Amidst the laughter and merriment, the Emperor’s dignified yet benevolent voice descended from above, clearly reaching every ear in the hall.
The entire hall fell silent in an instant.
Almost everyone’s gaze converged below the imperial steps.
Su Mingyue stood dazedly before the hall, dressed in a pale blue liuxian gown, over which she wore a moon-white gauze robe with wide sleeves. Her dark hair was half-loose, secured only in part by a coiled silver hairpin.
Outside the hall, the bright moon hung high; inside, candles blazed brilliantly…
In the interplay of light and shadow, her porcelain-white face appeared even more exquisitely painted!
Yet those almond-shaped eyes, which should have shimmered with charm, swept over the hall’s splendor with a cold sharpness that belied her youth—like a moon reflected in a deep, unfathomable icy pool.
Hiss…
Su Mingyue quickly pinched herself, forcing her mind back from the shock of rebirth.
She remembered this year’s Mid-Autumn palace banquet, when the Emperor had also invited her into the palace. He had spoken of rewarding her generously, yet on the spot, he had granted her an imperial marriage!
Liu Ying’s heart-piercing, bone-gnawing words still echoed in her ears.
Su Mingyue’s eyes widened with fury, her fists clenched so tightly they creaked.
She hated her own poor judgment!
She hated those beasts worse than animals for their heartless ingratitude! She hated them for repaying kindness with betrayal!
They were unworthy of being called human!
None of them deserved to live well!!
Hatred, rage, the wild joy of rebirth… surged like raging waves beneath her chest.
Su Mingyue shut her eyes tightly, swearing a blood oath in her heart—
Since heaven had taken pity, allowing her to live a second life…
Then she would repay tooth for tooth! Blood for blood!!
In this life, she would never again be a fish on the chopping block, at others’ mercy!!
Since Liu Ying and Xiao Yunhe were so deeply devoted to each other… then she would grant this pair of scumbag and slut their wish. She wanted to see if, in this life, they could still be as loving and harmonious as before?
She would watch how Liu Lingyi would face things once Liu Ying’s identity as a fake heiress was exposed!?
She would see how, without her dowry, that Liu Lingyi would coax her husband into moving out of the Pingyang Marquisate with her and their son Xiao Yunhe to establish their own household!?
She would witness how, in this life, without her pleading to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, Xiao Hongyi would manage to go to the border and become the renowned General Xiao!?
Hearing the words “imperial marriage grant,” Xiao Hongyi, certain that Su Mingyue would become his daughter-in-law, couldn’t help but curl his lips into a faint smile.
Though this Madam Su was an orphan, if the Emperor arranged her marriage, her dowry would surely be substantial!
Madam Liu was right—his uncle, Pingyang Hou, though unmarried, childless, and in poor health, confined to a wheelchair all day…
He was only twenty-six, a full decade younger than himself! How could he wait around to inherit his uncle’s title?
No, no!
He couldn’t keep waiting like this!
Once Madam Su’s dowry was in hand, he would listen to Madam Liu, move out of the Pingyang Marquisate, and establish his own household!
Without even considering how much dowry the Emperor would grant Su Mingyue, just the private assets she would bring into their main branch’s courtyard would be enough for him to set up his own estate!
Moreover, this Madam Su was now a favorite of the Emperor!
As long as she was willing to put in a good word for him, he certainly wouldn’t have to guard the city gates anymore!
Achieving merit and establishing a career was only a matter of time!
The smile on Xiao Hongyi’s face grew even brighter as he indulged in fantasies of the day he would be enfeoffed as a marquis, appointed as a minister, and bring glory to his family.
Xiao Yunhe frowned, stealing a glance at Liu Ying. Once the imperial edict for his marriage to Su Mingyue was issued, Ying’er would surely be heartbroken…
After all, she was a sister he had grown up with since childhood. If she still insisted on marrying no one but him, after he and Yue’er were wed, he would bring her into the household. Being able to protect her and ensure her a stable life would also fulfill her affection for him!
His face filled with worry, he straightened his collar, waiting only for the moment the Emperor would issue the decree to step forward and kowtow in gratitude for the immense favor.
Seeing Su Mingyue frozen, the Empress covered her lips with a light chuckle. “How could Your Majesty ask such a thing of a young lady in public!?”
“Look, Physician Su is so shy she can’t even speak!”
“However…” Her gaze shifted, drifting meaningfully toward Su Mingyue.
“This humble consort has heard that Physician Su has been staying at the Pingyang Marquisate and has long held affection for the eldest young master of the household…”
“That Xiao Yunhe remains unmarried to this day, and his parents are also quite satisfied with Physician Su as their future daughter-in-law!”
In her past life, the Empress had spoken these very words.
Back then, Su Mingyue’s cheeks flushed crimson, and she lowered her head in silent acknowledgment.
The Emperor, seeing this, immediately ordered paper and brush brought forth and personally wrote out the Imperial Marriage Grant decree.
“Oh? Physician Su actually favors the eldest young master of the Pingyang Marquisate?” The Emperor frowned slightly, looking thoughtfully at Su Mingyue.
That Xiao Yunhe was of mediocre talent, without achievements or merits, merely a commoner. How could he be worthy of Miss Su?
In a few breaths, the gazes of the entire hall once again fell upon Su Mingyue, some curious, others disdainful.
In her previous life, Su Mingyue had been immersed in the joy of soon marrying the one she loved, unaware of anything amiss.
But now, the more she pondered the Empress’s words, the more she felt they were ill-intentioned, deliberately trying to ruin her reputation!
Strange…
She had never offended the Empress before?!
Su Mingyue pondered silently.
She distinctly remembered that in her past life, it wasn’t until the palace banquet ended that she learned Liu Lingyi, favoring Liu Ying, had summoned her eldest daughter Xiao Yanning to the manor, bound her, and let Liu Ying enter the palace in her stead.
Superficially showing favoritism toward a niece, but secretly a deep mother-daughter bond, was that it?
Hah, since those two were so bold, she shouldn’t let their trip to the palace go to waste. They ought to show their faces before everyone, shouldn’t they…
Seeing the Emperor about to speak and issue the decree, Su Mingyue stepped forward first, prostrating herself on the ground and kowtowing heavily:
“Your Majesty, Your Highness the Empress, the Eldest Young Master Xiao and his cousin Liu Ying are deeply attached and have long pledged themselves to each other. This humble woman would never dare to hinder another’s marriage!”
“For the three years since coming to the capital, the reason this humble woman has stayed at the Pingyang Marquisate is solely due to a keen interest in Pingyang Hou’s illness, always seeking a method for its cure!”
“If Your Majesty and Your Highness do not believe, you may directly question Miss Liu Ying!”
Xiao Yunhe abruptly looked up.
He had always cherished his cousin Ying’er… but when had he and his cousin pledged themselves to each other?
His face showed astonishment, and a trace of annoyance surfaced between his brows.
Even if Yue’er had never liked cousin Ying’er… what kind of occasion was this? How could she allow herself to act so willfully and recklessly?!
It seemed he had been too indulgent with her usually!
…
As these words fell, the people in the hall instinctively glanced toward the Empress.
Before anyone could clearly see the Empress’s expression, a figure in goose-yellow hurried forward, directly kneeling and kowtowing:
“This subject’s daughter Liu Ying respectfully wishes His Majesty peace! Respectfully wishes Her Highness the Empress golden tranquility!”
“Every word Physician Su said is true! To preserve Physician Su’s pure reputation, this subject’s daughter is willing to testify on the spot. I beg Your Majesty and Her Highness to investigate clearly! I also beseech Your Majesty to grant your approval!”
Liu Ying prostrated on the ground, fine beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead, her heart already overflowing with resentment and jealousy.
Her grandfather was the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, a fourth-rank official, and her father was the Vice Chancellor of the Imperial Academy!
Not to mention that she was originally supposed to reside in the Pingyang Marquisate… The Liu family was renowned for its scholarly prestige, and her aunt had long intended for her to marry Brother Yunhe!
That Su Mingyue was merely an orphaned girl with no backing—why would her uncle prefer her as a daughter-in-law?
Since Su Mingyue had just spoken so boldly and even named her as a witness, she would seize this opportunity to finalize her marriage with Brother Yunhe!
Seeing Liu Ying actively stepping forward, Su Mingyue was surprised, but a faint, almost imperceptible mockery flickered in her eyes.
Did she truly believe that anyone was worthy of receiving an Imperial Marriage Grant?
Overestimating oneself… whether it would bring fortune or calamity remained to be seen!