jdhmnovel Chapter 124 The Female General Who Did Not Love Makeup (29)
Chapter 124 The Female General Who Did Not Love Makeup (29)
As expected, Madam Wu was very perceptive and immediately noticed Xia Mingwei's meaningful expression.
She grabbed Wu Zhi and hurriedly whispered in his ear, "Son, don't let her go! Stop her first!" Although Wu Zhi was puzzled, he felt that his mother would never harm him, so he followed Madam Wu's instructions and hurriedly chased after her. But Xia Mingwei wasn't about to give him that chance. She leaped onto her horse in one fluid motion, gripped the reins tightly, raised the whip, and in no time had she ridden two miles.
Wu Zhi and his servants ran themselves ragged, but still couldn't catch up. They looked at each other in bewilderment and finally decided to return to report and let Madam Wu think of a solution.
Upon learning that Xia Mingwei had gone towards the palace, Madam Wu collapsed to the ground. She frantically pounded on Wu Zhi, muttering, "It's all over! She's not even married yet, how dare you be so presumptuous! How could I have given birth to such a fool!"
Wu Zhi retorted with some dissatisfaction, "Mother, it's just that I couldn't stop her! Is it necessary to say such things about me?"
Seeing that Wu Zhi still seemed oblivious to the seriousness of the situation, Madam Wu's strength finally gave out, and she fainted.
Immediately afterwards, another chaotic scene unfolded.
Unlike the atmosphere at the Wu residence, Xia Mingwei entered the palace in a very good mood.
The emperor was somewhat surprised to see her. "Yesterday was your wedding day; didn't I grant you a few days' leave?"
Xia Mingwei knelt on the ground and answered honestly, "Your Majesty's concern for this humble subject is of course deeply appreciated! However, it seems that I will not be able to use this leave of absence now!"
This answer successfully piqued the emperor's curiosity: "Why isn't it needed?"
Xia Mingwei, head bowed, smiled faintly, but answered in a trembling voice, "Because, because..." Her hesitation nearly drove the old emperor to despair. "Because of what? Speak quickly!" To make himself hear more clearly, he even stepped down from the dragon throne. "Because, because that Young Master Wu I married consummated his marriage with my brother!"
Xia Mingwei finished speaking at lightning speed. Then she lowered her head even further. Her shoulders trembled, as if she were trying her best to endure pain.
At the same time, Xia Mingwei's words also successfully challenged his worldview.
On my wedding day, my minister forced himself on my brother! What kind of behavior is this?! And to make matters worse, he came to me seeking justice. What am I supposed to do?
The emperor, who used to be so eloquent in court that he could make his ministers feel ashamed, was unusually silent!
After an unknown amount of time, the emperor finally spoke, "So what do you think? Do you want me to uphold justice for you and have your brother return your husband to you?"
Upon hearing this, Xia Mingwei shook her head, fearing that the emperor might have misunderstood.
She raised her head, her expression earnest. "People often say, 'It's better to tear down ten temples than to break up one marriage.' Since Young Master Wu and I have missed our chance, it proves we are not destined for each other. Your Majesty, I hope you can issue an imperial edict to grant us this marriage, thus allowing Young Master Wu and my brother to be together!"
Upon hearing this request, the emperor gasped in shock. He had bestowed marriages before, but to bestow one upon two grown men—this was the first time he had ever done so!
That's why they say women and petty men are hard to deal with. Offend a woman, and to some extent, your good days are over! Look at Wu Zhi and Xia Wei, didn't they experience that firsthand?
Emperors used to dream of becoming a great emperor for all time, doing things that were unprecedented and unparalleled. Well, surprisingly, he actually succeeded! In a way, Xia Mingwei helped him achieve his dream!
Considering Xia Mingwei's contributions to the court during this period, the emperor granted her absurd request.
After receiving the emperor's permission, Xia Mingwei led a large entourage out of the palace gates. Her arrogant demeanor was even more triumphant than when she had won a battle.
Urged on by Xia Mingwei, a group of people rushed to the Xia family to deliver the imperial decree.
After waking up early, Zhou Ying discovered that her beloved son, Xia Wei, was missing. Just as she was mobilizing the crowd to search for him, she unexpectedly received an imperial decree.
She had initially thought the emperor was bestowing some reward, but it turned out to be an imperial decree arranging a marriage between her son and Wu Zhi. Upon hearing the decree, she almost thought she had misheard. Two grown men marrying? How could that be possible! And this man was none other than her daughter's husband.
Her teeth chattered as she asked incredulously, "My Xia Wei is a man! Has Your Majesty mistaken me for someone else?" Seeing that she was being questioned, the eunuch who had come to deliver the imperial decree was furious!
He asked casually, "This is the Emperor's decree. Is Madam questioning the Emperor?"
At this moment, Zhou Ying was like a cabbage in the autumn wind, the kind that would bend over at any moment. She tried her best to control her voice and replied, "This humble woman dares not!" "Then why don't you accept the imperial decree and express your gratitude?"
Zhou Ying used almost all her strength to catch the imperial edict. After kneeling down to express her gratitude, she could no longer withstand the intense impact and fainted.
The head eunuch, who was reading the decree, glanced at her through his glasses before heading to the Wu family. Looking at Zhou Ying's unconscious state, a flicker of pleasure crossed his mind. He thought to himself, "So what if your son is a man? Now he has to be another man's 'wife.' Whether he'll still be a man in the future is another matter!" He hated it most when people talked about men and women in front of him! And that Madam Xia was like a complete idiot, utterly lacking in tact!
When the imperial decree arrived at the Wu family residence, their situation was no better than the Xia family's. Everyone in the household was stunned by the decree, as if struck by lightning.
Even someone as dim-witted as Wu Zhi realized the absurdity of the imperial edict. He might enjoy men and be with any man he was interested in, but his nominal wife could only be a woman!
The imperial edict that Xia Mingwei brought back has shattered all the sordid thoughts in Wu Zhi and his wife's hearts. Even more terrifying is the fact that the rumors and gossip could truly cost their entire family their lives!
Unable to withstand such a blow, Madam Wu fainted again in front of everyone, plunging the crowd into chaos once more.
Meanwhile, taking advantage of the chaos at the Wu family's residence, Xia Wei, who had secretly returned home, finally arrived back at the Xia mansion. Looking at the plaque above the entrance, he was so excited he almost cried.
At that moment, he had only one thought in his mind: he wanted to go home!