Chapter 73 – Announce an Imperial Decree to Enter the Capital

Lu Mu still gave them a stare. Finally, Lu Xian reaches out and covers his brother’s mouth, “Lu Mu, you are drunk in the morning? What kind of drunkenness act are you playing on the happy day of Lady Liu?”

 

He then said awkwardly, “Please don’t mind, Your Highness. My father and I didn’t tell the family about your identity. Besides, my brother drank two bottles of wine this morning, and he was in a state of disrepute…”

 

Who drinks in the morning? This remark can not stand up to scrutiny. However, Cui Xingzhou smiled and followed Lu Xian’s words, “Since it is drunken talk, I am not surprised… Since we are all family, don’t be too polite, just go into the hall and talk.”

 

Just then, a group of soldiers with iron armor and helmets came to unload the carriages and transport the things to the Lu Mansion.

 

It is better to stand at the door and chant loudly according to the list according to the ritual convention.

 

Many objects are not boxed and are directly presented for people to see. Whether they are jade lions, gold bracelets, or cloth, they are all styles that people in small villages have never seen before.

 

But Lu Mu is a discerning person. Of course, he can see that some of them are even Imperial tributes. If those nobles or Princes had not been awarded, there would be no such rare things!

 

As for the seafood necessary for the betrothal gifts, they are all special shark fin and abalone ginseng. In addition, it is said that there are also farm property shops.

 

In a word, if he is a liar who cheats on the girl of his family, the Lu family can’t afford these betrothal gifts even if they sold everything.

 

What’s more, the soldiers of Prince Huaiyang camped not far from the State of Xi. There are many soldiers in the city these days. How dare anyone pretend to be Prince Huaiyang at this time?

 

When the bride price went in, Lu Mu saw that his father and Elder Brother seemed to not doubt the identity of Prince Huaiyang, and under this Young Master Cui were all fully armed soldiers. Lu Mu then realized that this extraordinary young man was really Cui Xingzhou, the Mashal of the Northwest in military power!

 

For a moment, the whole family was shocked.

 

What’s the situation of the Liu girl outside these years? How did she get to know Princes and Generals one after another? And does Prince Huaiyang really wants to marry her?

 

In the dumbfounded silence of a crowd of people, Cui Xingzhou has already presented tea to her Grandfather, Lu Wu, with Miantang.

 

Lu Wu is an old Jianghu person. He has grown old and is indifferent to the world’s pomp. In addition, he knew Cui Xingzhou’s identity long ago, so he can deal with it without issue.

 

After they saluted, Lu Wu looked at the two people. If he didn’t mention his family background, the young children in front of him were a perfect match.

 

He doesn’t know what method the boy used, but his Granddaughter nodded and agreed. Looking at Miantang’s meticulously combed sideburns and lightly swept eyebrows, she did not seem reluctant.

 

If she is willing to, everything is fine. He then said slowly, “Miantang, a child who lost her mother in childhood, is very stubborn. Thanks to Your Highness, who doesn’t dislike her. Please be magnanimous enough to forgive or tolerate a lot in the future. If she is naughty and not taught, just send her back to the Lu’s, and I will teach her on behalf of Your Highness…”

 

All the women here feel that their Old Master is out of tune. How can he talk about sending the girl home on the day of their engagement?

 

But if they think about it carefully, the wiser people can understand the meaning of the Old Master’s words. “No matter how bad my Granddaughter is, you should be forgiving and not punish her. Just return her to the Lu family. I will keep her!”

 

Cui Xingzhou also knew that the Old Master was afraid that he would be unkind to Miantang.

 

However, he thought that the two of them have the same thought. Before they got married, they first thought about how to separate peacefully. Do they regard the Prince’s Residence as a den of tigers and dragons? If it was someone else, Cui Xingzhou would be furious.

 

But now he is asking for the girl of their family, and he could only earnestly and solemnly say, “Since I have decided to marry her, I would naturally respect her and love her. How will I send her back? Please rest assured.”

 

Lu Wu nodded and said nothing more. The next step was to discuss the future ceremony and other issues.

 

Because Cui Xingzhou still hasn’t reported his military affairs back, and his return date is uncertain, he has not nailed down the wedding date. He only said that the Lu Family would send people to the State of Zhen to attend the actual ceremony before the ceremony.

 

Cui Xingzhou didn’t even ask about Miantang’s dowry. He wants to marry her. If he can marry, he can even give the dowry himself. As a result, there is one less step in accepting the dowry than ordinary people.

 

Lu Mu took the time to drag his Elder Brother out and asked angrily, “Elder brother, do you and father don’t take me as a member of the Lu family anymore? Why didn’t you tell me about Prince Huaiyang’s noble status earlier? Why did you let me make such a big joke in front of The Prince for nothing? How can I go back and face him? I’m afraid The Prince will be dissatisfied with me!”

 

Lu Xian has been in a mess since he knew that two people who were once enemies were engaged with each other. He regretted not telling Miantang how serious this matter can be, and he was thinking that this was the end of the matter. He would rather not tell her and bury the matter thoroughly… When he was in a mess, he heard his Second Brother complain. How could he consider such trivial matters? He only glared at him and said, “What kind of relatives do you want? Miantang is a distant marriage. We can’t take care of her in the future. You can find an opportunity later and apologize to Prince Huaiyang.”

 

With that, he turned around and left first. Lu Mu shouted behind him, but his Elder Brother did not turn back. Lu Mu begged for nothing and then went back to his yard angrily.

 

When he went back, he saw Lu Qingying had cried her eyes red. When he asked Quan, he realized that his daughter’s eyes were red (Jealous) even if she didn’t cry.

 

Lady Liu’s marriage was so determined that Lu Qingying could not even compare with her. She only murmured in a low voice, “My Elder Uncle is too much. He knows such a distinguished person, but he doesn’t tell his family, let alone think about his niece. If he can introduce him to us earlier, he might be able to negotiate a wedding for me…”

 

Lu Mu was very self-aware. He glared at his daughter and said, “You thought The Prince is a woman who you can marry? Don’t you look at the appearance of the Liu girl! Only with such appearance and natural beauty can make The Prince bow. You should be honest and wait to be the daughter-in-law of the Su family!”

 

Lu Qingying was not convinced, “Didn’t you say that my cousin lived with others before? If The Prince knew, would he still want her?”

 

Lu Mu almost tore his daughter’s mouth and said, “My little ancestor, don’t you think we have enough trouble today? Now Miantang has such a good marriage, even though we are also lucky. I still have something to ask The Prince. You can’t tell him about your cousin’s things. Rotten the words in your stomach. Don’t mention a word!”

 

Lu Mu didn’t know more about Miantang’s business on the Mountain of Yang than Lu Xian did. That Liu girl didn’t get very close to him later. She was only on closer terms with her Elder Uncle and only told Lu Mu everything.

 

Lu Mu first met the Young Master Ziyu, and vaguely knew his identity was extraordinary. But later, when there was trouble at home, he hurried home to take possession of the family property, so that his father wouldn’t pay for the upkeep of the Liu family, so he broke off contact with the Mountain of Yang.

 

Just because he didn’t know much about Miantang and Prince Huaiyang, Lu Mu didn’t have the fear that Lu Xian had. He just wanted to cling to the noble family.

 

Although Cui Xingzhou did not have an Imperial surname, he was much more powerful than Prince Sui. Such a distinguished Prince has a bright future!

 

According to Lu Mu’s idea, after receiving the ceremony today, he found an opportunity to apologize to the Prince, mend the relationship between relatives, and then slowly talk to him about his water transport business.

 

Because of the confusion of Miantang, his recent business has dried up. But she will soon become the Princess’s Consort. A random leakage from her fingers is enough for his whole family to eat for a year. It would be unreasonable to hold the business of water transport.

 

But what Lu Mu didn’t expect was that Prince Huaiyang came here to ask for a wife. Since he has gotten the marriage letter, there was no need to stay here. So the Northwest army, which had been stationed outside the city, moved on the next day after receiving the ceremony.

 

Liu Miantang was also taken away from the State of Xi by Cui Xingzhou. However, before leaving, Liu Miantang handed over the business of the shipping company to the Lu family, but only to her Elder Uncle’s family, and repeatedly told his Elder Uncle not to let her Second Uncle touch it.

 

With so many things happening at home recently, Lu Xian also saw the greed of his Second Brother and knew how to act without Miantang saying. Now the Lu family has no other Elders to support, except for one or two orphans and widows, and they have saved a lot of money.

 

The bride price given by The Prince was ordered by the Old Master. After the ceremony, it was all given to Miantang intact. When the Grandparent and Grandchild parted, they shed tears again.

 

Lu Wu exhorts his Granddaughter, but he knows that it’s no use saying more. He only hopes that she will have a better life than her mother. Don’t meet anyone who is unfaithful.

 

When the brigade was moving forward, Miantang kept looking at the Long Pavilion on the wrong road in the carriage. The Old Master had been standing there for a long time and refused to leave.

 

Cui Xingzhou, who was in the same carriage with her, reached out and pulled her back. He put his arm around her shoulder and said, “It’s windy outside. You’ve been crying before. Be careful not to let the wind hurt your face.”

 

Miantang said softly, “Didn’t I say before? You can go to the Capital and I will stay in the State of Xi to wait for you. Why do you take me with you again?”

 

Cui Xingzhou held her hand and held her chin with one hand, saying, “Would you like to be separate from me just as we get together again? Leaving you alone may lead you to think of some rubbish again. You should follow me honestly. I can only be relieved when I look at you by my side.”

 

Miantang leaned on his arms and said, “Aren’t we engaged? Why are you still worrying?”

 

Cui Xingzhou smiled, lowered his head, and kissed her, then said, “I will not rest assured until you give birth to my baby.”

 

As soon as Miantang was reminded by him, she then realized. He always stayed in her room these days. There is no taboo. If she is pregnant, what should she do?

 

However, Cui Xingzhou said that she was too worried. This time, he went to the Capital only on a routine basis. After reporting his duties, he would go back to the State of Zhen. A month or so away, even if she was pregnant, she would not be afraid. She would only give birth after finishing the ritual.

 

Besides, it’s hard to bear the life of an ascetic monk after such a ban is lifted. With such a beautiful woman in mind, the sage can’t help it!

 

Cui Xingzhou’s team did not travel fast. They camped early and set out late every day. If they met famous mountains and ancient temples, they would stay for several more days. Although they were on their way, they were not tired.

 

Soon Miantang realized that the army seemed to be dragging its way forward, so she asked him why. However, Cui Xingzhou would not talk about it. He said simply, “I haven’t taken you to play before. I’ll just take you to see the mountains and waters.”

 

He did not want to say, and Miantang did not continue asking. She also knew that Cui Xingzhou was sent to the Northwest to do jobs that others did not like. It must be that he did not get along well with the Imperial CouEmpress Dowager rarely wants to ease her relationship with him and marry her daughter to him, but he deliberately injured his leg and politely refused Empress Dowager.

 

Now Cui Xingzhou is in control of the military power, which is bound to become the fear of the Imperial Court. If the Imperial Court intends to weaken his military power, it will be another game!

 

After thinking it over, Miantang is also smart. She just went sightseeing with Cui Xingzhou and relax.

 

Cui Jiu, whom she had known before, could not talk about many things because of his concealment of identity and his natural scruples in speaking. Now Cui Xingzhou can relax and talk to Miantang about his past.

 

In particular, along the way, there were many places that he had visited with many friends when he was a young scholar. Everywhere he went, there was something old to tell.

 

Miantang used to think Cui Jiu talked well, but now she has found that although he is the son of the nobilities, he has rich experience. When he was young, he hid his identity, got along with those civilian students, and learned about the suffering of the folks. In short, he knew more than she does.

 

Liu Miantang most admired capable people in her life. She admired her husband Cui Jiu before. It’s a pity that he cheated on her later, so her admiration was greatly reduced.

 

When she looked at him, she always considered the truth of his words.

 

But now that the two are engaged, they can no longer have to worry about the irrelevant. When they are alone, Miantang finds that her would-be husband’s literary skills and military strategies are very good, and her eyes gradually have the flickering admiration of her former husband, and she is ready to learn from her husband about the sage’s teachings.

 

Cui Xingzhou was very impressed by Miantang’s adoration and told her that it was natural to learn. They might as well start from the pleasure of the bedroom. There are also many doctrines of saints about this way.

 

He spoke seriously, and Miantang listened carefully for a long time before she realized that he was teasing her with nonsense.

 

It was most deadly for this seemingly cold and noble man if he played a rascal self. Miantang beat his broad chest, which was shaking with laughter, in shame, while being teased to blush by him.

 

She doesn’t seem to know as much about men and women as he does.

 

However, such carefree days were not long. They doesn’t know when the number of posthorses on the official road increased suddenly, and even the stables in some post stations were empty, so they had to temporarily recruit horses from the countryside.

 

In general, there is either a war at the border or great turbulence in the government and the Court.

 

Cui Xingzhou has also got informed by the spies in the Capital, the Capital is changing!

 

The Emperor has a strange disease. He hasn’t been able to get well. The Empress Dowager Wu was supporting, and there was no chaos. However, Empress Dowager Wu became ill as well. At first, her hands and feet were spotted with red dots and her nails were blackened.

 

An experienced Imperial Physician can tell that she has been poisoned. So he began to check all the things close to the Empress Dowager. After checking, he found the tobacco leaves that the Empress Dowager always smoked recently.

 

The Empress Dowager’s favorite was soaked in poison, and she always smoked, even her clothes were stained with the smell of tobacco.

 

This kind of poison is good for ordinary people, and its toxicity also develops slowly. However, the poison’s medicinal property is contrary to the tonic that the Emperor often takes. So whenever the Empress Dowager goes to visit the Emperor every day and takes close care of him, it aggravates the Emperor’s condition. Thus, the Emperor is terminally ill and his dragon’s body is hard to retrieve.

 

Now the toxicity of the Empress Dowager has also risen and this is why this matter has been revealed.

 

The Empress Dowager Wu became furious when she learned that General Shi’s family, who was offering tobacco leaves, had been investigated.

 

However, Shi Yikuan, from the Shi family, had made preparations long before. Shi Yikuan joined forces with several Generals to guard the gate of the Imperial Palace. Even a bird in the Palace could not fly out.

 

By the time the Wu family found out something was wrong, the news of the death of both of the Imperial figures had already spread from the Palace. Empress Dowager Wu and the Emperor went to heaven together.

 

At this time, the seniors of the Court stood out one after another, pointing directly to the inside story of the former Prince’s death after crying injustice, and also pointing directly at the fact that the former Crown Prince’s bloodline was preserved in the world. He was General Shi’s son-in-law, who changed his name to Ziyu, the Imperial Grandson, Liu Dan!

 

How would the Wu Family admit it? Thus, they mobilized troops and vow to fight the enemy, Shi Family to the end.

 

It is said that in those days, the Capital was extremely nervous. The streets were full of Officers and Soldiers. Generally, the doors of people’s houses were closed and they did not dare to leave.

 

At the critical moment, Empress Dowager came out with a group of Old Ministers to rectify the situation and state the injustice of the Crown Prince. It also confirms Liu’s identity.

 

So seven days after the death of The Emperor, Liu Dan, who was able to recover his true identity, announced his accession to the throne. His year title was announced, and the formal Crown Prince was named the Holy Emperor of Zhaohua. He announced to the whole world that the Evil Concubine, Empress Dowager Wu, was responsible for harming the country and the people.

 

As the saying goes, the winner is the King, and the loser is the bandit. The Wu family enjoyed prosperity and lost their vigilance. They were plotted against a Palace change. They lost the first chance and can only leave the others to splash dirty water. The Empress Dowager Wu was described as a lecherous woman with countless young men.

 

It’s no wonder that the posthorses are seen everywhere when the changes in the Capital have decided. They are all sending the latest news to Princes and nobles everywhere.

 

When Cui Xingzhou heard this, he knew it. Although Liu Dan is famous for the title of the descendant of the formal Crown Prince, his ideas are not powerful enough to stir up the storm.

 

Behind this, there are plans of Empress Dowager and Prince Sui everywhere. The Palace changes in previous dynasties were all dirty and bloody. Prince Sui left the Capital early and stayed out of it. If Liu Dan failed, it had nothing to do with him.

 

Liu Dan is just a pawn of Prince Sui. Although he is superior, he is generally a puppet like the Emperor before.

 

Behind the curtain, there is an Empress Dowager! Moreover, Liu Dan’s body and bones are really weak, which is not as good as the deceased Emperor’s! When Liu Dan has finished all the dirty work, Prince Sui will walk slowly to the front of the curtain.

 

Cui Xingzhou waited for the changes in the Capital to calm down. Now the Capital is in a mutiny. If he arrives in the Capital, he is bound to choose his team and stop the traitors.

 

If he helped the Wu family, he would surely be reviled by the Old Minister. If he doesn’t help, he will lose his duty as a Prince. Therefore, Cui Xingzhou is still adhering to the position of not siding with anyone. He just waits for the change of the Capital before arriving in the Capital.

 

However, to be honest, he did not want Liu Dan to be superior, even if he was just a temporary puppet. It’s always uncomfortable to think that Liu Dan had a secret relationship with Miantang before.

 

However, Liu Dan has also married and had children. When he thought that Miantang married a merchant, he seemed to have little reaction. He probably forgot Miantang completely.

 

So far, Cui Xingzhou can’t help congratulating himself on his early engagement with Miantatos to avoid the new Emperor’s desire to turn back.

 

Just as the Northwest Army was slowly moving forward, several galloping steeds passed by the official road and rushed toward the State of Zhen…

 

On the other hand, the Lu family just sent Prince Huaiyang away. Before they could rest, they heard the sound of the door being knocked hard on.

 

After the gatekeeper opened, he found several Enunch in palace clothes standing outside the Mansion accompanied by several local officials of the State of Xi.

 

Seeing that the Lu family opened the door, he immediately shouted, “Tell your Master of the Lu family to come out to receive the Imperial Edict!”

 

The concierge of the Lu family has also been tempered these days, and his nerves are much stronger. A Eunuch was standing at the door with a yellow Imperial Edict. He was able to take his time and just trotted all the way to deliver the letter to the Old Master.

 

When the Old Master came with the help of the Lu family, the Eunuch brushed and opened the Imperial Edict, “It was a blessing from heaven that The Emperor decreed, Liu Miantang, a girl outside the Lu family, was intelligent and delicate. The Liu girl is specially invited to the Palace to be bestowed the role of a female official. She would take the Imperial Edict to the Palace without delay!”

 

This Imperial Edict is just like Prince Huaiyang, who came here to propose marriage rashly. It is inexplicable to those who do not know it!

 

Although the female officials in the Palace are not Concubines, they are usually unmarried girls! The Old Master Lu said boldly, “You must not know. My little girl has been engaged to someone else…”

 

The Eunuch who came to pass the edict was told early that Liu Miantang was married. Liu Dan did not know that Liu Miantang had been cheated. He only thought her husband was a member of the army. However, he also sent someone to spy on her secretly. He only knew that she seemed to have a disagreement with her husband and returned to the Lu family in the State of Xi.

 

So after he ascended the throne, the first thing was to pass a decree to Miantang to become his female official in the Capital. After all, she is a married woman, so it’s hard to avoid telling her to be his Concubine. It’s better to ask her to enter the Palace first in the name of being a female official.

 

So when the Eunuch who passed the edict heard what the Old Master Lu said about Miantang, he had already prepared and said, “The Empress likes Liu’s virtue, even if she’s married, it’s right to let her husband release her quickly. Don’t delay Liu’s serving the Empress!”

 

Lu Wu’s eyes widened. Even if it was an Imperial edict, it could not hide the absurdity. He has never heard of The Emperor forcibly proclaiming a married woman to be a female official in the Palace.

 

So Lu Wu knelt on the ground and held his anger, “Report to the Imperial Envoy, my Granddaughter has gone with the army and is not in the Lu Mansion. She has set up her own female household and opened an account under the surname Liu, so the people in the Lu Mansion cannot answer the edict for her.”

 

Li Guangcai, the County Official on the side, also knew the content of the Imperial Edict when the Eunuch read it. He is really in a big head. He just wants to fool away the Eunuchs and send someone to report to Prince Huaiyang.

 

So he hurriedly said, “It’s true of what the Old Master of the Lu family told, Lady Liu, has gone with the army.”

 

The Eunuch did not expect that the job was so bad. Since Liu had left, he naturally wanted to chase after him and take the Commander’s wife back to the Capital.