Yan Xing and Zhao Ling both went in front and kneeled.
The imperial edict was unfurled. Eunuch Wang read it out in front of everyone in the banquet hall.
"This is the will of the Heaven and the decree of the Emperor, the son of Heaven: Fifth Prince Yan Xing though had health complications since he was born joined the Black Eagle Cavalry and went to the Southwest border to aid General Xiao at the age of sixteen. During his nearly a decade long in the Black Eagle Cavalry, he had achieved many meritious deeds and had helped lighten the burden on the Emperor's shoulder by working alongside the General of Black Eagle Cavalry and defending the empire. The Emperor is filled with endless gratitude and thus decided to reward the Prince with a companion.
Zhao Ling, the Second Miss of the Prime Minister's household though born with a weak body constitution had remained filial to her parents and the Emperor had seen that the Fifth Prince and the Second Miss Zhao shared a similar situation. Thus, the Emperor decided to tie the red threads of two people by bestowing a marriage so that they can accompany each other in health, sickness, wealth, joy, and sorrow. This is the decree of the Emperor"
Both Yan Xing and Zhao Ling inwardly rolled their eyes after listening to the decree. The banquet hall was in complete silence.
"This unfilial son thanks imperial father for your grace", Yan Xing thanked the Emperor as he accepted the decree.
Zhao Ling also followed suit, "This humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your eminent favor"
The Emperor was in a good mood, "Good, good since both of you have no objections regarding this marriage, we will pick a date and the wedding will be held after the new year"
'Are we even allowed to object!' thought Yan Xing and Zhao Ling.
"Congratulations Your Highness and Second Miss Zhao"
Everyone in the hall immediately started congratulating the couple and sending best wishes to the new couple.
Yan Xing had a bewitching smile plastered on his face as he accepted all the good wishes and congratulatory words from the official. The Emperor who was sitting on the throne was secretly observing Yan Xing and was inwardly confused. He had thought that Yan Xing would not accept this marriage and would cause a ruckus at the banquet for which he had even made preparations. But he didn't expect things to go this smoothly, neither did Yan Xing protest nor did he cause a ruckus instead he was warmly smiling at everyone as if he was about to marry the love of his life.
The Emperor didn't know what Yan Xing was thinking, he turned his attention towards Zhao Ling and was even more confused. The Second Miss Zhao was used by his father as a chess piece to gain power and to obtain a strong foothold in the court by marrying her to an impotent prince. But Zhao Ling had a calm expression without a single ripple of emotions on her face. There wasn't any sadness or remorse on her face. The Emperor furrowed his brows lost in thoughts. This marriage will tie both of their hands and didn't have any advantage for both of them, right!
Yan Xing looked at Zhao Ling who happened to look at him. Their eyes met, and Yan Xing's smile reached his eyes. He picked up a wine cup and walked towards Zhao Ling, "Second Miss Zhao, here is to our new beginning". Yan Xing downed the cup.
"Due to my poor health I am unable to drink wine so I will switch it to tea", Zhao Ling downed the cup after saying it.
Yan Xing's smile widened, "Second Miss Zhao, this Prince will send you a satisfying betrothal gift". Zhao Ling raised her brows to look at him, she was good at reading between the lines, and what Yan Xing just said wasn't a simple sentence.
Yan Xing leaned closer to her and said in a low voice, "As everyone knows I am an impotent Prince, I won't be able to satisfy you after our marriage. So, I should at least send you a satisfactory betrothal gift, right!"
Zhao Ling gave a warm smile and replied, "That's so thoughtful of you Your Highness. Well then, I will be waiting for your gifts"
Yan Xing chuckled and went away.
"Young Miss, isn't the Fifth Prince a little thicked skinned", said He Qing
Zhao Ling lowered her head, she had an evil smirk on her face. "He is not only thicked skin but shameless too!"
After the banquet, the news about the Emperor bestowing a marriage to Fifth Prince and Second Miss Zhao spread to the entire capital like a wildfire. It became the talk of every household. Many people had different opinions about marriage.
"What? That impotent Fifth Prince and infertile Second Miss Zhao"
"One is impotent and one is infertile. What a perfect match..haha"
"The Fifth Prince was born premature and is not in good health, it is said that he nearly died from an illness the first year he went to the southwest border. Now even the emperor is tying him to a weak and sickly lady, I don't know what the emperor is thinking"
"Both of them indeed share a similar fate. The Emperor's mind is unpredictable, who knows what motive he had by tying the red threads of these two pitiful souls together"
The marriage between Yan Xing and Zhao Ling was seen as the biggest joke by the people of the entire empire. Unaware that after many years, the whole empire will look up to this unrivaled power couple and worship and admire them for the miraculous things they achieved.
"Young Miss, our men have found out. It was indeed the Fifth Prince who had investigated you. General Xiao had investigated too but Fifth Prince wanted more detailed and accurate information", said He Qing with a chill in her tone.
Zhao Ling folded her arms and leaned back on the bamboo couch, "I knew it, he isn't that simple. We should be more cautious in the future. He might not have found anything this time but who knows in the future. I am sure he might have also caught the news that someone had investigated him. Last night in the banquet, he had been observing my every move. He is suspecting me too"
The Fifth Prince's Estate
"Your Highness, when are you going to tell me. Didn't you tell me that you will tell me after the banquet? It is already morning yet you still haven't told me what was amiss with Second Miss Zhao?", complained Jingsheng begrudgingly.
Yan Xing was having breakfast. He was smiling as he watched Jingsheng pacing around the room complaining.
"Jingsheng, you disappointed me this time", said Yan Xing as he wiped his mouth.
"Your Highness, I still have so many things to learn from you", said Jingsheng lowering his head.
"Come, sit down, I will tell you", Yan Xing motioned his hand at Jingsheng