Chapter 57: Imperial Edict of Marriage

Wait! This is all too coincidental!

Could it be Tang Chuyao’s scheme?

But now wasn’t the time to think about this. Gu Huaifeng angrily flicked his sleeve and left, but his gait was a little strange.

Tang Chuying’s eyes were red. She looked at Tang Youze softly and said, “Father, Ying’er will go back first!”

Tang Youze looked at her with indifference, without the usual concern.

In the afternoon, bad news came from Wen Yong Marquis’ mansion. The old matriarch died from poisoning. Mei Niang, who had a deep affection for her aunt, also passed away…

The palace doctor, Zhang Hong, was accused by Wen Yong Marquis’ mansion of poisoning the old matriarch and was brought to the court. After an investigation, Zhang Hong was sentenced to death by beheading and executed on the spot!

Tang Chuyao listened to Dujian’s vivid description of these events, but she didn’t react much.

In her previous life, the old matriarch lived a peaceful life in her later years, and Mei Niang’s status rose as she married into the Marquis of Xuanping’s mansion as a concubine.

In this life, those who had harmed her mother and those who had harmed her would all receive their due retribution!

A series of changes occurred in Wen Yong Marquis’ mansion in just one day.

As Tang Youze directed the servants to clean up Rongjin Hall, a servant came to report that someone had arrived from the palace!

He didn’t have time to think. He quickly had someone call Tang Chuyao and Xu Rulan, and he went to the front gate to greet them.

To his surprise, Gu Qingchen appeared with Eunuch Liu!

When Tang Chuyao and Xu Rulan came out together, Eunuch Liu read the imperial decree.

By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

I, the Emperor, have inherited the Mandate of Heaven and ascended the throne. I have been diligent day and night, thinking about spreading civilization and justice. Now, Gu Qingchen, the Regent King of Daqi, is from a noble family, possesses both talent and virtue, and has made outstanding contributions. He is a rare talent in the country, and I am pleased with him. There is also Tang Chuyao, the granddaughter of the Great General of the State, and the niece of the Imperial Concubine. She is virtuous and kind, beautiful and intelligent, gentle and dignified, and a model for women. She is both beautiful and virtuous.

I have considered the two of you, a perfect match made in heaven. To celebrate this good fortune and to demonstrate my benevolence, I hereby bestow upon Gu Qingchen and Tang Chuyao a marriage. Choose a good day and auspicious time to hold the wedding. May the two of you live in harmony after marriage, respect each other, be as close as husband and wife, and live happily ever after, becoming a good story for our dynasty.

All matters related to the wedding shall be handled by the Ministry of Rites with care. Ensure that the wedding is solemn, joyous, and successful. Announce this to the world, so that all may hear it.

So decreed!

Tang Youze felt like he had struck gold!

One second he was furious about Mei Xia’e’s betrayal, and the next second, he felt that immense wealth was beckoning him.

He didn’t even care about Tang Chuyao’s identity anymore, even though the imperial decree stated that she was the granddaughter of the Great General of the State and the niece of the Imperial Concubine.

From now on, he would be the father-in-law of the Regent King!!

Thinking about this, Tang Youze felt a surge of excitement and delight.

After Eunuch Liu finished reading the decree, Tang Chuyao accepted it. Eunuch Liu quickly helped Tang Chuyao up, “This servant congratulates Miss Tang!”

Tang Chuyao gestured to Dujian behind her. Dujian immediately stepped forward and handed Eunuch Liu a pouch. Eunuch Liu was surprised and quickly waved his hands, “No, no! How can this servant accept your money?”

The Regent King stood with his hands behind his back and said, “Since it’s a gift from the Princess, Eunuch Liu, you don’t need to be polite.”

“Oh, you are too kind to this old servant. This servant is not as good as you are. I’ll accept it!”

“Thank you for the gift, Princess!” Eunuch Liu said with a smile as he accepted the pouch. “Then this servant will return to the palace to report!”

Tang Chuyao bowed slightly. Eunuch Liu turned around, bowed to Gu Qingchen, and left.

“Your Highness, come in and have some tea?” Tang Youze looked at Gu Qingchen with a smile on his face.

Gu Qingchen looked at him coldly and said, “Your mansion has lost two people today. You must be very busy, Your Lordship. I won’t bother you.”

Tang Youze immediately realized this and felt a little annoyed by his invitation. He could only say with a wry smile, “Your Highness is right. Then I’ll go and get busy.” Then he turned to Tang Chuyao and said with a smile, “Yao’er, please entertain His Highness for me.”

Just as Tang Youze was about to turn and leave with Xu Rulan, a man with messy hair suddenly appeared at the entrance, shouting, “Nan’er!”

Tang Chuyao smiled slightly. Manager Zhang had arrived!

Tang Youze was afraid of disturbing Gu Qingchen, so he quickly stepped forward and scolded, “What kind of madman are you? How dare you make a scene in front of Wen Yong Marquis’ mansion!”

Then he turned to the servant beside him and said sternly, “Hurry up and drag him away!”

The servant immediately stepped forward to drag Zhang Wei away, but unexpectedly, Zhang Wei seemed to have endless energy. He broke free from the servant’s restraint, rushed to Tang Youze, pointed at his nose and cursed, “Murderer!”

“Murderer! Murderer!”

Tang Youze turned to look at Gu Qingchen, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and felt a little guilty. He called over a few servants and had them drag Zhang Wei away…

Gu Qingchen ignored him. He glanced at Tang Youze, didn’t say anything, and said goodbye to Tang Chuyao before leaving.

Xu Rulan suddenly seemed to react and said, “My lord, that man looks a little familiar…”

Tang Youze’s face was displeased, and he said impatiently, “He’s a madman. How could Lady Rulan know him?”

Xu Rulan explained, “My lord, this concubine doesn’t know that man either, but he looks a little familiar, like I’ve seen him somewhere before.”

Tang Youze ignored Xu Rulan’s words. Xu Rulan seemed to be thinking about something. She suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “My lord, don’t you think that man looks a little like Zhang Hong?”

Tang Youze thought back and also realized that the man looked a bit like Zhang Hong. He had someone bring the man into the mansion.

Tang Chuyao ignored them. She glanced at Xu Rulan and took Dujian back to Luoying Pavilion.

The next morning, Tang Chuyao had just finished practicing her sword when she saw Dujian waiting for her anxiously.

“Miss, you’re finally back. Something big has happened!” Dujian said anxiously.

“What happened?” Tang Chuyao poured herself a cup of tea.

“Miss, they’re doing a blood test for kinship in Wutong Courtyard right now!”

Tang Chuyao wasn’t surprised at all. Yesterday, she had just given Xu Rulan a little hint, and she didn’t expect Xu Rulan to be so capable and act so quickly!

Tang Chuyao put down her teacup, had Dujian help her wash up, and then slowly walked towards Wutong Courtyard.

Before she even entered the courtyard, she heard a boy’s crying, “Wuu wuu…”

“Father, don’t…”

Tang Chuyao entered the courtyard and saw a slightly chubby boy of about eight years old crying loudly. He was being held tightly by a servant, and another servant was holding a silver needle, about to prick his finger.

A few drops of blood appeared on his fingertip. The servant quickly squeezed a drop of blood from Tang Chunan’s finger into a bowl.

There was also a person lying on the ground in the courtyard. He was unconscious, and blood had also been drawn from him and dropped into the bowl.

Then, the two drops of blood were mixed together!

For a moment, the entire Wutong Courtyard was silent, except for Tang Chunan’s crying.

Tang Youze’s eyes were filled with anger, his face was grim, and he cursed, “You shameless woman!”