Cui did not dare to delay for a moment. She immediately changed her clothes and went to the front courtyard to receive the imperial decree.
Upon arriving at the front courtyard, she discovered that the eunuch delivering the decree was not from Fengyang Palace, but the Ninth Prince, Qi Yihan.
"This old servant pays her respects to the Ninth Prince," Cui said, her voice laced with shock. "May I ask if this is an imperial decree from the Empress Dowager or an imperial edict from His Majesty?"
Qi Yihan replied, "Old Madam, this Prince is merely running an errand for the Empress Dowager."
Cui, a shrewd woman, immediately understood. While it was ostensibly an edict from the Empress Dowager, it was highly likely the Emperor's will. Coincidentally, there was a funeral at the mansion, making it seem inappropriate for a eunuch to deliver the decree. Thus, the Ninth Prince was sent instead.
The Ninth Prince, with a solemn expression, unfurled the imperial decree and proclaimed loudly, "By imperial decree of the Empress Dowager."
"This humble woman receives the decree."
Cui and the others knelt in a flurry. Those who had come to watch the excitement kept their distance, daring not to intrude.
However, the Ninth Prince did not read the decree. Instead, he said, "Old Madam, this imperial edict is for Miss Li. Please summon her to receive it!"
"Ah?" Cui was taken aback and was helped to her feet. "For Man'er."
Qi Yihan remained silent, his expression unreadable, and simply looked at Cui with the imperial decree in his hand.
Cui had weathered many storms, yet at this moment, she felt a tremor of unease.
"Go yourself and tell her to change out of her mourning attire before coming. Do not show disrespect to the Empress Dowager. Also, send someone clever to summon the Master."
The nation comes before the family, and compared to the Empress Dowager, mourning for Madam Guo was no longer a paramount concern.
Granny Wang hurried away.
"Your Highness, we have matters at home. I fear our hospitality will be lacking. Perhaps Your Highness would prefer to wait in the main hall?"
"Very well."
Hearing his agreement, Cui breathed a sigh of relief and personally led the Ninth Prince to the main hall.
In the main hall, a servant offered tea. Cui took this opportunity to inquire about the contents of the imperial decree.
She had figured it out by now. This imperial edict was likely regarding Li Man'er's marriage. She wondered if it was to break off the engagement or...
Cui's mind was a tempest. Fortunately, Li Shu arrived in time.
"This subordinate greets Your Highness."
"Marquis, there is no need for such formality." Addressing Li Shu, the Ninth Prince finally broke his silence.
Li Shu cupped his hands and sat down. "Perhaps Your Highness has come to..."
"Running an errand for the Empress Dowager," the Ninth Prince said dismissively, gesturing to the imperial decree lying aside. "This is for Miss Li. It would have been fine even if the Marquis had not come."
The imperial decree was placed on a small side table, the Ninth Prince showing no particular regard for it.
Li Shu was overwhelmed, feeling as though all his troubles had converged.
"Your Highness's visit to deliver this decree, is it concerning the breaking of the engagement?"
"You could say that!" Qi Yihan replied. "This Prince will be leading troops into battle soon, and there are a few matters I wish to discuss."
On the surface, he was here to discuss the broken engagement, but perhaps there was a secret imperial edict from the Emperor?
Li Shu felt a sense of reassurance. Cui also understood the unspoken implication and hoped that the troublesome girl would arrive soon, receive the decree, and then they could all attend to their own affairs.
That troublesome old ghost from the Guo family was still in her courtyard!
Li Man'er changed out of her mourning clothes and quickly put on a simple, elegant dress before arriving.
Upon entering the main hall, Li Man'er immediately noticed Qi Yihan seated at the head of the room. Her eyebrows twitched slightly.
"This humble woman greets Your Highness."
Li Shu and Cui were about to rise, thinking that with the principal figure present, Qi Yihan would finally read the imperial decree. To their surprise, Qi Yihan did not even shift his position. He merely picked up the decree and tossed it directly towards Li Man'er.
The date-brown decree, embroidered with gold thread, sailed through the air in an arc, and Li Man'er caught it.
Was this how imperial decrees were delivered? She wouldn't be bullied because she hadn't read many books.
Li Man'er glanced at the Ninth Prince, then at Li Shu and Cui. She smoothed out the decree in her hands, held it with both hands, and curtsied slightly. "This humble woman accepts the decree."
Perhaps it was her overly deliberate manner, but a flicker of amusement appeared in Qi Yihan's eyes. "The matter that Miss Li requested has been handled by this Prince."
Nonsense! When she went to the palace, the Emperor himself had agreed to let her break off the engagement. Besides, he had lost the bet back then, so it had nothing to do with her.
However, these were minor details. As long as her wish was granted, it didn't matter if it was through a lost bet or a request. For a young lady from a noble household, even if it was granted by the Ninth Prince, it was not shameful.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Li Man'er did not waste any further words. "This humble woman must attend to her mother's mourning rites. I shall take my leave." With another slight curtsy, she withdrew from the main hall.
Cui also rose to take her leave. "This old servant must attend to household matters. Your Highness, I must be excused."
This time, Qi Yihan did not act presumptuously. He gave a slight bow. "Old Madam, travel safely."
Cui breathed a sigh of relief and was helped away by attendants.
In fact, Qi Yihan did not speak with Li Shu for long, merely handing him a secret imperial edict that was to be burned after reading.
Qi Yihan himself did not know what was written in the secret edict. He simply handed it to Li Shu with solemnity and departed.
After seeing off the Ninth Prince, Li Shu closed the doors and windows, entered the inner chamber, and opened the secret edict...
In a corner of the garden, Li Man'er was reading the Empress Dowager's imperial decree with great interest. "Virtuous and dignified, tranquil and proper, intelligent and wise, gentle and obedient..."
The more she read, the more she found it strange. "Is this describing me? It doesn't sound like it!" Did the Empress Dowager praise people so extravagantly? She was just babbling on and on.
"Miss, you must not speak such words. This is an imperial decree from the Empress Dowager." To question the Empress Dowager was akin to courting death.
"Oh." Li Man'er felt her face flush and stopped reading. She flipped to the back and confirmed that her engagement to Tong Qiao had been dissolved, which relieved her, and a smile finally graced her face.
"Excellent."
Ziyan was a little anxious. "Miss, aren't we going back? We still need to mourn for Madam."
"What are you in a hurry for? We came to receive the decree. No matter how important Madam Guo's matters are, can they be more important than the royal family? If we don't take this opportunity to get out, how long will we be kneeling?"
Ziyan fell silent.
"They are all keeping vigil in the mourning hall. Your young lady is not refusing to return, just returning a little later."
As she was speaking, a slightly mocking voice suddenly rang out, "Miss Li is quite skilled at deceiving people. I wonder if you have also deceived this Prince."
Ziyan was startled and quickly lowered her head to greet him.
Li Man'er rolled her eyes and turned to curtsy slightly. "Greetings, Ninth Prince."
"You have not yet answered this Prince's question."
Ziyan dared not move, thinking she wished her ears would be plucked off so she wouldn't hear anything she shouldn't.
"Your Highness worries too much. This humble woman has had no dealings with Your Highness, so how could there be any deception?"
Qi Yihan glanced at Ziyan. "You may withdraw."
Ziyan quietly looked at her mistress. Seeing Li Man'er nod, she lowered her head, retreated a few steps, and turned to leave.