Chapter 363 Imperial Edict Arrives
Upon hearing the old woodcutter's words, Li Sanqi's face turned deathly pale, and Min Qiaoshi was in a real predicament.
Good heavens! Absolutely good heavens!
Li Sanqi just arrived in Huizhou City last night, and the Fifth Prince has already come today with an imperial edict!
She wouldn't believe it if Li Sanqi's journey to Huizhou wasn't secretly escorted by the Fifth Prince!
But why is that?
Why did Emperor Xiaozhao allow Li Sanqi to escape from the capital, and why did he have the Fifth Prince secretly escort him? What is the reason for the current imperial edict? What exactly does Emperor Xiaozhao want to do?
Min Qiao swallowed hard. Could Emperor Xiaozhao be planning to have her escort Li Sanqi to Xixi for a marriage alliance?
If that's really the case...
Min Qiaoshi couldn't help but twitch her lips.
Seeing that Madam Min Qiao hadn't reacted for a while, Old Woodcutter couldn't help but remind her, "Madam, the King of Chu and his entourage are still waiting at the door. Whether it's true or not, shouldn't you go out and take a look?"
When Min Qiao came to her senses, she saw Li Sanqi looking pitiful, filled with grief and indignation yet helpless, and could only silently shed tears.
"Princess, let's go. They've come all the way to the door; we have to go out and see them."
As she spoke, Madam Min Qiao stood up first and reached out her hand to Li Sanqi.
Li Sanqi was stunned for a moment before slowly raising his hand to grasp the hand that Min Qiaoshi had extended in front of him. He stood up and followed Min Qiaoshi toward the door.
"Madam, it's been a long time."
Upon meeting, the Fifth Prince, Prince Chu, was the first to respectfully bow to Lady Min Qiao.
Madam Min Qiao hurriedly returned the greeting with trepidation, "I heard that the Fifth Prince has been enfeoffed as the Prince of Chu. I congratulate Your Highness."
A look of sorrow appeared on the King of Chu's face, and he said in a pained tone, "My father bestowed upon me the title of king so that I could escort my seventh sister to Xixi for a marriage alliance."
"I'll marry into your family, and you'll be made a king?! Hahaha... That's really wonderful!"
Li Sanqi finally couldn't hold back anymore, pointing at the King of Chu while crying and laughing, "The Crown Prince and the King of Qi conspired to send me to a marriage alliance, were you involved too?"
At that moment, Li Sanqi felt an excruciating pain in his heart.
She had been plotting to incite a conflict between the King of Qi and the Crown Prince, so that her fifth brother could reap the benefits.
So, this is how her fifth brother treated her?
She was sent to a foreign land for a political marriage, but her fifth brother took the opportunity to be granted a title of king! It's hard to say whether this wasn't a reward he received after joining forces with the crown prince and the Prince of Qi!
"Seventh Sister, things aren't as you think."
Seeing Li Sanqi crying so bitterly, the King of Chu quickly explained, "I have also asked my father about the marriage alliance. But my father's mind is made up. Helpless, I have no choice but to volunteer to be the imperial envoy to escort you to the west and ensure your safety."
"My father granted my request and that's why he made me a king."
"If I could, I would rather not be made a king, or even a prince, than let you go to a political marriage!"
"But I can't change my father's decision..."
"I'm sorry, it's all Fifth Brother's fault for being useless!"
By the end, even the King of Chu's eyes had reddened. If the occasion hadn't been so inappropriate, the King of Chu would probably have already joined Li Sanqi in tears.
It's clear that the King of Chu truly loved his younger sister, Li Sanqi, and felt deeply guilty about the inability to reverse the marriage alliance.
Faced with Li Sanqi's accusations, he felt neither anger nor resentment at being wronged; only self-reproach and shame at his powerlessness.
Hearing King Chu's words, Li Sanqi felt somewhat better, but she did not easily forgive him.
She looked at the King of Chu with teary eyes, saying nothing, remaining silent.
The King of Chu felt both heartache and guilt, and was about to say something more.
Then, Eunuch Cao reminded him, "Your Highness, it's time to announce the imperial decree."
The King of Chu frowned, somewhat displeased with Eunuch Cao's interruption, but he still suppressed his temper, nodded, took the imperial edict handed over by Eunuch Cao, and said loudly, "Li Sanqi and Qiao Qinghe, receive the edict."
Madam Min Qiao immediately knelt down in response.
Li Sanqi reluctantly knelt down as well.
"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, having received the mandate of Heaven, govern all people, working diligently day and night, with the sole aim of securing the country, stabilizing the nation, and nurturing the common people. Now, in order to strengthen our nation and promote good relations with neighboring countries, I hereby issue this decree to establish a marriage alliance."
"Princess Li Sanqi, the seventh princess of the imperial family, is of noble birth, virtuous and beautiful, gentle and kind, and exemplary in her conduct. In light of the friendly relations between the two countries, she is hereby conferred the title of Princess of Xihe, bestowed with a golden book and imperial seal, and sent to marry Crown Prince Xia Linyuan of the Dahe Kingdom, thus forging a lasting bond of marriage."
"..."
"Lady Qiao Qinghe, wife of Marquis Xuanping, is virtuous and exemplary in her conduct, respectful of etiquette within the inner palace, gentle and kind in nature, and prudent in her conduct... She is hereby granted the title of Lady Qinghe (a second-rank official title) and bestowed with an imperial edict. She is also granted the title of Imperial Envoy, assisting the Prince of Chu in managing the marriage arrangements for Princess Xihe."
"..."
"So be it."
The long imperial edict was finally read aloud.
The King of Chu exhaled, glanced at the dejected Li Sanqi, then at the solemn-looking Min Qiaoshi, and finally sighed, reminding Min Qiaoshi, "Madam, please accept the decree."
Lady Min Qiao hurriedly kowtowed: "Your Majesty, I accept your decree. Long live the Emperor!"
When she received the imperial edict, she was still somewhat dazed.
Emperor Xiaozhao had just stripped her of her title as the Dowager Lady of the Xuanping Marquisate a few months ago, but now he had actually bestowed upon her a new title.
Although she was only a second-rank lady, her rank was far below that of the previous Grand Madam.
However, the title of "Lady Qinghe" was clearly bestowed upon her by Emperor Xiaozhao.
With this title, she no longer needed to use the title of Marquis of Xuanping.
This is fantastic news!
However, why would Emperor Xiaozhao issue such an edict?
Moreover, the imperial edict was carried by the Prince of Chu and his entourage when they left the capital. In other words, Emperor Xiaozhao issued this imperial edict shortly after Li Sanqi fled the capital half a month ago.
But how did Emperor Xiaozhao know that Li Sanqi would come to Huizhou to find her after leaving the capital?
Or is it that no matter where Li Sanqi goes, he will eventually be led to her?
It's truly terrifying to think about!
"Princess Xihe, Lady Qinghe, His Majesty has decreed that you two prepare yourselves and depart for the Great Kingdom tomorrow."
Eunuch Cao solemnly conveyed Emperor Wanxiao Zhao's oral decree, then changed his attitude and said respectfully, "The wedding procession is currently encamped twenty miles outside Huizhou City, waiting to pick up the princess and her wife tomorrow before setting off for Da'e."
Madam Min nodded. "Father-in-law, you've worked hard. I'll arrange for someone to take you down to rest."
"Thank you for your trouble, Madam Qinghe," said Eunuch Cao politely.
Madam Min beckoned to A Shuang and instructed her to personally lead Eunuch Cao to rest, and also ordered her to arrange for someone to take good care of him.
Then he summoned the old woodcutter to take the remaining dozen or so soldiers and a few eunuchs away and settle them in.
The remaining King Chu and Li Sanqi and his sister clearly had something to say.
Madam Min didn't disturb them and personally led them to a side courtyard.
After arranging everything, Madam Min Qiao returned to the main courtyard.
However, as soon as she returned to the hospital, a maid came to report that Min Pan'er wanted to see her.
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