Yu Mingyue hurried to the front hall. Only then did Zhang Ying produce the imperial edict, and with a slightly shrill voice, he declared, "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: It has come to Our attention that Yu Zheyen, Duke of Zhenguo, has a daughter, Yu Mingyue, who is skilled and gracious, with outstanding appearance. Lu Jingxing, General of Zhennan, is valiant in battle and has made meritorious contributions in quelling rebellions. The two are a match made in heaven. To fulfill this beautiful union, We hereby bestow upon them a marriage. All ceremonies shall be jointly handled by the Ministry of Rites and the Chief Official of the Imperial Observatory. Upon General Lu's return to the capital, a propitious date shall be chosen for the wedding."
Hearing that the Emperor had bestowed a marriage upon her and Lu Jingxing, Yu Mingyue's entire expression was as if struck by lightning. The Emperor clearly knew her feelings, and Lu Jingxing already had an engagement with Youyou. He was clearly acting with ill intentions.
"Sixth Daughter Yu, quickly accept the edict!" Zhang Ying reminded her when she remained kneeling on the ground for a long time.
Yu Mingyue suppressed her emotions. "Eunuch, this bestowed marriage edict must be mistaken. This humble daughter..."
Zhang Ying chuckled twice, with a hint of guidance, and said meaningfully, "Sixth Daughter Yu, you jest. The Emperor himself issued this edict, how could it be mistaken? Please accept it quickly." If she defied the edict, the Duke and his son would be in danger.
This clever girl, having entered officialdom, would surely understand the implications.
"This subject's daughter accepts the edict. Many thanks to His Majesty. Long live, long live, long live!" Yu Mingyue received the edict with both hands, bowing respectfully.
Zhang Ying finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had not misjudged this girl. The Duke's mansion was guarded by the Qianniu Guard outside.
Madam Cui felt like killing the Emperor, but she dared not show any emotion. She only regretted not having made Yue'er and Xie Jiayan leave earlier.
What use was it for them, as subjects, to be loyal and law-abiding? If he harbored even a shred of suspicion, they would still be doomed.
"The weather is cold, and it is not easy for Your Grace to travel from the palace. Please have some tea." Madam Cui slipped a stack of silver notes into Zhang Ying's hand.
Zhang Ying was about to refuse, but Madam Cui was resolute. "Thank you, Eunuch, for making this trip personally. The Duke's mansion remembers your kindness."
Madam Cui already knew about the Qianniu Guard outside the Duke's mansion. If Zhang Ying intended to make things difficult, the bestowed marriage might turn into a bestowed death.
"I dare not accept. This old servant is merely a messenger. The Duke and the heir have already returned to the capital by imperial decree. This spring banquet in the palace will be quite lively." Zhang Ying was also willing to do the Duke's mansion a favor.
In any case, the news of the Yu family father and son returning to the capital would soon be known to everyone; it was not a secret. If it were something that could not be spoken of, he would not dare to utter a word even if given a hundred chances.
Madam Cui asked the steward to personally escort Zhang Ying away, showing him the utmost respect.
"Do not be sad. We will make plans after your father and brother return to the capital," Madam Cui comforted her.
"The Emperor's sudden bestowal of marriage must have a purpose. Let's wait and see," Yu Mingyue had calmed down by now.
She was, of course, a hundred percent unwilling to marry Lu Jingxing, but she could guarantee that Lu Jingxing's anger would be no less than hers.
To refuse this marriage, she would likely have to rely on him. Since the Gu family's incident, her strained relationship with Lu Jingxing was no secret in the capital. The Emperor had truly chosen a husband for her.
It seemed she and Lu Jingxing would have to cooperate sincerely once more.
"Do you think he will know about the Emperor's bestowed marriage..." Madam Cui thought of Xie Jiayan.
Eunuch Zhang had just said that one copy of the imperial edict was sent to the Duke's mansion, and another was sent by swift horse to Fuzhou. Lu Jingxing would surely receive it soon, and Xie Jiayan would likely know as well.
Yu Mingyue's heart skipped a beat. A terrible thought flashed through her mind: could the Emperor be trying to lure Jiayan brother to the capital with this?
Impossible. He had already dismissed him from his official post. The Emperor would not want Jiayan brother, with his status, to return to the capital. Why would he do this? Then, what was the Emperor's true intention?