The imperial decree of the Fang Family is a very peculiar existence.
Its origins are unknown, and its specifications are unique.
The Fang Family is neither a cultured bureaucrat nor military generals, much less relatives of the royal families with generations of merits. The imperial decree didn't specify its purpose, with only one phrase: as if in the emperor's presence, resembling the specifications of an iron scroll.
That was as if it were bestowed by the former emperor himself. If Fang Chengyu were holding the decree at this moment, not only could he meet the Emperor without bowing, but even if he asked the Emperor to do something, the Emperor could not refuse.
Such an object naturally made the Emperor uneasy, uneasy to the point of attempting to seize it.
Of course, the Emperor's seizure was very tactful, attributing the former emperor's decree to a treasured calligraphy, and thus worrying in the name of filial piety, and offering another calligraphy as compensation, was truly the epitome of benevolence and righteousness.
It depended on how one chose, whether to be grateful or to be considered ungrateful and unrighteous.
As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, Fang Chengyu kneeled with a thud.
"It is a blessing of three lifetimes for a commoner like me to receive words twice from the former and current Emperors," he said, taking a scroll from his sleeve and holding it high, "This blessing and prosperity are too heavy, I ask the Emperor to take back the former emperor's calligraphy."
The Emperor was somewhat surprised, and Miss Jun was also a bit taken aback.
Since Fang Chengyu came to the capital, Miss Jun had given him the decree, and he had accepted it courteously and put it away, never expecting that he would bring it to the palace.
And so straightforwardly presented it.
Regardless of whether it was out of helplessness or understanding the situation, it was better to take it back first.
The Emperor's expression carried a bit of unease.
"This, this is not appropriate," he hurriedly stood up, after all, facing the decree of the former emperor, "This was bestowed by the former emperor upon you, how can I take it back?"
Fang Chengyu looked at the Emperor earnestly.
"Your Majesty, I am young and don't understand much of grand principles. My grandmother always told us not to be too greedy," he said, a bit apprehensive, "The former emperor giving our family the decree was to reward us and let our family live well. Now Your Majesty has also rewarded us and will let our family live well. I think one is enough."
What childish words, the Emperor laughed, but the words of a child are often the truest.
Indeed, one should not be too greedy.
"If that is the case," the Emperor sighed softly, "then I shall take back the former emperor's calligraphy for safekeeping."
Fang Chengyu bowed down and prostrated.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," he said gratefully, holding the scroll high.
Miss Jun also knelt, glancing from the corners of her eyes as a eunuch took the decree from Fang Chengyu's hand.
This thing that was both a surprise and fear left the Fang family. Its arrival was unknown whether it was a blessing or a curse, and its departure was also unknown whether it was a blessing or a curse.
But blessings and misfortunes always come together, if they come one should accept them, thought Miss Jun, lowering her gaze.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," she said, kowtowing.
.......
"Why did you bring the decree?"
After leaving the Emperor's palace, having walked out of the Imperial City, with the eunuch seeing them off gone, Miss Jun asked in a low voice.
"Did you anticipate this?"
Fang Chengyu drew closer to her.
"No," he replied softly, "I just wanted to be prepared for any eventuality."
Miss Jun almost laughed.
It turned out that it wasn't out of gratitude or respect for the Emperor, but rather a precaution.
Such words were greatly disrespectful.
Miss Jun looked at Fang Chengyu.
Outside of the Emperor's presence, the young man's expression retained a bit of curiosity and some restraint.
But through his clear eyes, Miss Jun knew he felt not a hint of nervousness or unease; with no nervousness or unease before this sovereign, it could only mean there was no reverence or fear.
Was it because he lived a secluded life from a young age and did not understand awe, or for some other reason?
Noticing her gaze, Fang Chengyu smiled at her.
"Gongzhu, I am someone who has died once," he said, "Having died once, I know how terrifying death is, yet there is nothing more to fear."
Indeed, although young, he had endured more suffering than many who had lived long, both physically and psychologically.
Miss Jun reached out and patted his arm.
"Actually, it would have been okay if you hadn't produced it," she mused for a moment, then smiled, "Are you really so willing to give it up?"
Fang Chengyu seemed slightly uneasy.
"I don't understand much; this decree is supposed to be the Emperor's will," he said in a low voice, "It is only because the Emperor had the intention to bestow it that it held meaning, and if the Emperor intends to take it back, then it loses its significance."
He looked at Miss Jun.
"Keeping something without meaning, isn't a blessing, but a misfortune, is it not?"
Miss Jun laughed.
"It's not that you don't understand," she said, "You understand too much."
Upon being praised, Fang Chengyu's face broke into a smile.
"The Fang Family is truly fortunate to have a son like you," Miss Jun remarked again.
Fang Chengyu shook his head.
"It should be said that the Fang Family is truly fortunate to have Gongzhu," he earnestly said, "Without you, there would be no me."
Miss Jun laughed loudly.
"Others' help is only temporary, what kind of person one is still depends on oneself," she said, patting Fang Chengyu's head, "Enough with the sweet words, you are who you are because of yourself, not anyone else."
Fang Chengyu giggled and nodded.
"Alright, Gongzhu is right," he said.
Miss Jun laughed again, suddenly feeling a gaze upon her, her laughter stopped as a red figure appeared in her sight.
Outside the Imperial City, the Imperial Guard and Jinyiwei stood solemnly, with Lu Yunqi behind them, yet not blending in, remaining extraordinarily conspicuous.
Their gazes met, and though Lu Yunqi still had no expression, his eyes were particularly deep.
This was not scrutiny, but a gaze.
Whether scrutiny or gaze, what was there to fear? Miss Jun stared back unflinchingly.
But someone stepped across, blocking their line of sight.
"What are you staring at!" Zhu Zan said to Lu Yunqi in a low voice.
Lu Yunqi's eyes fixed on him.
"Now, still cannot look?" he asked.
Now? Now Miss Jun was no longer the Heir's Wife of Duke of Chengguo.
Zhu Zan understood his meaning.
"No," he answered again.
"Why not?" Lu Yunqi questioned.
"Because I won't let you look," Zhu Zan said with a slight smile, "Is that reason enough?"
Lu Yunqi nodded.
"It is," he replied woodenly, "The Heir may do as he pleases."
Whatever others wish to think, what did it matter to Lu Yunqi? Many wanted him dead and his family exterminated, and so what?
Zhu Zan looked at him, both standing firm.
"Zhu Zan," Miss Jun called.
Only then did Zhu Zan turn his head to look.
"Let's go," Miss Jun gave a slight nod of her head toward him.
"You should go first," Zhu Zan replied, standing with folded arms, "The people meeting you are outside."
Miss Jun looked toward the end of the Imperial Street, where the crowd was already dense, someone having spotted her, cheers erupted immediately.
"Miss Jun has come out!"
With that shout, the street erupted with noise, drums and gongs resounded.
Miss Jun smiled and nodded to Zhu Zan, saying nothing more, heading toward the commotion with Fang Chengyu, while Manager Liu, Doctor Feng, and others came forward with their people, taking the scroll from Fang Chengyu's hands, spreading it out, hung with red silk placed on a colorful palanquin carried forward.
"The Emperor's grace is mighty!"
"The Emperor is wise!"
.......
........
The noise outside the imperial palace the Emperor could not hear, nor did he care.
He looked at the imperial decree before him and exhaled a long breath.
"Finally, it's been reclaimed," he said, his hand stroking the yellowed paper scroll, his expression utterly relaxed, with a hint of satisfaction, "Once those are reclaimed too, the Fang Family might as well not exist."
He raised his head and looked within the hall.
"Yuan Bao."
Upon hearing his call, the eunuch Yuan Bao, hidden in the shadows of the hall, immediately emerged.
"Go," the Emperor instructed.
Yuan Bao bowed and answered affirmatively.