Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 217: Celebrating Longevity (6)
"Of course," she replied with a flirtatious wink.
Xiahou Wenyu watched as Feng Xuxu and the Castle Lord of Jueqing Castle whispered to each other, couldn’t suppress the rising anger, blaming her elder brother for forcing her to apologize. Now the embarrassment was complete.
"Big brother~" Xiahou Wenyu called out to her own elder brother with tears rimming her eyes.
"Enough, look ahead. We will discuss any issues once we return home," said Xiahou Yuan, massaging his forehead in helpless frustration, not expecting the Holy Maiden of the Xuanyuan Hidden Clan to be so unbending.
The ceremony in the grand hall was drawing to a close, and as the final note sounded, a burst of applause filled the room. The Emperor began to announce who this year’s talented lady was.
"After careful selection, the final title of talented lady falls to the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Justice, Song Miaoqiu." As soon as the Emperor finished, the room erupted in applause.
"Your Majesty, on this auspicious evening, your consort has a bold request," the Empress stood, performing a deep curtsy toward the Emperor.
"Empress, what are you doing? Speak," said the Emperor frowning, as he looked at the Empress before him.
"Your Majesty, Momo is already nineteen. Your consort requests that Your Majesty grant a marriage," she said, bowing her head, her heart pounding with uncertainty about whether her action today would cause the Emperor’s displeasure and suspicion.
"Granted," the Emperor considered briefly, likely having an idea about whom he was thinking, thus he spoke up.
"Yes, Your Consort is quite fond of this year’s talented lady Song Miaoqiu," the Consort said, rising with a smile.
"Hmm, not bad. The Empress’s judgment is as unique as always," the Emperor said, looking down at Song Miaoqiu, then glancing at Dugu Mo in approval.
"Dugu Mo, Song Miaoqiu, come forward to receive the decree. Today we have heard much of the Minister of Justice’s daughter, Song Miaoqiu—her talents and beauty, her respectful and gentle nature, truly a match made by heaven. The Empress and I are greatly pleased upon hearing this, and thus we bestow upon Dugu Mo the marriage to Song Miaoqiu as his principal wife; grant them permission to wed, with all ceremonial rites to be orchestrated by the Ministry of Rites, and choose an auspicious day for their union."
"Thank you, Father Emperor."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The two knelt down and after receiving the Emperor’s grant of marriage, bowed their heads in unison to express their gratitude.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager believes Situ Yudie is quite commendable, why not grant her to Momo as a concubine? The Crown Prince, the Enchanting Prince, and the Xuanyuan Prince are all of age now. The residencies still lack princesses to manage them. Why not celebrate both happy events together and grant the marriages now?" The Empress Dowager wanted to resolve everything at once, leaving a good impression in front of everyone.
"Grandmother, I am still young and do not wish to marry yet. I will ask for Grandmother and Father Emperor’s permission when I have found a woman after my own heart," Crown Prince Dugu Han stood up and addressed both his grandmother and father.
"Hmm," turning his head toward Dugu Chen, he asked, "Chen, have you not found someone either?"
"Replying to Father Emperor, I have found someone," Dugu Chen stood up, his expression indifferent as he gazed toward the Emperor.
"Oh! Who is the daughter of which Minister?" The Emperor became interested. There were rumors that the Enchanting Prince was unapproachable, ruthless in killing like a demon, and exceedingly arrogant, and no one knew what kind of woman would catch his eye.
Feng Xuxu, thinking about Song Miaoqiu and Situ Yudie’s upcoming marriages into the Prince Residence, wondered what Dugu Mo’s life would be like from now on. Just as she pondered, she heard Dugu Chen mention having someone he liked. Her heart started to race, thump thump, and she couldn’t help but blush.
Dugu Chen now really wanted to turn around and see the expression on his little woman, but alas, it was not the right moment.
"Replying to Father Emperor, she is a commoner," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips as he reported to the Emperor.
"What? A commoner?" The Emperor looked at Dugu Chen in shock, and the grand hall fell into immediate silence, as the thought of their War God taking a liking to a common girl was beyond belief.
"Yes," he replied calmly to each of the Emperor’s questions.
The Emperor’s face turned ashen as he looked at Dugu Chen. Ever since Empress Xiao passed away, Dugu Chen had requested to go to the military camp for training. Ten years passed, and through wars where he often triumphed against greater numbers, he became known as the War God, striking terror into the hearts of enemy nations. But the Emperor had not anticipated that upon his return, Dugu Chen would act beyond his control. This was why he had indirectly elevated the Song Family’s status to restrain the Crown Prince and Dugu Chen. After a long silence, considering the pros and cons, he thought that marrying a common girl would be better than a powerful minister’s daughter, to go along with the current and fulfill his desire.
"Is the commoner girl you speak of in Capital City?"
"Replying to Father Emperor, she is indeed in this grand hall."
"Oh~ who is it?" The Emperor asked with curiosity, his eyes sweeping over the hall, seemingly seeking out this person.
Dugu Chen heard the words and smiled, stepping towards Feng Xuxu. He reached her and offered his hand to gently lift her from her seat, softly saying, "You don’t blame me for deciding on my own, do you? I just wanted to have you sooner."
Feng Xuxu demurely shook her head and placed her hand in Dugu Chen’s large palm, following him to the middle of the grand hall.
"We respectfully ask Father Emperor for his blessing," Dugu Chen said, pulling Feng Xuxu to their knees before the Emperor.
"Lift your head," Dugu Kangze commanded, eyeing the woman clad in a blue garment on the ground. If he wasn’t mistaken, she had come from the Lord of Jueqing’s side. Could it be that she is from the Xuanyuan Family?
Feng Xuxu slowly lifted her head to meet the gaze of the Emperor, Dugu Kangze.
"You are from the Xuanyuan Hidden Clan!" It was more a declaration than a question.
"Replying to Your Majesty, I am indeed the Holy Maiden of the Xuanyuan Hidden Clan."
