90 Acceptance (1/2)
”…..”
”…..”
”…..”
When the eunuch finished reading the entire imperial edict, XuanLi and the rest of the Xuan family were all dumbfounded. They foolishly stared at the eunuch in front of them who was holding the imperial edict.
*cough* *cough* *cough*
”…Prime Minister Xuan… Prime Minister…”
Looking at XuanLi and the other members of the family who were still kneeling on the floor, the eunuch could only cough a couple of times and call his name in order to catch XuanLi's attention.
Hearing the eunuch call his name, XuanLi snapped out of daze. When the imperial edict arrived, he only thought that it might be related to the Jing country's request, but he did not expect that it was for his eldest daughter's royal marriage. His thoughts were swirling inside his head. He could not understand why the emperor sent a royal decree, bestowing marriage between his daughter, XuanRong and His Majesty's younger brother, Xu QinWang. XuanLi knew that his eldest daughter's social standing was quite sensitive since her maternal grandfather, Chen Zi Tao, deeply pampered XuanRong since she was the only granddaughter in her generation and she was also the only memento left by Chen Zi Tao's beloved daughter, Chen Yi. XuanLi knew that XuanRong was the great general's reverse scale but at the same time, she was also his weakness.
Many people covet the military power the Chen family held, especially those princes eyeing on the throne or those high ranking noble who wanted to get closer to Chen Zi Tao, but since the Chen family was very difficult to pull because their stand remained neutral for years, those people did not have any choice but to use 'marriage' as a bind in order to tie the Chen family. Unfortunately, the Chen family did not produce any females for many generations. After Chen Yi, XuanRong was the only female who had a blood relationship with the Chen family, making her the sole target of their schemes. Too bad, her reputation when she was small was not good, making those people reconsider their plan.
XuanLi was aware of those things that was why even though he did not like XuanRong because she was unruly, arrogant and stupid, he could neither do anything to her nor harm her. He even regretted that he punished XuanRong and sent her to the suburbs, forcing her to live in Lu Shan for five long years, making Chen Zi Tao hate him and even targeted him a couple of times during their weekly session in the court. Although he was afraid of his previous father-in-law's anger, he was still one of the Prime Ministers of the country. He also had his own pride and he would be deemed as a coward once he showed his fear towards Chen Zi Tao and the Chen Family. That was the main reason why in the past five years, he did not allow XuanRong to return to the capital. It could be said that he was using XuanRong as a shield against Chen Zi Tao.
For XuanLi, XuanRong was only a daughter. A daughter was akin to a spilled milk, once she marries someone, she would no longer be connected to the Xuan family, thus, XuanLi did not really care of XuanRong's matter… but… being in-laws with the royal family was different. He could get a huge benefit. Since his third daughter and most beloved child was already the future Empress, it would also be good if his eldest daughter would be married to a QinWang, making her a QinWang Fei. Although the emperor did not like the idiot prince, Xu Fei Yi, on the surface, he would have to show his love towards his younger brother. How could XuanLi miss the opportunity to use XuanRong? Once the emperor decided to end the idiot prince's life, including XuanRong as his wife, XuanLi could not care less. At most, he could just 'mourn' for a couple of days as a 'father'.
”Many thanks for the Emperor's grace! May the Emperor live thousands of years!”
After sorting his thoughts, XuanLi exclaimed and happily responded on behalf of XuanRong who was frozen on the floor.
Since XuanLi already expressed his gratitude, the rest of the family members immediately kowtowed and followed his lead. Only XuanRong did not show any reaction. Sensing XuanRong's lack of response, XuanLi could only glare at her secretly.
”Head Eunuch, please forgive my daughter for her lack of manners. She was shocked due to happiness when she heard that she would be marrying His Highness, Xu Fei Yi. Please do not take her action into your heart.”
XuanLi looked at the housekeeper, signaling him to give the pocket he already prepared beforehand.
”Head Eunuch, please accept this small token of or appreciation.”
”Mmm.. no worries… since Prime Minister Xuan insists, Nucai[1] will accept this gift.”
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When XuanRong returned to her senses, she was already sitting on the bed inside her inner room. Recalling what happened few minutes ago, XuanRong felt that she was still dreaming. When the eunuch announced the engagement between her and Xu Fei Yi, she was very surprised that she was not able to respond immediately. She could not help but recall her previous lifetime and compare it with the recent one.
XuanRong noticed that although the major events were still the same, there were minor changes that had occurred in the past few years. XuanRong realized that, when she tried to change her destiny, the will of the heavens was also adapting to the changes she created. Because of her interference, there were minor changes in the flow of the incidents, making her extra careful and mindful of her own plans. Not knowing the future because of the changes she created would be a great disadvantage for her upcoming revenge. That was why XuanRong decided to spare Fei Bai Zou because he had a very important role in the war for the throne.
Ever since then, XuanRong made sure to avoid changing other people's life that might affect her plan. Unfortunately, XuanRong was totally baffled as to how the emperor got the idea of bestowing marriage between her and Xu Fei Yi.
Who told the emperor?
Was the one who told him in this lifetime the same person in the previous one?