Chapter 20 The Emperor's Bestowal of a Marriage

Wen Lanting then looked at Zhao's mother.

Is Zhao's mother confused?

What nonsense is she spouting!

Guo Yun was her sister-in-law's older brother. Since he promised to kill her, he must have killed her. How could he let her come back alive?

Unlike Wen Lanting's attitude, Shen Qiushan was rather happy.

He had been hoping that Shen Shun could climb up to Lin Wei's back, but yesterday he learned that his daughter had been possessed by a female ghost and had been taken to the Imperial Observatory.

He was greatly disappointed, thinking that his plan had failed, but unexpectedly Shen Shu returned.

Does that mean the female ghost on her body has been exorcised?

Wen Lanting dared not be careless and summoned several servants to go with him.

Let's see what's going on.

Shi Feng waited in the front hall and was somewhat annoyed to see that his uncle and aunt had arrived late.

When Shen Qiushan and Wen Lanting saw this, Feng Ju was quite surprised.

What's going on? Isn't this the young man from the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence?

Why is he here?

"Please, Lord Bo and Madam, go out and fetch the Second Miss in person."

Wen Lanting muttered, "Is it Shu'er who's back from exorcising the ghost? She's the junior, and we're the elders. Can't she just come in by herself? Why do we have to go out to greet her?"

"What's all the noise about!" Shen Qiushan said urgently, "Women shouldn't talk nonsense if they don't have some knowledge."

He had a bold guess in his mind: could it be that Marquis Dingyuan personally escorted Shu'er back?

Shi Feng: "Stop dawdling and get out of here. Our Marquis is waiting outside, and Eunuch Fu is waiting to deliver the imperial decree. If you neglect him, you'll lose your heads!"

What!

Shen Qiu Shan was overjoyed.

Wen Lanting was so surprised that his jaw almost dropped.

When it comes to the imperial decree, the entire household naturally has to go out and kneel to welcome it.

Shen Xiao caught up, her heart pounding: "Mother... do you think something bad will happen? It's one thing for Marquis Dingyuan to come, but why is there an imperial decree?"

Wen Lanting forced himself to remain calm: "Don't say discouraging things. We are in the right to have Shen Shu sent to the Imperial Observatory. Even if the Emperor comes, he can't say anything to us."

They arrived at the gate, where a grand procession stretched for an entire street.

From afar, one could see Lin Wei alighting from the carriage, followed by Shen Shu.

Lin Wei was worried that she would have trouble getting out of the car, so he had someone bring her a footstool.

Looking at the scale and the grandeur, Shen Qiushan was both surprised and delighted.

It seems his dream has come true! His second daughter has really married into a wealthy family!

Shen Qiushan hurriedly stepped forward and bowed: "This humble official greets the Marquis and the Eunuch. I am sorry for not welcoming you properly. May I ask what His Majesty's decree is?"

Fu Gonggong didn't even glance at Shen Qiushan.

Lin Wei remained unmoved.

Shen Qiushan was taken aback, and his expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

He's just a eunuch, what's with all the arrogance?

Eunuch Fu began to proclaim the imperial edict: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The second daughter of the Shen family's eldest son is gentle, virtuous, and beautiful. She is betrothed to Marquis Dingyuan, Lin Wei, as his principal wife. Furthermore, she has rendered meritorious service in saving the Empress Dowager. I am deeply grateful and hereby bestow upon her numerous rewards. This is my decree."

Grandpa Fu's voice was strong and clear, though high-pitched, it shocked everyone present.

Shen Qiushan was so happy he was almost going crazy, and he no longer cared about Fu Gonggong's contempt.

It seems that bringing Shen Shu back was definitely the right thing to do!

Wen Lanting was so angry that he couldn't even keep up a smile. Wasn't that damned girl Shen Shu exorcising evil spirits at the Imperial Observatory? How did she end up being betrothed to the Marquis of Dingyuan and how did she save the Empress Dowager?

"How is this possible!"

Shen Xiao was so jealous she was going crazy.

Looking at Lin Wei standing next to Shen Shu, with his handsome appearance, she almost dug her nails into her flesh.

She and Shen Shu clearly have the same face, so why did she fall for her?!

She's just a country bumpkin, what makes her so special!

"Miss Shen, please accept the imperial decree."

Eunuch Fu also intended to avenge Shen Shu, so he deliberately announced the imperial decree outside the mansion gate.

Let's see if the people from the Bogong Mansion dare to bully her again.

That night at the Imperial Observatory, Miss Shen said that she didn't even have a place to stay and slept in a tree!

He had heard of all sorts of dirty deeds in every government office, but he had never heard of a place where people didn't even have a bed to sleep in.

Shen Shu hadn't originally intended to make such a grand spectacle; she just wanted Lin Wei to come back with her so she could show off her power and then torment them without them having a chance to say no.

She was perfectly content.

But Lin Wei rejected it outright.

Now that she has become his fiancée, even if it's just in public, she can't be without the proper etiquette.

One must have all the necessary dignity.

Having lived two lives, this was the first time Shen Shu had been protected like this.

She recalled Lin Wei's expression when he said those words, and looked at the bright yellow imperial edict in front of her, as if it were so unreal.

"Shen Shu accepts the imperial decree."

Shen Shu looked at everyone in the Bogong Mansion and, amidst their gazes filled with various emotions, accepted the imperial edict.

"Congratulations, Miss Shen." Eunuch Fu looked at Shen Shu with a kind expression.

She lowered her voice again, but the people around her could still hear her clearly.

"Apart from the Emperor and Empress Dowager's gifts, the rest were all added by Lord Lin through his own people. Lord Lin heard that the Earl's mansion was so poor that it couldn't even afford to eat, and he was afraid that the gifts would not be enough and that the Second Miss would be wronged."

Shen Qiushan snapped out of his daze after his initial joy.

Sensing something amiss in Eunuch Fu's words, he said, "What do you mean by that, Eunuch? Although our family is not wealthy, how can you say we're starving?!"

Lin Wei gestured for Eunuch Fu to step down.

"She doesn't even have a decent set of clothes. A young lady from a noble family, dressed in tattered clothes, isn't she so poor that she can't even afford to eat?"

"I've also heard that she doesn't even have a courtyard in the manor, and only sleeps in trees. Is that true?"

Hearing Lin Wei's questioning, Shen Qiushan's face turned extremely ugly.

He turned to look at Wen Lanting. It must have been his wife's doing. It seemed she hadn't listened to a word of his previous instructions.

Now look what's happened, it's even reached the Marquis's ears!

Wen Lanting's palms were sweating with nervousness: "I have already arranged a courtyard for Shu'er. Shu'er just came back from the countryside and said she was not used to sleeping in a bed, so she went to sleep on the ground in a tree. I have tried to persuade her several times, but I can't."

Wen Lanting looked at Shen Shu, her eyes filled with unease.

"Shu'er, don't you think so?"

Shen Shu smiled sarcastically; she had no intention of giving Wen Lanting any face today.

"Is Mother referring to the house where you can see the stars from inside?"

Shen Xiao supported the trembling Wen Lanting and said, "The courtyard where my sister lives is a first-class courtyard. What you said about the roof being drafty is wronging Mother. My sister has married into a better family, she can't just turn her back on her.

Wen Lanting looked at Shen Xiao with gratitude, knowing that these words were meant to help her out of a difficult situation.

Just then, an old woman ran out from the corner.

His hair was disheveled, his face was covered in grime, and his eyes were swollen like walnuts.

Shen Shu was taken aback. Wasn't this the fat old woman?

How did it get like this?

She stumbled and rushed to Lin Wei: "My lord, the young lady is lying!"

"The Second Miss's residence doesn't even have a bed. If you don't believe me, I'll take you to see it!"