Volume One, Chapter 16: By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor’s Edict Proclaims

Having only slept for about an hour, Xu Zhiyi was suddenly roused by the commotion in the Wutong courtyard.

"What’s going on outside, Little Fish?" Her voice was tinged with fatigue.

Little Fish practically leapt in, her face alight with joy.

"Miss, the Third Prince has sent people over, saying they will guard you safely as you board the bridal sedan."

Seeing Xu Zhiyi’s eyes close again, about to drift back to sleep, Little Fish hurried to her bedside.

"Miss, please don’t sleep just yet. You must go see for yourself!"

"Is the eldest lady inside? The imperial edict has arrived. Master requests you go to the front courtyard to receive it immediately."

Xu Zhiyi was instantly alert.

The matter stirred up yesterday, and today the imperial edict arrived!

No matter how cautious the Third Prince was, this display was rather unseemly.

By the time Xu Zhiyi reached the front courtyard, besides Xu Huaian, the second branch of the Xu family had also arrived, all kneeling in unison.

Only then did the stern-faced eunuch’s expression soften slightly upon seeing her.

"Is this the eldest daughter of the Xu family?"

Xu Zhiyi nodded and slowly knelt.

The eunuch’s duck-like voice echoed through the Xu residence.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: It has come to our attention that the Xu family has a daughter, Zhiyi, who is virtuous, gentle, obedient, and courteous. She and my Third Son are a match destined by Heaven. We hereby grant their marriage. A propitious day shall be chosen for the wedding. By imperial command!"

As the edict was read, Xu Zhiyi lifted her hands respectfully.

"The legitimate daughter of the Xu family, Xu Zhiyi, humbly thanks His Majesty for his great favor!"

The eunuch carefully placed the edict in her hands, wearing a broad smile.

"His Majesty has heard that the Third Prince holds Miss Xu in great regard and is very pleased in his heart. Please accept these gifts for now."

Xu Zhiyi cast a subtle glance at Little Fish.

The eunuch secretly weighed the pouch, feeling its heavy contents.

Indeed, they had good judgment.

"We must hasten to the Third Prince to announce the edict, so we shall not delay. By the way, Miss Xu, the Third Prince will henceforth be known as the Prince of An, and you will be the Princess of An. We offer our congratulations in advance!"

Peace, kindness, tranquility, and harmony — such was the decree. Though it appeared as praise, it was in truth a warning that Qi Xizhou must behave himself henceforth and not overstep his bounds.

The imperial family was truly heartless.

Seeing the group depart, Xu Zhiyi intended to return to the Wutong courtyard, but the second branch’s madam blocked her path.

Her eyes gleamed with greed, and a fawning smile adorned her face.

"Zhiyi, it’s been a while since we last saw you, and you’ve grown even more radiant. When you become the Princess of An, don’t forget the kindness your second uncle and I have shown you!"

She looked at the chests of gifts being brought into the mansion and swallowed hard.

"Your younger sisters are approaching the age for marriage soon, but since your second uncle is so useless and still hasn’t secured any official post, it’s inevitable that things will be somewhat meager for them. Zhiyi, you see..."

Little Fish’s face flushed with anger.

She had seen shameless people before, but never one so brazen!

Blocking the main gate, with so many townsfolk watching, if Xu Zhiyi refused, she would appear stingy.

"Oh, so you mean I should give the Emperor’s gifts to my younger sisters as a show of support?"

This remark struck like thunder, leaving the second madam dumbfounded on the spot.

In the past, the moment she spoke, Xu Zhiyi would have eagerly handed over the items.

But now, she dared to expose this shamelessness in front of everyone!

Xu Zhiyi lightly tossed out a single sentence before turning to leave.

"If you want them, you should go directly to the palace and ask His Majesty. If He agrees, I will gladly offer them with both hands!"

Who had given her such boldness, to openly demand imperial gifts?

The second madam was furious but, seeing Xu Huaian’s sullen face and her husband repeatedly signaling her, she had no choice but to back down.

So, no gifts?

Then they would take them by force!

After all, with Xu Zhiyi’s gentle nature, she would never dare retaliate.

Resolved, the second madam said no more and stormed back to her courtyard with her maidservants.

"Hmph, what’s there to be proud of? I heard the Prince of An is disabled. Even if she marries him, she’ll be a widow in all but name."

"That little bitch Xu Zhiyi, she got all the good fortune but never thinks of her own sisters. The Xu family has truly wasted their efforts raising her."

"If you ask me, it would have been better if she had drowned back then!"

Each insult more vicious than the last, causing the second uncle to frown repeatedly.

"Watch your tongue! Walls have ears. Even if the Third Prince isn’t great, he’s still far above people like us to slander at will!"

The second madam suddenly stopped, eyes wide, hands on hips, looking like a shrew.

"If you weren’t so incompetent, could we sisters be treated so coldly? Our eldest brother only landed a seventh-rank minor official post, with eyes on the back of his head! He only plans well for his own daughter, never thinking of Yan’er or Lian’er!"

Her words flew fast and furious.

"What if the family splits in the future? How will we survive then? Do you think our so-called great brother would be willing to share half his fortune with us?"

Throughout her tirade, Xu Huaicheng remained silent.

He was a son of a concubine; after his mother’s death, he was placed under the care of the legitimate wife.

But she already had two children and, though she did not mistreat him, life was far from easy.

Unable in both literary and martial pursuits, after the legitimate mother died, he and Wang Shi clung stubbornly to the Xu household, living off scraps.

If the family were truly divided, with his weak shoulders and feeble hands, he would surely starve to death.

Though the household was not short of food and drink, the money given was limited, making their lives tight.

Moreover, Wang Shi was barren, having only produced two unprofitable daughters and no more.

Seeing the two girls reach marriageable age, Wang Shi intended to arrange good matches for them before the family split, so the Xu household could prepare generous dowries.

Her calculations were shrewd, and now she turned her sights on Xu Zhiyi.

"Since that little bitch has been granted marriage, the match with the Hou family is surely off. Yan’er isn’t inferior to her, and she’s the right age. Father, you must find a way."

Xu Huaicheng wished for the same.

If they could truly marry into the Ding’an Marquis’s household, they could live in comfort!

The maidservant beside Wang Shi rolled her eyes and whispered in her ear.

"Second Madam, I heard the Third Prince was drugged and not in his right mind when he took the eldest daughter. Perhaps we could..."

Once done, it would be a fait accompli, and the Marquis’s household wouldn’t refuse.

Wang Shi rubbed her fingers together, her eyes full of calculation.

"The Marquis’s household is coming today, right? Time is tight. Come closer, and when the time comes..."

Wang Shi and the maid whispered for some time.

After the maid left, Xu Huaicheng anxiously asked.

"Madam, will this work? If it fails and our brother flies into a rage, what if he really drives us out?"

Wang Shi rolled her eyes in disdain, snorting through her nose.

"What’s there to fear? You can’t catch a wolf without losing a child! Can you find a better match than the Ding’an Marquis’s household? Miss this chance, and it’s gone for good!"

Xu Huaian considered and nodded.

"Madam is right. The Marquis’s household rarely associates with us anyway, and our brother surely doesn’t care about Yan’er and the others."

Previously, Xu Huaian had arranged a match for Yan’er with a poor scholar, claiming he was a talented youth, worthy of respect.

If he was so outstanding, why not have Xu Yunwan marry him?