Chapter 881: The Imperial Edict

The next day

Sure enough, a royal decree was issued in Zhaochen Palace.

Granting marriage between the Fifth Prince and Princess Hai Feng of Western Xia.

The decree also mentioned.

Due to the special status of Princess Hai Feng, the engagement process would be skipped, and a favorable date selected for the wedding directly.

The decree caused a shock throughout the court.

Even the elderly Imperial Noble Consorts in the harem were alarmed.

Of course, this was also because of Empress Dowager Zhen.

Outside the palace, ministers naturally expressed congratulations and praise.

After all, the union of two countries was beneficial for diplomacy, the nation, and its people!

Any minister with a bit of wisdom appreciated such an icing on the cake.

As for the Imperial Noble Consorts inside the palace.

Say nothing but talk about Empress Dowager Zhen, when she learned her son was to marry Princess Hai Feng.

Her heart was filled with both joy and worry.

Joy because the Fifth Prince would not have to leave the capital for his lands, she finally had reliance with her younger son.

Worry because.

In the future, the Sixth Princess Consort married by her younger son would surely have a poor family background.

So wouldn’t the younger son’s family have to look up to the elder son’s family?!

It’s good, but inevitably there will be grievances.

Thinking this way made Empress Dowager Zhen somewhat unhappy.

But however unwilling she was, it was a royal decree, it couldn’t be defied, she could only accept the decree with such inner turmoil.

As for everyone else.

There was no dissatisfaction.

The Imperial Noble Consorts long lost the will to compete.

The concubines in the harem didn’t care, at most gossiping occasionally.

So...

Overall, this could be considered a good thing.

Thus it took only half a day for those inside and outside the palace to accept this fact joyfully.

Of course.

All this joy had nothing to do with the Fifth Prince.

After receiving the royal decree, he locked himself in a room.

No one knew what he was thinking, only hearing the sound of porcelain shattering from inside now and then.

Which sounded quite frightening.

No palace maid or eunuch dared to go in and persuade him, nor dared to spread it.

...

In the harem.

The concubines felt indifferent upon receiving the news.

At most, they gathered to gossip once.

This time.

In the morning, Consort Hui brought the Second Princess to Duanning Palace for a visit.

Xia Ruqing had tea brewed, and the two sat in the pavilion enjoying the scenery and tea.

Speaking of the matter, Consort Hui laughed.

"It’s a blessing that lovers become family!"

Knowing that Xia Ruqing didn’t get along with the Fifth Prince, Consort Hui didn’t dare say much.

Xia Ruqing just smiled, sipped her tea and said lightly.

"If they truly love each other, it’s fine!"

"If not..."

She didn’t continue.

But... she understood.

What does true mutual love look like? What do they look like?

Others may not know, but she had an idea.

It didn’t seem like it.

Moreover, the Fifth Prince and Princess Hai Feng were both formidable.

So...

In the future, there might be some drama to watch.

Consort Hui laughed.

"Anyway, these matters have nothing to do with us!"

"I’ll just do my duties!"

"The Ministry of Internal Affairs must swiftly prepare needed items, not to delay events!"

Speaking of this, Xia Ruqing was curious.

"What do you mean, does the Emperor want the Western Xia Mission to see the wedding before leaving?!"

"Naturally! Otherwise, why would the Emperor issue the decree like this?!"

Xia Ruqing seemed thoughtful.

"You’re right!"

"Parents’ love is universal, everyone wishes to see their daughter happily married before leaving!"

Speaking of this, Consort Hui felt very touched.

"Isn’t it?!"

"I also have a daughter, though... Yi An is only a princess, she’s my child raised from a young age!"

"In the future, forget marrying to another country, even leaving the capital would be hard for me!"

Saying this, she was somewhat self-deprecating.

"I indeed have limited insight, I must’ve amused you!"

Xia Ruqing disagreed.

"Why laugh?"

"If I had a daughter, I might not be as good as you!"

"I guess I might want to keep her tied to me directly!"

Consort Hui laughed directly upon hearing this.

"You jest, it’s not that exaggerated!"

Xia Ruqing said nothing, continued drinking tea.

But in her heart she said: Whether it’s exaggerated, but she meant it!

The two chatted for a while, then talked about other things.

Until nearly noon, Consort Hui left with the Second Princess.

...

At lunch, Zhao Junyao came.

He had been busy all morning, hadn’t even had a drink, his lips were dry.

Xia Ruqing was startled, handed him the tea quickly.

"Emperor, what’s wrong?"

"Why so busy?!"

Zhao Junyao took the tea and drank it, looked at her and said.

"So many matters!"

Then listed them one by one.

"Preparing the Prince’s Mansion for Little Fifth’s wedding, drafting an edict to give him the title of Commandery Prince!"

"Preparing the betrothal gifts, managing state affairs..."

Xia Ruqing felt dizzy hearing it all.

Before he finished, a bowl of chrysanthemum and lotus seed tea was placed before him.

"Emperor, try this, it cools the mind and soothes the fire!"

Zhao Junyao suddenly stopped talking.

He took the tea and drank it.

After drinking, the fresh taste flowed down his throat, all the way to his stomach, which felt cool and comfortable.

"Hmm, nice!"

Xia Ruqing exhaled a sigh of relief.

"I’m glad you like it!"

After saying this, she turned to serve some fresh tea treats.

As she set them up, she said.

"Emperor, do you have to do all these things yourself?"

Zhao Junyao almost spat out his tea.

"Personally?"

"If I did them personally, you wouldn’t see me now!"

He’d be exhausted!

"Oh... I thought so!" Xia Ruqing giggled.

The two chit-chatted a while, then lunch was served.

After lunch.

Zhao Junyao felt extremely tired.

He got up too early, constantly ran errands, it’s a wonder he wasn’t exhausted.

So... although Xia Ruqing wasn’t tired at all.

He insisted on dragging her onto the bed.

"Rest with me!"

"Alright... okay"

Though she couldn’t sleep, Xia Ruqing obediently nodded, closed her eyes.

However...

Reality often changes things.

Xia Ruqing slept even more soundly and longer than Zhao Junyao.

When Zhao Junyao left in the afternoon.

She was still dreaming with Duke of Zhou, even drooling.

Zhao Junyao felt amused.

"What delicacies are you eating in your dream again!"

Xia Ruqing ignored him, continued smacking her lips, sleeping sweetly.

Zhao Junyao helplessly shook his head.

Instructed the palace maids to take good care, then left.

...

Latter half of August.

Since the royal decree for Princess Hai Feng marrying the Fifth Prince was issued.

The capital has been busy.

Though the time was sudden, after all, it’s a major event of two nations marrying.

No procedures could be spared!

Even more complex than the usual Prince’s wedding.

The site selection for the Prince’s Mansion must be deliberated, and the architecture should be grand and spacious.

It can’t be shabby or cramped.