MYUFPC CHAPTER 32
There was a hint of sternness and sharpness between his brows
Emperor Zhanghe ordered Chen Gong (Eunuch Chen) to personally deliver the imperial edict for the marriage between Zhan Yue and Jiashan, directly to the Duke of Anguo’s residence. As Chen Gong was now a senior eunuch and had served the Emperor for many years, he was treated with great respect by everyone in the Duke of Anguo’s household.
Upon hearing that Chen Gong (Eunuch Chen) had come to deliver the imperial edict, the Duke of Anguo, thinking it was for the marriage of his eldest grandson, Zhan Shaoying, to the second daughter of the Marquis of Qi Le, immediately summoned his eldest son, eldest daughter-in-law, and Zhan Shaoying.
The entire family was eager to receive the imperial edict.
Although the Duke of Anguo was quite old, he was far from senile. He knew that after Zhan Shaoying's failed marriage proposal, he had to choose a marriage that would bring the greatest benefit to their family among the many possibilities.
Zhan Shaoying was his eldest grandson, and there was a natural preference for the eldest grandson in their family. Moreover, Zhan Shaoying was quite knowledgeable about official documents, and if he could catch the emperor's eye in the future, he would surely bring great honor to the family. The emperor's willingness to grant him a marriage was a great face for Zhan Shaoying.
The Duke of Anguo had not expected that the emperor would personally send Chen Gong for such a matter. How much did the emperor value his grandson?
The Duke of Anguo, Zhan Tai, and Zhang Shi all wore joyous expressions. The Duke of Anguo went forward to greet Chen Gong, saying, "Eunuch Chen, why have you come personally? Please, take a seat."
Chen Gong's gaze swept across the faces of the Duke of Anguo and the others. Seeing that everyone except Zhan Shaoying looked overjoyed, he couldn't help but smile and say, "Duke, you're too kind. I don't deserve such treatment."
"Is Zhan Yanqing Daren here?" Chen Gong asked, noticing that Zhan Yue was not present. "Please ask the Duke to call him out."
Zhang Shi and Zhan Tai's expressions stiffened. The two exchanged a glance, and there was a hint of unspoken vigilance in their eyes. A complex hatred flashed in Zhang Shi's eyes.
The Duke of Anguo was more composed. His expression remained unchanged as he said, "Eunuch Chen, please wait a moment. I'll have someone call him."
He paused for a moment, observing, "Has my son committed any offenses in the palace?"
Chen Gong smiled and shook his head. "Zhan Daren is a diligent official and rarely makes mistakes. Duke, you can rest assured."
Upon hearing this, the Duke of Anguo became even more uneasy.
Seeing that Chen Gong was still standing, he personally invited him to sit down.
After a moment of thought, the Duke of Anguo looked at Chen Gong and said, "Eunuch Chen, did you come because of my son?"
Chen Gong smiled and nodded. "Yes. I must first congratulate the Duke. Your fourth son will surely bring great honor and glory to your family in the future."
Honor and glory? The Duke of Anguo smiled faintly.
Thinking of Zhan Yue, he felt inexplicably annoyed for no reason.
Zhan Yue was his most outstanding son, there was no doubt about it. Among his four sons, Zhan Tai was mediocre, Zhan Song had died young, and there was another son, Zhan Heng, who was a good-for-nothing. To put it bluntly, in terms of both civil and military abilities, Zhan Yue could defeat Zhan Heng with just one finger.
Of all his children, it was only Zhan Yue who was most favored by the emperor. The Duke of An Guo even felt that the emperor liked Zhan Yue more than he liked him.
Otherwise, why would he have specially sent Chen Gong for Zhan Yue's matter today?
But whenever he thought of Fu Shi and how his daughter-in-law had lost that child, Jia Shi had once said to him, "I'm afraid our fourth son has never forgotten the Fu Shi, and perhaps he still resents you, Duke."
The Duke of Anguo's expression turned complex, and he no longer had his initial composure.
Chen Gong turned to look at Zhan Shaoying. Seeing that though Zhan Shaoying's face was pale, his sword-like brows and starry eyes still made him look like a handsome young man, he took the initiative to say, "The eldest young master is indeed a man of outstanding talent. It's no wonder that at such a young age, your reputation has already spread far and wide."
His words were a polite compliment, but Zhang Shi and Zhan Tai were both secretly pleased. Zhan Tai smiled slightly, "Eunuch Chen is too kind. I'm merely a man of modest talent, how can I be said to have a far-reaching reputation?"
"Young people can't handle too much praise," Zhan Tai said.
Chen Gong smiled.
At this moment, Zhan Yue finally arrived.
Dressed in a golden armor guard uniform, his black hair tied up, and his long eyebrows slanted into his temples, his deep-set features were both clean and heroic. Almost instantly, he outshone Zhan Tai and the others. Even though Zhan Shaoying had a slight age advantage, he was like a small tree compared to a towering pine, and the difference was obvious.
Chen Gong couldn't help but think to himself, "No wonder the princess didn't like Zhan Shaoying but agreed to marry him." He smiled, "Zhan Daren, I greet you."
Zhan Yue replied, "Eunuch Chen, you flatter me."
Chen Gong looked at him calmly, "Please listen to the imperial edict, Zhan Daren."
Zhan Yue lifted his robe and knelt.
The Duke of Anguo was startled, and then everyone else knelt down one by one.
Chen Gong read out the imperial edict for Zhan Yue's marriage without changing his expression. Then, he took out another imperial edict, which stated that Zhan Yue was to temporarily take up the position of a military judge of the five amries.
Zhang Shi and Zhan Tai were both shocked, and even the Duke of Anguo didn't react for a long time, let alone Zhan Shaoying.
His face turned red and white alternately. He felt that Chen Gong's previous words were a slap in his face. To say that he had a "far-reaching reputation," but the princess didn't like him, and even the Emperor was only willing to bestow the daughter of the Marquis of Qi Le upon him.
On the other hand, his fourth uncle, who had been silent, not only got a beautiful bride but was also appointed to the military judge of the five amries by the Emperor. Who was it, really, who had a far-reaching reputation at such a young age?
These words, were they truly directed at him?
Zhan Shaoying's face darkened slightly. He pursed his lips, his eyes filled with bloodshot redness, and his gaze was filled with sarcasm.
Only Zhan Yue remained calm and composed. He smiled slightly, his thin lips curved upwards, "I thank you, Eunuch Chen, for personally making this trip for my sake."
"Zhan Daren, you words really flatter this slave," Chen Gong said. "Please report to the Five Military Governor's office to take up your official duties in seven days."
Zhan Yue replied, "Yes."
When the Duke of Anguo and the others heard Chen Gong refer to himself as a "slave" to Zhan Yue, they felt as if a snowflake had floated into their hearts, and it was suddenly very cold. Although Chen Gong was a humble person, he was after all the most powerful eunuch. Even in front of the Emperor, he could call himself a "subject," yet he called himself a "slave" to Zhan Yue.
Zhang Shi's gaze towards Zhan Yue and Chen Gong changed instantly.
Chen Gong clearly had no time to notice her. He said to the Duke of Anguo, "Duke, as an old minister who has served two emperors, you must be aware of the many rules regarding imperial marriages."
"His Majesty has set the date for the wedding on the eighth day of the second lunar month next year, less than half a year from now. Please ask Duke and Old lady to prepare for all the necessary arrangements."
The Duke of Anguo's entire face froze in a smile. He nodded and said, "Yes."
The reactions of the Duke of Anguo's household were quite different from what Chen Gong had expected. Chen Gong, a shrewd man, didn't dare ask anything directly. Instead, he observed and considered whether he should return to the palace and report this to His Majesty or tell the Eldest Princess.
After exchanging a few more polite words with the Duke of Anguo and Zhan Yue, Chen Gong took his leave.
As soon as he left, the Duke of Anguo's residence was as if a pot had been stirred.
First, the Duke of Anguo took the imperial edict and examined it carefully. Seeing that it indeed stated that Zhan Yue was to marry the princess, his eyes became as hazy as a wisp of smoke.
He looked at Zhan Yue and said with a sarcastic smile, "Shouldn't you give me an explanation?"
Zhan Yue sat in a grandmaster's chair, took a sip of tea, and said indifferently, "The edict is in your hands, and this is His Majesty's decision. Why do you need an explanation from me?"
"You dare!" The Duke of Anguo was so furious that he almost threw the edict at Zhan Yue.
Hearing this, Zhan Yue raised his head lightly. His expression was calm, but there was a hint of sternness and sharpness between his brows.
The Duke of Anguo couldn't help but pause. He pursed his lips and said, "The Eldest Princess was originally intended to be married to Ying'er. What is the meaning of this?"
Zhan Yue's gaze swept casually over Zhan Tai, Zhang Shi, and Zhan Shaoying. He smiled, his voice tinged with a lazy nonchalance, "You're absolutely right."
"Originally, it was planned to be betrothed to Shaoying," Zhan Yue enunciated each word clearly. His voice was low and husky, his eyes and brows carrying a moonlit coolness. "Why don't you go ask His Majesty? Ask him why he changed his mind."
The Duke of Anguo frowned at him.
Zhan Yue's eyes were as clear as spring water, yet as cold as an ice pond. He said, "Even a lowly bastard like me is worthy of the Emperor agreeing to marry his princess, so why does His Majesty look down on your most favored eldest grandson?"
Zhan Yue stood up, his gaze slightly lifted as he met the Duke of Anguo's eyes. There was no trace of retreat in his gaze. He smiled slightly and said, "I find it strange too."
"You insolent brat!" The Duke of Anguo's face turned red with anger. Zhan Tai stepped forward to support him and said softly, "Father, please sit down first. Be careful not to hurt yourself over the fourth brother's matter."
"Shizi (Heir to the Duke of Anguo mension) should be more careful with his words," Zhan Yue glanced at him, his expression indifferent. "If this gets out, everyone in the household might really think that the Duke is unwell due to worrying about my affairs."
"That's too serious a charge for me to bear," Zhan Yue said with a mocking smile.
Zhan Tai pursed his lips.