets the benefits and then acts innocent!

He wanted his daughter to go, but there was never a chance!

“Father, the imperial decree has been issued and cannot be taken back. Just collect your salary and wait for your daughter to come back.”

"But that wild and untamed land of Xijiang, Father is afraid—"

“Father, think about Princess Rongning. She was originally a princess of a prince’s mansion. Because of the marriage alliance between Daxia and Xijiang, she may never be able to return to her homeland in this lifetime. I am only accompanying her to her wedding. If I make excuses, people will laugh at me.”

"Father isn't afraid of being laughed at; nothing is more important than your safety and well-being!"

"My daughter will come back safely."

"real?"

"You forgot, we encountered the daughter of a black bear during the autumn hunt and nothing happened to us."

Master Qiu was barely comforted and wiped away his tears.

The Earl of Yongqing circled around Qiuheng, unconsciously rubbing his hands together: "Heng'er, did His Majesty only mention your father today?"

Qiu Heng smiled and said, "My granddaughter is only being sent off as a bride, not going on a political marriage. The fact that my father was granted a fifth-rank official title is already an act of great imperial favor."

“That’s true… but if there’s a next time, you’d better think about the whole Earl’s mansion.” Earl Yongqing put aside his pride and reminded his granddaughter.

Qiu Heng naturally didn't hesitate to make empty promises: "Granddaughter understands. While I'm away from home, I hope Grandfather will take good care of Father and Brother."

The Earl of Yongqing readily agreed, his attitude was extremely good.

After returning to their room, Mr. and Mrs. Qiu sat facing each other, feeling uncomfortable.

"Master always says that if anyone in the household becomes successful, it's always our eldest son's family who benefits. But look what happened, the sixth daughter first earned herself the title of county princess, and then she earned her father a fifth-rank official title..."

Master Qiu couldn't stand it anymore and sneered, "Isn't that because Sixth Sister is capable and only supports her own branch of the family? Unlike you, who gave birth to two daughters and raised two illegitimate daughters, and in the end, none of them are any good!"

"How dare you criticize me, sir? Back when the old master wanted He'er to enter the palace, weren't you the first to agree?"

Hearing the commotion inside, the maid outside quietly walked away.

In the palace, after hearing Xue Han's request, Emperor Jingping immediately thought of Qiu Heng.

Hearing that Suiyun County was mainly responsible for escorting Rongning's bride, he volunteered to be the escort envoy.

That's what he thought, and that's what he asked.

Xue Han readily admitted, "Yes."

Emperor Jingping laughed heartily, a hint of melancholy in his expression: "Youth is truly wonderful. I agree."

Being a wedding envoy is a tough job, so having someone volunteer to do it saves him the trouble of choosing someone.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xue Han feigned delight, but then looked troubled. "Your Majesty, I have a request."

"you say."

"Your humble servant is afraid that my father will be angry if he finds out."

"You're acting first and reporting later," Emperor Jingping said, pointing at Xue Han. "You're all grown up now, how could Xue Quan possibly hit you? Alright, just say it was me who chose you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Emperor Jingping summoned Xue Quan and said in a relaxed tone, "I have chosen Princess Suiyun to be the bride of Princess Rongning."

Xue Quan nodded blankly.

What does this have to do with him?

Glancing at Xue Han out of the corner of his eye, Xue Quan suddenly realized: Could this scoundrel be begging the Emperor to choose another woman to marry?

Emperor Jingping coughed and said, "Since Princess Suiyun is going to be the bride's entourage, it would be quite appropriate to have Xue Han as the escort."

Xue Quan: !