Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Imperial Marriage

After the morning court session, the Tianwu City was once again stirred up by a gust of wind from His Royal Highness the Sixth Prince, oh no, it should be His Royal Highness the King of Chu.

“I heard that His Royal Highness the King of Chu asked His Majesty for a marriage today in front of all the civil and military officials.”

“What?! Imperial Marriage?! Which daughter has His Royal Highness the King of Chu set his eyes on?”

“Don’t spread this around, okay?”

“Who is it?”

“The Duke of State’s daughter.”

“Is this real or fake? Has the King of Chu gone crazy?”

“I don’t know, but I heard she’s an unparalleled beauty.”

“An unparalleled beauty? Have you seen her?”@@novelbin@@

“No, I just heard about it.”

“Bah, what if she’s just like your family’s 200-jin woman?”

“Ha, that’s possible!”

In everyone’s stereotypical impression, those refined and elegant ladies from literary families or large households, who were well-versed in poetry, music, and art, were mostly daughters of officials or from prominent families.

On the other hand, those bold and unrestrained ladies who were not bound by petty rules seemed to be daughters of military generals, influenced by their fathers and military life.

For example, the daughter of the Marquis Dongping, who was over nine feet tall, had broad shoulders and a sturdy waist, and could exert a force of over 10,000 jin with just a flick of her arm. She had even killed a bear with her bare hands and was known as the “Bear Lady”, further solidifying people’s stereotypes.

In the Eastern Palace, a wisp of white smoke resembling a white dragon rose from the incense burner.

“Reporting to the Crown Prince! The Fifth Prince requests an audience!” a small eunuch announced in a respectful tone.

On the bed, a young man with a cold and stern face opened his eyes, and with a flick of his purple sleeve embroidered with golden cloud patterns, he said indifferently, “Let him in.”

“Cough, cough, big brother, why do you always smoke this stuff? Don’t you get tired of it?” The complaining voice grew louder as a young man in a fiery red outfit approached the bed, waving his hand.

Shen Muchen sat up, looking somewhat annoyed, and asked, “What brings you to my palace today?”

Shen Tengfeng rubbed his hands together and chuckled, “I’m here to help big brother resolve his worries and difficulties, of course!”

“Resolve what worries, and what difficulties?” Shen Muchen raised an eyebrow.

“Didn’t you hear at the morning court session that the Sixth Prince is going to marry Ye Liyan from the Duke of State’s household?”

“That’s the Sixth Prince’s happy occasion. What’s wrong, are you unhappy about it? Did you also have your eyes on Ye Liyan?”

Shen Tengfeng shook his head, “How could that be? I haven’t even seen what she looks like, and just hearing about her rumors makes me want to avoid the Duke of State’s household!”

“Ah, big brother, you’re making me go off track. I really came to help you resolve your worries and difficulties.”

“Oh? Then tell me, Fifth Brother.” Shen Muchen leaned back, resting one foot on the bed and one hand on his forehead, looking interested.

“Ah...”

“Congratulations, Duke of State. Please accept the imperial decree.”

Eunuch Xu opened the imperial decree with a smile.

The people of the Duke of State’s residence knelt down in unison with Ye Tiance’s movement.

“...We have heard that Ye Liyan, the daughter of Northern Garrison Ye Feng, is well-versed in etiquette, has exceptional beauty, and is talented in both virtue and art...”

“...to complete the beauty of a virtuous woman, we hereby grant you to be His Highness the King of Chu’s queen consort.”

“Queen...this...”

“Minister! I accept the imperial decree with gratitude!”

Ye Tiance received the imperial decree with both hands, bowing respectfully.

“Miss...”

Jinxiu and Jinlian clearly felt their mistress’s body tremble slightly.

“Duke of State, your family will be royal relatives in the future. Congratulations!”

Eunuch Xu couldn’t help but glance at Ye Liyan, who was standing not far away.

People said that the Duke of State’s daughter was an unparalleled beauty, but how many people had actually seen her?

Even with a black silk ribbon covering her face, it was hard to conceal her exceptional beauty.

Now that he had seen her, everything seemed to make sense.

“Eunuch Xu, you’re too kind, Ah Fu!” Ye Tiance called out.

The Duke of State’s steward, who was standing not far away, quickly came forward and took out a silver bag from his waist.

“Eunuch Xu, a small token of appreciation.”

Eunuch Xu silently accepted the silver bag, his eyes almost smiling into a line: “Duke of State, I’ll take my leave now.”

“Eunuch Xu, take care.”

After the group of people left the residence, Ye Tiance finally let out a sigh: “Pah, old eunuch dog.”

If he didn’t know what kind of imperial decree the other party had brought, he wouldn’t have given them a good face.

“Miss, are you okay?”

Hearing Jinxiu’s concerned voice, Ye Tiance finally turned around.

The black silk ribbon had already been soaked with tears, and two tear streaks flowed down.

“Liyan, what’s wrong...”

Ye Liyan, supported by Jinxiu and the others, shook her small head like a drum: “I’m sorry, Grandfather... I’m just too happy...”

Her grandfather had told her that something good would happen today, and she was curious, but she never thought it would be an imperial marriage decree. The emotions she had been suppressing day and night finally overflowed into tears.

Ye Tiance couldn’t help but sigh, feeling sorry for his poor granddaughter. If he could see her settle down well in her life, he would have no regrets.