vrcanaries Chapter 402 Bad News
Chapter 402 Bad News
Although a subject's marriage does not require notification to the emperor, Duke Xiao still submitted a memorial to the emperor before proposing marriage.
Emperor Cheng was not very willing to allow military generals to marry each other. In the past, it was fine when military generals did not govern, but now that he wanted military generals to gradually return to the court, he had some reservations.
Despite his fear, he couldn't show any intention to suppress or be wary of military generals now that he wanted to support them, otherwise he would give the civil officials an opening to exert pressure.
Therefore, even though he was unwilling, he had no choice but to agree and order the Imperial Household Department to send congratulatory gifts.
"On the day of our wedding, I bestowed titles upon them separately." Emperor Cheng sighed with a smile, "In the blink of an eye, the children have reached marriageable age. When I close my eyes, it's as if they are running right in front of me."
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty." Xiao Zhan was relieved that the emperor had agreed. He was already so old that once his grandson's marriage was settled, he had no other worries.
As soon as he left, Emperor Cheng's face hardened. He needed military generals to resist the Great Liang, but he still needed to restrain future military generals.
This requires a future monarch with an iron fist.
Chen'er is the most suitable. As for Che'er, although he is intelligent, he is too young and has no foundation in the court. Once he takes the throne, he will not be able to control this group of old ministers.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
When the marriage proposal arrived at the Lin family home, Mrs. Lin was busy preparing. Because of her daughter's marriage, Mrs. Lin looked radiant, as if she had a renewed hope for life.
At noon, Shen Li was invited to a teahouse by Lin Wan'er. Upon meeting her, Shen Li complained, "I work inside the Meridian Gate, so it's not easy for me to come out. You'd better have something important to say."
"It's very important." Lin Wan'er placed the sword she always carried on the table and looked at her seriously: "Tell me, how did you do that?"
"What?" Shen Li asked, puzzled. "You mean your marriage? I didn't do anything."
"Why has the emperor suddenly started paying attention to military generals and border defense?" Lin Wan'er looked into her eyes: "I don't believe it has nothing to do with you."
She had been worried about this for several years. She had won several great battles, but the emperor had not responded. No matter what she did, the emperor did not take any action. Unexpectedly, he suddenly changed his mind and even let her participate in the selection of military officers.
"Well, that does have something to do with me, but I can't reveal the secret to everyone. You'll have to guess for yourself," Shen Li said with a smile, keeping everyone in suspense.
It's best not to publicize the Red Lotus Cult.
"It really is you." Lin Wan'er felt a little relieved, but was even more puzzled: "What is your brain made of? How come everything becomes so easy for you?"
“My husband is intelligent,” Shen Li whispered.
"Come on, I won't be envious this time." Lin Wan'er's icy face broke into a smile as she said this: "The Emperor has set the date for the wedding, three months from now."
"Congratulations!" Shen Li said sincerely.
She had waited two lifetimes for this person, and finally, her wish had come true.
Lin Wan'er rested her chin on her hand and said, "How come our lives have suddenly become so good? It all feels like a dream."
She often dreams that she is still in the deep palace, and after waking up she has to repeatedly confirm that her current situation is not a dream.
Shen Li nodded. She used to have those kinds of dreams too, but when she woke up, Gu Chang'an would comfort her time and time again. Now she had enough security and was no longer afraid.
As the two were talking, they saw a galloping horse on the street. Lin Wan'er opened the window and saw the deputy generals of the three major camps reining in their horses in front of the teahouse.
The lieutenant jumped off his horse and quickly ran into the teahouse.
"They must be looking for me. I'll go out." Lin Wan'er still didn't want anyone to see her meeting with Shen Li.
Although a thorough investigation would reveal that her friendship with Shen Li was no secret, being caught talking about it is a different matter entirely.
Shen Li didn't stop her, but instead picked up her teacup and slowly sipped her tea.
Then she heard Lin Wan'er encounter the adjutant in the corridor outside the door. The adjutant said, "General, General Xiao fell seriously ill on the way back and is now unconscious."
"What did you say?" Lin Wan'er asked in shock.
"Clatter!" Shen Li's teacup fell to the ground without her noticing.
Although she and Lin Wan'er were both reborn, they still did not know beforehand that Xiao Qi in his previous life had died several years ago.
Is it still impossible to escape fate?
"Why was there no news before? How could General Xiao, who is in such good health, suddenly fall into such a serious illness?" Lin Wan'er asked.
"This humble general is unaware, but this is indeed the first letter."
"I'm going to see him now," Lin Wan'er said as she left.
"Wan'er".
The door to the private room opened, and Shen Li stood in front of it, calling out to her and shaking her head.
Military officers are different from civil officials. Disobeying orders and leaving the capital without permission is a major taboo, and it may even implicate the entire Lin family afterwards.
Lin Wan'er calmed down and stood there trying to think of a solution.
“I will immediately return to the manor and ask Physician Zou to come over. You go to the palace to submit a memorial requesting permission to leave the city. His Majesty will not make things difficult for you,” Shen Li spoke first.
She had already figured out the best course of action in her room.
"Okay." Lin Wan'er wiped the tears from her face, turned around and strode away.
"Peony, go and inform the master." Shen Li said, then whispered something else in her ear.
"Yes," Peony replied and went to do so.
"Lianqiao," Shen Li said, her voice even softer.
The two maids were sent away, and Shen Li quickly went downstairs alone, instructing the coachman to drive back to the Gu Mansion, while ordering several servants to go to the brothel to find someone.
She wasn't sure where the old man was, so the quickest way was to cast a wide net. Of course, she also had to find someone to notify her mother so that her mother could go to the Duke's mansion and keep it a secret from her grandfather.
My grandfather is old and can't withstand such a blow.