Chapter 1718: Chapter 1711: Mo Qi Personally Delivers the Imperial Edict to the Leng Family

Chu Jinling, being stared at by one elder and one junior, had no choice but to speak honestly, "Imperial Uncle isn’t here, so all I’ve heard are rumors. Perhaps it’s Prime Minister Zhuo marrying Lu Mian’s cousin, stealing the one he loves most from his heart."

"The grudge of a stolen wife would be enough for Lu Mian to hate Zhuo Junli for years." Lin Sisi scratched behind her ear, "But does that mean Lu Mian has started to resent all women?

He obstructs all new reforms related to women. Just now, on my way back, I overheard palace attendants gossiping, saying Lu Mian dragged Leng Muling away, looking as if he couldn’t wait to kill her."

"Lord Lu’s personal affairs should have nothing to do with us. However, he is strongly opposing the new reforms now, and most of the civil officials in the court support him. If it’s not handled properly, I fear Father Emperor will blame me."

Chu Heng pulled out a letter.

He read it aloud to Chu Jinling, "Father Emperor has already agreed to Lu Mian’s request, allowing him to marry Leng Muling. But as for this imperial edict, I’ve been thinking—should I write it or not?"

"Imperial Uncle agreed?" Chu Jinling was still quite surprised.

He had thought that Imperial Uncle would consider Mo Qi more.

"Look, Ninth Brother, take a look."

Chu Heng handed the letter to Chu Jinling, who noticed the writing from Chu Yihan’s hand was very concise, essentially meaning that each person’s marriage is their own pursuit, and outsiders shouldn’t interfere excessively.

His father’s stance was essentially that, since Leng Muling no longer wished to marry Mo Qi, she shouldn’t be forced.

If she was willing to marry Lu Mian, then Chu Heng could issue an imperial edict to betroth them.

Although Chu Jinling and Lin Sisi felt slightly regretful, they wouldn’t interfere further.

Before writing the edict, Chu Heng summoned Mo Qi for a meeting first.

Currently, Mo Qi had returned to the imperial capital, serving as the Imperial Guards’ commander, guarding Chu Heng every day.

Chu Heng noticed his face had a trace of weathered weariness and had grown thinner. He asked with quiet concern, "Uncle Mo Qi, you must take better care of yourself."

Father Emperor had once said Mo Qi had followed him in battles for many years and was his most loyal subordinate.

He had entrusted Mo Qi to Chu Heng, instructing him to treat loyal ministers and generals kindly.

Mo Qi was deeply moved, knelt down, and expressed his gratitude, "Your humble subject thanks Your Highness for your concern. May I ask what business Your Highness summoned me for?"

Chu Heng directly told him the matter, "I’ve received Father Emperor’s letter and plan to grant Lu Mian, Lord Lu, and Miss Leng their marriage. Calling you here is to let you know."

Mo Qi, kneeling on the ground, stiffened for a moment: "Father Emperor... has agreed?"

Chu Heng nodded, "Father Emperor said, everyone has their own destined fate."

"Destined fate..." Mo Qi’s eyes reddened slightly as he involuntarily murmured, "Could it be that Ling’er’s destined one isn’t me?"

He and she had been acquainted, had loved!

"Uncle Mo Qi, although you’ve taken a concubine, you’ve never married a proper wife. Would you like me to also grant you a marriage?" Chu Heng asked with some concern.

Some relationships cannot be forced, but also, no one should always remain alone.

Mo Qi gave a bitter laugh and shook his head: "Your humble subject no longer wishes to marry for life. Thanks to Your Highness, if Your Highness intends to issue the imperial edict, perhaps... let me deliver the edict myself instead?"

This caught Chu Heng off guard.

Uncle Mo Qi was sprinkling salt on his own wounds?

But it seemed he had no reason to refuse.

Chu Heng nodded, signed off the edict with the imperial seal, and handed it to Mo Qi, asking him to deliver it to the Lu Family and Prime Minister’s Estate respectively.

Lu Residence.

When Mo Qi delivered the imperial edict, a trace of surprise flashed in Lu Mian’s eyes.

After kneeling and hearing Mo Qi announce the edict, Mo Qi held onto it, not handing it over for a long time.

Lu Mian remained in his kneeling posture for an extended period.

Behind him, the servants whispered amongst themselves:

"What’s with this official delivering the edict? Why hasn’t he handed it over yet?"

"Indeed! Why does he make our master keep kneeling?"

"How much longer does our master have to kneel?"

"Shh, don’t speak! This official is said to have been betrothed to Miss Leng from the Leng Family before!"

The servants were merely gossiping, but Lu Mian was the one who knew the truth best.

So Lu Mian wasn’t at all perturbed by Mo Qi’s deliberate trouble-making; he kept kneeling without complaint or expression.

Mo Qi waited until Lu Mian had knelt for the duration of an incense stick’s time, and when the servants of the Lu Family were nearly at their limit, he finally passed the imperial edict to Lu Mian.

After receiving the edict, Lu Mian kowtowed again, "Your humble subject thanks His Majesty for the grace."

"Indeed, Lord Lu should cherish the grace bestowed by His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince." Mo Qi’s piercing gaze locked onto Lu Mian as he spoke coldly.

Lu Mian gripped the edict and, with an air of undeniable superiority, calmly but haughtily replied, "This official will, of course, cherish what the Commander cannot attain."

Mo Qi’s fists tightened behind his back; the dark circles under his eyes made his expression particularly sinister. His voice chilled, "Indeed, I am unworthy, that’s why I cannot obtain it.

But Lord Lu should remember this: if what I cannot have suffers humiliation or harm in your hands...

I promise, such harm will undoubtedly return—exactly—to you and your family!"

"Is that so?" Lu Mian and Mo Qi locked gazes, each seeing the razor-sharp edges in the other’s eyes.

Lu Mian had an air of restraint and concealment, like the deep waters of a still pool.

While Mo Qi was fierce and unyielding, like an unsheathed sword pressed against Lu Mian’s neck, ready to strike at any moment.

After delivering the edict, Mo Qi left. Lu Mian’s servant stepped forward to ask, "Lord, shall we begin preparing for the wedding ceremony?"

Lu Mian’s thin lips parted briefly, "Prepare."

The servant asked again, "Should we now send a letter to inform Master and Madam to come to Jiang Du City? To marry the Prime Minister’s daughter, we’ll need the presence of family elders to preside over the wedding."

"No need for such trouble."

Lu Mian showed no intention of informing his parents.

The servant, perplexed, dared not make decisions on his own and could only begin the preparations according to Lu Mian’s instructions.

Prime Minister’s Estate.

Mo Qi delivered the imperial edict here as well.

Zhuo Junli led his entire family to kneel and await the decree.

Mo Qi read the edict aloud, then handed it to Leng Muling.

"This noblewoman accepts the decree and thanks His Majesty for the grace."

Leng Muling was composed and steady, treating Mo Qi as if he were a stranger, addressing him with ritualistic formality.

Mo Qi’s lips curved faintly, "I congratulate Second Young Miss on having her wishes fulfilled."

He remembered her once saying she wished to marry Lu Mian and become Lady Lu.

Thus, he personally came to deliver her the edict, hoping she would indeed obtain what she desired.

"Commander Mo is an honored guest. Stay and dine with us before leaving."

Zhuo Junli, fanning himself lazily, casually patted Mo Qi on the shoulder.

Mo Qi initially intended to decline, but Yun Sijin also smiled and said, "The household has prepared a banquet. Eldest Brother and Father are present; please, Commander Mo, don’t refuse our hospitality."

Hearing this, Mo Qi nodded, "Very well, it would be improper to disregard the gracious invitation of the three lords."

He stayed with the Leng Family to dine alongside Leng Muling and her relatives.

During the meal, Leng Muling was the first to finish and excused herself, leaving the table. The others didn’t comment further.

Leng Yi and Leng Kangcheng, who once bore no goodwill toward Mo Qi, seemed willing to drink with him at the table tonight.

Even the fox-like Zhuo Junli appeared unusually enthusiastic this evening.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.