Chapter 441: Chapter 441: The Ninth Prince’s Granted Marriage_1
A royal decree?
“Does everyone in the house have to be present?” Wei Ruo asked.
“The Imperial Envoy from the palace who has come to announce the imperial edict specifically asked for your presence, Miss.” The maid’s tone was urgent, like a burning flame, “Miss, please hurry, both the old master and the old lady have already gone!”
Such a significant event, the Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence had not received an imperial edict in many years.
The last edict regarding Wei Qingwan’s marriage had been delivered to the General’s Residence in Taizhou prefecture. It’s been a long time since the other members of the family had personally received an Imperial Envoy from the palace.
Therefore, the Wei Family, both old and young, paid great attention to this, causing even the servants of the residence to be tremendously nervous.
Hearing that she was specifically invited, Wei Ruo felt a sense of unease, for no apparent reason.
After a moment of contemplation, Wei Ruo agreed, “I understand. I’ll come right away.”
Wei Ruo tidied her clothes and makeup, opened the door, and headed to the front hall with her maid who was waiting at the door.
In the spacious and bright hall, the old master Wei, the old lady Wei, Wei Minghong, Madam Mo, Wei Mingyong, Bai Family, and Yun Family had all arrived.
Furthermore, everyone was dressed very formally, with grave expressions and serious demeanors. Wei Ruo could even detect clear signs of nervousness on the faces of Wei Minghong, Wei Mingyong, Madam Mo, and Bai family.
Wei family elders, having experienced much in their lives, were considerably more composed.
Having seen a lot over the years and having received people from the palace before, Yun Family appeared more relaxed than the others.
Among the younger generation, only Wei Ruo had arrived.
Once Wei Ruo arrived, The Imperial Envoy began reciting the royal decree.
The members of the Wei Family knelt in unison, listening to the content of the royal decree with earnest trepidation.
Being the one who was singled out, Wei Ruo knelt in the front, listening with a blend of emotions.
When she heard the Imperial Envoy mention “bestow marriage to the ninth prince,” Wei Ruo’s heart thudded in her chest.
Why is this happening?
Why would the Emperor, out of the blue, bestow marriage upon a girl of insignificant standing, from the declining household of the Loyal and Righteous Duke, to his most favored ninth prince?
Especially considering the rampant rumors about her, even if the Emperor hadn’t heard that she was “a curse to her husband and childless,” he must have known about her being repudiated by Marquis Xuanping’s Residence, right?
Then why would he match her, a person like herself, with his beloved ninth prince?
The Wei Family members who heard the decree were all stunned.
Having one daughter bestowed into the marriage with the sixth prince as a concubine was already surprising and delightful enough. But they hadn’t expected another – a daughter who had been repudiated and rumored to be a curse to her husband – to be bestowed in marriage to a prince. And not only that, to the most favored ninth prince as his main wife!
“Lady Wei, accept the decree.” After reciting the royal decree, the Imperial Envoy urged Wei Ruo to accept it.
“Ruoruo, accept the decree quickly.”
The old master Wei urged from behind Wei Ruo, fearing that Wei Ruo’s sluggish reaction might disrespect the Imperial Envoy.
Wei Ruo stood up and accepted the royal decree from the Imperial Envoy.
The decree itself wasn’t heavy, but Wei Ruo felt an immense weight in her hands.
The old master Wei quickly attended to the Imperial Envoy, who waved his hands with a smile.
“Master Wei is blessed. Both of his granddaughters are fortunate. In the future, we hope that Master Wei will be able to support and guide this humble official.”
“Not at all, not at all. Sir, you must be tired from the journey. The residence has prepared some light refreshments and rice wine, we hope you will honor us with your presence.” The old master Wei hastily responded.
“You are too kind, Master Wei. There is no need for me to stay for a meal, I need to return to the palace to report to His Majesty.”
The Imperial Envoy did not stay for long. After exchanging a few courtesies with old master Wei, he departed with his entourage.
The moment the Imperial Envoy left, the old master Wei came to Wei Ruo, and carefully took the royal decree from her to read.
After triple-checking and confirming that its content indeed established Wei Ruo as the chief wife of the ninth prince, the old master’s eyes turned red with joy.
“A queen is going to be born from our Wei Family! A queen is going to be born from our Wei Family!”
Although Wei Qingwan was also bestowed in marriage, she was only a concubine. A concubine and a chief wife were ultimately different. Regardless of how favorably worded, a concubine was still a concubine, while a chief wife was the wife. The gap in status was beyond comparison.
The old lady Wei was both pleased and worried. She looked at the royal decree and then at Wei Ruo. Her elderly face was filled with anxiety, etching deeper lines into her weary brows. It seemed that she had something to say, but she held back in the presence of everyone.
Wei Minghong, a broad smile on his face, beamed like a Maitreya Buddha, “Father, we’re all set now, our Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence is truly about to rise up!”
Madam Mo echoed, “Yes, one piece of good news after another in our residence.”
Wei Mingyong quickly congratulated Wei Ruo saying, “Congratulations eldest niece, from now on, you’ll be a queen with boundless wealth and glory!”
Bai Family wore an awkward smile, unsure about what to say to Wei Ruo, “Niece, you are truly blessed. The ninth prince is the most favored prince in the palace right now. Although he is a little frail, there are imperial physicians taking care of him. I’m sure he’ll live a long life. You marrying the ninth prince is truly very fortunate!”
Yun Family, similar to the old lady Wei, didn’t know whether to feel more happy or anxious.
After hesitating for a while, Yun Family finally asked the old master, “Father, the ninth prince, from what I understand, is rather frail and constantly needs medication. If Ruo marries him…
Yun Family didn’t finish her sentence, but everyone knew what she was referring to – this was her fear of Wei Ruo becoming a widow.
However, the old master didn’t think the same way: “Daughter-in-law of the third son, don’t overthink it. I understand your concerns, but consider this – given Ruo’s current reputation, who else could she marry? Now, this heavenly bestowed fortune is a thousand times, ten thousand times better than a marriage we could arrange for her. Are you still concerned that she might become a widow? Besides, even if she becomes the main wife of the ninth prince, even if the ninth prince… she would still be able to lead a worry-free life.”
Yun Family explained, “But the reputation is also a problem! I am afraid the ninth prince’s body won’t be able to bear the burden, and then everyone will blame it on Ruo, affirming her reputation of being a curse to her husband.”
Old Master Wei didn’t think much of it: “You’re overthinking it. Everyone in the capital is aware of the ninth prince’s health condition. If he dies young… If something like that happens, no one is to blame! Moreover, the rumors came first, followed by this grant of marriage, and we Wei family have not hidden anything. Even if what you mentioned happens, it has nothing to do with our Wei family.”
Yun Family couldn’t rebut any longer, her complexion was still not good. She looked worried, and whenever she looked at Wei Ruo, she had an indescribable feeling of unease.
It was true that she didn’t get along with her eldest daughter and they didn’t share a mother-daughter bond. But to let her daughter go through the experience of widowhood, that was something she didn’t feel comfortable with.
There wasn’t much expression left on Wei Ruo’s face, and she didn’t really listen to the conversations around her.
All she had in her mind were doubts, and at present, no one in the residence could provide her with an answer.
