Gazing deeply at his wife, Shao Mingyi’s eyes were filled with tenderness and resolution as he respectfully turned towards the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, my wife has always been humble and virtuous. If it were not a matter of necessity, she would never have been at odds with anyone. Please forgive her transgressions! I am willing to bear all consequences."
Chu Dieyi knelt alongside Shao Mingyi to plead for mercy.
Yang Mengchen nodded slightly.
Shao Mingyi was indeed a responsible man, and Chu Dieyi would surely find happiness in marrying him.
Gently holding his beloved wife’s hand, Long Xuanmo whispered softly into her ear, "Ah Jiu, your husband is also a man of responsibility!"
Glancing sideways at Long Xuanmo, Yang Mengchen’s eyes brimmed with tenderness, her lips curling into a soft, water-like gentle smile.
Naturally, Long Xuanmo was in good spirits, his dark eyes like the sun, moon, and stars, gleaming brilliantly with passionate love that made Yang Mengchen irresistibly intoxicated.
Long Yanrou was so angry that she trembled all over, biting her lips tightly to keep from uttering curses, her heart filled with towering hatred.
The crowd was stunned, not anticipating the soldiers from the border and their families to be so diligent, resilient, and fearless. Those who had previously looked down on Chu Dieyi now felt shame, their faces turning red, while the warriors either felt deeply moved or ashamed and remorseful.
For a moment, the entire Imperial Garden was silent, Chu Dieyi’s words deeply thought-provoking.
Yang Mengchen applauded and praised, "Madam Shao spoke well!"
Snapping out of their stupor, the crowd began to clap, showing at least on the surface their reverence and admiration for the border soldiers and their families.
"There is a reason for everything, and We certainly won’t blame Beloved Shao and Lady Xian!" the Emperor said with a smile, "By imperial decree, Shao Mingyi is to be promoted to First Rank Assistant National General for his loyal heart and outstanding military achievements. Madam Chu Dieyi, for her fair character and loyal heart, as well as her valiant and virtuous conduct, is specially granted the title of First Rank Virtuous Lady!"
The Emperor had previously employed tactics to control Madam Chu in order to restrain Shao Mingyi, but now due to Jiujiu, his daughter-in-law, his disposition had grown much warmer. Before, Madam Chu’s lowly background led to Shao Mingyi’s repeated requests for an imperial decree on her behalf being denied by the Imperial Court. But now the imperial decree was being granted on this evening. Shao Mingyi and his wife would undoubtedly be grateful and more loyal to the Imperial Court.
"Your servants (Your servant’s wife) thank Your Majesty for your great grace, may the Emperor live for ten thousand, ten thousand, countless years!" Shao Mingyi and Chu Dieyi knelt again to express their gratitude.
The Emperor waved his hand, and the couple stood and returned to their places.
The expressions of those present varied.
Long Yanrou’s beautiful face twisted in ferocity, her eyes flashing with dark, venomous light, overwhelmed with uncontrollable jealousy. How could this low-born woman have such a good husband and obtain such a noble status? Why? Unfortunately, she was helpless as things stood and could only withdraw, filled with resentment and bitterness.
Seeing Long Yanrou step back, Yang Mengchen abruptly asked, "If the Princess has not forgotten, at a banquet more than half a year ago, Princess Yanrou had publicly knelt and begged to marry Crown Prince Meng of Qing’an Country to become the Crown Princess Consort. How come now you are willing to tear apart Deputy General Shao’s marriage and publicly request to marry Deputy General Shao?"
Upon hearing this, Long Yanrou was in a dilemma whether to stay or leave, standing there with a pale and flustered expression, looking helplessly pitiful like a tearful, beautiful damsel in distress. However, no one present felt sympathy or pity for her; instead, they all wore expressions of mockery and disdain.
Prince Ke and his son simultaneously despised Yanrou for bringing shame upon herself, and resented Princess Chen for kicking someone when they were down. But because Princess Chen had a powerful protector, they were completely powerless.
"Clinging to Crown Prince Meng without success, and now clinging to General Shao, truly shameless!" Said Higuirre, who also disliked the person her sister despised: "Even in our tribes, not to mention Dong Chu being the land of propriety, even the lowest female slave wouldn’t steal another’s man, right, Princess Yanrou? You truly bring shame upon us women!"
"Lir, show some respect!" Laksh scolded his daughter in a stern voice, though there was not a trace of blame in his tone, and had he genuinely meant to chastise her, he wouldn’t have waited until she finished speaking.
Sticking out her little pink tongue, Higuirre said no more, but she secretly winked at Yang Mengchen, her eyes twinkling with slyness and mirth.
Yang Mengchen responded with an appreciative smile, and Higuirre beamed so broadly that her teeth showed but her eyes didn’t.
"If Princess Yanrou does not wish to clear Princess Chen’s confusion, Princess Chen will not insist," said Yang Mengchen indifferently. "Princess Chen recalls that Princess Yanrou volunteered to marry Crown Prince Meng to foster eternal goodwill between the two countries. Now, Princess Yanrou is asking to marry General Shao herself; what is the reason for this?"
Before Long Yanrou could reply, Yang Mengchen continued, "Princess Yanrou said that seeing General Shao today has stirred feelings in her, is that right? Indeed, General Shao is not only capable, but also valiant. Yet there are many similarly talented and handsome men; why did Princess Yanrou set her sights solely on General Shao, a married man?
You shouldn’t say it’s to help the Emperor win over General Shao, because General Shao is utterly loyal to the Emperor and would never betray him, even without Princess Yanrou’s involvement, right?"
Most people bowed their heads, chuckling under their breath; Princess Yanrou was indeed shameless, otherwise, she wouldn’t have coveted Crown Prince Meng, and now forcefully pursued General Shao.
Those with perceptive minds caught the underlying message in Yang Mengchen’s words and couldn’t help but ponder.
The Emperor’s pupils contracted, and he instantly became alert, a cold and dark glint flashing in the depths of his obsidian eyes, his lips pressed tightly into a straight line.
Everyone knew that he intended for Shao Mingyi to replace the Eldest Imperial Brother, so control over the three hundred thousand Yulin Army would effectively lie in Shao Mingyi’s hands. At this point, was Princess Yanrou – or rather, the Ke Prince Mansion – intending for her to marry Shao Mingyi just because of Princess Yanrou’s admiration for him? Or was there something else...?
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