Xiao Yao had no idea that Tang Hao had come to Kyoto again, let alone when he left. When Xiao Yang was about to see his friend off, he learned from the waiter that he had left early in the morning when the city gates opened.
"Prince, do you think we should still follow Tang Hao?" The man covered in black knelt on the ground and asked for instructions.
"Send someone to escort him back to Suzhou safely!" Tang Hao had to go there in person when a letter could have solved the problem. Don't think you don't know what he's up to. Fortunately, the Xiao family was smart enough not to reveal Tang Hao's information to the little girl. Otherwise, humph! Even his own uncle wouldn't let him go so easily.
Ever since King Jing received Xiao Jingkang's promise, Yun Yichen has consciously classified the Xiao family as one of his new relatives and is ready to pay special attention to them, especially his uncles. Knowing more about them will only benefit him.
Tang Hao's problem has been solved, and now it's Xie Zhuoliang's turn. I hope the Xie family and the prince will become allies soon. After his sister successfully marries the prince, won't he return to Xuancheng?
Is he going to the Northern Jin Dynasty to support the king? Haha, by the time he arrives from the Northern Jin Dynasty, the little girl will have become his fiancée! Yun Yichen felt his blood boiling at the thought of this title.
It turns out that not only women value status, but sometimes men also need it.
"My Lord, this is from someone sent by His Royal Highness Prince Qi." Zhao Hai lowered his head and presented a letter with both hands.
"Hmm!" Yun Yichen gently picked up the envelope with two fingers. Zhao Hai bowed and retreated, not forgetting to close the door after leaving.
After reading his cousin's letter, Yun Yichen smiled faintly. He was just thinking about what to do about Xie Zhuoliang when his cousin delivered the good news. If Xie Zhuoliang was willing to follow his cousin's instructions during the court tomorrow, he would be able to complete his task ahead of schedule. This would give him a reason to go to the Xiao family, and then he would be able to see his little girl.
The more he thought about it, the happier he became. Yun Yichen couldn't help but tap the table with his fingers. The tune was "A Laugh in the Ocean", which Xiao Yao liked very much.
At the court the next day, Xie Zhuoliang kept his promise and bowed to apologize to Old Marquis Xiao in front of all the civil and military officials. His explanation was that he went to congratulate Old Marquis Xiao because he admired his reputation. He and Miss Xiao did not know each other, and the rumors in the streets were completely false.
Whether the ministers believed it or doubted it, they would not argue about such matters in the court.
"The eldest daughter of the Xiao family was personally commended by my decree. It's understandable that the common people, ignorant of the truth, spread a few rumors, but I don't understand why the officials' families are also involved. Are they dissatisfied with my decree, or do they have some ulterior motive?
I hope this matter ends here. If any rumors unfavorable to the eldest daughter of the Xiao family are spread, the royal family members will be handed over to the Ministry of Clan Affairs for handling, and ordinary officials will be handed over to the government for investigation and punishment.
In addition, I hereby grant Miss Xiao a pair of jade ruyi and ten pieces of tribute satin as a token of consolation."
After the emperor said this, he raised his eyebrows and looked at his nephew. "Uncle, you are really nice! When are you going to fulfill your promise?"
"Ahem." Yun Yichen glanced at the emperor and then looked away. He said he would fulfill his promise after he got married. Aren't you being too impatient?
Old Marquis Xiao had thought that punishing the Prince of Qi's Mansion and the He family was the best explanation for his family. Unexpectedly, within a few days, Tang Hao personally came to the capital to explain, Xie Zhuoliang apologized to him in court, and even the emperor unanimously supported his granddaughter. Happiness came too suddenly, and Old Marquis Xiao felt dizzy, and some couldn't believe that everything that had just happened was real.
"Your Majesty's grace is bestowed upon me by your humble servant Xiao Jingmin, on behalf of the Xiao family and my niece Xiao Yao." Xiao Jingmin lifted up his robe and knelt in the hall. He did not dare to look directly at the emperor, so he could only cast a grateful gaze towards Prince Jing and his son. The fact that his niece was able to restore her reputation must have been the result of the efforts of these two people. Without them, it would have been difficult for his niece to marry into a good family, let alone gain the emperor's praise.
It would be great if Prince Jing's Mansion was still interested in an alliance. Perhaps theirs is the only palace in Kyoto that can protect their niece from being wronged.
"Your servant Xiao Hu thanks the emperor for his grace." Old Marquis Xiao, who had just come to his senses, also knelt down to express his gratitude.
"My two beloved ministers, please stand up!" The emperor spoke again. Having been in an environment of intrigue and deception for many years, he envied and valued the relationship between the Xiao family members.
After the court session, Lord Xiao warmly invited King Jing and his son to have tea together.
"Let's get together when Grandpa and Brother Xiao have free time." King Jing thought to himself that he rarely saw the old marquis so proactive today. If he could still be so happy after knowing his son's feelings, he would wake up laughing in his sleep.
"You and your son will both honor me when the time comes! My memory is so poor that I've forgotten something very important. I wonder if the Emperor is free right now. I'll be leaving now." Old Marquis Xiao had another important matter to attend to during his court session today: he wanted to pass the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery to his eldest son, Xiao Jingkang. He'd forgotten about it in the excitement of his granddaughter's affairs, and it seemed he really should give up the throne.
The Xiao family welcomed two happy events today. The first was that the emperor personally inquired about Xiao Yao's situation and even gave her something as a reward. The second happy event was that from now on, Xiao Jingkang would be the new Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, and Xiao Yao would become the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery's eldest daughter, the true eldest daughter of the Marquisate.
"Today is worth celebrating. Let's ask the kitchen to prepare a few more delicious dishes tonight and let's all have a couple of drinks." The old man smiled, and his whole body exuded joy from the inside out.
Xiao Jingmin came close to his eldest brother and whispered to him that his father wanted to invite King Jing for tea. After listening to him, Xiao Jingkang looked at his old father again with a sympathetic look. He said, "How happy you are now, I'm afraid you will be as angry after you know the truth. I just don't know how long these happy days can last."
It was not until today that Xiao Yao found out what happened on the birthday party. After Qin and several elders took turns to comfort her, they all said that all the bad things were over and that the days to come would get better and better.
"Yeah!" Xiao Yao kept nodding and agreeing with the elders. It was hard for them to hide it from her while facing the rumors outside. They did so much to protect her, but she couldn't do anything. How sad!
"Tell your mother-in-law to prepare a generous gift someday, and the eldest daughter-in-law will take Ping An to Prince Jing's mansion to express her gratitude. If it weren't for the help from Prince Jing and his son, Ping An's case would never have been resolved in such a short time. It's a pity that Ping An has to embroider that stupid wedding dress for someone else, otherwise it would be better if she could personally make a set of clothes for Prince Jing and his wife to express her gratitude." The old man thought his idea was very good. It would be even better if he could take the opportunity to give the unsightly wedding dress to someone else to make.
"Ping'an, who did you embroider that wedding dress for?" This question has been lingering in Tong Mingyu's mind for a long time. If there hadn't been so many things going on at home recently, she would have asked it a long time ago.
The whole family looked at Xiao Yao, they also wanted to know the answer!
"Your Excellency... Madam, the princess has gone into labor and is expected to give birth soon." Nanny Zhang was still not used to using this new address to talk to her master, so she stuttered a little when she opened her mouth.
"Really? Let's go and take a look!" They didn't eat anymore and had no time to care about the wedding dress. Several women walked out together.
"The maid from the Princess's Mansion asked the eldest daughter to go as well." Everyone knows that the old man really wants another granddaughter or great-granddaughter! If the eldest daughter is there, maybe she can really bring a little girl with her! Anyway, Xiyue just wants her niece to be by her side. Seeing her in a good mood, maybe the baby will be born faster!
"Then let's go together." Xiao Yao quickly wiped her mouth and caught up with the people in front. The woman in labor was the most important at this time, and they had to find ways to satisfy her whatever she wanted.
After several people left the room, Xiao Yuan patted her chest and said, "When Fourth Aunt gave birth to A Yu, her screams were so scary that she scratched the maid's hands until they bled. I wonder if she will do the same to me later!"
"Why didn't you say so earlier!" The old man pushed the table away and followed him out with big strides. If the fourth son's wife dared to touch his granddaughter, the couple would never be able to set foot in the mansion of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery again.
"I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen." Xiao Jingtai shook Xiao Jingkang, who was stunned by the bad news from his niece and had not yet recovered.
"Let's go, what are we waiting for!" Xiao Jingmin held his eldest brother's other arm, and the two brothers dragged Xiao Jingkang out the door.
Although it is not convenient for men to enter the brother-in-law's yard, they can at least sit in the living room and wait for news!
Princess Xiyue's yard was in chaos at this time. Her sharp screams pierced the night sky. Xiao Yao conservatively estimated that at least everyone within a radius of 200 meters could hear it clearly.
Tong Mingyu walked into the delivery room and directed the servants and midwives. Xiao Jingyan dodged when he saw the reinforcements, as if the person giving birth inside was not his wife.
"Safe, safe." Princess Xiyue was fed up with seeing only her sister-in-law but not the little beauty. She had tried so hard to give birth to a grandson for the Xiao family, so why couldn't she even satisfy such a small request!
Xiao Yao was also reluctant to enter the delivery room. It would be fine if the other party was someone who could listen to reason, but when she met someone like Fourth Aunt who was so willful and did whatever she wanted, it would be strange if she wasn't worried that she would cause some trouble!
But in this situation, shouldn’t I do it myself?
"Ping'an is not allowed to go in." The old man came over breathlessly, trotting all the way. He didn't want to see his new grandson. He came here specifically to rescue his granddaughter.
"Old Marquis, you..." Qin didn't know what to say to her husband. A father-in-law should not enter his daughter-in-law's yard, let alone at this time when the daughter-in-law is giving birth. This man is really willful.
"Ping An, are you here?" Her husband refused to accompany her, so her niece couldn't run away too! Princess Xiyue, who was always anxious when she couldn't see a beautiful woman, set her sights on Xiao Yao today.
"You are not allowed to go." The old man simply reached out and grabbed his granddaughter, not allowing her to take a step forward.
So everyone in the yard listened to a man and a woman, one enthusiastically inviting, and the other trying desperately to stop her.
The thin girl looked at the delivery room and then at her grandfather. Who could tell her what to do?
"I'll go make some porridge for Fourth Aunt." If you can't afford to offend, just hide! Xiao Yao pretended not to hear Fourth Aunt's affectionate call and trotted to the kitchen.
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