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墨書 Inktalez
In the Duke Zhongyuan's residence, Gu Wan Ning knelt with the others, respectfully awaiting the eunuch to announce the imperial decree.
By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor's edict proclaimed that Gu Wan Ning, daughter of Duke Gu Changqing, known for her gentle and virtuous nature, was to be bestowed upon the Second Prince, Pei Zhi Rui, as his legitimate wife. A propitious date for their wedding would be chosen. Thus it is decreed!
The decree struck Gu Wan Ning like a thunderclap, leaving her stunned and motionless for a long time.
"Miss..."
Hong Ling lowered her head to look at Gu Wan Ning and then reached out to support her, gently reminding her.
"Eunuch, could it be a mistake?"
After a long silence, Gu Wan Ning rose, remaining in place as she incredulously questioned.
"The old servant congratulates you; from now on, you will be the Second Prince's consort," the eunuch replied.
Gu Wan Ning felt lost and overwhelmed. Tears welled in her eyes, impossible to suppress as she struggled to accept this sudden marriage decree.
The eunuch handed the decree to Hong Ling, received his reward, and departed.
"What should we do, Miss?" Hong Ling asked anxiously.
With the eldest young lady missing and both Master and Young Master away at the border, what were they to do?
Since receiving the marriage decree, Gu Wan Ning had stayed in Qiushui Courtyard, weeping daily.
Hong Ling placed lunch on a small table and glanced at Gu Wan Ning, who sat by the window in a daze. She sighed softly.
"Miss, lunch is ready; you should at least eat something. If this continues, before the eldest young lady returns, you might fall ill."
Gu Wan Ning did not turn around but replied faintly, lost in her thoughts.
Stepping out of the door, Hong Ling called out, "Yin Sha! Are you there?"
Yin Sha appeared before Hong Ling with a swift movement. Hong Ling shot her an annoyed glance as if it were routine.
"Miss hasn’t eaten again today. Why don’t you go to King Jing’s residence and see if there’s any news?"
With no other choice, Hong Ling had to send Yin Sha to the Jing Wang Manor again. The last time she left, it almost cost the young lady her life when she was nearly trapped by a raging fire, which was a serious dereliction of duty on her part. If I don’t go, perhaps we should let Xiang Ling make the trip; she has been there before, and the people in the manor recognize her.
The fire at Xue Zhu Courtyard had frightened Yin Sha so much that she defied orders and insisted on staying by Gu Wan Ning’s side every day to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
After pondering for a moment, Hong Ling shot Yin Sha a glare. "Don’t you have any communication signals among the guards?"
"Communication signals sometimes don’t work," Yin Sha replied. She understood what Hong Ling meant, but those signals weren’t always reliable. They could convey messages, but time was limited, and under special circumstances, they might not be very effective. Moreover, they could expose information to others.
Hong Ling was distressed and didn’t know what to do. She turned around and instructed Xiang Ling to make a trip to Jing Wang Manor.
As Xiang Ling stepped out of Qiu Shui Courtyard, Shi Zi Mo received the news and immediately rushed to Zhong Yuan Hou Manor.
"Hong Ling, where is Wan Ning?" Shi Zi Mo asked urgently as he strode into the courtyard.
Hearing the news of Gu Wan Ning being betrothed while he was at the inn had thrown him into a panic. He had just finished his lunch when he hurried over to Zhong Yuan Hou Manor.
"The young lady is in the inner room. Cousin, please talk to her. She hasn’t eaten all day, and I’m worried she won’t be able to handle it," Hong Ling said.
Seeing Shi Zi Mo arrive, Hong Ling’s eyes brightened for a moment before dimming again. He must have heard about the betrothal and come looking for the young lady. Given Wan Ning’s temperament, she definitely wouldn’t go with him.
Defying an imperial decree was a grave offense punishable by death; Wan Ning would never do such a thing.
Shi Zi Mo looked at the woman leaning against the window with her elbow propped up, his heart aching. Her complexion was pale, and in her light green gauze dress adorned with plum blossoms, her face appeared even more ashen.
"Wan Ning…"
Shi Zi Mo rushed over, his chest rising and falling slightly in agitation. Hearing about Gu Wan Ning’s betrothal had unsettled him so much that he hadn’t even finished his lunch before he made his way to Zhong Yuan Hou Manor.
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