A long string of praise followed that Qi Xiaolong couldn’t remember. She only caught the final part: …is hereby bestowed in marriage to Heir Wei Qingchen of the Jingyuan Marquis Mansion as his primary and legal wife. The two families shall choose an auspicious date to complete the marriage, forming an eternal union as good as Qin and Jin.
This was… an Imperial Edict from His Majesty the Emperor granting the marriage???
How much face was this worth?
Qi Xiaolong was dumbstruck. Hearing Marquis Wei and Prince Heng kowtow and shout, “We thank His Majesty for the imperial grace!” she hurriedly joined in, calling out, “Long live, long live, long live the Emperor!”
The stewardess beside her helped her to her feet. The eunuch offered congratulations to Madam Chu and then turned to Wei Huaishu. “Congratulations, Marquis. The edict for the Heir left the palace at the same time as mine; it should have already reached your mansion by now.”
Wei Huaishu laughed heartily and invited the eunuch inside for tea. He had originally thought it would be an auspicious decree from the Empress Dowager, but who would have guessed it turned out to be an Imperial Edict from His Majesty himself? His wife had truly earned him face.
Qi Xiaolong had finally recovered her wits by now. She hurriedly ordered a top-grade reward pouch brought over and presented it, beaming with a face full of smiles. “Thank you for your trouble, esteemed sir. Please have some tea.”
The eunuch, respecting the General’s Mansion’s authority, accepted the Chu family’s gift and offered a string of auspicious blessings.
It was a joy for all.
At the Jingyuan Marquis Mansion, Wei Qingchen had indeed also received the Imperial Decree. The Grand Princess hadn’t yet returned, so Old Madam Wei led her to receive the edict.
After seeing the eunuch official off, the Old Titled Lady leaned on her cane, beaming. She turned to look at her grandchild still holding the edict, but whose expression seemed somewhat heavy, lost in thought.
“Is this unhappiness? Or are you so overjoyed you haven’t come back to your senses yet?”
The Old Titled Lady smiled as she came over to take her hand. Wei Qingchen quickly moved to support her grandmother. Grandmother and grandchild walked slowly together, arm in arm. The Old Titled Lady chattered along the way, and Wei Qingchen nodded in agreement. This marriage was one she had chosen herself; how could there be any reason for unhappiness? She was simply too happy, still walking in the clouds.
Only when the Old Titled Lady heard this did she finally feel relieved.
Wei Qingchen escorted her grandmother back to the South Courtyard. Maids brought tea and snacks. She stayed and ate a couple of bites, and when the old lady had settled for her midday rest, she took her leave. Looking at the sky, she hurriedly went to the stables in a fluster, took a horse, and without waiting to bring her page, rode off by herself.
Inside the main room of the Chu Family Manor, the two Chu sisters, Mingxi and Mingyu, were gathered around their mother, chatting merrily and sharing some intimate words. It was nearly time to light the lamps when a servant suddenly came to report that Heir Wei of the Marquis Mansion had arrived. All three were quite surprised.
After a brief pause, Chu Mingyu was the first to laugh out loud. “Is brother-in-law so impatient that he’s come to discuss the wedding date with sister already?”
Even Chu Mingxi, whose composure was normally as steady as jade, couldn’t help but blush. She spat, “What utter nonsense you’re spouting!”
Qi Xiaolong, embracing her, also laughed. “It’s getting late. You two sisters just stay in the room. I’ll go see what this is about.”
Chu Mingxi steadied her nerves and stood. “I should go have a look. It might be something important.”
Chu Mingyu was about to wag her tongue again but was given a swat by her mother, causing her to shut her mouth, giggling.
Ignoring her now, Chu Mingxi took her personal maids and walked gracefully out. She stopped before the spirit screen wall and touched her cheeks. Her face was still rather warm. She composed herself. It was rather dark already; surely it wouldn’t be noticeable.
The front hall was already lit, casting the silhouette of a tall, slender figure. Chu Mingxi stepped forward. As she looked up, she saw her own shadow right beside that jade-like person’s shadow. The flickering lamplight made them look as if they were standing hand in hand.
The door opened and closed. Chu Mingxi walked into the bright hall. In the lamplight, she saw that young noble with clear eyes and handsome features.
Without knowing when it started, this person had gradually become more and more familiar in her heart, bit by tiny bit.
Wei Qingchen had paced a few steps inside the room. Hearing a sound, she turned around to see Chu Mingxi right there before her, a beauty as flawless as jade. She straightened her clothing, hid the anxiety in her eyes, and bowed with a cupped fist. “Miss Chu.”
“Heir Wei.” Chu Mingxi was already perfectly composed and returned the greeting gracefully.
As was customary, a junior maid came forward to serve tea. Yining, seeing that her Miss had no other instructions, did not withdraw but instead went to stand respectfully behind her Miss.
Wei Qingchen seemed to have a mind full of worries. She took a sip of tea, glanced up at Chu Mingxi, then put the cup down again. She stood up and gave another very proper, formal bow.
Chu Mingxi didn’t move, simply using her eyes to question: What is this for?
Wei Qingchen, sounding quite hesitant, said, “Today, at home, I received His Majesty’s Imperial Edict. I suspect… Miss Chu has also received it.”
A faint blush touched Chu Mingxi’s cheeks. Holding her teacup, she gave a noncommittal “Mm.”
Wei Qingchen paused, lowering her eyes. “This… was not my original intention.”
“Not your original intention?” Chu Mingxi raised an eyebrow.
“I didn’t know there would be an Imperial Edict like this. Nobody in the family mentioned it to me beforehand.” Wei Qingchen straightened her posture, looking at her under the lamplight. “I never thought of coercing you in this manner. I… I never intended to put you in a difficult position.”
“You came all this way, at this hour, just for this?”
“Ah?” Wei Qingchen’s train of thought was completely derailed. She paused in slight confusion before honestly replying, “Yes. As soon as I received the edict, I rushed right over. I was afraid you might misunderstand.”
In her clear eyes, a trace of anxiety rippled. All the words she desperately wanted to explain seemed, for a moment, unable to find a starting point.
How could there be someone like this, with a heart so transparent it was almost childlike, every emotion written plain in her eyes? Chu Mingxi’s fingertip traced the patterns on the bottom of her teacup. The tea she had just drunk warmed her heart. A tiny smile touched the corner of her lips as she nodded. “I understand.”
“So…”
“It’s getting dark. You should head back early, Heir.”
“Ah? But I…” Wei Qingchen took a step forward, her clear eyes blinking with pure innocence.
Chu Mingxi didn’t let her finish. She rose, gave her a curtsy, and with that hint of a smile, gracefully departed the hall.
Wei Qingchen stood by the corner table, still stunned. The Head Maid Yining had already moved to wait by the door. “Heir Wei, please go back now.”
The sky had already darkened. The birds in the courtyard chirped softly, likely returning to their nests.
The Chu Manor had only accepted the betrothal today; it truly wasn’t proper for her to stay too late. Wei Qingchen gathered her spirits and began to walk out. She just didn’t know if her words today had actually cleared things up.
“Heir.”
Just as she walked past the front courtyard, she heard someone call her. She turned back to see the Head Maid from before hurrying after her.
“Heir Wei.” Yining gave a quick curtsy, a smile on her face. “Night is falling, and riding might be inconvenient. The manor has prepared a carriage. If you don’t mind, please take the carriage back home.”
As she spoke, she guided Wei Qingchen down a branching side path. Unlike other families’ flower and plant arrangements, the Chu family’s courtyards were planted with many medicinal herbs. In the dusky twilight, their subtle fragrance wafted in the air, much like the scent from Chu Mingxi’s sleeve. Wei Qingchen couldn’t help but glance at them a couple more times.
When they reached the carriage park, as expected, a coachman was waiting with a carriage by the door. Wei Qingchen had not brought her page and was helped into the carriage by the coachman. As the carriage curtain fell, she heard Yining laugh from outside, reminding her: “On the side table are freshly made pastries. The Miss said to invite you, Heir, to sample our manor chef’s skills.”
The carriage started off at a brisk trot. On the small side table was a deep red food box. Wei Qingchen opened the lid. The soft, glutinous fragrance of Purple Rice Cake wafted up to her nose. She picked up a piece to look at it, and just then, her stomach very appropriately growled twice, “Gurgle gurgle.”
After seeing the Heir off, Yining returned to report. By then, Chu Mingxi was already in her room, looking over the account books. Chu Mingyu, under the pretext of learning to read the accounts, had openly come to gossip. With her elder sister’s lips so tightly sealed, she had finally managed to catch this maid. She pounced and immediately started pestering Yining with questions.
Yining, seeing that the Eldest Miss wasn’t stopping her, smiled and recounted everything that had happened out front.
Chu Mingyu exclaimed in amazement, “This Heir Wei is so strange! An Imperial Edict granting marriage—what immense honor that is! Anyone else would be shouting it from the rooftops all over the capital. But him? He rushes right over to tell you it wasn’t his original intention?”
Chu Mingxi turned a page of her account book and didn’t answer her.
Accustomed to her sister’s cold demeanor, Chu Mingyu didn’t mind. She turned her head back to Yining. “Don’t you think so?”
Yining stood by the writing desk, grinding ink for her young mistress while smiling. “I suppose it’s because the Heir cares too much for the Eldest Miss. He can’t bear the thought of the Eldest Miss suffering even the slightest grievance—not even a grievance from the Son of Heaven.”
“Wow! So that’s how it is!” Chu Mingyu’s eyes widened, convinced it was true. She then looked from her sister to the maid, her head tilted, lost in her own thoughts.
Chu Mingxi cast a glance at Yining, her eyes carrying a hint of warning. Yining only smiled, lowering her head to focus intently on grinding the ink.
