Chapter 70 Seeking an Imperial Decree for Her

In the city of Yanjing.

Many people witnessed Sheng Huai'an's drunken state, shouting "Sister-in-law" at the Drunken Flower Pavilion. Coupled with Zhang Shuheng's intention to spread the news, it caused quite a stir.

Many people were secretly watching the drama unfold, anticipating how things would develop.

After all, it was common knowledge that Sheng Yunche was violent and unpredictable. Everyone speculated whether he would get angry and divorce his wife, or even ruin the Ye family.

This speculation subsided somewhat after Princess Ronghua spoke up for Ye Mingzhu.

Besides Princess Ronghua, Madam Qin and the Duchess of Rongguo also publicly rebuked those who gossiped about Ye Mingzhu, making it clear that they would support her in the long term.

But that's not the main event.

No one expected that Sheng Yunche would actually petition the Emperor in court to grant Ye Mingzhu the title of "Duke's Wife," a first-rank imperial title!

The Emperor immediately approved it with a single word: "Approved".

After the court session, the emperor's most trusted eunuch personally went to the Duke of Wei's residence to read out the imperial edict and presented Ye Mingzhu with the crown and robes of a first-rank lady and various rewards.

In an instant, countless people were stunned, and their attitude towards Ye Mingzhu changed from schadenfreude or pity and sympathy to extreme envy.

That's a titled lady, a first-rank titled lady!

It is said that a wife's status rises with her husband's. Ye Mingzhu, the daughter of a royal merchant, only had some money at home before, but after that, she truly rose to prominence and became a phoenix!

The rumors about Ye Mingzhu and Sheng Huai'an were thus dispelled without any further evidence.

Given Sheng Yunche's personality, how could he remain so calm after being cuckolded, and even apply for an imperial decree for the other party?

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

As a result, the Ye family also benefited. With Ye Mingzhu gaining a foothold in the Duke of Wei's mansion, the Ye family became increasingly popular.

Just two days ago, Ye Chengji and Zhen were worried about Ye Mingzhu, but after hearing the news, they were all smiles. People are in high spirits when they have good news.

Even Ye Baozhu, who was not yet of marriageable age, had people inquiring about her marriage that very day.

Everyone thought the matter was over, but unexpectedly, another major event broke out in Yanjing City that evening.

Wei Ji, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, led his men, including the Ghost Face Army, into the residence of Zhang Shangqing, the Minister of Rites, forcing Zhang Shangqing to hang himself on the spot.

Zhang Shangqing's crimes included falsely reporting military achievements, deceiving the emperor, and accepting bribes to sell official positions!

The circumstances were egregious, and the crime was unforgivable!

All the servants of the Zhang family were dismissed on the spot. Although the masters of the several branches were not executed or exiled, all the men with official titles were stripped of their titles by imperial decree, and all members of the Zhang clan were forever barred from holding official positions.

As Zhang Shangqing's eldest son, Zhang Shuheng was naturally one of them, his future ruined and with almost no chance of making a comeback.

The Zhang family's residence was raided by the Imperial Guards, who reportedly seized hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, countless gold and silver treasures, as well as a large collection of calligraphy, paintings, and antiques.

These private properties were directly confiscated and put into the national treasury.

If the Zhang family in Yanjing City was in such a state, then even the ancestral home and land of the Zhang family in Yixing, far away, could not be preserved.

The Zhang family was a prominent clan in Yixing, but after this incident, they will surely decline rapidly...

These things were alright, but when Wei Ji, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, ransacked the Zhang family's home, he specifically told Zhang Shuheng, "Say less what you shouldn't say, and don't mess with people you shouldn't mess with," which made many people's minds wander.

If Zhang Shuheng has gotten into any trouble recently, it's because he schemed against Sheng Huai'an and offended the Duke of Wei's mansion.

To be a bold guess, could it be that... Wei Ji is standing up for Sheng Yunche?

The two were known as the "Black and White Duo" by the people of Yanjing. They never interacted in official circles. Could it be that they had a good relationship in private, admired each other, and were birds of a feather?

Otherwise, it couldn't be to avenge that coward Sheng Huai'an, could it?

Ye Mingzhu? That's even less likely.

She was just a woman.

Even if she was indeed born with stunning beauty, she was still just a merchant's daughter. It was her greatest skill to make Sheng Yunche and Sheng Huai'an, her cousins, fight over her. It was her greatest fortune to marry into the Duke of Wei's mansion and receive the title of Duchess. How could she possibly make Wei Ji bow down to her?

Many people had their doubts, but given Wei Ji's infamous reputation, they didn't want to deal with the Embroidered Uniform Guard even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance, and ultimately dared not discuss the scandalous affairs of the Duke of Wei's mansion anymore.

Gossip is important, but life is more important.

...

Ye Mingzhu was also surprised to hear about the Zhang family's troubles.

Although she had a plan to deal with the trouble Sheng Huai'an caused, the Zhang family's act of diverting her attention and saving her trouble by causing her family's ruin was truly "righteous".

Sheng Yunche's application for an imperial decree for her was also beyond her expectations.

She and Sheng Yunche were merely cooperating, yet he protected her at every turn, even offering her the coveted title of Imperial Noblewoman. Was he really just lusting after her body? Was it necessary to go to such lengths?

When Sheng Yunche returned that evening, she couldn't help but be much gentler towards him. Perhaps to comfort her, he gave her two large boxes of gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, and calligraphy.

"Giving me so many things is too precious," she said.

"If I don't give it to you, who will I give it to?" Sheng Yunche retorted.

Ye Mingzhu smiled and couldn't help but sigh to him, "I originally wanted to invite you to visit a Buddhist temple during your vacation, which would be a way to clarify the rumors. Who would have thought that not only would the methods used against Sheng Huai'an be useless, but this would also be unnecessary."

Sheng Yunche was stunned for a moment: "...?"

"Sir, why aren't you saying anything?" Ye Mingzhu asked curiously.

Sheng Yunche looked down at her: "I'm taking my leave as usual, and the Buddhist temple hasn't been moved."

"Um?"

"Don't you want to go for a walk?"

Ye Mingzhu: "..."

She looked at the man in front of her, whose eyes clearly said "you want to," so she suppressed a smile and nodded seriously, "Yes, I want to."

Sheng Yunche raised an eyebrow and chuckled, nodding reservedly: "Then I'll reluctantly keep you company."

"Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome."

"Well... sir, are you thirsty? Would you like a drink... hmm?"

Just as Ye Mingzhu was about to pour water for Sheng Yunche, he suddenly pulled her into his arms and reached out to brush away a strand of hair that was stuck to her lips.

He gently supported her chin, his calloused thumb caressing her lips, sometimes lightly, sometimes heavily, a gesture that was both intimate and playful…

Although he didn't kiss her directly, it felt as if he had kissed her thousands of times with his gaze.