Chapter 19: The Emperor Bestows a Marriage

Qingyin and Qingling were about to help Lu Zhaoling kneel, when they heard her say, "Official, I am severely injured and dizzy. If I kneel, I might faint. I will receive the imperial decree standing."

"Audacious!" Lu Ming flared up instantly.

Lu Zhaoling did not even glance at him.

"It would be troublesome to receive the decree if I fainted," she said indifferently.

The imperial messenger looked at her bandaged head and had no choice but to agree. "Then, Second Miss Lu, you may receive the decree standing."

He unfurled the bright yellow imperial edict and began to read aloud.

"By the grace of the Heavens, the Emperor decrees: It has come to Our attention that Lu Zhaoling, the second daughter of Lu Ming’s primary wife, is virtuous, elegant, and gentle... We hereby grant her hand to Our youngest brother, bestowing upon her the title of Princess Jin. Choose an auspicious date for the wedding. Respect this."

The messenger’s voice was thin and shrill, his tone monotonous as he read the contents before the entire Lu household.

Everyone in the Lu mansion was stunned. Lu Ming nearly jumped out of his skin.

Madame Lu’s features twisted with rage, her eyes blazing as she glared at the scroll, suspecting that the "dead eunuch" was spouting nonsense.

"Impossible!"

A girl of thirteen or fourteen could not hold back her outcry. It was Lu Zhaoling’s younger sister, the third daughter of the house, Lu Zhaoyue.

Lu Zhaoyue had not seen Lu Zhaoling all day, but she had heard of this "second sister’s" arrival. She had intended to head to the Tingnuan Pavilion, but decided to hear the decree first. When Prince Jin had left the capital, she was still a mere child and did not recognize him. However, her greatest idol was Sister Shen Xiangjun, and she had heard recently that Sister Shen was destined to be the Princess Jin.

How had the title suddenly become Lu Zhaoling’s?

"Second Miss Lu, please accept the decree," the messenger said, eager to return to the palace and having no patience for the others.

Lu Zhaoling herself was surprised. The Retired Emperor had just passed away, and Prince Jin had nearly died before his father’s bed—the two of them nearly crossing into the afterlife together. Yet, Prince Jin had managed to secure a marriage decree.

Only a short while ago, in front of the Emperor, he had pretended not to know her, calling her a petty thief who had stolen items from the Ningshou Palace, and had even ordered Qingfeng to carry her out of the palace like a pig. Now, he had made her his betrothed?

Was Prince Jin truly so schizophrenic?

Qingyin and Qingling were also dumbfounded.

"Zhaoling accepts the decree."

Seeing the various looks of malice cast upon her by the Lu family, Lu Zhaoling smiled slightly and stepped forward to take the scroll. Since her marriage had caused such shock and anger in the Lu household, she was all the more determined to accept it.

After receiving the decree, Qingyin recovered her senses and immediately slipped a small purse into the messenger’s hand. "Many thanks, Official."

This was their duty as senior maids. Even if they were only serving Miss Lu temporarily, they could not afford to be negligent.

Seeing the reaction of the Lu family and the wretched state of Lu Zhaoling, the messenger had expected no tips, so the maid’s quick thinking came as a pleasant surprise. His expression softened. "My congratulations to Second Miss Lu."

After the messenger departed, Lu Zhaoyue, who had been held back by Lu Zhaoyun, jumped up and shouted at Lu Zhaoling, "Do you have no shame? By what right do you get betrothed the moment you enter the capital?"

Lu Zhaoling looked at her. Lu Zhaoyue resembled Lu Zhaoyun, though she was still young, her face retaining some baby fat; she was a little beauty nonetheless. Beside her stood another girl of similar age, much thinner and looking demure, along with a four or five-year-old boy who stared at her with wide, rounded eyes.

Lu Zhaoling could sense the karmic ties between them and Lu Ming; they were clearly his children. The Lu family possessed good looks, with Lu Zhaoyun being the most striking. Aside from them, there were two young women, one dignified and one charming, who were presumably Lu Ming’s concubines. She had also heard that Lu Ming had two sons, though they were away at the academy.

As Lu Zhaoling observed them, they inspected her in return.

"Hey, I’m talking to you! Are you deaf?" Lu Zhaoyue, seeing that she was ignored, flushed with rage.

Lu Ming remained silent, his face dark, evidently waiting to see how Lu Zhaoling would respond. He was utterly shocked! He had assumed Prince Jin intended to find ways to torment Lu Zhaoling, not to marry her!

"Who are you?" Lu Zhaoling glanced at Lu Zhaoyue.

"If you hadn't returned, I would be the Second Miss of the Lu family! I am Lu Zhaoyue! My eldest sister is 'Cloud' and I am 'Moon'; we are the purest things in the sky. What are you?"

Having been told an hour ago that she was now the third daughter, Lu Zhaoyue was furious. Why should some country bumpkin be placed above her?

Lu Zhaoling smiled and waved the decree in her hand. "The Emperor just granted this marriage. I am now the fiancée of Prince Jin. What do you think I am?"

"You’re just a village girl! A bumpkin from the countryside who can't stand on a stage! Prince Jin belongs to Sister Shen—"

"Zhaoyue!" Lu Ming barked, sensing the danger.

If the daughter of the Grand Secretary, Shen, were brought into this, it would be an insult to her reputation, and he could not afford to offend the Grand Secretary. Lu Zhaoyun quickly covered her sister’s mouth.

*Sister Shen?* Lu Zhaoling recalled that when she had looked at Prince Jin’s face earlier, she had seen no signs of marriage. Where had this "Sister Shen" come from? If he had been fated for marriage, she would never have claimed to be his fiancée on the street. Prince Jin’s face showed neither marriage nor romantic luck; therefore, this "Sister Shen" could not possibly have any real connection to him.

"Zhaoling," Lu Ming said, steadying himself. "Tell me what is going on. Have you met Prince Jin before?" He was implying they had made a secret vow of marriage.

"No," Lu Zhaoling said with a cold laugh.

"You’re lying!" Madame Lu could not contain herself. "If you hadn't seduced Prince Jin early on, would he have rushed to request an imperial decree the moment he returned to the capital?"

"Believe it or not, as you wish," Lu Zhaoling replied, disinterested in their opinions.

"Whatever method you used, you must get this marriage annulled!" Madame Lu shouted.

Lu Zhaoling raised an eyebrow. "I will not." She would need to be in close contact with Prince Jin for at least the next half year, and this identity would make things much more convenient.

"Zhaoyun is betrothed to the Second Prince! Prince Jin is the Second Prince’s uncle! If you become Princess Jin, the hierarchy will be in shambles!" Madame Lu cried.

Lu Zhaoling was slightly surprised. She looked at Lu Zhaoyun, who looked both shy and proud, yet glared at her with annoyance.

"Exactly, sister. You must not have known about this, and Prince Jin must not have known either, which is why this blunder occurred."

"We didn't know, and the Emperor didn't know either?" Lu Zhaoling asked curiously.

The Lu family fell silent. *That’s right, the Emperor should have known.*

Lu Zhaoling laughed. "Since the Emperor knew and still granted the marriage, it means he believes I am worthy of being your aunt."

It was quite amusing. In the future, she would be Lu Zhaoyun’s Imperial Aunt? Though that would depend on whether Lu Zhaoyun actually managed to marry the Second Prince.