by N/A
"This emperor knows." The Emperor said. "That's right, Ming Yi and the army's merits cannot go unnoticed. I plan on setting up a banquet in the palace and let everyone celebrate together."
"En, the victory from the battle this time shows our Feng Ming's strong power, indeed worthy of celebration, go arrange it then." The Empress Dowager said upon consideration.
"Haha, this time, this emperor needs to reward the ones that have done great service. Don't know what reward Ming Yi wants?" Speaking of the victory this time, the atmosphere in the great hall once again relaxed.
Han Ming Yi got up and bowed at the waist towards the Emperor, saying: "Sharing the burdens for your Majesty is this younger brother's duty, this younger brother doesn't want anything. Your Majesty can just reward the other generals and high-ranking officers."
"How is that okay, if I have to reward, it is to reward you all. Solely leaving you out, which one of those officers would still dare to shoulder the merits?" The Emperor shook his head and said.
"If your Majesty really wants to bestow a reward, then just bestow this younger brother a marriage." Han Ming Yi said.
"That's right, Ming Yi is already 18, and until now, still doesn't have a main consort or side consort. When Hong'er was this big, he'd already had two side consorts. Emperor, looks like we've overlooked." As soon as the Empress Dowager spoke, everyone finally realized that Han Ming Yi up until now still haven't taken in a consort!
"Haha, indeed this emperor's oversight! Do you have a candidate in mind? If you do, this emperor will directly pass a marriage decree for you. If not, this emperor will let the empress chose a delicate beauty for you." The Emperor patted his own forehead and said.
"No need for the trouble, your Majesty can just bestow a marriage for this younger brother and Du Xiao Li." Han Ming Yi nonchalantly said.
"What?!"
Han Ming Yi's words made everyone all gather their astonished gazes on him.
"Ming Yi, this is?"
The countryside girl that Han Ming Hong didn't want to marry no matter what, Han Ming Yi actually actively wanted to marry?
"Isn't your Majesty planning on choosing someone from the imperial household for Du Xiao Li, how about directly engaging her to this younger brother. I just happened to also want to establish a home." Han Ming Yi said, seemingly appearing very nonchalant.
"Eh, this---" The Empress locked eyes with the Emperor and then looked to Han Ming Yi, "Ding Wang, this Du Xiao Li although is Prime Minister Du's daughter, but her status truly is somewhat unworthy of you. Why don't you consider another family's young lady?"
"Many thanks for Empress's good intentions, but one wants to find a husband, and one wants to take a consort, this is a perfect match, so just let it be. In any case, marrying whoever is all the same." Han Ming Yi said.
"Fine, since imperial brother insists, then this emperor will bestow a marriage for you and Du Xiao Li." The Emperor said.
"Emperor, why don't you also bestow a marriage for this younger brother and Ke Xin as well." Han Ming Hong added.
"Your actions today were indeed somewhat offensive to Prime Minister Du, thus today this Emperor will give him a 'double happy occasion', simultaneously bestowing a marriage to his two daughters." The Emperor said.
"However, now that Du Ki Xin is no longer the Du family di daughter, the position of Ren Wang's main consort, don't we need to choose someone else?" The Empress spoke.
"En, no need, this Ke Xin no matter what is also our younger cousin, marrying Ming Hong as the main consort......"
"It's better as the side consort." The Empress Dowager interrupted the Emperor's words. Although Zhong Mei Qing was her younger sister, and she was also the Du Manor's equal wife, a shu born was still just a shu born. Based on status, she was unable to become Han Ming Hong's main consort.
"Then all according to imperial mother's wishes." Han Ming Ze got up and said, "Then this emperor will go back first to draft the decree."
"Respectfully seeing off your Majesty." Everyone in the room aside from the Empress Dowager all bowed towards Han Ming Ze.
"Empress Dowager, there's still some matters to take care of in the military camp, this subject will also withdraw." Han Ming Yi said.
"En, go then." The Empress Dowager said.
Han Ming Yi left Shouyang Hall. Leng Yi, who was waiting outside, quickly went forward. And seeing Han Ming Yi walking in graceful steps, he asked, "Did master encounter something good?"
"Leng Yi." Han Ming Yi suddenly stopped and gazed to the towering palace walls, "How about I find a female master for you all?"
What?!
Han Ming Yi didn't wait for Leng Yi's reply and continued walking forward. Leng Yi subconsciously followed after, but in his mind, he was instead thinking about Han Ming Yi's words. Find a female master? Wasn't that just saying master is about to marry?!
"His Majesty wants to bestow a marriage to master?" Leng Yi said in shock.
Han Ming Yi hooked the corner of his lip and glanced at Leng Yi, but didn't say anything. He continued walking forward. He wanted to quickly finish taking care of the matters at the military camp, and then go before that girl to give her a prevention shot. Else, with her temper, she most likely won't agree.
Leng Yi hadn't seen Han Ming Yi smile in a very long time. Suddenly seeing him hooking the corner of his mouth, he even thought that he was seeing things. However, seeing Han Ming Yi in a good mood, they as his subordinates also felt good inside.
Du Xiao Li was still in the fields behind her courtyard chatting with Ji Liu Feng and them. Silver and the others already had headed back. Suddenly, Ying Ge ran over and said, "Miss, master just sent someone, said to let you go to the front courtyard to accept a decree!"
"Accept a decree?" Du Xiao Li said, somewhat surprised. "What decree?"
"Heard it's an eunuch from his Majesty's side. Should be a decree from his Majesty. Master is urging you to quickly go over, that eunuch is still waiting! Miss, let's quickly go over." Ying Ge urged.
"Then I'll be going back first." Du Xiao Li got up, bid Ji Liu Feng and Ji Liu Xia farewell, and followed Ying Ge back.
Ji Liu Xia saw Ying Ge carrying Du Xiao Li flying over the river and said, "The servant girl by Xiao Li's side's martial art is not bad."
"Pfft----that's of course, who told her to be useless at learning martial arts!" Recalling Du Xiao Li's appearance when she tried to learn martial arts from Leng Er at the time, he couldn't hold back his laughter.
When Du Xiao Li brought Xia Yuan with her to the front courtyard, she saw Du Yun Han and Zhong Mei Qing, as well as Du Ke Xin all there. She felt skeptical inside, if they were bestowing a marriage to Du Ke Xin, then what was she called over for?
Ch. 064.1 – Haven't We Long Been Engaged? (1)
Haven't We Long Been Engaged? (1)
Du Yun Han, seeing Du Xiao Li arriving, said to the eunuch carrying a whisk in hand before him, "Eunuch Shan, this one's daughter has arrived."
Eunuch Shan's age wasn't very big and was just thirty some years old. Seeing Du Xiao Li who'd just arrived in the courtyard, he said, "Since everyone has gathered, then let's begin. Du Xiao Li accept the decree----"
Du Xiao Li skeptically looked to Du Yun Han. Not just her, everyone in the courtyard were all somewhat confused. Han Ming Hong entered the palace to ask for a decree to marry Du Ke Xin, this was something everyone all knew. But now, why was it Du Xiao Li accepting a decree?
"Eunuch Shan, this isn't a mistake?" Du Yun Han asked.
"No mistake, it's precisely Du Xiao Li, alright, accept the decree now." Eunuch Shan said.
Du Yun Han looked to Du Xiao Li and nodded. Thus, Du Xiao Li took a step forward and knelt by Du Yun Han's side. "This subject accepts the decree."
A eunuch next to Eunuch Shan handed him golden imperial decree. He opened it up and began reading, "By the mandate of heaven, his Majesty decrees: Du family di daughter Du Xiao Li, able and virtuous, appearance and conduct proper, very much receiving this Emperor and
the Empress's favor. Today, specially bestow a marriage as Ding Wang's main consort, once reached marriageable age, set an auspicious date to complete the marriage."
A simple and clear imperial decree, yet Du Xiao Li momentarily didn't react, even blanking on the spot, forgetting to receiving the decree. This was 'having just jumped out of a fire pit and falling into another ice cellar'?
Seeing Du Xiao Li not moving, Eunuch Shan reminded, "Du Xiao Li, still not accepting the decree and thanking your Majesty?"
Du Xiao Li returned to her senses and looked to Eunuch Shan, "Eunuch Shan, why would his Majesty bestow a marriage for Ding Wang and I?"
Eunuch Shan smiled and said, "That is of course because Ding Wang asked for the decree! Du Xiao Li accept the decree and thank his Majesty!"
Could it be that Han Ming Yi, seeing her being rejected in marriage by Han Ming Hong, was afraid she'd be depressed and thus asked for the decree? Du Xiao Li thought to herself, but thinking again, she felt this wasn't possible. However, no matter what, right now she couldn't defy the imperial decree. She was still young right now, she can just deal with it later.
"This subject accepts the decree, thanking his Majesty's magnanimous honor." Du Xiao Li said as she reached out to accept the imperial decree in Eunuch Shan's hand.
The people in the courtyard all didn't expect that Eunuch Shan actually came to pass an imperial decree to Du Xiao Li, especially Du Ke Xin and Zhong Mei Qing. They stared at Du Xiao Li's back, hating that they can't devour her.
Just when everyone wanted to get up, Eunuch Shan said, "No hurry, there's another imperial decree. Du Ke Xin accept the decree---"
Hearing her own name, Du Ke Xin's disappointment instantly disappeared, and happily got up and knelt down by Du Yun Han's other side, "This subject is here."
Eunuch Shan took the other imperial decree and opened it up to read: "Du family second daughter Du Ke Xin, multi-talented, gentle and virtuous, and is a hard to come by outstanding lady. Today, bestow as Ren Wang's side consort, once reached marriageable age, set an auspicious date to marry Ren Wang."
Du Ke Xin kowtowed and said, "This subject accepts the decree, thanking his Majesty's magnanimous honor." As she said this, she accepted the decree from Eunuch Shan with both hands.
At this time, Du Yun Han and everyone in the back finally stood up. Du Yun Han took a red pouch from a guard behind him and shoved it into Eunuch Shan's hands, saying: "Have troubled Eunuch Shan, please come inside for tea."
"Haha, congratulations Prime Minister Du for the double happy occasion!" Eunuch Shan said with a smile, "This one still has to return to the palace to report to his Majesty, so will be leaving first."
"Alright, next time, eunuch will have to come over for tea." Du Yun Han said.
"Haha, definitely. Then, this one will bid farewell now." Eunuch Shan said, and with a flick of his whisk, he turned and walked out. The two eunuchs behind him closely followed after.
"Xiao Li, why did his Majesty suddenly bestow a marriage for you?" Zhong Mei Qing looked to the bright yellow imperial decree in Du Xiao Li's hands and asked.
"How would I know." Du Xiao Li was also furious inside, and her anger only increased with the present circumstance.
"Then, congratulations younger sister, this Ding Wangfei is a position young maidens in the entire capital all envy!" Du Ke Xin said, "Unlike me, just a side consort. However, to be able to marry his Highness Ren Wang, Ke Xin is satisfied."
Du Xiao Li looked to Du Ke Xin. Why did she feel her words were somewhat off?
"Father, if there's nothing else, I'll be going back first." Du Xiao Li said.
"En, go then." Du Yun Han waved his hand.
"Father, this daughter also will withdraw." Du Ke Xin said, and upon receiving Du Yun Han's permission, left the front courtyard with Zhong Mei Qing.
As soon as she returned to her own room, Du Ke Xin's face instantly changed. She carelessly threw the imperial decree onto the table and angrily said, "Side consort, side consort, who wants to be a side consort!"
"My daughter, this is an imperial decree, how can you just carelessly throw it! If others find out, that's a crime punishable by beheading!" Zhong Mei Qing quickly had the people in the room all called out, and then said to Du Ke Xin, "No matter how angry you are you still can't take it out on the imperial decree!"
"It's all that slut Du Xiao Li's fault! If not for her sticking her foot in this, how could I go from Ren Wangfei to a side consort! That slut is practically my nemesis. As soon as she comes, she snatches away my di daughter position, and now also letting me go from the main consort to a side consort! Mother, I'm about to be angered to death!"
"Alright, alright, what use is there being angry now?" Zhong Mei Qing said, "As long as you can become a side consort, then there will always be a day for you to become the main consort. Haven't I taught you all these years?"
(T/N: Kinda ironic for her to say that to her daughter when she never even managed to climb onto the main wife position....)
"En, as long as I can enter Ren Wang Manor, sooner or later I'll become the main consort!" Du Ke Xin seemingly thought of her future days, and soon after thought of something else and smiled, "However, compared to marrying Ding Wang, I would rather marry Ren Wang as a side consort. Hehe, don't know what kind of expression Du Xiao Li will have when she finds out the truth?"
Du Xiao Li took Xia Yuan and Qiao Zhu back to her own Jade Bamboo Courtyard. Qiao Zhu's face was in a knot.
"Qiao Zhu, if you furrow your brows anymore, it'll become a chrysanthemum." Du Xiao Li said without even turning her head, "If you have something to say, just say it."
"Miss---" Qiao Zhu said in discontent. What chrysanthemum, don't think she didn't know that wasn't a good phrase.
(T/N: Chrysanthemum is slang for butthole--)
"Alright, I won't say anymore. You talk then, you've been carrying that expression since coming back from the front courtyard. Just what's wrong?" Du Xiao Li said.
"Miss, are you really going to marry Ding Wang?" Qiao Zhu asked.
Du Xiao Li's gaze flickered and said, "This isn't for sure yet, perhaps I'll marry, perhaps not, isn't it still early? Why are you worried about this?"
"Miss, it's better you don't marry." Qiao Zhu thought for a moment and worked up the courage to say what she'd been wanting to say.
"Why?" Du Xiao Li asked.
Qiao Zhu went forward, looked to see that there was no one around, and finally spoke in a soft voice, "Miss, that Ding Wang has a problem."
"Oh? What problem?" Du Xiao Li thought of the handsome and valiant Han Ming Yi she met outside the city. She didn't find any problem? Seemingly even his twitching disease has already been completely cured too, and he looked very healthy too.
"Miss, that Ding Wang is already 18 years old, do you know why he still hasn't married yet? Heard if it's not because he can't do it*, then it's because he's a short-sleeve." Qiao Zhu said.
(T/N: So either his dick no work or he likes men----rip HMY)
"Pfft---" Du Xiao Li instantly burst into laughter.
"Miss, don't laugh, this is related to your future happiness." Qiao Zhu somewhat impatiently said.
"Keke, I won't laugh. How do you know this?" Du Xiao Li asked.
"Everyone all says this. Heard that not only does the Ding Wang Manor not have a main consort or side consorts, there aren't even concubines and tongfangs. Even the servant girls are scarce! If this is not normal, then what is!" Qiao Zhu said, "Moreover, I heard if a woman touches Ding Wang, they'll definitely get their hands and legs chopped and eyes dug out. Miss if you marry over, never mind guarding an empty bed, if Ding Wang were to be in a bad mood and chop your hands and legs, then that'll be terrible."
"Ding Wang's reputation is like this?" Du Xiao Li listened to Qiao Zhu's words, somewhat shocked.
Ch. 064.2 – Haven't We Long Been Engaged? (2)
Haven't We Long Been Engaged? (2)
T/N: Chapter sponsored by Kim and egosumqt! Thank you for sponsoring!<
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This Qiao Zhu was very familiar with the matters and people of the capital. For her to say Han Ming Yi was like this, then it probably wasn't a baseless claim.
"That's right, speaking of this Ding Wang, the women of Feng Ming both love and fear him. He's brave and good at fighting. At fourteen, he enlisted in the military, and went from a foot soldier to climbing step by step to the young general position. That ability definitely isn't just a brag. One can tell from all the battles he's won from leading the troops. Moreover, he's handsome and valiant, making many women fall for him!" Qiao Zhu said with a smitten look, but soon after sighed, "Hai, unfortunately, such an outstanding man unexpectedly doesn't touch women, it's depressing just thinking about it!"
No matter how she imagined, Du Xiao Li was unable to connect the Han Ming Yi from Qiao Zhu's mouth with the little boy from the past that got kicked and saved by her, and even helped her plant fruit trees. "Perhaps those are all just rumors."
"Definitely not!" Qiao Zhu said, "Last year, Ding Wang went to Eastern Li as a diplomat. The Eastern Li princess, in front of all the court officials, confessed to him, but he directly rejected without even thinking. Furthermore, he even said that he'd long been engaged. Someone like Ding Wang, whether or not he was engaged, didn't everyone all know. So he certainly must have lied. Afterwards, that night, that princess ran to the inn Ding Wang was staying at and stripped herself naked, wanting to seduce Ding Wang to 'cook raw rice into cooked rice'. Hehe, miss, guess what happened afterwards?"
"A delicious meal delivered to the door, naturally it's to nicely enjoy." Du Xiao Li said.
"Wrong!" Qiao Zhu said, "Ding Wang didn't even give a single glance and directly had Sir Leng Yi use a quilt to bundle her up and throw her out. At that time, it was early spring, the spring chill was still in the air, tsk tsk, this Ding Wang doesn't know how to have tender feelings for the fairer sex. Moreover, I heard that Eastern Li princess was as delicate as a flower and beautiful like jade. She was the number one beauty of Eastern Li! Such a beauty stripped her clothes to seduce him and still got viciously thrown out by him, if this Ding Wang doesn't have a problem, then what?"