Chapter 152: with translation of chapter title

"The Empress's imperial edict only represents the Empress's opinion; why must I obey it?"

Thus: "The Empress's imperial edict only represents the Empress's opinion; why must I obey it?" We'll output 【1】 that.

Ye Qingran spoke lightly, as if chatting about family trivialities, her tone calm and undisturbed.

Yet she frightened everyone present quite a bit!

Although everyone who came to the banquet was a scion of a prominent family from Xiliang City, they were ultimately still subject to the imperial clan. The Empress represents the imperial clan, mother of the nation, possessing supreme authority!

Her words carried great weight; even the Xiliang nobility dared not disobey!

Ye Qingran actually openly declared that she would not obey the imperial edict!

Is she planning to rebel?

"Ye Qingran, you have great gall! The Empress Dowager is the mother of the nation; how dare you defy her edict?!" Gu Dongliu slammed the table and rose, his expression furious, his demeanor stern.

Defying the imperial clan is a capital offense!

"Come! Ye Qingran shows no respect for the law, defies the edict, scorns the imperial clan, deserves death ten thousand times; seize this criminal woman and press her down, cast her into the Heaven Prison!"

As the words fell, imperial clan guards surged in from both sides, solemn and orderly, stepping in unison, grimly advancing toward Ye Qingran.

Ye Huanhuan and the others, seeing this great commotion, couldn't help but reveal delighted expressions!

Ye Qingran, you fool, do you think the Empress's edict is so easy to defy?

Do you think Zhou Hai is someone you can simply refuse to marry if you don't want to? Since you are so foolish, go die!

Ye Huanhuan's face showed a worried look, yet her heart was overjoyed!

"Ye Qingran, today you either obey the edict and marry Zhou Hai, thereafter suffering torment till a natural death, or defy the edict and meet a fate deserving death ten thousand times; either way, you will die. Once you are dead, the Ye family will be mine, and the entire Donglin Country will have me as its most noble woman!"

Ye Huanhuan gloated inwardly, a sharp glint flashing in her slightly narrowed eyes.

Pa-da~

Just as the guards reached Ye Qingran, she flung a purple glass token onto the table.

In an instant, imperial majesty shone brightly, noble aura natural and complete.

The sharp-eyed guard saw the token on the table, his pupils constricted, and he reflexively knelt on the ground, terrified!

This happened so suddenly that nobody had time to react.

"What's going on? Why are all the guards kneeling?"

Those farther away didn't notice Ye Qingran's action at all, only seeing the guards' bewildered expressions.

Gu Dongliu stared at the Former Emperor's decree, raised his eyebrows, then slowly rose, bowed to the decree, and deliberately raised his voice saying, "Greetings to the Former Emperor!"

Xia Zhimeng followed closely, a rare solemnity appearing on her pretty face.

Ling Shaoyang, as the young master of the aristonic Ling Guo Fu clan, possessed the privilege granted by his ancestors' pardon to not kneel before the imperial clan. Thus Ling Shaoyang did not perform the ritual, but to show respect he still rose to his feet.

Upon saying that, the whole hall erupted in an uproar.

Only then did everyone realize that Ye Qingran had actually produced the Former Emperor's decree!

How could they forget that Ye Qingran still possessed the Former Emperor's decree!

Thus they all rose, saluting Ye Qingran while shouting, "Greetings to the Former Emperor!"

The Former Emperor's decree represents the Former Emperor himself. During his reign, he once said that seeing this token is like seeing him in person. Moreover, there is only one such decree; besides Ye Qingran's token, no second exists in the world!

Its rarity speaks for itself!

Thus, even the Empress, who is the mother of the nation, Gu Huanghou, upon seeing this token, must rise and perform the kneeling bow!

For a moment, in the grand banquet hall, countless nobles all paid respects and knelt before Ye Qingran, the scene magnificently spectacular.

"When the Former Emperor gave this token to my mother, he once said that unless it shakes the foundation of the state, the words of the token's holder are his words."

The statement "the words of the token's holder are his words" caused several members of the imperial clan to turn pale.

The Former Emperor bestowed supreme authority and ultimate honor upon a non‑imperial‑clan person.

"Empress, I said I would not marry Zhou Hai. So now, do you still want me to marry?"

Ye Qingran lifted her gaze to look distant at the upper seat's Empress Gu Huanghou, her expression calm, she schemed.

Gu Huanghou almost bit her silver teeth.

How could she forget that Ye Qingran still had the Former Emperor's decree as her trump card!

With the Former Emperor's decree in hand, even the present sovereign would have no right to refute; what could an Empress say? If she persisted, wouldn't she be accused of disloyalty and impiety?

"Ah, I did this only out of pity for you, worried you wouldn't find a match; but since you resist this marriage so strongly, then let it be. My Palace only hopes you can find your ideal husband."

Ye Qingran ignored her and personally put away the Former Emperor's decree. Seeing Ye Qingran put away the decree, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and gradually returned to their seats. Although the decree is just a token, for some reason, upon seeing it they felt as if the Former Emperor had descended.

Having been publicly rejected by Ye Qingran, Zhou Hai's face lost color; he gritted his teeth and, supported by Empress Gu Huanghou, shouted sarcastically: "Ye Qingran, you refused me this time—I want to see who would be willing to marry you! Although you are the daughter of General Dingyuan and the First Beauty of Xiliang City, don't forget that your body is already impure, you lack a spiritual root, and are a cripple unable to cultivate! Anyone with ability and status would look down on you—unless you become someone's concubine!"

"Han Xing."

Facing Zhou Hai's insults, Ye Qingran's reaction was very calm; she merely softly called out Han Xing's name.

Han Xing had been by Ye Qingran's side for years, and they shared a deep tacit understanding. Before Ye Qingran's voice faded, Han Xing vanished from his spot and appeared before Zhou Hai; under Zhou Hai's terrified gaze, he struck fiercely, like a Shura, and with a few punches knocked Zhou Hai to the ground.

"Anyone who dares to disrespect my lady will meet this end. My lady is merciful; if there is a next time, don't even think about keeping your life!"

Han Xing's voice was cold as ice, making those who heard it tremble.

One can't help but wonder: is this person really just a maid? She feels more terrifying than an assassin.

Seeing Zhou Hai lying on the ground, his hands covering his face, pain grimacing, he constantly groaned; blood stained his clothes, several bloody teeth rolled aside, and a crimson tongue lay there— the scene looked bloody and violent.

Ye Qingran glanced lightly at the horrifying Zhou Hai, a dark flicker passing through her eyes.

Since everyone was interested in her marriage, she used Zhou Hai to end their fantasies, letting them know that provoking Ye Qingran carries a heavy price!

"Ah! Hai'er! My son!" The reaction came from Zhou Hai's mother, who suddenly cried out and rushed toward Zhou Hai, seeing his swollen, bruised face and incessant bleeding, her heart filled with shock and anger.

"Ye Qingran, you wicked wretch, my Hai'er only spoke a few truths, yet you beat him severely and tore out his tongue! You are a devil!"

Zhou Hai's father was also fuming.

The Zhou family, although they have several sons, only Zhou Hai holds an official post, and they all rely on his prosperity; how could they allow him to suffer misfortune?

"Ye Qingran, the Empress and the Ninth Prince are both present, and you dare to use such a vicious move—do you really not put members of the Imperial Clan in your sight at all? Even if you have the Imperial Decree of the Former Emperor, you cannot be so lawless, can you?!"

「Lawless? 」 Ye Qingran gave a light laugh, like pearls falling onto a jade plate. "The lawless one is Zhou Hai, right? I am the daughter of General Dingyuan, a descendant of martyrs; when will it be Zhou Hai's turn, this mere secretary, to pass judgment?"

Old Master Zhou's body went rigid.