The words on the IOU are written in a flamboyant style.
Signatures, seals, and stamps are all available.
silence!
Even the horse looked over with wide eyes. It tried to hold back a snort for a long time but couldn't hold it back anymore. It neighed, pawed the ground with its hooves, and shook its head in disappointment.
Lu Yan's cheeks flushed, not knowing whether he was ashamed or guilty. "I said I would give it to you. Your Majesty's reward hasn't arrived yet. I will give it to you when it does. Are you showing me the IOU now to humiliate me?"
Lu Yan's arrival seemed to embolden Lu Linglong. She stepped forward and said, "We, the Marquis of Pingyang, are the new nobles. Your Xuanwu Marquisate, which doesn't even have a crown prince, is asking us for money? Just wait, my brother's reward has arrived. I'll change it into copper coins and throw them in your face one by one!"
Qin Wan frowned. The Xuanwu Marquisate had not yet appointed a crown prince, which was a big concern for Qin Zhan. He was old, and his eldest son was in his forties but still had not been canonized as the crown prince.
If a hundred years later, Your Majesty still does not issue an edict for Qin Zhan to inherit the title, then the Xuanwu Marquisate will truly be in decline.
Without the support of the Marquisate, the Qin family's huge assets will be like fish on the chopping board, at the mercy of others.
However, no matter how much the emperor feared the Qin family, that was his own business. He was a man who cared about his reputation, so no matter how much he feared the Qin family, the Qin family still enjoyed honor and favor until now.
Now this fig leaf was ripped off by Lu Linglong in public, which not only slapped the face of the Xuanwu Marquisate, but also the face of the emperor.
Qin Wan shook her head and turned to Madam Chen and said, "Fortunately the engagement was cancelled. Marrying a woman like this would be a disaster."
"That's right." Mrs. Chen sighed. How did she like Lu Linglong and think that she would be a good daughter-in-law?
Qin Wan sighed and waved the IOU at Lu Yan again: "Don't try to change the subject. When will you pay me back the thirty thousand taels?"
Lu Yan looked at Qin Wan in disappointment, not knowing what he was disappointed about. "Your Majesty has rewarded me with a thousand taels of gold this time, which is definitely enough to pay off my debt."
"That's right! How could our Pingyang Marquisate owe money?" Lu Linglong raised her chin, glanced sideways at the plaque of the Xuanwu Marquisate above her head, and sneered again: "They don't even have an heir, they've lost the favor of His Majesty, how can they be compared with our Pingyang Marquisate?"
"The imperial edict has arrived!"
A sharp voice parted the crowd. Zhang Gonggong, the chief eunuch beside the emperor, had watched the show from outside the crowd for a while and spoke up at the right moment. He walked to the door with the imperial edict in his hand, glanced at Lu Linglong and sneered, "Who said there's no prince in the Xuanwu Marquisate?"
Seeing Lu Linglong's face turn pale, Eunuch Zhang smiled cheerfully, then turned to Qin Wan and said in a friendly manner, "Where is your father? Please come out quickly to receive the imperial edict. It's very busy at the gate today, so we will read the imperial edict at the gate."
"good."
Qin Wan responded readily. What Eunuch Zhang said meant good things. She asked someone to go in and pass the message on, and also asked someone to bring a chair over.
But in the blink of an eye, the tables and chairs were set up, and snacks and tea were prepared.
Qin Wan smiled at Eunuch Zhang and said, "Let's sit down and have some tea first."
"Okay, okay." Eunuch Zhang nodded repeatedly with a smile. The moment he passed Qin Wan, a purse was stuffed into his waist, and his smile became even brighter.
Lu Linglong hid behind Old Lady Lu, gnashing her teeth as she watched Eunuch Zhang. He must have arrived long ago, right? He must have teamed up with that lowly Qin Wan to make fun of her! Just because someone came out of the palace made her so powerful? If she had entered the palace, she would have definitely killed that eunuch!
Eunuch Zhang picked up the tea and blew away the tea leaves. He ignored Lu Linglong's gaze and spoke quietly to Qin Wan.
After a while, the incense table was set up, and Qin Zhan, dressed in official uniform, came out with Qin Sheng, who was also dressed in official uniform, and Qin Xie, who was dressed in imperial robes, and other Qin family members.
Eunuch Zhang stood behind the incense table, and Qin Zhan and his men knelt in front of the gate.
The onlookers also knelt down to receive the order.
"The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: Marquis Xuanwu Qin Zhan has made outstanding contributions... Now that his eldest son, Qin Sheng, has achieved great success and fame, possessing both virtue and talent, he is specially granted the title of Crown Prince. This is my decree."
Some people are born as princes, while some people never reach the position of prince in their entire lives and the title falls to others.
Qin Sheng was both unfortunate and lucky. He breathed a sigh of relief after receiving the imperial edict.
Qin Zhan's beard stood up with laughter, and he put his arm around Eunuch Zhang's neck and led him to the mansion: "Come on, come on, let's go have a drink."
Eunuch Zhang turned his head with all his might to ask his young apprentice to save him: "I have to return to the palace to report. This is not appropriate, Lord!"
The young disciple said with a smile, "Before leaving the palace, His Majesty instructed that the Marquis of Xuanwu would definitely invite you to have a drink. So, you can stay at the Marquis of Xuanwu's mansion tonight. I will return to report."
Eunuch Zhang cried, "Your Majesty, save me! Do you know that the burning knife of Xuanwu Hou really looks like a knife, ah, ah, ah!"
Qin Zhan grabbed the hand that Eunuch Zhang stretched out with all his might and took him back to the mansion to drink.
Qin Wan happily waved her hand and said, "Today, my Qin family is hosting a buffet, let's all enjoy it together!"
"Congratulations, Prince! Congratulations, Prince!"
The people cheered and completely forgot about the people from Pingyang Marquis' Mansion. They even spontaneously helped to set up tables, chairs and benches.
Lu Yan was pushed to the back by the crowd. He held onto Old Madam Lu and looked at Qin Wan, who was smiling sweetly in the crowd, feeling indescribable emotions in his heart.
Old Lady Lu squeezed his hand and said, "Let's go back. Eunuch Zhang has come here to deliver the imperial decree. I believe someone from our mansion should be here by now. After the reward is given, we can prepare the betrothal gifts. You should go and discuss the marriage arrangements with Bai first."
"Grandma." Lu Yan was helpless.
Old Lady Lu glared at him, "Are you waiting to see Qin Wan, that abandoned woman, get married before you? Let others talk about you. Even an abandoned woman has people wanting her, but no one wants you?"
"grandmother……"
“Big Brother!”
Lu Linglong interrupted Lu Yan: "Grandmother, this is also for the reputation of our mansion. Besides, you and Sister Bai were going to get married anyway, so it's better to do it sooner rather than later."
Lu Yan sighed and could only nod in agreement: "Okay, I'll send you back first, and then I'll go to ask Wan Yi for marriage."
Lu Yan sent the person back, but unexpectedly no one came to Pingyang Marquis' Mansion to convey the imperial edict. Old Madam Lu was not in a hurry and urged Lu Yan to go to the other courtyard to find Bai Wanyi.
When Lu Yan arrived, he saw her just as she was about to go out.
She was dressed particularly beautifully today, in a pink and white dress with beautiful crystals embellishing the hem, which complemented the crystal earrings in her ears, making her look like a young girl.
Lu Yan stared blankly, forgetting everything he wanted to say. He rushed forward and hugged her tightly, "Wanyi! Let's get married!"
Bai Wanyi quickly leaned back, fearing her makeup would be ruined. She had an appointment with the Crown Prince today. "Marriage? What marriage?"
Lu Yan smiled and said, "Of course, you and I will get married. Didn't we agree on this? I'll marry you after I return to the capital. I should have welcomed you into my family long ago, but Qin Shi delayed me. But it's better this way now. You're no longer a concubine, but a legitimate wife. Isn't that good?"
Of course not!
How can the Marquis’ wife be as fragrant as the Crown Princess?
Bai Wanyi broke free from Lu Yan's embrace, hurriedly straightened her dress, and smoothed her hair: "Not good!"
Lu Yan's expression changed, and he suddenly grabbed Bai Wanyi's wrist: "You don't want to marry me?"
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