Chapter 19: The Imperial Decree
"Master, please stop! You mustn’t beat him anymore—" Xie Shi, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, was horrified to see the Marquis of Yongchang being relentlessly beaten by the Duke of Anguo. She quickly led her servants to intervene.
On her way, she had already learned from the messenger about the Marquis’s purpose for coming. She never expected Yan Jingshu to receive an imperial decree for marriage. Though she felt it gave Yan Jingshu far too much face, it also spared her the trouble of executing her original plans to utterly ruin him. Naturally, she was pleased with this outcome.
Of course, she knew the Duke’s feelings were the complete opposite of hers. Seeing the Duke in such an uncharacteristically violent state didn’t surprise her. However, she couldn’t let him continue beating the Marquis. Killing the Marquis would be a minor issue, but if word reached the Emperor and he interpreted their actions as dissatisfaction with the decree, it would be a grave offense.
The Duke still showed some respect for Xie Shi, his wife. After she intervened and explained the consequences, he finally stopped. Xie Shi then hurriedly ordered someone to fetch a physician and settle the Marquis.
While Xie Shi was still figuring out how to placate the Marquis and prevent further trouble, the Duke could no longer stand the sight of the Marquis’s swollen face and stormed off to the inner courtyard. Normally, he would have informed Yan Jingshu first, but given how things had escalated, he couldn’t face him and instead went to inform the Dowager Lady Yan.
Upon hearing the news, the Dowager Lady remained silent for a long time. She thought to herself, she had been right—her grandson was truly blessed by fortune.
Whether the Marquis’s actions were out of fear of the Duke’s retaliation or for some other reason, for Yan Jingshu, who had already been considering this path, it was the best possible outcome.
The rumors in the capital had already spread far and wide. If Yan Jingshu and Jiang Chenghan were to marry in the end, it would severely damage both their reputations. But now, with the imperial decree, it became a heavenly-bestowed union under the Emperor’s grace. No matter what people thought privately, they wouldn’t dare speak a single ill word, lest they be charged with treason.
The Duke was still agonizing over how to break the news to Yan Jingshu. The thought of his son marrying someone like Jiang Chenghan, a man with no family background or connections, filled him with frustration.
Hearing the Duke’s disdain for Jiang Chenghan, the Dowager Lady advised, "Heroes are not measured by their origins. Though Jiang Chenghan lacks family prestige, he is capable. Otherwise, how could he have won Kou Shijun’s favor at such a young age, being personally mentored and relied upon? Moreover, for a man, character matters more than lineage or ability."
"Though I haven’t met him myself, from what happened with Jingshu before, I can see Jiang Chenghan is resolute, meticulous, and upright. Compared to someone like Zhao Xian, the Marquis of Yongchang’s son—a spoiled, dissolute noble heir. He is countless times better. He is a man worthy of entrusting one’s life to."
"I know you’re upset, but since things have come to this, try to see the good in it. Otherwise, how will Jingshu cope? He will have to spend his life with Jiang Chenghan. If you hold a grudge against him, it will only make things harder for Jingshu."
"I know, it’s just…" The Duke shook his head bitterly. He wasn’t unreasonable, but the suddenness of it all made it hard to accept.
It wasn’t that he disliked Jiang Chenghan—before today, he had even admired and been grateful to him. But that didn’t mean he could happily welcome him as his son-in-law.
"Enough. The envoy delivering the imperial decree could arrive at any moment. Go prepare yourself. As for Jingshu, I’ll speak to him." Seeing the Duke’s lingering resistance, the Dowager Lady worried that if he delivered the news, Yan Jingshu might react poorly. She decided it was safer for her to handle it.
The Duke, too ashamed to face Yan Jingshu at the moment, felt both guilty and relieved. After thanking the Dowager Lady, he returned to Canglan Courtyard.
The Dowager Lady didn’t summon Yan Jingshu but went personally to Mingxuan, where he resided.
"Grandmother, why have you come yourself? You could have summoned me." Yan Jingshu hurried out upon hearing of her arrival.
The Dowager Lady let him support her inside, saying, "I’m not so old that I can’t walk a few steps."
Once seated and served tea, she dismissed all the servants, even instructing An Momo to guard the door. Then she asked, "You know about the Marquis of Yongchang’s visit earlier?"
Yan Jingshu nodded. "Yes. Whatever he said to Father must have provoked him terribly."
"Your father had every reason to be furious. The Marquis somehow convinced Consort Li to intervene and obtain an imperial decree for your marriage to that Jiang boy…" The Dowager Lady sipped her tea, speaking leisurely.
Before she could finish, Yan Jingshu froze at the words "imperial decree." The next moment, he shot to his feet, unable to contain his joy. "Grandmother, the decree—is it true?"
The Dowager Lady had expected his delight. Setting down her cup, she softened her expression. "Of course it’s true. Why else would I come?"
"It’s really true? But how… how could this be?" Yan Jingshu was so overwhelmed with happiness he could hardly believe it.
He had thought merely marrying Jiang Chenghan smoothly would be enough. Never had he imagined an imperial decree would seal their union. Now, not only was the marriage settled, but the scandalous rumors would also vanish. What was once a disgrace had become a grand blessing—something he hadn’t dared dream of.
"Dowager Lady, Second Young Master, the Duke has sent word. The envoy delivering the imperial decree have arrived and request the Second Young Master to receive the decree." An Momo’s voice came through the door.
The Dowager Lady said to Yan Jingshu, "Go. There’s no need to be nervous. Act as you usually would." Since the decree was for Yan Jingshu, she didn’t need to attend—only he did.
Yan Jingshu understood her meaning. "I understand, Grandmother."
Though the marriage was now certain, if he appeared overjoyed, the Duke and Xie Shi might grow suspicious. To avoid complications, he suppressed his elation, schooling his expression into blankness before leaving for the main hall.
The Duke and Xie Shi, having learned of the decree earlier, had prepared accordingly. Both had changed into formal attire, with Xie Shi even wearing her full court regalia. In contrast, Yan Jingshu appeared in plain, slightly worn home clothes, his hair loosely tied without a crown—a stark mismatch.
Xie Shi, who prized propriety, frowned at the sight. "How could you come out dressed like this?"
The Duke, however, felt too guilty to meet Yan Jingshu’s calm eyes. To him, if Yan Jingshu had arrived in splendid robes, beaming with joy, it would have been far more unsettling. His current demeanor seemed more natural under the circumstances.
Not wanting to make a scene before the envoy, the Duke said, "Enough. Jingshu was afraid of delaying matters. We shouldn’t keep the envoy waiting."
With the Duke’s intervention, Xie Shi held her tongue. The incense table and kneeling cushions were ready. After the three knelt, the eunuch began reading the decree:
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: It is heard that Yan Jingshu, second son of the Duke of Anguo Yan Zhongkun, is gentle, diligent, filial, modest, and virtuous in speech and conduct. Now, Jiang Chenghan, Commandant of the Sixth Rank, is loyal, courageous, disciplined, and virtuous—a worthy match. We bestow upon them a pair of Hehe Ruyi jade pendants and decree their union on an auspicious date. Respect this."
[Hehe Ruyi jade pendants: Chinese jade carvings symbolizing harmony (和, hé), union (合, hé), and wish fulfillment (如意, rúyì), often depicting the immortal twins Hehe Erxian or paired motifs (e.g., lotus boxes, coiled knots). These pendants embody Confucian ideals of familial unity and Daoist auspiciousness, historically gifted during weddings or celebrations to bless marriages and partnerships.]
After expressing gratitude, Yan Jingshu received the decree himself. The Duke noticed his dazed expression as he stared at the scroll and sighed inwardly.
"You’ve worked hard, Eunuch. Please rest and have some tea." Though the eunuch was merely a messenger, the Duke treated him courteously as a palace representative.
"You flatter me, Lord Yan." The eunuch feigned modest surprise. "This servant must still deliver the decree to the General’s residence and dare not delay further. I take my leave now." The decree was for both families—now that one was done, the other remained.
"I see. Then we won’t detain you." The Duke said no more but had his steward, Yan Zhong, escort the eunuch out.
At the Duke’s residence, whether reluctant or joyous, everyone maintained composure, having been forewarned. But at the General’s residence, the reaction was entirely different.
When Jiang Chenghan was summoned to receive the decree, he was utterly baffled. Upon hearing the phrases "worthy match" and "decree their union," he was completely stunned—so much so that Kou Shijun had to call his name three times before he snapped out of it.
Even then, when holding the decree, he seemed soul-stricken, staring blankly at the scroll without reaction.
Equally surprised, Kou Shijun was at a loss for words. Finally, his wife, Jiang Shi, saw the eunuch out and returned to find the two men standing like wooden posts. "Whatever needs discussing, do it inside," she urged.
Only then did Jiang Chenghan and Kou Shijun move, entering the house in silence.
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