Upon hearing his beloved daughter's name, the emperor's face showed pain, but then his gaze toward the empress held a hint of satisfaction.
Because Mu Ruoling's crimes were too serious, the emperor had no choice but to remove her from the imperial genealogy. Moreover, in order to clear the Wu family of any involvement, the emperor had to put forward a nanny and give her the title of loyal servant of Consort Chen, making her the mastermind behind the substitution.
After his beloved daughter's tragic death, the emperor initially intended to vent his anger on the empress. However, seeing her weeping day and night, and secretly copying scriptures and chanting Buddhist prayers for Mu Ruoling's well-being, and referring to her as his "beloved daughter," he was deeply moved by her profound understanding and righteousness, and for the first time ever, he treated her kindly. However, this kindness paled in comparison to his affection for Zhao Yuning.
Seeing that she was postponing her own daughter's marriage for the sake of her beloved daughter, the emperor was deeply moved. However, he had already made his promise and was unwilling to go back on it again. After thinking for a moment, he made the decision: "Since the Empress and Ruoyin have no objections, let's arrange the marriage first. Let the Imperial Observatory see if there are any auspicious days next year before making a final decision. What do you think, Yan Qing?"
Yan Ling, beaming with pride, declared firmly, "As long as I can marry Princess Ruoyin, I'm willing to wait as long as it takes."
After resolving the matter of bestowing a marriage upon Yanling, the emperor turned his gaze to the unfamiliar face beside him. He had heard that the man had been rescued during the march, was quite skilled, and had been recruited by Yanling.
He has an average appearance, but his abilities are obvious. It's just that his name and his eyes are really unpleasant. He looks just like that scoundrel Wei Zixiao.
"Your name is He Ming?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Your name is unlucky."
"..."
001 was shocked: "I never expected that the first thing he would say to you when he saw you was about your name. How much does he hate you?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Ruoyin glanced at Di Xiu again, frowned slightly, and tentatively looked at Yan Ling, only to find him gazing at her with a resentful expression.
She blinked, lowered her head shyly, pursed her lips, and slightly raised them.
Di Xiu took a second to process and respond to the emperor's extremely rude words: "Your Majesty, a name is given by one's parents, and this humble general dares not speak presumptuously."
Mu Ruoyin suddenly said softly, "Father, I think this name is wonderful. It means that metal and stone make a sound, and that a sound does not resonate without examination. This perfectly corresponds to the predestined fate between Father and General He."
The emperor laughed heartily, and for once, he turned his approving gaze to his daughter: "Ruoyin is right, hahaha, the empress has done a good job of raising her daughter."
The Empress glanced at Mu Ruoyin without any change in expression, then curtsied and said, "Your Majesty flatters me."
When the emperor looked at Di Xiu again, he became more amiable. After a moment's thought, he bestowed upon him a title and honors, promoting him to the third rank, granting him the title of Earl of a County, and also awarding him a quantity of gold, silver, jade, and cloth.
The third princess was still too young to be betrothed, so the emperor remembered that his niece was still unmarried and asked, "Is Minister He already engaged?"
001 looked at the emperor, who loved to act as a matchmaker, and was speechless.
Putting the bestowal of marriage and the granting of titles together really makes it seem like the woman is being given away as an object.
Given this emperor's personality, he would definitely prioritize bestowing marriages upon those close to him, as it's best not to let the good fortune go to outsiders. Considering that the Prince Duan's daughter is still unmarried, 001 speculates that the emperor most likely wants to arrange a marriage for her.
But if you just arranged a marriage for someone's crush and then immediately arranged a marriage for her too, is that really appropriate?
Emperor Xiu clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Your Majesty, my mother has already arranged a marriage for me."
The emperor was filled with regret and lost interest, so he did not pursue the matter further, thus sparing Di Xiu from continuing to fabricate stories.
Several other generals were also awarded titles and rewards, and the details vary.
When leaving the palace, Yan Ling wanted to coax Mu Ruoyin to go out with him for a stroll. The Empress, who was holding a Buddhist prayer bead, looked indifferent but reminded Yan Ling: "His Majesty has bestowed a marriage upon you. General Yan should go back and inform him first. Also, you need to prepare the three letters and six rites. It is not easy to marry a royal princess."
Yanling agreed, and his steps were light and cheerful as he left.
On the way, he slowed down his horse and rode alongside Di Xiu. He appeared calm, but kept chattering away, like a young lad who had just won the heart of a beauty.
According to 001, this is called "gap moe" (a cute contrast between appearance and reality), but Di Xiu only finds it annoying.
“I’m finally going to marry Yin’er, He Ming. Did you see that? She’s shy. She definitely has feelings for me. She looks so cute and beautiful when she’s shy, like a peach blossom, no, like a lotus. Even though the Empress treated her so badly, she still repaid evil with kindness. She’s so kind.”
“It seemed like the Emperor and Empress were the ones speaking just now. She barely had a chance to speak. Could it be that she actually didn’t want to marry me, but only didn’t object because of her parents’ wishes? She’s the most filial. I need to go back and ask her… He Ming, don’t pull me.”
"Hiss—! I remember now, why did Yin'er look at you the first thing when she came in? Your face wasn't even as handsome as mine before, let alone your face now. Tell me, why is that?"
"So, before she left, was she looking at you or me?"
"His Majesty has bestowed this marriage upon you, what else could you possibly worry about?"
Hearing the whispers and suppressed laughter of the generals following behind him, Yanling finally shut up.
The emperor did not bestow a mansion upon Di Xiu, so he had no official residence and was temporarily staying in Yanling. However, since the imperial decree for the marriage was to be sent directly to the Yan residence, which was Yanling's nominal parents' home, they rode their horses to the Yan residence, while the other military officers went to provide support.
Father Yan was already waiting at the door with his children and two or three concubines, but Madam Yan was nowhere to be seen.
After Yanling and his father put on a show of filial piety, the generals went home.
The father and son entered the mansion, where an incense table had already been prepared in the main hall.
Before long, the imperial edict arrived, and the one who came to deliver it was none other than the Grand Eunuch Li Fugui, which shows how much the emperor valued Yanling and the Yan family.
Two imperial edicts arrived, first bestowing honors upon Yanling, then granting him a marriage. Boxes of gifts were delivered to the mansion in a continuous stream, and Yanling's father managed a forced smile.
Some people are happy to see their juniors surpass them, but others feel ashamed to be compared to them. Yan's father was the latter.
The steward glanced at his master's expression, then with a forced smile slipped a purse to the Grand Eunuch who was delivering the imperial edict. The Grand Eunuch didn't even pick it up, simply putting it into his sleeve. He bowed to the Yan family father and son, smiling, and said, "The imperial edict has been delivered, and I will return to the palace to report."
After calming himself down, Yan's father personally saw the Grand Eunuch out, and when he turned around, he saw Yan Ling also preparing to leave.
There were onlookers watching outside the door, along with a few servants who came to inquire about the news. He held back his anger and put on a kind father's demeanor, saying, "It's rare for you to come back, so stay a few more days. Your mother misses you terribly."
Yan Ling scoffed lightly, keeping his voice so that only his father could hear him, ignoring his father's unpleasant expression. Yan Ling asked in confusion, "I was going to ask earlier, why is Mother nowhere to be seen?"
"I'm sick and can't get out of bed. The imperial physician said it's because I'm overly worried."
Yanling said he was going to visit his mother, but after passing through a door, he went in the opposite direction from the main courtyard. Yanling's father didn't say anything, but just told the steward to arrange accommodations for Dixiu.
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