Chapter 15: Name and Marriage

The sun was shining brightly, but the man sitting in the wheelchair felt cold all over, like a touch of frost on the top of a snowy mountain, deep, cold, and lifeless.

Except for Xie Yao, everyone else lowered their heads.

If someone had dared to look at Xiao Yizi before his legs became disabled, or before he killed so many people, they would have discovered that King Jingbei had a stunningly handsome face.

Clear and sharp outlines, deep and bewitching peach blossom eyes, stern yet handsome, very thin lips slightly pursed, revealing the cold and arrogant in his bones.

Apart from his disabled legs and excessive killing, Xiao Yizi has no other shortcomings.

But the murderous aura on him, in Xie Yao's eyes, added a bit of graceful charm to him.

Xie Yao stared at Xiao Yizi without blinking.

A eunuch in the uniform of a first-rank eunuch came running over breathlessly: "Hey, Your Highness, how come you are so fast? I can't catch up with you."

The eunuch had a fair complexion and no beard, and had a handsome appearance. He was none other than the eunuch Qingcai who served in front of the emperor.

Also rushing over was Xu, who was supported by Sang Ruo.

Xie Yao saw her mother from afar and immediately left Xiao Yizi behind.

She could see that her mother was walking in a hurry, her face was pale, and her lips were trembling. She seemed to want to say something to her, but in the end she just kept a cold face.

Eunuch Qing observed the Xie family with a sharp gaze, and his gaze lingered on Xie Zhi and Xie Yao for a moment.

The one in the khaki embroidered skirt, although beautiful, looks timid.

The man in short brown cloth clothes is surprisingly handsome, but why is he carrying a knife?

However, he had seen all the beauties in the harem, but he had never seen anyone who was dressed so raggedly but still had such an outstanding appearance. He couldn't help but look at Xie Yao a few more times.

"What are you doing?" asked Eunuch Qing.

Xie Mingan suppressed his anger stiffly: "Sir, nothing happened."

"Nothing? Then why are you standing there? Why don't you introduce your two daughters to the prince?" Eunuch Qing rolled his eyes.

Xie Ming calmed himself down and smiled apologetically, "This is our eldest daughter, Xie Zhi. She's eighteen years old, a mere concubine's daughter, unworthy of the prince's status."

"Oh, she's in her prime." Eunuch Qing clicked his tongue.

Aunt Sun was so scared that she blocked Xie Zhi behind her. Xie Ming'an didn't dare to say anything more and pointed at Xie Yao.

"This is my second daughter, Xie Yao, seventeen years old. She is my legitimate daughter. She is gentle and virtuous... ahem, although she may not know her manners well, she is a perfect match for Your Highness. As for her minor flaws, I will certainly take good care of them in the future."

He gritted his teeth and listed Xie Yao's strengths.

Eunuch Qing recalled the rumors in the capital and smiled, "Second Miss Xie is a sergeant in the Strong Women's Battalion. It's only natural for her to have a temper."

Xiao Yizi suddenly spoke up, "Lord Wenchang, are you saying that you must have some flaws to be worthy of me?"

He was clearly sitting in a wheelchair, lower than everyone else, yet he exuded a terrifying sense of oppression.

Xie Mingan's heart skipped a beat.

"I dare not!"

"This king does have a physical defect. Are you implying something? Do you look down on me?"

"That's not my intention. I just want to discipline my daughter."

Xie Mingan was already covered in cold sweat and explained in a trembling voice.

Xiao Yizi's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Xie Yao.

She looked at her mother like a baby bird, her eyes different from the ones she had at the door a few days ago, but just as bright.

He smelled a very faint smell of medicine. Xie Yao noticed his gaze and smiled at him.

Xie Yao knew that Xiao Yizi liked gentle and virtuous women, but now that things had come to this, she could only make the best of it.

Then, Xie Yao saw Xiao Yizi blinking his peach blossom eyes at her gently and quickly, and said:

"What do you mean, are you qualified to discipline this king's people?"

Xie Yao was stunned.

My people?

Does Xiao Yizi mean that the princess he likes is herself?

She thought about it and understood.

It seems that Xiao Yizi also guessed the emperor's thoughts and planned to go with the flow.

No one dared to speak until Xie Mingan said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty is saying..."

Eunuch Qing suddenly produced the imperial edict: "Your Highness is indeed worthy of being a prince. You truly share the same thoughts as His Majesty. Those from the Wenchang Marquis's residence, why don't you kneel down and receive this edict?"

"The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: Prince Xiao Yizhi of Jingbei, wields the banner and the axe, and bravely defends his country; the legitimate daughter of the Earl of Wenchang, Xie Yao, is a woman of virtuous heart and refined character, renowned throughout the capital. Recognizing their match as a match made in heaven, I grant them marriage and choose an auspicious date for their marriage, the eighteenth of next month. I decree this."

Eunuch Qing observed the expressions of the people before him and smiled as he presented the imperial edict to Xie Yao: "Second Miss Xie, please accept it."

Xie Yao accepted the order swiftly and expressed her gratitude. She glanced at the door of the Earl's Mansion and raised the corners of her lips.

This is the result of her notoriety and arrogance after returning to Beijing!

Xie Ming'an was only a noble fourth-rank minister of rites, and the second branch of the Xie family was only a seventh-rank minor official. Apart from having the title of earl, the Xie family did not have much real power in the court.

Since the Xie family was chosen for the marriage, it meant that the emperor was wary of Xiao Yizi and worried that he would marry into a noble family and further expand his power.

Then, the worse Xie Yao performed and the worse her character was, the more satisfied the emperor would be.

As she expected, the imperial decree granting marriage in this life was not only announced one day earlier, but also named the person!

Aunt Sun and others, who had been worried that the imperial edict would choose Xie Zhi, also visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiao Yizi's eyes were deep and no emotion could be seen.

"His Majesty has another oral order," Eunuch Qing hurriedly added, remembering the Emperor's instructions. "His Majesty said that since there is still some time before the wedding, His Majesty is allowed to visit the Xie family more often during this period to interact with the Xie family's daughter."

He did not specify "Xie Yao", but said "Xie's daughter".

As soon as Miss Xie Er returned to Beijing, she caused a lot of controversy. The emperor was afraid that Prince Ruo would feel too wronged, so he gave Prince Ruo a chance to regret.

As long as she is a daughter of the Xie family, the imperial edict can be changed.

"I understand." Xiao Yizi was very frugal with his words.

Xie Yao asked, "May I ask, sir, can I also go to the palace and exchange feelings with the prince?"

The index finger of Xiao Yizi's hand, which was resting on the wheelchair, suddenly curled up.

"Of course," Eunuch Qing nodded, "As long as the prince and the future princess live in harmony, His Majesty will be at peace."

Eunuch Qing flattered him with a few words, and as he was speaking, Sang Ruo came forward with a tea tray covered with red cloth and silver.

Xie Yao understood that this was the reward her mother gave to the eunuch who announced the imperial edict.

Xie Mingan's eyes deepened, and he immediately spoke: "Thank you, Eunuch Qing, for coming here in person to announce the decree. You must have worked hard on the journey. I have prepared some small gifts. I hope you will not despise me and share in his joy."

Xie Yao looked at her mother who was standing behind her without saying a word and frowned.

Why did the reward money given by my mother be used to sell Xie Mingan’s favor?

She stood in front of Xie Ming'an, her face full of curiosity: "Father's annual salary and title are meager. How much of the people's blood and sweat did you embezzle to be able to reward Eunuch Qing with so much?"

Suddenly, the surroundings fell into silence.

A breeze blew, lifting the red cloth on the tea tray, revealing heavy gold ingots that sparkled in the sunlight.

Even though Eunuch Qing was a eunuch serving in front of the emperor, he couldn't help but be shocked when he suddenly saw someone using a plate of gold to reward the eunuch who delivered the emperor's orders.

It seems that there is something fishy going on in the Wenchang Marquis's Mansion.

Later, he can come and check it out.

The curious people outside the Earl's Mansion and the group of people who announced the decree all opened their eyes wide.

It is said that Wenchang Bo is an upright civil servant, so how could he reward the eunuch so much?

Could it be that although Wenchang Bo appears to be honest, he is actually an unparalleled corrupt official?

Xie Mingan's face flushed red and his chest heaved violently twice.

"Father, please don't listen to my daughter's nonsense. I have been an official for many years and dare not embezzle a single cent from the people. As for this reward money..."

He explained: "Your Excellency may not know, but my wife, Ms. Xu, comes from a merchant family. This money was naturally paid by Ms. Xu."

"Xu? I see."

Eunuch Qing was amused, and the look in his eyes when he looked at Xie Yao became more profound.

The eldest daughter of the Xie family is really a wonderful person. She has no hesitation in tricking her father.

He happily accepted the reward, thanked Xu and Xie Yao specially, and congratulated the prince before leaving.

Xie Mingan smiled apologetically at King Jingbei: "Your Highness, from now on you and I are one family."

Xiao Yizi raised his eyelids slightly, his eyes gloomy: "We haven't gotten married yet, so this prince has nothing to do with you."

Xie Mingan's face turned pale.

Xiao Yizi closed his eyes and rested.

The two guards who had paved the way for him earlier put away several wooden boards on the threshold, and one of them pushed his wheelchair.

Xie Mingan's smile froze as he quickly said, "Goodbye, Your Majesty."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Yizi's two guards and the four burly men in armor behind him turned around and looked at him.

Bai Shi, who was younger and fair-skinned, was impulsive. He rushed out with the sword at his waist, his face filled with murderous intent: "How dare you disrespect the prince!"