Chapter 1347: Receiving the Envoy
Chapter 1347 -1183: Receiving the Envoy
“She said at the time she was a noble princess, what are the women of Duke Zhen’s Mansion worth? Everyone must make way for her, this is the distinction between ruler and subject. What’s more, she even asked all our women to get out and apologize to her. Grandmother was in the carriage at the time, isn’t this precisely disrespecting our grandmother?”
“As for picking a quarrel with your daughter, that’s utterly groundless. Your daughter and she have never met, and today was the first encounter, how can there be any talk of picking a quarrel? I ask mother to see clearly!”
Seeing Yao Mengxian being neither humble nor overbearing, with a face void of fear and speaking clearly, Mrs. Ke’s expression became even darker than before.
“You have a silver tongue, but even though that princess went too far at the time, you shouldn’t have laid hands on her. This affair is not easy to settle, you caused trouble, inevitably burdening the mansion, punishment is definitely due. Moreover, if you are not punished first, there’s no way to explain to that princess.”
Mrs. Ke’s cold gaze fell upon Yao Mengxian, like a hawk ready to pierce a hole into her.
“Do not blame your mother, if the mansion punishes you first, the envoy from Da Xing will be less likely to hold on to this matter, this is all for your good. These people aren’t easy to deal with, the punishment from the mansion will surely be measured. It’s all for the sake of the family; you, as the legitimate daughter of the main branch, have enjoyed many benefits brought by the family and must take on the responsibility for the family’s honor.”
Yao Mengxian’s heart sank, unsure of what punishment awaited her today. She hoped Wanxiang was clever enough, otherwise, today she might not die but would certainly suffer.
Filial duty is paramount, if your parents wish to punish you, even if you are not at fault, you must bear it.
“Alright! First a punishment of twenty strikes, then kneel in the ancestral hall for a day and night! Once your injuries have healed a bit, you’ll be punished by copying ‘Women’s Rules’ a hundred times to teach you a lesson!”
Mrs. Ke spoke lightly, but to Yao Mengxian’s ears, it was like a thunderbolt on a clear day. Twenty strikes? How would she survive?
Even though the severity of the strikes might vary, this was Mrs. Ke’s order; could she really expect those old women to be lenient?
Even Nanny Liu took a startled glance at Mrs. Ke, twenty? Isn’t that too much? If Third Miss were beaten too severely, how could this be explained?
Third Miss’s fiancé is none other than the highly regarded Mr. Gu at court, if this engagement falls apart because of Madam, the old master and the master would not forgive her.
“Ahem! Madam?” Nanny Liu coughed lightly, even if Madam could not stand to see Third Miss, she cannot go overboard!
“Madam, Nanny Liang from the Gu Mansion is here!” The maid outside announced, interrupting the conversation inside.
“Let her in to speak!” Mrs. Ke’s face stiffened, sending someone over at such an early hour clearly meant they were here to back her up.
After Nanny Liang left, Mrs. Ke’s expression grew darker than before, but she finally calmed down.
“Madam! The old lady said you were to take Third Miss to the palace banquet today, afraid you might forget, she sent someone to remind you.”
Mrs. Ke frowned, “Xian committed such a mistake, and yet you let her attend the palace banquet? Isn’t this letting people ridicule our mansion? If that princess encounters Xian and makes a scene regardless, this won’t be good for Xian or our mansion.”
“Just now the steward from the old master’s quarters came and said this was the old master’s intention. The old master said Third Miss has done nothing wrong, no need to avoid and hide, she should attend the banquet openly!”
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Ke almost ground her silver teeth to pieces; she gave Yao Mengxian a hard stare, had she already sought backup?
“Since the old master said so, then go back and redo your hair! The punishment can wait until after we return from the palace!” Mrs. Ke waved her hand away in exasperation, opting for a strategy of out of sight, out of mind.
She wants to punish this girl, yet everyone protects her; hmph! She wants to see if that princess can let this go peacefully?
…
“The Emperor arrives!”
Originally, the ministers were whispering to each other, upon hearing this, they all stood still and directed their gazes toward the throne.
Nowadays it’s really hard for them to see the Emperor; today’s encounter is all thanks to the envoy’s visit, which in hindsight, is quite ironic.
“I have been unwell lately, thus delaying many state affairs. Thanks to you loyal ministers relieving my worries, I can recuperate without concern!” The Emperor’s somewhat raspy voice arose, making the ministers furtively take another look at him.
Yin Kun could not help but glance a few more times; previously Jinyu mentioned the Emperor’s health was at its worst, now he indeed looked quite pale.
“Your Majesty! The humble minister has a memorial to present!” The Minister of Rites, Yu Zheng, could no longer hold back, with such a good opportunity today, he couldn’t miss it.
Seeing Yu Zheng step forward, others were also eager to seize the opportunity. Gu Chengyu, keenly aware, knew these people aimed to take the chance to impeach him.
After all, his recent decisive actions caused considerable losses to some people.
“Today, let us set aside national affairs and summon the Seventh Prince of Da Xing and the envoy!” The Emperor waved his hand, his energy being limited, uncertain how much longer he could endure, he naturally opted to meet the envoys first.
“Announce them!”
Yu Zheng’s face turned green, begrudgingly he returned to the ranks, glaring at Gu Chengyu, suppressing his words in dissatisfaction.
“Summon the Seventh Prince of Da Xing, Ge Yuan, and the envoy to the audience!”
Gu Chengyu listened to the chanting from outside the hall, inevitably thinking of Gu Wanqian. Recognizing ancestors, ultimately he changed his name.
It seemed Ge Yuan also wished to sever ties with the Gu Family; upon returning this time, he didn’t even visit his grandmother. Does he even know, whether his grandmother has passed away?
“Seventh Prince of Da Xing, Ge Yuan, pays respects to the Emperor!”
“Envoy from Da Xing, Zha’er, pays respects to the Emperor!”
…
“Haha! Good! The Seventh Prince and envoy have come from afar, clearly displaying Da Xing’s sincerity!” The Emperor laughed heartily, his voice full of vigor.
Gu Chengyu internally mocked, the Emperor was really pushing himself; you must take care!
After exchanging a few pleasantries, they began the main discussion.
“Before coming, my father instructed me to show adequate sincerity. If our two nations could form a marriage alliance, it would be most favorable.” Ge Yuan said with a smile.
His gaze unconsciously swept over to Gu Chengyu standing in the left row, long time no see, Gu Chengyu remained so elegant and refined. But now, the other party didn’t even spare him a look, which made his heart feel somewhat uneasy.
“Naturally! In war, it is ordinary people who suffer the most! Since Da Xing exhibits immense sincerity, our Dayan truly hopes for peaceful coexistence.” The Emperor nodded slightly, having the envoy from Da Xing travel such a distance to Dayan was already an act of humility. Let’s hope no excessive demands are made, his words serving as a reminder to the Seventh Prince.
“Thus, my father believes friendly diplomatic relations between the two countries, a marriage alliance, is the best method.” Ge Yuan smiled, yet inwardly thought, originally being a servant myself, though I had not signed a servitude contract, there wasn’t much difference.
However, he now stood here alongside Little Uncle, not knowing what to feel, a mix of emotions indeed.