90 Acceptance

"….."

"….."

"….."

When the eunuch finished reading the entire imperial edict, XuanLi and the rest of the Xuan family were all dumbfounded. They foolishly stared at the eunuch in front of them who was holding the imperial edict.

*cough* *cough* *cough*

"…Prime Minister Xuan… Prime Minister…"

Looking at XuanLi and the other members of the family who were still kneeling on the floor, the eunuch could only cough a couple of times and call his name in order to catch XuanLi's attention.

Hearing the eunuch call his name, XuanLi snapped out of daze. When the imperial edict arrived, he only thought that it might be related to the Jing country's request, but he did not expect that it was for his eldest daughter's royal marriage. His thoughts were swirling inside his head. He could not understand why the emperor sent a royal decree, bestowing marriage between his daughter, XuanRong and His Majesty's younger brother, Xu QinWang. XuanLi knew that his eldest daughter's social standing was quite sensitive since her maternal grandfather, Chen Zi Tao, deeply pampered XuanRong since she was the only granddaughter in her generation and she was also the only memento left by Chen Zi Tao's beloved daughter, Chen Yi. XuanLi knew that XuanRong was the great general's reverse scale but at the same time, she was also his weakness.

Many people covet the military power the Chen family held, especially those princes eyeing on the throne or those high ranking noble who wanted to get closer to Chen Zi Tao, but since the Chen family was very difficult to pull because their stand remained neutral for years, those people did not have any choice but to use 'marriage' as a bind in order to tie the Chen family. Unfortunately, the Chen family did not produce any females for many generations. After Chen Yi, XuanRong was the only female who had a blood relationship with the Chen family, making her the sole target of their schemes. Too bad, her reputation when she was small was not good, making those people reconsider their plan.

XuanLi was aware of those things that was why even though he did not like XuanRong because she was unruly, arrogant and stupid, he could neither do anything to her nor harm her. He even regretted that he punished XuanRong and sent her to the suburbs, forcing her to live in Lu Shan for five long years, making Chen Zi Tao hate him and even targeted him a couple of times during their weekly session in the court. Although he was afraid of his previous father-in-law's anger, he was still one of the Prime Ministers of the country. He also had his own pride and he would be deemed as a coward once he showed his fear towards Chen Zi Tao and the Chen Family. That was the main reason why in the past five years, he did not allow XuanRong to return to the capital. It could be said that he was using XuanRong as a shield against Chen Zi Tao.

For XuanLi, XuanRong was only a daughter. A daughter was akin to a spilled milk, once she marries someone, she would no longer be connected to the Xuan family, thus, XuanLi did not really care of XuanRong's matter… but… being in-laws with the royal family was different. He could get a huge benefit. Since his third daughter and most beloved child was already the future Empress, it would also be good if his eldest daughter would be married to a QinWang, making her a QinWang Fei. Although the emperor did not like the idiot prince, Xu Fei Yi, on the surface, he would have to show his love towards his younger brother. How could XuanLi miss the opportunity to use XuanRong? Once the emperor decided to end the idiot prince's life, including XuanRong as his wife, XuanLi could not care less. At most, he could just 'mourn' for a couple of days as a 'father'.

"Many thanks for the Emperor's grace! May the Emperor live thousands of years!"

After sorting his thoughts, XuanLi exclaimed and happily responded on behalf of XuanRong who was frozen on the floor.

Since XuanLi already expressed his gratitude, the rest of the family members immediately kowtowed and followed his lead. Only XuanRong did not show any reaction. Sensing XuanRong's lack of response, XuanLi could only glare at her secretly.

"Head Eunuch, please forgive my daughter for her lack of manners. She was shocked due to happiness when she heard that she would be marrying His Highness, Xu Fei Yi. Please do not take her action into your heart."

XuanLi looked at the housekeeper, signaling him to give the pocket he already prepared beforehand.

"Head Eunuch, please accept this small token of or appreciation."

"Mmm.. no worries… since Prime Minister Xuan insists, Nucai[1] will accept this gift."

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When XuanRong returned to her senses, she was already sitting on the bed inside her inner room. Recalling what happened few minutes ago, XuanRong felt that she was still dreaming. When the eunuch announced the engagement between her and Xu Fei Yi, she was very surprised that she was not able to respond immediately. She could not help but recall her previous lifetime and compare it with the recent one.

XuanRong noticed that although the major events were still the same, there were minor changes that had occurred in the past few years. XuanRong realized that, when she tried to change her destiny, the will of the heavens was also adapting to the changes she created. Because of her interference, there were minor changes in the flow of the incidents, making her extra careful and mindful of her own plans. Not knowing the future because of the changes she created would be a great disadvantage for her upcoming revenge. That was why XuanRong decided to spare Fei Bai Zou because he had a very important role in the war for the throne.

Ever since then, XuanRong made sure to avoid changing other people's life that might affect her plan. Unfortunately, XuanRong was totally baffled as to how the emperor got the idea of bestowing marriage between her and Xu Fei Yi.

Who told the emperor?

Was the one who told him in this lifetime the same person in the previous one?

How did it change?

No matter what she thought, XuanRong could not answer her own questions. She sighed. It was already too late… She even planned to harass the official who would jokingly tell the emperor to pair her and Xu Fei Yi in order to avoid being betrothed to the idiot prince but now, it was too late.

XuanRong did not want to commit the same mistake and force her maternal grandfather to choose a side between her and the emperor. Because of it, the emperor's desire to suppress the Chen family increased, harming them in the process. Right now, she could only accept the decree since she was not yet done with her preparations. She had to make sure that before she was done with her plan, the emperor would not have any reason to sentence the Chen family to death. Besides, she had a hunch that Xu Fei Yi was her master's long-lost son. If her guess was correct and Xu Fei Yi was really the 'Fei Yi' her master was looking for, XuanRong knew that finding the male Gu would be easier.

'Well, I would rather marry someone who was simple minded and has a mind of a child than repeat the history and try to be with that bastard, Xu Ji An.'

XuanRong took a deep breath. It seems like she could only accept her marriage with Xu Fe Yi. Since she already vowed that she would take good care of her master's son and treat him like her own sibling, marrying Xu Fei Yi would be the best course. She could take good care of him and would not let other people bully him. She would love him unconditionally like what she did with XuanFei in her previous lifetime. Marrying Xu Fei Yi was not as bad as it seemed.

'Marriage ah…'

Suddenly, a sharp profile of a young man wearing a golden masked appeared on XuanRong's mind. XuanRong immediately shook her head a couple of times in order to erase that man's appearance.

'Wh-Why did I suddenly think of him?'

XuanRong felt a small pang of pain inside her heart when she remembered that it had been few days since the last time she saw her benefactor.

'What are you thinking? Why would he waste his precious time for a lowly woman like you?' XuanRong smiled deprecatingly.

She suddenly missed being inside her master's embrace and forget everything.

'Ah… Master… This disciple misses you.."

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"HAHAHAHA!! This is truly wonderful!! Truly wonderful!!" Xiao Lou laughed happily as she clutched her stomach while wriggling in pain due to laughing nonstop.

"Mother… please, lower your voice.." XuanFei sighed and signaled one of the servants to guard the outside in order to make sure that no one was listening to their conversation.

"Fei'er ah… Mother was just happy. That bitch XuanRong stole your opportunity to shine during your birthday banquet and even seduced the crown prince. Now that the emperor already bestowed an imperial marriage between her and that stupid prince, she could no longer flirt with His Highness, Xu Ji An.. You don't have to worry that she will steal His Highness from you. The crown prince will marry you and make you the crown princess and once he ascends to the throne, you will become the mother of the country and the master of the harem. You will be the Empress of Qian Zou!"

"Mother.. how could you say those things…"

XuanFei blushed as she cupped her cheeks with both hands. She shyly lowered her head, not looking at Xiao Lou.

"What are you saying ah? Don't worry, mother already have a plan. But before that, we must punish that bitch first!"

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[1]. 'This servant'- how male servants refer themselves

[Unedited Chapter]