Wei Dongling had been carefully examining the accounts in the Ministry of Revenue for ten solid days, while Uncle Li and his men had been raiding mansions for eight consecutive nights. The number of officials under investigation was countless, causing panic and unease in the court.
Li Mingyang couldn't sit still any longer. His influence in the capital had been almost completely shattered, and he could no longer stir up any big waves. He secretly and openly sent people into the palace to convey messages to Murong Wanlin, but all the letters vanished without a trace.
Finally, one night, he happened to encounter Uncle Li leading a group of people back to the palace after a mansion - raid. When they reached the palace gate, Li Mingyang hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects and repeatedly inquired about the well - being of the Fifth Princess. He asked if her injuries had healed and when he could be arranged to meet her.
Yu Mo was about to step forward and beat up the Xiliang prince and throw him out, but Uncle Li waved his hand to stop him. He coldly replied to Li Mingyang, "The Fifth Princess once said that she would see you only when Xiliang becomes a vassal and pays tribute."
These words left Li Mingyang standing still on the spot, stunned for a long time. His attendant beside him angrily said, "It's impossible for Xiliang to become a vassal and pay tribute!"
Uncle Li didn't answer. He led the group away with a swagger.
After that, Li Mingyang didn't stay any longer. He slunk back to Xiliang in disgrace.
Wei Dongling was overjoyed, hugging the account books. Murong Xuan said worriedly, "We've dismissed so many officials in a row these days. Not only are there many official positions vacant, but the court is also in a state of panic. This can't go on like this!"
Wei Dongling waved her hand and said, "Lord Shen, the right - supervising censor, had many students back then. You can ask him for some people to promote. Also, from the side of the Grand General Protecting the State, you can symbolically promote a few to comfort the army. And as for the people around me, just tell me if you take a fancy to anyone."
Murong Xuan's eyes lit up as he looked around. Luo Xunlong, Yu Haiming, Jingzhe, and Pin Hao all shrank their necks back in unison and pretended not to hear Wei Dongling's words.
Wei Dongling said speechlessly, "Getting promoted and receiving the imperial salary is such a great thing. Why are you all hiding? It's not like I'm asking you to go to the battlefield to kill people!" Especially Pin Hao, why are you shrinking back? Do you plan to be a servant in the prince's mansion forever?
Pin Hao: I'm very busy. After the little prince is born, I'll be busy changing his diapers!
Luo Xunlong stepped back again and again and said speechlessly, "Why don't you just let us go to the battlefield?" He had to sit properly in the court every day and listen to those old officials rambling on and on. His ears were getting calloused, and his buttocks were almost getting hemorrhoids.
Wei Dongling: ……
Luo Xunlong then said, "By the way, I have something to do tomorrow and can't attend the court. You figure out an excuse to cover for me."
Murong Xuan had a headache and said, "It's so chaotic these days, and you still find an excuse not to attend the court? You'll surely give others something to talk about."
Luo Xunlong said unhappily, "Let those who like to gossip talk. I'm going to get married tomorrow!"
Get married? Wei Dongling was extremely shocked. How could Cuihuan not tell her such a big thing?
Cuihuan: Well! I thought you were really too busy!
Wei Dongling said dissatisfiedly, "Can't you wait? Couldn't you get married after the national mourning period? Why do you have to be so hasty? Everyone has been as busy as a dog these days. Who has the time to attend your wedding?" "Wait, has Cuihuan's wedding dress, headdress, and dowry all been prepared properly?"
"Brother Lin and the others have been busy in the Su Mansion for several days. It should be almost ready. I can't wait for a single day!" Luo Xunlong had been extremely busy these days and didn't even have the time to have a good talk with Cuihuan. As a result, that little girl was in a low mood and obviously a bit worried and insecure.
Luo Xunlong knew exactly what was going on in his heart. What were a bunch of court officials? He didn't want his little darling to have wild thoughts!
Wei Dongling got anxious. Cuihuan grew up on Yan Gu Mountain when she was a child, and most of He Jingyao's old mansion had been flattened by Jingzhe and his men. Where would Cuihuan get married from? Surely not from the south courtyard to the north courtyard of the Su Mansion? And was the wedding dress really embroidered so quickly in such a hurry?
A rare blush appeared on Luo Xunlong's face. He lowered his head and said with a smile, "Cuihuan said she doesn't care about the formality and that everything should be kept simple." As for the wedding dress, Cuihuan had already started preparing it after they exchanged betrothal gifts!
Wei Dongling gritted her teeth and said dissatisfiedly, "It's because Cuihuan has feelings for you. No matter what, she's willing to marry you. But she was an orphan since childhood, and you're being so hasty about this wedding! If you really keep everything simple, won't your conscience ache?"
Luo Xunlong was completely confused. How could he understand the complicated thoughts of women?
Wei Dongling quickly summoned Ruan Niang and discussed with her for a while. Finally, they decided to take Cuihuan as the adopted sister of the Fifth Princess and confer on her the title of "County Mistress Deqing". She would get married from the palace in the name of the county mistress, and the Imperial Household Department was ordered to prepare a generous dowry. Wei Dongling also personally went to the national treasury to select six large boxes of precious items as the Fifth Princess's dowry gifts for County Mistress Deqing.
Wei Dongling also privately discussed this matter with Mrs. He. Since Cuihuan and Yu Zixi were master - and - apprentice siblings, she hoped that Mrs. He could attend as Cuihuan's elder and officiate at her wedding.
Mrs. He nodded repeatedly in agreement.
The imperial maid, Aunt La Mei, led a group of eunuchs to Yaoguang Pavilion to announce the imperial edict, officially conferring the title of County Mistress Deqing on Cuihuan. Cuihuan quickly knelt down to receive the edict and invited everyone into the house to receive rewards.
At night, Cuihuan saw that the main hall of Yaoguang Pavilion was filled with a dense array of dowries prepared for her by everyone. She was so touched that she burst into tears.
She was so lucky to have met Miss Wei in this life. Miss Wei really treated her like a younger sister, sparing no expense to give her the best.
Wei Dongling hugged Cuihuan and saw that her nose and tears were smeared on her shoulder. She said with a dumb smile, "You're going to be a married woman tomorrow, and you're still crying! You're marrying into the Su Mansion, not separating from me."
Cuihuan sobbed and said, "I'm afraid we'll have to be separated for a few days." After she got married, as a new bride, she could only stay obediently in the Su Mansion. Wei Dongling was usually busy, and she was afraid that she wouldn't have the chance to be free until after Murong Xuan's enthronement ceremony.
At night, the two of them lay in bed and chatted in whispers for half the night.
Cuihuan acted as if it was a life - and - death separation. She hugged Wei Dongling's waist and repeatedly told her that during the days when she was not around, Miss Wei should be careful and cautious. It was best to stay by Jingzhe's side all the time and not be careless, so as not to let those with ill intentions take advantage of the situation.
Wei Dongling also whispered to Cuihuan that after she married into the Su Mansion, she mustn't be polite to Qi Jinxuan. She mustn't give in just because she was pregnant! If Qi Jinxuan spoke rudely, she could beat and scold her as she pleased, as long as she didn't harm the fetus in her womb.
Cuihuan covered her lips and smiled softly. Miss Qi was, after all, from a noble family. She wouldn't dare to speak wildly even when living under someone else's roof, would she?
Wei Dongling was so anxious that she pounded the bed board and replied, "Don't treat her like a normal person! She's crazy!"
If Qi Jinxuan wasn't crazy, how could she have done such despicable things? She actively offered herself to the Cloud Prince. Since she was pregnant, she should have gone to the Cloud family to clarify things. If Shangguan Yun knew that the deed was done, he would probably marry her to protect the innocent fetus in her womb! But she was too proud to lower her head, and her sensitive and fragile heart blamed everything on Wei Dongling!
After that, to disgust Wei Dongling, she even made an agreement with He Jingyao to let Yu Zixi take the blame?
This dignified and elegant noble lady really gave people a headache just thinking about her!