The Empress ascended the throne, and the populace rejoiced.
Su Yu invited a group of noble youths to his residence for a banquet. Prime Minister Su subtly extended an invitation to the new Empress in court, hoping she would grace them with her presence.
His blatant attempts to matchmake for his own son were as obvious as could be. Everyone began to ponder whether they should encourage their eligible sons or grandsons to be more proactive…
As midday approached, the noble youths began to arrive one after another. In the past, it was the young ladies who adorned themselves to find a suitable husband. Today, the young men, with their jade coronets and luxurious attire, were graceful and spirited, far more eye-catching than the meticulously dressed young ladies.
With music, chess, calligraphy, painting, archery, and competitions, the air was filled with laughter and joy.
Even the secluded courtyard where Su Mo resided could feel the lively atmosphere.
The excitement outside was out of place with this small courtyard, as if they were two different worlds. No one knew it was his eighteenth birthday, and even if they did, no one cared.
At this moment, he sat on the doorstep with a small bundle, gazing expectantly towards the courtyard entrance, his expression devoid of any sadness or loneliness.
An Yi felt sorry for him, seeing how the Prime Minister’s residence ignored him.
Seeing him sitting there obediently, eagerly awaiting Qiao Ci’s approval to become a eunuch, An Yi found it amusing.
He suddenly remembered that Qiao Ci was the new Empress, and she would never truly let him become a eunuch. He immediately envied his foolish luck.
An Yi greatly admired Qiao Ci, both in martial arts, strategy, and bearing. The reason he never disclosed any information about Qiao Ci to Su Mo was to see if this man valued by Qiao Ci would remain steadfast and true to his original intentions.
An Yi reported Su Mo’s daily activities truthfully to Qiao Ci.
“You’ve been sitting here all morning. Go inside and rest.” Crystal sweat dripped down his fair face, but it was far less radiant than the light in his eyes.
Su Mo’s eyes curved into crescents. “I’m not tired, An Yi. When do you think the Empress will come to pick me up?”
“Soon, I suppose.” An Yi, uncharacteristically, did not offer a perfunctory reply.
The garden was bustling with activity. The Empress’s personal chief eunuch arrived. Su Yu was extremely pleased, believing the Empress had long admired him and, now that she held great power without constraints, was ready to make her move.
As a man, he felt no shame in becoming an Imperial Husband.
The Empress was exceptionally beautiful and had an extraordinary bearing, attracting many admirers.
Moreover, as a woman, the Empress would eventually need to bear children and manage the household. At that time, it wouldn't be impossible for the Empress to retreat behind the scenes to carry her child, allowing him to manage state affairs or even usurp the throne.
“Is the second son, Su Mo, present?” the chief eunuch’s high-pitched voice interrupted Su Yu’s fantasies.
He couldn’t quite believe what he heard, thinking the chief eunuch was mistaken due to old age. He kindly reminded him, “Esteemed Eunuch, the imperial decree should be for the eldest son, Su Yu, shouldn’t it?”
The chief eunuch, unfazed by the questioning, smiled. “This humble servant has not misread. Please summon the second son, Su Mo, to receive the decree.”
Prime Minister Su, who had just arrived, was also bewildered. Upon hearing this, he quickly had Su Mo summoned. Seeing the chief eunuch’s gentle demeanor, he thought Su Mo was benefiting from his father’s position.
Su Mo, not understanding the reason, followed the servants to a eunuch with a benevolent face.
The eunuch scrutinized him and praised, “Indeed, he is a spirit of exceptional talent.”
Then, he opened the imperial decree. Everyone immediately knelt in unison. Su Mo, thinking the eunuch from the palace had come to take him there, also quickly knelt. The old eunuch gently supported his arm.
“By Imperial decree, the Empress graciously grants the second son exemption from the ritual of kowtowing.”
Those who were kneeling erupted in murmurs. Even Prime Minister Su, no matter how much he tried to deceive himself, felt that Su Mo receiving this decree had little to do with them anymore. After all, even he had to kneel.
“By Heaven’s mandate, I the Emperor decree. I, mindful that today is Su Mo’s eighteenth birthday, hereby extend my congratulations.”
“May your mornings be blessed with abundance, and your nights illuminated with radiant glory.
With a heart of noble virtue, serene and pure, you embody the essence of spirit and beauty.
I hope your joy knows no end, accompanied by steadfast friendships.
May the spring breeze gently caress you, unfurling blossoms under a clear sky.
As the bright moon hangs in the autumn sky, may your journey be as boundless as the Roc’s flight.
May the summer’s first dew bring you sweet dreams, and the winter’s snow leave you undeterred by cold.
I wish for you to ride the wind and break the waves, to rise high with unmatched prowess.
May your ears be free from malicious whispers, and your heart hold jade and beauty, reaching far and wide.”
“…I bestow upon you ten bolts of shark silk, a jade coral, and a fine mutton-fat jade pendant… By Imperial Order!”
Su Mo, dazed, accepted the imperial decree, completely bewildered. So, they hadn’t come to take him to the palace…
That was right. The Empress was in the cold palace and had no control over her own movements. Sending him a dark guard was already the limit. How could she send a eunuch to openly escort him to the palace? It would certainly be through the usual procedures, just like before.
Su Mo, fearing Qiao Ci might not see him if he left, wanted to return to his courtyard after receiving the decree.
“Second son, wait a moment. This humble servant has another imperial decree for you as well.”
As the others stood up, they heard a soft “pia ji” and then a wave of kneeling.
“By Heaven’s mandate, I the Emperor decree. Hearing that Prime Minister Su’s son, Su Mo, possesses outstanding appearance, diligent and sensible nature, gentle and kind disposition, and proper demeanor and speech, he is worthy to be the Imperial Husband of this nation… I have long admired him and taken pleasure in his presence, and I wish to form a union with him for a hundred years… By Imperial Order!”
“Second son… Oh dear, look at this old servant’s tongue, it should be the prospective Imperial Husband. Please accept the decree.”
Su Mo was utterly stunned this time! Empress? Imperial Husband? Isn’t the current Emperor a man? Has he returned to a matriarchal country?
But how could he be someone else’s Imperial Husband? Nowadays, besides Qiao Ci, he wanted no one else.
Even though he was imprisoned, no one could force him to do what he didn’t want. Just as he was about to defy the decree, he heard An Yi’s voice in his ear: “Little fool, quickly accept the decree! Your Empress is coming to marry you. The current Empress is your Empress.”
Although he didn’t understand the full story, An Yi was her subordinate and wouldn’t trick him. Upon learning that Qiao Ci wanted to marry him, his defiant expression instantly lit up with joy. He quickly accepted the imperial decree of betrothal, held it tightly to his chest, and looked expectantly at the kind-faced old eunuch, his eyes sparkling. Boldly yet shyly, he asked, “When, when will she bring me into the palace?”
Seeing his expression shift from resistance to eagerness, the chief eunuch, unsure of the psychological journey he had undergone, respectfully replied, “Later, the Ministers of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue will personally come to discuss the specific arrangements for the grand wedding. The prospective Imperial Husband can share some of his preferences with them.”
After the chief eunuch left, Su Mo, already impatient, headed back to his courtyard clutching the betrothal decree. Not far away, Prime Minister Su, who had finally recovered, coughed lightly to make his presence known. However, Su Mo simply walked away joyfully, hugging the decree tightly…
Prime Minister Su was dumbfounded.
Su Yu, watching Su Mo’s smug and happy retreating back, clenched his fists, his face filled with unwillingness.
Sensing his eldest son’s discontent, Prime Minister Su knew his schemes. Although he didn't know how his younger son had gained the favor of the Empress, the situation was clearly decided.
After all, they were both sons of the Su family. It didn't matter to him who became the Imperial Husband. The Empress was, in the end, his daughter-in-law.
Given the Empress’s decisive and resolute nature, Prime Minister Su warned Su Yu, “Now that your brother is the Imperial Husband, you must not provoke him again. Not only must you not provoke him, but you must also show him favor. Otherwise, if the Empress holds us accountable, we will all suffer.”