Chapter 326 Rewards and Titles

Chapter 326: Rewards and Titles

Princess Consort Fu had only fainted from excessive grief and woke up shortly after arriving at the medical clinic.

Taking the medicine prescribed by the doctor, the carriage continued on to the private residence Qiu Heng had bought for Princess Rongning.

Though the house was not large, it was more than sufficient to accommodate Princess Rongning and her mother, along with the two maidservants, Xiuqiong and Xiuzhi.

Xiuqiong and Xiuzhi had followed Princess Rongning as part of her marriage alliance to Western Jiang, thus avoiding being registered as government slaves, and they were the only two maidservants to return alive from Western Jiang.

Xiuqiong helped Princess Consort Fu take her medicine and settle down to sleep, while Xiuzhi busied herself in the kitchen with Fang Zhou.

"Miss, Princess, dinner will be ready soon. If you're hungry, have some pastries to tide you over," Fang Zhou poked her head out of the kitchen and said with a smile.

Fang Zhou's smiling face, Princess Rongning felt her heavy heart lighten a little. "From now on, Fang Zhou, you can call me Lingyan. I am a commoner now."

Fang Zhou showed no trace of pity; instead, she smiled and said, "Then I'll call you Miss Yan from now on."

"Sister Yan, there's a small garden with a well in the back. Let me show you around." Qiu Heng took Princess Rongning to familiarize herself with her new home.

Princess Rongning walked from the front courtyard to the back, and stood in the tiny garden, thoroughly satisfied. "I can plant some vegetables here in the future."

"What vegetables do you want to plant?"

"Some Chinese cabbage to store for winter, some chives—my mother loves chive-filled dumplings—and maybe one cucumber plant..." As she spoke, Princess Rongning finally let the tears she had been holding back, fall. "A Heng, thank you."

She hated her father and was disappointed in her three elder brothers, but blood ties could not be erased by hatred or disappointment.

She knew that the pain of losing loved ones would accompany her for life. But with her mother here, with her dear friend here, that pain could be tempered by love, supporting her as she moved forward.

The lunch dishes were few but full of color, aroma, and flavor. Princess Consort Fu was a strong-willed woman; she forced herself to sit up, drink a bowl of porridge, and then lay back down to rest.

Princess Rongning walked Qiu Heng to the front gate.

"Now that we're so close, Sister Yan, if you need anything, just send someone to let me know."

Princess Rongning nodded lightly and watched Qiu Heng and Fang Zhou disappear at the end of the alley before turning back inside.

When Qiu Heng returned to the Earl of Yongqing's mansion, the Earl was waiting for her.

"Heng'er, I heard you arranged the residence for Princess Consort Fu and her daughter?"

Qiu Heng admitted straightforwardly, "Yes."

The Earl frowned. "They may have been absolved of guilt, but they are still family of a rebel. I'm not stopping you from helping your friends, but you should have quietly slipped them some silver instead of openly making these arrangements..."

"They don't lack money."

Although the Prince Fu's mansion had been confiscated, the authorities turned a blind eye to the personal belongings of Princess Rongning and her mother. The two would have no money worries going forward.

"If they don't lack money, then there's all the less reason for you to—"

"Grandfather," Qiu Heng cut him off, annoyed. "Just worry about yourself."

"What?" The Earl's jaw dropped; he couldn't believe his ears.

"I said, take care of yourself and stop meddling in my affairs." Qiu Heng finished and walked away without waiting for his reaction.

After a long moment, the Earl, frozen like a statue, suddenly turned his head—not toward the retreating young girl, but toward his attendant. "Don't tell anyone what the Sixth Miss said to anyone!"

If word got out that the Sixth Miss showed him such disrespect, he would lose all face.

As for confronting the Sixth Girl?

Don't be ridiculous—what if she ended up jinxing him to death?

Thinking this, the Earl dared not even be angry. He was left with only anxiety: Could a few scolding words to that girl really lead to his death?

The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became. He rushed to Thousand Pines Hall and unloaded his worries on the old madam.

The old madam scoffed. "Are you too idle? What got into you to lecture Heng'er?"

"What do you mean? I did it for the sake of this family. I was afraid that getting too close to the rebel's womenfolk would displease His Majesty."

The old madam rolled her eyes. "Save me the 'for the good of the family' routine. Every plan you've tried to carry out has brought disaster to this house. If it weren't for Heng'er stopping you..."

The Earl fumed. "I came to you for comfort, not to hear you bring up old grudges! You old woman, have you no heart?"

The old madam snatched an orange from the fruit bowl and hurled it at him. "Get out! At least Heng'er won't jinx me to death!"

The maids and servants in Thousand Pines Hall listened to the old madam's overwhelming dominance in the quarrel, continuing their work without batting an eye.

The dark cloud hanging over the capital since Prince Fu and his co-conspirators were executed had not yet fully dissipated when the day of the enthronement ceremony arrived.

Civil and military officials stood in solemn order in the main hall according to their ranks. Amidst the sounds of ritual music, the new emperor, wearing his ceremonial crown, walked step by step toward the throne.

Three kneelings and nine prostrations, the officials shouted "Long live the Emperor!" in a thunderous roar.

The young emperor gazed down through the tassels before his eyes at the civil and military officials bowing below.

His expression was very calm.

Having experienced so much in such a short time, he had developed a composure and resilience beyond his years.

He had been the crown prince for over ten years, and now he could finally sit here securely, listening to the congratulations of the officials.

If only his mother, the late empress dowager, could see this from the afterlife, how happy she would be.

The new emperor's mind drifted back to the moment before the late empress dowager's passing.

She had gripped his hand tightly, unwilling to let go, her eyes full of boundless regret.

"My son, I'm sorry. I can't watch you grow up..."

At the time, he was young, only feeling pain without fully grasping what she meant. Only later did he realize how hard it was to grow up properly without a mother's protection.

The new emperor's eyes reddened slightly, but fortunately, with the tassels in front, he wasn't worried that his officials would notice.

"All ministers, rise."

The grand, magnificent ceremony ended. The upheaval from Prince Fu's rebellion still sent ripples through the capital.

Previously, those who deserved death were executed, and those who deserved punishment were penalized. Now came the time for rewarding merits, filling vacant posts and promoting talented officers.

Among all these, the one who drew the most attention was Imperial City Commissioner Xue Han.

After the imperial decree, filled with words of praise, was read aloud, Xue Han's rewards were announced to the civil and military officials and nobles.

For his meritorious service in protecting the emperor, Xue Han was appointed Deputy Palace Commander and granted the title of Marquis Anping—a genuine promotion in both rank and title.

The courtiers showed no outward sign, but those with daughters or granddaughters of marriageable age were kicking themselves for missing their chance.

How had they overlooked such a perfect catch? It was a stroke of luck for that old geezer Earl Yongqing.

Standing in an obscure corner, Earl Yongqing caught those subtle envious glances and couldn't help puffing out his chest.

Though Sixth Girl didn't show her own grandpa any respect, she sure made him look good in public.

But there was more to come that would puff up Earl Yongqing and make the courtiers sick.

County Princess Suiyun, Qiu Heng, was promoted to Commandery Princess Suiyun for her brave deeds during the coup.

Earl Yongqing was still in a fog as he trailed the Imperial Messenger back to his manor.

What did Heng'er have to do with the coup?

He had attended the late emperor's funeral, rushed to see the fire at the imperial mausoleum that night, and when the officials and nobility gathered at the temporary palace and were informed of Prince Fu's treason, he was one of the scaredy-cats.

How could he not know Heng'er was there too during the coup?

At the Yongqing Earl Manor, news had arrived ahead of time via eunuchs, and by the time the Imperial Messenger arrived, the household had already assembled in the front courtyard, with an incense altar prepared.

The moment the Imperial Messenger finished the decree and took off, Earl Yongqing hustled over to Qiu Heng.