Chapter 259 - 255: Madman and Madwoman 19

Chapter 259: Chapter 255: Madman and Madwoman 19

A sudden commotion erupted from outside the courtyard. A middle-aged eunuch, dressed in bright palace robes and holding a bright yellow imperial edict, was seen striding into the courtyard, flanked by a group of guards.

The eunuch wore a solemn expression, his head held high and chest puffed out. The guards behind him stood tall and straight, looking imposing.

Ji Xiaosong, Ji Xiaohua, Ji Dan, and Little He were all stunned by the sight.

Ji Xiaosong was the first to recover. She quickly stood up and smoothed her clothes. Although there was a hint of surprise in her expression, it was mostly replaced by poise and composure.

Ji Xiaohua and Ji Dan also hurried to their feet, while Little He stepped aside, standing with her head bowed.

The eunuch cleared his throat and, in a sharp, loud voice, began to read the imperial edict:

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: It has come to Our attention that Wu Chufeng, Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, is young and accomplished. He has repeatedly achieved military merit and is a pillar of Our court. Ji Xiaosong is gentle, virtuous, well-read, and sensible. She and Wu Chufeng are a match made in heaven. We hereby bestow upon them a marriage contract. Let them be wed on an auspicious day to create a tale for the ages. It is Our hope that after their marriage, they will treat each other with respect, serve as an example for the court, and bring fortune to the state. By Imperial Command!"

After reading the edict, the eunuch held it with both hands, leaning forward slightly as he waited for the recipient to accept it.

Ji Xiaosong took a few graceful steps forward, her movements light and elegant as she approached the eunuch.

She bent her knees slightly in a standard formal curtsy, her movements fluid and natural, perfectly displaying the bearing of a lady from a noble family.

Then, she straightened up and slowly raised her hands, palms facing upward, respectfully reaching for the imperial edict.

The moment she accepted the edict, Ji Xiaosong curtsied again, her voice clear and pleasant, filled with gratitude:

"Your humble servant, Ji Xiaosong, kowtows in thanks for Your Majesty’s immense grace. May the Emperor live and reign for ten thousand years."

After speaking, she gently placed the imperial edict on a nearby table and straightened her sleeves.

Immediately after, Ji Xiaosong gave Little He a meaningful look.

Little He understood at once. She quickly retrieved an exquisite purse from an inner room. It was embroidered with a peony pattern, symbolizing good fortune, and the silk threads shimmered faintly in the sunlight.

Ji Xiaosong took the purse, a perfectly measured smile on her face. She approached the eunuch again, turned slightly to the side, and gently placed the purse in his hand, saying softly:

"Eunuch, you’ve had a long journey. This is just a small token of my appreciation. I hope you will accept it."

The eunuch was momentarily taken aback, but a smile soon spread across his face. He tucked the purse into his sleeve, nodded slightly, and spoke with a note of admiration in his voice:

"Miss Ji is indeed well-mannered. I will remember this. Now that you are to marry into the Wu Family, the Empress was concerned you might have trouble adjusting, so she prepared two nannies to come and teach you matters of etiquette. But from what I’ve seen today, it seems those lessons won’t be necessary."

Upon hearing this, Ji Xiaosong’s smile widened. Her eyes filled with gratitude as she curtsied again, her posture graceful, and said respectfully:

"Thank you for your praise, Eunuch. And I must thank the Empress even more for her concern. I am overwhelmed. Given Her Majesty’s great favor, I will certainly not disappoint her. From now on, I will be careful in my words and actions, bring honor to my family, and add glory to the Royal Family."

With that, Ji Xiaosong gave Ji Dan, who was standing beside her, a look.

Ji Dan understood immediately. He turned and hurried toward the storehouse with Little He.

A short while later, the two returned, carrying several bolts of fine silk with rich colors and exquisite patterns.

Ji Xiaosong took the silk with both hands. She approached the eunuch once more, bent her knees slightly, and presented the silk with sincere words:

"Eunuch, this silk is another small token from me. I hope you will accept it. I also ask that you might speak a few good words for me before the Empress."

The eunuch looked at the bolts of silk, a flash of satisfaction in his eyes. He reached out, accepted them, and nodded with a smile.

"Miss Ji, you are too kind. I will be sure to report this to the Empress exactly as it happened."

Ji Xiaosong turned slightly to the side and made a gesture of invitation, her voice gentle yet still impeccably polite:

"Eunuch, you must be tired from your journey. I will not keep you any longer. Allow me to see you off."

After speaking, she, along with Ji Xiaohua, Ji Dan, and Little He, bowed respectfully in unison.

The eunuch turned and left with his retinue of guards. Ji Xiaosong only straightened up slowly and let out a long sigh of relief after their figures had disappeared beyond the courtyard gate.

’I knew Wu Chufeng would give me a proper betrothal, but I never expected him to go so far as to request an imperial edict.’

Not long after, Wu Chufeng’s betrothal procession entered the city with great pomp and circumstance, causing the common people on the roadside to stop and stare.

Lines of household servants in neat uniforms were seen carrying heavy chests tied with red silk, making for an exceptionally festive sight.

The chests came one after another in a seemingly endless line, the procession stretching for an entire street.

"Heavens, whose betrothal gifts are these? Why are there so many chests?" a middle-aged woman exclaimed, her eyes wide.

"Haven’t you heard? It’s Wu Chufeng, the eldest son of the main line from the General Wu Mansion, presenting betrothal gifts to the Ji family!" a young man next to her said excitedly, his eyes filled with envy.

"The Ji family? Which Ji family? I’ve never heard of them," another woman asked in confusion.

"The Ji family that came from the countryside! I hear their eldest daughter, Ji Xiaosong, is quite the character. Even the eldest son of the General Wu Mansion is completely smitten with her!" the young man explained, his tone full of gossipy excitement.

"Tsk, tsk, the Ji family has really struck gold! With so many betrothal gifts, they’ll probably have enough to live on for several lifetimes!" the middle-aged woman clucked in amazement, her eyes filled with envy.

"Isn’t that the truth! Look at those chests, they’re so heavy. They must be filled with gold, silver, and jewels!" another man chimed in, a greedy glint in his eyes.

"Hey, what do you all think is so special about this eldest daughter of the Ji family that she’s so highly regarded by the eldest son of the General Wu Mansion?" a young woman asked curiously.

"I heard that not only is she as beautiful as a flower, but she’s also clever and quick-witted. Even the Empress sings her praises!" the young man said mysteriously, as if he had seen her with his own eyes.

"Really? The Empress praises her?" The middle-aged woman’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"How could it be fake? A eunuch from the palace just came to read an imperial edict granting them marriage!" the young man said smugly, as if he were the very eunuch who delivered the decree.

"Good heavens, the Ji family’s ancestral graves must be spewing green smoke!" the middle-aged woman lamented, her eyes full of envy.

"No kidding! The Ji family has really flown onto a branch and become a phoenix now!" another man chimed in, his tone tinged with sourness.

"Hey, do you think maybe the Ji family’s eldest daughter used some kind of trick to get the eldest son of the General Wu Mansion to value her so much?" a young woman muttered under her breath, a flash of jealousy in her eyes.

"Hush, don’t talk nonsense! If the General Wu Mansion were to hear you, it would be a disaster!" the middle-aged woman quickly covered the young woman’s mouth and warned in a low voice.

"Right, right, you can’t just say things like that!" the young man hurriedly agreed, a hint of nervousness in his eyes.

"Hey, look! Those chests look like they’re all made of mahogany, and they have flower carvings on them!" a sharp-eyed man pointed at the chests and said excitedly.

"You’re right! The General Wu Mansion is really going all out!" the middle-aged woman sighed, her eyes full of envy.