Rebirth of the Duke's Daughter and the Little Imperial Uncle

Chapter 38 Imperial Edict of Marriage (1)

When Qin Yaoyao opened the door in the morning, she saw her fifth brother sitting in the yard. Overjoyed, she exclaimed, "Fifth brother! Why are you here so early? Is there something you need to see me about?"

Seeing Qin Yaoyao come out, Qin Yunji said to her earnestly, "Why did you come back so late yesterday? Didn't Cheng Ying go out with you? How come she came back an hour earlier than you?"

Qin Yaoyao sat down next to Qin Yunji and said mysteriously, "We're playing separately today, and we did it on purpose!"

Qin Yunji asked with a puzzled look, "Why do you want to do this?"

Qin Yaoyao smiled slightly, blinked her big eyes, and said, "Do you know who else is with us today besides the three of us?"

Qin Yunji shook his head, indicating that he did not know.

Qin Yaoyao then added with great interest, "And the Fifth Prince too!"

Fifth Brother, looking bewildered, pressed on, "And then? What does this have to do with you guys playing separately?"

Qin Yaoyao rolled her eyes at her fifth brother and said irritably, "Silly brother, didn't I tell you before that you might have to play by yourself from now on?" Her brother nodded, indicating that he understood. Qin Yaoyao continued, "The reason we chose to play separately is actually to create an opportunity for Sister Cheng and the Fifth Prince to be alone."

Qin Yunji was puzzled and pressed, "Wait a minute, what does it matter who I play with or whether they're alone together?" Qin Yaoyao replied helplessly, "Well, they had a little misunderstanding before, so Brother Yanxi and I decided to invite them out today while we're out, so they can have a chance to be alone and clear things up." Qin Yunji still didn't quite understand and muttered, "Even so, it doesn't seem to matter who I play with." Qin Yaoyao couldn't help but complain, "Fifth Brother, judging from your appearance, I'm afraid you'll never find a wife in this lifetime, destined to be alone forever." Qin Yunji was a little displeased and retorted, "Can't you just speak properly? Why resort to personal attacks?" Qin Yaoyao didn't care about his dissatisfaction and continued, "Fifth Brother, haven't you noticed that the Fifth Prince has feelings for Sister Cheng?"

Qin Yunji stared at Qin Yaoyao with suspicion, as if trying to discern something from her expression. Qin Yaoyao, however, saw right through her brother's thoughts and couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Alas, my fifth brother is quite clever in everything else, so why is he so oblivious when it comes to matters of the heart! It seems that if he wants to get married and start a family in the future, he'll have to rely on his younger sister to step in!"

Thinking of this, Qin Yaoyao decided to analyze the current situation for Qin Yunji. She cleared her throat and said, "Fifth Brother, think about it carefully. You've known the Fifth Prince for a long time, but have you ever seen him take the initiative to talk to any girl? Almost all the girls are the ones who approach him first, or ask him for help, before he takes any action. Take that misunderstanding before, for example. If someone hadn't asked him for help, why would he have bothered? But he was an exception with Sister Cheng. He took the initiative to lend a helping hand, otherwise he wouldn't have been mistaken for a lecher!"

Qin Yunji frowned and retorted, "That's not necessarily true! Maybe he just wanted to help." Qin Yaoyao wasn't convinced and calmly continued her analysis, "Even if he meant well the first time, since he's already been beaten, shouldn't he pretend not to see him when he sees him again? This way, he can avoid any interaction and prevent others from knowing about the conflict between them. Besides, the Fifth Prince isn't a narrow-minded or vengeful person, so why is he so resentful about Sister Cheng wronging him? When have you ever seen him argue with others over trivial matters?"

After a moment of contemplation, Qin Yunji seemed to understand something and muttered to himself, "Yes, that's true... He never holds grudges." Then, as if waking from a dream, he suddenly shouted, "I get it! The reason he did this is because he's interested in Cheng Ying, right? That's why he pays so much attention to her, even going so far as to argue and fight with her. So, you and Yanxi's purpose today was actually to bring them together, wasn't it?"

Looking at her fifth brother, whose intelligence had returned, Qin Yaoyao felt extremely gratified. She smiled and said, "That's right, that's exactly it. Think about it, if we successfully bring them together, then fifth brother, you'll only be able to play by yourself from now on!" Just then, Banxia brought out all the carefully prepared breakfast.

Qin Yaoyao turned to look at her fifth brother and asked with concern, "Fifth brother, have you had breakfast yet?" Qin Yunji smiled and replied, "Not yet. I came here specifically to have breakfast with you." Upon hearing this, Qin Yaoyao immediately turned to Yingchun beside her and instructed, "Go and get a set of tableware for fifth brother."

Not long after, Yingchun quickly brought a brand new set of tableware and placed it on the table. The two had just finished their meal when they noticed Liuli, their mother's personal maid, hurrying over. Liuli first bowed to them, then said, "Fourth Miss, an imperial edict has arrived from the palace. Madam requests that you and Fifth Young Master proceed to the front courtyard to receive it as soon as possible." Qin Yaoyao thought to herself, "Brother Yanxi is really quick."

Qin Yaoyao and Qin Yunji walked towards the front yard together. Before they even reached it, they saw He Yanxi holding an imperial edict in his hand. Everyone hurriedly knelt down to receive the edict. He Yanxi unfolded the edict and loudly proclaimed: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: My younger brother Yanxi is virtuous, upright, talented, and of noble character; Qin Yaoyao is gentle, kind, and beautiful. Both are kind-hearted people and are a perfect match made in heaven. Today, I hereby bestow marriage upon He Yanxi and Qin Yaoyao, wishing them to be forever united in heart and mind, harmonious and respectful to each other, and living in perfect harmony."

He Yanxi continued reading: "The wedding date has been set for the eighth day of the seventh month. A grand ceremony will be held in the palace to demonstrate my good intentions. I hope that the two of you will follow my decree and work together to create a happy and fulfilling marriage, and make unremitting efforts for the prosperity of the country and the flourishing of your family."

Finally, He Yanxi shouted, "So be it!" His voice echoed throughout the front yard, and everyone prostrated themselves in worship, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"