Song Dynasty Dreams: Marrying Zhao Pan'er at the beginning-Chapter 23 - Phoenix Crown and Red Robe
Chapter 23 Phoenix Crown and Red Robe
Zhao Pan’er reconfirmed, “I agree. Is Lord Gao really willing to receive them?”
“Yes!”
Gao You nodded, took a sip of Qingfeng Marrow tea, and picked up The Legend of the White Snake again. Receiving this definite answer, Zhao Pan’er finally let out a sigh of relief.
She turned back to Steward Qian and said, “Lord Gao has agreed!”
Everyone said Gao You was a fool! Steward Qian had truly been worried that he would completely refuse. His master had personally sent an invitation. If it were rejected, it would be a great humiliation! Luckily, he agreed.
Steward Qian smiled and handed the invitation to Zhao Pan’er.
“Here is the invitation!”
“I shall take my leave now!”
Steward Qian bowed respectfully.
Zhao Pan’er quickly returned the bow and escorted Steward Qian to the entrance of the teahouse.
“He’s gone!”
The black-faced man watched as Steward Qian left.
With a wave of his hand—The scar-faced man sitting in the corner suddenly slammed the table, shouting, “What kind of tea is this?”
“There are bugs in it!”
Bugs in the tea?
Zhao Pan’er had been running this teahouse for years, serving mostly regular customers. They had never heard of insects in the tea before! Clearly, these men were here to stir up trouble.
“Boss lady, explain this!”
The scar-faced man glared fiercely at Zhao Pan’er. Gao You put down The Legend of the White Snake and pulled a slingshot from his sleeve. This time, instead of small stones, he loaded it with iron pellets.
At such a short distance, Gao You was confident he could take down an enemy with a single shot.
“Bang!”
The black-faced man suddenly slammed the table, roaring, “What kind of garbage teahouse is this?”
“Why does every cup of our tea have bugs in it? Smash this place up!”
Hearing these words—From the kitchen, Sun Sanniang and Xiao Lingdang grabbed their weapons and prepared to come out. Gao You had already taken aim at the black-faced man.
“The Imperial Messenger has arrived!”
At the sound of this commanding voice—A group of well-armored Imperial Guards swiftly entered the small courtyard of Zhao’s teahouse.
What was happening?
The thugs, who had just raised their arms to attack, suddenly froze in shock. What kind of dragon’s den was this Zhao’s teahouse?bThey had only come to cause some trouble and break a few things, but somehow, they had provoked so many Imperial Guards?
Imperial Messenger?
The thugs did not understand what these words meant.
But Zhao Pan’er did—this meant that an imperial eunuch representing the Emperor had arrived!
Why would an Imperial Messenger come to her teahouse?
As she pondered—A young eunuch with a delicate and feminine appearance strode in with a dignified gait.
“Gao You, receive the decree!”
They were here for him!
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Gao You frowned—he had no recollection of having any connection to the Emperor. Seeing her husband hesitate upon hearing the decree, Zhao Pan’er, who was already kneeling, quickly pulled on Gao You’s sleeve to remind him to kneel.
The eunuch chuckled and said, “His Majesty has given special instructions—”
“Gao You is not bound by worldly etiquette, so he is permitted not to kneel!”
The scholars who had already knelt were utterly dumbfounded. No matter how they thought about it, they couldn’t understand why the Emperor would favor Gao You so much—granting him a special exemption from kneeling.
This personal recognition made Gao You’s impression of the Emperor improve significantly.
The eunuch began reading the decree—“By the grace of Heaven…”
After a long speech, the core message became clear—The Emperor had learned of Gao You’s marriage and wanted to send a wedding gift. The gift consisted of one hundred taels of gold and a set of Fengguan Xiapei (phoenix crown and red robe).
In the Song Dynasty—Ordinary citizens had no right to wear a Fengguan Xiapei. This was precisely why Zhao Pan’er and others had envied the young ladies of the Li family. The Fengguan Xiapei was a symbol of status. Yet now, the Emperor had personally bestowed a set upon Zhao Pan’er!
At this moment, Zhao Pan’er was completely stunned! At nine years old, she had been reduced to a courtesan’s fate due to her father’s crimes. She had always felt inferior—Always afraid of being looked down upon. That was why she had dreamed of wearing a Fengguan Xiapei.
She had once thought this dream was impossible. But unexpectedly, a Fengguan Xiapei had been gifted to her in such an extraordinary way.
Compared to the ones worn by noble ladies—An imperial bestowal was far more prestigious. At this realization—Zhao Pan’er turned slightly to glance at Gao You, who was still standing beside her.
Only then did she see—How truly remarkable and awe-inspiring he was.
“Bring it in!”
The eunuch clapped his hands, and two Imperial Guards entered, carrying the gold and the Fengguan Xiapei. Each gold bar bore the imperial treasury seal. They gleamed brilliantly, captivating all eyes. The Emperor’s Fengguan Xiapei was also exquisitely crafted, dazzling to behold.
After receiving the decree, Zhao Pan’er neither looked at the gold nor the Fengguan Xiapei—Instead, she hurried to the back kitchen. Moments later, she returned, holding two gold bars.
“Honorable sir, you have traveled far and worked hard!”
“These are for you and your men to enjoy some tea!”
The eunuch weighed the gold bars—each was a full ten taels. He immediately regarded Zhao Pan’er with newfound respect. This was an extraordinarily generous woman.
Even among the most prestigious families in the capital, few were this lavish.
“Madam Zhao, His Majesty also sent me a message!”
Hearing this, Zhao Pan’er quickly asked, “Please enlighten me, sir!”
The eunuch smiled and said, “His Majesty enjoys your husband’s paintings and wishes to request one!”
“This…”
Zhao Pan’er hesitated.
Gao You’s paintings—no one could force him to create them. Many had requested his artwork, only to be refused. Her husband never gave face to anyone.
