Chapter 393: Another Imperial Edict, Bestowing Marriage!

Another one?

Imperial edict?

Pei Lao Furen looked at Li Qingluo.

Li Qingluo, although she had a guess in her heart, could only shake her head to indicate she didn't know.

Pei Lao Furen's heart pounded thump-thump, jumping wildly.

In her time at court, she had never seen an edict of grace and an imperial edict both issued to the same family at once.

If that's really what she thought, then Prince Su really does have some ability.

Although Luò'er indeed saved the Empress Dowager this time.

But if it weren't for him, they probably wouldn't have been invited to whatever that Xiàmiao is.

Saving the Empress Dowager was also a matter of timing.

Now Luò'er's lowly status has been resolved; if another imperial edict comes……

But how did he convince the Emperor to grant an imperial edict?

Yan Di would surely not agree to let Luò'er of such low status become a daughter-in-law of the imperial family, would he?

Li Chao Jing is still imprisoned in the great prison.

The case remains unresolved.

Although I am an old general's identity, I am indeed old, and it's been thirty years since leaving court.

They, grandfather and granddaughter, have absolutely no one to rely on.

Pei Lao Furen's heart was filled with anxiety.

I'm afraid this edict will make Luò'er become some concubine, which for the imperial family is already a great concession.

But for Luò'er, it's just a grievance.

Pei Lao Furen felt a bitterness in her heart, yet she heard the imperial edict being proclaimed again:

"The Emperor, who obeys Heaven and inherits the Dao, decrees:"

"The Fifth Prince is Prince Su, Duan Rongshi, of upright appearance and bearing, both civil and military talents, righteous conduct, capable of great responsibility;"

"The eldest granddaughter of the illustrious old general, Li Qingluo — the Princess of Yaoguang, gentle and virtuous, beautiful outside and wise within, possessing both virtue and grace, her reputation far-reaching."

"Although their family backgrounds differ, both were born into distinguished families, truly a match made in heaven of talent and beauty."

"It is truly a marriage made by heaven."

"I, upon hearing this, am greatly pleased; I hereby bestow a marriage between them to seal the Qin-Jin alliance, ennobling the Princess of Yaoguang as the principal consort of Prince Su, to become a celebrated tale."

"Order the Bureau of Astronomy to select an auspicious day, prepare the wedding, with the Ministry of Rites jointly handling all affairs……"

"May they, after marriage, love each other as husband and wife, treat each other with respect as guests, and hold the tray level with eyebrows……"

"Let it be proclaimed throughout the realm, so that all may hear."

"Such is the imperial decree!"

"Subject—"

"Subject—"

"Thank you for the Emperor's boundless grace!"

After Li Qingluo and her grandmother received the edict and rose, Aunt Fang immediately warmly stepped forward to grasp Li Qingluo's hand.

"Princess, congratulations."

"Old servant, since the first time I saw the Princess, I felt you are a person of great blessings."

"In the future, you could become the consort of Prince Su."

"Please continue to look after this old servant in the future."

Li Qingluo's face full of alarm: "Aunt, your words make this subject extremely alarmed."

"Protecting the Empress Dowager is originally this subject's duty; the Empress Dowager still remembers this subject, which is also this subject's fortune."

"Also fortunate that the Empress Dowager shows mercy; otherwise, with this subject's lowly status, how could she gain the Empress Dowager's favor?"

Pei Lao Furen also stepped forward with a smile and said: "Thanks to the Emperor's gracious favor, being granted marriage to Prince Su, Your Highness, is indeed a great fortune for our family."

"Old subject will surely educate Luò'er well and not disappoint the Empress Dowager and the Emperor's expectations."

After all the solemn words were spoken, Pei Lao Furen waved her hand again.

Aunt Fang and that elderly gentleman's hands each already held a large bag of silver.

Both felt the weight in their hands and were greatly surprised.

This Pei old general's generosity is quite lavish.

"Aunt Fang and uncle, you've also worked hard today."

"Why not come in and have another cup of tea?"

"The tea is not to be drunk."

The two received the edict, holding the silver, and left satisfied.

On the carriage, upon opening the silver bag, the two discovered that besides several dozen taels of silver ingots, there were also several large-denomination silver notes!

This illustrious old general... the family's wealth is actually so abundant?

What a lavish dowry that will be given to the Princess Consort of Prince Su in the future!

The two stared dumbfounded, then upon returning to the palace each went back to their respective palaces to report.

Having received so much money, naturally they all spoke only good words about Li Qingluo and Pei Lao Furen.

They praised Li Qingluo from head to toe, saying how she is beautiful outside and wise within, graceful and poised.

It's completely not the look of someone who grew up in the mountains and wilderness since childhood.

They also said how her beauty could topple cities, her demeanor dignified and outstanding.

These words are actually quite sincere.

The Empress Dowager had seen Li Qingluo's fierce aspect when she killed enemies; hearing this, she merely pursed her lips: "How much silver did you take from her, Pei Xiuzhen? Out with it!"

Fang GuGu blushed: "Your Highness, truly nothing can be hidden from you."

I, this old servant, did indeed receive a little reward. But everything I said is also true.

This Miss Li, in any situation, does things without the slightest ambiguity.

Prince Su's residence lacks a consort; isn't that always been your concern?

I, this old servant, think she's quite a fine lass, not inferior to those girls who grew up in Jinling City from childhood; perhaps she even stands out more.

Empress Dowager: "Pah! When did this humble one ever hope for the Fifth to get married?"

They're full of scheming; clearly they coerced this humble one to carry the sedan for their beloved maiden.

Hmph, it was originally just arranging a small incident, letting that maiden appropriately show her hand and put on an act.

It's also that Li Qingluo happened to be in the right place at the right time, actually encountering the Zhong family's rebellion, and indeed she ended up saving this humble one.

This humble one might as well go with the flow and do a good deed, adding a flourish by granting her the status of a county mistress—how about that?

But you say, could this humble one possibly win her over… to become this humble one's spy in Prince Su's residence?

Fang GuGu: "Your Highness, why not give it a try?"

She, in this imperial household, has no one to rely on.

Even if she goes to Prince Su's residence, waiting for Prince Su to lose interest after a while, once feelings cool, won't she still find it difficult to get by?

Perhaps if Your Highness had reached out earlier, she would have naturally come over.

Over there, the master and servants of Ning Shou Palace whispered privately, scheming about Li Qingluo's future.

Inside Zichen Hall, Emperor Yan also heard Eunuch Xi's basketful of praise for Li Qingluo.

The woman who could get him to exchange that for her surely couldn't be too ordinary.

Alright, you may withdraw.

They waved their hand, not very concerned, propping their forehead, exhausted to the extreme.

Eunuch Wang entered and said, "Your Majesty, True Person Qingyang of Qing Song Temple has arrived."

Emperor Yan's eyes lit up: "Quick, let True Person Qingyang in."

Along with Qingyangzi entering the hall, there also came an immortal‑bearing daoist, an old daoist with white hair and white beard.

The old daoist, upon seeing Emperor Yan, flicked his whisk and paid respects: "I am Daoist Yunhe, I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

Emperor Yan, seeing the person, excitedly clapped his hands and exclaimed: "Immortal Yunhe? How could it be you?"

You, you have returned from your wanderings?

True Person Qingyang said your whereabouts are unpredictable; even his disciple, who has received your true transmission of robe and bowl, finds it as hard as scaling heaven to see you once.

Never expected, Li would actually appear before Your Majesty!

Quick, my beloved subject, quickly let Your Majesty have a look!

Immortal Yunhe slightly smiled, stroking his long white beard: "I, your humble daoist, observed the heavens at night and calculated with my fingers, knowing that the astral influences in Jinling City have slightly changed."

On the road I also received a letter from Qingyangzi, knowing that Your Majesty wishes to see me, your humble daoist.

So, your humble daoist hurried back.

Emperor Yan's face sank: "The astral influences have changed? Why is that? What could possibly be calculated to change?"

Immortal Yunhe: "I, your humble daoist, have calculated with my fingers that Your Majesty's dragon body has an ailment; however, if this tribulation is survived, Your Majesty will enjoy a hundred years of dragon-body health."

Emperor Yan then finally let out a big sigh of relief.

Emperor Yan again sat back on the dragon throne, a faint smile appearing.

Immortal Yunhe, since you have returned, could you help Your Majesty cultivate the Dao and refine elixirs?

What Your Majesty desires is not merely a mere hundred years.

If what Your Majesty desires is ten thousand generations?

Immortal Yunhe clasped hands: "Your Majesty, the sage ruler, ten thousand generations is the blessing of all the people."

Qingyangzi also clasped hands.

That day, Immortal Yunhe was ennobled as the National Preceptor of the State of Liang.

And Qingyangzi became the first Dharma Master under the National Preceptor.

Li Qingluo became a county mistress in the blink of an eye.

She was also granted a marriage as the principal consort of Prince Su's residence.

These two pieces of good news, within just half a day, had already spread throughout Jinling City.

The Grand Princess's residence first sent congratulatory gifts.

Immediately after, countless high‑rank nobles sent congratulatory gifts.

The gatekeepers dared not accept them.

Except for those from the princess's residence, all were sent back.

Li Qingluo, however, hid in the Free Abode seeking tranquility.

She also changed into a clean, capable outer garment.

Soon, Duan Rongshi arrived.

This time it was aboveboard; he swaggered in with people through the grand gate of the Xiuli Jiangjun Fu.

Miss, the Prince, Your Highness has arrived!

Zheng Mama is currently Duan Rongshi's top lackey in this household.

And now, others also, because of the just‑issued marriage edict, look upon Duan Rongshi with a bit more of the eye of kin.

Especially Pei Lao Furen.

Smiling, she let him go straight to Free Abode.

Zhang Mama still asked, "You're not going to keep watching?"

"Aren't you afraid they'll do something outrageous again?"

Pei Lao Furen: "Prince Su is a schemer; his heart truly has Luo'er."

"How could someone like him do something that would drag Luo'er into trouble?"

"Don't worry; I only worry about Luo'er, and I won't worry about him anymore."

Originally, Pei Lao Furen had still wanted to wait for a chance, to go to the battlefield herself and win a consort position for Luo'er.

As a result, she hadn't even lifted a finger, and everything was settled by Duan Rongshi.

Luo'er's identity.

Luo'er's position as principal consort.

He indeed, as he had promised in person, did not give Luo'er the slightest grievance.

Pei Lao Furen is not grass or wood; how could she remain heartless?

In her heart, she already regarded Duan Rongshi as her grandson-in-law.

It's just a pity that, as a member of the imperial family, he cannot become a live-in son-in-law in her household.

But in this world, how could there be so many perfect things?

As long as Luo'er can be with her beloved, and her life has no regrets, then this grandmother will also be happy.

However, thinking back, I too once went through life and death with that Li family scoundrel, believing our bond was deep, only to end up despising each other.

Pei Lao Furen immediately summoned Zhang Mama: "Have De Shu inquire whether the rear quarters of Prince Su's residence are clean or not, and if there are any concubines."

"If there are, also have Luo'er make plans early."

"We can't be like before, when I, the old one, muddled through and failed to handle the rear quarters properly, ending up letting others ride over my head and bully me."

"My Luo'er is just like me; when it comes to matters of the heart, once hurt, she never turns back."

Free Abode.

Li Qingluo came out of the room, and Duan Rongshi waited for her under the silk tree in the courtyard.

He had already changed into a moon-white long robe.

And Li Qingluo wore a long dress of bright red.

Hearing the sound of footsteps, they each caught sight of the other.

Li Qingluo smiled and strode over.

Duan Rongshi reached out, pulled her close, and leaned her slightly into his embrace.

"Luo'er, from now on you will finally become this prince's consort."