Chapter 211 The Escort Envoy

Chapter 211: Bridal Escort

In Qian Song Hall, the Old Madam had finished her lunch and was dozing off.

The days were growing warmer by the day, yet not yet sweltering—just the right comfort for someone of the Old Madam's age.

The chief maid, Chun Cao, entered, calling softly, "Old Madam, wake up."

The Old Madam, who slept soundly, did not stir.

Chun Cao paused, then spoke gently again, "Old Madam, the sixth young lady is here."

The Old Madam's eyes flew open and she sat up so abruptly that Chun Cao's heart gave a startled leap.

"Who is here?"

"The sixth young lady."

The Old Madam stared blankly for a moment, then was greatly alarmed.

For several months now, the sixth girl had been going to the palace almost daily, staying for lunch with her elder sister, and returning directly to Leng Xiang Residence to rest.

The Old Madam had gone from being constantly worried to gradually accustomed to it—so why had she suddenly come looking for her now?

She must have caused trouble!

Definitely caused trouble!

"Chun Cao—"

"Your servant is here."

"Pour me a cup of cool tea."

"Yes."

The Old Madam took the cool tea from Chun Cao, gulped down two big mouthfuls to steady her nerves, then said weakly, "Ask the sixth young lady to come in."

Before long, Qiu Heng entered and curtsied, saying, "Grandmother."

"Why have you come at this hour?" The Old Madam pretended to be calm, but she was already certain something was wrong—the only question was how serious.

Hearing this question from the Old Madam, Qiu Heng hesitated.

The matter was indeed no small thing, and it had come up suddenly—she needed to weigh her words.

Her hesitation caused the Old Madam to feel faint. She extended a hand: "Wait!"

The old woman picked up her teacup again and took another sip. "Speak now."

"It's like this. Today I stayed a bit longer in Yu Chen Palace and encountered His Majesty—"

The Old Madam's voice involuntarily rose: "Has His Majesty taken an interest in you?"

Qiu Heng: "..."

"Grandmother, please don't jest."

The Old Madam heaved a huge sigh of relief.

As long as it wasn't that.

"His Majesty was discussing the peace marriage of Princess Rongning with Honored Consort Yu. Her Highness suggested that I escort the Princess to her marriage..."

The Old Madam closed her eyes, her heart churning with worry.

This girl always does something no one expects!

"Grandmother, don't worry. I'm used to traveling long distances."

"Don't say anything more." The Old Madam's heart ached, then she suddenly jolted. "His Majesty is also rewarding your father!"

"Yes, he is bestowing upon Father the rank of a fifth-rank official."

Such sinecures, which provided only a salary, were mostly given as rewards—perfect for a man like Third Master Qiu. But the Old Madam knew this was bad news.

Given how reckless Third Master is, the moment he heard that the reward came from his daughter going far away to a foreign land, he would jump up in front of the Imperial Messenger. She needed to warn him beforehand.

"Chun Cao, go fetch the Third Master."

But things did not go as planned. Chun Cao had barely been gone for a moment when a maidservant hurried in: "Old Madam, someone has come from the palace with an imperial edict."

For the reading of the imperial edict, all the heads of the household had to be present.

People from each courtyard, utterly confused, hurried to the front courtyard.

The Imperial Messenger waited until most of the family had assembled, then read the decree: Qiu Heng was to escort Princess Rongning to her marriage, and Third Master Qiu was granted the title of Grand Master of the Palace.

Third Master Qiu was stunned for a moment, then started to get up. Fortunately, the Old Madam had arranged for servants to restrain him; as soon as they saw Third Master Qiu make a move, they quickly clapped his hand over his mouth and pressed him down, preventing him from moving.

Qiu Heng accepted the decree calmly.

After the Imperial Messenger and his retinue left, Third Master Qiu was finally released. He stumbled and lunged toward Qiu Heng.

"Heng'er, how can this be? How can this be!"

Earl Yongqing smacked his arm: "Why are you crying? If word spreads that you're dissatisfied with the imperial will, do you want to get your daughter killed?"

Third Master Qiu clapped his hand over his mouth.

"Let's go inside to talk."

Soon everyone filed into the hall. Third Master Qiu grabbed Qiu Heng's hand, tears streaming down his face. "Heng'er, I don't want any of this, Father. Can you plead with His Majesty to send someone else?"

Beside him, First Master Qiu was so jealous his mouth twisted in jealousy.

The officials of Great Xia received generous salaries. To get the salary of a fifth-rank official for nothing—that ungrateful bastard Third Master!

He would have loved to send his own daughter, but he never got the chance!

"Father, an imperial decree can't be taken back once issued. Just relax and collect your salary, and wait for your daughter to return."

"But that Western Jiang is a wild, barbaric land—Your father is afraid—"

"Think of Princess Rongning, Father. She was originally a commandery princess from the Prince's estate, yet she is marrying into the Western Jiang tribe for the sake of Great Xia, and may never see her homeland again in her life. I'm just the bridal escort. If I make excuses, people will laugh at me."

"Father is not afraid of ridicule. Nothing matters more than you being safe!"

"I'll come back safe and sound."

"Really?"

"Have you forgotten? I came out unscathed even when we ran into the black bear during the autumn hunt."

Third Master Qiu, grudgingly comforted, wiped away his tears.

Earl Yongqing hovered around Qiu Heng, nervously rubbing his hands together: "Heng'er, did His Majesty mention only your father?"

Qiu Heng smiled: "I am merely an escort for the bride, not going for a political marriage. It is already immensely gracious of His Majesty to bestow upon my father the rank of a full fifth-rank official."

"That's true... but if there's a next time, you must consider the entire earl's manor." Earl Yongqing set aside his pride and reminded his youngest granddaughter.

Qiu Heng was not stingy with empty promises: "I understand. While I am away, I hope Grandfather will take good care of Father and my younger brother."

Earl Yongqing agreed readily, his attitude exceedingly amiable.

After returning to their room, First Master Qiu and his wife sat opposite each other, feeling distressed.

"You always said that whoever in the household becomes accomplished would benefit our senior branch. And what happened? The Sixth Girl first earned herself the title of County Princess, and then secured a fifth-rank official position for her father..."

First Master Qiu couldn't bear to listen anymore and sneered: "That's because the Sixth Girl is capable and only takes care of her own branch. Unlike you, who gave birth to two daughters and raised two concubine-born daughters, none of them is of any use!"

"You still have the nerve to blame me? Back when the Elder Earl wanted He'er to enter the palace, weren't you the first to agree?"

The maidservants outside heard the quarreling and quietly moved farther away.

In the palace, after hearing Xue Han's request, Emperor Jingping immediately thought of Qiu Heng.

So he had heard that County Princess Suiyun would escort Rong Ning and volunteered to be the escort envoy?

He thought as much and asked directly.

Xue Han admitted frankly: "Yes."

Emperor Jingping laughed heartily, a hint of wistfulness in his expression: "Youth is truly wonderful. I grant it."

The role of escort envoy is a tough assignment. Since someone volunteered, it saved him the trouble of choosing someone.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xue Han put on a look of pleasant surprise, then showed a troubled expression: "Your Majesty, I have a request."

"Go ahead."

"I'm afraid my father will be angry when he finds out."

"You're a grown man now. Can Xue Quan still beat you? Alright, just say I chose you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Emperor Jingping had someone summon Xue Quan and said in a relaxed tone: "I have selected County Princess Suiyun to escort Princess Rongning."

Xue Quan nodded blankly.

What did that have to do with him?

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Xue Han. Xue Quan suddenly realized: Could this rascal have begged His Majesty to select him as the escort envoy?

Emperor Jingping coughed: "I thought since County Princess Suiyun is the escort, letting Xue Han be the escort envoy would be quite appropriate."

Xue Quan: !