Chapter 9: The Imperial Edict
"Not necessarily," Ming Jue said, voicing his own thoughts. He lowered his voice. "Even if His Majesty doesn’t favor the Crown Grandson, if this drags on and the mountain crumbles, the rightful heir by name is still the Crown Grandson."
"Even if that Rong Zhen manages to ascend the throne, who’s to say he’ll be able to hold onto it?" Liu Jun glanced around and, seeing no one nearby, spoke more freely. "Was His Majesty even the original heir back then? Didn’t he claw his way past all the other princes and seize the throne?"
Ming Jue had heard a thing or two about those past secrets. He chuckled. "That’s exactly the benefit of a good marriage. Didn’t His Majesty marry the daughter of a Grand Secretary who held great power? That’s how he smoothed his path—"
Before he could finish, Ming Wei, hiding behind the rockery, had already gone deathly pale, her body trembling violently, swaying on the verge of collapse.
When Tang Wan was mentioned nowadays, it was only as a crucial footnote in Rongduo’s rise to power. A general’s triumph built on countless bones—only when she, beaten and abandoned, had withered into dust beneath his throne, did his success shine all the brighter.
Ming Wei lowered her gaze to hide the emotions storming in her eyes. Her lips twitched into a silent, bitter smile.
"Ugh, it’s freezing!" Who knew how much time had passed before Ming Fang’s annoyed voice rang outside the rockery. "Hurry up and come out!"
Ming Wei rubbed her hands together, then pinched her cheeks until they flushed red before stepping out. She looked aggrieved. “Fourth Sister…”
Liu Jun and Ming Jue had left a while ago. Ming Wei had long since hidden every trace of the emotions she shouldn’t show, putting on the same calm mask she always wore. After being left alone in a freezing rockery for so long, a bit of pitifulness was entirely reasonable.
Ming Wei had understood Ming Fang’s purpose the moment she heard Liu Jun’s voice. Clearly, Ming Fang had planned to “coincidentally” run into Liu Jun. But she’d chosen the wrong spot—and likely hadn’t expected Ming Jue to be there too.
Ming Wei had been dragged along as a cover. If Ming Fang had left by herself or taken her maid, Ming Rong might grow suspicious. Bringing Ming Wei, who lacked charm and wasn’t seen as competition, was safer.
But Ming Fang had scouted the wrong place entirely—she went the opposite direction, and didn’t realize Liu Jun had appeared right in front of the rockery.
Disappointed at not meeting the person she hoped for, Ming Fang had little patience left. But seeing Ming Wei’s red-tipped nose and pitiful look, she didn’t scold her, only urged her to hurry back.
The two quickly made their way back. Just before reaching the covered walkway, Ming Fang threw Ming Wei a final warning: “If anyone asks, just say we went to the back to rest for a bit! If you dare say anything else—”
Ming Wei nodded like a pecking chick, not wanting to be involved at all.
Once they returned, Ming Fang had no more use for her and ignored her, going off to find familiar company. Ming Lian came to ask where she’d been. Ming Wei had just opened her mouth to respond when a delighted old maid rushed in, announcing:
“Old Madam, the Imperial Edict has arrived!”
Others were merely excited. But Ming Wei’s smile instantly froze.
“It’s the first time we’ve received an imperial decree!”
“The Old Madam really holds face with the Emperor!”
There were excited voices all around, chatter and laughter, but in Ming Wei’s ears, it was as if a wave had crashed over her, muting everything, deafening and drowning her at once.
Ming Jue and Liu Jun’s words had only lit the fuse. It was this edict from Rongduo that truly shattered the wall she had built around her heart.
It felt like dozens of hands were wrenching and tearing her heart. Hatred surged in her chest like a tidal wave. Ming Wei abruptly lowered her eyes to hide the venom burning in them. She was terrified that if anyone looked too closely, they’d see the truth she desperately needed to hide.
The Old Madam led everyone to the main hall. As a concubine-born daughter, Ming Wei could only kneel at the very back.
“By the Mandate of Heaven—” The eunuch’s sharp, thin voice sounded slightly more weathered than she remembered, but still unmistakable. His dazzling red court robe hurt the eyes with its brilliance.
“Wan-meimei, at least this can preserve your final shred of dignity—”
“His Majesty’s edict will be here any moment—”
“His Majesty’s command: the criminal woman of the Tang clan, receive the edict—”
A graceful female voice, overlaid with the still-youthful, sharp tone of a eunuch, echoed in her ears. Ming Wei could barely stay upright. Her entire body shook. The one delivering the edict was none other than Xiao Dezi, the very eunuch who had delivered her execution order thirty-six years ago. Today, people respectfully called him “Eunuch De.”
As for the contents of this congratulatory edict for the Old Madam’s birthday—Ming Wei heard none of it.
The past from thirty-six years ago unfolded before her eyes once again—Rongduo’s cold, merciless face, the loving smiles of her parents and elder brother and sister-in-law, the schemes of the other concubines…
Ming Wei bit her lower lip so hard that two thin lines of blood trickled down her chin.
While the others rejoiced over receiving the imperial decree, and the eunuchs presented an abundance of gifts from the Emperor, everyone in Chengping Marquis Manor basked in the glory of imperial favor. His Majesty had sent an edict to personally congratulate the Old Madam’s birthday—what an extraordinary honor.
Even if Rongduo’s true motive was to win over the old marquis stationed in the northwest, his gesture still felt impeccably thoughtful.
He had always been meticulous, never leaving a single flaw.
Ming Wei’s hatred surged to the point of madness. Even her fingertips trembled uncontrollably. Even after dying once, some things were still impossible to let go of. Her emotions warred against reason, dragging her into a spiral she couldn’t escape.
Standing nearby, Ming Lian was the first to notice something was wrong.
“Seventh Sister, are you unwell?” she asked in concern. Ming Wei was deathly pale, and there was even blood at the corner of her lips. “Your mouth…”
Meeting Ming Lian’s worried gaze, Ming Wei realized how badly she had lost control. She quickly forced her emotions down, took out a handkerchief to wipe her lips, and barely managed a smile.
“I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night, and today’s crowd made me a little dizzy,” she said dryly, afraid that Ming Lian would probe deeper.
Thankfully, Ming Lian didn’t press her. She only urged Ming Wei to go to the back and freshen up. There was still time before the banquet resumed, and no one would notice if a concubine-born daughter like Ming Wei was absent for a bit. Besides, Ming Wei was usually so quiet that her absence wouldn't raise eyebrows.
Ming Wei nodded hastily, declining Ming Lian’s offer to summon Tangli or the others. She slipped away alone toward a side room behind Rongshou Hall. The guests were all gathered in front, so the back was quiet and deserted.
As expected, only a few little maidservants without full hair buns were standing guard. Ming Wei waved them off and entered a side room in the southeast corner by herself.
She had thought dying once would help her let go of what couldn’t be let go, that she had learned to restrain herself. But overhearing those buried secrets in the rockery had already shaken her to the core. And now, Rongduo’s edict had utterly thrown her off balance. The poisonous pain seared her throat once again, clearer than ever.
Ming Wei raised a hand to her neck, then lifted her gaze toward the mirror.
The beautiful girl reflected back at her still felt unfamiliar, even after more than a month. It was only when she saw that face that she fully remembered—she had been reborn thirty-six years into the past. She was now a concubine-born daughter of the Chengping Marquis Manor.
In those delicate brows and eyes, she could vaguely see traces of Tang Wan.
Ming Wei gave a bitter smile.
Perhaps that’s what they meant when they said a person’s face reflected their heart.
Tang Wan had died thirty-six years ago.
The girl in the mirror was now only—Ming Wei.
"Even if that Rong Zhen manages to ascend the throne, who’s to say he’ll be able to hold onto it?" Liu Jun glanced around and, seeing no one nearby, spoke more freely. "Was His Majesty even the original heir back then? Didn’t he claw his way past all the other princes and seize the throne?"
Ming Jue had heard a thing or two about those past secrets. He chuckled. "That’s exactly the benefit of a good marriage. Didn’t His Majesty marry the daughter of a Grand Secretary who held great power? That’s how he smoothed his path—"
Before he could finish, Ming Wei, hiding behind the rockery, had already gone deathly pale, her body trembling violently, swaying on the verge of collapse.
When Tang Wan was mentioned nowadays, it was only as a crucial footnote in Rongduo’s rise to power. A general’s triumph built on countless bones—only when she, beaten and abandoned, had withered into dust beneath his throne, did his success shine all the brighter.
Ming Wei lowered her gaze to hide the emotions storming in her eyes. Her lips twitched into a silent, bitter smile.
"Ugh, it’s freezing!" Who knew how much time had passed before Ming Fang’s annoyed voice rang outside the rockery. "Hurry up and come out!"
Ming Wei rubbed her hands together, then pinched her cheeks until they flushed red before stepping out. She looked aggrieved. “Fourth Sister…”
Liu Jun and Ming Jue had left a while ago. Ming Wei had long since hidden every trace of the emotions she shouldn’t show, putting on the same calm mask she always wore. After being left alone in a freezing rockery for so long, a bit of pitifulness was entirely reasonable.
Ming Wei had understood Ming Fang’s purpose the moment she heard Liu Jun’s voice. Clearly, Ming Fang had planned to “coincidentally” run into Liu Jun. But she’d chosen the wrong spot—and likely hadn’t expected Ming Jue to be there too.
Ming Wei had been dragged along as a cover. If Ming Fang had left by herself or taken her maid, Ming Rong might grow suspicious. Bringing Ming Wei, who lacked charm and wasn’t seen as competition, was safer.
But Ming Fang had scouted the wrong place entirely—she went the opposite direction, and didn’t realize Liu Jun had appeared right in front of the rockery.
Disappointed at not meeting the person she hoped for, Ming Fang had little patience left. But seeing Ming Wei’s red-tipped nose and pitiful look, she didn’t scold her, only urged her to hurry back.
The two quickly made their way back. Just before reaching the covered walkway, Ming Fang threw Ming Wei a final warning: “If anyone asks, just say we went to the back to rest for a bit! If you dare say anything else—”
Ming Wei nodded like a pecking chick, not wanting to be involved at all.
Once they returned, Ming Fang had no more use for her and ignored her, going off to find familiar company. Ming Lian came to ask where she’d been. Ming Wei had just opened her mouth to respond when a delighted old maid rushed in, announcing:
“Old Madam, the Imperial Edict has arrived!”
Others were merely excited. But Ming Wei’s smile instantly froze.
“It’s the first time we’ve received an imperial decree!”
“The Old Madam really holds face with the Emperor!”
There were excited voices all around, chatter and laughter, but in Ming Wei’s ears, it was as if a wave had crashed over her, muting everything, deafening and drowning her at once.
Ming Jue and Liu Jun’s words had only lit the fuse. It was this edict from Rongduo that truly shattered the wall she had built around her heart.
It felt like dozens of hands were wrenching and tearing her heart. Hatred surged in her chest like a tidal wave. Ming Wei abruptly lowered her eyes to hide the venom burning in them. She was terrified that if anyone looked too closely, they’d see the truth she desperately needed to hide.
The Old Madam led everyone to the main hall. As a concubine-born daughter, Ming Wei could only kneel at the very back.
“By the Mandate of Heaven—” The eunuch’s sharp, thin voice sounded slightly more weathered than she remembered, but still unmistakable. His dazzling red court robe hurt the eyes with its brilliance.
“Wan-meimei, at least this can preserve your final shred of dignity—”
“His Majesty’s edict will be here any moment—”
“His Majesty’s command: the criminal woman of the Tang clan, receive the edict—”
A graceful female voice, overlaid with the still-youthful, sharp tone of a eunuch, echoed in her ears. Ming Wei could barely stay upright. Her entire body shook. The one delivering the edict was none other than Xiao Dezi, the very eunuch who had delivered her execution order thirty-six years ago. Today, people respectfully called him “Eunuch De.”
As for the contents of this congratulatory edict for the Old Madam’s birthday—Ming Wei heard none of it.
The past from thirty-six years ago unfolded before her eyes once again—Rongduo’s cold, merciless face, the loving smiles of her parents and elder brother and sister-in-law, the schemes of the other concubines…
Ming Wei bit her lower lip so hard that two thin lines of blood trickled down her chin.
While the others rejoiced over receiving the imperial decree, and the eunuchs presented an abundance of gifts from the Emperor, everyone in Chengping Marquis Manor basked in the glory of imperial favor. His Majesty had sent an edict to personally congratulate the Old Madam’s birthday—what an extraordinary honor.
Even if Rongduo’s true motive was to win over the old marquis stationed in the northwest, his gesture still felt impeccably thoughtful.
He had always been meticulous, never leaving a single flaw.
Ming Wei’s hatred surged to the point of madness. Even her fingertips trembled uncontrollably. Even after dying once, some things were still impossible to let go of. Her emotions warred against reason, dragging her into a spiral she couldn’t escape.
Standing nearby, Ming Lian was the first to notice something was wrong.
“Seventh Sister, are you unwell?” she asked in concern. Ming Wei was deathly pale, and there was even blood at the corner of her lips. “Your mouth…”
Meeting Ming Lian’s worried gaze, Ming Wei realized how badly she had lost control. She quickly forced her emotions down, took out a handkerchief to wipe her lips, and barely managed a smile.
“I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night, and today’s crowd made me a little dizzy,” she said dryly, afraid that Ming Lian would probe deeper.
Thankfully, Ming Lian didn’t press her. She only urged Ming Wei to go to the back and freshen up. There was still time before the banquet resumed, and no one would notice if a concubine-born daughter like Ming Wei was absent for a bit. Besides, Ming Wei was usually so quiet that her absence wouldn't raise eyebrows.
Ming Wei nodded hastily, declining Ming Lian’s offer to summon Tangli or the others. She slipped away alone toward a side room behind Rongshou Hall. The guests were all gathered in front, so the back was quiet and deserted.
As expected, only a few little maidservants without full hair buns were standing guard. Ming Wei waved them off and entered a side room in the southeast corner by herself.
She had thought dying once would help her let go of what couldn’t be let go, that she had learned to restrain herself. But overhearing those buried secrets in the rockery had already shaken her to the core. And now, Rongduo’s edict had utterly thrown her off balance. The poisonous pain seared her throat once again, clearer than ever.
Ming Wei raised a hand to her neck, then lifted her gaze toward the mirror.
The beautiful girl reflected back at her still felt unfamiliar, even after more than a month. It was only when she saw that face that she fully remembered—she had been reborn thirty-six years into the past. She was now a concubine-born daughter of the Chengping Marquis Manor.
In those delicate brows and eyes, she could vaguely see traces of Tang Wan.
Ming Wei gave a bitter smile.
Perhaps that’s what they meant when they said a person’s face reflected their heart.
Tang Wan had died thirty-six years ago.
The girl in the mirror was now only—Ming Wei.
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