Chapter 62: Imperial Edicts and Verbal Decrees

Chapter 62 The Imperial Edict and Verbal Instructions

The imperial edict bearer’s loud call, though not unexpected, instantly transformed the already serene and peaceful atmosphere of the Duke of Dingyuan’s mansion into one of solemn gravity.

The second chamberlain, though aged, strained his weary limbs and hurried from the courtyard’s outer reaches straight into the inner court.

“Miss Xiao, envoys from the Prefecture of Kyoto have arrived with an imperial edict to announce to the Master.”

Xiao Jinghong paused, his voice calm as he issued his commands: “Have someone set up an incense altar in the main hall of the inner courtyard. Then dispatch others to fetch grandfather’s ceremonial robes and ensure they are properly arranged for his reception.”

“Also, send word to Lord Chen to meet us at the gate—those from the Prefecture of Kyoto come with high rank, and I shall receive them together.”

The second chamberlain bowed repeatedly, set off at once, and sped ahead toward the inner courtyard.

The rites of the Great Wei dynasty were meticulous, and receiving an imperial edict was no exception in its own formal procedures.

Nearby, Chen Yi, observing Xiao Jinghong and the others standing still, said, “My lady, I shall wait in the inner courtyard for you.”

Xiao Jinghong, lost in contemplation of the edict’s implications, snapped back to the present and gently shook his head: “My lord, come with me…”

After a moment’s hesitation, she turned to Chen Yi and inquired, “Is that acceptable?”

Chen Yi, not one to decline lightly, nodded quietly and stood beside her, his mind wandering:

Such a conversation did have a certain “wife’s song, husband’s follow” to it.

Yet, perhaps it was no harm to switch places—who said a wife could not sing and a husband follow?

As the saying goes: “The youth knows not the taste of soft rice; the aged, the ache of being unknown.”

If he could live his days in such ease, it would be quite fine.

Meanwhile, Chen Yi drifted into idle musings.

Xiao Jinghong, by contrast, remained earnest in her thoughts.

Her grandfather’s sixtieth birthday had long been reported to the court, with all its arrangements and ceremonies in due form. The emperor, surely, had already discerned the Xiao family’s desire for a quiet, modest celebration.

Why, then, did they specifically choose this auspicious day to dispatch an edict bearer?

“After this,” she mused, “those courtiers will surely regard our Xiao family as a mere pin in the emperor’s eye, a needle in his side.”

Even Xiao Jinghong, who had remained in Shuzhou all along, understood one thing well—whoever caught the emperor’s favor would inevitably face some inexplicable criticism.

After all, it was the emperor’s heart, after all.

Lost in such thoughts, she asked almost unconsciously: “My lord, what say you of our Xiao family’s current standing? How should we proceed?”

Chen Yi startled, turning his head to look at her. He understood her words were likely spoken without full awareness.

After a moment’s reflection, he replied casually: “Raise tall walls, store ample grain, keep a low profile… simply wait and see.”

In recent days, he had noticed envoys from the court—first the “hidden guard” official, then the meritorious official, then the merit-bound official—all arriving in Shuzhou in quick succession. It was reasonable to infer that the court was preparing some move regarding this region.

Yet Chen Yi knew little of the Xiao family’s affairs or the broader situation in Shuzhou, nor did he grasp the intricacies of other prefectures or the court’s machinations. Thus, he could not be certain of the intentions behind these appointments in Shuzhou—whether they targeted the Xiao family, loyal and resolute in their devotion to the nation; or the local gentry and clans of Shuzhou; or perhaps those high officials, provincial governors, regional inspectors, or the imperial guards of the capital.

Any of these were possible.

In any case, such a grand scheme could not be merely for this Xiao family’s mere son-in-law.

Upon hearing his response, Xiao Jinghong blinked, then fixed her gaze on him, her eyes serious.

“My lord, would you elaborate?”

“This… well…”

Chen Yi hesitated, his eyes catching sight of the swift approach of the two elderly lords—Xiao Wang and others—and signaled with a gesture: “My lady, we shall discuss this afterward. For now, let us greet the envoy.”

Xiao Jinghong nodded, committing his words to memory, and joined Xiao Wang in welcoming the imperial envoy.

Chen Yi followed closely behind. From a distance, he saw several messengers in blue robes, the eldest among them tall and stooped, yet bearing a serene, gentle countenance.

He instantly understood—this was no ordinary official. Could he be the compassionate official? The just and virtuous official? Or perhaps the imperial guardian?

“Surely this is General Xiao,” he thought. “Our Institute of Rites has, by my hand, prepared this document for you to present to General Xiao.”

“We come bearing the imperial edict, and humbly ask General Xiao to receive it with grace.”

Xiao Jinghong bowed respectfully. “Sir, please come in. The altar has already been prepared in the inner courtyard by grandfather.”

Speaking thus, she led the way, with Xiao Wang at her side.

The elder official, after returning the bow, led the other attendants—several eunuchs carrying trays—forward.

Chen Yi, lagging slightly behind, had thought these officials, aside from their gentleness, possessed no particular distinction.

Yet, when the elder official spoke, he said, “To avoid any misunderstanding, General Xiao, besides presenting the birthday congratulations to Lord Xiao, we also bring a verbal instruction—for you, Sir Chen.”

For me?

Chen Yi stumbled in his steps, casting a sideways glance. How could this mere son-in-law possibly attract the attention of such a venerable elder?

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinghong looked at him, equally puzzled.

Nearby, Xiao Wang could not restrain himself any longer. Pointing at Chen Yi, he asked, “The person referred to as ‘you’ here—does the imperial instruction pertain to someone else?”

The elder official first saw Chen Yi through Xiao Wang’s gesture, then smiled gently, as though relieved to have found him.

He did not immediately speak of the verbal instruction’s contents, but turned to Xiao Wang, his expression grave and voice cold:

“The emperor’s verbal instruction is for Sir Chen alone—none other may hear it.”

Xiao Wang paused, his face flushing slightly, clearly irritated by such a statement. Yet, mindful of the elder’s status, he merely muttered an awkward apology.

In that moment, Xiao Jinghong and Chen Yi exchanged a glance—one of shared curiosity and a silent plea: *I want to know too.*

Yet within Chen Yi’s heart, a different feeling stirred—irritation.

This son-in-law merely wished to live quietly within the duke’s household, yet here he was, caught in a web of imperial whims and courtly disruptions.

The scholars at Feiyun Academy had already caused him no end of trouble, their critiques of his calligraphy still lingering in his mind. Now this elder official, more brazen than the rest, had arrived with the emperor’s personal verbal instruction.

Was this how one’s life was to be disturbed and upended?

At this point, Chen Yi saw no way out. All he could do now was listen to what the emperor, residing in the palace at the Prefecture of Kyoto, might have to say.

Soon enough, all the guests in the inner courtyard rose from their seats, waiting outside the main hall, along with the Xiao family’s second mistress and other distant relatives.

Inside the main hall, only Duke Xiao and the three members of the main house—Xiao Wan’er, Xiao Jinghong, and Xiao Wuge—remained seated.

And… Chen Yi.

He wondered what thoughts stirred in the minds of the guests outside, or the Xiao family members inside.

A mouthful that lingers on the tongue, indeed, to describe it with jealousy and envy would not be an overstatement.

Chen Yunfan glanced at the main hall, where Chen Yi, standing beside Xiao Jinghong, chuckled in admiration: "My younger brother Chen has truly risen in the world, managing to accompany the main household in receiving the imperial edict."

A stepson of the Hou family, in the eyes of others, was merely a dissipated and inconsequential youth.

Yet he had, against all expectations, earned the right to join old Master Hou in receiving the imperial decree.

What a twist of fate!

Thus, at this moment, aside from Chen Yunfan, whose expression was one of bewildered surprise, the others too were more or less of the same mind.

Only the distant relatives and collateral kin of the Xiao family, however, found their thoughts more complicated.

Xiao Qiuyun gazed at Xiao Wang, whose face had grown ashen, and whispered softly, "Father, why was that Chen Yi permitted to enter?"

Xiao Wang, recalling the letter from Feng Erbao, snorted: "The emperor himself bestowed upon him a verbal instruction."

Xiao Qiuyun’s complexion shifted slightly. "He?"

Xiao Wang nodded once, cautioning, "Let us not speak of this aloud yet. We must first learn the contents of that verbal instruction."

Xiao Qiuyun gave a slight nod, her gaze upon Chen Yi in the main hall subtly altered, her thoughts now wandering more deeply.

She had long known that the Chen family of Jiangnan held the emperor in high regard.

Even so, that stepson of hers, Chen Yi, should not have received the emperor’s direct edict.

Without considering the thoughts of others in the room.

In the main hall,

Feng Erbao stood quietly among the assembly, addressing the imperial edict to Master Hou and the others:

"By the Emperor’s command: 'I have heard that Chen Yi, this youth, has achieved renown through his talents, though he was unable to participate in the recent imperial examinations. I deeply regret this.'

'Yet you need not be disheartened. A man of merit need not concern himself with his origins. I urge you to work diligently and strive for greater accomplishment.'

Chen Yi exhaled in relief, though these were merely encouraging words.

But Feng Erbao, after a pause, added, 'Should this nobleman so desire, the emperor may grant him special permission to partake in the next imperial examinations.'"

I have no such ambition!

Chen Yi managed a strained smile and bowed: "I thank you, Feng Gonggong, for the emperor’s benevolent favor. Yet I am but of average learning."

Feng Erbao smiled and shook his head: "We merely deliver messages, not the messages themselves."

...

What a treacherous eunuch, full of villainous intent!

(End of Chapter)