Chapter 153: Granted Marriage
For Emperor Chengxuan, the truth revealed in the letter was just one of the countless political schemes he had experienced.
But Cai Huichun's last calm yet sharp words were like a poisoned dagger, accurately piercing the emperor's mind.
"Your Majesty is the ruler of the world, and your vision is as sharp as a torch. If Your Majesty is willing to investigate the events of that year, you will surely uncover the truth and clear the name of the Empress and me.
However, Your Majesty did not do so at that time.
It is not that Your Majesty is ignorant, but in Your Majesty's heart, the royal family's reputation is far more important than the reputation of a humble person like us.
Or perhaps, in His Majesty's view, since the Queen has been "suspicious", her chastity has been tarnished. No matter what the truth is, the thorn has been deeply planted in His Majesty's heart, and the so-called verification is meaningless.
Therefore, my defense back then was nothing but noise and embarrassment to Your Majesty.
However, with the passage of time, innocence, though as light as a cloud to common people, has become a sword that takes the life of one's loved ones.
After Empress Zhaoyi left the palace, there was indeed a gentleman named Wen who admired and cared for her, but the Empress Zhaoyi lived alone in a small courtyard with her daughter until her death.
His dying words were still ringing in my ears: "I didn't stay with Mr. Wen, not because I was keeping my heart and body to myself for a man within the palace. A woman's chastity is a false shackle, and I have long since disdained it. It's simply because Mr. Wen already has a wife, and I can't steal his share and cause another woman heartache."
Therefore, the past reputation that Your Majesty is asking about has long been nothing but dust on your body, which can be easily brushed away."
Emperor Chengxuan sat alone in front of the imperial desk for a long time without moving.
His fingertips slowly stroked the long-faded portrait of a woman on the table. The eyebrows and eyes outlined by the ink were still gentle. He murmured softly,
"I wanted to investigate... but unfortunately you've already left..."
At this point, he suddenly choked.
…
In the beautiful countryside, in front of Concubine Lu’s tomb.
Wen Ning and Xie Jinglan each lit a stick of incense, and the green smoke curled up and blended into the clear mountain breeze.
Emperor Chengxuan knew very well that Zhaoyi would definitely not want to be bound by the nine-story palace anymore, nor would she want to be trapped in the strict regulations of the royal mausoleum in the name of a concubine.
For her, the vast world, the fresh breeze and the fields may be the true home and peace.
Therefore, he never forced Concubine Lu to be moved into the imperial mausoleum.
Wen Ning gently stroked the tombstone and whispered softly, "Mother, the injustice of twenty years ago has been redressed. The person who harmed you has also been executed. You can rest in peace now."
She closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, and prayed in her heart:
Mother, I have found someone I love, his name is Xie Jinglan.
He is the son of your close friend, the late wife of Marquis Anyuan.
If you knew, you would find this fate very wonderful.
After many twists and turns between my daughter and him, their feelings for each other gradually become clear. It seems like it was fate, or like you were protecting them in the dark.
He protected me from danger, helped me clear my mother's name, understood my heart, respected what I did, and cherished what I cherished.
When he is with her, the daughter always feels at ease, as if a boat that has been drifting for a long time has finally found a safe harbor.
Mother, please don't worry.
My daughter will be fine and will...work hard to be happy.
Xie Jinglan seemed to have heard her silent prayer. He took a step forward, solemnly lifted his robe, and knelt on one knee in front of the tomb.
"I, Xie Jinglan, the junior, hereby swear that I will do my utmost to protect Ning'er for the rest of my life. I will love her with all my heart, respect her with all my sincerity, and never let her suffer the slightest injustice. Heaven and earth bear witness to this heart and this aspiration, and I will never betray it. I beg you, mother-in-law, to rest assured."
The mountain breeze swirled gently, and the sound of pine waves was soft. In a trance, it seemed as if Concubine Lu really heard it.
After bidding farewell to her mother, Wen Ning took Xie Jinglan's carriage back to the palace.
"Thank you for coming with me." She was held in his arms, looking up at her little face and spoke softly.
The two men's sleeves overlapped as the carriage swayed slightly.
Xie Jinglan held her cheek lovingly and said, "Do you need to tell me this? Ning'er's mother is my mother. From now on, I will accompany you in everything you do and participate in every detail."
Wen Ning's cheeks were slightly hot, and her eyelashes drooped, but she couldn't hide the faint smile at the corner of her mouth.
She was immersed in this throbbing feeling, but she heard him suddenly change the subject, with a tone that was obviously filled with grievance and resentment.
"It's just that my 'status' is still uncertain, and everything I do always feels a bit awkward and awkward, which is really frustrating."
Wen Ning was startled and looked up at him, "Father...still refuses to grant me the marriage?"
Xie Jinglan sighed, leaning back slightly, his expression rather helpless. "Isn't it? I've submitted the petition, expressed my gratitude, and have contributed so much that I can't even count them all. But it seems like His Majesty has forgotten all about it, and there's no news from him at all."
He said angrily, "Is Your Majesty old and has a poor memory? Or is it because you've reviewed too many memorials and your eyes are blurry, so you keep missing the most crucial one for me?"
Wen Ning was amused by his outrageous yet childish complaints, but she quickly pursed her lips and glared at him angrily, "My Lord, you're talking nonsense again."
Xie Jinglan raised his eyebrows and smiled with a bit of ruffian.
"I don't care. I'll wait a few more days. If there's no further movement from His Majesty..." He snorted and laughed, "Then don't blame me for trying desperately to find other solutions."
In the imperial study.
“A-choo!”
Emperor Chengxuan, who was drinking tea, suddenly sneezed, and the tea splashed all over the memorial he had just approved.
Eunuch Li, who was standing by, shuddered with fear and hurried forward, "Your Majesty! Is the emperor not feeling well?"
Emperor Chengxuan rubbed his itchy nose and said bitterly, "Nothing! It must be one of my ministers who is resentful of me again and cursing me behind my back!"
Two days passed.
Perhaps Emperor Chengxuan had finally reluctantly accepted the fact that his cabbages had been taken away by this "wild boar" Xie Jinglan, or perhaps he was afraid that if his wishes were not fulfilled again, the manipulative Marquis Anyuan would stir up some new storms that would affect the court.
In short, a bright yellow imperial decree granting marriage was finally delivered to the Anyuan Marquis' Mansion and Huifei's Palace respectively, accompanied by the shrill voice of the eunuch who announced the decree.
The imperial edict was written in gorgeous language and was lavish with praise, praising Marquis Anyuan for his "loyalty and bravery, and outstanding achievements", and Princess Yanning for her "gentle and kind nature, and virtuous character". It said the two were "a match made in heaven, a perfect couple", and the marriage was specially granted and an auspicious date was chosen to complete the wedding, in order to demonstrate the royal grace and comfort the hearts of the subjects.
Only when the bright yellow imperial edict fell into his palm did Xie Jinglan suddenly come back to his senses.
The immense joy washed over his body like a tide, and a sour heat surged in his throat, causing An Yuanhou, who remained calm in front of thousands of troops, to become choked and speechless for a moment.
He stuffed a heavy red envelope that had been prepared long ago into the hands of the eunuch who was delivering the imperial edict.
Then he said loudly: "Today, everyone in the mansion will be rewarded!"
The servants were all cheering and congratulating the Marquis. The whole house was filled with joy, as if it was New Year's Day.
The old lady was grinning from ear to ear, holding little Xibao in her arms and calling him her darling.
Although Xiao Xibao didn't understand what "granted marriage" meant, he was also infected by the happy atmosphere when he saw everyone in the yard smiling. He clapped his chubby little hands and shouted in a baby voice, "Congratulations, Lord Marquis! Congratulations, Daddy!"
He had long been "bribed" by Xie Jinglan with various gadgets, and had been willingly calling him "Daddy" for a long time. The childish "Daddy" voice was almost the background noise in the mansion every day.
Amidst the whole mansion's jubilation, Xie Jinglan asked someone to prepare a generous gift and walked out with big strides. The wind raised by his robe was filled with his uncontrollable joy.
The first thing he had to do was to bribe the Imperial Observatory.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
