Upon hearing the imperial edict, everyone in the courtyard looked towards the main gate, and began to whisper among themselves:
"Why would an imperial edict suddenly arrive at this time?"
"Are you stupid? Lord Sang is a confidant of the Emperor and Empress, so he issued an imperial edict to congratulate his son on his marriage. Miss Zheng might just get the title of Lady of the Imperial Decree."
"Tsk tsk, although the Zheng family has always been a prominent family in Mingyue City, they are, after all, a merchant family with no real status. This time, they have truly risen to prominence."
"What's the use of being envious? If you're so capable, why don't you have a daughter as beautiful as Miss Zheng? Maybe then you'll have a chance to change your social class."
...
Hearing the surrounding chatter, Sang Qian was both surprised and delighted: "Father, the Emperor actually sent someone to congratulate us! This is such a wonderful surprise!"
Sang Hong did not answer. Instead, his expression became somewhat solemn. Based on his understanding of the Emperor, his son's wedding was not worth the Emperor's elaborate preparations.
The arrival of an imperial edict at this time is truly unpredictable, bringing both good and bad fortune.
Soon a group of warriors filed in from outside. These warriors were all tall and burly, and their eyes revealed a kind of superior confidence. It was clear that their years in the capital gave them a natural sense of superiority when they came to Mingyue City.
The group of warriors were neatly arranged in two rows, and then an old man in a python robe slowly walked in, holding a bright yellow scroll high in one hand.
The old man had a full head of white hair, but he didn't look old at all; on the contrary, he looked very energetic.
His sharp gaze swept across the entire room, and Zu An's heart skipped a beat. The oppressive feeling this man brought was even stronger than that of Liu Yao!
"It's actually a prince!" Xie Daoyun exclaimed softly, clearly recognizing the man's identity from his python robe.
"Your Highness?" Zu An's eyes narrowed. He knew that in this world, being of royal blood was not enough to be made a king. That was just a prerequisite. In addition, one had to reach the Grandmaster level to be officially made a king.
He's actually a grandmaster!
I don't know who's stronger or weaker between him and Old Man Mi or Wei Dan.
The main reason was that the difference in cultivation level between him and the others was too great; they could all crush him, so it was impossible to distinguish the differences between them.
“Prince Liang!” Sang Hong hurriedly went to greet him. As they were both officials in the capital, he naturally recognized him.
Prince Zhao Yi of Liang, the current emperor's uncle, is the eldest and most respected member of the royal family.
After recognizing the other person, his unease intensified. He knew his own limitations; even if it were his own wedding, he could never persuade the Prince of Liang to bestow honors upon him, let alone for his son's marriage.
King Zhao Yi of Liang nodded to him, then said loudly, "Prefect Sang Hong of Linchuan and Commander Sang Qian of Mingyue City's river defense camp, receive the imperial decree!"
"Long live the Emperor!" Sang Hong and Sang Qian were startled and hurriedly knelt down to receive the imperial decree.
With a cold expression, the King of Liang unfolded the imperial edict and read aloud: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: ...The Sang family father and son have deeply betrayed my favor by fabricating evidence to slander local officials and important court ministers, causing turmoil in the court. Therefore, they are hereby stripped of their official positions and escorted back to the capital for legal proceedings, effective immediately. This is the imperial decree!"
Zu An didn't understand some of the obscure terms in the imperial edict, but he understood the most important sentence. He couldn't help but smile. His wife Chu Yan was indeed reliable. She had issued a new edict so quickly. He was worried that it would be delayed by a few days. If that happened, Zheng Dan and Sang Qian would have already gotten married. What would be the point of playing around then?
At this moment, the others also understood the contents of the imperial edict, and the room erupted in an uproar.
What's going on?!
Weren't the Sang family father and son the emperor's confidants? One second everyone thought they had a bright future, how come the next second they were dismissed and investigated?
The most shocked person was Sang Qian. He was all smiles, waiting for the emperor to bestow some reward upon him, thinking he would brag about it in his social circle afterward. Who knew he would be greeted with such terrible news?
The stark contrast left him stunned: "No, this can't be, it must be fake, fake!"
As he continued, he lost control of his emotions and roared out at the top of his lungs.
The King of Liang's face darkened, and he said unhappily, "What, are you saying that I forged an imperial edict?"
"No, that's not what I meant, but..." Sang Qian's thoughts were completely in disarray. "We just performed a great service for the Emperor, so why are we being punished like this? There must be some misunderstanding. Yes, there must be some misunderstanding!"
Prince Liang sneered, "Are you questioning the Emperor's judgment?"
Sang Qian wanted to say more, but was stopped by his father. Sang Hong asked, "From the very beginning, I had a bad feeling, and I didn't expect that I would actually be right. But I'm also very confused. Where did I lose? What went wrong?"
King Liang chuckled and said, "You'll know the details when Lord Sang arrives in the capital."
Sang Hong was secretly furious. Logically speaking, as fellow ministers, he should have helped with this small matter. It was obvious that the King of Liang was kicking him when he was down!
He suddenly remembered a case in the capital years ago that involved a servant of the Prince of Liang. He had upheld the law impartially and had not given the servant any face. He must have offended him that time. Now that he had the chance, why didn't he take the opportunity to retaliate?
The Emperor knows that the Prince of Liang has a grudge against me, yet he still sent him here. Does this mean that I, Sang Hong, have become a pawn to be discarded?
Seeing the changes in his expression, King Liang sneered and waved his hand: "Take down all those involved!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a group of fierce guards rushed towards the Sang family.
Hearing the noise, Sang Hong finally woke up and said with a wry smile, "Today is my son's big day. Can we let them finish the last step before we talk about it?"
"Young Master Sang is married?" King Liang looked at Zheng Dan not far away. She was wearing a bright and beautiful wedding dress, and it was obvious that she was a bride. He thought to himself that the bride had a good figure. Sang Hong knew how to choose a daughter-in-law. "Since she is already married, she is a member of the Sang family. According to the imperial decree, let's take her with us."
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