Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 672: Married for the Second Time (3)

"What are you trying to say?" Dugu Chen, upon seeing the image of father and daughter, was instantly reminded of his own daughter’s future wedding and felt a pang of pain in his heart.

Xiao Yiran calmed his emotions before speaking, "Your Majesty, the Empress, I boldly request that Your Majesty and the Empress grant permission for Xiao Jiazhen to marry the ruler of the Luo Kingdom, Lou Qianyu. This decision was made by me as Xiao Jiazhen’s elder."

At that moment, the three people in the hall simultaneously grew tense, as the Empress had just decreed that Xiao Jiazhen should make her own decision. But now the Prime Minister had committed an act of disobedience. They were all aware of it, and so too were the ministers who were quietly observing everything. Seeing the Emperor’s face turn steely and his gaze on the Prime Minister unfriendly, they could surmise that given the Emperor’s affection for the Empress, the Prime Minister was likely in for a tough time.

Feng Xuxu, however, laughed at this moment. Her clear voice echoed around the great hall as she looked at the man beside her with a teasing smile, "My dear husband, you agree, don’t you? After all, it’s a perfect match."

"My dear, the Prime Minister, he..."

"Yes, didn’t you also say just now to pardon him of his crime? ...But his offense against me cannot simply go unpunished." Her voice, previously light, became sharp and intense in an instant. A wave of awe-inspiring pressure burst forth from her, as if an invisible force were weighing down on the heads of those below.

All the ministers prostrated themselves on the ground, while Lou Qianyu barely managed to stand firm, bolstering himself with his Inner Strength, as blood rushed to his chest. He forcefully suppressed the choking sensation. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Feng Xuxu looked at the ministers’ pale faces with satisfaction, knowing that watching the spectacle would cost them. Then she smiled again and looked toward them, "Why are you kneeling on the ground? Could it be that you too have committed an act of disobedience?"

The ministers turned even paler with fright, shaking their heads one after another. At least the Prime Minister was the Emperor’s uncle, and his daughter was a sought-after bride from a neighboring country, unlike themselves, who had nothing to offer when they spread their hands. So they stood up, unsteadily at first, and then remained standing in place properly.

Seeing them all standing up, Xiao Yiran and his daughter were still kneeling on the ground. Feng Xuxu raised her eyebrows in displeasure, "The Prime Minister is spared the death penalty, but he cannot escape punishment. According to law, he should receive fifty strokes of the heavy rod."

"Your..." Xiao Jiazhen immediately stood up in alarm, but was pulled back down by her father.

"Shut up." Xiao Yiran pulled at her sleeve and glared at her. Seeing that she had quieted down and lowered her head again, he too turned his head back to listen to the Empress’s admonition.

Feng Xuxu, seeing that they had quieted down, opened her lips, "To accumulate merit for the child in my belly, we will spare the fifty heavy strokes. Instead, impose a half year’s salary fine."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jiazhen felt her tense heart finally settle. Xiao Yiran expressed gratitude, "Thank you, Your Majesty, Empress, for your mercy."

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, Empress."

Seeing there was nothing left concerning her, Feng Xuxu glanced at Xiao Jiazhen and Lou Qianyu below, her lips curling into a slight smile, as if she had facilitated a good deed.

Just as Feng Xuxu was about to rise, she was stopped by Dugu Chen, who whispered in her ear, "Wait for me a moment, it will be over soon."

"All right, let’s go back and eat together, I’m hungry."

"Yes, okay."

"Xiao Jiazhen, naturally virtuous, gentle, and cautious. Warm and respectful, embodying the quality of gentle kindness, nurturing virtues brightly, possessing the beauty of being steady and upright, maintaining proper demeanor in tranquility. Harmonious in movement, displaying the resonance of jade ornaments, adept in rites, observing the decorum of early and late hours with reverence, never slack in diligence. The Empress and I are very pleased, so we hereby bestow upon Xiao Jiazhen the title of Commandery Princess Yumeng. As she marries out from the Imperial Palace, all wedding ceremonies shall be arranged in accordance with the standards for a Princess’s wedding."

As the Emperor’s decree was declared, Xiao Jiazhen knelt and thanked him for the grace. Aside from being excited, she was even more touched.