He even deliberately ordered Li Zigeng, the head of the Crown Prince's guards, to lead his men to walk slowly, as they wanted to enjoy the scenery along the way...
As a result, what should have been a half-hour journey took them a full two hours!
Just as Sun Jian was about to return to his own residence after sending Li Gancheng back to the Eastern Palace, the eunuch who was delivering the imperial edict arrived unexpectedly.
When the eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial announced the imperial edict, both Sun Jian and Li Gancheng were stunned.
What's going on here?
He just got back from the morning court session.
Why is an imperial edict being issued now?
This action is somewhat baffling.
Furthermore, neither of them knew for a moment whose order it was.
The two of them were at the main gate of the East Palace. Although they should kneel down regardless of whose imperial decree it was, they should at least ask clearly who should receive the decree when they got up later.
"Esteemed sir, may I ask whether this is an imperial edict from His Highness the Crown Prince or from me, Sun?"
Sun Jian asked the eunuch in charge of delivering imperial edicts with a complicated expression.
"Reporting to Your Excellency, there are two imperial edicts in total, one for His Highness the Crown Prince and one for you."
"All right!"
Sun Jian and Crown Prince Li Gancheng exchanged a helpless glance, and then the two knelt down to receive the imperial decree.
When the eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial saw the two kneeling to receive the imperial decree, they immediately began to read out the decree concerning His Highness the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince's imperial edict was actually quite simple. It stated that the locust plague had turned into an auspicious sign, a sign of great fortune and great achievements. As the heir apparent, His Highness the Crown Prince should inherit this blessing and, in accordance with Heaven's will, postpone his marriage as soon as possible.
At this point, he praised the Crown Prince's merits and character again, mentioning his quick wit and love of learning, and other such things... He also praised Li Wugou, the daughter of the Governor of Jizhou, and then ordered that the Crown Prince Li Gancheng and his future Crown Princess Li Wugou be married in three days.
Upon hearing the imperial edict, Crown Prince Li Gancheng was utterly astonished, standing frozen in place, his head buzzing.
Sun Jian instantly grasped the purpose behind the imperial edict. Others might not have noticed, but Sun Jian, combined with the scene of Emperor Ganwu vomiting blood he witnessed at the morning court session, immediately guessed that this might be Emperor Ganwu's time to die, and that he was making arrangements for his affairs before his passing...
What nonsense! The locust plague has turned into a blessing, a sign of great fortune and great achievements.
What utter nonsense about His Highness the Crown Prince inheriting this blessing.
This is clearly just a convenient, high-sounding excuse!
Sun Jian had heard Li Gancheng mention the matter of the Crown Princess's marriage before, but according to the laws of Da Gan...
The emperor's wedding took a year, a feudal lord's wedding took half a year, and a high-ranking official's wedding took a quarter.
If it weren't for all of the above identities, then this wedding date could naturally be ignored.
Just like when Sun Jian first transmigrated, he owned no land and wasn't even considered a commoner; at best, he was a refugee...
He can ignore this legal provision when choosing a wife!
In addition, it also depends on the time and the policy.
Although the Great Gan region has been plagued by natural disasters in recent years, and has also been at war with the Song and Zhou dynasties, the Jingzhao region has at least been relatively stable.
Since it was set for a year ago, and we've already waited half a year, why is the Crown Prince suddenly being allowed to get married? And why is it happening within three days!
Sun Jian guessed that perhaps it was because the old emperor was already at the end of his rope!
He sensed that his time was near and wanted to quickly arrange his affairs and pave the way for Li Gancheng. This way, at the very least, he could ensure a smooth transition of imperial power and prevent any major turmoil in Daqian.
That must be it!
Tsk tsk...
Thinking of this, Sun Jian couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion and sigh.
Although the old emperor was somewhat cunning, treacherous, scheming, and even a bit inhuman, Sun Jian still believed that, overall, the old man had treated him fairly well.
At least he was granted a title and honors at the morning court session today.
He suddenly stopped, and he was genuinely a little reluctant to let go.
Despite his feelings of regret, Sun Jian still harbored some disdain and contempt.
To be fair, that emperor deserved it!
I had warned him before, but he just wouldn't listen!
I gave you some magic pills, and look what happened! You've gotten sick from them.
Sun Jian dismissed the chaotic thoughts in his mind, sighed helplessly and shook his head, not forgetting to nudge Li Gancheng, who was still standing there in a daze.
Looking at Li Gancheng's weak, helpless, and complicated expression, Sun Jian felt a pang of sympathy.
Harmful!
The imperial edict had already been issued; as both a prince and the crown prince, what room did he have to refuse or resist?
Do you have any other options besides accepting the imperial decree?
Young man, you'd better listen to your father and get married.
You're already nineteen years old. If you lived in the historical dynasty before I time-traveled, how old would your kids be by now?
Besides, there's nothing wrong with getting married. I have three wives in my family, don't I?
Every night when it comes, the three of us snuggle together under the same blanket and sleep soundly. How wonderful that feels!
Li Gancheng and Sun Jian exchanged a glance and instantly understood Sun Jian's meaning. Seeing Sun Jian's reassuring gaze, they had no choice but to accept the imperial decree and express their gratitude.
After the eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs finished conveying the decree of Crown Prince Li Gancheng, they were about to convey the decree of Sun Jian.
"General Fenwei, Marquis of Hanting, Sun Jian, receive the imperial decree!"
Sun Jian remained kneeling on the ground without moving, secretly wondering if the emperor would also make him get married.
Holy crap!
That could very well be either Princess Chang Le or Princess Tai Ping!
If this princess is going to marry me, doesn't that mean that all three of my wives will suddenly become concubines?
This is going to be a bit tricky.
Previously, since he had no birth, there was no distinction between wives and concubines. Now that he has power and status, even if he doesn't make a distinction himself, the court will probably redefine it when recording his information.
After all, in this era, the system of one wife and multiple concubines was still in effect.
With a princess from the Great Zhou Dynasty and a princess from the Great Gan Dynasty among his wives, wouldn't it be wonderful to have a princess from the Great Xia Dynasty and a princess from the Great Song Dynasty in the future?
Sun Jian felt increasingly pleased with himself. If he hadn't been honing his shrewdness and cunning over such a long period of time, he would have laughed out loud at this moment.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned, and the fantasy remained just a fantasy.
When Sun Jian and Li Gancheng heard the edict from the Directorate of Ceremonial read aloud, which stated that Sun Jian would be the master of ceremonies for Crown Prince Li Gancheng's wedding, they were completely dumbfounded.
His expression was even more complicated than when he heard about Crown Prince Li Gancheng!
The person in charge of the wedding?
Holy crap!
I don't even know what the procedures and steps are in a wedding. How can I be the person in charge?
Even at the very end, this emperor still managed to screw himself over.
"My lord, please accept the imperial decree..."
Seeing that Sun Jian had not responded for a long time, the eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs whispered a reminder from the side.
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