Chapter 69: The Emperor Bestows a Marriage

Du Long was completely unaware of the events unfolding within the imperial palace. After bringing his grandfather back from the secluded valley of Lingyun Mountain, the old man was overjoyed to learn that Du Long had taken first place in all three categories of the year-end examination. That very night, he hosted a grand family banquet, celebrating both the upcoming New Year and the outstanding achievements of the Du family’s direct heir.

The next day was the joyous occasion of the New Year celebration. Before dawn, Du Long was roused from bed by Xia Qinglian, and, as in previous years, went through the customary preparations and dressing. After breakfasting with family and friends, the whole family, seeing off by Xia Qinglian, Su Jinbao, and Yuan Yu, boarded the Du family’s carriage that had been readied in advance, and sped towards the palace.

The New Year celebration held in the imperial palace of the Haotian Empire was an event for which Xia Qinglian and her companions had no right to attend. They could only remain at the mansion, awaiting the family’s return so they could celebrate together afterwards.

After much queuing, they finally entered the palace. As per tradition, the old master Du went to join the retired emperor and his circle of elder ministers, while Du Long followed his parents into the Hall of Chende. Having greeted a few familiar friends in the hall with a nod, Du Long trailed behind his parents toward the second-rank military officials’ area. Ignoring the courtesies between his parents and the other adults, he stood quietly to one side, closing his eyes to rest.

Among the younger generation in the second-rank military area, only Yang Yunfeng was close to him, but his family seemed yet to arrive. Instead, Du Long noticed several faces he would have preferred to avoid—Du Wei, Fan Wei, Li Xiaojun, and their ilk. These fellows, upon encountering Du Long, behaved like mice before a cat; even Fan Tong had been beaten by him, so what were they in comparison?

Across the hall, in the first-rank civil officials’ waiting area, Fan Tong stood behind his father, Fan De, the first-rank civil minister, his gaze dark and sullen as he glared at Du Long, who paid him no mind in the military officials’ area. The look of gritted teeth suggested a wish to devour Du Long whole.

Directly across from Du Long, in the second-rank civil area, Zhao Lin’er, standing behind her father, Zhao Guodong of the Ministry of Revenue, wore an expression of deep resentment. Her reputation had sunk to its lowest ebb, and she had nearly lacked the courage to attend the New Year’s gathering. In the end, vanity triumphed over her shame.

“Du Long! You’re here so early!” A clear and melodious voice startled Du Long from his reverie. Opening his eyes, he smiled broadly at the speaker. “Ah, it’s Sister Lvyin! We just arrived a little while ago.”

The voice belonged to Xu Lvyin, one of Princess Huofeng’s closest companions, daughter of Xu Qirui, the second-rank governor of the capital. She had accompanied her parents to the second-rank military officials’ area. The adults, being on good terms, soon exchanged pleasantries. After Xu Lvyin greeted Du Zhentian and his wife, she turned to chat with Du Long.

“Greetings, General Xu, Lady Xu,” Du Long said politely to her parents.

“Heh, Lvyin tells us you took first place in all three categories in your first year at the Martial Academy—quite an extraordinary young man! What a pity our Lvyin is a few years your senior; otherwise…” Xu Qirui’s eyes glinted with a strange light as he spoke.

“Indeed! Such a handsome and accomplished young man, and yet some people willingly give him up—it’s truly short-sighted!” Lady Xu added with an admiring look at Du Long. Their praise made Du Zhentian and his wife beam with pride, for what parent does not delight in their child’s excellence?

Du Long responded with modest politeness before turning to chat with Xu Lvyin, who wore a mysterious smile. “Congratulations, Du Long!”

“Congratulations? For what?” Du Long asked, bemused.

“Hehe, I can’t say yet, as the outcome is still uncertain. But whatever happens, it’s a cause for celebration!” Xu Lvyin’s cryptic words left Du Long completely puzzled.

While they chatted, Yang Yunfeng arrived with his father, the second-rank General Huxiao, and there were more greetings all around.

Soon after, the imperial relatives began to enter, filing through the rear right door of Chende Hall. Among them was Princess Huofeng herself. Upon entering, she immediately searched for Du Long in the second-rank military officials’ area, then bashfully lowered her head rather than approach him as she had during last year’s celebration, choosing instead to stand demurely with the imperial kin.

Du Long, prompted by Xu Lvyin, glanced over as Princess Huofeng entered. Seeing she did not trouble him this year, he let out a silent sigh of relief. He had no wish to stand out again and become the emperor’s topic of conversation as before.

Yet fate had other plans.

“The Emperor and Empress are here!” The sharp cry rang out. Instantly, the officials and their families in Chende Hall bowed their heads in reverent welcome.

This time, Du Long kept his head low and hid behind his parents, careful not to repeat last year’s mistake, using their bodies to shield himself as much as possible.

Supporting the Empress, the Emperor strode toward the throne, his gaze sweeping over the assembled courtiers before settling on the second-rank military officials’ area. He immediately spotted the figure hiding behind his parents. Though Du Long tried his utmost to remain inconspicuous, he could not escape the emperor’s notice from on high.

Once the Emperor and Empress were seated, the assembled officials erupted in cries of “Long live the Emperor!” and performed the grandest of bows. Du Long knelt along with the crowd, not even bothering to move his lips.

He reasoned that in a hall filled with a thousand officials and their families, his silence would hardly be noticed.

What he did not realize was that the Emperor, seated on the dragon throne, was glowering at him, thoroughly noting his disrespect.

Down below, the officials, not hearing the Emperor’s command to rise, risked glances upward. They saw him glaring angrily in a particular direction. Following his gaze, they expected to witness another scene of someone standing out among the crowd, as Du Long had done before, but saw nothing of the sort—no one dared remain standing at such a time!

Yet many followed the Emperor’s gaze to rest finally upon Du Long, who was kneeling quietly behind his parents, seemingly without error.

At this moment, Du Zhentian and his wife, kneeling in front of Du Long, also noticed the Emperor’s furious look, and instinctively glanced back at their son. Seeing him kneeling obediently, they breathed a silent sigh of relief; at least last year’s mishap had not been repeated. Disrespect to the Emperor could be forgiven once, but a second time would be inexcusable.

Even as they wondered why the Emperor seemed so angry, the monarch finally spoke in a deep voice: “You may all rise.”

Du Long, still with his head lowered, stood up with a grin as soon as he heard the Emperor’s words. But then he heard the entire hall shout in unison, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Once again, despite all his caution, Du Long had unwittingly repeated history and stood out alone among the officials. Looking up in embarrassment, he met the Emperor’s murderous glare. Du Long realized he had slipped up, but with the officials already on their feet, all he could do was stick out his tongue and shrink behind his parents, silently praying the Emperor would overlook his unintentional offense.

Unfortunately for him, the Emperor was not inclined to be so forgiving.

“You there, Du Long!” the Emperor called, pointing at the figure hiding behind Du Zhentian and his wife. “Step forward and speak!”

The couple nearly fainted with fright—what trouble had their precious son gotten into now?

‘Surely the Emperor wouldn’t make a scene over such a trifle in front of everyone?’ Du Long thought, vexed, but he had no choice but to steel himself and walk out from the waiting area, making his way down the central aisle to the foot of the throne.

A murmur of low voices rippled among the officials, their gazes growing curious. For two consecutive New Year celebrations, this rascal had been singled out by the Emperor; none knew what to make of it. Those at odds with Du Long—Fan Tong, Zhao Lin’er, and the rest—could only hope he would offend the Emperor and be executed, thus satisfying their grudges.

“Your Majesty, Your Highness, happy New Year! Your humble subject pays his respects,” Du Long said loudly, kneeling before the throne with a respectful smile.

“Hmph! You rascal! Don’t act so ingratiating with me! Why weren’t you this respectful a moment ago?” The Emperor, both annoyed and amused by Du Long’s smiling face, feigned anger.

‘Was I really caught faking my respect earlier?’ Du Long’s heart leapt, but he covered with a forced laugh. “Heh, how could I dare be disrespectful? Certainly not, Your Majesty!”

“I hear you not only entered Haotian Imperial Academy this year, but also took first place in all three categories in the year-end exams?” The Emperor, waving aside the previous matter, now spoke coolly.

‘Why bring up such a trivial matter at so grand an occasion? Is there some scheme at play?’ The thought flashed across Du Long’s mind, but outwardly he replied with humble laughter, “I am unworthy, Your Majesty; it was simply a stroke of luck.”

“Luck? No, no! Our Haotian Imperial Academy operates with utmost rigor; there’s no such thing as luck. This only proves your ability! Enough idle talk—on this day of celebration, I have an important announcement to make!”

“By the order of the retired emperor, Princess Huofeng is to be betrothed to Du Long, son of the second-rank Loyal Martial General. After the New Year festivities, an auspicious day in the first month shall be chosen for the engagement; as for the wedding, that can wait another year or so!”

The Emperor’s proclamation echoed through the Hall of Chende. Where idle murmurs had filled the room, now there was utter silence; even Du Long, who had been smiling a moment before, was utterly dumbfounded. He had expected to be scolded for disrespect, never imagining that he would instead be granted a royal marriage.

It is said that the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment, but Du Long, having braced himself for punishment only to be unexpectedly rewarded, felt his mind go completely blank, unsure whether he was still dreaming or had truly awakened.