The Duke of Wei's panic could only be caused by something significant. Could it be related to the Duke's daughter?
She had been gone for a long time, and it was likely that something had happened.
The First Prince had this thought and was unwilling to let it go. Today's banquet was interesting, and perhaps he could witness some drama.
"Since the Duke and Miss Wei are both absent, I find it very lively outside the waterside pavilion. Why don't we go out and join the fun? Since we came to admire the snow, waiting here in the pavilion is quite boring."
In any case, the imperial decree for the marriage had not yet arrived, and it was indeed tedious to sit here. The Sixth Prince agreed, but the Ninth Prince, who was beside them, did not express his opinion.
The First Prince and the Ninth Prince had always been at odds, and sometimes they were too lazy to even pretend to be civil in public.
Wen Yuwei and Liang Luo exchanged glances. They were still unmarried young ladies and it was inappropriate for them to remain indoors at this moment.
Therefore, they both agreed with the First Prince's suggestion.
"If Your Highness the First Prince does not mind, this humble subject can lead the way. My sister Wei has taken us around the back garden several times, so I know which places are interesting."
"Oh, that would be excellent." As soon as he finished speaking, he stood up, bowed to Xiao Tingyi, and respectfully said again, "Uncle, would you like to go for a walk with us?"
Although it was not snowing outside, it lacked the warmth of the indoors. Xiao Tingyi's health was not good, and he was afraid of catching a cold, so he did not dare to invite him rashly.
"I have always disliked crowds, so no, thank you."
This was the truth. Apart from attending banquets occasionally, the First Prince had never seen this uncle anywhere else. He spent more than half of the year recuperating in the Prince of Ding's mansion.
"In that case, your nephews will not disturb you further." Seeing that the First Prince had invited the Sixth Prince and was about to walk out of the waterside pavilion, the Ninth Prince, who had not spoken a word until now, suddenly spoke without even lifting his eyelids.
"The roads are slippery in the snow. I think it would be better for my imperial brothers to stay indoors. Besides, the imperial decree will arrive soon. If we delay the delivery of the decree, the Emperor will be displeased. As the eldest, you might displease the Emperor again."
His words were full of threats and warnings. The Duke of Wei's departure was strange, and there must have been something happening that he did not want them to know. Letting them out at this time would make it difficult to shirk responsibility if they stumbled upon it.
The First Prince glared at the Ninth Prince with a gloomy expression upon hearing his words. "Ninth Brother, are you threatening me? The imperial decree for the marriage is for the Wei family and you. Now that there is no one in charge in the Wei family, you are not rushing to find them but are focused on whether I am here. What is the reason for this?"
Liang Luo regretted it at this moment. She wished she hadn't said that earlier, which had angered the Ninth Prince.
Seeing that the two were about to clash again, the Sixth Prince intended to mediate.
Just as he was about to speak, a shrill voice called out, "His Majesty has an imperial decree. The entire Wei family is to receive the decree."
It's here!
The First Prince's face lit up with joy. Never before had he wished for the imperial decree of marriage to arrive so quickly!
A eunuch in a brocade palace robe walked in with a joyful expression. Upon seeing the Prince of Ding, who had not appeared for a long time, he was stunned for a moment before bowing respectfully.
"This servant greets Your Highness the Prince of Ding. May Your Highness be blessed."
The eunuch, Eunuch Wang, who spoke, had been by the Emperor's side for a long time and was a trusted confidant of the Emperor. The fact that he had made this trip showed the palace's attention to this marriage.
"Hmm." Xiao Tingyi was always a man of few words, so Eunuch Wang was not surprised by his coldness.
After greeting all the princes in the waterside pavilion one by one, he said obsequiously to the Ninth Prince.
"Ninth Prince, why are the Duke of Wei and Miss Wei absent? Quickly call them out to receive the decree. This is a good marriage that Noble Consort personally requested from His Majesty. It seems the Wei family will have another consort!"
After saying this, his smile deepened, adding several more wrinkles to his face.
The Ninth Prince's expression was grim. The imperial decree had arrived at this opportune moment, neither too early nor too late.
Even if he was flustered, he would not show it at this time.
"Eunuch Wang, please wait a moment. I will send someone to find my maternal grandfather."
He beckoned outwards, and Luo Feng, the guard who had been serving him, immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands in a fist, and knelt before him to receive orders.
The Ninth Prince said sternly, "Go and invite my maternal grandfather."
After saying this, he coughed, which meant that Luo Feng could not be careless at such a time. Luo Feng nodded.
Wen Yuwei and Liang Luo saw that the situation was not right. While Eunuch Wang was talking to the princes, they quietly walked outside.
They saw a panicked old woman approaching from not far away. Liang Luo grabbed the old woman and asked.
"What is it? Why are you so flustered!"
The old woman dared not hide anything and immediately told them everything. Liang Luo's eyes were filled with disbelief. How could this be!
If her elder brother truly had feelings for Miss Wei, how could she not have known anything about it!
"It must be a frame-up! It must be! Is that person trying to destroy my Liang family!"
She would never believe that her soft-hearted brother would do something like snatching a bride from the Ninth Prince!
After saying this, she ran quickly towards the Mufeng Pavilion.
Wen Yuwei followed closely behind. If today's matter could not be resolved peacefully, the Wei family would suffer, and the Wen and Liang families would not fare any better.
They were all in the same boat, and no one could escape unscathed at this time.
By the pond, more and more people gathered. This was a scandal involving the Xu, Wei, and Liang families. Since the elders were not handling it, they dared to whisper among themselves but did not dare to make any excessive moves.
When the Duke of Wei arrived, he saw a group of people surrounding Wei Lanxuan and Liang Pan, and his anger immediately flared.
"Are you all dead? Can't you see the young lady has fallen into the water? Hurry and summon an imperial physician! If her condition is delayed, how many of your worthless lives can you use to compensate!"
As the Duke, he roared, scaring the servants of the Wei family into action. Some looked for a soft sedan chair, some for dry clothes, and some for an imperial physician, and then they became flustered.
"Thank you, Young Master Liang, for saving me. I will definitely visit to express my gratitude another day."
Then he signaled for the servants beside him to step forward and separate the two.
However, the young lady Wei, perhaps having grabbed onto a lifeline after choking on water, held onto Liang Pan's clothes with both hands so tightly that they could not be separated even by force, making the old women cry out in distress.
The Duke of Wei's old face turned ashen. He stood with his hands behind his back. If it weren't for his status, he would have wished he could personally step forward to pull the two apart.
Not to mention the embarrassment, how would today's matter be resolved?
He turned to look at where Xu Mingyue was. Seeing her calm expression, he could not guess whether she was frightened or truly so composed.
He stepped forward and took Xu Mingyue's gaze, his expression kind. He even cupped his hands and bowed to her, saying.
"Miss Xu, you are righteous. To have such a good son-in-law to save someone in distress, the Wei family is deeply grateful for your and your husband's great kindness. I heard that the Grand Secretary has been ill these past few days. My mansion has a hundred-year-old ginseng bestowed by His Majesty. I will bring it back for the Grand Secretary as a medicinal ingredient, which will surely double the effect!"
He thought that using ginseng would make Xu Mingyue keep quiet, which was simply a dream.