When Xu Ming arrived at the courtyard, all the commoners present knelt to receive the imperial decree, leaving only the officials standing.
Wei Xun, who stood at the forefront, noticed Xu Ming's arrival and chuckled. "Zhuangyuan Lang (Top Scholar), please step forward to receive the decree."
Wei Xun's demeanor toward Xu Ming was notably respectful, even tinged with a hint of flattery.
Previously, Wei Xun had maintained a reserved attitude toward Xu Ming, observing from a distance. But now, he was firmly aligned with Xu Ming. After all, Xu Ming's future son was almost certain to become Wei Xun's future master—assuming he lived long enough to see that day.
"Xu Ming is ready to receive the decree." Xu Ming stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
Wei Xun nodded in satisfaction, cleared his throat, and unfolded the golden imperial decree. His sharp, high-pitched voice echoed across the courtyard:
Imperial Edict:
We have heard that in heaven and earth, yin and yang complement each other, and men and women are meant to unite. This is the way of the Great Dao.
Today, Our beloved daughter, Princess Zhao Wen, has reached the age of marriage. She is virtuous, graceful, talented, and a source of great pride to Us.
We have also heard of Xu Ming of the Xu family, a man of outstanding talent, impeccable virtue, and unparalleled accomplishments in both the literary and martial arts. His poetic renown spreads across the land.
After comparing their birth charts and consulting the esteemed master of Tianji City, it has been determined that Xu Ming and Princess Zhao Wen are a match made in heaven.
This pleases Us greatly, and We wish to unite them in marriage to demonstrate Our benevolence and secure the foundation of the kingdom.
Thus, We hereby decree that Xu Ming of the Xu family shall marry Our beloved daughter, Princess Wu Yanhan. May they be joined in matrimony, live long and harmonious lives, and bring forth prosperous descendants to uphold their family's honor and contribute to the nation's glory.
When Wei Xun finished reading, all eyes turned to Xu Ming, filled with envy and admiration.
Should Xu Ming become the imperial son-in-law, and given that the emperor had only one daughter, it was almost certain that Xu Ming's future son would ascend the throne. At that time, Xu Ming's status would be unparalleled, beyond what words like "second only to one, above all others" could capture.
While many had already anticipated Xu Ming's appointment as the imperial son-in-law, it was still awe-inspiring to witness it come to fruition.
Xu Shuiya, Xu Zheng, and Qin Ruhai were overjoyed.
It's here! The decree has finally arrived!
They had long heard rumors of the emperor's intention to marry the princess to Xu Ming. After all, the princess was no longer young, and the absence of a designated heir was undoubtedly a pressing concern for the emperor. Now, with Xu Ming as the imperial son-in-law and his offspring likely to inherit the throne, the influence of the Xu and Qin families would rise to unimaginable heights.
The secondary wives of the Xu family also cast envious glances at Chen Suya.
This Chen Suya truly raised an extraordinary son!
Even so, they eagerly supported Xu Ming's rise as the imperial son-in-law, as it might bring additional titles and privileges to the Xu family.
However, those with more foresight—such as Wang Feng, Madam Qin, and Zhao Wenshan—couldn't help but feel a deep sense of unease on behalf of the Xu and Qin families.
Did these people truly believe the emperor was some benevolent fool?
The emperor would never allow the Xu and Qin families to climb too high.
Given the recklessness of most Xu and Qin family members, the best-case scenario was that they'd embarrass the royal family. In the worst case, their arrogance and indulgence could lead to chaos within the court.
Now that the imperial decree had been issued, it was almost certain that before Xu Ming and the princess were wed, the Xu and Qin families would face a thorough reckoning!
Now, all the Xu and Qin families could hope for was that the Emperor would show leniency, reducing their noble ranks and dispersing their power without annihilating them entirely.
Meanwhile, as Xu Ming's mother, Chen Suya, didn't appear particularly overjoyed at her son becoming the imperial son-in-law and rising to one of the most exalted positions in the land.
Chen Suya looked at Xu Ming with calm eyes filled with concern.
Becoming the imperial son-in-law, especially as the spouse of the kingdom's only princess, with their future child almost certain to ascend the throne, was an unmatched honor. But everything had two sides.
If Xu Ming became the imperial son-in-law, he would be tied to the royal family, and life as a royal child was far from easy.
Chen Suya would rather Xu Ming marry an ordinary girl and live a simple, happy life. But with the imperial decree issued, her Ming'er no longer had a choice.
Refusing the decree would mean defying imperial orders. In Wu Kingdom, apart from emergencies such as "military commands taking precedence over imperial orders," defying an imperial decree was a capital offense.
At the banquet, everyone was watching Xu Ming, waiting for him to accept the decree.
But Xu Ming remained bent in a bow, silent.
In his mind, Wei Xun's words were still echoing.
Who was this princess?
Her name was Wu Yanhan?
"Didn't you plan to marry that girl, Zhu Ci Ci, after you made it onto the golden roll?"
"How did she come up in this conversation?"
"Oh, nothing. Just so you know, after you took the imperial exams, rumors spread in the capital that you might become the imperial son-in-law of Wu Kingdom."
"What? Is that even possible?"
"Who knows? But if the Emperor bestows a marriage decree, will you accept it?"
"Well… is she pretty?"
"She's prettier than that Zhu Ci Ci."
Xu Ming couldn't help but recall the words Wu Yanhan had spoken to him.
He had always known Wu Yanhan wasn't ordinary and had suspected she might be of royal descent, given her surname "Wu." But he never imagined she was the princess of Wu Kingdom. At most, he thought she was some noble's child sent to train in the military.
After all, who would expect the Emperor to send his only child to the military camp?
And not just any princess—Wu Kingdom's sole princess, with the Martial God Physic.
Xu Ming smiled faintly and shook his head.
Looking back, it seemed his entry into the Blood Asura Battalion and the 484th Camp, and his interactions with Wu Yanhan, had all been orchestrated by the Emperor.
Did Xu Ming harbor resentment toward the Emperor for this? Not really.
Entrusting his most precious daughter to Xu Ming was the Emperor's highest form of trust and even akin to handing him half the kingdom.
Of course, it wasn't entirely voluntary on the Emperor's part. Having only one child left him little choice.
But had Wu Yanhan known all this? Did she know she was to be betrothed from the start?
Or had she also been observing her "future husband" during their time in the camp?
"Zhuangyuan Lang, accept the decree."
Wei Xun smiled at Xu Ming, who had yet to respond. He could understand Xu Ming's daze.
No matter how talented or mature this Zhuangyuan Lang was for his age, receiving such an honor on the same day as his exam triumph—being named imperial son-in-law on the day he topped the golden roll—was enough to make anyone feel like they were dreaming.
Truly, Xu Ming was blessed. To have the two greatest joys in life—academic success and marriage—coincide on the same day was extraordinary.
"Ming'er, quickly accept the decree."
"Ming'er, accept it!"
Next to Xu Ming, Xu Shuiya and his father were even more anxious than Xu Ming. If they dared to touch the decree, they might've already snatched it up and stuffed it into Xu Ming's hands.
Xu Ming took a deep breath, straightened up, and looked at Wei Xun. He then bowed deeply and said,
"Your subject begs forgiveness but cannot yet accept this decree."