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Xuan Feiran’s hand paused for a moment, looking at Su Jiu in surprise. “What did you say?”
An imperial decree for marriage? Did Su Jiu truly let go?
“I’ve found a suitable girl, so I’ve let go of the past.”
Xuan Feiran nodded happily. “That’s great. Who is the girl? I’ll issue the decree for you.”
“It’s Ming Wanning, the young lady of the Ming family.”
“Lai Fu, take this decree and deliver it.” Xuan Feiran began writing the imperial decree for marriage and handed it to Lai Fu.
“Understood.”
Lai Fu, holding the decree, arrived at the Ming family.
“Lai Fu has arrived with the imperial decree,” The Head of the Ming family hurriedly called everyone else out of the house.
Grandmother Ming looked at Ming’s father in confusion. What had they done to warrant an imperial decree? They hadn’t done anything recently.
Just as Ming’s mother was about to speak, Lai Fu announced, “Ming Wanning, receive the decree.”
Grandmother Ming was somewhat stunned. The imperial decree was not for the Head of the Ming family , but for Ming Wanning.
Since Ming Wanning’s return, she had changed completely, and nothing good was left for them, not even fresh produce throughout the year.
Everyone in the family had it, except for her.
The Head of the Ming family knelt down, and Ming Wanning, who was beside him, spoke, “I, as a commoner, accept the decree.”
After Lai Fu finished reading the decree, everyone who didn’t know about it was dumbfounded, especially Ming’s mother.
It was an imperial decree for marriage, the marriage decree between Ming Wanning and Su Jiu of the Su family.
Looking at the unsurprised Head of the Ming family and the others, Grandmother Ming’s expression turned unpleasant. Her own children and grandchildren knew, but they didn’t. Did these people have any regard for her?
“Thank you for the Emperor’s grace.”
As she rose, The Head of the Ming Family’s Wife handed Lai Fu a purse. “Thank you, Lai Fu, for making the trip.”
“Madam Ming, no need to be polite. I offer my congratulations to the two of you,” Lai Fu replied.
“Thank you. Please stay for a drink…”
“No need. I have to report back.”
After Lai Fu left, Grandmother Ming, with a cold expression, spoke, “You all knew about this?”
“What are you talking about, Grandmother?”
“You… Are you blaming me?” Grandmother Ming looked at Ming Wanning’s father and asked through gritted teeth.
The Head of the Ming Family chuckled sarcastically. “You’re really mistaken. Blame you for what? If you hadn’t insisted on arranging for Yu Manxue to marry the person we valued for Wanning, how would Wanning have met Su Jiu?”
Hearing the Head of the Ming family’s sarcastic tone, Grandmother Ming only furrowed her brow. “You’re going too far.”
“Too far? Who’s really gone too far? Allowing Yu Manxue to give Wanning that dirty medicine. If it weren’t for the Princess telling Wanning to seek her, Wanning wouldn’t even know what happened,” the head of the Ming family said resentfully.
Ming Wanqing, standing nearby, spoke as if the matter wasn’t significant enough. “Father, Yu Manxue even tried to have my sister killed on the way to seek the Princess for medical help. If it weren’t for my future brother-in-law saving her, we wouldn’t have seen her again, right?”
Ming Wanqing knew all these things, and her resentment towards Grandmother Ming grew after learning about them.
They were all family, but to them, Yu Manxue was precious, and they were nothing.
“When Yu Manxue came to flaunt her engagement in front of my sister, didn’t you turn a blind eye and pretend not to know anything? What are you saying now?” Ming Wanqing looked at Grandmother Ming, seeing nothing but hatred in her eyes. Whatever her sister had today, it was because of her own efforts. What did it have to do with them?
“Even if you’re angry, what can you do? I want to see if you can still try to take everything from my sister as you did before,” Ming Wanqing was also infuriated.
The head of the Ming family and the others were already angry about the matter, so they chose to turn a blind eye to their daughter’s words.
Grandmother Ming, seeing a young girl daring to speak to her in such a manner, and the head of the Ming family and the others not saying anything, knew that the previous events had already angered them.
“That’s your niece and sister. What’s wrong with letting them have their way?”
“Grandma, you always want to have it your way” the head of the Ming family spoke nonchalantly.
Ming’s third brother’s eyes were filled with sarcasm as he looked at his second sister-in-law. “After the marriage decree, the Su family should come to propose. You should prepare more dowry for Wanning.”
“Yes, second sister-in-law, let’s discuss what dowry to prepare for Wanning.” Since Ming Wanning’s father and his brothers were blood brothers, they had a very close relationship, and their wives and children also got along well. Naturally, they would discuss such a major family event together.
“Little sister is right. Let’s discuss it thoroughly.”
“Mother, can you give me some money? I want to buy a gift for my sister.”
“We want to as well.”
Ming Wanning looked at her family, feeling warm inside. It was great to have family by her side.
“Mother, I also want to buy some fabric,” Ming Wanning said hesitantly.
She didn’t have in-laws, but she still had her grandfather, who would provide money for her and Su Jiu to make clothes, shoes, and prepare the bridal attire.
“Come with me to the courtyard, and I’ll give you the money.”
The wife of the Head of the Ming family took her sister-in-law, brothers-in-law, and their children to the courtyard, not even sparing a glance at the old lady throughout the entire process.
After the previous incident, she had vented her anger fiercely. Now, no one would say anything about it. It was better than trying to please the old lady and receiving no appreciation. At least now, she felt better.
Especially Madam Ming, the wife of the head of the family.
Since the incident with the children, she found it difficult to be filial to the old lady.
Back in the courtyard, Madam Ming and her sisters-in-law gave the children money, then looked at the list of dowry items that Madam Ming had already prepared for Ming Wanning.
Meanwhile, Ming Wanning went out with her younger sisters, chatting and laughing along the way.
Upon hearing the news of the Emperor granting marriage to Su Jiu and Ming Wanning, Yu Manxue quickly found out.
Upon hearing the news, Yu Manxue’s eyes were filled with disbelief. “What did you say? The Emperor granted marriage to that despicable Ming Wanning? And the groom is Su Jiu? How is that possible?”
“Miss, this is all true. The eunuch in charge by the Emperor personally announced the decree,” Yu Manxue’s maid said helplessly.
By now, everyone in the capital should know about this. Even if the Miss doesn’t believe it or is unwilling to accept it, it won’t change anything.
“I underestimated that despicable Ming Wanning. I really don’t understand how she managed to get involved with Su Jiu and make him agree to the Emperor’s decree.”
The man she snatched from Ming Wanning, although decent, was nothing compared to Su Jiu.
The previous flaunting and arrogance now felt like a slap in the face, and it was unbearable.
“Miss, be careful, the walls have ears. The Ming family is already displeased with you. If these words were to be known, it might be difficult for you when you visit the Ming family in the future…”