The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 174: Little Immortal, You’re Quite Soft

Chapter 174: Little Immortal, You’re Quite Soft

Emperor Muwu slightly moved his gaze, and the eunuch chief let someone in.

The Yulin Guards entered and knelt down, respectfully reporting, "Your Majesty, Prince Qing suffered a sudden illness last night. When the prison guard brought his meal this morning, his body was already stiff."

Emperor Muwu’s expression flickered, but in the end, he sighed.

There were only a few of their nine siblings left.

In ordinary families, for a bit of power and wealth, people would fight to the death.

Not to mention in the royal family.

The Yulin Guards were still waiting.

Emperor Muwu said, "Return his body to his family."

Out of the last bit of brotherly affection.

"Yes!" The Yulin Guards received the order.

Those implicated by Prince Qing’s household wouldn’t be executed or exiled.

But Prince Qing seemed to have some foresight and didn’t involve his own children, so they were merely demoted to commoners, able to preserve their lives.

Emperor Muwu rested for several days, not only accumulating political affairs and documents, but even the announcement of the imperial examination results was delayed.

After discussing with the cabinet, he carefully reviewed the papers of the top scorers and finally determined the rankings.

The top scorer was Chu Huan, the second place was Song Zihan, and as for the third place, it was Lu Zheng.

These individuals didn’t need to go and check the rankings because the palace had already sent officials to deliver their official robes and congratulations. T

he Anyang Marquis Mansion was a family of military officials, and suddenly producing a top scorer was astonishing.

Chu Huan received the official robes, still a bit confused, and uncertainly asked, "Top scorer? I’m the top scorer? This esteemed gentleman didn’t deliver to the wrong place, did he?"

He had studied diligently for many years and had confidence in achieving a good result, but he never imagined he could reach the top and become the top scorer!

The official smiled and said, "No, Your Majesty and several senior ministers personally selected your paper. How could it be wrong?"

Moreover, the examination papers were sealed, and no one knew whose paper it was. If Yan Ling hadn’t cheated, the Emperor and the ministers would have had to compete between the two.

"Thank you, sir!" Chu Hanlin saw his son dumbfounded with joy and hurriedly stepped forward to thank the palace officials.

The official added, "Chu, the top scorer, please prepare yourself. Later, you will ride through the streets with the second and third place winners."

Chu Huan shook his head, coming back to his senses, and exclaimed, "I really achieved the top score!"

Nanli and his brothers congratulated Chu Huan.

The Old Madam smiled and said, "Quick, hang the red silk and set off firecrackers." Chu Hanlin and Lady Shen saw their children so happy, their eyes slightly moist.

At such joyous moments, sometimes there was no need for formalities.

Aunt Aunt and Liang also came out from the inner courtyard.

Especially Liang Aunt, she cried until her tears flowed.

"The imperial edict has arrived!"

At this moment, someone arrived at the Marquis’ residence and shouted loudly.

Why was there another imperial edict?

And it was the eunuch chief who came personally.

The Old Madam and Chu Hanlin hurriedly led their family to kneel and receive the edict.

This edict was for Chu Ye and Nanli, and the two of them knelt in the front.

The eunuch chief opened the edict and loudly read, "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that Chu Ye, the eldest son of the Chu family, and the sixth miss have made meritorious contributions in suppressing bandits. In recognition of their merits, Chu Ye is granted the rank of third-grade General of Weiyuan, and Nanli is granted the rank of second-grade Princess Zhaohua. This is a special honor!"

Everyone was stunned once again.

Chu Ye had been promoted from fifth-grade to third-grade in one go!

More importantly, Nanli was bestowed the title of second-grade princess, what an extraordinary honor!

But Nanli wasn’t particularly excited about it.

She stood up first and asked, "Are there any other rewards from the Emperor?"

After all her hard work, she only received an empty title?

The eunuch supervisor smiled broadly, "Of course, how could the Emperor forget?" With a wave of his hand, the Yulin Guards began carrying items into the courtyard. Dozens of boxes, with several pages of inventory.

Most of these treasures were carefully selected by Emperor Muwu himself to be presented to Nanli.

Upon seeing this, Nanli grinned and said, "Please convey my gratitude to emperor on my behalf."

Over the past year, she had accumulated quite a collection of precious items, enough to open an auction house and surely make a fortune.

The eunuch supervisor replied, "I shall certainly deliver your message to the Sixth Miss."

Eager to report back to the palace, he left without lingering.

Meanwhile, the Anyang Marquis Mansion was filled with joyous celebrations, as the matriarch rewarded all the servants.

When Chu Yan returned from his horseback ride through the streets, the feast was prepared in the kitchen, and the family gathered together to celebrate.

Nanli raised a toast for her eldest and third brothers, breaking her usual habit of abstaining from alcohol.

Why was it a departure from her norm?

Because, in this life and the previous, she was always a lightweight.

Yuanbao supported her as they returned to the Qingliang Courtyard, where she was already intoxicated.

Exquisite curtains partially veiled the surroundings, while a bronze incense burner emitted a delicate fragrance, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

Nanli hiccuped and squinted her eyes, gazing at the man sitting on the collapsed pear blossom couch.

His black sleeves hung gracefully, resembling a magnificent landscape painting.

As she stumbled towards him, her dress got caught on her own hem.

In an instant, Ye Siheng swiftly moved to her side, steadying her.

"How much have you had to drink?" he asked, even though there was barely a trace of alcohol on her.

Nanli smiled, her eyes shimmering like rippling spring water, captivating with every expression.

"Not much, just... three cups," she replied intermittently, ending with another hiccup.

Ye Siheng furrowed his brows, observing the two fingers she held up.

Only three cups?

He found it hard to believe.

Yuanbao brought water, intending to assist Chunbao in helping Nanli wash her face and hands.

However, Ye Siheng had already lifted Nanli and placed her on the pear blossom couch.

He took the dry towel and gently wiped her face.

"She said she only had three cups, but is it true?" Ye Siheng asked.

He shouldn’t have come here before the wedding, but he couldn’t resist the longing in his heart.

He secretly brought the embroidered veil and wanted to ask if she liked it.

Now, there was no need to ask, as she was clearly in no condition to answer.

Yuanbao nodded, finding it difficult to speak, "It’s true, Miss really only had three cups of peach blossom wine."

Ye Siheng couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time.

It was still peach blossom wine after all, not strong at all.

It seemed she wouldn’t be allowed to drink in the future.

He changed the towel and wiped her hands.

Her hands were small and slender, but there were calluses on her knuckles and fingertips from martial arts training.

Ye Siheng’s gaze dimmed slightly, but he remained gentle.

After cleaning her up, Yuanbao and Chunbao retreated.

Nanli seemed to have sobered up, her watery eyes fixed on Ye Siheng as she smacked her lips and said, "What a handsome face."

Then, she reached out and pinched his cheek.

It was soft and smooth, a delightful touch.

She chuckled, and a glimmer of light flashed from the pearl pendant on her chest, followed by a faint mark appearing on her forehead.

Teasingly, she said, "Little Immortal Lord, you’re so soft."

Her voice was delicate, and for a moment, Ye Siheng didn’t catch the first three words, nor did he notice the mark on her forehead about to emerge.

However, her lack of seriousness was a rare occurrence, causing his gaze to darken.