Chapter 53
Chapter 53: The Imperial Edict of Marriage
The fine rain grew lighter, almost gone. A thin mist still hung in the air, dampening foreheads and brows.
The Marquis of Zhen Nan’s household brought out an incense table. Led by Luo Chong Ye, the whole manor lined up to receive the decree.
This time, the Ministry of Rites, instead of an eunuch attendant, announced the edict.
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: We believe that the virtue of Heaven and Earth joins together, and it is right to honor the work of guiding and nurturing. To match a man of great virtue, one must wait for a worthy lady of the realm. The eldest daughter of the Marquis of Zhen Nan, Madam Luo, comes from a noble house and is gentle by nature. She has been taught by proper family rules and her praise is known throughout the land. With the Investiture Decree and Seal, we hereby name you Princess Consort Yong. All rites will be handled together by the Ministry of Rites and the Astronomical Bureau, which will choose an auspicious day to complete the marriage. Let this be announced under Heaven so all may hear. Thus is our will.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace!” Luo Ning was the first to kowtow. Then she rose and took the imperial edict.
Everyone behind her wished they could pull off their own ears and listen again.
Every word that came from the Minister of Rites slammed into their hearts. They could not believe it.
The Marquis of Zhen Nan and the marchioness Madam Bai had expressions that could not be put into words.
Only the Old Madam wept with tears running down her face.
The Minister of Rites spoke politely and with respect: “Congratulations, Princess Consort. This humble subject must return to report, so I will take my leave first.”
“Lord, walk slowly,” Luo Ning said.
Prince Yong stood to the side.
He was tall, wearing a dark gray robe with silver thread patterns. Over it he had a long cloak that reached his ankles, making him look even more straight and strong.
He swept his gaze over everyone: “All of you, rise.”
Then he looked at Luo Ning: “This match, granted by the Imperial Court, is what you deserve. I came today to deliver the betrothal gifts. These are my private betrothal gifts, not given by the Imperial Household Department. You do not need to take them as part of your dowry to my manor. They will all be your private money.”
Luo Ning thanked him.
The Marquis of Zhen Nan stepped forward: “Prince, this humble subject, this humble subject does not know how to…”
He was completely tongue-tied.
Luo Ning smiled brightly: “Father, I am afraid I will not be able to return to Shaoyang now. I must have disappointed you.”
The Marquis of Zhen Nan: “…”
“What matter made you want to go back to Shaoyang?” Prince Yong asked. “Have someone lead the way and send the betrothal gifts to your courtyard.”
While they spoke, the Chief Steward of Prince’s Manor had already brought rough maidservants. They carried the betrothal chests into the Marquis Manor.
The Marquis Manor’s own chief steward came out to receive them and led them toward Wenqi Courtyard.
No one else dared to move.
Yu Zhuo could not help glancing secretly at Prince Yong. He wanted to say something, but his tongue felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. When the Marquis of Zhen Nan spoke, Luo Ning could already make him lose face. How could Yu Zhuo compare?
He was filled with deep regret.
The Luo family people were disciplining Luo Ning. What business was it of his to join in?
“It was nothing big. I just had a few arguments with my brother,” Luo Ning said. “They poured dirty water on me, so I talked back. Brother wanted to beat me. Father said it was all my fault and even wanted to send me back to Shaoyang.”
Prince Yong’s dark eyes turned cold as he swept his gaze over them: “Which one is your brother?”
Luo Ning pointed at Luo Yin.
Luo Yin wanted to bow and explain a few words, but Prince Yong suddenly raised his foot and kicked him in the chest. Prince Yong was tall and long-legged. His kick was high and strong, and he sent Luo Yin flying several meters away.
Luo Yin crashed heavily onto the ground.
Madam Bai cried out, but did not dare move.
Prince Yong asked again: “And who else?”
Luo Ning pointed at Yu Zhuo, Li Yu Xuan, and Bai Ci Rong: “They were also there at the time…”
Prince Yong’s fingers flicked slightly. At once, Yu Zhuo and Li Yu Xuan felt sharp pain in their knees. They collapsed to the ground and could not even kneel steadily.
His hidden weapons technique was amazing.
“A betrothal decree is a happy day. It is not good to see blood. Princess Consort, are you satisfied? If you are not…” Prince Yong looked at Luo Ning.
Luo Ning nodded with a slight smile: “I am satisfied. Thank you, Prince, for standing up for me.”
She added: “Prince, please come in and have a cup of tea.”
Prince Yong’s face did not change at all: “Imperial Mother is waiting for me to report back. Keep the Investiture Decree and Seal of the Imperial Prince’s Consort safe. If anyone gives you trouble, send someone to invite me.”
Luo Ning agreed.
The people from Prince Yong’s manor soon came out, and they all left together.
The Marquis Manor boiled over.
Luo Ning did not return to Wenqi Courtyard at once. Instead, she escorted the Old Madam back to West Main Courtyard.
She sent someone to call a physician.
The Old Madam said she was fine, but Luo Ning could tell that her mood was not good.
After such great sorrow and joy, the old lady seemed to have spent all her strength. If she was left alone, she might fall ill the next day.
“A’Ning, you have received a good match,” the Old Madam said to her.
“Her Highness the Empress Dowager promised me she would give me a marriage decree,” Luo Ning said.
“The Empress Dowager is loyal and keeps her word,” the Old Madam said. “I just never imagined she would grant you to Prince Yong.”
She added: “From now on there will be many things to do. No one in this manor will help you. You…”
“I have you, and I have Aunt and Sister-in-law,” Luo Ning said, holding her hand. “Grandmother, I have many people to help me.”
The Old Madam was touched by something in those words, and tears fell again: “A’Ning, you are a good child. You have suffered.”
The physician arrived, and the Marquis of Zhen Nan came with him.
While the physician took the Old Madam’s pulse, father and daughter stepped out into the outer hall to talk.
“A’Ning…” the Marquis of Zhen Nan began awkwardly.
“Father, speak plainly,” Luo Ning said.
The Marquis of Zhen Nan asked: “How is your grandmother’s health?”
“No need to go in circles,” Luo Ning said.
The Marquis of Zhen Nan could not hide the joy on his face: “A’Ning, I am happy for you. You truly are a daughter who prospers the family and clan.”
“Of course. Otherwise, how could a general’s household of only third rank ever turn its luck around?” Luo Ning said lightly.
The Marquis of Zhen Nan’s cheeks turned a bit stiff: “Y-yes, that is true. This noble rank came all because of you.”
“Of course it is because of me. If I had not been stabbed through and saved the Empress Dowager’s life, where would this noble rank have come from? Father, when you mention this, why do you hesitate?
“Do you feel that besides me taking that knife, there were other reasons for this noble rank to appear?” Luo Ning asked him directly.
The Marquis of Zhen Nan’s face flushed red, then turned pale.
“Father thinks that I would definitely die in Shaoyang, and that once I was gone, all the credit would belong to you,” Luo Ning said. “After a long time, you accepted that in your heart. Then when your daughter came back alive, you did not want to admit the truth, is that right?”
The Marquis of Zhen Nan: “…”
With his thoughts laid bare, he was both angry and ashamed. He wanted to put on the dignity of a father and lecture Luo Ning.
Luo Ning was too sharp. She left no room and no face for anyone.
He was a grown man. How could he accept such a favor? Luo Ning was his own child. Her life and death were his to decide as father. How could the credit not be his?
To him, this way of thinking was only natural.
A daughter should not talk about her “merit” all day long. It was not modest and not quiet.
If, for example, a princess went to marry far away for peace, could she say that peace came from her sacrifice? Of course not. It would all be described as the Emperor’s great kindness and the peace of the whole world.
The Marquis of Zhen Nan very much wanted to make Luo Ning “adjust her mindset” and stop fighting over credit all the time.
But he did not dare.
Prince Yong was so overbearing.
And Luo Ning had actually been granted to Prince Yong as his consort. This was something the Marquis of Zhen Nan had never even dared dream of.
Prince Yong’s power was second only to one person and above ten thousand. Many great clans dreamed of sending their daughters to him. Without an imperial edict of marriage, Luo Ning would not even have the right to be his secondary consort.
Such good fortune had fallen on the Marquis of Zhen Nan’s manor. How could Luo Chong Ye dare to oppose his own daughter?
At least for now, he felt awe toward Luo Ning.
“A’Ning, may I send Bai Ci Rong away?” the Marquis of Zhen Nan asked carefully, trying to please her.
Luo Ning thought: [Once vines have wrapped around you, how can you tear them off without ripping into the bones?]
“Will Mother agree?” she asked.
“Why would she not?” the Marquis of Zhen Nan said, not taking it seriously.
Now that he had an Imperial Prince’s Consort for a daughter, what more glory and wealth did he need from a niece?
Whether the niece could enter the palace was still uncertain. She was not their own blood. How could she compare with Luo Ning?
“Father, talk it over among yourselves first, then come tell me,” Luo Ning said.
The physician came out from the inner room, and Luo Ning stood up to ask about the diagnosis.
The old lady had taken a fright and a great joy one after another. She needed a few doses of calming powder.
Luo Ning stayed in West Main Courtyard and watched the servants boil the medicine and help Grandmother drink it.
After Grandmother fell asleep, she returned to Wenqi Courtyard.
Nanny Kong and the others were overjoyed.
Luo Ning said to them: “As long as you are of one mind with me, you will all be my dowry maids in the future. As long as I am here, you will have good days.”
When she said this, she also called in the two menial maids and the other maidservants.
She wanted everyone in Wenqi Courtyard to form a solid iron bucket together, so that no one could wedge their way in.
They all knelt and kowtowed to thank her.
That night, Luo Ning slept very well.
News that the Emperor had granted a marriage between Prince Yong and Luo Ning spread like a stone thrown into a lake, stirring up huge waves and loud talk everywhere. That night, many people could not sleep.