newbobooks Chapter 66 Qin Wan is betrothed
Chapter 66 Qin Wan is betrothed
Qin Wan became more and more excited as she thought about it. She had exchanged most of her jewelry for silver, and the silver she had saved was enough for her and Wan Shuang to live on.
While we can't live a life of luxury, we can at least make sure we don't go hungry.
Everything is ready now, and she has even selected several places she wants to go. All that's left is to find an opportunity to leave the Marquis's mansion and completely sever ties with it.
If His Majesty truly intends to bestow a reward today, wouldn't this be a perfect opportunity?
Qin Wan's heart pounded. She stepped forward and knelt down again. "It is already my good fortune that Your Majesty has not blamed me for my amateurish attempt in front of Your Majesty and the officials. I dare not even think of any reward!"
"Hahaha... Miss Qin's calligraphy is unmatched by anyone here. How can this be considered showing off your limited skills before an expert? Tell me, what reward do you want?" Emperor Xiao leaned forward slightly.
He had tried to copy these characters before, but they were all inferior to what Qin Wan wrote today.
Upon hearing Emperor Xiao's words, Qin Wan's heart trembled violently. She had been waiting for him to ask: What reward do you want?
"Your Majesty, I thank you. I dare not speak presumptuously, but I do have something on my mind, and I beg Your Majesty's permission!" After saying this, Qin Wan bowed her body, her heart pounding in her throat.
As long as His Majesty grants her permission to sever all ties with the Marquis's mansion, then whether she stays in Fengdu City or wanders the world with Wanshuang, the Marquis's mansion will have no say in her affairs.
Whether Su Yan'er becomes the daughter-in-law or the daughter of the Marquis's family, it has nothing to do with her anymore.
Her parents and her brothers can do whatever they want with their affections; it's none of her business anymore.
Qin Wan suppressed her excitement, as if a bright future was beckoning to her.
However, Shen Siyi, standing to the side, had the exact opposite feeling to Qin Wan.
Shen Siyi was filled with worry. She knew that Qin Wan liked Xiao Jingyu. Just now, Qin Wan said that she had something on her mind. Could it be related to Brother Jingyu?
She knew that Qin Wan, that bitch, still had feelings for Brother Jingyu.
What if Qin Wan's reward is marrying Brother Jingyu?
Shen Siyi panicked a little. She and Xiao Jingyu were only betrothed by imperial decree and were not yet engaged.
If Qin Wan were to propose to Brother Jingyu at this moment, and His Majesty did not refuse, wouldn't she become the laughingstock of the entire capital?
No, we can't do that.
Shen Siyi looked up at Empress Shen, her eyes pleading for help, as if to say: Aunt, stop her!
The hearts of the Qin family members in the audience were also gripped with anxiety. His Majesty had said that the reward was already a favor, yet she still wanted to specify what other reward to give. How audacious!
If the reward she asks for is something excessive, it might affect the entire Marquis's reputation in His Majesty's eyes.
Qin Ye kept staring at Qin Wan, his brows furrowed, trying to give her a warning through his eyes, but Qin Wan didn't even glance at him.
This includes all members of the Qin family in the audience.
Emperor Xiao was also curious about what Qin Wan had offered to say. "Oh, I wonder what Miss Qin is thinking? Tell me!"
Upon hearing this, Qin Wan remained kneeling but straightened up. "Your Majesty, this humble woman..."
"Your Majesty, Miss Qin's calligraphy is powerful and penetrating, and she certainly deserves a reward, but has Your Majesty forgotten something?" Empress Shen interrupted Qin Wan.
With an even louder voice, Qin Wan's words were drowned out in the hall.
Immediately, Qin Wan felt uneasy. Just as she was about to speak again, Emperor Xiao said, "If the Empress hadn't mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten!"
Then, Emperor Xiao looked at Qin Wan kneeling below and continued, "Miss Qin, the so-called reward has been prepared by me, Eunuch Qiu!"
"Yes!" Eunuch Qiu replied.
Everyone was very curious and began to guess what the Emperor had prepared as a reward.
However, Qin Wan did not want any reward; she only wanted His Majesty's permission to leave the Marquis's residence.
Qin Wan lowered her eyes. This was the main hall; if she were to publicly humiliate His Majesty, it would likely bring unnecessary trouble. But this was her only chance...
Just as Qin Wan was pondering, Eunuch Qiu stepped forward, holding an imperial edict in his hand.
"Qin Wan, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Pingding, accept the imperial decree!"
Upon hearing this, Qin Wan knelt down on the ground, puzzled as to what kind of reward required an imperial edict.
The next second, they heard Eunuch Qiu read the announcement.
By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
My fifth son, Xiao Jingyan, is honest and upright. My fourth daughter, Qin Wan, is virtuous, respectful, and possesses both talent and virtue. Their union is ordained by Heaven. Therefore, I hereby bestow this marriage upon them. An auspicious day shall be chosen for the ceremony. By Imperial Decree!
These words caused an uproar in the audience.
Suddenly called upon, Xiao Jingyan quickly swallowed the last bite of pastry in his mouth. Perhaps he swallowed too quickly, because he choked and struggled to swallow for a long time before his complexion returned to normal.
Qin Wan froze on the spot. She had been betrothed, which meant she could not ask for any other rewards today.
This also means that she could not leave the Marquis's residence before her marriage, otherwise it would be considered disobeying the imperial decree and would result in her being beheaded.
Qin Wanxin felt utterly devastated and remained in shock for a long time.
It turns out that His Majesty specifically instructed her yesterday to attend the palace banquet today for this very reason.
Regardless of whether or not she had the opportunity to perform, she couldn't escape being betrothed this time.
"Miss Qin, receive the imperial decree!" Eunuch Qiu reminded Qin Wan, who had not yet responded.
Qin Wan raised her eyes, which were already red. It was rare for someone to be granted a marriage in the main hall, and she had no choice but to accept the decree.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!"
Holding the imperial edict in his hand was like holding a hot potato; he wanted to throw it away but dared not.
The crowd below began to congratulate the Qin family, but they couldn't see a trace of joy on their faces; even their smiles seemed forced.
Shen Siyi finally breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Qin Wan accept the imperial decree and leave the stage.
Now that Qin Wan has been betrothed, she can no longer have any designs on Brother Jingyu, not even as a concubine.
Xiao Jingyu, seated at the head of the table, clenched his fists. He was unaware that Qin Wan had been betrothed to someone else.
He was prepared. If Qin Wan had said just now that she wanted to marry him as a concubine, he would have agreed. He had already planned to marry both the principal wife and the concubine on the wedding day. But now Qin Wan was no longer his.
Xiao Jingyu was unwilling, but he didn't have the courage to stop this arranged marriage, after all, he wasn't even the crown prince anymore.
The banquet continued, and Qin Wan sat down with the imperial edict in her hand, unable to shake off the feeling for a long time.
Shen Siyi sat in front of Qin Wan, her secret joy already showing on her face.
"Congratulations, Miss Qin! After we both marry into the royal family, you'll still have to call me sister-in-law!" Shen Siyi said with a sly smile. "Why don't you say it first and let me hear it!"
"Get out!" Qin Wan said in a low voice, her cold and sharp eyes startling Shen Siyi.
"Hmph, don't be so arrogant. The imperial decree for this marriage has been issued, and your marriage to that fool is settled. If you dare to covet Brother Jingyu again, I'll make you pay!" Shen Siyi threatened as a final remark.
She was initially furious, but when she glanced at Xiao Jingyan sitting behind Xiao Jingyu, the thought of Qin Wan marrying that fool in the future calmed her anger somewhat, and replaced it with a mocking smile.