The news about Le Yuanhou Mansion’s recovery of their legitimate daughter spread throughout the entire capital city instantly.
The whole of the capital was in uproar. What no one expected was that the war chaos 16 years ago, which had rendered countless common people homeless, had also caused such a noble daughter to descend into the ordinary ranks?!
"Did you hear? The legitimate daughter of Le Yuanhou Mansion fell among the common people and was finally found just yesterday! It’s said that she merely fell into a commoner’s family, what immense fortune and life for her to have survived. Now she can suddenly enjoy such large blessings, her life is truly without regrets!"
"Exactly, one moment she’s a mere peasant girl, the next moment she becomes the legitimate daughter of a Marquis Mansion! Why didn’t this happen to me?"
"Dream on! It was because she had the fate of a phoenix from the start. Us common folk shouldn’t even dream of such things!"
"Well, speaking of which, His Majesty just recently granted a marriage, wasn’t it between the Duan Family and Le Yuanhou Mansion? Now that the legitimate daughter of Le Yuanhou Mansion has been replaced, what will become of this marriage?!"
As soon as this was said, the crowd that had been in an uproar instantly boiled over, providing all new topics for after-dinner conversation.
The Duan Family was likewise stunned upon receiving the news.
The anxious Qingyun rushed into Duan Lan’s courtyard, shouting before even entering the residence, "Young Master, Young Master! Something major has happened, something major!"
Duan Lan sat nonchalantly by the window holding a jug of wine, taking in mouthfuls in succession. He was already slightly drunk but remained unfazed by Qingyun’s frantic shouts, drinking another mouthful of wine in an indifferent manner.
Qingyun was frantic and quickly climbed up the tower, and only then exclaimed, "Young Master, something major has happened!"
"What is it?" Duan Lan replied in a neither light nor stern tone, seemingly not angry.
Ever since he tried to see Ji Xinhe and had his last ray of hope shattered, he had been so transformed. Previously, he seldom drank, but now he couldn’t part with alcohol. He spent entire days sitting by the window, drinking until he lost consciousness and was carried down by Qingyun. Neither internal nor external affairs could arouse any interest in him.
Qingyun anxiously explained, "It’s about Le Yuanhou Mansion. It seems they only found out yesterday that Li Junyao was an impostor. The real legitimate daughter of the Marquis Mansion was lost amongst the ordinary folks. It appears she was switched sixteen years ago! They found her again yesterday!"
Duan Lan’s face revealed no surprise. He raised the jug and drank a large gulp, saying in a low voice, "Doesn’t it make no difference who I marry?"
As long as he cannot marry her, any other woman would mean nothing to him.
Qingyun cautiously probed, "Even if it’s Miss Ji?"
Duan Lan stiffened, a vague ominous premonition stirring in his heart. Turning his head abruptly towards Qingyun, he demanded, "What do you mean?"
"What I mean is, the Marquis’s legitimate daughter who has just been brought back to the mansion, is said to be Miss Ji······"
With a "thud", the wine jug in Duan Lan’s hand fell from the window sill and shattered into pieces. Duan Lan’s face reflected his shock, "What did you say?"
Qingyun repeated, "I was saying, the Marquis’s legitimate daughter who has just been brought back to the mansion seems to be Ji······"
Before Qingyun could finish speaking, Duan Lan leaped from the window, striding rapidly away.
"Young Master, where are you going?"
In the blink of an eye, Duan Lan’s figure had disappeared from sight.
He did not know how to describe his feelings at this moment. After all the roundabout turns, she had actually become his fiancee. His heart had started to despair and he had begun to think of giving up, but who could have foreseen such an unexpected turn bringing them back together again.
Duan Lan felt as if his heart, which seemed to have died, had revived once more. His sullen face, which had been dreary for several days, had now regained its unusual radiance.
Elder Master Duan came to find him and anxiously said, "Did you hear about what happened to Le Yuanhou Mansion? The Emperor has summoned you to the Palace, it seems it’s regarding this issue. Ah, this matter really is a coincidence - who would know that Li Junyao was an impostor? This involves your marriage now. The Emperor is in a dilemma but it is also a chance for you. If you really don’t want this marriage, you could use this opportunity to tell the Emperor. This marriage should be able to be nullified."
After all, who could accept the change of bride at this point?
Hearing this, Duan Lan simply pressed his lips together. His slightly drunk eyes became colder and he promptly said, "I will enter the Palace immediately."
The moment he said that, he strode out quickly.
Elder Master Duan chased after him, "What’s the hurry? Wait up, let’s go to the Palace together!"
——
The Duan family carriage raced towards the Palace all the way.
Upon reaching the entrance of the main hall, they unexpectedly bumped into Marquis Mu Houchu.
Elder Master Duan immediately bowed in salutation, "Is Sir Mu here for official business?"
Mu Houchu cast a glance at Duan Lan, his eyes cold, "Just a minor matter."
Seeing Mu Houchu, Duan Lan wasn’t surprised in the slightest. He knew he would come. That’s why he had hurried all the way trying to get ahead. He wouldn’t give him a second chance to control his fate.
A little eunuch announced loudly, "Sir Mu, Elder Duan, and Young Master Duan are announced!"
The three simultaneously entered the hall.
The Emperor had already been waiting inside the hall. Wearing everyday clothes and devoid of the imposing demeanour he usually carried in court, it was evident he meant to have a casual conversation.
"Long live the Emperor."
The Emperor smiled, "Rise. Sir Mu, why have you suddenly come to the Palace today? Is there an urgent matter?"
Mu Houchu’s eyes sank, and he flatly said, "Today I heard about the matter of the legitimate daughter of Le Yuanhou Mansion falling among the ordinary folks. I think this is a matter of great importance, so I came to the Palace specially."
The Emperor was slightly surprised, "You concern yourself with such matters too?"
"Indeed."
The Emperor then smiled and said, "It’s just as well. I summoned Elder Duan into the Palace also about this matter. Today I want to ask about the marriage that I had granted some days ago. Originally, it was between Duan Lan and Li Junyao. But who would have expected such a big change to occur suddenly. Li Junyao was expelled from the Hou Mansion and the daughter of the Marquis that had been living among the common people was also welcomed back into the Mansion. For a moment, I didn’t know what to do."
After all, "childhood sweethearts’ bonding was how the story should’ve been acknowledged". I forced a substitution for the bride on such short notice felt unfair. The gesture of the Emperor granting the marriage was mainly aimed at winning over the Duan family, and he knew he couldn’t proceed carelessly.
Mu Houchu bowed and said, "Majesty, I think that the initial marriage contract was between Young Master Duan and Li Junyao. Now that Li Junyao has been expelled from the Hou Mansion, then this marriage should be considered null and void."
The Emperor nodded thoughtfully, "I was also leaning towards that way of thinking."
Elder Master Duan was about to express his agreement excitedly.
However, Duan Lan stepped forward, his gaze intense, and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration. But I believe, since the initial marriage was arranged and the contract made was with the Eldest Miss of the Marquis Mansion, even if the persons are suddenly changed, the marriage contract still stands and shouldn’t be easily nullified. Especially, since Your Majesty’s Imperial Edict has been given, wouldn’t it be disrespectful to retract it now? As a subject, it is only right that I share in Your Majesty’s worries!"
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