***Ming Mansion***
(Wei Reception Hall)
"Good morning, Father." Xuanling bowed gracefully before settling into the seat beside the Left Chancellor. A maid in waiting promptly poured her a cup of steaming tea, the delicate porcelain clinking softly against the lacquered table.
"How do you feel this morning, Ling'er?" the Left Chancellor asked, his voice carrying genuine concern for his only daughter.
"Better," she murmured, lifting the cup and sipping slowly, savoring the rich, floral notes before swallowing. In truth, she felt worse this morning than she had last night. Her body still craved more rest, the night's exertions leaving a deep ache in her limbs.
Her father rarely left his study, and when he did invite her for tea, it was almost always there. On very rare occasions, he chose the serene Yuan courtyard. So what had brought him all the way to the Wei reception hall this morning?
The hall was reserved exclusively for receiving important guests to the Ming mansion. Nevertheless, it was his mansion. He could take tea wherever he pleased.
She did not care what schemes occupied his mind. She only worried about how much his decisions would negatively affect her. A quiet sigh escaped her lips.
"I apologize for not answering your summons last night, Father," she said, pouting cutely as she took another sip. "Feminine problems seriously doubled their weight on me this month."
"Good thing Concubine Yun took her time to nurse you back to good health," he replied, watching her closely. He still did not understand why Concubine Yun had offered to care for Ling'er. He brought it up now, hoping to catch any revealing reaction or slip in her response. Were they truly on better terms, or had the Concubine been feigning care last night as he suspected?
"What can I say, Father… it is a good thing indeed." Xuanling's expression remained stoic, revealing nothing. She did not want to lie and pretend they were suddenly close, nor did she want to confirm that their old conflicts still lingered. She simply wanted to spare him the headaches their rivalry had caused him for years. She was grown enough now to handle Concubine Yun on her own. Having him worry over their relationship was no longer ideal.
"You are fine now. That is all that matters," he said, deciding to drop his suspicions. He concluded that if something serious had occurred or if Concubine Yun had given her a hard time, Ling'er would tell him the moment it became too much to handle. For now, he would trust her and enjoy the fragile peace while it lasted.
"I see you really like the tea…" he changed the subject smoothly, trying to set a lighter mood for the true reason he had requested her presence.
"Yes, Father," she nodded in agreement. "This tea is really one of a kind. Its flavor and taste are just heavenly." She offered a small smile.
"Well, as expected," he replied calmly, taking a sip from his own cup and allowing the information time to settle. "It was brewed by the imperial tea officials."
"The imperial tea officials?" Xuanling looked genuinely surprised, her golden-brown eyes widening. "What is a tea brewed by the imperial tea officials doing outside the imperial house? Is this a gift from the Emperor himself?"
"Not quite…" He sucked his teeth lightly. "As a potential member of the imperial house by marriage, the imperial tea is only the tip of the iceberg of all the rightful entitlements we get to enjoy." His voice carried clear excitement.
"A potential member of the imperial house by marriage? What marriage?" Xuanling looked thoroughly confused, her brows knitting together.
"The imperial edict should be here in 5… 4…"
Xuanling's eyes darted around the hall. What was her father talking about? What marriage? What imperial edict? A swarm of anxious thoughts flooded her mind as she watched him count down calmly, a satisfied smile on his face and his teacup still in hand.
"What is going on, Father?"
"3… 2… 1. Finally." The Left Chancellor laughed softly.
"Here they come, Ling'er," he announced gladly.
The gentle gallop of horses and the creaking of carriage wheels sounded from the mansion's main entrance, making Xuanling's heart race.
"Father, are we expecting anyone?" she asked, her voice growing worked up.
"Relax, Ling'er. It is just the head eunuch with the imperial edict," he replied, sipping his tea peacefully.
"No…" Xuanling broke down in tears, her shoulders trembling. "Do not do this to me, Father, please…" she cried softly.
Her greatest fear had finally caught up with her — the day her father would marry her off for political power and to strengthen his position at court. Only this time it was not to any noble family. It was to the imperial house of Murong.
She made to kneel before him, but the eunuch was already calling for her to step outside and receive the edict.
'No wonder he invited me for tea so early and chose the reception hall as the perfect spot,' Xuanling thought, her heart sinking in defeat. 'He had it all planned out, giving me no opportunity to make excuses or simply disappear like I always do.' The Wei reception hall stood directly opposite the mansion's main entrance. There was no way she could leave without being noticed by the head eunuch waiting just outside. Escaping through a window or back door was impossible — her father sat right beside her.
"Ming Xuanling, come forward and receive the imperial edict!" the head eunuch called for the second time.
"You should not keep the head eunuch waiting, Ling'er," her father said, pointing toward the entrance with a proud smile.
"You have really outdone yourself this time, Father," her voice shook with emotion.
Without wasting any more time, she stood up gracefully, wiping her face with her sleeves to dry her tears. Then she walked out of the hall to receive the edict, with Yu'er following closely behind.
"Ming Xuanling, come forward and receive the imperial edict," the head eunuch called once more. When she was close enough, she came to a halt and kowtowed before him. Yu'er followed suit.
Seeing this, the head eunuch began to read out the edict in a clear, formal voice:
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
The Fourth Miss of the Ming Mansion, virtuous and graceful, adorned with unparalleled beauty and dignity, is deemed worthy to ascend as imperial consort.
By the Mandate of Heaven and the will of the Throne, the marriage of Lady Ming Xuanling to His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Murong Jing, is hereby solemnly decreed.
The grand nuptials shall be held on the auspicious day of the sixteenth of the ninth lunar month, at the hour of noon.
Henceforth, Lady Ming shall be honored with the title of Crown Princess, the primary consort of the Heir Apparent, forever enshrined in the annals of the Imperial Court.
Let it be known throughout the nation.
By Imperial Command."
"I, Ming Xuanling, accept the imperial edict," she raised her head and received the scroll with both hands, bowing once more to the head eunuch.
With his mission accomplished, the head eunuch stepped back into the carriage and was escorted back to the palace by the imperial guards.
When Xuanling was sure the head eunuch was no longer in sight, she slumped to the floor, hoping desperately that all of this was just a dream — a nightmare even — and all she really wanted to do was wake up…