Chapter 10: The Imperial Decree Arrives, Make Haste to Consummate the Marriage-A matriarca renasce como madrasta e a família do marido canalha se arrepende profundamente(Uma flor desabrocha.)

After Lin Wanqing finished her meal, Banxia blushed and said, "Miss, let me help you bathe. The master will be here soon."

As a young, unmarried maid, this was her first time dealing with such matters, which was why she flushed as she spoke.

Lin Wanqing smiled and said, "No rush, let us wait a little longer."

Wait a little longer—the imperial decree would arrive soon. It would be early enough to bathe after Lu Jinxiao had departed.

Sure enough, after waiting for nearly an hour, a servant from the General's Mansion came running in, breathless: "Madam, please go to the front courtyard quickly to receive the imperial decree."

Upon hearing of an imperial decree, the maids were instantly thrown into a panic. Having grown up in the Lin family—a household of ordinary merchants—the most important figures they had ever encountered were mere local officials. They had only ever heard of imperial decrees in stage plays. They had absolutely no experience in how to receive one.

Lin Wanqing said calmly, "Do not panic. Just follow behind me and perform the bows as I do."

Only then did the maids regain their composure. The group took lanterns and hurried toward the front courtyard.

When they arrived, the palace messenger had already arrived and was being served tea in the main hall. The guests who had come to offer their congratulations were waiting quietly in the courtyard, not daring to move a muscle.

Her mother-in-law, Madam Zhou, her sister-in-law, Lu Jinrong, and the three children were all present, each looking tense and afraid to even breathe loudly.

As Lin Wanqing stepped into the courtyard, the crisp clinking of the jade ornaments on her person caused everyone to turn and look at her, even the palace messenger at the head of the hall. With so many eyes upon her, Lin Wanqing remained unaffected. She walked forward with calm confidence and greeted the official: "Greetings, Heavenly Envoy."

The messenger looked her up and down, then smiled, "The General's wife truly has a refined air."

"You are too kind, Envoy."

Lin Wanqing's poise and elegance made Madam Zhou and the others appear all the more timid.

The messenger smiled again. "Very well, time is of the essence, and I must deliver the decree immediately. General Zhongwu, Lu Jinxiao, receive the decree."

Lu Jinxiao immediately lifted his wedding robes and knelt. Lin Wanqing and the entire courtyard of guests knelt along with him.

The messenger began to read the decree in a loud voice. The gist was that the neighboring state of Southern Yue had repeatedly invaded the borders of the Great Liang, burning, killing, and looting, and thus Lu Jinxiao was ordered to depart for the border to suppress the unrest.

"I, Lu Jinxiao, accept the decree."

The messenger handed the scroll to Lu Jinxiao and urged him specifically, "General, the war is critical. His Majesty's intent is for you to set off immediately. Do not delay the military opportunity."

Honestly, he felt that the Emperor’s request was somewhat heartless. The General was married just today; even if he were allowed to leave tomorrow morning, it would suffice. But to force him to leave overnight?

The guests in the courtyard were equally shocked by this demand. Madam Zhou was so distraught she was on the verge of tears. On such a joyous day, how could her son be sent to the battlefield?

"This bride is truly unlucky. The General has to leave for the front lines right after the wedding ceremony. If, heaven forbid... wouldn't she be..."

"Exactly. It would have been better if the decree had arrived an hour earlier. If they hadn't performed the ceremony, the bride's sedan chair could have been sent back, and she could have remarried someone else in due time. That would be better than this."

The guests whispered these cold-hearted remarks, as if they had already foreseen that Lin Wanqing would soon be a widow. Hearing this, Madam Zhou began to sob. Seeing this, the guests became even more emboldened, eager to see if Lin Wanqing would break down in tears as well.

To everyone's surprise, Lin Wanqing did not cry. Instead, she calmly took a red envelope and pressed it into the messenger's hand: "Envoy, the mansion is in chaos, and I must prepare provisions for the General, so I cannot keep you for tea or wine. This is a small token of gratitude from the General and me; please do not refuse, and take a bit of our wedding joy with you."

The messenger was surprised by her conduct, but quickly smiled. "Since it is a token of joy, I shall accept it. General, Madam, I wish you both a hundred years of harmony and a bond that lasts a lifetime. I have other duties in the palace, so I must take my leave."

After the imperial party departed, Lin Wanqing said to the guests, "Honored guests, please continue to enjoy the banquet; there is no need to depart in haste. If there has been any lack of hospitality today, I ask for your forgiveness."

"General, I will go pack your luggage; you should go and prepare yourself as well."

Seeing that she had not cried and had made these arrangements with such composure, the guests turned to Madam Zhou and said, "Old Madam, you are truly fortunate. This new daughter-in-law is clearly someone who can handle anything."

However, Madam Zhou could not feel a shred of joy, her heart filled only with the terror that her son was about to head to the battlefield.

Lu Jinrong leaned into her ear and whispered, "Mother, we must have the Third Brother consummate the marriage with his wife immediately. Otherwise, if something happens to him... he must at least leave an heir."

Finding this advice very reasonable, Madam Zhou exclaimed, "You are right! Come, let us go to the back courtyard!"

Inside the bridal chamber, Banxia and the younger maids could not hold back their tears.

"How could the Emperor be so cruel? Today is the happiest day for the young mistress and the master. Even if it is urgent, surely he could wait until tomorrow morning?"

They had heard every word of what the guests said. The groom being sent away on his wedding night—what would people think of their mistress? And if the master were to suffer some misfortune on the battlefield, their mistress would be branded with the curse of being a husband-killer. The thought was unbearable.

Lin Wanqing gave them a stern look. "Cease this idle talk! Wars cannot be delayed! The General's duty is to lead troops into battle and protect the nation. No matter the day, if war arises, he must head to the front lines immediately. Do not let me hear such nonsense again, or I shall punish you."

The maids, eyes red, apologized.

Lin Wanqing did not reprimand them further, but instead began directing them to help pack. She had no experience in preparing luggage for a general, but she knew that packing extra medicine for wounds, as well as clothing, money, and dry rations for the road, would certainly be correct.

Just as they were busy, Madam Zhou suddenly dragged Lu Jinxiao into the room. "All maids, get out! I have something to say."

Banxia and the others looked at Lin Wanqing, and only after receiving her permission did they curtsy and retreat.

Lu Jinxiao asked with some impatience, "Mother, what is it that you have to say?"

The Emperor had ordered him to leave immediately; he had at most half an hour to prepare. If he set off too late, those with malicious intent might misinterpret it as delaying the military cause.

Madam Zhou pushed him toward Lin Wanqing and then turned to run out. "Quick, lock the door!"

The servants immediately pulled the door shut and locked it from the outside.

Lu Jinxiao: "..."

Lin Wanqing: "..."

What was the old lady doing?

Madam Zhou's voice drifted in from outside the door: "Son, you have half an hour left. Use this time to consummate the marriage with your wife. I am going to pack your bags!"