Chapter 49

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Before long, the two of them arrived together before the Imperial Study. The guards at the door, upon seeing them, immediately stepped forward and saluted respectfully, then reported: "Your Majesty, An Wang and Minister Ai of the Ministry of War request an audience."

The Emperor, who was handling state affairs, heard the guards' report and his heart tightened sharply; he secretly wondered: Could it be that another urgent military matter has occurred on the border? Thinking of this, he hurriedly set down the memorial in his hand and called out loudly: "Quickly announce them in!"

The two entered the hall with steady steps; their expressions were solemn, and they bowed deeply to the Emperor on the Dragon Throne with utmost reverence. Seeing this, the Emperor could not help but feel a trace of doubt, and he promptly asked: "The two beloved ministers have come in such haste — has something happened? Speak quickly and let Us hear."

The Minister of War stepped forward, cupped his fist respectfully, and then said: "Your Majesty, this humble official dares to implore Your Majesty to bestow a marriage for my son, Ai Chun." The Emperor was slightly startled, then asked with great interest: "Oh? I wonder which family's daughter has caught your son's fancy?" The Minister of War hurriedly replied: "Replying to Your Majesty, it is the daughter of An Wang's household." Upon hearing this, the Emperor's originally tense face instantly relaxed; he nodded lightly as if suddenly enlightened, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a smile tinged with teasing. His bright gaze fell squarely on An Wang, and he spoke with a seeming smile: "Oh? So it is actually the thousand-gold daughter of An Wang's household! Regarding your honored daughter, I have also heard a little. They say this young lady was born with a beauty like flowers and jade, and her temperament is gentle, compliant, and pitiable — truly a rare fine woman. Only... at first I thought some border pass had flared up with war again, which would make the beloved minister rush to court so hastily. Hahaha... I wonder what Imperial Brother thinks?"

An Wang, hearing this, hurriedly cupped his hands respectfully and bowed to the Emperor in reply: "Replying to Your Majesty, this subject entered the palace this time for my little daughter's matter. I have had the fortune to meet the Ai family's eldest son once; his character and appearance are both excellent — truly a good match. Therefore I dare to implore Your Majesty to bestow grace and grant a marriage between my little daughter and the Ai family's eldest son."

At this moment, Eunuch Sun, who had been standing silently to the side, heard the Emperor's decree and immediately bowed without hesitation, answering: "This servant obeys the decree!" He then swiftly turned, walking out of the study with light and steady steps to prepare the edict according to the Emperor's instructions.

The Emperor pondered for a moment, then spoke again slowly: "I have heard that An Wang's legitimate daughter, Yan Xiner, has the looks of a celestial fairy and beauty that surpasses the nation, a kind heart like a bright moon, a gentle and compliant temperament, who usually observes the way of a wife, whose words and deeds all follow ritual and teaching, and whose every movement displays the model of a boudoir lady. Now I confer upon Yan Xiner the title of Princess Wenshu. At the same time, I bestow this talented and beautiful lady in marriage to the son of the Minister of War, Ai Chun. I specially grant Jingzhou as the princess's fief, and bestow ten thousand taels of gold, ten thousand bolts of cloth, five bolts of fragrant cloud gauze, and a pair of jade ruyi. The Minister of War's legitimate son, Ai Chun, bears a dignified appearance, is modest and courteous, with a temperament gentle like jade — such a fine woman matched with a handsome man is truly a match made in heaven. Awaiting the selection of an auspicious day for the wedding, I hope the two will form a good bond, walk side by side, hearts in unison, and create a beautiful tale."

Eunuch Sun was seen standing to the side; he bowed slightly, brush in hand, writing swiftly on the paper. The brush tip made a soft rustling sound against the paper, as if a beautiful melody. Before long, Eunuch Sun stopped writing, let out a long breath, and carefully rolled up the freshly written imperial edict.

Eunuch Sun walked with small steps to An Wang, respectfully presenting the edict with both hands, and said with a smile: "An Wang, this servant also sincerely wishes you both happiness and a lifelong union!" An Wang hurriedly accepted the edict, his face showing gratitude, and replied: "Many thanks for Eunuch Sun's kind words." Immediately after, Ai Sheng and An Wang together saluted the Emperor, saying in unison: "This subject (this younger brother) will not disturb Your Majesty's handling of state affairs any longer; we take our leave now." The Emperor waved his hand lightly, signaling assent. Thus the two slowly turned and left the Imperial Study with steady steps.

Just as they stepped out of the Imperial Study's door, the Minister of War quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands to An Wang: "After this subject returns today, I will immediately set about preparing a generous betrothal gift, and this afternoon will accompany my humble wife to call and propose marriage. I only wonder if Your Highness can provide Miss Yan's birth date and eight characters, so that this old subject can also hurry home to select an auspicious day." An Wang listened, pondered briefly, then readily answered: "Very well, just wait a moment." With that, he actually turned and walked back into the Imperial Study.

At this time, the Emperor saw An Wang return after leaving, and could not help but show a puzzled expression, asking: "What is it? Is there something else?" An Wang hurriedly explained: "Replying to Imperial Brother, this subject still wishes to borrow Your Majesty's paper and brush once more." Hearing this, the Emperor turned to look at Eunuch Sun beside him. Eunuch Sun understood at once, quickly took paper and brush from the desk, and respectfully handed them to An Wang. An Wang stood calmly before the desk; the brush in his hand was like a lively dragon, moving across the snow-white paper, leaving several lines of dragon-flying phoenix-dancing characters with force penetrating the paper. He gently set down the brush, narrowed his eyes slightly, and examined his work with satisfaction. Then he gently blew on the paper surface, and the ink fragrance drifted away on the breeze.

An Wang's lips curled up slightly; he turned to face the Emperor sitting on the high seat and said in a clear voice: "This King is truly leaving now!" The Emperor leaned lazily against the Dragon Throne back, waved his hand casually, and replied: "Go, go!"

With that, An Wang carefully picked up the Xuan paper on the desk bearing Yan Xiner's birth date and eight characters, and strode out of the Imperial Study. Outside the study the sunlight was just right, falling on him as if draping him in a layer of golden splendid robes.

The Minister of War had been waiting for a long time; An Wang handed this Xuan paper to the waiting Ai Sheng. Ai Sheng hurriedly bowed in thanks, then took the Xuan paper, clutching it tightly in his hand like a precious treasure, and rushed off toward the Directorate of Astronomy.

At this moment, An Wang, holding the imperial edict just bestowed by the Emperor, leisurely set foot on the road home.

When An Wang entered the An Wang Mansion, he did not pause in the slightest, but went straight to the courtyard where the Princess Consort was. Entering the courtyard gate, he saw at a glance the Princess Consort sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, lightly sipping fragrant tea.

An Wang walked up quickly and said to the Princess Consort: "Go quickly and call Yan Xiner to me." The Princess Consort, hearing this, nodded slightly, then summoned her personal maid Chunxi, softly instructing her to go to Xinxiang Yuan and ask Yan Xiner to come.

Chunxi received the order and ran all the way to Xinxiang Yuan. When she pushed open the door, she saw Yan Xiner sitting quietly at the writing desk, eyes vacant, as if in a daze. On the desk, conspicuously placed, was a crystalline jade pendant emitting a faint glow.

Hearing the sound of someone entering, Yan Xiner snapped back to awareness, her expression slightly flustered. She hurriedly reached out to tuck the jade pendant into her bosom, then feigned composure as she looked toward the door.

At this moment, Chunxi had already approached, and respectfully asked: "Eldest Miss, are you inside?" Yan Xiner steadied herself and replied: "I am here, come in."

Chunxi entered at the sound, first saluting Yan Xiner, then said slowly: "Eldest Miss, the Princess Consort requests your presence; please move to the Princess Consort's courtyard." Hearing this, Yan Xiner rose, tidied her skirt, and without hesitation walked toward the Princess Consort's courtyard.