Chapter 201 An Imperial Edict Has Arrived from the Palace!
Two days later, the atmosphere in the Xiao residence subtly changed.
The servants, who had previously been very respectful to Lu Zhaoruo, began to avoid eye contact, and their greetings became deliberately distant.
Madam Xiao was displeased.
Fortunately, Granny Zhang persuaded her to stop, and she could only send Hua Yue, who was by her side, to Chengrui Courtyard to take good care of her.
Xiao Yeming saw all of this, and his anger surged within him.
Wang Wu said in a low voice, "General, the servants in the mansion are behaving this way at the behest of the Old Madam. Shall I accompany you to Kangning Hall to discuss this matter?"
Xiao Ye's eyes darkened and his hands, which were behind his back, slowly clenched.
He knew that if he went to argue with his grandmother at this moment, it would not only be of no use, but would also deepen his grandmother's prejudice against Zhaoruo.
We can't force it...
He suddenly turned around and ordered Wang Wu in a deep voice: "Go and send the set of writing implements inlaid with mother-of-pearl made of sandalwood from my private treasury, as well as the few bolts of soft silk gauze I got the other day, to Madam Lu."
"Yes, I understand."
Wang Wu accepted the order and left.
Wang Miaoyin, standing by the window in the west wing, saw Wang Wu leading a group of servants carrying brocade boxes and silks toward Chengrui Courtyard. Her eyes suddenly reddened, and she twisted her handkerchief, turned around, and threw herself into the bed. Her tears of grievance instantly soaked the embroidered pillow.
With all the rumors circulating outside, why is he still protecting her like this?
The more she thought about it, the sadder she became, and she went to confide in Mrs. He while sobbing.
Seeing her weeping uncontrollably, Madam He quickly pulled her down to sit and gently comforted her, saying, "My child, please don't worry. Those rumors outside have probably already reached the palace. As for Lu Zhaoruo, let alone getting an audience with the Emperor, in my opinion, she might not even receive any rewards from the Emperor. Let's wait and see. When the rewards are gone and her reputation is ruined, how will she have the face to stay in the Xiao residence? She will naturally have to move out."
After saying that, a cold smile flashed across her lips: "She only donated some money and supplies. Throughout history, there have been many merchants who have done good deeds like this. Now that her reputation is ruined, even if the Emperor had a very good relationship with General Xiao when he was the Crown Prince, he would never tarnish the imperial family's reputation for the sake of a disgraced merchant girl."
She lowered her voice and leaned close to Wang Miaoyin's ear: "Moreover, I heard that this matter has reached the ears of the Empress Dowager, and the old lady... is very displeased."
Wang Miaoyin just shook her head, tears rolling down her cheeks: "Mother, I don't care about any of that! I just want... I just want to marry Brother Ming..."
Seeing her like this, Madam He felt both heartache and anger. She couldn't help but poke her forehead and scolded in a low voice, "What a fool! All you think about is romance all day long. When will you ever grow up and be more sensible!"
She hesitated for a moment, then took Wang Miaoyin's hand and said, "Come on, let's go sit with your great-aunt."
Throughout the journey, Madam He spoke softly, yet each word was carefully chosen: "My son, you must understand that you need to broaden your horizons. Spending all day focusing on those irrelevant people and things only causes you distress. Your future ultimately rests on your great-aunt's shoulders."
"Visit Kangning Hall more often, serve her tea and water, and take care of her so that she can always see your filial piety and goodwill. Making her comfortable is more important than anything else. Remember, she is the most reliable support for us, mother and daughter, in the Xiao family and even in this capital."
Wang Miaoyin nodded: "Yes, Mother."
The mother and daughter went to Kangning Hall.
Half an hour later.
Lu Bohong and Sun Jing, who were staying in the side courtyard "Bamboo Wind Garden", also keenly noticed the change in the atmosphere of the mansion.
Lu Bohong, being straightforward and hot-tempered, couldn't contain himself and immediately stood up: "There must be some villain outside maliciously slandering my sister! I'll go and find out the truth right now and find out who's spreading these rumors!"
"Bohong!"
Sun Jing grabbed his arm, his expression grave. “Don’t be rash! Rumors are circulating, and the attitude within the Xiao family is already delicate. We are guests here; if we act rashly, we will only give them ammunition and make your sister’s situation even more difficult. The most urgent thing is to observe the situation and wait for Madam Lu’s decision.”
Lu Bohong's chest heaved as he finally suppressed his anger and said in a deep voice, "Brother Jing is right. Let's go see Zhaoruo."
The two exchanged a glance and quickly headed towards Chengrui Courtyard.
At that very moment.
A rapid, thunderous sound of horses' hooves came from outside the mansion gate, followed by a heavy knocking on the central gate!
The gatekeeper practically tumbled and crawled towards the inner courtyard, his voice trembling: "Madam, Madam! The Chief Eunuch of the Palace Attendants has arrived with an imperial decree!"
Upon hearing the news, Madam Xiao hurried out, followed closely by Madam He and Wang Miaoyin.
"Quickly! Open the main gate, set up the incense table! The entire household must welcome the imperial decree!"
Madam Xiao gave the order sternly, her voice carrying authority but also revealing a hint of tension.
Madam Xiao also rushed over. She reacted quickly and immediately whispered to Granny Zhang beside her, "Old Zhang, go to Chengrui Courtyard immediately and ask Madam Lu to change her clothes and come to the front courtyard right away! There must be no delay!"
Granny Zhang accepted the order and hurried away, lifting her skirt.
Upon hearing this, Madam Xiao frowned slightly.
Why call that Lu family member?
The imperial edict may not mention her name.
He and Wang Miaoyin exchanged a glance, their thoughts swirling within them.
On the other side, Lu Bohong and Sun Jingzheng were halfway to Chengrui Academy when they heard the news and stopped.
Lu Bohong's face lit up with joy: "An imperial edict has arrived from the palace! It must mean that Zhaoruo's audience with the emperor has been arranged!"
Sun Jing grabbed Lu Bohong, who was about to move forward, and said in a serious voice, "Bohong! We are guests here, and now that the angel has descended, we must be mindful of etiquette and rules. We must not rush forward and cause any disturbance. It would be better to retreat to the corridor and observe quietly."
Upon hearing this, Lu Bohong knew that Sun Jing's words made sense, so he had no choice but to follow him to a distant corner of the corridor.
Before long, the incense table in the front yard was set up, and incense smoke filled the air.
Madam Xiao, dressed in the attire of a second-rank county lady, stood respectfully to the left of the incense table, her expression solemn.
Madam Xiao, dressed in the attire of a noblewoman of slightly lower rank, stood half a step to the right and behind her daughter-in-law. Her face was dignified and her posture impeccable, but her tightly pursed lips betrayed her melancholy.
Being ranked below her daughter-in-law was always a thorn in her side.
Xiao Yeming, who arrived later, stood silently a short distance behind his mother and grandmother, his expression cold and stern.
He Shi, Wang Miaoyin, and a group of prominent servants stood solemnly behind them in order.
The imperial eunuch, Li Gonggong, carrying the bright yellow imperial edict, slowly walked into the main courtyard surrounded by his entourage.
His gaze was sharp as he swept over the Xiao family members who were waiting in order. The dark mass of them all bowed their heads and held their breath.
But the key figure, Madam Lu, was nowhere to be seen.
Eunuch Li stood solemnly before the incense table, not in a hurry to proclaim the imperial decree.
He is waiting.
Wang Miaoyin couldn't help but lean closer to her mother, Madam He, and whispered, "Mother, why haven't we started yet? Didn't the imperial edict not mention Lady Lu at all?"
Before she finished speaking, Granny Zhang had already led a figure over in a hurry.
Lu Zhaoruo lowered her head slightly, her steps light yet steady, and quickly walked to the position designated by Madam Xiao. She stood quietly, her breath slightly out of her mouth.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Eunuch Li slowly scanned the entire room before stepping forward and solemnly unfurling the scroll in his hand.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees—"
The sound rang out, like a command.
Led by Madam Xiao, everyone in the courtyard knelt down and bowed their heads respectfully.
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