Chapter 292: Imperial Decree

The Dingyuan Marquis Manor had already fallen into decline. Su Wan had been rejected by the Crown Prince and married to a mere peasant—she should have spent her life in poverty and misery!

But she hadn’t. Not only had she ingratiated herself with the Duke Zhao’s household, but she had also opened a cosmetics shop that had all the noble ladies wrapped around her finger. Now, she had become the center of attention at this banquet, even overshadowing the birthday celebrant!

What right did she have?

She was nothing more than a lowly merchant!

County Princess Lin’an felt an overwhelming sense of crisis, further solidifying her determination—as long as the very thing Su Wan relied on for survival was destroyed, she would no longer shine, no longer captivate Zhao Wei to the point of obsession!

“Don’t forget, Young Master Tingyuan’s illness was also said to have been cured by Su Wan.”

County Princess Lin’an reminded Tang Haoyue pointedly.

Tang Haoyue’s expression changed. Looking at Su Wan, now the center of attention, an uncontrollable thought crept into her mind—would that bright and noble young man also be drawn to Su Wan, just like a bee to honey?

“He wouldn’t.” Tang Haoyue’s words lacked confidence. She loosened her grip on Tang Nuan’s arm and smoothed her sleeve, saying, “You don’t need to remind me. I know what to do.”

County Princess Lin’an knew better than to push Tang Haoyue too hard, so she offered her a sweet incentive:

“Young Master Tingyuan is the Regent’s godson. Now that he has recovered, the Regent is pushing him into the Inner Cabinet, where people have even started calling him the ‘Little Regent’ in jest. He holds all the power delegated by the Regent. If the Empress Dowager wants to suppress the Regent, the fastest way is to make Young Master Tingyuan one of her own.”

These words indeed gave Tang Haoyue a great deal of confidence. She forced a smile and said, “Just wait for my good news, sister.”

County Princess Lin’an smiled in satisfaction. Her gaze lingered on Su Wan, who was effortlessly charming the crowd with her social grace. A ruthless glint flashed in her eyes.

Let her be pleased with herself for now.

After today, everything would be settled.

County Princess Lin’an eagerly awaited the arrival of the imperial decree for the arranged marriage.

Tang Nuan overheard their conversation, her eyelids lowering as she quietly pulled back her sleeve. Her fair, delicate arm bore several deep nail marks—some even breaking the skin, with fresh blood seeping out.

The pain made her suck in a sharp breath. She pursed her lips in grievance, her expression slightly trembling. After carefully scanning the room to make sure no one was paying attention to her, she silently slipped away.

Tang Haoyue’s eyelids twitched as she watched Tang Nuan’s hurriedly retreating figure. Her gaze grew colder, filled with displeasure.

“If you don’t like Tang Nuan, I can have Mother marry her off somewhere far from the capital.”

Tang Haoyue remained silent for a moment. After a long pause, she finally said, “Don’t pick a family with too high a status. As long as their background is clean, it will do.”

Finally, she added, “Simple and ordinary.”

County Princess Lin’an mulled over the words “ordinary” with a mocking smile directed at Tang Haoyue.

Tang Haoyue’s cheeks heated up, but she did not deny it—she simply didn’t want Tang Nuan to marry better than she did.

Their mother never liked Tang Nuan because, during her second pregnancy, she had hoped for a son—someone who could secure her position in the household and inherit their father’s title.

She had consulted numerous doctors, all of whom confirmed that she was carrying a boy. But when the child was born, it turned out to be a girl.

Unable to accept this reality, their mother suffered a severe blow and grew deeply resentful of Tang Nuan. She rarely even held her, leaving her mostly in the care of a wet nurse.

As for her, she was her mother’s first child. Though a girl, she knew how to please her mother and was deeply favored—not just by her mother, but by her father as well.

Only Grandmother cared for Tang Nuan. She once overheard a conversation between Grandmother and Aunt.

Aunt asked Grandmother, “Among so many grandchildren, you dote on Tang Nuan too much. That girl is a bit silly—she doesn’t warm up to people and only smiles foolishly. If she showed even half as much enthusiasm for pleasing elders as she does for food, she wouldn’t be so neglected.”

But Grandmother strongly disagreed. “She understands things clearly—she won’t force what cannot be obtained. If I didn’t care for her, then in this entire household, no one would. Wouldn’t that be too pitiful?“

Aunt remained silent for a long time before murmuring somewhat irritably, “Fools have their own fortune, I suppose.”

Tang Haoyue lowered her eyelids, concealing the darkness in her eyes.

Grandmother had indeed been very fond of Tang Nuan. After her passing, she left the majority of her dowry to Tang Nuan, keeping it sealed in Aunt’s care.

This was the very thing that made Tang Haoyue resent Tang Nuan even more.

——

After dealing with everyone, Su Wan let out a long sigh, feeling a wave of exhaustion at the thought of all the orders she had just taken.

Seeing her sprawled against the large embroidered pillow without any regard for propriety—so different from the dignified composure she had maintained upon entering—Old Madam Zhao couldn’t help but smile. She personally handed Su Wan a cup of tea and said warmly, “Your grandmother always said that her biggest worry was not being able to let go of you. If she were here today, seeing how well-loved you are, she would surely feel at ease.”

Su Wan didn’t stand on ceremony. She took the teacup and drank it all in one go, finally quenching her thirst. “She could never be at ease. No matter how capable I am, she would still worry for a lifetime.”

Old Madam Zhao wholeheartedly agreed.

Su Wan glanced around. The noble young ladies and esteemed madams all wore warm smiles, looking at her as if she were one of their own.

A woman’s favor and hostility were often inexplicable.

For instance, simply because of cosmetics and skincare products, they had already categorized her as one of them, radiating goodwill toward her.

For example, Tang Haoyue and County Princess Lin’an had developed great hostility toward her simply due to the manipulations and provocations of certain people.

While she was momentarily lost in thought, Wenying had already reached a consensus with the others. Taking the lead, she said with a bright smile, “Wanwan, now that spring has arrived, I’m planning to host a flower appreciation banquet. Tomorrow, I’ll send you an invitation—you must honor us with your presence.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. “If you’re busy, we can set the date according to your availability.”

Seeing their eager expressions, Su Wan smiled and said, “I will be there on time.”

The ladies beamed with satisfaction, then gathered together, enthusiastically discussing the details of the flower appreciation banquet.

Compared to the lively atmosphere on this side, the other side was cold and desolate. County Princess Lin’an was so furious that she nearly ground her teeth to pieces.

She was filled with regret, had she known things would turn out this way, she never should have let Tang Haoyue pick a fight.

If Wenying hadn’t stepped in to defend Su Wan, she wouldn’t have ended up stealing the spotlight!

But it was too late for regrets now!

“Mother! Mother!” Madam Zhao hurried over, slightly out of breath, her voice filled with urgency as she reported, “Mother, someone from the palace has arrived!”

Old Madam Zhao seemed surprised. “The Empress?”

Madam Zhao leaned in and whispered something into Old Madam Zhao’s ear.

Old Madam Zhao’s brows furrowed tightly. She allowed Madam Zhao to support her as she stood up and made her way toward the front hall to receive the visitor.

County Princess Lin’an’s heart stirred, a flicker of joy flashing across her face. It must be the Empress Dowager’s imperial decree!

“Let’s go and see!” she said eagerly.

County Princess Lin’an could hardly contain her excitement—she wished she could fly straight to the front hall and receive the imperial decree herself.

Tang Haoyue quickly followed behind.

The group hurried toward the front hall, and as soon as they arrived, their eyes fell upon the palace envoys who had come to deliver the message.

Liu Dequan, a fair-skinned, beardless eunuch, stood in the center of the room, holding the imperial decree in his hands.

County Princess Lin’an recognized him as someone from the Empress Dowager’s side and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Old Madam Zhao, however, fixed her gaze on the imperial decree in his hands, her expression devoid of any smile, looking extremely solemn. “Eunuch Liu, you have waited long.”

Then, Old Madam Zhao instructed a maid, “Serve tea for Eunuch Liu.”

“No need,” Liu Dequan replied, his voice carrying authority. “By the Empress Dowager’s command, I have come to deliver an imperial decree.” His gaze swept across the gathered crowd. The Duke Zhao household had mostly assembled, with many guests present as well. However, the main subject of the decree was missing. “General Zhao is not here?” 

Madam Zhao quickly responded, “We’ve already sent someone to fetch him.”

Liu Dequan was just about to speak when the sound of hurried footsteps approached.

Everyone looked up and saw the steward leading the way. His expression was oddly awkward, as if he had stumbled upon something he shouldn’t have seen. Behind him followed Zhao Wei and a young girl, both looking slightly disheveled, their clothing somewhat disorderly.