Chapter 64.1 – Haven’t We Long Been Engaged? (1)
Du Yun Han, seeing Du Xiao Li arriving, said to the eunuch carrying a whisk in hand before him, “Eunuch Shan,
this one’s daughter has arrived.”
Eunuch Shan’s age wasn’t very big and was just thirty some years old. Seeing Du Xiao Li who’d just arrived in the
courtyard, he said, “Since everyone has gathered, then let’s begin. Du Xiao Li accept the decree—-”
Du Xiao Li skeptically looked to Du Yun Han. Not just her, everyone in the courtyard were all somewhat confused.
Han Ming Hong entered the palace to ask for a decree to marry Du Ke Xin, this was something everyone all knew.
But now, why was it Du Xiao Li accepting a decree?
“Eunuch Shan, this isn’t a mistake?” Du Yun Han asked.
“No mistake, it’s precisely Du Xiao Li, alright, accept the decree now.” Eunuch Shan said.
Du Yun Han looked to Du Xiao Li and nodded. Thus, Du Xiao Li took a step forward and knelt by Du Yun Han’s
side. “This subject accepts the decree.”
A eunuch next to Eunuch Shan handed him golden imperial decree. He opened it up and began reading, “By the
mandate of heaven, his Majesty decrees: Du family di daughter Du Xiao Li, able and virtuous, appearance and
conduct proper, very much receiving this Emperor and the Empress’s favor. Today, specially bestow a marriage as
Ding w.a.n.g’s main consort, once reached marriageable age, set an auspicious date to complete the marriage.”
A simple and clear imperial decree, yet Du Xiao Li momentarily didn’t react, even blanking on the spot, forgetting
to receiving the decree. This was ‘having just jumped out of a fire pit and falling into another ice cellar’?
Seeing Du Xiao Li not moving, Eunuch Shan reminded, “Du Xiao Li, still not accepting the decree and thanking
your Majesty?”
Du Xiao Li returned to her senses and looked to Eunuch Shan, “Eunuch Shan, why would his Majesty bestow a
marriage for Ding w.a.n.g and I?”
Eunuch Shan smiled and said, “That is of course because Ding w.a.n.g asked for the decree! Du Xiao Li accept the
decree and thank his Majesty!”
Could it be that Han Ming Yi, seeing her being rejected in marriage by Han Ming Hong, was afraid she’d be
depressed and thus asked for the decree? Du Xiao Li thought to herself, but thinking again, she felt this wasn’t
possible. However, no matter what, right now she couldn’t defy the imperial decree. She was still young right now,
she can just deal with it later.
“This subject accepts the decree, thanking his Majesty’s magnanimous honor.” Du Xiao Li said as she reached out to
accept the imperial decree in Eunuch Shan’s hand.
The people in the courtyard all didn’t expect that Eunuch Shan actually came to pa.s.s an imperial decree to Du Xiao
Li, especially Du Ke Xin and Zhong Mei Qing. They stared at Du Xiao Li’s back, hating that they can’t devour her.
Just when everyone wanted to get up, Eunuch Shan said, “No hurry, there’s another imperial decree. Du Ke Xin
accept the decree—”
Hearing her own name, Du Ke Xin’s disappointment instantly disappeared, and happily got up and knelt down by
Du Yun Han’s other side, “This subject is here.”
Eunuch Shan took the other imperial decree and opened it up to read: “Du family second daughter Du Ke Xin,
multi-talented, gentle and virtuous, and is a hard to come by outstanding lady. Today, bestow as Ren w.a.n.g’s side
consort, once reached marriageable age, set an auspicious date to marry Ren w.a.n.g.”
Du Ke Xin kowtowed and said, “This subject accepts the decree, thanking his Majesty’s magnanimous honor.” As
she said this, she accepted the decree from Eunuch Shan with both hands.
At this time, Du Yun Han and everyone in the back finally stood up. Du Yun Han took a red pouch from a guard
behind him and shoved it into Eunuch Shan’s hands, saying: “Have troubled Eunuch Shan, please come inside for
tea.”
“Haha, congratulations Prime Minister Du for the double happy occasion!” Eunuch Shan said with a smile, “This
one still has to return to the palace to report to his Majesty, so will be leaving first.”
“Alright, next time, eunuch will have to come over for tea.” Du Yun Han said.
“Haha, definitely. Then, this one will bid farewell now.” Eunuch Shan said, and with a flick of his whisk, he turned
and walked out. The two eunuchs behind him closely followed after.
“Xiao Li, why did his Majesty suddenly bestow a marriage for you?” Zhong Mei Qing looked to the bright yellow
imperial decree in Du Xiao Li’s hands and asked.
“How would I know.” Du Xiao Li was also furious inside, and her anger only increased with the present
circ.u.mstance.
“Then, congratulations younger sister, this Ding w.a.n.gfei is a position young maidens in the entire capital all envy!”
Du Ke Xin said, “Unlike me, just a side consort. However, to be able to marry his Highness Ren w.a.n.g, Ke Xin is
satisfied.”
Du Xiao Li looked to Du Ke Xin. Why did she feel her words were somewhat off?
“Father, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going back first.” Du Xiao Li said.
“En, go then.” Du Yun Han waved his hand.
“Father, this daughter also will withdraw.” Du Ke Xin said, and upon receiving Du Yun Han’s permission, left the
front courtyard with Zhong Mei Qing.
As soon as she returned to her own room, Du Ke Xin’s face instantly changed. She carelessly threw the imperial
decree onto the table and angrily said, “Side consort, side consort, who wants to be a side consort!”
“My daughter, this is an imperial decree, how can you just carelessly throw it! If others find out, that’s a crime
punishable by beheading!” Zhong Mei Qing quickly had the people in the room all called out, and then said to Du
Ke Xin, “No matter how angry you are you still can’t take it out on the imperial decree!”
“It’s all that s.l.u.t Du Xiao Li’s fault! If not for her sticking her foot in this, how could I go from Ren w.a.n.gfei to a
side consort! That s.l.u.t is practically my nemesis. As soon as she comes, she s.n.a.t.c.hes away my di daughter position,
and now also letting me go from the main consort to a side consort! Mother, I’m about to be angered to death!”
“Alright, alright, what use is there being angry now?” Zhong Mei Qing said, “As long as you can become a side
consort, then there will always be a day for you to become the main consort. Haven’t I taught you all these years?”
(T/N: Kinda ironic for her to say that to her daughter when she never even managed to climb onto the main wife
position….)
“En, as long as I can enter Ren w.a.n.g Manor, sooner or later I’ll become the main consort!” Du Ke Xin seemingly
thought of her future days, and soon after thought of something else and smiled, “However, compared to marrying
Ding w.a.n.g, I would rather marry Ren w.a.n.g as a side consort. Hehe, don’t know what kind of expression Du Xiao
Li will have when she finds out the truth?”
Du Xiao Li took Xia Yuan and Qiao Zhu back to her own Jade Bamboo Courtyard. Qiao Zhu’s face was in a knot.
“Qiao Zhu, if you furrow your brows anymore, it’ll become a chrysanthemum.” Du Xiao Li said without even
turning her head, “If you have something to say, just say it.”
“Miss—” Qiao Zhu said in discontent. What chrysanthemum, don’t think she didn’t know that wasn’t a good phrase.
(T/N: Chrysanthemum is slang for b.u.t.thole–)
“Alright, I won’t say anymore. You talk then, you’ve been carrying that expression since coming back from the front
courtyard. Just what’s wrong?” Du Xiao Li said.
“Miss, are you really going to marry Ding w.a.n.g?” Qiao Zhu asked.
Du Xiao Li’s gaze flickered and said, “This isn’t for sure yet, perhaps I’ll marry, perhaps not, isn’t it still early? Why
are you worried about this?”
“Miss, it’s better you don’t marry.” Qiao Zhu thought for a moment and worked up the courage to say what she’d
been wanting to say.
“Why?” Du Xiao Li asked.
Qiao Zhu went forward, looked to see that there was no one around, and finally spoke in a soft voice, “Miss, that
Ding w.a.n.g has a problem.”
“Oh? What problem?” Du Xiao Li thought of the handsome and valiant Han Ming Yi she met outside the city. She
didn’t find any problem? Seemingly even his twitching disease has already been completely cured too, and he
looked very healthy too.
“Miss, that Ding w.a.n.g is already 18 years old, do you know why he still hasn’t married yet? Heard if it’s not
because he can’t do it*, then it’s because he’s a short-sleeve.” Qiao Zhu said.
(T/N: So either his d.i.c.k no work or he likes men—-rip HMY)
“Pfft—” Du Xiao Li instantly burst into laughter.
“Miss, don’t laugh, this is related to your future happiness.” Qiao Zhu somewhat impatiently said.
“Keke, I won’t laugh. How do you know this?” Du Xiao Li asked.
“Everyone all says this. Heard that not only does the Ding w.a.n.g Manor not have a main consort or side consorts,
there aren’t even concubines and tongfangs. Even the servant girls are scarce! If this is not normal, then what is!”
Qiao Zhu said, “Moreover , I heard if a woman touches Ding w.a.n.g, they’ll definitely get their hands and legs
chopped and eyes dug out. Miss if you marry over, never mind guarding an empty bed, if Ding w.a.n.g were to be in a
bad mood and chop your hands and legs, then that’ll be terrible.”
“Ding w.a.n.g’s reputation is like this?” Du Xiao Li listened to Qiao Zhu’s words, somewhat shocked.
T/N: I will finish the 2 sponsored chapters tonight—-like much later tonight—