Volume 1, Chapter 9: An Imperial Decree, A Bestowed Marriage?

(Page 1/3)

The front courtyard of the Duke of Ru’s estate.

After leaving the Purple Bamboo Pavilion, Lin Qingyun hurried over with her maids, Chunlan and Chunxi, only to find the Duke of Ru, Lin Wenyuan, already kneeling with the rest of the household in waiting.

The Chief Eunuch, Zhou Xiang, stood before them, clutching an imperial decree.

Seeing Lin Qingyun arrive, Lin Wenyuan hurriedly signaled for her to kneel beside him. Yet, Zhou Xiang showed no intention of speaking.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Lin Wenyuan whispered a reminder: "Eunuch Zhou, Yun’er is here. May we proceed with the reading of the decree?"

Zhou Xiang replied coldly: "The Emperor has commanded that the decree shall not be read unless the Second Miss of the Lin family is present."

He urged again, "Duke, I suggest you quickly summon the Second Miss."

Confused, Lin Wenyuan turned to Lin Qingyun and asked, "This is my daughter, Lin Qingyun, our family’s Second Miss. I do not know who it is you refer to..."

"Her?" Zhou Xiang glanced at Lin Qingyun with disdain, his tone filled with contempt. "I am speaking of the Second Miss, Lin Qingwu. What is she supposed to be!"

Shocked and furious at being insulted so openly, Lin Qingyun cried out, "Eunuch, you must be mistaken! I, Lin Qingyun, am the true Second Miss of the Lin family. Lin Qingwu is nothing but a lowly maid—"

"Insolent!" Zhou Xiang’s sharp rebuke cut through the air. He said coldly, "Are you questioning the Emperor?"

Sensing disaster, Lin Wenyuan quickly stopped Lin Qingyun from arguing further. "I dare not, I dare not! My daughter is ignorant; please, Eunuch Zhou, do not take it to heart."

He immediately ordered his servants to fetch Lin Qingwu.

After a long while, Lin Qingwu arrived at a leisurely pace, accompanied by Yunshang. From a distance, she saw Eunuch Zhou standing in the center of the courtyard, flanked by stern-faced guards, with the rest of the Lin family already kneeling on the ground.

Seeing Lin Qingwu arrive, Zhou Xiang gave a slight nod.

Catching sight of Lin Wenyuan, who looked impatient and ready to scold, Zhou Xiang shot him a warning glare and cleared his throat.

Lin Wenyuan’s neck shrank, and he swallowed the words he had been about to unleash.

Only then did Zhou Xiang calmly unfurl the bright yellow scroll: "Lin Qingwu, receive the decree—"

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I have heard that Lin Qingwu, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Ru, possesses exquisite medical skills and virtuous character. I am greatly pleased. Therefore, I hereby grant her in marriage to the Third Prince, Jun Yue, to be the official Princess Consort of Yue. An auspicious date shall be chosen for the grand wedding, to be announced to the world. Thus it is decreed."

(Page 2/3)

After finishing the reading, Zhou Xiang rolled up the scroll and handed it to Lin Qingwu. "Please accept the decree."

Lin Qingwu was left in a daze.

She had expected the imperial decree to concern the healing of Princess Fuwan’s leg, not a sudden marriage proposal.

Seeing her frozen, Eunuch Zhou prompted her again: "Second Miss?"

"Eunuch Zhou, this decree... is there a mistake?" Lin Qingwu could hardly believe it. Given her current relationship with Jun Yue, accepting this decree would surely turn everything upside down.

"Second Miss Lin, you jest. How could the Emperor’s golden words be wrong? This decree was personally requested by His Highness, Prince Yue. You had best accept it quickly."

This time, he shoved the scroll directly into her hands.

He then swept his gaze over the Lin family. Their faces, already grim since the reading, were now filled with profound embarrassment.

Zhou Xiang’s voice echoed through the courtyard, laced with warning: "The words of the Son of Heaven are not to be questioned. If anyone continues to treat you as a servant, it is a grave disrespect to the Princess Consort. You had best consider whether you can bear the crime of deceiving the Emperor!"

Lin Wenyuan wanted to explain that Lin Qingwu was merely a substitute—a fake daughter who did not deserve the status of the Duke’s legitimate child, let alone the marriage contract with Prince Yue.

But under Zhou Xiang’s blade-like gaze, the words stuck in his throat. He dared not object.

He bowed his head, his voice low: "This subject obeys the imperial will. From this day forward, Qingwu shall be recognized as the Second Miss of the Lin family, and her treatment shall be as it should be."

"As for Yun’er..." Lin Wenyuan added, his tone clearly reluctant, as if every word were forced through gritted teeth, "She shall henceforth be known as the Third Miss."

"Father—" Lin Qingyun, shocked, immediately wanted to protest, but was silenced by a look from Zhou Xiang.

Meanwhile, Lin Qinyan cast an angry glare at Lin Qingwu.

Lin Qingwu understood; he was blaming her again for stealing his sister’s status. But with the imperial decree now issued, what could she do?

"The Duke understands well," Zhou Xiang said, satisfied that no one dared to speak.

He turned and gestured to two young women behind him. "Second Miss Lin, these two, Zhixin and Zhiyi, have been sent by the Emperor to attend to you. If you have any needs, do not hesitate to command them."

"I shall now return to the palace to report." With a flick of his horsetail whisk, Zhou Xiang departed with his attendants.

(Page 3/3)

Lin Qingwu stood up, distracted. She was still trying to fathom where things had gone wrong to cause such a drastic change in the decree’s content.

Suddenly, Lin Qinyan stood up, rushed toward her, and struck her across the face.

"What kind of person are you! You claimed you wouldn't fight or compete, that you would keep to yourself. In the end, you are as fickle as the weather. I was a fool to believe your lies and feel guilty for your sake all these years. One trip to the palace, and you’ve stolen Yun’er’s identity and snatched away her fiancé!"

The sudden blow stunned everyone. Lin Qinyan pointed his finger at Lin Qingwu’s nose, berating her, while Lin Qingyun and the others watched with gloating expressions.

Zhixin and Zhiyi were instantly enraged. Eunuch Zhou had barely left, and they dared to strike their new mistress right in front of them.

This was not just hitting a master; it was an attempt to shorten their own lives.

Zhixin, in particular, had a fiery temper. She rolled up her sleeves, ready to teach Lin Qinyan a lesson. "You dare lay a hand on my mistress? Are you tired of living?"

"Qingwu, control your maids!" Lady Jiang stepped in with a false pretense of benevolence. "Qinyan only struck you out of concern for his sister. After all, he is your brother; it’s no great matter if he scolds you a little. Why must you argue with him?"

Lin Qingwu looked at Jiang Mei’er, the woman who had become the Duke’s secondary wife after her own mother’s death.

When she had entered the estate with her son and daughter, it was clear to anyone with eyes that she had been Lin Wenyuan’s secret mistress all along.

Lin Qingwu held no affection for her, whereas Lin Qingyun was close, even intimate, with her.

Nevertheless, Lin Qingwu stopped Zhixin. "Step back."

"But he—"

Zhixin was extremely reluctant, but she ultimately obeyed and retreated behind Lin Qingwu.

Lin Qinyan showed no gratitude. Instead, he sneered, "Lin Qingwu, stop playing the saint. Do you think this will make me grateful? Let me tell you, if you dare to bully Yun’er, I will never let you go!"