Chapter 414: Chapter 284: Shocking the Court and Country—She Is the Hong Residence’s Discarded Wife
In a matter of three days, time flew by, and the Military Department verified that Ye Huang’s background was clean, with no reprehensible conduct, and his military achievements were indeed genuine, presenting the matter to the Emperor.
Emperor Xia issued a decree, passing the resolution to confer the title of General upon Ye Huang, and in front of all the civil and military officials, bestowed Ye Huang with the rank of Third-Rank Western General.
At the Golden Throne Hall, the civil and military officials stood divided to either side.
The faction of Noble Marquises had dark expressions on their faces.
Henceforth, another commoner leader would join the ranks of the court, dealing a significant blow to the power of the nobles.
The faction of the civilian generals, however, was brimming with joy.
Only General Lan, who was normally cheerful, now sported a somber demeanor.
"Decree from the Emperor by the mandate of Heaven: Ye Huang, Deputy General of the Tiger Wolf Camp, has both virtue and talent, is adept in civil governance and military achievement, having slain the demon serpent, is hereby granted the title of Far Western General. Ye Huang, step forward to receive your commendation."
The shrill voice of the eunuch echoed through the Golden Throne Hall.
However, Ye Huangyu stood to one side, long hesitating to move a single step.
Nearby, Nie Fengxing’s eyes, filled with encouragement, instilled an immense courage in Ye Huangyu.
"Ye Huang, why have you not come forward to be honored?"
"Your servant, Ye Huang, has something to disclose. I am actually a woman who, for the sake of dedicating myself to the country, concealed my identity to join the military."
She confessed on the spot, shedding her armor, and untying her hair bun. Her black locks cascaded down, revealing her beautiful face--a pretty and delicate woman indeed.
Her skin was as white as jade, and though a fierce warrior on the battlefield, she was unexpectedly a woman.
Countless eyes fell upon Ye Huangyu, some critical, some shocked, and others filled with helplessness and sighs.
General Lan felt regret but was even more concerned for the safety of Ye Huangyu.
"Your servant, Nie Fengxing, encountered Vice General Ye in the military camp, having gone through life and death together, we came to mutually cherish each other. I beseech Your Majesty to spare Vice General Ye from the death penalty and bless our union," Nie Fengxing pleaded to Emperor Xia for a marriage decree.
"You are... Ye Huangyu! Aren’t you Heir Hong’s cast-off, Ye Huangyu?" Heir Hong recognized her.
Hong Fang’s former wife?
The entire court was in an uproar, and even Emperor Xia could not help but be moved.
"Outrageous, absolutely outrageous. Ye Huangyu, you have deceived your sovereign and superiors, what should your crime be? Guards, arrest Ye Huangyu and detain her for later execution." Faced with such a situation, Emperor Xia, in a fit of rage, ordered for Ye Huangyu to be thrown into the Heavenly Prison. Nie Fengxing, unable to prevent it, was knocked unconscious by the furious Marquis Guanwu and dragged away.
This drama that unfolded in the court quickly spread throughout the entire Xia Capital, even reaching Hong Fang in the distant Xixia Plain, leaving him utterly shocked.
Ye Huang is Ye Huangyu?
Recalling Ye Huang’s face, which had failed to conceal her true identity, Hong Fang had a sudden realization.
But immediately, a sour feeling welled up in Hong Fang’s heart.
He remembered how Ye Huangyu and Nie Fengxing, that pair of dogs, had exchanged flirtatious glances in front of him.
Although Ye Huangyu was a woman Hong Fang had discarded years ago, she was still his woman, his once wife. Even if she had been cast off, Hong Fang always believed that she belonged to him in life and would be his ghost in death.
After Hong Fang discarded Ye Huangyu, he would occasionally think of her.
In his view, even if she had not died, Ye Huangyu should be living like a walking corpse, eking out a miserable existence.
Or perhaps, with a withered face, one day, when he had reached the pinnacle of power, he might see on some street corner the destitute figure of Ye Huangyu.
Yet she should never be like she is today, not only living without much pain but instead reborn from the flames.
She joined the army, achieved military merits, and even won the heart of a man like Nie Fengxing.
She shouldn’t be living so well!
Hong Fang remembered the way Nie Fengxing looked at Ye Huangyu, with such caution and as if he treasured her like a rare gem.
How could the woman he discarded become such a unique existence in another man’s hands?
Jealousy and hatred intertwined in Hong Fang’s heart.
"Great General, Emperor Xia has sent a decree, ordering you to rush back to Xia Capital immediately."
The incident with Ye Huangyu unexpectedly provided Hong Fang with an opportunity to return to Xia Capital.
Hong Fang put down his military duties and, without stopping to rest, immediately set off for Xia Capital.
Within Moon City, Ye Lingyue had also received letters from both her foster father and Empress Liu.
In the letter, Empress Liu’s words were filled with helplessness, implying that Ye Huangyu had revealed her identity during the ennoblement ceremony.
"I had anticipated that mother would reveal her identity, I just did not expect Nie Fengxing to propose marriage on the spot." Ye Lingyue put down the letter.
Nie Fengxing and mother chose this intense method to announce their relationship to the whole world.
Nonetheless, this also made Ye Lingyue even more satisfied with Nie Fengxing.
Completely unlike the weak and selfish Hong Fang, Nie Fengxing was willing to risk his life to protect Ye Huangyu, this also made Ye Lingyue more confident about their future.
"Ling Yue, with things having gotten this far, you can still laugh?" Lan Cai’er was almost frantic.
"Sister, what’s meant to come will always come. At least this has allowed mother to see Nie Fengxing’s heart clearly. I have a few letters here; please help me send them out. I’m leaving for Xia Capital today, I’ll have to trouble you and Vice-Manager Cui with matters here in the city."
The situation on the Xixia Plain had come to a temporary conclusion; after absorbing the mysterious black qi, no more beast chaos would occur shortly.
Ye Lingyue knew, what her mother needed most at this time was her support.
It was also time to break off relations with the Hong Residence.
During the days Ye Lingyue rushed back to Xia Capital, there was much discussion about whether Ye Huangyu should be appointed as a general.
Marquis Guanwu detained Nie Fengxing in his residence, while the Marchioness pleaded earnestly for Nie Fengxing to give up on Ye Huangyu. However, Nie Fengxing remained silent; he was determined to marry Ye Huangyu this time.
"You’ve really been bewitched by that woman. You want to marry her, right? I’ll go to the Imperial Palace and ask Emperor Xia to kill her. Dressing as a man and entering the military camp, such an act of defiance is not befitting of a proper woman." Marquis Guanwu, Nie Yun, was so angry that his mustache quivered on his flushed face, and he stormed off to the palace.
"Old Bastard, if Huangyu is missing a single piece of flesh, I’ll make sure your Nie Residence is left without descendants! Tomorrow I will go to the palace and become a eunuch!" Nie Fengxing, locked in his room, was so angry that he banged the door repeatedly.
Outside, the Marchioness was in tears.
When Old Marquis Nie Yun reached the entrance of the Imperial Palace, he was furious and ready to seek an audience with the Emperor.
But when he arrived outside the imperial study, he was stopped by the Eunuch Chief, Lord Liu.
"Old Marquis, are you here to seek an audience with His Majesty?"
"What a foolish question. Is it that I’ve come to chat with the Emperor about family matters?" Marquis Guanwu’s temper was as fiery as Nie Fengxing’s, both famous for their loud voices and hot tempers.
"Marquis, please calm your anger. There are guests in the imperial study, and even if you wish to see His Majesty, you must wait your turn. Look, there are others waiting in the side hall." The Eunuch Chief had a troubled expression and gestured towards the direction of the side hall with his mouth.