CHAPTER 295: CHAPTER 295: ENGAGEMENT (3)

"I will go take a look." The First Master turned to the Second Master: "You don’t need to worry, perhaps it’s about something else!" With that, he led his servant back to the study.

On the side of the Lady, Nanny Fang was feeding medicine to Lady spoon by spoon, saying: "It’s been two days, and Fourth Master Xiao hasn’t made a move!" She laughed as she spoke, leaning towards the Lady: "Your plan is indeed clever, damaging the Grand Dowager’s face. The Sixth Miss, even if she wants to get married, it’s impossible now... Let her stay in the mansion, and once you recover, you can deal with her properly."

The Lady’s condition had improved significantly over the past two days, she could utter some incoherent words. She hummed for a while, Nanny Fang responded: "There’s been no movement from the First Master, even if he’s angry about the marriage refusal, would he personally go to the Marquis Mansion to propose? On the contrary, Madam Xia... I heard she has been asking the master daily to arrange a marriage for the Sixth Miss."

The Lady’s lips twisted into a smirk, and Nanny Fang laughed too: "The Sixth Miss is like this now, it’s not easy to get married!" It’s unknown how Fourth Master Xiao set his eyes on the Sixth Miss, and even came to the Tong Mansion to propose. If it were before, the Lady certainly wouldn’t object, having a capable in-law in the family would aid the eldest son’s career. But now, the Lady has torn all ties with the Sixth Miss, how can she expect the Sixth Miss to marry well, and help the eldest son later?!

Just like how the Third Miss wouldn’t come back to ask for trouble from the Lady is a good thing.

She realized that her greatest concern was Xing, since the eldest daughter passed away, the Lady saw Xing twice, once during the festival, and once during Xing’s first birthday celebration. She wished to visit the Marquis Mansion frequently, but Nanny Wu’s indifferent attitude made her angry.

Thoughts flashed across Nanny Fang’s mind as she placed the medicine bowl aside and said to the Lady: "I’ll go check, I’m not sure how the Sixth Miss is doing these past two days." With a flash in her eyes, she turned and left the room. The Lady lay back comfortably against the pillow, closing her eyes, when suddenly Nanny Fang rushed back in frantically after just leaving, shocking the Lady into opening her eyes to look at her.

Nanny Fang was visibly upset, holding on to the Lady and struggling to speak coherently: "Madam! The palace... there’s an Imperial Decree from the palace." Instantly, the Lady’s eyes widened in shock, then showed confusion. Nanny Fang hastily explained: "The First Master, the Young Master, and several Sixth Misses have gone to the front yard to receive the decree. It’s not about punishing the Second Master... but... it’s a marriage decree."

The Lady somehow gathered the strength and sat up abruptly from the bed, her fingers tightly gripping Nanny Fang’s hand. Nanny Fang felt her hand burning with pain and furrowed her brows: "It’s Fourth Master Xiao’s doing, the Emperor has decreed a marriage for him and the Sixth Miss!"

It was as if countless buzzing noises were screeching by the Lady’s ears. She fell back onto the bed with a thud, and Nanny Fang’s hand instantly showed several blood marks, slowly oozing blood!

The Imperial Decree, she never expected that Fourth Master Xiao would actually seek an Imperial Decree!

Chief Qi was wearing a dark blue robe with velvet border and water ripple design, appearing white and plump with small eyes. He stood on the steps of the Tong Mansion’s outer courtyard, holding a scroll embroidered with flying dragon and cloud patterns and loudly read: "By the Emperor’s command, upon hearing of the daughter of Yongzhou Magistrate Tong Zheng’an, Miss Xiqiu, who is accomplished and graceful, virtuous and kind, with outstanding qualities, the Empress Dowager and I are greatly pleased. As I appoint Fourth Master Xiao, Governor of the Left Army, and General of Cavalry, at the age appropriate for marriage, I aim to pair him with a worthy maiden. Knowing that Miss Xiqiu is unmarried, she is deemed a perfect match, thus to create a blissful union, I hereby bestow Miss Xiqiu to Fourth Master Xiao, Governor of the Left Army and General of Cavalry. This is a decree!"

The First Master listened, bowing his head, and was taken aback. He initially thought Fourth Master Xiao would cease his pursuit, never expecting he would go to the palace to seek an Imperial Decree!

Chief Qi finished reading, rolled up the decree, glanced around, his eyes swept over the ladies and asked: "Who is the Sixth Miss? Come receive the decree!" Xiqiu knelt down, with a calm face: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!" With that, she stood up with her head lowered: "I am the sixth daughter, Miss Xiqiu."

Chief Qi’s gaze fell on Xiqiu’s face, seeing her gentle demeanor, composed and dignified. It was her first time receiving a decree, yet she didn’t show any sign of panic, and Chief Qi nodded silently. Meanwhile, the First Master stood up, took the decree from Chief Qi’s hand with both hands, and passed it to Tong Shen Zhi to keep, Chief Qi clasped his hands and said: "Congratulations, Lord Tong, on gaining such a fine son-in-law!"

The First Master returned the courtesy: "Thank you, Chief." He added: "The marriage of my daughter has troubled Chief to make this trip, I invite Chief to honor us with your presence for some tea at our humble abode before leaving."

Chief Qi didn’t refuse, smiling: "Lord Tong, then I will comply with your kind invitation!" The First Master grinned and gestured him ahead, Tong Shen Zhi, holding the decree, glanced back at Xiqiu and then accompanied the First Master to the outer courtyard.

With her head lowered, Xiqiu watched Chief Qi leave, when Tong Minzhi ran over, excitedly grabbing Xiqiu: "Sister, is it true that Grand Commander Xiao will be my brother-in-law? Is it true?" Xiqiu watched him smiling, and before she could respond, Tong Minzhi jumped up: "I must go tell Third Brother, his idol, Grand Commander Xiao, is now my Sixth Brother-in-law!" With that, he ran away, disappearing out of sight.

Xiqiu helplessly watched Tong Minzhi’s retreating figure, while Tong Xiyan also approached, but she wasn’t as joyful as Tong Minzhi. She held onto Xiqiu’s arm: "Sixth Sister, how could the Emperor decree a marriage between you and Fourth Master Xiao? What is going on?!" Tong Xiyu stood beside, wringing a handkerchief, her face looking grim.

Xiqiu blushed, shaking her head: "I don’t know either." Tong Xiyan furrowed her brows rightly, her impression of Fourth Master Xiao still lingering from before, worried that marrying him might lead to hardships for Xiqiu in the future: "What can be done? It’s an Imperial Decree, we can’t refuse the marriage." She fretted anxiously.

"Fourth Sister!" Tong Xiyu approached, holding her hand: "This is a joyous occasion, how can you think like that?" Saying this, she bowed to Xiqiu: "Congratulations, Sixth Sister."

Xiqiu smiled at her, reaching out to hold Tong Xiyan’s hand: "Whoever you marry, you will be married, and besides, an Imperial Decree for marriage is such an honor." The night Fourth Master Xiao claimed he had a way, she assumed he would only hire a matchmaker to visit, not expecting he would make such a grand gesture, seeking an Imperial Decree for marriage, cutting off everyone’s retreat at once!

Tong Xiyan sighed deeply, now realizing there’s nothing to be done, only hope Fourth Master Xiao will change and cherish Sixth Sister dearly.

The Imperial Decree not only stirred up the Tong Mansion but also the entire Capital. The currently influential Grand Commander Xiao, who forsook numerous aristocratic young ladies, actually sought marriage from the Tong Family, concerning an obscure illegitimate daughter. Suddenly, Xiqiu became a household name, and people whispered conjectures over tea, wondering what wonder beauty or talent the Sixth Miss of the Tong Family possessed to make the once notorious Grand Commander place aside clans to marry her...

The Tong Mansion was in turmoil, needless to say, and the Marquis Mansion was equally unsettled. Xiao Yanyi learned of the matter while speaking with the Grand Dowager, his face drastically changed on the spot. The Grand Dowager noticed, feeling equally furious. That night, she had another big argument with Fourth Master Xiao, if not for Xiao Yanyi blocking him, Fourth Master Xiao would have truly moved to reside at the Governor Mansion. The Grand Dowager waved her hand: "Moving is fine, spare me the frustration of seeing him daily."