Chapter 5: Imperial Decree Granting Marriage
In the front hall of the Yongchang Earl's Mansion, the lingering echo of that "So be it" was like cold water poured into boiling oil, instantly causing an uproar.
The servants' congratulations, her mother Madam Wang's suppressed sobs, and her father Su Wenqian's forced composure as he gave orders and bestowed rewards... all mingled together, buzzing in Su Wanrou's ears. She held the bright yellow, glaring imperial edict in her hands, feeling its weight almost too much to bear. Her fingertips touched the cool silk scroll, the sensation unusually clear, reminding her that this was not a dream.
"Rou'er, my dear Rou'er!" Madam Wang turned around and hugged her daughter tightly, her tears soaking Su Wanrou's clothes. "After all the suffering, now is the time for happiness! From now on, you will be the Duchess of the State. Let's see who dares to look down on our Yongchang Earl's Mansion!"
Su Wenqian looked at his wife and daughter, let out a long sigh of relief, and the gloom that had been weighing on his brow for days vanished, replaced by a radiant glow of triumph. He patted Su Wanrou's shoulder, his voice tinged with barely perceptible excitement: "Rou'er, this is an immense blessing, and a great fortune for you. From now on... you must behave well, be careful in your words and actions, and not let down the Emperor's grace and the Duke's high regard."
"Daughter... I understand," Su Wanrou replied softly, her voice trembling slightly. She raised her eyes and looked out of the hall. The sky seemed brighter than before, and even the branches and leaves of the old locust tree in the courtyard swayed in the wind with a festive air unlike any other.
The news of the imperial decree bestowing the marriage spread like wildfire throughout the capital. The once quiet alleyway in front of the Yongchang Earl's mansion was instantly transformed into a bustling marketplace. Relatives and old friends from all walks of life, even those from powerful families whom Su Wenqian would normally look up to, sent their stewards to offer their congratulations, piling exquisite gift boxes high at the gatehouse.
The servants in the mansion walked with an air of superiority, their backs ramrod straight, as if they were proud of themselves. Su Wanrou's residence, "Jasmine Garden," became the liveliest place in the entire mansion, with maids and servants coming in droves to curry favor with her.
"Miss, you didn't see it, even the wife of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel came in person, and they were extremely polite to her!"
"The madam said that the fabrics in the storeroom should be used by the young lady first, to make the most fashionable wedding dress for you!"
The lark chattered excitedly about what it had seen and heard outside, its little face flushed with excitement.
Su Wanrou sat before her dressing table, gazing at the youthful face and complex emotions reflected in the bronze mirror. She softly hummed in agreement, showing little joy. This sudden honor and excitement, like a layer of luxurious brocade, enveloped her inner unease and confusion. She knew all too well that this didn't stem from Su Wanrou herself, but from her status as the "fiancée of the Duke of Zhenguo."
"Miss, are you unhappy?" Yun Que noticed her silence and asked cautiously.
Su Wanrou shook her head, revealing a faint smile: "No, it's just...it feels a little unreal."
In stark contrast to the bustling and festive atmosphere of the Yongchang Earl's Mansion, the Songhe Hall of the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion was eerily quiet and oppressive.
Old Madam Liu lay reclining on the warm couch, her eyes closed, fiddling with a string of sandalwood prayer beads in her hand, but the rapid movement of her fingers betrayed her inner anxiety and anger. Zhao Yueru sat on the embroidered stool below, her handkerchief almost torn to shreds, her beautiful eyes red and swollen from crying.
“Aunt! Is there really no way? The imperial edict... can’t the imperial edict…” Zhao Yueru’s voice was hoarse, filled with unwilling despair.
"Shut up!" Old Madam Liu suddenly opened her eyes and shouted sharply, "How dare you question an imperial edict? Do you have a death wish?!"
Zhao Yueru was so frightened that she fell silent, and tears of grievance streamed down her face again.
Old Madam Liu took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart. She had planned everything, but she hadn't anticipated that Gu Yangui would act so swiftly and decisively! He had actually obtained an imperial decree! This completely severed any possibility of negotiation and clearly told everyone, including her, his aunt, that he was determined to get this marriage!
"Good, good indeed, Gu Yangui! He's truly my good nephew!" Old Madam Liu spat out the words through gritted teeth, her chest heaving violently. If she were to openly oppose the imperial decree now that it was issued, it would be disobeying the imperial order—a crime the entire Duke's mansion could not bear!
"Aunt, then... then what are we going to do? Are we just going to watch that little bitch walk into the house and ride roughshod over us?" Zhao Yueru sobbed.
A sinister glint flashed in Madam Liu's eyes. She slowly sat up straight, her Buddhist prayer beads gripped tightly in her hand: "Trying to bully others? Hmph, she's dreaming!"
She calmed down, her mind racing. She couldn't fight back, but there was plenty of time. A fifteen-year-old girl, all alone and helpless, in this treacherous Duke's mansion, wasn't she completely at her mercy?
"Yueru, listen to me carefully." Old Madam Liu's voice was low and cold. "From now on, stop your tears and complaints. The imperial decree has been issued, and Su Wanrou is the rightful future Duchess. You must show the proper etiquette! Especially in front of Yan Gui and Mingxuan, you must act magnanimously and virtuously, understand?"
Zhao Yueru nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.
"As for the future..." Old Madam Liu's lips curled into a cold smile, "She is indeed the mistress of the house, but which of the affairs of this mansion, big or small, isn't managed by the old folks who have been running it for many years? Mingxuan has grown up by my side since she was a child, and she relies on me more than anyone else. She, a little girl who has just arrived, wants to interfere? I'm afraid she will find it difficult to move an inch!"
She paused, then instructed her trusted nanny, Zhang: "Go and check the keys and tags of the storeroom again. Also, tell all the stewards that there will be a happy occasion in the mansion soon, and everything will proceed as usual, but for any important matters, they must report to me first."
"Yes, Madam." Zhang Mama bowed in response.
Old Madam Liu closed her eyes again, slowing the pace of her prayer beads, her usual composed demeanor vanishing. The imperial edict had blocked her direct path, but she still had countless hidden strategies. Ultimately, she was still in charge of the Duke's mansion's inner court! Did Su Wanrou want to secure her position as the mistress of the house? They'd have to see if she had the ability!
The outer study of the Duke of Zhenguo's residence.
Gu Yangui listened to Gu Qing's report on the Yongchang Marquis's reaction after receiving the imperial decree, as well as the movements of various parties in the capital.
"After receiving the imperial decree, Miss Su did not seem overjoyed; instead, she appeared somewhat...dazed and uneasy. The Yongchang Marquis's residence is now bustling with visitors, and Marquis Su and his wife are beaming with delight," Gu Qing reported truthfully.
Gu Yangui tapped his fingers lightly on the rosewood desk, producing a dull sound. His unease… was pretty much what he'd expected. That seemingly delicate and timid little girl was probably feeling incredibly anxious.
"What about Songhetang?" he asked, his tone indifferent.
"After receiving the news, the old lady secluded herself at home. Miss Zhao... cried. However, the old lady has already sent word to all parties to prepare for the wedding, and everything should be done according to etiquette," Gu Qing replied cautiously.
A hint of mockery flashed in Gu Yangui's eyes. His aunt was the most pragmatic of all. On the surface, she would never go against the emperor's will.
"How is Mingxuan?"
Mentioning the young master, Gu Qing's face lit up with a genuine smile: "The young master is very happy. He keeps asking when his new mother will arrive, and he even found his favorite nine-linked rings, saying he wants to give them to his new mother as a gift."
Gu Yangui's cold, hard lips finally softened slightly. Mingxuan's approval was even smoother and more complete than he had expected. This made him feel that his decision was correct.
"Sir, please take a look at the betrothal gift list for the ceremony in three days." Gu Qing presented a thick list of gifts.
Gu Yangui glanced at the list of gifts; it was extremely lavish, far exceeding the usual customary gifts for a duke marrying a second wife, almost comparable to the wedding of his first wife. Gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, silks and leather goods... a dazzling array, enough to show how much the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion valued this marriage.
"Add to that pair of gold and kingfisher feather hairpins with lotus and begonia designs, and the box of South Sea pearls I received the other day," Gu Yangui said casually. The hairpins were a gift from the palace, exquisitely crafted, and the pearls were round and lustrous, perfect for a young girl her age.
Gu Qing was slightly taken aback, then replied, "Yes." In her heart, however, she thought to herself, "Master seems to care quite a bit about this future wife."
"Go and prepare." Gu Yangui waved his hand.
Silence returned to the study. Gu Yangui walked to the window, watching the servants busily decorating the courtyard with festive ribbons. The betrothal ceremony would be held in three days, followed by the auspicious date selection, the wedding date setting... the wedding day was probably not far off.
He was about to marry a girl fifteen years his junior, practically a stranger. This marriage began with a sense of responsibility, with consideration for Mingxuan, but at this moment, he felt little resistance; instead, there was a faint hint of... anticipation?
I look forward to seeing how those clear, almond-shaped eyes will shine after she becomes the mistress of this mansion. I hope Mingxuan can enjoy the true warmth of maternal love by her side.
As for other things, such as romantic feelings… Gu Yangui shook his head slightly, suppressing that unfamiliar flutter of excitement. He'd just have to wait and see. At least, he would give her the respect and protection she deserved, allowing her to live peacefully in the Duke's mansion.
Yongchang Earl's Mansion, Jasmine Garden.
The commotion eventually subsided. In the stillness of the night, Su Wanrou dismissed her attendants and sat alone by the lamp. On the dressing table lay the bright yellow imperial edict, next to which was the preliminary dowry list that her mother had just sent.
She reached out, her fingertips gently tracing the delicate cloud patterns on the imperial edict. This scroll of silk determined the fate of her later life.
She thought of that stern and aloof man. What kind of husband would he be? Would he treat her well? Or would it be merely because she was suitable to be Mingxuan's mother? Thinking of that obedient yet sensitive child, her heart softened a little. At least, Mingxuan liked her.
"Miss, are you still not resting?" Yun Que tiptoed in and draped a coat over her shoulders. "It's late, be careful not to catch a cold."
"Yun Que, I'm a little scared," Su Wanrou said softly, revealing her true vulnerability in front of outsiders for the first time.
"What are you afraid of, Miss?" Yun Que squatted down and looked up at her. "The Duke is a great hero, and he has feelings for you. The young master also likes you. From now on, you will be the incomparably noble Duchess, and no one will dare to bully us anymore!"
Su Wanrou looked at the little maid's innocent and hopeful face, smiled, and offered no explanation. What she feared wasn't being bullied, but rather that she couldn't bear the burden of being "the Duchess of the State," feared the undercurrents within that grand mansion, feared… that she would ultimately disappoint the man who had given her protection and the title.
"Yes, the Duke is a hero," she repeated softly, as if trying to encourage herself. She remembered his heroic figure when he saved her, and his protectiveness in the Imperial Garden. Such a powerful man, perhaps... could also be her support?
She picked up the dowry list her mother had sent, which listed the land, shops, and gold and silver jewelry that the Earl's family had prepared for her with all their might. She knew that this had almost emptied the already meager resources of the Earl's family. Her parents hoped that she would marry in style and have the confidence to stand firm in the Duke's mansion.
She couldn't let her parents down, nor could she... betray that imperial decree, or that man's seemingly casual yet incredibly weighty "looks very good."
Su Wanrou took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the unease and confusion in her heart. She opened her makeup box and took out the pair of warm, lustrous mutton-fat jade bracelets that Gu Yangui had sent. The jade bracelets were warm to the touch, with a restrained luster, just like that man, cold on the outside, but perhaps... hiding a trace of barely perceptible tenderness inside?
She carefully put the jade bracelet back on her wrist, and the size was surprisingly perfect. The cool jade against her skin brought a strange sense of calm.
"Lark, grind the ink for me," she said softly.
"Does Miss wish to have her calligraphy done?"
"Hmm." Su Wanrou walked to the desk and spread out a sheet of Xuan paper. "I want to copy a few pages of the Heart Sutra."
Perhaps, with the company of ancient books and the fragrant aroma of ink, she could gradually calm her chaotic mind. From the moment she received the imperial decree, she was no longer the naive and pampered young lady of the Yongchang Marquis's mansion, Su Wanrou. She was the future mistress of the Zhenguo Duke's mansion, and she had to grow up quickly, learn to be strong, and learn to take responsibility.
As night deepened, the lights in Jasmine Garden remained on late into the night. On the window paper, the slender figure of a young girl was reflected, intently and serenely writing at her desk. Outside, the evening breeze rustled through the jasmine bushes, carrying a delicate fragrance that seemed to silently offer her strength and blessings.
With this imperial decree, the gears of fate have begun to turn completely. Whether the road ahead is thorny or blossoming, no one knows. But at this moment, this fifteen-year-old girl is gathering her courage in her own way, preparing to face her unknown future, which is already destined to be closely intertwined with that man.
End of Chapter 5
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