89 Imperial Edic

A week passed and XuanRong was lazily eating and sleeping inside her courtyard. Since Xiao Lou hired people for the preparation of her birthday, XuanRong did not have anything to do. Although she had a hunch that Xiao Lou was planning something during her coming of age ceremony, she was not afraid of it. Maybe because her reputation did not turn worst when she was in Lu Shan, Xiao Lou might be preparing for something big.

Since Baili Chen was still locked in their ancestral hall, XuanRong could only wait before she could proceed to her next plan. While the time was ticking for the upcoming imperial banquet, the Golden Phoenix head ornament had already been finished by Shu Liu. When Empress Wei saw the head ornament, she immediately fell in love with it so XuanRong was now able to rest without thinking anything.

XuanRong was also not in a hurry to retaliate with the Xiao family since as long as Xiao Lou was still alive and powerful, Xiao family would never perish. She had also sent Shu Yi to the Chen residence and told him to disguise himself as a servant. XuanRong did not want others to know that she sent someone to take good care of her Fourth JiuMu's[1] pregnancy. She felt that the death of her Fourth JiuMu and her biaodi[2] was not as simple as it seemed. It was better to be safe than sorry. If their deaths were really because of a person's malicious intent, she, XuanRong vowed to make that person's life miserable, living a life that was worst that death.

As XuanRong did not have anything to do during those idle days, she could not help but sometimes stare at the distance and think of her previous lifetime. It was almost her coming of age ceremony in less than a month. In the past, although the ceremony was very extravagant and luxurious, due to her bad reputation, nobles who came to celebrate were only celebrating in the surface for the sake of her maternal grandfather's face but deep inside, they were secretly mocking him for having a disgraceful maternal granddaughter. She remembered the hushed tones of those Furens and Young Ladies as they talked secretly behind her back. XuanRong was still young that time and only cared for her own happiness, not minding of other people's views on her. Since she was arrogant, she thought that the sun revolved around her.

When she fell in love at first sight with Xu Ji An, XuanFei told her that in order to stop other maidens from coveting Xu Ji An, she had to give them a fair warning, thus, before her coming of age ceremony ended, XuanRong boldly announced her sovereignty over him, stating that she was the most suitable woman for the crown prince.

The entire banquet became the talk of the town and she, XuanRong, had become a shameless woman, making her the very example of being unvirtuous. The situation reached the Emperor's ear, making him restless. He was not only wary of his own subordinates, but he was also wary of his on sons, fearing that they would rebel and usurp the throne, forcefully taking the crown in his hand. That was why the Emperor always keep in check those noble families in the capital, making sure that none of them would have the guts to team up with an imperial prince. Unfortunately, the Emperor could not stop Chen Zi Tao's increasing power due to the worship of the common people. The Emperor had been feeling paranoid ever since her maternal grandfather returned to the capital after her maternal grandmother died. The relationship of the four countries had been good for many years, thus, the entire continent was peaceful. Since there was no need for her maternal grandfather to return to the border, the Emperor could not send him away from the capital. He had no choice but to find other ways to suppress the Chen family's growing military power. In order to tie down the Chen family to the imperial household, the Emperor planned to bring XuanRong inside the palace, bestowing her the title of a Huang GuiFei[3], the highest rank among the five Imperial Concubines, one rank lower than the Empress of the country.

During the Emperor's birthday banquet, he saw XuanRong and found out that the rumors about her were indeed true. She was an arrogant and ill-mannered person which made him reluctant to announce his plan on making her his Huang GuiFei. The Emperor was currently in dilemma whether to announce his plan or not when one of the officials of the imperial court made a joke of Xu Ji An and XuanRong, saying that they were match made in heaven, one was a 'virtuous' woman while the other was a 'wise' man, making them compatible with each other. The Emperor was enlightened and immediately consulted Chen Zi Tao. Although Chen Zi Tao was deeply against it, he was still loyal to Xu Ji Mo and to the imperial family, thus he could only tacitly refuse the Emperor, saying that he wished to postpone the Emperor's proposal because he could not bear to see XuanRong marry someone. Chen Zi Tao and XuanRong's reaction were very different with each other. While Chen Zi Tao was able to calm himself and be rational, not showing his anger, XuanRong's dissatisfaction was clearly written on her face. She arrogantly declined the Emperor in front of the entire guests, saying that she did not want to marry a man who was like a child, making Xu Ji Mo erupt in anger. Being sandwiched between the Emperor and his beloved granddaughter, Chen Zi Tao was forced to pick a side and had chosen to side with his beloved granddaughter. Only XuanLi and the Xuan family were the ones who were very happy to grab a golden branch. Although Xu Fei Yi was incompetent and had a mind of a child, he was still a high-ranking prince and the only living imperial sibling of the current Emperor. Being in-laws with the imperial family would give them many benefits. Too bad, XuanLi was unable to convince XuanRong.

"XiaoJie?"

"Ah?"

XuanRong was startled when YuShang called her name.

"Umm… XiaoJie.. this servant… this servant wants to tell something to XiaoJie.."

As YuShang was speaking she kept on looking at the door. YuYing was currently with Zou mama while YuShen was supervising the servants in the courtyard. Only YuShang was left to take care of XuanRong.

XuanRong noticed the uneasiness in YuShang's face. She observed that after the full moon, YuShang had been anxious and would always look towards her with guilt in her eyes. It made XuanRong curious. She deeply trusted all her three maidservants and she knew that they would never betray her. She was curious to know the reason why YuShang was looking very guilty.

Did she do something bad?

"Mmm? What is it?"

"Uhh.. XiaoJie… the truth is…"

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"Your Highness, please do not sit, just remain lying on the bed. Exerting too much energy and moving frequently would definitely harm you. Please, listen to the imperial physician. The imperial physician said that you should rest well in order to recuperate properly."

Mu Qing tried to dissuade Xu Fei Yi from sitting up, but he stubbornly refused to follow Mu Qing and propelled himself until he was able to sit on the bed.

"Your Highness!"

"Mu Qing, Fei'er is hungry… Please tell the kitchen to prepare food~ Wu Li is here to accompany me."

Without any choice, Mu Qing left the room and went to the kitchen in order to fetch Xu Fei Yi's food, leaving only Zhang Wu Li and Xu Fei Yi alone in the room.

After Mu Qing left, the entire room suddenly went cold. Zhang Wu Li could feel the chill on his skin. He knew, Xu Fei Yi was very angry at the moment. Without saying anything, Zhang Wu Li went forward and kneeled on front of Xu Fei Yi.

"Please punish this servant. This servant does not deserve to live anymore. This servant was unable to protect His Highness, making His Highness went into comma for more than five days. Please punish this servant for failing his duty."

Zhang Wu Li lowered his head and did not dare to look at Xu Fei Yi's eyes. Preparing himself, Zhang Wu Li closed his eyes and waited for his punishment.

Few minutes had passed but Xu Fei Yi remained unmoved, not saying anything as if he was treating Zhang Wu Li like an air.

"Your Highness…"

"… Starting tomorrow, you will be relieved to your duty as the chief commander of the Dark Palace, you will tell Mu Qing that you will visit your family for two months. You will be confined at the dark tower and face your punishment for insubordination. Do not return to my side and stay at the Dark Palace. Your new task is to train everyone in the Dark Palace since you are no longer qualified to serve me. I do not need people like you. You are dismissed."

Hearing Xu Fei Yi's merciless words, Zhang Wu Li's face turned pale. His eyes dimmed as he stared at the floor, brokenhearted and devastated. Since young, he vowed to dedicate his life in serving Xu Fei Yi. Now that he no longer had the opportunity to remain by his side, what was the use of being alive? Zhang Wu Li felt that he no longer had any meaning in this world. Sill, Zhang Wu Li forced himself to stand up.

"This servant understood."

Leaving the room, Zhang Wu Li felt that his heart was thorn into pieces.

'Why? This servant only wants to accompany His Highness and stay at His Highness side. This servant thinks that Young Miss Xuan will only bring harm to His Highness. Was I wrong to object and hinder His Highness' decision? Why can't His Highness understand my concern?'

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"Uhh.. XiaoJie… the truth is…"

Before YuShang could finish her sentence, YuShen arrived and entered the room.

"XiaoJie, Laoye[4] is calling you. An Imperial decree arrived at the manor. Laoye is calling all the family members to receive the imperial decree at the center hall."

'Imperial decree?'

XuanRong was puzzled. Why would the Emperor send an imperial decree?For what reason? In her previous lifetime, the Emperor did not send any imperial decree to the XiangFu. XuanRong suddenly felt curious.

'What could it be? Nevermind. I will know it later.'

"YuShang, help me prepare a dress."

"Yes, this servant understands."

Few minutes later, XuanRong arrived at the center hall, there, XuanRong saw XuanLi, XuanFei, XuanRong, their fourth sister, Xuan Yao Ling and XuanLi's concubines including Feng YiNiniang were anxiously waiting inside.

A few seconds after XuanRong arrived at the center hall, an old eunuch entered, carrying a golden scroll.

"Long live the Emperor! May the Emperor have a thousand years of peace!"

All the Xuan family members kneeled, including XuanRong. Although she only half-kneeled and her knees did not touch the ground.

"Rise!"

"Thanking the Emperor's grace!"

"Eldest Di Daughter of the Xuan family, XuanRong, come forward and receive the imperial edict bestowed by His Majesty, the Emperor."

Hearing her name, XuanRong did not have any choice but to move forward and kneel once again. The eunuch opened the scroll and read the imperial edict.

"By the powered bestowed upon This Emperor as the Son of heaven, ruler of the earth, This Emperor will grant an imperial marriage between the Eldest Di Daughter of the Xuan family and Xu QinWang-----"

Hearing the contents of the imperial edict, XuanRong felt like her ears were ringing and she could not hear everything properly..

'W—what?!'

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[1]. Your Maternal Uncle's Wife

[2]. Younger maternal male-cousin

[3]. Imperial Noble Concubine

[4]. Master (Master of the House)

[Unedited Chapter]