Chapter 124: Face to face and engagement
"By the way, Yuxi, the Queen will summon you to the palace tomorrow, how are the preparations going?" Zhang Yanran took a sip of fragrant tea, with some concern in her eyes, and asked the sister-in-law opposite her who was raised by her since childhood.
Lin Yuxi was slightly stunned when she heard this, then she lowered her head, twisted her handkerchief with both hands, and said nervously: "Sister-in-law, I... I'm a little nervous, I don't know what to do."
There was a tremor in her voice. This was the first time she was summoned to the palace to meet the current emperor and empress. It was natural for her to feel a little nervous and worried.
Seeing this, Zhang Yanran smiled gently, reached out and held Lin Yuxi's hand, and comforted her:
"Yuxi, you don't need to be nervous. You are naturally beautiful and well-educated, so you will definitely win the favor of the Queen. Moreover, Prince Jing loves you deeply, which is also a great blessing for you. You just need to keep a normal mind and let nature take its course."
Several sisters-in-law nearby also echoed, praising Lin Yuxi's talent and beauty, and asked her to relax. As Lin Yuxi listened to everyone's comfort and praise, the tension on her face gradually dissipated, replaced by a hint of expectation and curiosity.
……
The next day, Lin Yuxi and Shen Minghui entered the palace together. Shen Minghui was dressed in brocade and looked very imposing. He held Lin Yuxi's hand and they walked side by side, attracting the attention of the palace people.
Arriving at the Queen's bedroom, the two of them bowed respectfully. The Queen smiled and looked at Lin Yuxi carefully, with satisfaction in her eyes.
"Ms. Lin, you are indeed a pretty and good girl." The Queen praised, "No wonder Minghui is so fond of you."
Lin Yuxi bowed her head respectfully, "Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty. Yuxi is ashamed to accept it."
Shen Minghui on the side also said: "Aunt, Yuxi is indeed an excellent woman. Minghui will never let her down in this life."
The Queen smiled even more when she heard this. She knew Shen Minghui's character very well. Since he valued Lin Yuxi so much, she must be an excellent woman.
Afterwards, the two went to the emperor's study. The emperor sat on the dragon throne, looking at Shen Minghui and Lin Yuxi with a sharp gaze.
"Minghui, you have a good eye this time." The emperor said with a smile, "Yuxi is indeed a good girl, you must treat her well."
Shen Minghui nodded, and then the emperor turned to him and asked, "Minghui, I heard that recently there is a woman named Xu Wanrong in the capital who is said to have a destiny of having many children and great fortune. Have you heard about this?"
"Yes, Uncle Emperor! Minghui did hear about it!"
"Oh, I heard that Xu Wanrong was Yuxi's maid before. How about I make her your maid? I believe that they should be able to get along well as master and servant!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Minghui's face darkened and he flatly refused, "Uncle Emperor, Xu Wanrong has been betrothed by Weiyuan Marquis's Mansion, and they have promised not to take concubines. Minghui already has Yuxi, so there will be no one else in this life."
The emperor was slightly stunned when he heard this, and then he burst into laughter, "Good! Good Shen Minghui! He is indeed a good man with affection and righteousness!"
Lin Yuxi stood aside, feeling a warm current in her heart. She knew that Shen Minghui's feelings for her had never changed. No matter how many reincarnations they had experienced, he would always be the man who loved her deeply.
The emperor's laughter echoed in the imperial study, and he seemed to be moved by the deep affection between the young couple. He put down the memorial in his hand and looked between Shen Minghui and Lin Yuxi with some appreciation and satisfaction.
"Since you two are deeply in love, I will grant you marriage." The emperor's voice was solemn and majestic. "Shen Minghui, you are the prince of Jing and have a noble status; Lin Yuxi, you are the eldest daughter of the Rongguo Mansion and are also a lady from a famous family. Today, I will grant you two the marriage and let you live in harmony."
Shen Minghui was delighted when he heard this, and he quickly knelt on the ground and kowtowed to express his gratitude: "Thank you, uncle emperor, for the marriage. Minghui will never let Yuxi down, and will never let down the emperor's grace!"
Lin Yuxi also knelt down, her heart filled with excitement and happiness, and she said softly: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. Yuxi will live with the prince till old age and spend the rest of her life together."
The emperor was pleased to see the two kneeling in front of the palace. He waved his hand and asked them to stand up. Then he ordered the eunuch to bring the imperial edict and personally write the edict granting the marriage.
Shen Minghui and Lin Yuxi stood aside, waiting quietly. Is this the second imperial decree granting marriage that they have received? It's really magical to think about it!
Finally, the emperor finished writing the edict. He handed it to the eunuch and ordered, "Go and announce the edict."
After watching the eunuch take his orders and leave, the emperor continued, "I will order the Imperial Astronomical Observatory to select an auspicious date to hold a grand wedding for the two of you. Before that, you can start the engagement process according to the etiquette."
Shen Minghui and Lin Yuxi thanked the emperor again and then left the imperial study. They walked side by side, both with happy smiles on their faces.
……
In the following days, everyone in Prince Jing's Mansion and Duke Rong's Mansion was busy. The many ceremonies of engagement followed one after another, and every step had to follow the ancient etiquette, without any negligence.
Shen Minghui stood in the courtyard of Prince Jing's mansion, looking into the distance with deep eyes, playing with an exquisite jade bracelet in his hand. This was the engagement gift he specially selected for Lin Yuxi. The jade was warm and crystal clear, just like his feelings for her.
"My Lord, everything is ready. We can go to the Duke Rong's Mansion." The servant beside him reminded in a low voice.
Shen Minghui nodded, turned around and walked into the house, changing into a set of luxurious clothes. His movements revealed a calmness and composure, as if everything was under his control.
In the Rongguo Mansion, Lin Yuxi was also dressing up carefully. She wore a light and elegant dress, with her long hair gently tied up, revealing her slender and fair neck.
"Miss, the prince is here." Wanyue's voice interrupted her thoughts.
Lin Yuxi immediately stood up and walked towards the door, "Minghui, you're here!"
Shen Minghui walked up to her, smiled and nodded, "Well, Xixi, I'm here." His voice was full of tenderness and firmness, Xixi, I'm going to marry you again!
It’s great that it’s always you from beginning to end!
Lin Yuxi raised her head and looked into his eyes, which were shining with happiness. Minghui, am I going to marry you again?
The two walked hand in hand into the main hall and began the engagement ceremony. From the betrothal proposal to the name, from the acceptance of the marriage proposal to the acceptance of the betrothal gift, every step was carried out in an orderly manner according to the ancient rituals.
Shen Minghui personally participated in every step of the process. His respect and love for Lin Yuxi moved everyone.
When the ceremony reached the invitation stage, Shen Minghui took out the exquisite jade bracelet from his sleeve and gently put it on Lin Yuxi's wrist.
"Xixi, this jade bracelet represents my feelings for you. May our relationship be as pure and flawless as jade." He said, looking at her affectionately.
"Sir, this is the jade pendant I prepared for you." Lin Yuxi couldn't help but smile. She took out a jade pendant from her sleeve and put it on Shen Minghui. She said, "I hope our relationship will be as strong as jade. No matter what difficulties we face, we can go through them together."
The two smiled at each other, announcing the successful completion of the engagement ceremony. From then on, they officially became an engaged couple!