readytorunbook Chapter 372 Imperial Edict of Marriage
Chapter 372 Imperial Edict of Marriage
Chapter 372 Imperial Edict Granting Marriage
“My brother has a daughter who is both beautiful and talented, and is very good at managing household affairs. You have met her before; she is Yanran.” Consort Zheng kept looking at Shen Li’s expression as she spoke, trying to understand her thoughts through her reactions.
However, Shen Li remained expressionless and still asked, "May I refuse?"
"Shen Qing, this is His Majesty's will. He only asked me to inform you because he cares about you." Consort Zheng's expression also became serious when she heard that Shen Qing did not agree: "Shen Qing, do not disappoint His Majesty's good intentions."
Shen Li understood that even if she and Gu Chang'an did not agree, the imperial decree of marriage would still be sent to the Gu family.
Moreover, Consort Zheng would never dare to make this decision alone; it must have been approved by the Emperor.
These old fogies wanted to play a big game with her in the Gu family, and she was just a pawn in their game.
Who cares about the feelings of chess pieces?
Peony was so angry she wanted to hit someone. She felt that her young lady should not have come back to this cannibalistic capital. She should have been a mountain queen outside and enjoyed a carefree life.
"Your subject understands," Shen Li replied slowly.
Seeing that she had no expression throughout, Consort Zheng was also unsure of herself, so she smiled again: "Isn't that good? His Majesty and I are both doing this for the good of you young people, right?"
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty and Your Highness." Shen Li stood up to express her gratitude.
Peony was anxiously watching from the side, saying, "Please refuse, Miss! Why don't you just say no?"
The Gu family is doing just fine, so what is Zheng Yanran doing marrying into the family? Isn't this slapping their young lady in the face in front of everyone?
How can I possibly express my gratitude!
"Shen Qing... has agreed?" Consort Zheng felt that her roundabout way of speaking was no match for Shen Li's, so she simply went straight to the point.
Shen Li raised her head and said firmly, "Your Majesty's words have enlightened me. I have long wanted to do something for His Highness Prince Yi, but I have been struggling to find a way. If Miss Zheng comes to the mansion and says a few words about establishing kinship, then Your Majesty and I will be one family, with no distance between us."
Consort Zheng was stunned by what Shen Li said. She had planned to call someone in before Shen Li lost her temper, but she didn't expect Shen Li to agree and say it so sincerely.
Doesn't she care that her husband has another woman in his household who has taken over the household chores and is stealing her man?
"Is Shen Qing's statement true?" Consort Zheng asked tentatively.
Things went surprisingly smoothly; she even had to make sure she hadn't misheard.
"Of course, I will return to my residence to prepare for the wedding. I would appreciate it if Your Majesty could set a wedding date so that I can prepare everything in advance," Shen Li asked patiently.
Peony was completely dumbfounded. Was Miss possessed?
How could I possibly agree to that?
"Logically speaking, given Yanran's status, preparations should take a year or two, but there are unforeseen circumstances. How about we set the wedding date for after March?" Consort Zheng had already prepared her explanation.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, even if time is tight, Gu Jia will not let Yanran suffer. I will personally take care of everything, and nothing that is necessary will be missing." Shen Li seemed to accept it quickly.
Consort Zheng looked at Shen Li, whose expression remained calm, while she herself looked completely bewildered. Was this all it took?
"Your Majesty, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." Shen Li rose to take her leave.
Consort Zheng felt that her test had been in vain, but she couldn't keep the person there to continue testing them, so she had no choice but to let them go.
"Granny, see Lord Shen out."
After Peony got the whip back, her only thought was to beat everyone in the palace until they knelt down and apologized to her young lady.
But she also knew that this was the palace, where imperial power was supreme, and it was not a place where she could act recklessly.
The more she thought about it, the more heartbroken she felt for her young mistress. As a woman, she had repeatedly gone to the battlefield to protect the royal family's wealth and honor, yet now she was being humiliated like this.
The previous dynasty, unable to prevail, resorted to such despicable tactics; it was utterly shameless.
Shen Li remained unmoved, her face showing no obvious emotion. After leaving the palace, she did not intend to return to the Hanlin Academy, but instead ordered the carriage to return to her residence.
Lianqiao was waiting in the car when she clearly sensed that something was wrong, so she looked at Shaoyao with her eyes to ask for her opinion.
Peony dared not disturb her young mistress's peace, but the matter was complicated, and she couldn't convey any information by lip-reading, so she was very anxious.
Shen Li looked up at the two people who were speaking in riddles and said with a smile, "Just tell me directly, aren't you tired?"
"His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine intend to bestow a marriage upon the son-in-law, granting Zheng Yanran to marry into the family as a secondary wife, managing household affairs and serving as the mistress of the household," said Peony.
"What?" Lian Qiao finally understood why the atmosphere had been so bad just now.
Seeing that her young mistress's aura had softened, Peony mustered her courage and asked, "Miss, have you really agreed?"
Lianqiao was also worried.
"You heard it too, it was His Majesty who bestowed the marriage upon us, how could I possibly refuse?" Shen Li said helplessly, but her expression showed no sign of helplessness. Her eyes were cold and indifferent, and the slightly upturned corners of her lips looked somewhat mocking.
“With your merits, if you resolutely refuse, even His Majesty would find it difficult to force you,” Lian Qiao said from the side.
"So what do you want me to do? Kneel in front of the Imperial Study and beg the Emperor for mercy to rescind his order?" Shen Li asked.
Lian Qiao felt a little reluctant at the thought of this scene, but still said, "But this is better than Zheng Yanran marrying in. Even if she can't ruin your relationship with the master, she's still a bit annoying."
"Who said she should marry into the family?" Shen Li raised an eyebrow slightly.
Both Forsythia and Peony were taken aback.
"Miss, are you planning to secretly harm Zheng Yanran?" Peony's eyes lit up: "If you send me, I will make sure this is done flawlessly."
Her thinking was very clear: dead people can't get married, can they?
She can't act openly, but assassination is her forte.
"You'd better not cause trouble for Miss." Lian Qiao stopped her, then turned to Shen Li and said, "But Miss, it wouldn't be a bad idea to fake a fire at the Zheng family's residence."
Shen Li and Shaoyao both looked at her.
"Sister, are you going to kill the whole family?" Peony asked blankly.
"Extraordinary measures are needed for extraordinary circumstances." Lian Qiao remained unmoved despite being watched by the two men.
Those who dare to bully their young lady deserve to die.
Shen Li smiled. As expected of a child raised by their mother, they even share the same personality.
“Zheng Yanran is also a pawn; the key to this matter is not her.” Shen Li narrowed her eyes, poured herself a cup of tea, and then slowly said, “What we need to deal with are those who claim to be playing the game.”
"The chess player?" Lian Qiao looked puzzled. "This servant doesn't understand. Prince Yi and Consort Zheng are naturally happy to see this happen, so why would His Majesty agree? Does His Majesty intend to completely relinquish power?"
"On the contrary, he wants to use my rivalry with Zheng Yanran to incite a complete confrontation between the Shen and Gu families and the Yi Wang faction." Shen Li toyed with the teacup in her hand: "Only when we wear each other down can he secure his position."
Forsythia and peony exchanged a glance, both looking stunned; they had no idea about this.
"Then Consort Zheng and Prince Yi shouldn't have agreed," Peony asked, puzzled.
"Do they have any better ways to win over my husband?" Shen Li asked rhetorically.
To put it bluntly, Emperor Cheng and King Yi, as opponents in a game of chess, have both made a risky move with a very high chance of winning. The key to this move is both Zheng Yanran and Shen Li.
Shen Li never expected that after all her planning, she would become a pawn in the game.
"So, what are your plans, Miss?"
"If they like playing chess, I'll chop off their hands to help them quit gambling." Shen Li's voice was cold and deep, with a hint of ferocity in her eyes.
When Gu Chang'an returned that night, his expression was similar; he wasn't angry, but rather exuded murderous intent.
"My husband is back." Shen Li put down the book in her hand and spoke to him as usual, but seeing his expression, she waved her hand to let the maids in the room go out.
"Ah Li." Gu Chang'an walked a few steps to the bedside, bent down and hugged Shen Li in his arms, his voice a little muffled: "I won't let her in. I will make them pay the price."
"I'm fine, husband, don't be angry. It's inevitable to encounter scheming in officialdom. Just resolve it." Shen Li gently patted his back to comfort him.
Gu Chang'an felt even more heartbroken when he heard her cheerful voice. His A-Li had done so much for the court with all her heart and soul, how disappointed she must be to be treated like this.
"Ah Li, if you're sad, you don't have to force yourself. You can tell me." He looked into her eyes and said softly.
Shen Li smiled gently and said, "What's this? Since ancient times, the imperial family has been ruthless. I'm not surprised by anything they do."
In her previous life, she was indeed full of passion, taking it upon herself to uphold the rightful order and devoting herself to maintaining order in the court and ensuring the longevity of the empire. However, what awaited her was not her beloved being killed, but her entire family being slaughtered.
What could she possibly expect from the royal family? And without expectations, there was naturally no disappointment.
"Really?" Gu Chang'an asked repeatedly to confirm.
In his view, Shen Li grew up in a prominent family and had a smooth life. She had never experienced a survival crisis or betrayal, so she shouldn't be so open-minded.
"Husband, don't worry, I'm fine. It's just that no matter who sits in that position in the future, we won't play along with them, okay?"
"Okay, now let's find someone more pleasing to the eye to sit in that seat."
Gu Chang'an's voice remained gentle, but Shen Li could see the anger hidden in his heart.
This time, Emperor Cheng and his son have really messed with them.
The two barely slept that night, and their thoughts were in sync: to nip it in the bud and make whoever proposed the marriage swallow it back.
The next day was not the day of the grand court assembly. After the two had washed up, they heard a report from outside: "Master and Madam, the imperial decree says..."
The two men did not react much; they simply dressed in their court robes and went to the gate to lead their families to receive the imperial decree.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Zheng family has a daughter named Yanran, who is virtuous and kind, beautiful and intelligent, humble and quick-witted..."
It was indeed an imperial edict bestowing a marriage upon them.
Shen Li and Gu Chang'an were not surprised, but most of the servants were completely confused. What did the Zheng family's daughter have to do with their family?
"I hereby bestow upon Gu Chang'an, the Minister of Revenue, as my wife. An auspicious day shall be chosen for her to enter the house. This is my decree."