Chapter 16: She actually did not ask for a marriage edict

Xie Ling stared blankly at that slender figure; if at first he had been attracted by the woman's beauty, now he was completely conquered by her personal charm.

How could there be such a unique woman in the world?

Meanwhile, Xiao Jingyuan beside her had an entirely different thought, and he frowned.

A gentleman does not stand beneath a dangerous wall.

To win a momentary verbal advantage, openly defying superiors and placing oneself in danger is not the courage of a brave man but the folly of rash recklessness.

It is not worthy of admiration or imitation.

As expected, he is still too young.

Upon hearing the news and rushing over, Shen Lang saw the situation and knelt down without a word.

Emperor Dao Xuan Wen then spoke: "Everyone, rise; I bear no blame toward her, on the contrary I wish to thank her."

Thank her?

Everyone thought they had misheard.

Xiao Jingyuan's brow twitched as he looked toward Emperor Dao Xuan Wen.

Emperor Dao Xuan Wen said with some feeling: "It has been a long time since anyone spoke such words to me; those around me are merely parrots that only say 'the world is at peace.'"

Shen Shuangning knew Emperor Dao Xuan Wen was a wise ruler, which gave her the courage to speak frankly; if the throne were occupied by a foolish monarch, she would never dare to gamble the lives of the Duke's household.

Emperor Dao Xuan Wen turned to look at the Elder Princess and said: "Elder Sister, this time your jade token has finally been given to the right person."

Who would have thought the Elder Princess would not be appeased this time; she snorted: "Shen Shuangning, the one before you is the Emperor; if you dare again to speak without restraint, lacking the decorum of a lady, I will take back your jade token."

Shen Shuangning knew the Elder Princess was saying this on purpose, so she restrained all her sharpness and replied obediently: "Your servant will keep the Princess's teachings in mind."

After speaking, she locked eyes with the Elder Princess, whose lips curled slightly upward—a smile of composure, as if she had the whole situation under control.

Suddenly, an inconceivable thought flashed through her mind, and Shen Shuangning's pupils contracted slightly.

Could it be that the Elder Princess intentionally did this... the unremarkable pumpkin placed in the culinary examination is actually her stepping stone?

So that someone could advise the emperor?

Before Shen Shuangning could sort it out, Emperor Dao Xuan Wen said to her father: "Shen Lang, I entrust you with an important duty, appointing you as Investigating Commissioner; go to Zhending to investigate thoroughly and be sure to give me an account. Depart tomorrow."

Shen Lang's expression tightened: "I will obey the edict!"

Emperor Dao Xuan Wen then looked at Xiao Jingyuan: "You also go."

Xiao Jingyuan: "Yes."

Senior Minister Song's face was grim; he lowered his head, his eyes darting about, unknown what scheme he was hatching.

Shen Shuangning glanced at Song Zhang; Song Zhang held power over the court, practically able to cover the sky with one hand. Yet, only three months remained before the Song manor would be raided...

Song Zhang is an old fox; he must have already arranged his retreat.

Shen Shuangning couldn't help but look toward Xiao Jingyuan; would he see his beloved harmed and not come to her aid?

As if sensing her gaze, Xiao Jingyuan lifted his eyes.

But Shen Shuangning had already lowered her head.

Xiao Jingyuan raised his eyebrows.

At this moment, the Elder Princess brought the topic back to Shen Shuangning once again.

"Shen Shuangning, you won first place in the ladies' etiquette contest; you may ask His Majesty for an edict."

Emperor Dao Xuan Wen then realized, speaking kindly: "I almost forgot this matter; Little Shuangning, what do you want?"

The Yan princess consort immediately grew nervous.

Just now, when Song Xizhi wiped sweat for Ah Yuan, even the Emperor saw it; surely everyone guessed who Ah Yuan's beloved is, and even if the Fourth Miss requested a marriage edict, the Emperor would not force Xiao Jingyuan.

But the fear is that Emperor Dao Xuan Wen likes this girl and has agreed to let her become Xiao Jingyuan's concubine.

If that were the case... the Yan princess consort would also be displeased, for Shen Shuangning is too beautiful; if a man indulges in beauty, it will hinder his great undertakings.

Rather, a virtuous and gentle lady like the Song family's daughter would be more suitable as the heir's consort.

While the Yan princess consort was lost in random thoughts, Shen Shuangning spoke: "Your servant dares to ask for a string of prayer beads once worn by the Empress Dowager, for my grandmother."

Emperor Dao Xuan Wen asked: "Only this?"

Shen Shuangning replied: "Only this; I hope Your Majesty will grant it."

The Empress Dowager's prayer beads are far more useful than any mountains of gold and silver.

Emperor Dao Xuan Wen readily replied: "Someone will bring them to you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Shen Shuangning bowed in gratitude.

The Yan princess consort was greatly surprised, her feelings exceedingly complex.

Shen Shuangning actually did not ask the Emperor for a marriage edict; could she have been mistaken?

This instead makes all her previous efforts look like a joke.

Today Shen Shuangning's conduct earned the admiration of all the clan ladies present, yet it also dispelled any thought of further matchmaking.

Because Shen Shuangning's talent is too sharp, they desire a virtuous, gentle woman to manage the household, not a heroine among women.

The polo match was about to begin, but Emperor Dao Xuan Wen felt fatigued; everyone rose to see him off respectfully.

Xie Ling went to find Xiao Jingyuan: "I recall you carry medicine on you; give me some."

Xiao Jingyuan glanced at him and asked: "Are you injured?"

Xie Ling replied: "It's not me; it's someone else."

Xiao Jingyuan didn't ask further and just gave it to him.

After Emperor Dao Xuan Wen left, Madam Shen pulled Shen Shuangning aside and sternly reprimanded her with a few words.

"Ningning, you are not to take such risks again!"

However, Shen Lang also consequently received the emperor's heavy trust, which is a good thing.

Madam Shen could not bear to speak harshly to her daughter, only urging her to be careful in speech and conduct henceforth.

Shen Shuangning obediently agreed: "I know, Mother, don't be angry."

Madam Shen helplessly said: "You, you, I was still worried today that your peach blossom luck being too strong isn't a good thing, but now it's fine—you've stolen all the limelight, those ladies won't consider you anymore; perhaps from tomorrow on, those young masters will avoid you like the plague."

Shen Shuangning was not an innocent girl; she naturally knew the reason, and she said indifferently: "I just want them to know that this is me; if they can't accept it, they can go find someone else."

In her previous life, for the sake of her beloved, she willingly accepted the constraints of worldly propriety, becoming a virtuous and decent lady, gradually losing herself.

Only after dying once did she understand: those who like you will like you no matter what you look like.

Madam Shen: "Look at you, I don't even know who you take after; aren't you afraid you won't get married and will become an old maid?"

Shen Shuangning took her mother's arm, coquettishly saying: "If I can't get married, Mother can just support me for life, right?"

"Don't act coquettish with me."

At that moment, Shen Shuangning saw Xie Lin's figure not far away; he was looking at her, as if he had something to discuss.

So Shen Shuangning made up an excuse to go see him.

Xie Lin brought her to the back of the tent; with no one around, he took out a bottle of medicine from his sleeve.

"A sprained ankle needs timely treatment; dragging it out will get serious. Sit down, I'll apply the medicine for you."

Shen Shuangning felt a bit embarrassed: "I'll do it myself."

Xie Lin had spent more time in the military camp before and wasn't used to interacting with women; seeing Shen Shuangning's slightly bashful expression, he realized it was improper.

"I, I didn't mean to offend you," he hurriedly explained.

Shen Shuangning snatched the medicine from his hand and said: "Turn around."

Xie Lin then turned around.

Only then did Shen Shuangning sit on the wooden post, take off her shoes and socks, and then apply the medicine Xie Lin gave her to the swollen spot; it felt cool.

During that time she glanced at Xie Lin, seeing him standing properly, like he was at attention.

She couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth.

Who would have thought that just then, a rustling sound came from the bushes, as if something were about to dart out.

Shen Shuangning startled, her shoes and socks not yet on, she jumped up.

Xie Lin reacted quickly, grabbing Shen Shuangning and pulling her behind him.

It turned out the bushes only held a stray cat.

It was a false alarm.

In his peripheral vision, Xie Lin unintentionally caught a glimpse of white, and he instinctively looked over.

Beneath the skirt, the girl's feet were fair and delicate, like a flawless piece of beautiful jade.

"What are you looking at?"

Shen Shuangning drew her feet in, her almond eyes flashing with anger as she glared at him.

Only then did Xie Lin snap back to his senses, realizing what he had just seen; a wave of heat flushed his face: "I, I didn't mean to look, I didn't..."

Shen Shuangning snapped: "Still not turning around!"

Xie Lin hastily turned away, closed his eyes, and anxiously added: "Cousin Ning, don't be angry, I really didn't mean to."

The Xie family and Shen Shuangning's maternal family have some kinship, so his address is not wrong.

That "Cousin Ning" even carried a hint of ingratiation.

Shen Shuangning paused, then ignored him.

Soon after, having put on her shoes and socks, she said nothing and walked straight away.

"Hey, Cousin Ning..." Xie Lin's raised hand froze in midair, then he turned his direction and covered his face.

Oh no, how did I make her angry?

Afterwards, during the polo match, Xie Lin was somewhat absent-minded.

The young ladies were all watching not far away.

Xie Lin glanced over from time to time, but never saw that graceful figure; he felt a bit disappointed.

Xie Lin's background and looks were top-notch among the young men, quite attractive; his gaze toward this side was too obvious, making some ladies' hearts flutter.

This time, the Lin family maiden who placed second in the ladies' etiquette contest really liked him; thus, when others teased that Xie Lin was always looking at her, she clutched her handkerchief, feeling quite shy.

"Mingyuan, focus."

From beside came Xiao Jingyuan's deep, cold voice.

Xie Lin, courtesy name Mingyuan.

Xie Lin made up his mind in his heart: he would win the stake, then take it to Shen Shuangning as compensation.

Shen Shuangning originally didn't want to go watch the polo match, but she couldn't refuse her friend Su Ran's wish to go.

Su Ran is a miss of the Su family; she has secretly loved Shen Xiuci for a long time, so naturally she very much wanted to see his bearing.

Xie Lin thought Shen Shuangning wouldn't come, but he spotted her figure during the halftime break.

However, with so many eyes around, Xie Lin didn't go over to talk to her; he merely glanced occasionally in her direction.

In the following match, Xie Lin gave it his all, his limelight nearly surpassing that of Xiao Shizi, becoming the focus of the crowd.

The youth was full of vigor and spirit, his bearing extraordinary, like a handful of the most blazing flame, brimming with strong vitality, even more dazzling than the sun.

Even Shen Shuangning couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.

"Whose young master is that?"

Even the friend who usually only had eyes for Shen Xiuci couldn't help but be drawn to the attention of Young Master Xie.

Shen Shuangning whispered: "That is the heir of the Yongning Marquisate, Xie Lin."

Su Ran suddenly realized, lowering her voice: "He's Xie Lin, the one who saved you?"

Shen Shuangning nodded and shushed.

Su Ran bumped her with her shoulder, wiggling her eyebrows: "No wonder he keeps looking this way; could it be that he likes you?"

Shen Shuangning knew in her heart, but she still pretended not to know, saying, "I don't know."

As evening approached, the polo match ended.

As expected, Xiao Jingyuan's team took first place; after all, they are all military officers, and their physical fitness already far surpasses others.

Shen Xiuchi and the others came in third, which is also a good result, and they did not lose face for their family.

The top three teams all received generous rewards.

Everyone was happy, only Xie Lin was not very satisfied.

These rewards were either weapons or mundane objects; none were suitable to give to a woman.

Thus Xie Lin came before the Grand Princess and said, "I dare to ask the Grand Princess for a reward."

Xie Lin, whom the Grand Princess had watched grow up, she doted on him greatly, so she smiled and said, "What do you want?"

Xie Lin took a fancy to the large pearl, the size of a fist, on the Grand Princess's ornate headdress.