The gilded auspicious beast incense burner emits curling agarwood incense.
Xuan Ling stroked the jade ring, his eyes sweeping over the terrified Imperial Observatory below the stairs:
"My dear, when you observed the celestial phenomena, did you see any auspicious signs?"
The Imperial Astronomical Observatory's knees weakened as he glanced at the "Book of Celestial Officials" spread out on the imperial desk.
"Your Majesty is wise! Last night, the Purple Palace shone brilliantly—an auspicious omen of 'the Emperor's star shining brightly, the phoenix returning to its nest'!"
Xuan Ling raised the corners of his lips slightly and tapped his knuckles lightly.
"Since that is the case, please draft a memorial and submit it."
The next morning, before the bells stopped ringing, the Cining Palace was already filled with concubines kneeling.
The Empress Dowager paused while twirling her Buddhist beads. "The Imperial Astronomical Observatory said the Purple Star was moving?"
"That's right." Empress Duan's eyes were frosty.
"Mother, if Sheng were to enter the palace again, wouldn't that confirm the folk rumor that 'the Concubine Chen has entered the palace for the second time'?"
Concubine Jia agreed:
"The Emperor has issued an edict granting marriage, and then withdrawing it would be such a joke!"
Concubine Dun said, "How can a deposed concubine return to the palace?"
De Fei held Yu Qing in her arms and whispered, "The Emperor will make his own decisions."
"Holy decision?" Empress Duan sneered.
"Sister Defei has been guarding Yuqing for so long, perhaps she has forgotten the strict palace rules?"
The fifth watch drum sounded, and there was a sudden commotion outside the Yangxin Palace.
Eunuch Fu presented the memorial from the Imperial Observatory.
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Feng brought over twenty ministers... and said he was willing to die in protest..."
Xuan Ling said solemnly: "Take the Imperial Sword!"
As the sun rises, the gilded sword box reflects blood on the red steps.
Commander Xue swept his sword across the officials' official robes: "The Emperor has decreed that anyone who makes irresponsible remarks about the imperial court will be executed!"
Prime Minister Feng stood still and said, "I am a veteran of three dynasties. Today I want to see this imperial sword..."
Before he finished speaking, a flock of crows suddenly appeared outside the palace wall.
The star map outlined in the memorial from the Imperial Astronomical Observatory coincided with a comet that suddenly appeared in the sky.
All the other ministers left, and even Prime Minister Feng was helped away.
Only one white-haired censor continued to kowtow and shout, "Your Majesty, throughout history, beautiful women have always been the source of disaster..."
Inside the hall, Xuan Ling said majestically, "Execute that pedantic old man Wu Ming right here!"
"Your Majesty, please think twice!" Taifu Zhang advised.
Xuan Ling's mind flashed back to that night in Guanju Palace, when Sheng Xiyan read the history book and said,
"It is better to stop the constant chatter than to block it."
After calming down, he said, "Come here, take Wu Ming...to the prison first."
Two days later, leaden clouds hung low.
In front of the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion, Xuan Ling, dressed in a black and blue robe with a coiled dragon pattern, stepped down from the imperial carriage, surrounded by an armored team.
Behind him was a guard of honor playing music.
Qi Yan knelt down to greet him and saw that the emperor's eyes were as sharp as torches, as if he could see through him.
Xuan Ling said calmly, "Get up."
His eyes swept across the door lintel of the Marquis's Mansion.
"I heard you built a bamboo garden exactly like the Prince of E's Palace?"
Qi Yan lowered his head: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty just wants Ah Yan to live more comfortably."
Xuan Ling's eyes darkened, and his hands clenched into fists beneath his wide sleeves. "You're the only one who can please that girl?!"
I walked to the gate of the bamboo garden and stopped - the garden was deserted, with only two snow rabbits hopping by.
"Father!"
Jiang Jiang suddenly emerged from the flowers and threw himself into Xuan Ling's arms.
"I miss you so much!"
Xuan Ling picked him up and kissed his little face, "Baby, father misses you too.
Pinch his face with your little hands,
"Father, why have you lost weight? Are you worried that Mother and I haven't had a good meal?"
"Yes, the emperor hurried here to take you back to the palace."
Jiang Jiang put his arms around his neck and said, "That's great!"
"Where's your mother?"
"Mother has gone to the pharmacy! Father, can you please watch me shoot the arrows first?"
Although Xuan Ling was eager to see Sheng Xiyan, he couldn't bear to spoil Jiang Jiang's mood.
"OK."
In the east pharmacy, Sheng Xiyan was concentrating on weighing medicinal materials.
Hua Xia ran over in a panic: "My lady! The emperor is here!"
The weight fell over and the medicine powder spilled all over the table.
When Sheng Xiyan stood up, her embroidered shoes tripped over the medicine grinder, making a crisp sound.
Looking out the window, the drizzle is falling quietly.
"Let's go back to the bamboo garden."
"My lady, why do you want to leave? You can wait here for the emperor to come." Daci was puzzled.
Sheng Xiyan didn't say anything.
When she left, Xuan Ling was just stepping into the pharmacy.
At first glance, this is the place Qi Yan specially arranged for Sheng Xiyan.
There is a large row of small drawers in the medicine cabinet, with labels on them, and all the utensils for pounding medicine, weighing weights and boiling medicine are available.
A bitter taste welled up in his throat. "I feel guilty... I've never done this for her."
Qi Yan whispered, "Ayan may have already returned to Bamboo Garden."
The drizzle gradually became heavier, and the bamboo leaves rustled.
Xuan Ling stood in front of the bamboo garden gate and knocked on the door gently: "Yan Yan, open the door."
The house was silent.
"I know you're in there." He said softly, "Can we talk?"
There was a slight noise from inside the door, and a woman's sad voice reached my ears.
"Since the Emperor has already granted Xiyan marriage to Marquis Wu'an, why are you still here?"
"I was wrong." Xuan Ling's face was haggard and his voice was choked with sobs.
"Yanyan, I thought I could let you go, but in reality, I can't let you go at all."
Sheng Xiyan's eyes were filled with tears, and her delicate body was trembling slightly.
“Please forgive me, Your Majesty. Xiyan doesn’t like what I said later.
Since the Emperor has granted me the marriage, I shall obey his orders and marry him. This way, I won’t let the Emperor’s words become a laughing stock in the eyes of the public.”
"Yan Yan, I have already ordered the Imperial Astronomical Observatory to report the auspicious signs, and only then have I come to welcome you into the palace.
At this moment, outside the Marquis' Mansion, the ceremonial guards were arranged in an orderly manner, with gongs and drums beating loudly, making it very lively.
I will take you to visit every street and alley in the capital, so that the people can witness your elegance.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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