Miss Truth-Chapter 505 - 334: Angel Li Ke

The Court envoy’s arrival typically calls for a sweep and sprinkle of water to lay the dust, and lavish decorations of red and green to welcome them; however, since the Xiao Family is still in the period of deep mourning, it is not appropriate to make such a festive fuss, and only a simple cleaning was carried out.

According to mourning customs, one needs not don the official uniform to receive the envoy; thus, Xiao Song and Ran Yan merely tidied up their appearances before preparing to leave the house.

As Xiao Song was putting on his shoes, his movements slightly paused, and he turned to ask the Servant next to him, "Who has His Majesty sent here?"

"Replying to Jiulang, it is Prince Wu," the Servant crouched down to help Xiao Song place his shoes properly.

Ran Yan also halted for a moment, Prince Wu Li Ke! She truly did not wish to meet this man. Although Li Ke had never truly insulted her, she had bitten through his vein, rendering the matter equitable. Yet, if it were truly to be expunged from memory, she would invariably feel uncomfortable in her heart.

Still, this was merely her unilateral perspective. Whether Li Ke was willing to let bygones be bygones remained to be seen.

The two of them put on their shoes and went together to the front yard. Liu Qingsong, not being a member of the Xiao Family, naturally did not have to meet Li Ke.

All members of the Xiao Family had gathered at the outer curved gate waiting; they quietly stood behind Duke Song and the Dugu Clan Lady, positioning themselves next to Xiao Xuanzhi and others.

It was only a matter of moments before a Servant came running in from the head of the village, announcing, "The envoy’s carriage has arrived."

Everyone immediately straightened their clothes again, ensuring there were no improper details, and waited calmly and composedly.

As the carriage came into view, led by the Clan Leader and Duke Song, the members of the Xiao Clan proceeded out of the main gate to greet it. The carriage slowly stopped in front of the Xiao residence, and a Servant promptly brought over a stool for alighting.

The carriage door opened, and Li Ke, clad in plain clothes, stepped down from the carriage. His appearance was as before, with a thin and tall face, a full forehead, eyebrows extending into the temples, narrow eyes, and a distinctly hooked nose that gave a slight hint of an eagle’s beak.

Duke Song and the Clan Leader, along with others, bowed and greeted, "We pay our respects to the envoy."

Immediately following, the relatives of the Xiao Clan also performed their bows in greeting.

No sooner had Li Ke’s feet touched the ground than he hurriedly stepped forward to help Duke Song and a few elders to their feet, saying, "Such grand formalities from esteemed elders; I dare not accept, please rise quickly."

"The decorum between monarch and subject is not to be neglected," replied Duke Song blandly, his gaze swiftly and subtly scanning Li Ke’s plain clothes, yet he did not insist further.

As an envoy represents the imperial edict, it is usual for them to wear an official uniform. Since Li Ke was in plain clothes, it indicated he came in the capacity of a son-in-law of the Xiao Family. If they were to still insist on monarch-subject decorum, wouldn’t it be disrespectful?

"It was indeed my father’s intention for me to come and console Duke Song, so as not to be overly grieved. For now, let’s not discuss the formalities," Li Ke said, feigning support for Duke Song as they walked back to the manor.

An altar for incense had already been prepared in the courtyard. Seeing Li Ke in plain clothes, which was inconvenient for proclaiming the imperial edict, Duke Song ordered a separate room be prepared for him to change his clothes.

This inconvenience required everyone to wait, and in fact, if convenience was the objective, it would have been simpler for him to arrive in his official uniform, proclaim the edict, and then change into plain clothes. However, the implications of the two approaches were markedly different.

Li Ke, too, was a politico, and moreover, as the most promising young member of the Imperial Family, he needed to ensure his public image was impeccable. Filial piety and brotherly respect were virtues he could not afford to overlook.

Having changed into his official uniform, Li Ke approached the incense altar holding the vermilion imperial edict embroidered with dragon patterns.

The Xiao Family members each bowed and listened attentively in silence.

In the Tang Dynasty, when receiving an imperial edict, it would not begin with a hasty kneeling down to await its proclamation, nor would it typically start with "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees." If it were a matter of state, it often began with "Ministry of Supervision," since the edict was drafted by the Secretariat, reviewed by the Ministry of Supervision, and then given the emperor’s approval. At most, the phrase "By the Mandate of Heaven" would be used, which was mostly reserved for major ceremonies or the likes of bestowing a title.

The edict in question had no formal opening and its content was particularly straightforward; it went directly into relaying news of the Lady’s death with profound sorrow, followed by words of consolation for Duke Song.

Ran Yan realized that Li Shimin indeed was a master of stirring emotions as an emperor. For example, comforting Duke Song, essentially saying, "Each time I think of the immense grief you must bear, and considering your advanced years, I am so worried that I toss and turn unable to sleep, without any appetite, wishing I could personally come to visit," and so forth. This was followed by urging the members of the Xiao Family to moderate their grief.

After the imperial edict was proclaimed, Duke Song was already in tears.

"We thank Your Majesty for his magnificent grace!"

All present gave thanks in unison, reverently bowing down afterwards. Li Ke then handed the imperial edict to Xiao Jing; although the edict mentioned Duke Song more frequently, after all, it wasn’t intended for him alone.

Li Ke spoke warmly to console Duke Song, "Father Emperor has been in a state of anxious thought these days. Before I left, he specifically summoned me to the palace to instruct me to properly console you on his behalf. Duke, please restrain your grief." Having consoled him, he did not forget the other Xiao elders, "Elders, please restrain your sorrow as well."

After putting away the altar of incense, everyone invited Li Ke to the hall for a casual conversation. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel-com

The womenfolk all returned to the back courtyard, leaving only the direct sons and grandsons of the Xiao family to proceed to the hall.

The Tang Dynasty had strict rules regarding clothing; for every occasion, there was a corresponding attire, hence Li Ke quickly changed into plain regular clothes before returning to the hall to take his seat.

Li Ke was adept at presenting just the right demeanor, appearing cordial without compromising the royal dignity; these social interactions were quite effortless for him.

The mourning period was full of taboos, even more stringent in the Tang than in the Song, so the conversation did not last long.

Xiao Song had not said much the entire time. When everyone dispersed, he just reached the winding corridor when he saw Li Ke standing by the lotus pond, presenting a faint smile and nodding slightly as he passed by.

Xiao Song paused as he walked past him, turning his head with a smile, "Your Highness has waited long—don’t you wish to say something?"

Leaving the hall, there was no path that Li Ke could have taken that would have brought him here.

"The Prince merely lost his way here, it was not a long wait," Li Ke said with a smile.

"Is that so? Then I really ought to feel sad. I had thought Your Highness came here specifically to catch up with me," Xiao Song said with a light laugh, then, bowing his hands, he added, "If you keep to the right, you will find your way back to the hall. I have matters to attend to and cannot accompany you."

"That’s alright," said Li Ke, unconcerned.

Xiao Song nodded slightly, bowed, and left at an unhurried pace.

Ran Yan leaned on the corridor, watching Wan Lu in the courtyard directing people as they prepared bamboo baskets, getting ready to take people up to the highlands to pick orchids. The moment Xiao Song entered, everyone fell silent.

Even though Xiao Song’s expression was usually hard to read, Ran Yan could distinctly sense something different about him.

"What’s wrong?" Ran Yan walked over and asked softly.

Xiao Song’s eyes flashed with surprise; he felt he had not shown a hint of anger. Yet Ran Yan had noticed it. He could not help but take her hand, saying, "Let them take care of the flower picking. You should not go, the sun is strong, and it’s exhausting."

Ran Yan paused for a moment, then nodded, "Wan Lu, you go with them."

Wan Lu answered and led the people out.

Ran Yan pulled him to sit on the corridor, "Who has upset you?"

"I ran into Prince Wu on the winding corridor just now." Xiao Song knew he did not have to elaborate for Ran Yan.

In such a short time, Li Ke learned the route Xiao Song would take back to the courtyard, indicating that he had planted informers in this residence. Was it a probe of Xiao Song’s attitude? Or some other purpose? (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote with your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)

Read latest chapters at f(r)eewebnov𝒆l Only