Elder Master Duan looked terrified at his "loyal and righteous" son, questioning if he had turned foolish recently?!
The Emperor was taken aback, then suddenly feeling deeply touched.
Nevertheless, Marquis Mu Houchu stated: "Your Majesty, the past imperial decree of granting marriage was written to betroth Duan Lan to Li Junyao. Now that Li Junyao has been expelled from the Hou Mansion, Duan Lan, marrying this newly entered Hou mansion’s daughter, would conflict with the edict. It would seriously damage royal prestige. Thus this marriage should not take place under any circumstances."
The Emperor nodded, "What Marquis Mu said does make sense."
Duan Lan insisted: "Your Majesty, the imperial decree mentions Miss Li Junyao from Le Yuanhou’s family. As such, I only need to adhere to Your Majesty’s intention and marry Miss Li Junyao. If the previous Li Junyao was fake, then the just-returned girl is the real Miss Li Junyao from the Hou mansion. Since she is Li Junyao, how can Your Majesty’s decree be inconsistent? I think, an imperial edict is like destiny, it can’t be violated. The Duan Family is willing to follow the imperial edict!"
Having said that, he bowed and knelt on the ground, and pleaded: "I humbly request Your Majesty not to rescind the order. I am willing to obey the divine mandate!"
The Emperor quickly helped him up: "Your royal loyalty touches me, it truly is comforting. This marriage proposal was originally given to you. Since you insist and refuse to back down, I naturally cannot neglect your heartfelt intention."
Marquis Mu Houchu’s thin lips tightened, while his hand hidden in his sleeve clenched into a fist, fuming inside.
The matter had been decided, and there was no room for reversal.
The Emperor seemed relieved, apparently not considering it a big deal, and waved his hand: "So be it, then."
"Your servant takes his leave."
Marquis Mu Houchu’s expression was as cold as frost. He exited the Golden Throne Hall with Duan Lan, one after the other.
Halted in his steps, Mu Houchu’s sharp gaze fell on Duan Lan: "Do you think a marriage contract can tie her down?"
Duan Lan curled his lips, rendering a relaxed smile: "Better than nothing."
Marquis Mu Houchu looked at him, and his lips suddenly curled into a chilling smile: "Really? She wore a wedding dress for me. This marriage contract won’t make much of a difference."
At these words, Duan Lan’s smile faltered.
Elder Master Duan looked cluelessly at the two of them, muttering nonsensical words, obviously completely baffled by the situation.
Marquis Mu Houchu didn’t linger, he strode off.
Looking at Marquis Mu Houchu’s departing figure, Duan Lan’s temples throbbed, a wedding dress?
Just how much had passed between them?
With a stifled feeling in his heart, Duan Lan’s mood that had until just now been bright, darkened instantly due to Marquis Mu Houchu’s provocation. His always gentle eyes, soon acquired a chill.
"Lan’er, what happened to you today? You adamantly refused this marriage before, and now you had a good chance to break it off, so why..."
Duan Lan looked at Elder Master Duan and spoke in a heavy voice: "Since the marriage has already been arranged, there is absolutely no reason to change it. Since the wedding is in two months, our family should start preparing early."
Elder Master Duan was dumbfounded. Was his son really not ill?
——
When Marquis Mu Houchu walked out of the palace gate, his face was as cold as frost.
Ling Feng carefully asked: "Master, where are we going?"
"To Le Yuanhou Mansion."
"Yes!"
——
The mansion of Le Yuanhou.
Inside the Liuli Pavilion, the maids and servant women are busier than ever, moving things around, cleaning up, arranging furniture and decorations, constantly bustling in and out.
Only the inner room is somewhat quieter, where the old lady is tenderly holding Ji Xinhe’s hand. She speaks softly, "You didn’t want to live in the Shuyu Pavilion, even though it’s the best courtyard. So, I had to arrange for you to live in this Liuli Pavilion. Since it was rarely occupied, the furnishings are rather simple. I had people pick out some of the best items from my storehouse for you. If there’s anything you don’t like, just let me know, and I’ll have it changed."
Ji Xinhe looks at the old lady. She’s nearly sixty years old, her hair full of silver strands, yet she possesses an undeniable vigor. Her demeanor is composed and carries an aura of authority. However, when she speaks to Ji Xinhe, she’s as loving as any ordinary granny.
Ji Xinhe is touched and nods obediently, "Thank you, old lady."
"Why are you calling me an old lady? You’re my good grandchild. Just call me grandma, I can’t wait to hear it..." The old lady is becoming emotional, her eyes tearing up.
Seeing that she’s about to cry, Ji Xinhe quickly calls out, "Grandma."
The old lady laughs through her tears, "It’s all my fault, making you live outside for so many years. If your mother could see this from heaven, she would have been so worried!"
Ji Xinhe forces a smile, "It must be my mother’s spirit looking out for me from heaven that I’ve grown up safe and found my family. Grandma, there’s no need to feel sad."
Hearing those words, the old lady calms down a bit, "Yes indeed, your mother was very kind in her lifetime. The Heaven and Buddha must be blessing her."
Ji Xinhe had heard that the old lady and Lady Wu, the previous Lady of the Hou Mansion, got along very well as mother and daughter-in-law. Otherwise, the old lady wouldn’t be so affectionate towards Lady Wu’s child.
Facing such sincere affection, Ji Xinhe would be lying if she said she wasn’t moved. Maybe because they share a familial bond, she feels all the more warmth from them.
A servant woman approaches, reminding, "Old lady, it’s time for your afternoon nap. You didn’t sleep all night yesterday. If you don’t rest now, I’m afraid you won’t feel well."
Only then does the old lady let go of Ji Xinhe’s hand, saying, "But I can’t bear to part with my pitiful child."
Ji Xinhe smiles, "Grandma, go rest. When you wake up, I’ll accompany you for dinner. Your health is paramount."
"Yes, that’s right." Hearing that reassurance, the old lady feels relieved and finally at peace.
Finally, the old lady has left.
Ji Xinhe steps out of the room, sees the maids and servant women bustling around, and couldn’t be bothered to stay in the room. She decides to take a stroll in the garden.
Accepting all this so abruptly is still hard for her to digest. But after meeting Le Yuanhou and the old lady, witnessing their genuine affection towards her, she cannot help but accept it. After all, they share the same blood, and she can’t bear to reject them.
Ji Xinhe can’t help but smile. She spends so much time in this era that she’s softened a lot. From her big brother Xiao Bei to her family at the Le Yuanhou mansion, they all seem to make up for the lonely life she had led in her previous life.
Alone...
For some reason, she thinks of Mu Houchu. She recalls the dull and lonely figure he cut this morning when she left. Such an aloof person, does he ever feel lonely?
"How are you settling in the Hou Mansion?" A cool voice sounds from behind her.
Ji Xinhe regains her composure. She’s not surprised, after all, she’s used to his sudden appearances. Turning around, she asks him, "What brings you here?"
Mu Houchu looks at her puzzled expression, his earlier anger dissipated considerably. He gives a wry smile, "I missed you."
Just half a day, and he missed her.
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