The expression on Marquis Mu Houchu’s face didn’t fluctuate in the slightest, showing that this was within his expectations. The emperor, in order to contain the critics and avoid tarnishing his name as ungrateful, would definitely reward him with some form of consolation, even if he took away his power. Mu Houchu proposed to go to Lanshan City, hence it was natural for the emperor to think of granting him some land and a title.
Even if everyone knows that this is a demotion under the guise of a promotion, as long as outsiders know that the emperor treats "meritorious officials" with tolerance and kindness, that would suffice.
All of this was within expectations.
Mu Houchu said: "Thank you for the emperor’s award."
The emperor felt much relieved at this moment, a smile beginning to spread across his face: "When do you plan to leave the capital?"
But Mu Houchu replied: "This subject wishes to leave the capital as soon as possible, but I have not yet married Li Xinhe from Le Yuanhou Mansion. It is indeed difficult for me to leave. The wedding is in a month, and I am really helpless."
The emperor waved his hand dismissively: "This is a small matter! Your wedding preparations have been ongoing for two months now, so they should be nearly complete. It’s pointless to delay it any longer. I will issue an edict immediately to set the wedding for seven days from now. What do you think?"
A subtle hint of a smile played around the corner of Mu Houchu’s lips. "Thank you, Emperor."
——
The imperial edict for the emperor-granted marriage was quickly delivered to Le Yuanhou Mansion.
Le Yuanhou hasn’t even recovered his senses yet, when he saw the imperial edict delivered to him.
"A... a wedding grant? In seven days?!" Le Yuanhou’s eyes widened, he almost lost his breath.
Xinhe blinked her eyes secretly. She now understood what the reassuring look Mu Houchu gave her in the morning meant. So, this man had even calculated this matter.
He was probably afraid that Le Yuanhou would back out of the wedding.
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and accept the edict." Eunuch Lin said cheerfully: "Miss Li is really fortunate to marry Prince Pingyang."
Xinhe was taken aback: "Prince Pingyang?"
"Miss Li may not know yet. The emperor issued a decree this morning, appointing Mu Xiang as the Prince of Pingyang and granted him Yu State as his fiefdom!"
Xinhe murmured: "Yu State? Lanshan City, Lian’an Town."
Had he already arranged everything so early? Didn’t he deceive her?
"Exactly! This is one of the very few occurrences where a non-royal has become a prince throughout the history of the Da Qian Dynasty! Now that he has received this reward, Miss Li will have to follow Prince Pingyang to his fiefdom after your wedding!"
"What?!" Le Yuanhou’s eyes widened in shock.
Eunuch Lin smiled, handed the imperial edict to Xinhe, and then left.
Le Yuanhou hurriedly said to Xinhe: "What is going on here? Why is he going to Yu State? Such a remote place... Following him there, won’t you suffer hardship?"
Xinhe helped him stand up: "The incident of my assassination attempt on Concubine Shen yesterday was actually a frame-up. He relinquished his power in exchange for my safety. The emperor, perhaps in an attempt to appease public sentiment, granted him a title and a remote place, asking him to stay away."
Le Yuanhou’s face turned a shade paler again. It was indeed difficult for Mu Houchu to do all of this for Xinhe.
Xinhe continued: "As for suffering, that’s nonsense. That’s where my hometown used to be. He chose that place as his fiefdom, surely he did it for me."
Le Yuanhou was taken aback for a moment before he remembered that Xinhe was originally from Lian’an Town in Lanshan City.
Mu Houchu did all this just for her?
Xinhe helped him sit down: "Dad, given the current situation, we indeed don’t have a lot of freedom. But I know that he truly cares for me. We have come this far and there is no turning back. The wedding date set for seven days later is perhaps his personal desire, but it can also be said that the emperor wants him to leave as soon as possible."
If the emperor didn’t want him to leave the capital early, why would he bring forward the wedding date by a month?
The expression on Le Yuanhou’s face eased a little, but he was still frowning at the thought of the trouble this would entail: "But Xinhe, you don’t know, living with such a person, I’m afraid, would mean a lifetime of unease!"
Mu Houchu’s character is one thing, but a man who’s constantly living on the edge, anyone associated with him wouldn’t have a peaceful life.
Le Yuanhou’s resistance to this marriage was not without reason.
Xinhe said stolidly: "He has done so much for me, sacrificed so much. Since I’m determined to be with him, I naturally have to face these dangers with him. What he has sacrificed for me is far greater than what I have sacrificed for him."
Only then did Le Yuanhou sigh: "Oh well, what’s the point of me saying anything more? In the end, it’s up to you. Besides, the emperor’s decree has already been issued. The wedding date set for seven days later can’t be postponed."
Xinhe smiled and said: "Thank you, father!"
She knew that Le Yuanhou’s saying this meant he had accepted the situation.
"Well, I will tell the people to hurry up with the preparations for your wedding. After all, the wedding date has suddenly been advanced and there are many things to rush. Regardless, we can’t skimp on my daughter’s only wedding." As Le Yuanhou spoke, his eyes began to redden: "I heard that you have relatives in Lian’an town. This time as you head there with Marquis Mu, there will be people to look after you. I can rest a bit easier."
Xinhe nodded: "Don’t worry, father. I’ll be fine."
——
After speaking reassuring words to Le Yuanhou, Xinhe returned to her own glazed tower.
Every time she entered the glazed tower, she couldn’t help but feel different emotions. When she came to the capital three months ago, she thought she would just be a passerby. But after being spotted by Mu Houchu, she realized that it would be impossible for her to leave this place in this lifetime. As long as this man was here, how could she leave?
But what she never expected was that, after twists and turns, she would eventually return to where she started. She couldn’t describe how she felt about returning to Yangluo Bay. Naturally, she was happy, but she also wasn’t at ease. She worried that Mu Houchu would face danger because of this. He only told her briefly and didn’t explain in detail, so she wasn’t very clear. Now, all she could do was trust him.
——
The Prime Minister’s Mansion.
"Master!" Ling Feng dashed in, his face filled with a hint of joy, "Master, the palace just sent word that Elder Duan indeed thinks highly of Chen Hanliang’s talent and has recommended him to the emperor. The emperor was very pleased after examining him and directly appointed him as the head of the Dali Temple! The Dali Temple has finally fallen into Chen Hanliang’s hands!"
Mu Houchu’s expression was indifferent: "And then?"
This was within his expectations, there was nothing to be surprised at.
"Chen Hanliang took the opportunity to recommend the few people that the master had arranged earlier to the emperor. After the emperor checked their backgrounds, he was very pleased and commented that they were outstanding talents that had been overlooked. All of them must be made use of!" Ling Feng said.
"Good job," Mu Houchu said, "Next, there is another important thing."
"Master, please instruct!"
"The wedding in seven days."
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