452 Summoned By The Empress
Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao both smiled gently and nodded. They liked it.
Joy lingered in their hearts. This was their home. In the future, they would settle down here and grow old here.
Qi Xingzhi and Qi Xingfeng were also relieved. Qi Xingfeng had learned to remain silent because of the restriction of his words.
Qi Xingzhi smiled and introduced every place. The plums, pears, and peach trees in the courtyard were the sweetest fruit trees he had chosen. In the future, when the fruits were ripe, he would come to taste them.
“The Chen residence next door is similar to the Su residence. There are also all kinds of fruit trees. Auntie can use these small places to plant some vegetables in the future.”
Qi Xingzhi revealed his white teeth and said with a smile. The house he designed was for Madam Zhao and Su Sanlang. The two of them had simple hearts. It was better not to leave expensive flowers and plants for them.
The courtyards of ordinary farmers were filled with life.
Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao especially liked this kind of lively home.
Every child’s room in the house was very good.
In the kitchen, there were also fresh vegetables. The horse shed in the backyard had their family’s horse and carriage.
Qi Xingzhi and Qi Xingfeng brought them to the Chen residence next door.
It was not much different from the Su residence. They were both very good-looking.
After showing them around, Qi Xingfeng and Qi Xingzhi prepared to go home.
“Xingzhi, Xingfeng, thank you. Go back slowly and be careful on the way.”
Madam Zhao instructed gently.
Qi Xingfeng nodded.
Qi Xingzhi smiled and said, “Aunt, don’t worry. We’ll come and celebrate when you find a good day.”
Shouldn’t they celebrate and add more life to their new home?
Madam Zhao and Su Sanlang nodded.
Su Xiaolu waved at Qi Xingfeng and said, “Best of luck, Cousin. You’ll be able to get a sword by this time next year.”
Qi Xingfeng was very happy. He really wanted to say it, but after holding it in for a long time, his face turned red and he only said one word, “Definitely.”
He would definitely get the good sword personally forged by Gui You.
After the Qi brothers left, Madam Zhao and Su Sanlang went to the kitchen.
Su Xiaoling smiled and said, “I’ll help. I’ll wait for Second Brother to come back for dinner tonight.”
Su Xiaolu looked at Su Chong. “Brother, why don’t we practice?”
Su Chong nodded. “Yes, we haven’t sparred in a long time.”
The siblings took out their swords. Without saying anything else, they raised their swords and exchanged blows.
Sparks flew from the sharp blade.
Neither of them gave in to the other.
“Xiaolu, you’ve improved again.”
Su Chong was amazed by Su Xiaolu’s improvement.
Su Xiaoling smiled sweetly. “Brother, you haven’t deproved either.”
She often trained hard behind Su Chong’s back to surprise him. She worked very hard, and Su Chong was not bad either. She used her strength to prove that hard work could not compare to talent.
However, she could last dozens of moves against Su Chong.
In the end, the two of them stopped when they were exhausted. They sat on the ground together and looked at the sky above them. The sunset was beautiful.
“The sunset in the capital is really beautiful. I wonder if the snow in the capital is as beautiful as the snow in our hometown.”
Su Xiaolu sighed. Time flew. She would soon be twelve years old in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
“It would definitely be just as beautiful.”
Su Chong smiled and reached out to rub Su Xiaolu’s hair.
“The imperial edict has arrived—”
A sharp voice sounded outside the house. Su Xiaolu and Su Chong immediately stood up.
Only the emperor had the right to issue an imperial edict.
Su Sanlang, Madam Zhao, and Su Xiaoling, who were in the kitchen, immediately came out.
After opening the door, the solemn-looking eunuch began to announce the edict.
“Su Sanlang, Madam Zhao, Su Xiaoling, listen up—”
“By the will of the heavens, the Emperor decrees:
I heard that the daughter of Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao, Su Xiaoling, is 18 years old today. She is both talented and beautiful. She is respectful and sensitive. The empress and I are very happy to hear that. She is specially bestowed with a marriage with the Crown Prince, Zhou Heng, and is allowed to marry him as the main consort. We will choose an auspicious day for the ceremony. All the formalities will be handed over to the Minister of Rites, Sun Yangxin, to arrange the marriage.
Spread the word to the world.
End.”
“Madam Su, please receive the edict.”
After reading the imperial edict, the eunuch looked at Su Xiaoling and spoke.
Su Xiaoling presented her hands and said respectfully, “I accept the edict. Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Su Xiaoling held the imperial edict tightly.
Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao were so happy that their eyes turned red.
Su Xiaolu was also happy for Su Xiaoling. A marriage bestowed by an imperial edict was the best recognition of marriage at the moment. The emperor’s kindness was vast and not everyone could have it.
After seeing Su Xiaoling receive the imperial decree, the eunuch said, “The imperial edict has been accepted. Next, I have an order from the empress. The Su family is summoned: I have heard about the decree and the marriage. I hereby invite Su Xiaoling to the palace to see me immediately. You can’t refuse.”
Su Xiaoling frowned. Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao also became worried.
Madam Zhao asked worriedly, “Eunuch, can you tell me why the empress wants to see my daughter?”
The eunuch’s expression was calm. “I don’t know about that. Miss Su, please enter the palace with me immediately. It’s getting late. If you leave early, you might be able to rush back for dinner. I don’t know why Her Majesty wants to see you. Perhaps Her Majesty just wants to meet Miss Su.”
The marriage was arranged by the emperor, and the empress even made a fuss about it.
This was not a secret in the palace. As for why the empress wanted to see Su Xiaoling, this was not something that slaves could care about. They were only responsible for passing down orders.
“Sis, I’ll go with you.”
Su Xiaolu spoke. Anyone would know that it was not a good thing that the empress wanted to see Su Xiaoling at this time.
Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao frowned. They were worried, but there was nothing they could do.
Because it was the empress.
Su Xiaoling smiled and said, “Father, mother, Xiaolu, don’t worry about me. I can do it myself. I’ve decided to be with Brother Heng. I have to face these things. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
After saying that, Su Xiaoling looked at the eunuch and said, “Eunuch, thank you.”
“Miss Su, please get in the carriage.”
With Su Xiaoling’s cooperation, it would save them a lot of trouble. They were happy to see such a situation.
Su Xiaoling turned around and hugged Su Xiaolu and Madam Zhao. She said gently, “Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon. Trust me.”
If she wanted to be with Zhou Heng, she would have to face more people in the future. If she couldn’t handle it well, how could she continue to be with Zhou Heng until they grew old?
There were some paths that only she could take.
With that, Su Xiaoling let go and got into the carriage.
A few palace servants immediately drove the carriage back to the palace.
Looking at the back of the carriage, Madam Zhao sighed. “I’m already a little regretful…”
If she had found an ordinary family for Su Xiaoling earlier, she would not be in so much danger now.
Su Sanlang hugged Madam Zhao’s shoulder tightly. “Xiaoling will be fine.”
Su Xiaolu frowned. She trusted her sister, but she was still worried. She said to Madam Zhao and Su Sanlang, “Father, mother, Brother, I’ll go to the Wisdom King’s Mansion. Don’t worry, I’ll bring my sister back safely.”
If she wanted to enter the palace, the easiest way was to find Zhou Zhi to bring her in.