Volume One, Chapter 13: I Have an Imperial Edict—What Do You Have?

Cheng’en Marquis Residence.

The ancestral hall’s great doors were heaved open with the combined strength of several people.

Outside, a dozen or so guards from the Zhenyuan General’s Mansion, clad in full armor, surrounded the entrance to the ancestral hall on both sides. Their right hands rested on the hilts of their swords at their waists, expressions solemn and poised for action.

Inside, those present held their breath in shock. Suddenly, a figure clad in a striking scarlet wedding robe burst into their view. Xie Shu carried the imperial edict in her arms, the golden hairpin atop her head gleaming brilliantly. With a commanding presence, she led a group and strode confidently across the high threshold.

“Oh? Everyone’s waiting for the bride to arrive, huh?” Xie Shu raised an eyebrow with a smile. This arrival was quite punctual!

Yet, upon seeing the half-awake Cheng’en Marquis, the smile on Xie Shu’s face grew even wider. Especially when she noticed the restrained and unbearable expression on Lady Li’s face—it was truly refreshing.

“Well, this marriage was personally bestowed by His Majesty. The Cheng’en Marquis Residence is truly blessed,” Xie Shu said as she walked on. A few servants trailed behind her, each holding brooms, feather dusters, rolling pins, and other household tools, their eyes wide with curiosity.

The Ning family members stared intently, startled by the display.

Could it be that the people from the Zhenyuan Marquis’s Mansion were not here to fight?

Inside the ancestral hall were mostly elderly Ning family elders, with frail limbs. The doors were blocked—if a fight broke out, they’d have nowhere to escape!

Xie Shu’s gaze then swept over the Ning family members opposite her, their faces pale and expressions unsettled.

After a full circle, her eyes settled steadily on Ning Rongsheng’s face, a mocking smile curling at the corner of her mouth. “Husband, why don’t you quickly ask the clan elder to add my name to the family registry? If this decree is delayed, it would be treason against the emperor—punishable by confiscation and annihilation of the entire family. I, however, plan to live a little longer.”

Every word was dripping with threat.

Ning Rongsheng’s expression shifted slightly—how could she be so arrogant!

“Xie Shu, you brought so many people here—is this to wreck our Cheng’en Marquis Residence?” Ning Rongsheng ground his teeth, his eyes darting left and right before he moved to support the elderly Ning clan elder. “Clan elder, how can we allow an outsider to barge into the Ning ancestral hall like this?”

“Hey, hey, hey, how can the Ning heir speak like that! Our young lady’s marriage was personally decreed by His Majesty—she is the Ning family’s heir’s wife, not an outsider!” Green Willow placed her hands on her hips and bossily shouted at a nearby servant serving tea, “Hey, you! Go pour the heir’s wife a cup of tea. You’re so clueless!”

Master and servant echoed each other, immediately suppressing the Ning family’s momentum and catching them off guard.

However, just as no one dared to speak up, the elderly Ning clan elder stroked his whitening beard, stepped forward with a cane, and blocked Ning Rongsheng. Smiling broadly, he said, “Miss Xie, though His Majesty granted this marriage today, the matter of entering the family registry still needs discussion. You and the Ning heir have no parental consent nor matchmaker’s agreement; the formalities of the three letters and six rites remain incomplete. This is somewhat improper.”

Xie Shu stared silently, offering no reply.

Seeing this, the clan elder smiled again. “I think it’s best if we both step back a little. You move into the Cheng’en Marquis Residence today. Once the three letters and six rites are complete, we shall then add you to the registry.”

Xie Shu hesitated briefly, then nodded earnestly and solemnly, “You’re right, sir; these customs should be observed.”

Hearing this, the elder felt pleased—just a little girl, a few words and she’d obediently listen.

“Good, then it’s settled…”

Before the clan elder could finish, Xie Shu pointed to the imperial edict in her arms and casually replied, “But I have the imperial edict.”

The elder paused. Had he not made himself clear? He clarified once more, “I know you have the edict. What I mean is, your moving into the Cheng’en Marquis Residence today is without objection. But if you want to be added to the Ning family registry, the three letters and six rites must be completed first.”

“Oh, but I have the imperial edict,” Xie Shu shook the golden scroll in her hand. Showing her adorable tiger teeth, she smiled brightly, “As a member of the Ning family, I must be added to the registry today. Otherwise, how will others believe the Ning family has married me?”

“Today is the wedding! All of us here are witnesses!” The clan elder scratched his head. Why was she so stubborn?

“But you must first complete the three letters and six rites; then we can add you to the registry. A few days won’t matter. As the saying goes, without rules, there’s no order!”

“Rules? I don’t understand them. All I know is, I have the imperial edict.” Xie Shu feigned innocence, her face pure and harmless.

Yet her words were infuriating.

Seeing Xie Shu remain obstinate and refuse to back down, the clan elder gave up pretending. Slapping his thigh, he scolded, “Miss Xie, I’ll be clear with you today! If you want to marry into our Ning family, you must complete the three letters and six rites first. Otherwise, don’t even dream of entering the Ning family registry!”

Hah, an old man like him trying to command her?

“Ning clan elder, perhaps age has dulled your hearing and sight? Those empty formalities you speak of can’t possibly outweigh the emperor’s favor, can they?” Xie Shu shrugged and took a seat in an empty chair. Casually lifting a teacup, she sipped lightly and feigned indifference as she asked, “Could it be that you are unhappy with this imperial marriage and intend to defy the decree?”

Her final words rang out decisively.

The ancestral hall, once filled with scattered whispers, fell utterly silent.

“Miss Xie, His Majesty did decree this marriage, but he never said the registry must be opened today. Moreover, when a woman marries, she should first seek her parents’ approval, pay respects to the elders, and then enter her husband’s home. Only then is it filial,” the clan elder wracked his brains and added, “When His Majesty ascended the throne, he moved heaven with his filial piety, causing auspicious omens to appear, ensuring the peace and prosperity of our Great Yan!”

Bah! It was clearly her father and elder sister guarding the frontier who preserved the Great Yan’s peace and prosperity!

A flash of resentment gleamed in Xie Shu’s eyes.

The word “filial” had crushed countless spines.

In her past life, because of Ning Rongsheng’s kindness, Xie Shu had forcibly restrained her wild nature. In the prison-like Cheng’en Marquis Residence, to show filial piety to the Ning family, she woke before dawn to pay respects to Lady Li, served dishes during meals, and personally offered incense to ancestors in the ancestral hall every day.

Yet, in the Cheng’en Marquis Residence, she was the only one showing any filial respect.

Ha, so-called filial piety was but a tool used by great clans to discipline new brides, to extinguish their spirit and vitality.

With a sharp motion, she slammed a white porcelain teacup down on the table. The lid rattled, producing a crisp, clear sound that startled many present.