The beaded curtain in the front hall was lifted as Yi Zichuan walked in slowly under everyone’s gaze.
“W-Wang Ye…” The elders who had been aggressive moments earlier scrambled to their feet upon seeing Yi Zichuan, their voices tinged with panic.
Xia Jianxi, who had been hysterically straddling Xia Yuruo, raised her reddened eyes at the sound.
Seeing Xia Jianxi in such a state, Yi Zichuan couldn’t help but frown, his expression darkening. “The General’s Residence certainly has remarkable rules, allowing even my lifesaver to be bullied like this?”
Having been the General’s Madam for over a decade, Xia Madam had never endured such humiliation. She immediately rushed forward to embrace Xia Jianxi and erupted in fury: “You wretched creatures! Every one of you depends on the General’s Residence’s support to maintain your decent appearances, and now you dare to trample over us? Do you truly take us for pushovers?”
Seeing the situation turning ugly, Third Uncle hastily stood up. “This… this child has quite the temper. That wasn’t exactly what we meant…”
“I heard everything clearly earlier – these women were talking about white silk, suicide, and even questioning my mother’s credibility!” Yi Zichuan swept his gaze over the women who had spoken. “There’s no need to summon me now since I’m already here. If you have anything to say, why not ask me directly!”
As soon as Yi Zichuan finished speaking, everyone present turned pale. The women who had been clamoring earlier shut their mouths, not daring to utter another word.
Seeing everyone fall silent, Yi Zichuan glanced indifferently at Xia Yuruo before turning to Xia Jianxi. “Miss Xia seemed intent on cutting out her tongue earlier. Since Miss Xia is injured and shouldn’t exert herself, I can assist with that!”
“Mother, I… I…” Xia Yuruo panicked instantly, clutching Second Madam Xia’s arm and desperately trying to hide behind her.
Just as Xia Yuruo was about to burst into tears, Xia Maoshan, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. “What brings Wang Ye here?”
Yi Zichuan raised an eyebrow, understanding that Xia Maoshan wanted to prevent the situation from escalating further, and took the offered exit. “My mother obtained a Bao Lingzhi and insisted I deliver it to supplement Miss Xia’s health. I encountered His Majesty just as I was leaving, so I came to announce an imperial decree as well!”
Soon, a servant escorted Eunuch Cai, His Majesty’s most trusted eunuch, into the room.
Eunuch Cai blinked at the crowded room before asking quietly, “This is…”
“Eunuch Cai!” Xia Maoshan hurried forward. “My apologies for not greeting you properly, it’s just that…”
Understanding the situation after a quick glance, Eunuch Cai promptly said, “No matter. This old servant’s legs aren’t what they used to be and couldn’t keep up with Wang Ye. Your residence seems quite lively! I wonder if it’s convenient for you to receive the imperial decree now?”
“Of course, of course! It’s perfectly convenient!” Xia Maoshan assured quickly. “Please wait a moment while I have things tidied up!”
With the imperial palace’s arrival, even a fool wouldn’t dare cause trouble at such a critical moment. Everyone immediately rose to organize the space, terrified that the slightest misstep might cost them their heads.
Yi Zichuan looked at Xia Jianxi’s pale face and slightly furrowed his brow: “Why is Miss Xia always in such a sorry state every time I see her!”
“Fell victim to petty schemes, making Wang Ye laugh at my expense!” Xia Jianxi said softly. “But Wang Ye, how did reading imperial edicts become your task?”
“Since I was idle anyway, I just made the trip!” Yi Zichuan glanced at the people in the room and finally laughed, “I didn’t expect it to be so lively!”
When Yi Zichuan spoke these words, his voice was loud enough for everyone present to hear clearly.
Soon, the previously chaotic main hall was tidied up. Third Uncle, who had just been insisting on his seniority, now stood at the back, after all not daring to flaunt his authority before the imperial steward.
Yi Zichuan raised an eyebrow, then glanced at Eunuch Cai and took the imperial edict: “Since everyone is here, let us receive the decree!”
Those who had been coming daily to the General’s Residence under the pretext of visiting now had to kneel to receive this edict. In no time, the hall was filled with kneeling people.
Looking at the crowd, Yi Zichuan couldn’t help but laugh before reading: “There are so many people here, one might think the General’s Residence has such a flourishing family!”
Xia Jianxi, kneeling to one side waiting for Yi Zichuan to read the edict, couldn’t hold back a laugh at these sarcastic words.
Yi Zichuan glanced at Xia Jianxi, then declared: “By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Xia Maoshan’s only daughter, Xia Jianxi, dignified and virtuous, possessing heroic qualities, talented and virtuous in conduct, now of marriageable age. Yong’an Wang Shizi’s character falls short and is unworthy of this fine match. Xia Jianxi is permitted to annul the engagement and choose another marriage. Additionally bestowed with one hundred eighty loads of dowry to select a husband! So ordered!”
As soon as the edict was read, Xia Madam looked at Yi Zichuan with disbelief.
Yi Zichuan appeared completely unfazed, raising an eyebrow at Xia Maoshan: “General, will you not receive the decree?”
“Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!” Xia Maoshan immediately reached out to take the edict.
“By the way!” When Yi Zichuan placed the edict in Xia Maoshan’s hands, he looked up at the kneeling Xia clan elders. “Before I came, His Majesty specifically told me that it’s Yong’an Wang Shizi who is unworthy of Miss Xia, hence the dowry to compensate for her grievances. As for the Bingfu bestowed by the Late Emperor, that is Miss Xia Jianxi’s dowry. Aside from this young lady, His Majesty recognizes no one else!”
The clan elders’ faces grew increasingly grim, each wishing they could bury their faces in the floor tiles before them.
Eunuch Cai personally stepped forward to help Xia Maoshan and Xia Madam rise: “His Majesty had the Imperial Household Department prepare the one hundred eighty loads of dowry, which caused the delay of a few days. Little did we expect it would stir greed in others. If His Majesty knew, he would be greatly angered!”
Xia Madam’s eyes reddened slightly as she hurriedly stuffed the purse from her bosom into Eunuch Cai’s hands: “We’ve troubled you to make this special trip, Gonggong!”
Eunuch Cai accepted it generously, then had people bring in all the dowry.
Xia Jianxi watched as the clan elders frantically made excuses to explain themselves, her eyes filled with coldness.
“Miss, you weren’t anxious earlier – did you already know His Majesty would definitely allow you to break off the engagement?” Ting Wan whispered in Xia Jianxi’s ear.
Xia Jianxi’s gaze shifted slightly as she laughed softly: “His Majesty was certain to let me break off the engagement!”
“Why?”
“Because… I am the only daughter of the Duke of Protectorate Manor!” Xia Jianxi murmured as she watched the dowry being carried in.
It must be known that General Xia had guarded Hanyu for five years, with Xia Madam accompanying him at the military camp. It was during that time that Xia Jianxi was born.
Those years following the army were difficult. After giving birth, Xia Madam couldn’t properly recuperate in time, which left her with a cold ailment. Every month during her cycles, she would turn pale with pain, relying on medicinal soups to endure.
After consulting numerous physicians, all concluded that Xia Madam shouldn’t attempt childbirth again, as any mishap could easily claim both mother and child. Xia Maoshan and Xia Madam had been childhood sweethearts with an exceptionally deep bond. No matter how much Xia Madam pleaded, he refused to let her risk another pregnancy and declined to take a concubine. Consequently, even after passing forty, Xia Maoshan had only one daughter.
The Xia clan elders had repeatedly intervened, sometimes urging Xia Maoshan to take a concubine, other times pressing Xia Madam to bear another child—always repeating that adage: “There are three forms of unfilial conduct, but to have no heir is the greatest.”
Yet Xia Maoshan remained resolute, refusing all advice and treating his wife and daughter as precious pearls to be cherished.
Some envied Xia Madam for finding such a devoted husband, while others whispered that General Xia had wisely retreated from power, using his lack of an heir to secure his family’s prosperity.
A brave military commander without a son—what a gift from the ancestors for the Emperor!
“Since the young lady knows this, why bother giving them face by proving your innocence?” Shi Wei couldn’t help cursing when recalling those elderly women’s aggressive behavior earlier.
Xia Jianxi cast a cold glance toward Xia Yuruo and her mother cowering in the corner and sneered, “Some people need to be made to abandon their hopes, don’t they?”