Chapter 198
Chapter 198: Bestowed Marriage
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
A moment later, Wang Kun led Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yan into the grand hall.
When everyone saw Jiang Yan, their eyes revealed some surprise, including Emperor Qi Ming.
However, when he saw the two heads on the ground, he still said coldly, “So, you two are the illegitimate son and daughter of King Chujiang?”
“We pay our respects to Your Majesty.”
Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yan knelt down, and after they kowtowed to Emperor Qi Ming, they whispered, “Your Majesty, our father, King Chujiang, has committed treason, and his household deserves severe punishment.”
“But the hundreds of people in King Chujiang’s Mansion are innocent, as are the people of Jiangzhou. I beseech Your Majesty for mercy.”
When he finished speaking, Jiang Cheng directly kowtowed to the ground.
Although Emperor Qi Ming’s eyes were filled with gloominess, when he heard Jiang Cheng’s words, the expression in his eyes softened.
He looked at Jiang Cheng and said calmly, “You are unlike your father.”
At this, Jiang Cheng didn’t dare to respond.
“Seeing that you took the initiative to surrender, I can pardon the remaining people of King Chujiang Mansion. But from today, the King Chujiang Mansion must relinquish its military power in its territory, and all taxes will be increased by twenty percent. Do you have any objections?”
“Your servant obeys Your Majesty’s decree. 1 thank Your Majesty.”
Upon hearing Emperor Qi Ming’s words, Jiang Cheng quickly kowtowed.
Jiangzhou was a vast coastal region, and increasing taxes by twenty percent was not significant for the area.
As for military power in the territory, Jiang Cheng had long given up on such thoughts.
At this time, Jiang Cheng turned to look at Jiang Yan beside him. Recalling her advice on their way there, Jiang Cheng took the initiative to speak, “Your Majesty, there is a favor I would like to ask.”
“What is it? Speak,” said the Emperor.
Perhaps it was because Jiang Cheng was very tactful, so Emperor Qi Ming’s attitude was still quite amicable at this moment.
Jiang Cheng glanced at Jiang Yan and then looked at Emperor Qi Ming and said, “Your Majesty, my elder sister has always admired the splendor of the capital. Therefore, she wishes to marry into the capital. I beseech Your Majesty to grant her a marriage.”
Hearing this, Emperor Qi Ming’s gaze landed on Jiang Yan.
For some unknown reason, Emperor Qi Ming then glanced at Xiao Junhao.
Feeling the Emperor’s gaze on him, Xiao Junhao’s heart skipped a beat.
Just as he was about to speak, he heard Emperor Qi Ming’s voice, “In that case, 1 will bestow a marriage for Miss Jiang to Prince Qing, making her his main consort.”
“Imperial Father?”
Emperor Qi Ming’s voice was not loud, but it reached the ears of everyone in the grand hall. Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, Xiao Junhao’s face changed completely.
His eyes were filled with resistance and unwillingness.
But when Emperor Qi Ming heard his voice, he looked at him calmly and asked, “Are you dissatisfied with my decree?”
“I dare not.”
“Thank you, Imperial Father.”
Xiao Junhao clenched his fists tightly. After a few seconds of silence, he smiled and kowtowed to Emperor Qi Ming.
Jiang Yan was also stunned by Emperor Qi Ming’s arrangement.
She had always been proud of her beauty and thought that Emperor Qi Ming would take her into the palace. She did not expect the Emperor to directly bestow her to Prince Qing.
Subconsciously, Jiang Yan looked towards Xiao Junhao.
She had inquired about the Emperor’s sons before coming here, and it seemed that this Prince Qing was not favored by Emperor Qi Ming.
But at this moment, she had no other choice.
At this moment, Emperor Qi Ming smiled and looked at Jiang Yan. “Miss Jiang, 1 will bestow you with the marriage of Prince Qing as his main consort. What are your thoughts?”
“Your servant daughter is thankful, Your Majesty,” Jiang Yan replied quickly, kneeling to pay her respects.
Everyone looked displeased, except for Xiao Nanye, who saw Xiao Junhao’s dark expression and a mocking smile appeared on his face.
“Nanye, what do you think of this marriage?” the Emperor asked.
“It is an excellent arrangement by Your Majesty, only…”
“Only what?”
At this moment, Xiao Nanye’s gaze fell on Xiao Junhao. Meeting his eyes, Xiao Nanye said with a faint smile, “I have heard that Prince Qing and General Lin’s legitimate daughter are very close. 1 wonder how Prince Qing will explain this to Miss Lin, now that Your Majesty has made this sudden decision.”
“Miss Lin of the Lin family?”
Emperor Qi Ming looked towards Xiao Nanye, a hint of puzzlement in his eyes.
Xiao Junhao’s face, however, had already turned uglier than words could describe.
Emperor Qi Ming’s gaze was now fixed on Xiao Junhao. Looking at him, the Emperor asked directly, “Is what your imperial uncle said true?”
Xiao Junhao was eager to deny it, but if he denied it today, it would be difficult for him to marry Lin Mengyao in the future, as that would be deceiving the Emperor.
His thoughts raced. After a moment of silence, Xiao Junhao bowed deeply and said to Emperor Qi Ming, “Imperial father, please forgive me. 1 am genuinely fond of Eldest Miss Lin of the Lin family.”
“Since that’s the case, then 1 will bestow Miss Lin to you as a side consort.”
After thinking for a moment, Emperor Qi Ming continued, “In less than two months, your Imperial Uncle is set to marry Miss Jiang. Given this, let the Ministry of Rites handle both weddings. On that day, your main consort and side consort can both enter your mansion.”
Under normal circumstances, it is rare for the main consort and side consort to be welcomed into the household at the same time, but since Emperor Qi Ming had spoken, Xiao Junhao had no choice but to obey.
“Thank you, Imperial Father.”
Beside them, Jiang Yan remained silent, as if she hadn’t heard the conversation at all.
When Jiang Peihuan was mentioned, Emperor Qi Ming’s eyes suddenly landed on Xiao Nanye, “Speaking of which, this time I have to properly reward Jiang Hong’s eldest daughter of the Jiang family.”
“Wang Kun, later go to the treasury room and select some items to send to the General Jiang Mansion.”
“Yes.”
“Imperial Brother, there’s no need for Chief Wang to make a trip. I will take care of it,” Xiao Nan Ye said.
“Also, Chief Wang may not know Huan Er’s preferences. Thus, I shall take on the responsibility of choosing the gifts.”
“Are you planning to empty my private treasury again?”
“Imperial Brother, that’s such an unfair thing to say.” When have I ever emptied your private treasury?”
“I don’t have the patience to argue with you.”
Hearing Xiao Nanye’s words, Emperor Qi Ming glared at him irritably, but there wasn’t a trace of real anger.
Those who were present and witnessing this exchange had complex expressions in their eyes.
“Wang Kun, go to the Lin family and deliver the decree.”
“Yes.”
An hour later, Wang Kun, with the imperial decree in hand, made his way to the Lin Mansion.
As the grand doors of the Lin mansion opened, everyone’s faces were lit with brilliant smiles, especially Madam Lin.
As long as Lin Mengyao married into the Qing Mansion, she would become the true mistress of the household in the future. No one could humiliate her.
“Yao Er, you’re truly my good daughter.” Madam Lin said, beaming as she looked at Lin Meng Yao who was walking beside her.
For some reason, Lin Meng Yao had an inexplicable feeling of unease in her heart.
But seeing that the person who came to deliver the decree was Wang Kun, the chief eunuch at Emperor Qi Ming’s side, she felt a bit more at ease.
“Lord Lin, Madam Lin, congratulations,” Wang Kun said with a smile, and then he unrolled the decree.
“By the Emperor’s command, Eldest Miss Lin is granted to Prince Qing as a side consort.”
“Side consort?” Lin Mengyao repeated, her voice trembling with surprise and confusion..