Chapter 467 Imperial Marriage
The Imperial Astronomical Bureau quickly calculated an auspicious date, which, coincidentally, was January 28th, an auspicious day for weddings and welcoming good fortune.
The New Year will come soon after that. If they get married before the New Year, the newlyweds will be able to celebrate the New Year as a family this year.
Xie Yuxiao nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.
Does that mean he'll finally have a daughter-in-law to take care of him this year?
Okay, okay!
Since Xie Yuxiao agreed, Consort Rong naturally wouldn't disagree. Her only concern was the urgency of the time. She was afraid that the Li family would think it was too rushed, which would lead Li Manyan to misunderstand that they were being negligent, and even cause her to doubt Xie Yunchuan's sincerity.
Consort Rong was unaware that Xie Yunchuan and Li Manyan had not actually quarreled before, and she was afraid that her son would scare her daughter-in-law away again.
After much deliberation, unable to put his mind at ease, he quickly sent Lü Ping to the Li residence to inquire about Li Manyan's opinion and to convey her and His Majesty's wishes.
Green Ping was respectfully invited into the mansion, and Li Manyan was soon led over by her mother.
Knowing that this Miss Li was the Crown Prince's beloved, Lü Ping was very polite to her and dared not be negligent in the slightest.
"I hope you will not take offense at my intrusion, Madam. I have come here on the orders of the Imperial Concubine to ask Miss Li a question from the bottom of my heart."
Madam Li smiled and waved her hand, "You're too kind. It's an honor for the Li family that the Imperial Concubine has sent you here out of consideration for us juniors. Besides, His Highness the Crown Prince and Yan'er's engagement is already settled. From now on, the Li family and the Imperial Concubine are one family. There's no need to bother you. Please sit down and have some tea."
"No need for tea. I have come here on Your Highness's orders, and I cannot rest easy until I have taken care of things properly."
Lu Ping said slowly, "Madam and Miss are both reasonable people, so I will get straight to the point. Her Majesty heard that the Imperial Observatory has chosen January 28th for the wedding. Although it is an auspicious day, Her Majesty knows that the time is short and is afraid that Miss Li will feel too rushed and feel wronged. She is also afraid that Miss Li will misunderstand and think that the royal family is too eager to complete the wedding because of neglect, or that His Highness the Crown Prince is not sincere."
Li Manyan was taken aback.
"After His Highness the Crown Prince learned of the wedding date, he went to see His Majesty. Originally, His Highness wanted to change the wedding date to a later date on his own initiative, but the Imperial Concubine temporarily stopped him. This is because the Imperial Concubine knew that His Majesty truly cherished Yunchuan's deep affection and hoped that the lovers could be together as soon as possible."
That's why the Imperial Concubine repeatedly instructed me to ascertain Miss Li's feelings. His Highness said that if Miss Li showed even the slightest reluctance, he would personally petition the Emperor to reschedule, and would never dare to wrong Miss Li.
Madam Li looked surprised upon hearing this.
She truly hadn't expected the royal family to value this matter so much.
Li Manyan is her own daughter, and a legitimate daughter of a prominent family whom she raised and nurtured herself. If she can be valued by the royal family like this, then she can rest assured that her daughter can hold her head high and live a peaceful life after marrying into the royal family.
Madam Li turned her head and softly asked Li Manyan for her opinion: "Yan'er, what do you think?"
Li Manyan lowered her eyes, her fingertips gently gathering the hem of her skirt, and her earlobes quietly warmed.
Every word of Lüping's words fell into his ears. Consort Rong's consideration, His Majesty's magnanimity, and... Xie Yunchuan's thoughtfulness, flowed through his heart like a warm current, completely dispelling the slight unease caused by the hasty wedding date.
She had already secretly harbored feelings for Xie Yunchuan, and the unspoken understanding between them had long been revealed, so how could she deny her feelings?
The imperial marriage at the palace banquet was already an unexpected surprise. Knowing that they could get married on January 28th filled her heart with secret joy. She only hoped to be with him as soon as possible and did not feel wronged at all.
Li Manyan took a deep breath, slowly raised her eyes, her gaze clear and bright. Her tone was gentle yet firm: "Please trouble Miss Lüping to tell the Imperial Concubine and His Highness the Crown Prince that Manyan has no objection. Although the wedding date is approaching, it is a rare and auspicious day. I am happy to be able to marry His Highness soon. I have never felt wronged, let alone have any reluctance."
After saying that, Li Manyan smiled shyly and added, "Besides, how could I misunderstand him when I trust him so much?"
Green Ping took in her reaction and smiled knowingly: "Alright, I understand. I will definitely convey the Li family and Miss Li's intentions truthfully."
Lü Ping took out a letter and handed it to Li Manyan.
"This is an invitation from the Imperial Concubine, inviting Miss Li to the palace for a chat. This time, it will be a private chat between the Imperial Concubine and Miss Li, not through Consort Jing."
Green Ping winked kindly at her, and after seeing Li Manyan's momentary stunned reaction after being seen through, she reassured her.
"The Imperial Concubine is very fond of Miss Li, so Miss Li can rest assured."
After saying that, Lüping got back to the main point, "The wedding preparations will not be perfunctory due to the tight schedule. The Imperial Household Department has taken over the entire process. From the betrothal gifts to the wedding banquet, they will personally supervise every single detail to ensure that it is a grand and respectable affair. We will not let Miss suffer any grievances, nor will we let the Li family lose face. In addition, the Imperial Concubine will also add to Miss Li's dowry. I'll let you in on a secret: our Second Princess is also clamoring to add to Miss Li's dowry."
Hearing the names called repeatedly, Li Manyan was amused and gradually relaxed.
Hearing this from the side, Lady Li was greatly relieved and quickly echoed, "Your Highness the Imperial Concubine is so thoughtful and considerate of us juniors. Our whole family is extremely grateful. And the Second Princess is always thinking of my daughter. Since Yan'er is truly willing, we, as elders, will not interfere any further. The wedding date will be set according to the Imperial Observatory. I will certainly make the preparations as soon as possible and live up to Your Highness and His Majesty's kindness."
Seeing the undisguised shyness and joy in Li Manyan's eyes, which were completely genuine and without any reluctance, Lüping felt completely relieved. A genuine smile appeared on her face, and she quickly stood up to return the greeting: "That's good. This servant will go back to report now. Her Majesty will be very pleased to know Miss's feelings."
Madam Li hurriedly instructed the servants to see Lüping out. Watching Lüping's figure disappear into the distance, she turned and took Li Manyan's hand, carefully examining her daughter's flushed cheeks, her eyes full of smiles: "Silly child, can you rest assured now? The Imperial Concubine loves you, His Highness the Crown Prince protects you, and even the Second Princess likes you so much. After you marry into the family, you will surely have a peaceful and smooth life."
Li Manyan teased Madam Li in return, "I've never been worried, I've always known that. But Mother, why are your palms sweaty?"
"You silly girl," Madam Li scolded, giving her a reproachful glare. She quickly added, "Alright, hurry up and pick out your clothes for tomorrow's audience with the Imperial Concubine. From now on, the Imperial Concubine will be your mother, so you can't afford to make a mistake on your first formal audience."
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