The old Madam heard their words and looked at the imperial edict in Ye Luan's hand. For a moment, joy and sorrow mingled.
Sorrow came from worrying about the ruthless methods of the Prince of Dingbei, fearing she would suffer if married. Joy stemmed from finally being able to witness her only granddaughter's wedding.
Most importantly, the rumors surrounding the Prince of Dingbei and A Luan had been rampant, ruining the reputation of a young lady. He ought to grant her a proper status.
"Grandmother."
The old Madam grasped Ye Luan's hand and patted it gently. "A Luan, if the Prince of Dingbei—"
Ye Luan knew what she was worrying about and directly reassured her, "The Prince treats me very well."
---
News of the Prince of Dingbei's impending marriage had been the talk of the capital for several days, with no one knowing which family's daughter he intended to marry. Early this morning, eunuchs from the palace, carrying an imperial edict, traveled through the long streets and entered the Zhenguo Gong's mansion in a grand procession.
Before long, the news spread: the Prince of Dingbei was to take Ye Luan, the legitimate daughter of the Ye family, as his consort, with an imperial edict from the Imperial Astronomy Bureau issued.
This news instantly caused a sensation throughout the capital.
However, not long after, whispers began to circulate that the Great General of Zhenxi, who held military power in the northwest, had broken off his engagement with the Prince of Duan's mansion in court. Furthermore, he intended to marry a comatose woman from the common folk, shocking the court and sparking widespread discussion in the capital.
How could the head of a prominent clan marry a woman from the common folk, especially one whose life or death was uncertain?
The Tantai clan could be said to be a noble lineage that had continued for hundreds of years, existing even in the previous dynasty. Unfortunately, hundreds of years ago, the Tantai clan suffered a devastating disaster while supporting King Bei Li's ascension to the throne. Their fortunes declined, and they gradually weakened over generations. Yet, for over a hundred years since the founding of the Great Liang dynasty, they had consistently maintained their position as the foremost clan.
Especially after the current Emperor ascended the throne, the Tantai clan produced Tantai Ye, who, before reaching the age of twenty, had campaigned in the Western Regions multiple times, achieving unparalleled merit. A large portion of the court officials were from the Tantai clan. For such a century-old grand family to marry a commoner woman was truly shocking.
Not only the court and the common people, but the Tantai clan's ancestral home was also in an uproar over this matter. The ancestral temple was usually closed, except for the passing of the clan head. However, now, due to Tantai Ye's intention to marry, the ancestral temple was opened wide.
Inside the ancestral hall, people were seated. Presiding was an elder, over fifty years old, with a white beard and leaning on a cane, calmly listening to the commotion below. Those who had a say in the ancestral hall were members of the Tantai clan's direct lineage; apart from the main wife, Madam Yue Hua, there were no women present. On the chairs to the sides sat the clan elders and men from the direct lineage.
"Yuan Zhi, what do you say?"
Yuan Zhi, the style name of the old master Tantai Hong, sat below the elder. Hearing the elder's words, his somber expression softened slightly. The others also stopped their arguments and looked towards them.
Tantai Hong's cloudy eyes flashed with sharpness. He said placidly, "Ah Ye is the future patriarch of our Tantai clan. His wife must come from a reputable family." This statement clearly indicated his stance: a commoner woman could never be the main wife.
"The old master speaks wisely. That woman's background is lowly, and she is still comatose, her life or death uncertain. Is this not a joke?"
"The Great General of Zhenxi, in his prime, wants to marry such a woman. I think he's been bewitched by that woman and has lost his way."
An exasperated gentleman from the mansion immediately turned his anger towards Tantai Lie, who had remained silent. "The family head's authority has been usurped by his own son. Truly pathetic."
Tantai Lie's expression turned cold, and he said sternly, "This scoundrel has long been beyond our control. He colluded with the Prince of Dingbei and Prime Minister Liu in court, holding military power in his hands."
"How many people in the clan has he replaced? Just look around, how many of you here are on his side?"
Someone immediately interrupted, angered, "Even if they are, it's not allowed!"
"Before the Three Halls and Nine Dukes, within the ancestral temple, even the family head must obey the ancestral teachings. This is the rule of our Tantai clan."
"He has not yet taken the position of family head, yet he dares to defy the clan so blatantly. Truly an unfilial descendant."
"Absurd!"
Someone chimed in, "Seventh Duke is correct. This concerns the honor of our Tantai clan. We have been discussing this for so long, and we are all of one mind: we will absolutely not accept a commoner woman as our main wife."
"That woman must be executed!"
Madam Yue Hua, listening to the enraged words of the clan elders, pursed her lips slightly. The words Tantai Ye had spoken that day flashed through her mind, and she couldn't help but sigh.
The old master inquired, "Why hasn't the person arrived yet?"
A guard waiting nearby immediately stepped forward, "We have sent for them several times already."
"Hmph, he puts on quite an air, not even respecting us elders. Look at the son you've raised."
Tantai Lie: "---"
"Seventh Duke, is there something you're dissatisfied with regarding me?"
Suddenly, a cold voice came from outside. Everyone turned to look, and saw Tantai Ye, dressed in black, walking in with a stern expression.
Inside the hall, there was instant silence. The clan elders who had been so indignant moments ago fell silent. Openly, no one wanted to offend Tantai Ye. Not only was he to be the future patriarch of the Tantai clan, but his current power in court, colluding with the Prince of Dingbei, made him almost all-powerful. At least on the surface, things had to be presentable.
However, the Tantai clan was the foremost clan, a noble family. How could the dignified main wife be a comatose commoner woman? It was simply a disgrace to the family.
Everyone looked at his white hair, and for a moment, no one spoke.
The old master spoke first, "I heard that you broke off your engagement with the Prince of Duan's mansion in court and sought an imperial edict to marry a comatose woman."
Tantai Ye fiddled with a knife in his hand and walked directly to the uppermost seat, leaning back against the chair.
"Yes, it was a decree from the Empress Dowager, a match made in heaven."
"What? You sought an imperial decree from the Empress Dowager?"
Everyone was stunned.
"Absurd! You scoundrel! If this gets out, what will become of our Tantai clan's reputation? The capital will be waiting to laugh at us."
"What do you think the Prince of Duan's mansion will think? They will surely oppose our Tantai clan from now on."
Tantai Ye glanced lazily. "The Prince of Dingbei, on behalf of the Emperor, issued an edict, exceptionally enfeoffing Li Yan as a princess."
"----"
The old master's face darkened. "That still won't do. Setting aside her status, she is now comatose, her life or death unknown. Why are you marrying her? To look at her?"
"It's a decree from the Empress Dowager. Does the old master intend to defy the imperial decree at the palace?"
"The imperial edict has not yet been issued; there is still room for reconsideration."
Upon hearing this, Tantai Ye let out a cold laugh. "If I was summoned here today only to discuss my marriage, then there is no need to continue."
"She, Lan Murou, is the one I will marry."
As everyone watched him stand up to leave, they exploded into an uproar, shouting accusations, with words coming from all directions. Tantai Ye's expression instantly turned grim. The knife in his hand flew out with a swish, piercing directly into the long table, startling everyone into paling.
Except for the elder presiding over the seat, everyone else was frightened by this display. To dare commit violence within the ancestral temple was simply audacious.
Tantai Lie stood up, furious, and struck out at Tantai Ye's face with a slap. Tantai Ye offered no resistance, grabbing his hand and forcefully throwing him onto a chair.
"You dare!"
...