The herald's shout instantly cast a solemn air over Marquis Dingyuan's Estate, which had previously been relaxed and peaceful.
Though Second Steward was advanced in years, he had no choice but to hurry from the front courtyard straight to the central courtyard.
"Second Miss, someone has arrived from the Capital Prefecture with an Imperial Edict for the master."
Xiao Jinghong stopped and calmly instructed, "Have them set up the incense table in the main hall of the central courtyard. Then send someone to fetch Grandfather's court robes and help him dress properly."
"Also, inform second grandfather. The envoy from the Capital Prefecture is of high status; he and I will greet him together."
Second Steward repeatedly acknowledged the order, passed them directly, and ran toward the central courtyard.
The Great Wei Dynasty's rites were meticulous, and receiving an Imperial Edict naturally came with rules of its own.
Seeing Xiao Jinghong waiting where she was, Chen Yi said, "Wife, I'll go to the central courtyard first and wait."
Xiao Jinghong had been pondering the purpose of the edict. Hearing him, she came back to herself and gently shook her head. "Husband, come with me..."
After a pause, she looked at Chen Yi and asked, "Is that all right?"
Chen Yi naturally had no objection. He nodded and quietly stood by her side, thinking:
This exchange did carry a bit of that 'the husband sings, the wife follows' flavor.
Though really, I wouldn't mind switching their places—who said it couldn't be 'the wife sings, the husband follows'?
As the saying went, young men did not know the sweetness of living off a wife; only in old age did they bitterly regret that no one understood them.
If I could live comfortably for a lifetime, that would be quite nice too.
While Chen