Prime Minister Zhao had been kneeling in the Imperial Study for half an hour. The Emperor had not yet arrived, and his heart was filled with anxiety. His knees ached terribly, and his official robes on his back were soaked with sweat.
At this moment, the Emperor walked in, sat down, and began to review memorials as if he hadn't seen him. Prime Minister Zhao hesitated for a moment, then immediately spoke to offer his greetings.
"Oh dear, how can Prime Minister be kneeling there? You people with no eyes, someone quickly grant him a seat."
The head eunuch by the Emperor's side quickly slapped his own face with his hand.
"It is all this old servant's fault. For a moment, I forgot the Prime Minister was still waiting here. Your Majesty, please forgive me. Prime Minister, please excuse me."
"You old rascal, you mustn't do that again."
The Emperor scolded him with a smile, and the head eunuch bowed his head in assent.
Only then did the Emperor turn to look at the Prime Minister, "Prime Minister Zhao, you have suffered."
"Your Majesty is too kind. These are all things this humble minister should do."
The Emperor nodded, then spoke.
"I hear that your eldest legitimate daughter is elegant, intelligent, talented, and outstanding. I wonder how old your esteemed daughter is."
"Your Majesty praises me too highly. My humble daughter is thirteen."
"Oh, has she been betrothed? If not, shall I arrange a marriage for her?"
"Not yet. To be granted a marriage by Your Majesty is the honor of the Zhao manor, and the honor of my daughter."
"How about the Second Prince, Qiyang? That child is already sixteen this year. It is time to select a consort. I believe these two children are quite well-matched."
"It is all up to Your Majesty's decision."
"Very good, very good. Little Li Zi, accompany Prime Minister Zhao to the Prime Minister's manor to proclaim the imperial edict."
"Yes."
Prime Minister Zhao left the Imperial Study, his heart still pounding erratically. The Emperor truly had eyes everywhere; he knew everything that had happened in his manor yesterday.
The imperial edict had long been written; the Emperor was merely testing his attitude. The Regent's manor would likely not last much longer. The heir apparent was crippled, and the military power...
The Emperor would not openly take it back, but the Chu family would hold it in name only. The Emperor's health was not as good as before, and the Second Prince's future was limitless.
Now, he could not remain neutral. A group of people arrived at the Prime Minister's manor in great procession. Someone had already been sent ahead to announce their arrival. The rest of the Chu family had changed into their clothes and opened the main gate, waiting in the main hall to receive the imperial edict.
"By the authority of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: It is known that Zhao Haitang, daughter of the Left Prime Minister Zhao Rui'an, is virtuous, generous, kind, and of outstanding appearance. The Empress Dowager and I have heard this with great joy.
The Second Prince is now of age and it is time for him to marry. A virtuous lady should be chosen to be his match. As Zhao Haitang awaits marriage in her chambers, she is a perfect match for the Second Prince, as if made by heaven. To bring about this beautiful union, you are hereby betrothed to the Second Prince as his principal consort. All ceremonies shall be managed jointly by the Ministry of Rites and the Director of the Imperial Observatory, and a propitious date shall be chosen for the wedding.
This is to be announced both within and without, so that all may know.
Respectfully submitted.
"This humble servant congratulates Prime Minister, congratulates Miss Zhao. Miss Zhao, quickly receive the edict."
Zhao Haitang was extremely flustered. In her previous life, this had not happened at all. She thought that perhaps the Prime Minister had orchestrated it, but at this moment, she had no choice but to accept this imperial edict.
She forced herself to put on a smile, accepted the decree, and gave her thanks. After Prime Minister Zhao happily sent them away, she looked at Prime Minister Zhao with indignant fury.
"Come with me to the study to talk."
...
Zhao Haitang's eyes were filled with tears, her voice resolute.
"What exactly is going on? You know I already have someone I love. Father, are you really going to force me like this?"
"Rebellious daughter, you still know I am your father. A ruler's command cannot be defied. Must you sacrifice the entire manor for your ridiculous love?"
"Who are you trying to fool? If you hadn't brought it up yourself, how would the Emperor know I am just anyone? In your eyes, am I, your daughter, just a tool to be moved wherever needed?"
"I don't care what you think in your heart. Now that the imperial edict has been issued, you must marry whether you want to or not. Go back to your room and embroider your wedding dress obediently."
"Why? Why should my own marriage be decided by you all? I am not convinced! I am not convinced!"
"Hmph, not convinced? Since ancient times, matters of marriage are determined by parental orders and the words of a matchmaker. Having the Emperor bestow a marriage is a great fortune for you. Do not be so ungrateful. Jinsong, take the eldest daughter away. If anything happens to her, I will take your head."
"Yes, Master."
"Let me go, let me go~"
After returning to her room, Zhao Haitang smashed everything in her chambers. She was only a little over a year away from her coming-of-age ceremony. How could she get the Emperor to withdraw his decree?
Now that Chu Chaojin was bedridden, she had no one to discuss this with. She also could not leave the Prime Minister's manor to send any messages. She could only smash things to vent her anger, hating the Prime Minister and the Emperor with all her heart.
Zhao Youlan was in a similar plight. "That slut, looking so unwilling despite such a good marriage. Why was I born from a concubine? I am truly unwilling."
Liu'er fanned her while saying, "Miss, don't worry. The matter with that one over there is still causing trouble. Who will ultimately marry into the Second Prince's manor, we cannot say for sure."
"Hmph, you are right. We are all born of the same father; I, Zhao Youlan, am no worse than anyone else."
On the Regent's manor's side, the residents had not slept well last night. Their dreams were filled with blood, and the thought of it made their scalps tingle. Even the Regent's Consort, who usually only practiced vegetarianism and chanted Buddhist scriptures, came out.
"Mother, what is wrong with Eldest Brother?"
Chu Chaoyun rubbed his small eyes and asked in confusion. He had been frightened by nightmares last night. He only thought that he must practice his martial arts diligently today and would not let the events in his dream happen.
He did not understand any of the schemes and stratagems, so he was still very concerned about his elder brother.
"It's nothing, Yun'er. Go out and play. The doctors are taking care of things here; you don't need to worry."
"Yes, okay."
"Yiyi, go with him too."
"Yes, Mother."
...
"Second Brother, do you think what was in the dream could be true?"
"I can't say for sure. Let's take things one step at a time. Chaojin is lying here now, which shows that a variable has occurred."
"Let's just hope this variable develops in a good direction."