Chapter 5: The Iron Certificate and the Golden Script

The crowd was shocked and hurriedly knelt to the ground. Lu Shaoqing also led the Lu family out to kneel and welcome the imperial decree, his heart filled with suspicion and unease. Why would there be an imperial decree?

Li Xueying boasted triumphantly, "It must be that the Emperor knows I am getting married today and has come to bestow his favor!"

The Li family were nobles, and Li’s father was deeply favored by the Emperor. For the marriage of a legitimate daughter, the Emperor would certainly send a decree of grace. Lu Shaoqing and Lu Feng were both pleasantly surprised and proud. Even for the marriages of imperial relatives, there was not always an imperial decree of congratulations and rewards, let alone for their Lu family. If they received one, it would be an immense honor.

Lu Feng thought to himself that this marriage had come at just the right time.

Li Xueying looked as proud as a peacock.

The person sent to read the decree was the Emperor’s head eunuch, followed by several eunuchs carrying chests and silk. He first congratulated the Lu family on their great joy with a smile, then turned to read the decree: "By the order of the Emperor, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu family, Xie Zhaolan, is of pure heart and noble character, courageous and loyal. Having saved the Grand Princess from danger, she is hereby granted one thousand taels of gold, fifty bolts of silk, and an Iron Certificate of Merit. The holder of this Iron Certificate may be pardoned once for a capital crime, and their descendants may be pardoned three times for any crimes committed. Thus it is decreed!"

Everyone was stunned. A thousand taels of gold and fifty bolts of silk were nothing to ordinary noble families.

But the Iron Certificate of Merit was equivalent to a death-immunity medallion. No matter what crimes the descendants committed, the certificate could absolve them. This was only the second time in the dynasty's hundred-year history that someone had been granted such an honor.

It benefited not only the recipient but also their descendants.

Li Xueying screamed, "How could the imperial decree be for Xie Zhaolan!"

Lu Shaoqing broke into a cold sweat and scolded, "Lady Li, shut your mouth!"

How many heads did she have to dare to question an imperial decree?

Li Xueying came to her senses, her face turning deathly pale. She had thought the decree was a special favor and honor bestowed upon her by the Emperor; she could not accept the reality that it was for Xie Zhaolan.

The head eunuch’s smile faded. "Who are you? How dare you question the Emperor's will?"

Lu Shaoqing hurriedly kowtowed to apologize, "Please forgive us, Eunuch. I have failed to govern my household strictly. She has perhaps never seen an imperial decree before and lost her composure out of surprise."

The eunuch’s expression softened, and he chose not to pursue the matter, saying with a smile, "This is the second Iron Certificate of Merit in this dynasty—the highest honor. The Lu family has truly married a good daughter-in-law. Lady Xie, please accept the decree!"

Su Qingwan curled her lips into a smile. The decree had finally arrived. She wanted to see how the Lu family would go about divorcing their wife now.

"Eunuch, this humble woman is indeed Lady Xie. But I am not sure if I can accept this decree." Su Qingwan’s voice was soft, tinged with a hint of grievance.

The eunuch was puzzled. "Why is that?"

"The decree is addressed to the Lu family’s eldest daughter-in-law, Xie. But the Lu family is currently writing a letter of divorce. I am no longer a wife of the Lu family, so I fear I cannot accept this decree." Su Qingwan’s tone was indifferent. She watched the Lu family’s colorful expressions with a sense of satisfaction.

The eunuch narrowed his eyes, thinking to himself that the Lu family’s ancestral graves must be smoking with good fortune to have such an impressive daughter-in-law, yet they were actually writing a divorce letter—what fools!

Lu Shaoqing was terrified out of his wits, and Lu Feng was filled with dread. If these words reached the Emperor’s ears, would he still have his life? Who could have guessed that Xie Zhaolan was the savior of the Grand Princess and had performed a meritorious service?

The Grand Princess was the Emperor’s own sister, whom he treasured like a jewel. A few months ago, when the Grand Princess had a quarrel with her husband, the husband was summoned to the palace that very day to be reprimanded and forced to kneel for two hours. No one in the capital dared to provoke the Grand Princess.

"Lady Xie, do not speak nonsense. You are the eldest daughter-in-law of our Lu family." Lu Shaoqing’s tone became amiable. An imperial reward, an Iron Certificate of Merit, glory for the whole family, and benefits for descendants—this was the honor of the entire clan. Who would be stupid enough to push it away?

Su Qingwan smiled faintly. "Father, didn't you ask Lu Feng to write the divorce letter?"

Lu Shaoqing’s face flushed red and then turned pale; he had lifted a rock only to drop it on his own feet. Lady Lin smiled to smooth things over. "Zhaolan, your father was joking. The divorce letter hasn't been written, nor has it been signed, so it doesn't count. You are the eldest daughter-in-law we married in through proper channels, the first wife of Lu Feng. No one can ever surpass you."

Li Xueying was trembling with rage but dared not act out.

Lu Feng also hurriedly said, "That’s right, Zhaolan. Your husband was just joking; don't take it to heart."

Su Qingwan’s attitude remained cold. "So my husband was joking, and I misunderstood. But since I am your first wife and the Lu family’s eldest daughter-in-law, then who is Miss Li?"

"She... she is, of course... a co-wife!" Lu Feng gritted his teeth. With the imperial decree and the Iron Certificate of Merit, Xie Zhaolan had climbed into the favor of the imperial family; she was naturally more valuable than Li Xueying.

Li Xueying hated her to the core. How could Xie Zhaolan, who was of such lowly status, be her equal?

"Although my Xie family is a merchant family, we are people of status and rules. I have never heard of any 'co-wife.' Husband, I am a person who likes to help others achieve their desires—please, just give me that divorce letter!"

Su Qingwan glanced coldly at the resentful Li Xueying. You want to be a co-wife? Keep dreaming!

You went to such great lengths, but you will only ever be a concubine!

Lu Feng gritted his teeth and whispered, "What exactly do you want?"

"I am the wife. Everyone else can only be a concubine!" Su Qingwan’s tone was gentle, but her stance was unyielding.

Li Xueying was furious, but Lady Lin covered her mouth. Lady Lin whispered, "Fine, we will do as you say. You are the wife, and Lady Li is the concubine. Zhaolan, accept the decree!"

Li Xueying was about to go mad. For her to be a concubine was absolutely impossible. Lady Lin threatened her in her ear, "The head eunuch is still here. What are you trying to do? Do you want to drag the Lu family down with you? Whatever happens, we will discuss it after the eunuch leaves."

Su Qingwan slowly reached out and accepted the decree. Lu Shaoqing gave a quick look, and a servant hurriedly stuffed a small bag of silver into the head eunuch’s hand.

The eunuch weighed the silver and was very satisfied.

Su Qingwan said, "Eunuch, today is the day my husband takes a concubine. Why don't you do us the honor of sitting down for a wedding drink?"

The Lu family: "..."

The eunuch was surprised and raised an eyebrow. In truth, he had already seen the mess in the wedding hall, but he didn't point it out. "Master Lu is taking a concubine, yet the hall is draped in red and guests are gathered—it is truly grand."

Everyone heard the eunuch’s sarcasm. Holding a concubine-taking ceremony like a wedding was against the rules.

Su Qingwan smiled faintly. "My husband is taking Li Xueying, the legitimate daughter of the Earl of Anping, as his concubine. Given her noble status, it naturally must be grand to show our sincerity."

She turned her head and asked Lu Feng gently, "Isn't that right, husband?"

The Lu family: "..."

Lu Feng gritted his teeth, not daring to look at the fierce Li Xueying beside him. "...Yes!"

The head eunuch had come to the Lu family to deliver the decree and would certainly report back to the palace. Su Qingwan had publicly confirmed Li Xueying’s status as a concubine, and the Emperor would know of it; there was no possibility of changing it. It was truly a ruthless blow.

Li Xueying fainted from anger!