Volume One, Chapter 12: The Ten Noble Families Arrive with Congratulations
Ning Zhuo’er had always been somewhat stunned by the presence of the “Ten Surnames Families.”
Those minor officials who had just finished their meal immediately stepped aside, their expressions suddenly enlightened.
So it turned out…
They had chosen the right side!
The Ten Surnames Families of Great Ning, modeled after the ten great clans of the previous dynasty, each held a prominent position in the imperial court.
Each one was a person of influence!
Normally, these families would seldom appear at Qing’an Palace, but today, not only the Chen, Li, and Zhao families came, but representatives from the other seven families arrived as well!
Their presence transformed the once quiet Qing’an Palace into a bustling gathering.
Not only did the ten great families come, but many mid-level officials under their patronage also showed up, bearing additional congratulatory gifts.
These gifts filled half the courtyard, and the high-ranking officials lingered, seemingly awaiting someone.
Who else might arrive?
At that moment, a servant outside announced:
“The Marquis of Zhenbei has arrived!”
“The Marquis of Anyang has arrived!”
The arrival of these two marquises raised the atmosphere once again. Officials hurried to greet them; as the highest-ranking marquises of Great Ning, the two controlled nearly half of the court’s power.
One was a civil official, the other a military general—together, they rivaled half the influence of the Ten Surnames Families!
“Unexpected that even a war god like the Marquis of Zhenbei would attend. Indeed, the sixth prince’s wedding is quite the grand affair!” the Marquis of Anyang teased.
The tall figure of the Marquis of Zhenbei responded solemnly, “When the prince weds, how could his subjects not come?”
Being a military man, the Marquis of Zhenbei was straightforward and to the point, fitting his character.
The Marquis of Anyang nodded, then turned to greet more officials one by one before searching for his daughter.
By protocol, as her father, he should remain at the Marquis of Anyang’s residence, not come to Qing’an Palace.
Yet, he had come…
Because the Marquis of Zhenbei was here!
Only the emperor and the Marquis of Zhenbei could make him feel wary.
At that moment, the two marquises stood still, looking out the door as if awaiting someone else’s arrival.
Ning Zhuo’er approached Ning Ling’s side and whispered, “What’s going on? Why have so many important figures suddenly come for the prince’s wedding?”
Ning Ling shook her head, narrowing her eyes at the Marquis of Zhenbei. The murderous intent in her gaze was unmistakable.
No one took their seats.
Today’s real purpose wasn’t the gifts; it was about making their presence known to those few influential figures.
Suddenly, there was another announcement from outside the palace gates:
“The fifth prince sends his respects with gifts—welcome him!”
The fifth prince, Xie Yuan, ranked second at the Zhu Lu Academy and was renowned as the “Little War God” for his formidable martial prowess.
His arrival, representing the imperial family, caused many officials to flock to him.
Xie Yuan simply nodded courteously, focusing his attention on the two marquises who stood smiling nearby.
As pillars of Great Ning, Xie Yuan deeply respected them both.
“Marquis!” Xie Yuan cupped his hands politely.
The Marquis of Anyang smiled, “The fifth prince honoring his brother in this way shows he holds the sixth prince in high regard.”
Xie Yuan understood the implication.
He replied, “This time, Father the Emperor is coming. The other elder princes, except the Crown Prince stationed at the Eastern Palace, cannot attend. Only I remain in the capital and naturally must come.”
“You come only to avoid leaving a flaw,” the Marquis of Zhenbei scoffed disdainfully.
Xie Yuan admired the Marquis’s bluntness from the bottom of his heart and took no offense.
“Marquis Zhenbei speaks truly.”
Xie Yuan played the good guy, causing many to wonder why one was willing to strike while the other was willing to bear it.
They were still waiting for someone.
Finally, the imperial carriage arrived outside the palace gate. The imperial guards appeared, and the servant’s call was swiftly taken over by Eunuch Xu.
“Welcome, the Emperor approaches!”
At Eunuch Xu’s announcement, all officials inside Qing’an Palace knelt in reverence.
“We humbly welcome Your Majesty!”
As Ning Ling watched, a tall man in a dragon robe entered. The moment he stepped into Qing’an Palace, his commanding aura swept over the room, silencing everyone.
This was no act; this sovereign’s strength was still overwhelming.
Even the Marquis of Zhenbei’s eyes showed submission.
Ning Ling glanced at the emperor of Great Ning. “Is this the founding emperor, the strongest grandmaster?”
The emperor waved his sleeve and said sternly, “Today is Zheng’er’s wedding. No need for formalities—please be seated.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
As the officials took their seats, the emperor moved forward but did not see the person he sought.
“Where is Zheng’er?”
Upon the emperor’s question, Ning Ling, as Qing’an Palace’s steward, stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, the prince is in the bridal chamber.”
At this, the Marquis of Anyang spat out the tea he had just sipped.
The emperor’s expression darkened.
It was broad daylight! Had they even completed the formal ceremonies? Even if they had, the auspicious time for the bridal chamber hadn’t arrived yet.
So impatient?
The emperor was speechless, clearing his throat a few times.
“Bring him out at once!”
The emperor’s command was absolute. Ning Ling knew better than to disobey and hurried to inform the prince to pause.
Moments later,
Xie Zheng and Qin Yuan stumbled out, the latter’s face flushed deeply. They had just embraced, only to be interrupted by the announcement that the officials and the emperor had arrived at the prince’s residence.
How could they continue now?
Qin Yuan’s clothes were tidy, but Xie Zheng’s were disheveled.
The two knelt on the ground.
They looked like they had been caught in flagrante, which made the officials envious.
The neglected princes had it good—they got to enter the bridal chamber early!
“I, your son Xie Zheng, along with my wife, pay respects to Father the Emperor!”
“I, Qin Yuan, pay respects to Your Majesty!”
Their demeanor suggested a certain unfinished business.
The emperor’s personal arrival meant he could not wait for them to finish before greeting.
“Ahem!”
“My sixth son, today is your wedding. I grant you command of the Twelve Banners Divine Martial Army. After the wedding, you shall proceed to the Divine Martial Camp to enlist and train yourself.”
“Accept the decree!”
The emperor was eager to leave this troublesome matter behind. This absurd, rebellious son truly made him, the father, do something ridiculous.
“I accept the decree!”
During the acceptance, Xie Zheng felt a fierce, terrifying gaze fixed on him.
It was clearly the Marquis of Zhenbei’s displeasure.
But at this moment, refusal was impossible. After accepting the decree, the emperor turned and left abruptly.
“Fend for yourself!”
The emperor’s parting words were taken lightly by Xie Zheng, who considered his father a useless parent and the remark a simple warning.
He helped Qin Yuan to her feet and faced the officials. Now that he held military command, they would no longer openly mock him.
One by one, they offered insincere congratulations and hollow blessings.
They had to follow procedure, and Xie Zheng had no choice but to comply.
The banquet passed like flowing water, and most guests departed.
Only the Marquis of Anyang, the Marquis of Zhenbei, and the fifth prince Xie Yuan remained.
Xie Yuan approached him. As a martial prodigy and elder brother, Xie Zheng truly revered him.
“Little brother! Once in the camp, be sure to train yourself. If possible, try practicing martial arts—it will ease your life in the camp.”
“Thanks for your advice, elder brother!”
Xie Yuan said no more and left.
Then the Marquis of Zhenbei approached. His tall, imposing presence exuded the bearing of a great general, inspiring awe.
Having seized military command, it seemed the Marquis intended to crush him.
“Since it’s in your hands, manage the Divine Martial Army well. Don’t let it disgrace itself!”
He didn’t cause trouble but issued a stern warning.
Powerful men’s words were precious and needed careful consideration.
After the Marquis of Zhenbei left, the Marquis of Anyang came over. Glancing at Qin Yuan, a strange irritation crossed his face.
“Yuan’er, I shouldn’t have come, but today is a critical moment, so I had to show up.”
Hearing this, Qin Yuan nodded in agreement.
“The Marquis of Zhenbei should not have come, but since he did, it means he has marked my husband and will surely target him later.”
Xie Zheng looked at Qin Yuan, who now addressed him differently. Clearly, she understood the situation better than he imagined.
“From now on, take good care of the sixth prince. Before he leaves for the camp, be extra cautious in everything.”
“Yes, Father!”
Qin Yuan agreed, while the Marquis of Anyang, observing his daughter’s flushed cheeks and the mark on her neck, felt oddly like his precious cabbage was being plucked by others.
But even if so, it was he who had handed her over; he would not blame Xie Zheng.
“Your Highness, listen more to Master Chen from now on. You will grow under his guidance.”
“Oh!”
Xie Zheng accepted this, and the Marquis of Anyang departed.
Contrary to expectations, the father-in-law did not make trouble for the son-in-law but simply advised him to rely on Master Chen as his strategist and grow.
Indeed…
Such a considerate father-in-law!
Yet Xie Zheng was still troubled by the prospect of commanding the army and going to the Divine Martial Camp. All he wanted was to survive quietly, not stir up trouble.
Seeing his furrowed brow, Qin Yuan realized the pressure from the officials and the emperor’s presence was overwhelming him, making him restless.
From now on…
She would have to share his burdens appropriately; otherwise, with his lack of ambition, he would only grow lazier.
No!
As the saying goes, behind every successful man is a great woman!
Qin Yuan was determined to help Xie Zheng become the most successful man.
At that moment, her gaze grew resolute as she grabbed Xie Zheng’s arm, pulling him back toward the room.
“Isn’t once or twice enough? Must it be three times?”
Well, the earlier interruption was one thing, but now Xie Zheng was busy worrying about how to survive in the camp and had nearly forgotten their bridal chamber was only halfway through.
“Bastard!”
Qin Yuan scolded him but kept pulling.
This grand scene was all in Ning Ling’s sight; just as she was about to turn and leave, she saw a shadow lurking outside the wall, spying.