You Promised to Be an Idle Son-in-Law, How Could You Become a Land Immortal?

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Imperial Edict and Verbal Edict

The imperial messenger’s cry was abrupt, and the once relaxed and peaceful atmosphere of the Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion instantly took on a solemn air.

The second steward at the gate, though elderly, had to hurry with all his might from the front courtyard to the central one.

”Second Young Lady, someone from the Capital Prefecture is here! There is an imperial edict to be announced to the Old Marquis.”

Xiao Jinghong stopped and gave orders in a calm voice, ”Have someone set up an incense table in the main hall of the central courtyard. Then, send someone to fetch Grandfather’s Court Attire and help him dress.”

”Also, inform my second grand-uncle that the envoy from the Capital Prefecture is of high status. He is to come with me to greet them.”

The second steward agreed profusely and dashed past them, running toward the central courtyard.

The etiquette of the Great Wei Dynasty was meticulous, and receiving an imperial edict had its own rules.

Standing to the side, Chen Yi saw Xiao Jinghong waiting and said, ”My lady, I’ll go on ahead to the central courtyard to wait.”

Xiao Jinghong, who was pondering the reason for the edict, was brought back to her senses by his words. She shook her head gently. ”Husband, come with me...”

She paused, looked at Chen Yi, and asked, ”If that’s alright with you?”

Chen Yi had no objections. He nodded and stood quietly by her side, thinking,

’This conversation feels a bit like ”the husband leads and the wife follows.”’

’Of course, I don’t mind switching roles—who’s to say it can’t be ”the wife leads and the husband follows”?’

’It’s just as the saying goes: The young don’t appreciate the sweet life of being kept, only to regret it in old age when no one’s there.’

’If I can live comfortably my whole life, that’s fine by me.’

While Chen Yi was lost in his daydreams,

Xiao Jinghong’s thoughts were far more serious.

’For Grandfather’s sixtieth birthday, all the details regarding scale, procedure, and ceremony were reported to the Imperial Court as is customary. The Holy Emperor should have known long ago that the Xiao Family wished to celebrate it as a small, low-key affair.’

’So why would he specifically choose the day of the birthday to send someone to proclaim an edict?’

’After this, I’m afraid those ministers at the Imperial Court will once again see the Xiao Family as a thorn in their side.’

Even Xiao Jinghong, who had spent all her time in Shu State, was clear on one point: whoever received the Emperor’s favor would inevitably be subjected to all sorts of baseless slander.

’To be in the Emperor’s thoughts...’

Lost in these thoughts, Xiao Jinghong seemed to ask absently, ”Husband, given the Xiao Family’s current situation, what do you think we should do?”

Chen Yi froze, turning his head to look at her. He understood that she had likely spoken without thinking.

After a moment’s thought, he replied casually, ”Build high walls, store up grain, and slow... hmm... and wait patiently with a calm mind.”

’Based on the Hidden Guards I’ve noticed and the recent arrivals of the Imperial Top Scholar and the Third Place Scholar in Shu State, it’s not hard to deduce that the Imperial Court is planning to make some moves here.’

’But I don’t know much about the Xiao Family or the situation in Shu State, and my understanding of the other State Capitals of the Great Wei Dynasty and the Imperial Court is hazy at best.’

’Therefore, I’m not sure what those people at court intend with their schemes in Shu State.’

’Are they targeting the Xiao Family, who have loyally served the country to the death? Or the Nobles and Noble Families of Shu State? Or perhaps those high-ranking regional officials, like the Governor, the Inspector General, and the Protectorate?’

’Any of them are possible, I suppose.’

’In any case, a scheme this grand couldn’t possibly be about me, the Xiao Family’s live-in son-in-law.’

Xiao Jinghong was taken aback by his reply. She looked at him, her eyes turning serious.

”Husband, could you elaborate?”

”Well...”

Chen Yi hesitated. Spotting Second Master Xiao Wang striding over, he gestured and said, ”My lady, we can discuss this later. Let’s handle the matter at hand first.”

Xiao Jinghong nodded, committing his words to memory, then went with Xiao Wang to greet the imperial emissary.

Chen Yi followed beside them. In the distance, he saw several envoys dressed in green robes. The leader was an old man, but his face was fair and beardless, and he carried an effeminate air.

He understood instantly. ’A eunuch.’

’I just wonder if he’s an Eunuch Ping’an, an Eunuch Zhao Gao, or an Eunuch Zhongxian.’

”You must be the renowned General Jinghong. I am Feng Erbao, a Scribe-Eunuch of the Rituals Department. It is an honor to meet you, General.”

”I have come bearing an edict, so I pray for your forbearance, General Jinghong.”

Xiao Jinghong curtsied. ”Eunuch Feng, please, come in. Grandfather has already prepared the incense table in the central courtyard.”

With that, she and Xiao Wang led the way.

After returning the bow, Feng Erbao followed, along with the several eunuchs carrying trays behind him.

Chen Yi lagged slightly behind Xiao Jinghong, thinking there was nothing particularly special about these eunuchs aside from their effeminate nature.

But then, Feng Erbao spoke up. ”General Jinghong, if I may be frank, I have come this time not only to offer birthday congratulations to the Old Marquis, but also to deliver a verbal edict.”

Xiao Jinghong glanced at him, her expression neutral. ”Eunuch, perhaps it would be best to wait until you have met with my grandfather.”

Feng Erbao shook his head. ”General Jinghong, you misunderstand. The verbal edict I bring is not for the Old Marquis. It is for your husband, Chen Yi.”

’For me?’

Chen Yi stopped in his tracks, glancing over. ’How could a mere live-in son-in-law like me possibly attract the attention of His Majesty, the supreme ruler?’

At these words, Xiao Jinghong looked over at him, equally confused.

Xiao Wang, however, couldn’t help but point at Chen Yi. ”The man Eunuch Feng speaks of is right here. What verbal edict from the Holy Emperor might that be?”

Feng Erbao followed his finger and his gaze fell upon Chen Yi. He let out an effeminate chuckle, as if to say, ’So I’ve finally found you.’

He didn’t reveal the contents of the edict, however. Instead, he turned to Xiao Wang, his expression hardening and his tone turning cold.

”The Holy Emperor’s verbal edict is for Young Master Chen alone. Is it for others to overhear?”

Xiao Wang froze, his face flushing red. He was clearly angered by the remark.

However, given the eunuch’s status, Xiao Wang could only swallow his anger and offer a stiff apology.

Seeing this, Chen Yi and Xiao Jinghong exchanged a look. His eyes seemed to say, ’I’d like to know what this is about, too.’

Inwardly, however, he was rather displeased.

’All I want is to live a quiet life in the Marquis’s Mansion as a live-in son-in-law. Why does everyone have to come and disrupt my peace?’

’First, it was those masters from Guiyun Academy, giving me a headache about how to mitigate the influence of that calligraphy piece.’

’Now this Feng Erbao is even more outrageous, showing up with a verbal edict from the Holy Emperor himself.’

’Are they not going to be happy until my life is completely upended?’

It had come to this, and Chen Yi felt helpless.

’Now, I just want to hear what the Holy Emperor, all the way in the Imperial City of the Capital Prefecture, has to say to me.’

「Not long after.」

The guests in the central courtyard all rose from their seats to wait outside the main hall, joined by the second branch of the Xiao Family and their more distant relatives.

Inside the main hall, only Old Marquis Xiao Yuan and three members of the main family branch—Xiao Wan’er, Xiao Jinghong, and Xiao Wuge—remained.

As well as... Chen Yi.

Heaven knows what the guests and the other members of the Xiao family were thinking outside.

To say they were fidgeting with anxiety, jealousy, and envy would not be an exaggeration.

Chen Yunfan watched Chen Yi standing beside Xiao Jinghong inside the main hall and tutted in amazement.

”My Brother Yi has really made something of himself,” he remarked. ”He’s actually receiving an imperial edict alongside the heads of the family.”

In the eyes of most, a live-in son-in-law of a Marquis’s Mansion was just an insignificant, down-on-his-luck nobody.

Yet here he was, defying all norms, qualified to receive the edict alongside the Old Marquis himself.

What was this?

Reversed Celestial Spirit!

So, aside from Chen Yunfan’s peculiar expression, most everyone else wore a similar look.

But for the Xiao Family’s second branch and distant relatives, their thoughts were far more complicated.

Xiao Qiuyun looked at Xiao Wang’s ashen face and asked in a low voice, ”Father, why was that Chen Yi allowed inside?”

Recalling his earlier humiliation at Feng Erbao’s hands, Xiao Wang snorted. ”The Holy Emperor has a verbal edict for him.”

Xiao Qiuyun’s expression shifted. ”For him?”

Xiao Wang grunted in affirmation. ”Keep your voice down,” he warned. ”Let’s wait until we hear the contents of the edict.”

Xiao Qiuyun nodded slightly, her gaze toward Chen Yi inside the main hall shifting. Her mind couldn’t help but race with possibilities.

’I’ve long known that the Jiangnan Prefecture Chen Family is highly regarded by the Holy Emperor.’

’Even so, a mere live-in son-in-law like Chen Yi shouldn’t be worthy of a personal message from the Holy Emperor.’

Never mind the thoughts of those outside.

Inside the main hall, Feng Erbao stood silently in the center of the hall. He faced the Old Marquis and the others to proclaim the decree:

”By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: We have observed that you, Marquis Dingyuan, Xiao Yuan, have honorably inherited the mantle of your ancestors and brought glory to your family name.”

”Your efforts in Shu State have pacified the barbarians. Now, upon the occasion of your sixtieth birthday, We bestow upon you these gifts to celebrate your exceptional honor:”

”One Gold-Embroidered Python Robe, one Jade Belt, and one Seven-Colored Glazed Cup... Thus is Our command!”

Xiao Yuan bowed deeply. An old marquis of his stature was not required to kneel.

Xiao Jinghong stepped forward to receive the imperial edict, then fixed her gaze on Feng Erbao. She was just as curious as to what verbal message the Holy Emperor had for her husband.

Xiao Yuan and the others felt the same.

Chen Yi, on the other hand, stared intently at Feng Erbao, terrified he was about to say something unwelcome.

’Something like ordering me to become an official, or sentencing me to a life of hard work.’

’That would be an absolute disaster.’

Feng Erbao’s gaze swept over the group before he gave an effeminate smile. ”The Holy Emperor’s verbal edict for General Jinghong’s husband is quite simple, really.”

Seeing the calm expressions on Xiao Yuan and the others, he continued, ”The Holy Emperor’s verbal edict is as follows.”

”We have heard that the young Chen Yi is a man of great talent. It is a pity that he was unable to participate in the recent imperial examinations.”

”However, you need not be discouraged. Talent is not defined by one’s background. We hope you will continue to apply yourself diligently.”

Chen Yi breathed a sigh of relief. ’Just a few polite words of encouragement,’ he thought.

But then Feng Erbao added one last thing. ”If Young Master Chen is so inclined, the Holy Emperor can grant a special dispensation for you to participate in the next imperial examination.”

’I am not so inclined!’

Chen Yi forced a smile and bowed. ”I must trouble Eunuch Feng to thank the Holy Emperor for his immense favor on my behalf. However, my academic knowledge is... rather average.”

Feng Erbao smiled and shook his head. ”I am only responsible for delivering messages, not for carrying them back.”

”...”

’This eunuch has the stench of a treacherous court official!’