#91 - Death Penalty

When Xu Ming arrived at the courtyard, all the commoners, except for the officials, knelt down to welcome the imperial decree.

Wei Xun, standing at the front, smiled when he saw Xu Ming coming and said, "Number One Scholar, please receive the decree."

Looking at Xu Ming, Wei Xun now clearly showed some respect and flattery.

If Wei Xun had only been observing Xu Ming from the sidelines before,

now Wei Xun had completely sided with Xu Ming.

After all, the future son of this man would be his future master.

Of course, if he could live to see that day.

"Ming receives the decree," Xu Ming said, stepping forward and bowing.

Wei Xun nodded in satisfaction, cleared his throat, and unfurled the golden imperial decree. His duck-like voice echoed throughout the courtyard—

[Imperial Edict.

I have heard that in the world, yin and yang complement each other, and men and women are suited for each other. This is the way of the Great Dao.

Now, my beloved daughter, Princess Zhaowen, is of marriageable age. She is of upright character, talented and beautiful, virtuous and kind, truly my pride.

I have also heard of Xu Ming of the Xu Manor, who is outstanding in learning, virtuous and talented, accomplished in both civil and military arts, and whose poetic talent is known throughout the world.

I obtained Xu Ming's birth date and sent it, along with Princess Zhaowen's birth date, to Heavenly Mystery City.

The City Lord of Heavenly Mystery City divined and calculated that Xu Ming and Princess Zhaowen are a match made in heaven.

I am greatly pleased and wish to make this a happy union to show my benevolence and strengthen the foundation of the country.

Therefore, I hereby issue this decree, bestowing marriage upon Xu Ming of the Xu Manor and my beloved daughter, Wu Yanhan. May the two of them be united in marriage, grow old together, have prosperous descendants, and have a flourishing family.]

When Wei Xun's words fell,

everyone looked at Xu Ming, their eyes full of envy.

If Xu Ming became the Imperial Son-in-Law, and His Majesty had only this one daughter, then the future Imperial Grandson, barring any accidents, would definitely be the Lord of the Wu Kingdom.

At that time, Xu Ming's status would be unimaginably high, not even "below one person, above ten thousand" would be enough to describe it.

However, Xu Ming becoming the Imperial Son-in-Law was also something that most people had expected.

After all, in Wudu, there had long been rumors about Xu Ming becoming the Imperial Son-in-Law.

It was just that when this matter really happened, it was still quite moving.

Xu Shuiyai, Xu Zheng, Qin Ruhai, and the like were very excited.

It's here!

The imperial decree had finally arrived!

They had long heard that His Majesty intended to betroth the Princess to Xu Ming. After all, the Princess was not young anymore, and now there was no heir to the throne, how could His Majesty not be anxious?

When Xu Ming became the Imperial Son-in-Law, and even Xu Ming's child became the Lord of the country,

how high would the status of the Xu and Qin families be? It was simply unimaginable!

The two concubines of the Xu Manor also looked at Chen Suya enviously.

This Chen Suya really gave birth to a good son.

However, they also hoped that Xu Ming would become the Imperial Son-in-Law.

After Xu Ming became the Imperial Son-in-Law, the titles of the Xu Manor might be increased.

However, Wang Feng, Madam Qin, Zhao Wenshan, and some other far-sighted people were worried about the Xu and Qin families.

Did these people really think that His Majesty was a fool, a great philanthropist?

It was impossible for His Majesty to watch the Xu and Qin families rise any further.

According to the nature of most of the disciples of the Xu and Qin families, to put it lightly, the Xu and Qin families were disgracing the Wu Kingdom's royal family.

To put it seriously, the disciples of the Xu and Qin families were recklessly indulging in pleasure, and it was uncertain whether they would harm the court at that time.

And after the imperial decree was issued, before Xu Ming and the Princess were married, the Xu and Qin families would definitely be purged!

Now, what they could pray for was that His Majesty would remember the old friendship, lower the titles, and disband the Xu and Qin families, and not kill them all.

On the other side,

as Xu Ming's mother, Chen Suya did not seem so happy that her son was about to become the Imperial Son-in-Law and reach the pinnacle of power.

Chen Suya looked at Xu Ming calmly, her eyes revealing worry.

Becoming the Imperial Son-in-Law, and also the Imperial Son-in-Law of the only Princess of the Wu Kingdom, and the future child would also be the Lord of the Wu Kingdom, no one could compare to this status.

But everything has two sides.

If Xu Ming became the Imperial Son-in-Law, then he would be a member of the royal family, and it was not easy to be a member of the royal family.

Rather than that, Chen Suya would rather Xu Ming marry an ordinary girl and live a simple life.

But the imperial decree had already been issued, and her Ming'er had no choice.

If he did not accept the decree, it would be equivalent to disobeying the imperial decree.

In the Wu Kingdom, except for the emergency situation of "Generals abroad are not bound by the emperor's orders", disobeying the imperial decree in other situations would result in beheading.

The others at the banquet were all looking at Xu Ming, waiting for Xu Ming to accept the decree.

But Xu Ming was still bending over and had not responded.

In Xu Ming's mind, he was still echoing Wei Xun's words.

Who is the princess?

What's her name?

Wu Yanhan?

"Could it be that you are not going to marry that Miss Ci Ci from the Qi Kingdom this time after being named on the Golden List?"

"Why are you suddenly bringing her up?"

"It's nothing, but did you know? It is rumored in the capital that after you participate in the Metropolitan Examination, you will become the Imperial Son-in-Law of the Wu Kingdom."

"Ah? There's such a thing?"

"Who knows? But if Emperor Wu bestows marriage, will you agree or not?"

"Is she pretty?"

"Prettier than that Zhu Ci Ci."

In Xu Ming's mind, Wu Yanhan's words to him at that time could not help but appear.

Xu Ming knew that Wu Yanhan's identity was unusual, and he also guessed that since Wu Yanhan's surname was "Wu", she was likely a member of the royal family.

But Xu Ming had never thought that she was the Princess of the Wu Kingdom. At most, he thought she was a disciple sent by some royal relatives to gain experience.

After all, who would have thought that Emperor Wu would send his only descendant into the military camp?

Moreover, this only Princess of the Wu Kingdom was still a Martial God Physique.

Xu Ming could not help but shake his head with a smile in his heart.

It seemed that his entry into the Blood Floating Pagoda and the Fourth and Eighth Battalion Camps, allowing him to come into contact with Wu Yanhan, was arranged by Emperor Wu from the beginning.

Did Xu Ming have a strong opinion of Emperor Wu? Not really.

He gave his only precious daughter to you, which was his greatest regard for you, even equivalent to handing over half of the country to you.

Although this was something that Emperor Wu could not help, because he only had one daughter.

But Emperor Wu, as a father, was indeed worthy of you.

But did Wu Yanhan know? Did she know that she was going to be betrothed from the beginning?

Or was Wu Yanhan also observing me, this "future husband", in the camp?

"Number One Scholar, accept the decree."

Wei Xun looked at Xu Ming, who had not accepted the decree for a long time, and smiled at Xu Ming.

Wei Xun could understand Xu Ming's daze.

Even though this Number One Scholar was talented and more mature than his peers, when he was named Number One Scholar and was also bestowed marriage as the Imperial Son-in-Law, such a great double blessing would make anyone doubt that they were dreaming.

Speaking of which, Xu Ming was really lucky. The day of being named on the Golden List and the day of the wedding night, two great happy events collided together.

"Ming'er, quickly accept the decree."

"Ming'er, accept the decree."

Beside Xu Ming, Xu Shuiyai and Xu Ming's father were more anxious than Xu Ming.

If they did not dare to touch the imperial decree, they would have snatched the imperial decree and stuffed it into Xu Ming's arms.

Xu Ming took a deep breath, straightened up, looked at Wei Xun, and bowed deeply again:

"Ming is guilty of a capital crime and will not accept the decree for the time being."

[There is one more chapter, I will post it when I finish writing it.]