Chapter 103: By Any Means Necessary

Tan Qingjiu raised an eyebrow slightly. Was Shen Yingjue trying to... stand up for her?

Tan Yun, however, did not overthink it and nodded repeatedly. "It is only right, only right. For a matter like receiving an imperial edict of marriage, it is natural that everyone in the manor should be summoned to hear it."

"Steward, go quickly! Bring the Madam, the concubines, and all the young ladies and gentlemen of the manor here to receive the decree."

"Yes, sir."

Tan Yun’s face was filled with irrepressible joy. He had never expected that before he even had the chance to enter the palace, Shen Yingjue would have already petitioned for the marriage decree himself. This turned out to be far better than if he had been the one to request it. After all, Prince Duan was a prince; for a man of his standing to personally petition the Emperor to take his daughter as a wife showed just how much he valued and favored her. It meant that Prince Duan was the one who desired Tan Qingjiu, rather than Tan Qingjiu being the one desperately clinging to him. It was much more respectable that way.

Tan Yun chuckled. "Since Prince Duan has already secured the marriage decree, I shall have someone pack Qingjiu’s belongings and send her to the Prince Duan Manor to attend to his health."

Shen Yingjue curled his lips into a faint smile. "Indeed, that is precisely my intention. Since I am already here, I might as well take Qingjiu with me now, so as to avoid anyone having second thoughts."

Tan Yun beamed, his eyes crinkling. "How could anyone have second thoughts? Your Highness jests. Being ordered by the Emperor himself to care for Prince Duan is a blessing for Qingjiu."

Tan Yun hurriedly invited Shen Yingjue into the main hall and had tea served. About a cup of tea later, the rest of the household arrived. Chen Yuru stood at the front, her gaze sweeping over the Prince before landing on Tan Yun’s beaming face, and finally resting on Tan Qingjiu. For some reason, she felt a lingering sense of foreboding. The servants had only told her they were to receive an imperial decree. Although Tan Yun held a position at court, it was rare for the women of their inner household to be summoned for such things. The last time it happened was when Prince Ding had petitioned for the decree to betroth Tan Yunge to his heir...

Betrothal!

Chen Yuru’s heart skipped a beat. Recently, Tan Qingjiu had indeed been spending a great deal of time with Prince Duan, and the Prince had repeatedly expressed his desire to marry her. And now, the Prince was here in person. Could it truly be a marriage decree?

Chen Yuru’s hands, hidden within her sleeves, clenched tightly. Tan Qingjiu was already arrogant enough; if the Emperor had truly betrothed her to Prince Duan, would she not then trample all over her?

"Is everyone here?" Tan Yun interrupted her thoughts.

Chen Yuru snapped back to reality and nodded hurriedly. "Yes, everyone is here."

Shen Yingjue then rose leisurely. "Since everyone is here, let us receive the decree." His eyes settled on Tan Qingjiu, and his lips curved slightly. "Second Miss of the Tan Manor, Tan Qingjiu, receive the decree."

The members of the Tan household knelt, their expressions varying. Chen Yuru felt as if she might grind her teeth to dust. It was exactly as she had feared.

"I have heard that Tan Qingjiu, daughter of the Dali Temple Minister Tan Yun, is virtuous, gentle, honest, and of outstanding character. I am much pleased to hear this. My third imperial son, Prince Duan, Shen Yingjue, is of age for marriage, and a virtuous maiden should be chosen as his match. As Tan Qingjiu is currently unwed, she and Prince Duan are a perfect match in talent and beauty. In order to complete this beautiful union, I hereby bestow Tan Qingjiu upon Prince Duan as the Princess of the Duan Manor. All ceremonies shall be overseen by the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Board of Astronomy; choose an auspicious date for the wedding."

"Furthermore, as Prince Duan is ailing and Tan Qingjiu possesses exceptional medical skills, I hereby order Tan Qingjiu to enter the Prince Duan Manor early to attend to him. Thus it is written..."

Shen Yingjue’s lips curled as he looked at Tan Qingjiu. "Divine Doctor Tan, will you accept the decree?"

"This subject’s daughter accepts the decree. Long live the Emperor, long, long live the Emperor."

Shen Yingjue handed the scroll back to Tan Qingjiu and smiled. "Princess, if there is anything you need to take with you, please go and pack. I shall wait here for you."

Tan Yun hurriedly agreed, glancing at Tan Qingjiu and then at Shen Yingjue, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. Shen Yingjue sat back down. "Minister Tan, if you have any matters to attend to or instructions for the Princess, by all means, do so. I shall wait here, no matter."

Tan Yun pondered for a moment and nodded. "Very well. Please forgive my negligence, Your Highness."

Shen Yingjue chuckled. "You speak too seriously, Minister. Now that His Majesty has decreed the marriage, it is only proper that I address you as Father-in-law. Since we are family, there is no need for such formalities."

Tan Yun was so flattered he felt as if he were floating, his grin stretching to his ears. "Yes, yes, of course, we are all family now."

"Madam, you may all disperse. Qingjiu, I shall accompany you back to the Yunshang Pavilion to pack."

"Yes."

As Tan Qingjiu walked out of the main courtyard with Tan Yun, he looked behind them; seeing no one else, he lowered his voice. "Though the marriage decree has been issued, you are to move into the Prince Duan Manor before the wedding. This has never happened in our dynasty before."

"But for you, this is an excellent opportunity."

"An opportunity?" Tan Qingjiu blinked, appearing confused. "What opportunity does Father mean..."

"Even with the decree, as long as you are not yet wed, there is always room for change. I am a man, and I understand men best. You must firmly grasp his heart and his body to ensure nothing goes wrong."

"Grasp his heart and body? How... how is your daughter to do that?"

"You will be living in his manor, and he rarely leaves. Being together day and night gives you a natural advantage. You are also his doctor, which gives you even more leverage. If you can entice him and consummate the union early, making him obsessed with you in the bedroom, that is the only way to be truly secure."

Tan Qingjiu’s eyes widened. "But Father, I am not yet married to him!"

Tan Yun nodded. "I know that, but what does it matter? You already lost your purity six years ago; it makes no difference if you do something with the Prince early."

"Remember my words. A man will be completely submissive to you as long as you serve him well in the bedroom. If you don't know how, I will have someone find you some manuals to study carefully."

Tan Qingjiu lowered her eyes, her gaze filled with mockery. Tan Yun truly would stop at nothing for his own future. Even with the imperial decree in hand, he was still anxious and wanted her to seduce the Prince.

Tan Qingjiu paused. Tan Yunge had had no opportunity to interact with the heir of Prince Ding, yet she had become his wife. Was there something Tan Yunge had left unsaid? Had Tan Yun given her the same instructions?