Soon, a young eunuch walked in and nodded at Chen Xiaobei.
"Chen Xiaobei, the Emperor's oral decree, kneel to hear it."
Everyone present immediately knelt. The young eunuch looked at the scene with satisfaction. He nodded and said, "The Emperor's oral decree is to bestow marriage upon Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei. Chen Xiaobei is ordered to marry Liu Rumei immediately after the mourning period for Huang Ying is over, without delay."
Upon hearing this, before Chen Xiaobei could even thank him, the Lotus Cult leader beside him suddenly stood up.
She grabbed the young eunuch by the collar and said sternly, "What did you say, bestow marriage upon whom?"
The young eunuch was startled and stammered, "The Emperor has bestowed marriage upon Chen Xiaobei and Liu Mei, the daughter of Liu Xiangnan."
The Lotus Cult leader raised her fist to strike. Shen Ziyan, standing nearby, quickly stepped forward to restrain her.
"Senior Sister, no violence, it's not permissible."
Saying that, she dragged the Lotus Cult leader several steps away and said to the eunuch, "Your Excellency, please leave quickly."
The Lotus Cult leader stomped her feet in anger and said to her followers, "Stop him for me, I'm going to kill this dog!"
The followers of the Lotus Cult did not know what to do, whether to advance or retreat. Fortunately, there were sensible people present.
Larduo waved his hand, and Yang Chun and Yang Zhi escorted the young eunuch out of the door. He then ordered Yang Chun and Yang Zhi to guard the door and not let anyone out.
Seeing them leave, Shen Ziyan breathed a long sigh of relief and said to the Lotus Cult leader, "If you hit him, he will report back to the court, and that would be a matter of life and death."
The Lotus Cult leader sighed. Suddenly, she came to her senses, stepped forward, grabbed Chen Xiaobei's collar, raised her arm, and slapped him across the face.
The move was so fast that no one could react. Just as the Lotus Cult leader was about to strike again, someone reacted.
Cui Hongyu stepped forward and grabbed the Lotus Cult leader's arm.
"Cult Leader, please calm down. My husband was also forced into this situation."
The Lotus Cult leader stared at Chen Xiaobei, then at Cui Hongyu, and spat fiercely.
"Junior Sister Huang Ying was truly blind to meet the two of you, a pair of dogs and bitches. Before my junior sister's body is even cold, you are taking a new wife and yet you say you were forced."
"Today, before my junior sister's spirit tablet, I will kill you both, you dog and bitch."
Saying that, she swung her fist forward again.
"Do not harm my brother." Larduo roared, blocking Chen Xiaobei and taking the Lotus Cult leader's punch.
The two began to fight.
Seeing their master fighting, the Lotus Cult leader's disciples got ready to join in, but Shen Ziyan stopped them. She drew her sword with a hiss and stood in front of everyone, shouting sternly.
"All of you, retreat. Anyone who dares to move, don't blame me for being impolite."
After all, she was their martial aunt. Everyone present took a few steps back and stopped, afraid to move. Shen Ziyan then turned around and shouted loudly at the Lotus Cult leader.
"Senior Sister, please don't act rashly. Let's clarify things first."
Seeing that the Lotus Cult leader was still unwilling to back down, Shen Ziyan stomped her foot in helplessness and joined the fray. With a few swift sword strokes, she separated Larduo and the Lotus Cult leader.
The Lotus Cult leader pointed at Shen Ziyan and shouted, "You, you are helping outsiders against me too!"
Shen Ziyan sighed, "Senior Sister, please don't be anxious. Let's give Chen Xiaobei a chance to explain. If he can't give a clear explanation, I will take his life myself before you have to."
Hearing this, the Lotus Cult leader finally relaxed. She stared at Chen Xiaobei coldly and said, "Fine, I'll give you a chance. If you can't explain yourself clearly today, don't blame me for being unforgiving."
Chen Xiaobei looked at the Lotus Cult leader, then at Shen Ziyan, bowed, and said with a bitter expression.
"Huang Ying's departure pains me more than all of you."
"But Liu Rumei also showed me great kindness. I intended to set up a ritual to rescue her, but something went wrong. Huang Ying and Hongyu were attacked, and my wife Huang Ying tragically perished."
"Later, the Emperor summoned me and said that if he wanted to release Liu Rumei, there was only one condition: I must marry Liu Rumei."
"I told the Emperor that Huang Ying had just passed away and I had no intention of marrying. I asked him to retract the decree, but the Emperor said there was no choice. Either I marry Liu Rumei, or the Liu father and son would die in prison."
Hearing this, the Lotus Cult leader's anger flared. She pointed at Xiaobei and said sternly, "Chen Xiaobei, who are you trying to fool? I don't believe the Emperor would force you to marry Liu Rumei. What is your status? You are not worthy of marrying the daughter of the Duke Protector."
Just then, a voice suddenly came, "Cult Leader, you are mistaken. There is no Duke Protector anymore."
As the voice spoke, Liu Kai entered with Liu Ce and Liu Tie.
Seeing the three of them arrive, the Lotus Cult leader looked surprised. She seemed not to understand Liu Kai's words.
Amidst everyone's astonishment, Liu Kai walked up to Chen Xiaobei and suddenly pulled up his robe and knelt down.
"Many thanks to Chief Chen for rescuing my Marquis. Please accept my bow."
As he spoke, Liu Ce and Liu Tie behind him also knelt.
This scene stunned everyone present. Chen Xiaobei quickly stepped forward to help Liu Kai up.
"Elder, please do not humble yourself. Let's talk slowly."
Liu Kai refused to get up and clasped his fists emotionally, saying, "If it weren't for you setting up the ritual to dispel the people's panic, and if it weren't for you agreeing to marry my young lady, the Marquis would still be suffering in the celestial prison. You are a great benefactor to our Liu family."
Chen Xiaobei's heart was filled with mixed emotions. Him, a rustic from the mountains, marrying the daughter of the Duke Protector, was inherently absurd. And yet, the Liu family was showing him such gratitude. Such a ridiculous situation had actually happened.
The Lotus Cult leader and Shen Ziyan, standing nearby, exchanged glances. At this point, they also began to believe Chen Xiaobei's words.
The Lotus Cult leader stepped forward and asked Liu Kai again, "Old steward, it is a great fortune for Chen Xiaobei to marry your young lady. Why are you still..."
Liu Kai turned to look at the Lotus Cult leader with a grave expression.
"Tang Cult Leader, you may not know, but if Chen Xiaobei had not agreed to marry my young lady, the Marquis would not have been released from the celestial prison, and the young lady and the young master would likely have suffered as well."
He then became even more respectful. "Groom, please accept this old servant's bow again."
Seeing this, the Lotus Cult leader believed him. She trusted Liu Kai's character. He was Liu Xiangnan's loyal steward. Even if Chen Xiaobei had extraordinary abilities, he could not have bribed Liu Kai to stage such a scene.
Chen Xiaobei waved his hand and stepped forward, supporting Liu Kai again. "Elder, please do not belittle me. I agreed to marry Miss Liu merely as a temporary measure to rescue her. How could I possibly be worthy of Miss Liu!"