The Imperial Decree Arrives in Nanyang
The eunuchs who managed to rise through the ranks in the palace were the most shrewd of all.
Eunuch Deng knew that both Prince of Qi and his future Consort of the Prince of Qi, Zhao Ruxi, were favored by the Emperor. He was particularly willing to do the couple a favor.
So, after delivering the imperial edict to the Earl of Suiping's Residence early in the morning, he left the city immediately and rode at full speed towards Nanyang. He planned to arrive in Nanyang before the end of the yamen (government office) and read the imperial edict to the prefectural government.
Such an honorable event, if only announced by Lady Zhu, Zhao Ruxi, and the servants of the Zhao Residence, wouldn't that be like wearing fine clothes in the dark? The entire state government must know Zhao Ruxi's new identity. She is the future Consort of the Prince of Qi, a royal daughter-in-law; these people should treat her with even greater respect.
Just before the morning office hours were over, Eunuch Deng and his entourage entered Nanyang City and rode swiftly to the prefectural government office.
Inside the yamen, everyone was packing up to go home when the gatekeeper scrambled in, stammering to Liu Hongyu, who was about to descend the steps, "Sir, a eunuch has come to the gate, saying... saying he's here to read the imperial edict."
Liu Hongyu stumbled and almost fell down the steps, but fortunately, a servant caught him.
Cai Yaozong, who was about to step out the door with one foot outside and one foot inside, also froze there.
They'd lived their whole lives without ever being proclaimed an imperial edict, nor had they ever seen a eunuch. Although Cai Yaozong was part of the Crown Prince's faction, he was just a nobody and had no right to see the Crown Prince.
The closest they ever came to the emperor and the people in the palace was during the imperial examination.
"Quickly, please come in," Liu Hongyu said, wishing he could slap the constable.
This is an imperial edict! Who would dare to forge it? And no one can impersonate an eunuch. These yamen runners are so clueless, daring to stop people from entering! It infuriates him!
Without waiting for the constables, he strode outside, intending to personally invite the person in.
Fortunately, the messenger was a bit stunned. The other messenger, facing the eunuchs and Imperial Guards standing at the gate, felt extremely uncomfortable. These were people close to the Emperor, and they were there to read the imperial edict—it was as if the Emperor himself was present. Was it really appropriate for them to block them from entering and have to report to the prefectural magistrate for his permission?
After thinking for a moment, he invited the group of people in, just as Liu Hongyu came out to greet them.
"This is our Prefect Lord Liu," the yamen runner quickly introduced.
"This humble official is Liu Hongyu. May I ask how you should address me, sir?" Liu Hongyu smiled and bowed, then greeted the Imperial Guards, "Thank you for your hard work, everyone."
Eunuch Deng had a stern face and was on the verge of exploding.
If Liu Hongyu hadn't been Zhao Ruxi's superior and colleague, and if Zhao Ruxi hadn't had to give Liu Hongyu some face, Eunuch Deng wouldn't have obediently been stopped outside by the yamen runners; he would have already lost his temper.
He represents the Emperor.
The imperial edict arrived, but the yamen runners wouldn't even let them in the door. They had to wait there for the message to be delivered. He had never been treated like this in all his years as a messenger eunuch. Even the most powerful and influential families in the capital wouldn't dare to do this.
Although he didn't cause a scene, he was very Gao Xing and wanted to put Liu Hongyu in his place on Zhao Ruxi's behalf.
He said to Liu Hongyu with a forced smile, "Lord Liu, this yamen is well-guarded. I've been delivering imperial edicts in the capital for seven or eight years and have never been stopped at the gate. This is the first time this has happened to a young lady. It seems we should send Lord Liu to guard the border. That way, our country's gates will be safe."
Liu Hongyu broke out in a cold sweat and almost knelt on the ground.
He forced a smile that looked more like a grimace and explained, "The yamen runners from this small town are unsophisticated and don't know the proper etiquette. They didn't know they should invite you in directly, sir. Please forgive them."
The yamen runner who brought the news finally realized what had happened, and knelt down with a thud, saying to Eunuch Deng, "Please forgive me, Your Excellency. I... I really didn't mean it. I just didn't know what to do."
The other one also knelt down and begged for mercy.
Eunuch Deng ignored them and went straight into the yamen. He stopped in the courtyard and asked, "Is Lord Zhao Zhiwei an official here? I've come all the way from the capital today to deliver an Lord Zhao."
Cai Yaozong had been guessing what edict Eunuch Deng had come to deliver. When he heard him ask Zhao Ruxi, a bad feeling immediately arose in his heart.
Regardless of whether the imperial edict was related to Prince of Qi or whether it was an order from the Emperor to summon Zhao Ruxi to the capital to serve as an official, the eunuch, who had initially looked angry, suddenly became all smiles when Zhao Ruxi was mentioned. The imperial edict was definitely good news for Zhao Ruxi.
When Zhao Ruxi first arrived, he made things difficult for Zhao Ruxi quite a few times. Although he later softened his stance and the two reconciled, Zhao Ruxi might retaliate against him once she gains power.
He was filled with trepidation, but his body moved with lightning speed. He quickly turned around, went up the steps, rushed into Zhao Ruxi's room, and shouted, "Lord Zhao, someone from the palace has come to deliver an imperial decree to you!"
He was more than a decade older than Zhao Ruxi, and they were officials of the same rank. Normally, it was already good enough if he didn't act like a senior to her; he would never use a respectful term for Zhao Ruxi. But in this hurry, he even used a respectful term.
Zhou Chun and Ma Sheng have been busy with the winery lately, while Zhao Ruxi still has Xiang Ming, Lu Yun, and two others with her. These three are former guards, and their only task is to protect their master's safety; they don't meddle in other people's business like Zhou Chun and the others.
Therefore, Liu Hongyu went out to bring in Eunuch Deng and the others. Zhao Ruxi, who was focused on her work, was unaware of this, Xiang Ming and the others also paid no attention, assuming that it was time to leave the office and everyone was heading out, hence the commotion outside.
Unexpectedly, Cai Yaozong, who usually kept a high and mighty attitude, rushed in like a young boy, shouting that he was announcing an imperial decree. The three of them were startled and looked at Zhao Ruxi.
Zhao Ruxi was putting the finishing touches on her water conservancy map. If the last stroke went wrong, she would have to redraw the entire map.
Therefore, when Cai Yaozong rushed in, she ignored him completely, calmed herself, and without changing her expression, steadily finished the last stroke. She even examined the brush for a moment before placing it on the brush holder, raising her head to ask, "Lord Cai, what did you just say?"
Cai Yaozong was quite impressed by Zhao Ruxi's composure in the face of even a collapsing mountain.
He repeated himself in a very polite tone, then added in a fawning manner, "Lord Zhao, please hurry. It's so hot, and Eunuch Deng has come all the way from the capital. It would be troublesome if he got angry while we were waiting."
Zhao Ruxi raised an eyebrow.
She thought the imperial edict wouldn't be issued so quickly and would have to go through several twists and turns, but she didn't expect that Xiao Lingyan had only returned to the capital yesterday, and the imperial edict was issued today.
"Thank you for the reminder, Lord Cai." Zhao Ruxi said, and quickly walked out. She saw the palace eunuch Eunuch Deng standing expressionlessly under the shade of a tree in the courtyard, while Liu Hongyu was smiling and talking to him. Nearby, the yamen runners were setting up an incense table and incense burner under Li Li's direction.