Chapter 67 Imperial Decree of Enfeoffment

Chapter 67 Imperial Edict of Enfeoffment

Everyone loves to hear auspicious words. Jiang Wanrou covered her mouth and chuckled softly, saying, "I’ll take the abbot’s blessings to heart."

She didn’t ask the abbot to interpret the fortune slips for her. With mentions of wealth, blessings, and a 'dragon,' and with Lu Feng by her side, she wasn’t concerned about these omens.

She hesitated for a moment, then spoke cryptically, saying that she had been having frequent nightmares lately, dreaming of loved ones dying tragically. What could this signify?

Due to Lu Feng's special status, she was cautious and didn't reveal everything. Seeing the abbot's grave expression, Jiang Wanrou truly thought she had attracted some evil spirit and anxiously asked, "Is there a way to break this curse?"

"Do not fret, benefactor."

The abbot smiled gently. His face was serene, his eyes deep and bright, and his words were profound.

He said, "All conditioned phenomena are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow; like dew or a flash of lightning; thus should they be perceived."

"The past is gone, the future is distant; only by understanding the present, every thought and intention, can the mind be calmed and the surroundings peaceful."

This was too deep for Jiang Wanrou. She blinked her dark eyes and humbly asked, "Abbot, I don’t understand."

The abbot chuckled and asked Jiang Wanrou, "Benefactor, are you troubled by the nightmares themselves, or are you anxious that the dreams might come true?"

Jiang Wanrou thought for a while and said, "Both."

"If it’s the former, I observe that the benefactor’s complexion is rosy, her breath is clear, and she is not haunted by evil spirits, but rather... just a lingering fixation."

The abbot handed the Buddhist beads in his hand to Jiang Wanrou, "This is a gift for you, to shield you from the torment of nightmares. As for the latter—"

The abbot looked up at the towering, compassionate golden Buddha statue and slowly said, "In this world, cause and effect are intertwined. Good deeds bring good outcomes, evil deeds bring evil outcomes. The workings of fate and karma all reside within one’s own thoughts."

To be honest, Jiang Wanrou still didn't quite understand. She carefully put away the Buddhist beads, lightly furrowing her delicate brows, "Hmm, so the abbot means that as long as I perform more good deeds, the events in my dreams won’t come to pass?"

The abbot smiled without responding or refuting, clasping his hands together, "The benefactor is perceptive."

Jiang Wanrou: "..."

She suspected the abbot was being sardonic, teasing her.

But at least she received a string of Buddhist beads, and Jiang Wanrou was satisfied. She then delicately inquired whether the dream would impact Lu Feng. The abbot said that Lu Feng’s destiny was noble, and all malevolent spirits would keep their distance.

With that, Jiang Wanrou felt much more at ease. She stayed at the temple for a vegetarian meal. Knowing that a noble guest had arrived, the temple prepared an elaborate and plentiful vegetarian feast, but for Jiang Wanrou, who was used to opulence, it was still too plain.

There were snacks and tea in the carriage to stave off hunger, but out of reverence for the sacred grounds, Jiang Wanrou only had a modest vegetarian meal and didn’t let Cuizhu retrieve the snacks. Accompanied by the abbot, she visited each hall, and by the time she was done, it was already past noon.

Jiang Wanrou, escorted by her entourage, boarded the carriage, and the group made their majestic descent down the mountain. The monks bid them farewell at the grand temple gates until the opulent carriage vanished along the winding mountain road.

Beside the abbot, a tall, thin young monk said, "Master, why did you give away the temple’s treasure? That was a string of Buddhist beads blessed by generations of abbots. To give it to a mere woman, isn’t it... a waste?"

The abbot lowered his eyes and smiled, asking another young novice, "What do you think, Huijue?"

Huijue was a round-headed young novice. Suddenly hearing his master ask him, he thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps because the benefactor is a virtuous person?"

The tall, thin monk disagreed, "As the saying goes: 'You can know a person’s face but not their heart,' and 'beauty fades like a flower.' You only saw the benefactor’s appearance, her lovely face, and assumed she was a good person. Huijue, you’re being shallow."

"Ah?"

Huijue touched his yet-to-be-shaved round head and muttered, "I wasn’t looking at the benefactor’s appearance."

"Didn’t you notice, senior brother? Ordinary nobles board their carriages by having servants kneel and stepping on their backs. Only this benefactor used a footstool."

Hui Jue raised his head, "Seeing the small to understand the big, the lady must be a compassionate soul. Master, is that not so?"

The abbot touched his small ears, reddened by the cold, and smiled, "Let us return."

The grand temple gate closed, and all noise faded into silence, leaving only the deep resonance of the bell lingering for a long, long time.

***

Jiang Wanrou placed the prayer beads in her room, and from then on, she slept soundly until dawn, never having nightmares again. She marveled at the abbot's genuine skill. About ten days later, without warning, on an ordinary day, an imperial edict arrived.

Lu Feng was absent, so Jiang Wanrou led the entire household to kneel in reception of the edict. The eunuch's voice was shrill and piercing: "By the mandate of heaven, the emperor proclaims..."

"To Jiang Wanrou, gentle and dignified, adept in etiquette. Her grace exemplifies nobility, born of a distinguished family. By this decree, she is appointed Princess Consort of Qi, a paragon for the clan, to perpetuate her esteemed reputation. Thus it is decreed."

Although Jiang Wanrou was somewhat prepared, she was still taken aback by the sudden edict, and the others were even more so. The eunuch delivering the edict personally assisted Jiang Wanrou to rise and discreetly provided her with some inside information.

"Princess Consort, this morning the Emperor sternly reprimanded Prince Chen during the morning court. In his passion, he disclosed Lu... Prince Qi's true lineage. With the backing of Duke Wu and Marquis Chen, the Emperor promptly decreed to bestow the title of 'Prince of Qi' upon His Highness."

The Emperor had previously laid considerable groundwork, and everyone was aware of the peculiarities surrounding Lu Feng's lineage. At most, they thought the Emperor was indiscriminate, having slept with someone and not taking responsibility, involving the late Duke of Lu. Such a scandal was thought to be buried forever.

Who knew the Emperor not only admitted it but did so openly. Lu Feng was not some illegitimate child to be hidden. Everyone knew about the calamity years ago when the Emperor lost a son during the turmoil. It turned out Duke of Lu had switched the babies.

What Duke of Lu was thinking, his spirit gone, is beyond investigation. No emperor would joke about his own bloodline. Duke Wu and Marquis Chen were the generals who fought with the Emperor all the way to the capital. With their testimony, Lu Feng's identity as a prince was indisputable, and no one questioned it.

The Emperor handled it beautifully. The Lu family had raised Lu Feng for many years, and on the royal genealogy, Lu Feng still bore the surname Lu, but was conferred the title "Qi," enjoying the rank of a super-grade prince. The Emperor's grace was vast; even Prince Gong did not receive such honor back in the day.

The Emperor had many offspring. Besides the princes still studying in the imperial study, there were four princes involved in politics: the King of England, Prince Min, Prince Xian, and Prince Jing.

None were as noble as "Qi," yet the most noble "Prince of Qi" came out of nowhere, and he didn't even bear the surname Qi, but "Lu."

The Emperor's heart is hard to fathom. The ministers smiled and congratulated the dragon's return, but each had their own calculations. The Emperor had caught a cold recently, and the imperial physicians were summoned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation several times. The courtiers suddenly realized that the Emperor they had followed for most of their lives was getting old.

The Emperor was wise and mighty. A decade ago, a mere cold wouldn't have required summoning the imperial physicians.

The Emperor valued his offspring but neglected women. Since he was the Prince of Youzhou, he never had a proper princess consort. After ascending the throne for many years, the position of the Empress remained vacant, and the Crown Prince was undecided. The Emperor thought he still had a long time to choose an heir, but his ministers couldn't wait.

Since ancient times, in such matters, standing on the right side could elevate one's entire family; standing on the wrong side could bring disaster to the whole clan. Not taking sides? Better resign early than face exclusion when any new emperor ascends, leaving no place to stand.

Which minister in the Golden Hall had no ambition, who didn't want to climb higher?

Under the calm surface, storms were brewing. Lu Feng, at the center of the storm, remained calm, showing no emotion. Today, the Emperor held a banquet in the Hall of Literary Brilliance, inviting all the ministers. Lu Feng changed into the purple robe of a prince and stood by the Emperor's side. Father and son were affectionate, brothers were friendly, and the monarch and his subjects were in harmony.

The Emperor drank until his face was red and ordered a painter to capture this grand scene. The banquet was in full swing.

***

Jiang Wanrou knew nothing of what happened at the court. She blankly received the edict and the princess consort's attire and crown. Turning around, countless eyes stared at her, filled with the same shock as hers.

Jiang Wanrou: "..."

Having been the mistress for many years, Jiang Wanrou hid her trembling hands in her sleeves, pretending to be calm as she served tea and gave rewards, sending the eunuch off as usual. The Emperor favored Lu Feng, and today the edict was delivered by the Emperor's personal eunuch. As he left, he sighed, "With a virtuous helper like the Princess Consort, Prince Qi is truly fortunate."

Jiang Wanrou was surprised, thinking this eunuch was quite bold. Since she married into the family, everyone said she had married above her station. This was the first time someone praised her like this.

She lowered her eyes and replied flawlessly, "You flatter me, sir. To marry a dragon among men like the Prince is my fortune."

After seeing off the outsiders, Jiang Wanrou comforted the household. Fortunately, the matriarch was not present. Coincidentally, a few days ago, it snowed, and the old lady slipped while admiring the snow in the courtyard. The matriarch was sturdy and unharmed but needed to rest in bed for a while.

Jiang Wanrou attended to her for two days before the matriarch scolded her to leave, "You have a husband and children, why spend all day with an old woman like me? Go away, or I'll chase you out with a broom."

The matriarch treated her well, and Jiang Wanrou was grateful. Now, with this sudden change, the grandson she had raised well was suddenly gone. Jiang Wanrou felt sorry for the old lady. She immediately ordered to seal the news, not allowing a word to reach the Spring Glory Hall.

Next were her two sisters-in-law, their eyes like lanterns. Zhou Ruotong was slow with words, but Yao Jinyu was no easy person, chattering until her ears hurt. Yao Jinyu probed for information, not forgetting her flirtatious husband, sweetly calling her "eldest sister-in-law," saying, "Eldest sister-in-law, when you enjoy the royal luxuries, don't forget us sisters-in-law."

Jiang Wanrou knew that the reminder wasn't really about not forgetting her sisters-in-law, but a subtle hint for Lu Feng not to forget his former "brothers."

The Duke of Lu's household had only Lu Feng to uphold its honor. Now that he had suddenly become the "Prince of Qi," and with the Second Master and Third Master not up to the task, what would become of the Lu household? To whom would the title of Duke of Lu be passed?

...

Jiang Wanrou was at her wit's end. She believed Lu Feng had plans, but with him absent, she dared not make any promises lightly. Her two sisters-in-law pressed her relentlessly, and for now, Jiang Wanrou couldn't quite muster the demeanor of a "Princess Consort." Over the years, despite occasional friction, Zhou and Yao were not malicious individuals. They had spent time together enjoying flowers, listening to operas, playing cards, and joking around, developing a certain camaraderie.

Empathizing with their feelings, Jiang Wanrou understood their anxiety. Even her own heart was in turmoil, racing with uncertainty.

Playing dumb and soothing them with soft words, Jiang Wanrou finally managed to send her two sisters-in-law on their way. Returning to Jinguang Manor, the maids and matrons exchanged glances, hesitating, unsure of how to address or bow to her.

The mistress had always been a kind and generous lady, but now that she had become the Princess Consort, her status had risen even higher. They wanted to stay by her side.

Jiang Wanrou rubbed her temples and reassured them, "Don't panic. For now, let everything remain as it was."