"You'd better prepare the dowry for my aunt as soon as possible, otherwise it is still unknown whether the Duke's Mansion can maintain its former glory."
Hao Ren's face turned pale with rage, and he was seething with anger: "You, the Yongding Marquisate, are truly unscrupulous! I must enter the palace and report this to the Emperor!"
However, before Hao Ren stepped into the palace, the emperor's personal eunuch had already arrived at the Duke's Mansion.
The visitor was Xiao Dengzi, the godson of the eunuch Ying Shuo, who was once very powerful around the emperor.
Upon seeing this, Ling Ji immediately signaled the servants of the Yongding Marquis' Mansion to stop what they were doing.
As Jiang Dinglian's senior attendant, Ling Ji frequently visited the palace and was quite familiar with this popular figure in front of the emperor, so he respectfully addressed him as "Eunuch Deng."
Hao Ren gently straightened his clothes and hurried forward, his righteous indignation evident in his words: "Eunuch Deng, the upright men of our Duke's Mansion are about to meet the Emperor. Look, how has the Marquis of Yongding oppressed our Duke's Mansion to this point? This contempt for the law is undoubtedly relying on his outstanding achievements to disregard the Emperor!"
Jiang Dinglian commanded a large army and had made outstanding contributions. Hao Ren was convinced that the emperor must be suspicious of him.
He originally thought that the emperor sent an envoy to the Duke's Mansion to seek justice for him.
However, Xiao Dengzi looked at Hao Ren with a neutral smile on his face. "Duke Protector of the Country, Marquis Yongding has made numerous military achievements. He is the pillar of our country and the guardian of Your Majesty. The relationship between the monarch and his subjects is harmonious. I hope you will be careful with your words."
Hao Ren replied, "Yes... Then, what is the emperor's order?"
Hao Ren suddenly felt an ominous premonition in his heart.
Little Dengzi narrowed his voice and announced in a drawn-out tone, "The Emperor has decreed that the relationship between Protector of the Country, Hao Ren, and Marquis of Yongding, Jiang Shu, has broken down. Their marriage is over, and resentment is growing between them. I hereby decree that the daughter of the Jiang family may divorce and return home. The Protector of the Country must return all her dowry. From now on, they can pursue their own careers separately and not interfere with each other."
Hao Ren couldn't help but tightly grasp his sleeves. He was unwilling to do so, but he could only bite the bullet and reply, "I obey your command. Thank you."
He never expected that Jiang Dinglian would be so arrogant, and the emperor would actually stand on his side and even issue a divorce decree for Jiang Shu.
He secretly swore that when the evidence of rebellion in the Yongding Marquis Mansion was placed before the emperor, would Jiang Dinglian still be able to enjoy the good luck he had today?
At this time, Xia Zhiyu, who had hurried over, happened to hear the news and felt extremely complicated.
She had always hoped that Jiang Shu and Hao Ren would divorce so that she could take their place and become the mistress of the Duke's Mansion. However, after learning that the Duke's Mansion was just an empty shell with a glamorous appearance, she hoped that Jiang Shu would stay. At least she could still maintain the reputation of the Duke's Mansion.
Little Dengzi glanced at the stunned Xia Zhiyu over there, then turned to Hao Ren and said warmly, "Your Majesty, there's no need to be too depressed. The Emperor actually has another decree. This is fantastic news!"
Hao Ren's expression revealed deep bitterness, and his absent-mindedness was like a fallen leaf in the autumn wind, drifting weakly.
"I've spent over twenty years with my beloved wife, but unexpectedly, a misunderstanding turned this loving couple into enemies. I originally wanted to keep her, hoping she would change her mind, but now, all my hopes have been dashed. At this point, what news can bring me any comfort?"
Little Dengzi chuckled softly and said, "Although the Emperor has caused you to lose your first wife, he has also given you a new wife!"
"Xia Zhiyu, why don't you come quickly to receive the order!"
His gaze turned to Xia Zhiyu who was standing beside him.
Xia Zhiyu's mind was in a trance, fearing this was another punishment from the Emperor. However, as she gently stroked her belly, she felt a sense of peace. Even the Emperor wouldn't lay hands on a pregnant woman.
She did not dare to hesitate for a moment, and immediately knelt down, respectfully responding, "Your Majesty, I accept your order."
Little Dengzi continued to read the emperor's oral order: "Xia Zhiyu has long held a special affection for the Protector of the Country. The Protector of the Country and my cousin have been childhood sweethearts, their love deeply in love. This beautiful story has become a legend in Jindu. In order to achieve this, I hereby grant the Protector of the Country the right to appoint Xia as his principal wife, hoping that they can live hand in hand and enjoy a harmonious life together."
Xia Zhiyu felt an incredible surprise in her heart: "Your Majesty, I am grateful to you!"
She had originally thought that being a concubine in the Duke's Mansion was a great honor. However, she never imagined that she would one day be promoted to the position of wife of the Duke of the State! Even though the Duke's Mansion existed in name only, the title still represented supreme nobility.
Moreover, all of this was the emperor's personal order! In the entire Jindu, how many ladies could enjoy such an honor?
However, compared with Xia Zhiyu's ecstasy, Hao Ren felt as if struck by lightning, his eyes went dark, and he almost couldn't stand.
Hao Ren asked bitterly, "Your Majesty, why did you suddenly issue this decree?"
He knew in his heart that the previous incident with Xia Zhiyu in Jindu was not a good story at all. Instead, he was accused of favoring his concubine over his wife. Moreover, Xia Zhiyu was just an orphan who didn't even know the most basic ways of managing a household. Her reckless behavior made him feel completely humiliated.
And now, the emperor actually issued a decree personally, making her his wife! How could he accept this?
In the deep and secluded mansion, the future of Jiang Dinglian's sweetheart Liao Qianqian and his biological son Liao Lingxi has become the focus of everyone's attention.
Little Dengzi laughed joyfully. "Duke Protector of the Country, this is the imperial decree that the Marquis of Yongding fought so hard for you. He personally brought his sister home in marriage. You've lost your partner, so how could he not compensate you with happiness? The grand ceremony you took in as a concubine before, marrying your cousin is like marrying a wife for common people. It's obvious that he also hopes that Xia will become your lifelong wife. The emperor's move is truly a great favor, a wonderful thing."
Jiang Dinglian!
Hao Ren was secretly shocked that this warrior, who was always considered rough and uncultured, actually had such a complicated mind and delicate emotions!
In the main courtyard of the Yongding Marquis' Mansion, Jiang Songyi was having dinner with Xu, Jiang Dinglian and Jiang Shu.
Yue Qingyang also stayed.
Xu had only mentioned it casually, assuming that after receiving her promise to renovate Listening Snow Courtyard, the hostage would voluntarily withdraw and no longer disturb their family's warm moments. However, Yue Qingyang had the audacity to sit directly next to Jiang Songyi.
Jiang Dinglian's gaze almost pierced Yue Qingyang.
This boy is so ambitious that he actually dares to have improper thoughts about his daughter!
Jiang Dinglian suddenly said, "Madam, now that you are in good health, you should give more consideration to Songyi's lifelong affairs."
Yue Qingyang's fingers holding the chopsticks trembled slightly.
Madam Xu glared at Jiang Dinglian in dissatisfaction. "I've already been looking for a good husband for Songyi. Unlike you, you're so absorbed in military training all day long that you rarely care about your children's marriages."
Jiang Dinglian smiled amiably. "If we were discussing warhorse breeding, I might be able to offer some insights, but matters of marriage are beyond the purview of a rude person like me. Fortunately, you and Mother have carefully selected the children. I have always had complete faith in your judgment."
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