The holder of the case advances to the front of Vice Envoy Tan, and Vice Envoy Tan takes the imperial edict. The holder of the case retreats to his original position. Vice Envoy Tan presents the imperial edict to Envoy Song Taiwei, and retreats to his original position. Envoy Song Taiwei holds up the imperial edict and says: "There is an imperial decree."

  Lin Yong led the Lin family members in another three bows.

  Song Taizai reads out the imperial edict.

  "We respectfully report: The imperial family's surname is Lin. From the beginning of the universe, it has been the origin of human relationships. Now, with the husband and wife, they will serve Heaven and Earth, the ancestral temple, and the altar of the land. After consulting with the officials, everyone thinks it is proper. Following the old tradition, we now send the holder of the imperial seal, Taifu Song Mou, and the Minister of Rites, Tan Mou, to receive the ceremonial garments."

  Lin Yong raised both hands to receive the imperial edict, and then replied: "The Emperor's gracious order, visiting the humble clan for marriage, has carefully selected several options. I, Lin, have a daughter who is not yet married, with proper upbringing and attire like others. Respecting the old rules, solemnly following the traditional rituals. The official title of the imperial edict is respectfully received by me, Lin, with bowed head and repeated bows."

  Then bow three times again.

  With this, the royal wedding ceremony is officially completed.

  Song Taiwei walked over and personally helped Lin Yong up, smiling and congratulating him: "Lin gentleman, congratulations! The Lin family has produced another empress."

  Lin Yong replied: "It's all due to the emperor's great kindness, and he doesn't despise Lin's humble talent."

  Song Taiwei smiled, his chin's whiskers shaking back and forth, and continued: "Lord Lin is too modest. I think Fourth Miss's character, virtue, and appearance are all top-notch. If Fourth Miss can still be considered naive, then the noble ladies in the capital might not dare to come out and meet people." He laughed loudly twice, then asked without waiting for Lin Yong to speak: "By the way, I heard that your young son has not yet been betrothed? I have a daughter who is just entering adulthood and would be quite compatible with your son. Not to boast, but my little daughter's virtue, appearance, and accomplishments may not compare to Fourth Miss's, but in the capital she is also someone worth considering. Lord Lin, why don't we form an alliance through marriage?"

  Lin Yong smiled slightly and cupped his hands, saying: "Thank you for the honorable Taifu's kindness, but just a few days ago, my youngest son has already agreed to marry Miss Yuan of the Xingning Bo Fu, so I'm afraid we can only disappoint your good intentions..."

  Song Taiwei's eyebrows moved slightly, and he uttered a soft "oh". However, in his heart, he cursed the Xingning Bo Fu, thinking to himself, "The Yuans are indeed quick with their hands and feet."

  Song Taiwei said, "Never mind, I remember that your younger brother's eldest son and daughter have also reached the age of marriage, right? I have a niece who is 15 years old now. Although her virtues and appearance are not as good as those of Fourth Miss and my own daughter, she is still very good. Mr. Lin, why don't I act as a matchmaker and bring about a good relationship between our two families?"

  Lin Yongdao said, "Although the Lin family is close-knit, their parents are still alive, and as an uncle, I shouldn't overstep them to interfere with their children's personal matters. What adults say, we'd better wait for Old Three to return to Beijing and ask about his intentions before making a decision."

  Song Taiwei knew at once that this was just an excuse, the military general guarding the border couldn't return to the capital without being summoned, and had to wait for Lin Ying's return, but who knows when that would be. Could it be that Lin Ying wouldn't return? His eldest son and daughter were still not married yet.

  Song Taiwei thought for a moment, then turned his head to look at Zhuang Shi, smiled and said: "Third Madame, my niece is not only excellent in virtue, appearance and talent, but also has a very rich dowry, and her temperament is gentle."

  Everyone knows that Lin Ying's eldest son and daughter are not born to Zhuang, generally speaking, a stepmother would not want her stepchildren to share their children's property, but she also doesn't want people to think she is being stingy with the stepchildren. The best solution is to find them a wife with a rich dowry, if this stepchild's wife is also very obedient, then that would be even better.

  But Mrs. Zhuang was obviously not an ordinary stepmother, but a woman who followed the three obediences and four virtues. She found it difficult to say: "This is a big deal, I really can't make decisions as a housewife, let me ask Master San first."

  Standing behind him, Mr. Tan looked at the behavior of Song Taizhen and scolded in his heart that he was indeed an "old fox". On the other hand, he was also envious, so he stepped forward and interjected: "Indeed, we should ask General Lin about this, but waiting for General Lin to return may be too late. The fourth young master is a man, it's okay to say, but the second young lady is a girl, and women's youth can't wait. My wife has been anxious about our children's marriage recently, my wife and I only have one son, and she vowed to find a kind and virtuous daughter-in-law for him. After looking at several families, we were not satisfied. Today, seeing the second young lady, I thought that this must be in line with my wife's expectations. Third Madame, why don't you immediately send a letter to General Lin and ask if I have the good fortune to become related to your esteemed family?"

  The old eunuch looked at the two of them, who couldn't wait to divide up all the eligible young ladies and gentlemen of the Lin family among themselves, and felt only amusement in his heart. He cleared his throat with a light cough and spoke: "Alright, you two esteemed elders, I think it's better if we discuss the marriage arrangements on another auspicious day, but for today, let's just head back to the palace and report to His Majesty."

  Song Taiwei and Tan Daren are both somewhat regrettable, but they also have no choice but to bid farewell and leave with Wan Gonggong.

  After Na Chai's procession left, Lin Yong turned to Qi Shi and said: "The mansion will likely have many people coming to offer congratulations in the near future. Lock the main gate of the mansion tightly, and don't see anyone who isn't important. Also, keep a close eye on the servants at home, don't let them show off or act recklessly, if there's anyone who is arrogant or bullying, punish them severely without pardon."

  Qī shì smiled and glanced at her husband, saying: "This matter still needs your explanation. I, the wife of Wǔ Guó Gōng, am not serving in vain."

  Lin Yong nodded and then looked at Lin Huan again, softening his voice: "Yuanyuan, come with me to the ancestral hall."

  Lin Di nodded and patted Zhuang Shi's hand, then followed Lin Yong towards the ancestral hall.

  After Lin Yong and Lin Zhong left, the Qi family pulled Dou Shi and Zhuang Shi together to discuss how to take care of the household and restrain the subordinates.

  Li turned her head towards Lin Jin and said in a cold tone: "Jin, help me back to Fuding Hall."

  Lin Jin only now felt truly a little afraid and shrank her body, she had just done that thing when she knew Li Shi would not let her go, at the time she still thought herself clever, but now she feels some regret, feeling that she has overdone it. Looking at Wang Gonggong's reaction, she seemed to have failed to achieve her goal, but instead provoked Li Shi.

  The Li family had always been kind and gentle towards her, and she had never really done anything bad to them, at most just ignoring them. But a stepmother who could make the legitimate son and daughter of the previous wife respect her after entering the house, and before her birth could make all the illegitimate children around the old duke disappear, she didn't believe she was a kind and mediocre person.

  Is she really going to take her on now?

  Lin Ge said with some fear: "Mother, I still have some embroidery work unfinished in my room, I......"

  Li looked at her with a sharp gaze, and she couldn't say another word.

  Lin Xiao looked at Lin Wei's frightened appearance, feeling a bit worried for her, and was about to speak up for her when she was suddenly pulled by Lin Cheng, who glared at her with a warning gaze.

  Lin Wan searched the room but couldn't find anyone who could speak for her, and Lin Xiao was even warned by Lin Chenggang. In her heart, Lin Wan scolded her, usually she had wasted her efforts on her, a single warning from Lin Chenggang could make her speechless?

  "What's wrong? Can't I order you around anymore?" Li's voice rang out again.

  Lin Jin hastily said: "Yes, yes, daughter is coming right away." As she spoke, she rushed over to support Li's hand and walked with her.

  Lin Xuan stood there looking left and right, watching the adults who had already walked away, then looked at herself being ignored by no one, feeling a bit lost and squatting down.

  Lin Tong understood, already knowing to take care of herself instead of relying on the adults. She walked over and took Lin Yu's hand, saying: "Yu'er, the grown-ups are busy with something, let's not bother them. I'll take you to the garden to fly a kite?"

  Lin Xuan thought for a moment and then nodded.