mtl008 Chapter 207 Sudden Marriage
Chapter 207 Sudden Marriage
The palace was brightly lit, and Shen Yuxun announced the start of the banquet. The palace musicians, dancers, and food were all presented. Although Shen Yanchu found it boring, he could only respond to the toasts offered to him from time to time.
Halfway through the banquet, Shen Yuxun suddenly stood up and announced loudly, "Today I have some joyous news to announce." Everyone fell silent and looked at Shen Yuxun. Shen Yuxun glanced at Shen Yanchu and then said, "You have achieved a great victory over the Tatars this time. Would you like any reward?"
Everyone looked surprised upon hearing this. Shen Yanchu hadn't expected Shen Yuxun to suddenly announce this decision, and for a moment he didn't know how to react.
Shen Yuxun continued, "Zhizhou, don't be afraid. You are my nephew, and you deserve a reward for such a great service. Tell me what reward you want, and I will grant it to you."
Shen Yanchu, trembling with fear, quickly rose, bowed, and kowtowed, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I was merely doing my duty and asked for nothing in return."
Shen Yuxun laughed heartily after hearing this, "You! My good subject, I knew I hadn't misjudged you." Shen Yanchu bowed his head to express his gratitude, but secretly pondered the purpose of the emperor's summons.
Shen Yanchu said modestly, "Your Majesty flatters me. This is all I should do."
Shen Yuxun looked at Shen Yanchu, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. He slowly said, "How about this! I grant you a special request, which you may make at any time."
Shen Yanchu immediately knelt down to express his gratitude, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness."
The Empress spoke up at the opportune moment, changing the subject. "Your Majesty, please help Prince Xiang to his feet! He is not young anymore. The Princess has also mentioned to me from time to time that she wants to find a suitable girl for His Highness."
Lord Shen Yuxun realized what was happening and quickly gestured for him to stand up and sit down. With a glance, Eunuch Qi understood His Majesty's meaning.
"His Majesty has decreed that His Highness Prince Xiang, having defeated the Tatars this time, is hereby promoted to Commander of the Imperial Guards and concurrently appointed Vice Minister of War. Your Highness Prince Xiang, why do you not accept the decree and express your gratitude?"
When Shen Yanchu rose, his robes fluttered and his movements were swift. He lifted his robes, knelt down and kowtowed to express his gratitude to the Emperor, his voice loud and firm: "Your subject Shen Yanchu kowtows to express his gratitude to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!" The Empress nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction in her eyes, and then instructed her personal nanny to make arrangements for the young ladies of the official families.
After receiving the order, the matron gently greeted the young ladies and guided them into the inner hall in an orderly fashion. Each of the young ladies was dignified and beautiful, with elegant manners. They were dressed in gorgeous clothes, and their faces were filled with anticipation.
Upon entering the inner palace, the young ladies, following the instructions of their matrons, paid their respects to the Empress in turn. The Empress smiled and nodded in acknowledgment, then began to converse with them. The Empress inquired about their family backgrounds, talents, and character, to which the young ladies answered with grace and poise.
During their conversation, the Empress discovered that one of the young ladies was not only exceptionally beautiful but also exceptionally talented and well-mannered. She secretly admired her and decided to betroth this young lady to Shen Yanchu.
Amidst the clinking of glasses, Shen Yanchu also drank quite a bit of wine. Fortunately, she had a good tolerance for alcohol, and occasionally the young ladies would perform their talents before her.
He felt a bit stifled and got up to leave the banquet. He went outside for some fresh air; it seemed His Majesty and the Empress were going to arrange a princess for him today!
He already had Miss Shi in his heart, so how could any other girl catch his eye now?
Before he knew it, he had arrived at the Imperial Garden, where the pavilions and waterside terraces looked quite unique under the lamplight.
The unease in his heart gradually dissipated. He had been out for quite a while, and it was time to go back. Just as he was about to leave, he heard a faint cry for help coming from the pool not far away, as if someone had fallen into the water.
There were no guards or palace maids around. He hesitated for a moment, then took off his outer robe and leaped into the pool. The early spring water was icy cold, making his hands and feet numb. Holding his breath, he quickly swam to the woman who had fallen into the water.
He reached out his arms and hugged her tightly, then swam vigorously toward the shore.
Finally, he swam to the shore and dragged the woman ashore. Ignoring his own soaking wet and freezing cold, he immediately checked on the woman's condition.
He saw that the woman was pale and unconscious. His heart tightened, and he quickly spoke up, trying to wake her.
"Girl, wake up, wake up quickly." Shen Yanchu shivered slightly from the wind, and the girl in his arms looked even paler. He quickly picked up his outer robe from the ground and put it on her.
After a while, the woman finally coughed a few times, spat out some water, and slowly opened her eyes. When she saw the man in front of her, a look of surprise and gratitude flashed in her eyes.
"Thank you for saving me," the woman said weakly.
"You're welcome, it's what I should do," the man said. "How are you feeling? Is anything bothering you?"
"I feel fine, just a little dizzy," the woman said.
"Then you should rest for a bit, I'll go get some help," the man said, then got up and walked away.
As the woman watched the man's departing figure, a strange sense of gratitude welled up within her. She didn't know who the man was, but she knew he was her savior.
Soon, Shen Yanchu brought two palace maids over. The girl also got up with the help of the palace maids, but she was swaying and unsteady.
Feeling a pang of guilt, he walked over to her and said, "Excuse me." He then picked her up and followed behind the palace maid, intending to find a side hall to change her clothes.
Just as Shen Yuxun stepped out of the Imperial Garden, he bumped into Eunuch Qi, who had come looking for him. Eunuch Qi looked anxious, but was relieved to see Shen Yanchu. He noticed that Shen Yanchu was soaking wet and carrying a woman. He immediately ordered someone to help the prince change his clothes.
Before long, they changed their clothes and hurriedly returned to the palace.
The atmosphere inside the hall was harmonious, and few people paid much attention to Shen Yanchu entering with a woman.
However, upon hearing that the Prince of Xiang had rescued the beauty, Shen Yuxun intended to help them get together.
"Yan'er, the woman you just saved is the eldest daughter of Grand Tutor Ye Heng. You also saved Miss Ye. The two of you are a perfect match, so why don't I bestow a marriage upon you?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Wenshu immediately knelt down to express her gratitude. She had accidentally fallen into the water earlier that day and was rescued by Prince Xiang, with whom she had already been intimate. Now, with His Majesty bestowing marriage upon her, she was torn between joy and sorrow.
Shen Yanchu rose to bow, intending to refuse, but the Emperor's sharp gaze fixed on him, leaving him speechless. While he was still in a daze, the ministers rose to offer their congratulations.
"Congratulations, Your Highness Prince Xiang, on your virtuous act that has brought you a blessed marriage."
Shen Yanchu looked terrified. He didn't want to marry her. He loved this girl, how could he marry someone else? He was about to refuse.
"Alright, it's getting late, everyone can leave now!" His Majesty suddenly announced the end of the banquet, and he had no choice but to kneel down.
After the emperor and empress left, the ministers stood up. Shen Yanchu's face was gloomy. He glanced at Miss Ye and then turned and left.
Ye Wenshu was extremely flustered. Was His Highness Prince Xiang so opposed to this marriage? What should she do?