Chapter 29: The Imperial Decree of Marriage

The autumn rain fell incessantly, mingled with the rumble of thunder, knocking withered grape leaves from their vines and forming small puddles on the ground.

Sheng Mingyue had just finished her morning meal when Song Guo urged her to change her bandages before hurrying off to sort through medicinal herbs.

"You stinking maid!"

The door to Juxin Garden was shoved open with force, and Jia'an swaggered in, showing none of the grievance she had displayed the day before.

"What are you doing now?" Seeing her enter, Song Guo immediately rushed in front of Sheng Mingyue, standing guard like a mother hen protecting her chicks, her expression full of vigilance.

Jia'an cast her a sidelong glance, let out a scoff of indifference, and beckoned to the woman behind her. "I want to buy two sets of your Chu Kingdom garments. My mother is with child and finds it inconvenient to go out, so you will come with me."

Sheng Mingyue looked up at the sky, bewildered. "It is raining today; I fear many shops are closed..."

"Enough with the chatter! I am the mistress and you are the servant—you cannot refuse!" Jia'an puffed out her cheeks, looking annoyed. "Closing doors to refuse customers just because of a little wind and rain? Are you people of Chu made of paper?"

Sheng Mingyue felt helpless. Unwilling to trouble the Prince over such a trivial matter, she had no choice but to agree. "Very well. If the Princess wishes to take a look, I shall accompany you."

"I am going too!" Song Guo quickly raised her hand and whispered, "I am afraid she might try to hurt you, Miss."

Sheng Mingyue stared at the bump on Song Guo’s forehead, which had swollen to the size of a small mound, and couldn't help but smile. "You had better stay in the estate. The coachman is one of our own; nothing will go wrong."

"But..." Song Guo hesitated, her gaze sweeping over the girl standing by the door with arms akimbo, her heart filled with unease.

"Set your mind at ease." Sheng Mingyue patted the back of her hand, soothing her softly. "I will be fine."

"Hey, is it really necessary for you two to act like you’re parting forever?" Jia'an stomped her foot in frustration, looking disgruntled. "Am I some sort of man-eating beast?"

"Hardly any different from one..." Song Guo only dared to mutter under her breath, not daring to say it to her face.

Sheng Mingyue smiled at her, turned to fetch a paper umbrella from the room, and instructed Song Guo to boil the medicine on time before stepping out into the rain.

The rain continued to pour. The carriage circled the entire East Market before they found a clothing store that hadn't shut its doors.

Jia'an stepped out of the carriage with her umbrella, swept a glance over the rows of closed shops, and snorted, "The people of Chu are truly delicate."

Sheng Mingyue took the umbrella handed to her by the coachman. Hearing this, she merely shook her head helplessly and whispered, "Princess, the rain is getting heavier. Let us go inside quickly."

Jia'an glanced at her, didn't make things difficult, and stepped into the store.

"Two young ladies, what sort of clothing are you looking for?" The shopkeeper approached, a smile on her face. "We have all the most fashionable styles right now..."

"How long-winded." Jia'an shot her a look of disdain and began browsing on her own.

"This..."

Seeing the shopkeeper's awkward expression, Sheng Mingyue pursed her lips and smiled, saying softly, "Thank you, Shopkeeper. We will look around ourselves."

The shopkeeper nodded repeatedly, unwilling to say more, and retreated to the side.

Jia'an flipped through the folded garments at random, looked back at Sheng Mingyue, and said in a low voice, "Three sets for each season—spring, summer, autumn, and winter. You help me pick them."

"Yes." Sheng Mingyue bowed her head and obediently walked over to help her select suitable clothes.

"Sister Yun, this is the only shop on the whole street that is still open."

A woman’s voice came from outside, carrying a hint of complaint. "With the rain pouring down like this, no one wants to go out. What urgent business could you possibly have, Sister Yun, to be in such a hurry?"

Upon hearing the words "Sister Yun," Sheng Mingyue’s hand froze for a moment as she reached for a garment; a sense of foreboding washed over her.

Sure enough, the familiar voice followed immediately.

"I am meeting an important person tomorrow, so I must buy a couple of fine new outfits. Although this is the only shop open, it has always had good business, and their styles are quite beautiful."

Sheng Mingyue furrowed her brows slightly, a murmur of doubt rising in her heart.

Logically speaking, a daughter of a prominent family like Yun Shengsheng would have garments delivered to her by the store based on her measurements, or at the very least, have a personal maid go out to choose them; why would she need to go out herself in the rain?

Just who could this important person be...

[Our little angel Shengsheng is here!]
[I'm a sucker for beauty; I fell in love already!]
[The Crown Prince saved the day with his merit—begging his father to grant a marriage decree between him and Yun Shengsheng! Shengsheng is going to the palace to see the Emperor tomorrow, so she’s buying new clothes. I don't care what you say, the Crown Prince’s overbearing pursuit of his wife is the best thing to ship!]
[Exactly! The Prince and that cannon fodder? What kind of twisted ship is that? I can't believe there are still people obsessing over it!]
[The person above is spewing filth; their brain is directly connected to their intestines!]

The spectators were once again arguing fiercely, neither side willing to yield.

Sheng Mingyue’s body instantly turned to stone. Her gaze was fixed on the mention of the marriage decree, and her breathing became heavy.

A marriage decree...

Rong Yan and Yun Shengsheng are getting betrothed?

How could that be! Could it be that young General Zhou didn't hear her words clearly?

Young General Zhou was the nephew of Noble Consort Jing and was very close to the Fifth Prince, Rong Lin. Rong Lin had openly taken sides.

If the young General had truly heard what she said that day, how could he have taken no action, watching as Rong Yan stepped over his master to regain the Emperor's favor?

Yun Shengsheng pushed aside the thick felt curtain at the entrance, closed her umbrella, and stepped inside. Her eyes immediately caught the rather familiar figure.

The woman accompanying her saw she had stopped and followed her gaze. The first thing she saw was Jia'an, dressed in exotic attire, and she immediately wrinkled her delicate brows in disgust.

"Shopkeeper Sun, logically speaking, yours is one of the top shops in the capital. Why are you letting any stray cat or dog in here?"

Jia'an turned her head at the sound, meeting the woman's gaze.

The young lady at the door stared straight at her, as if afraid Jia'an wouldn't know whom she was talking about.

"Miss Yang, anyone who enters my shop is an honored guest..."

"You stinking girl, who are you talking about!"

Jia'an was not one to be trifled with. She immediately lashed out, "Say that again, and I’ll tear your mouth off!"

Yun Shengsheng looked displeased. She gave Jia'an a light glance, then turned back to persuade her companion, "Zhiwen, do not be rude."

"Sister Yun, what did I say wrong? Am I supposed to be afraid of her?" Yang Zhiwen shot a look of disdain at Jia'an and said loudly, "Look at how you're dressed—like a beggar. Do you even deserve to be in here? Here is a tael of silver; get out at once!"

Jia'an was furious and immediately moved to attack. "You cheap wench, how dare you insult me! I’ll beat you until you’re missing teeth!"

Yang Zhiwen was startled, backing away two steps in fear of her intensity. She raised her voice, "Audacious! Do you know who I am? If you know what's good for you, take the silver and get out! Don't ruin my Sister Yun's mood!"

Yun Shengsheng cursed the girl as a fool in her heart, but her face remained gentle. She took the girl's hand and offered an apologetic smile to Jia'an. "My sister has a rather impatient temperament. How about this—I will give you five taels; leave this shop."

As she spoke, Yun Shengsheng glanced at Yumuo behind her. The latter understood and took five taels of broken silver from her purse, tossing them onto the ground.

Yun Shengsheng pursed her pink lips and said softly, "The extra is a reward for you. Let this matter end here; you should leave quickly."

Looking at the three small pieces of silver on the ground, Jia'an breathed heavily, her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles cracked. "You really have a death wish..."

Jia'an was enraged to the extreme. She had never suffered such humiliation and was about to give them a taste of her own medicine.

The next moment, her arm was gently held back.

Sheng Mingyue turned slowly, her gaze landing on Yun Shengsheng’s face, not a hint of fear in her eyes. "If the two of you are looking for trouble, I fear you have found the wrong person. Before this escalates, you had best leave."

Yun Shengsheng raised an eyebrow, a flash of malice passing imperceptibly through her eyes as she curled the corners of her lips. "Sheng Mingyue, so it really is you."