novelaction Chapter 239 Declaration
Chapter 239 Declaration
Chapter 239
Eunuch Su glanced around and then stretched out his thin voice, which was pierced by the sharpness unique to eunuchs: "Since this is the case, everyone in the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness's Mansion should accept the order."
Upon hearing this, everyone knelt respectfully and bowed their heads to listen to the order. When Eunuch Su saw that everyone was kneeling, he waved his hand to signal the eunuchs around him to disperse, then unfolded the imperial edict and began to read it.
According to heaven’s destiny, the emperor issued an edict:
Ye Yunzhou, the son of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, is a man of pure character and upright conduct, renowned for his courtesy and respect for younger brothers. His virtue is commendable. Now, Ye Yunzhou holds a high position. He has collaborated with his father, repeatedly offering sound advice and demonstrating his loyalty and bravery. Recognizing his virtue, I have granted him the right to relinquish his position as the son of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery.
From now on, Ye Yunzhou will be stripped of the title of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery's Crown Prince. At the same time, the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery's second son will be named the Crown Prince to inherit the Marquis's family line.
Ye Yunzhou has served the country with remarkable merit, and I hereby appoint him General Zhenyuan, with a reward of one hundred taels of gold, one thousand pieces of silk, and a mansion. I hope you will continue your efforts, serving as a key figure in the court, defending the frontiers and protecting the nation and its people. I clearly distinguish between rewards and punishments, and I hope all my officials will emulate his sincerity and help me secure the eternal rule of my country. This is my decree!
Marquis Zhongyong and Ye Yunzhou were well prepared and remained calm after hearing the imperial edict.
Ye Yunzhou stood up and took a step forward. He respectfully took the imperial edict from Eunuch Su with both hands and said loudly, "Your Majesty, thank you for your grace."
Eunuch Su knew the whole story. He knew that this Inspector General… no, he should be called the Grand General now, but he was a trusted confidant of the Emperor. How could he dare to make things difficult for him? He put on a smile and handed the imperial edict to Ye Yunzhou, not forgetting to instruct him: "Grand General, please keep it carefully. I, your servant, would like to congratulate you first!"
Ye Yunzhou nodded and smiled, and responded politely: "Thank you, eunuch. You have worked hard."
Eunuch Su quickly waved his hand in return, "General, please don't be so rude. It embarrasses me."
Here, compared to the calmness of the Loyal and Brave Marquis, his wife was filled with astonishment. Although both sons were her biological children and were considered equal in her eyes, the fact that the younger son had inherited the title while the eldest son was still alive seemed strange. She quickly turned to look at her husband, her eyes full of inquiry, hoping to see some clue in his face. However, the Loyal and Brave Marquis lowered his eyes and did not return her gaze. With Eunuch Su still present, she could only suppress her doubts and anxieties.
Lu Zhaozhao was equally surprised, but that was all. Although Ye Yunzhou had resigned the title of Heir of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, he had been personally appointed a Grand General by His Majesty. How could outsiders easily judge the gains and losses? However, this "cheap big brother" now held even greater weight. Even if he was no longer the Heir of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, as the eldest son of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, how could others dare to underestimate him? Furthermore, according to the imperial edict, he had clearly resigned the title of Heir on his own initiative, and the reason for this was unknown to outsiders. Perhaps, by giving up the title of Heir, he was hiding a greater conspiracy.
She pondered this to herself, then turned to look at Luo Shuiyao, who stood there with an unsure expression. She felt both amused and relieved. With her lowly status, how dare she covet a figure like Ye Yunzhou? She was afraid it would all be in vain, and she would lose face and be ridiculed by everyone.
The moment Luo Shuiyao heard the imperial edict, she suddenly raised her eyes and cast her gaze straight at Ye Yunzhou, staring at him intently. Her mind flashed back to how he had once earnestly told her that he would resign his title as Crown Prince, solely devoting himself to being with her, even if it meant marrying into her family. Looking at him now, Luo Shuiyao felt a mixture of emotions: touched by his courage and apprehension about the future.
How could Ye Yunzhou not notice Luo Shuiyao's gaze? After exchanging pleasantries with Eunuch Su, he turned and gave her a soothing look. Strangely enough, with just this one look, the uneasiness and even slight fear in Luo Shuiyao's heart quietly dissipated.
Everyone thought that after receiving the imperial edict once, the matter was over. They brushed their clothes and prepared to get up. Unexpectedly, Eunuch Su suddenly cleared his throat and said in a loud voice, "Please accept the imperial edict once more."
Everyone stopped and looked at each other, wondering what the purpose of these orders was.
Even the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery was startled, his usual composure shattered. He knew the previous imperial edict, but what was the purpose of this next one? Meeting the Marquis's wife's puzzled gaze, he shook his head helplessly, indicating that he had no idea either.
Only Ye Yunzhou seemed to have guessed something. After glancing at Luo Shuiyao, he calmly took two steps back, lifted his skirt, knelt down again, and said in a loud voice: "Please announce the decree, eunuch."
Seeing that everyone was ready, Eunuch Su put away his smile and took out a bright yellow imperial edict from his sleeve.
According to heaven’s destiny, the emperor issued an edict:
Luo Shuiyao, daughter of the Luo family, is beautiful and intelligent, gentle and clever, with a gentle nature, dignified and respectful, and very much in my heart. As a token of my special favor, I bestow upon her a thousand taels of silver, ten rolls of silk, a pair of rare emerald green ruyi jewels, a red phoenix and gold jewel hairpin, a pair of jasper bracelets, and a set of exquisite celadon ornaments from the official kiln.
Admire this!
At this moment, everyone in the yard was stunned, except Ye Yunzhou, who looked calm. Seeing Luo Shuiyao still standing there in a daze, he glanced at her calmly.
Luo Shuiyao finally came to her senses, hurriedly stood up and stepped forward, bowing respectfully. In her nervousness, she unconsciously blurted out the lines she had seen on TV in her previous life: "I, Luo Shuiyao, thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. Long live the emperor."
Eunuch Su was slightly startled, then burst into laughter: "Your words of respect are very good. When I return to the palace, I will definitely learn them for His Majesty."
After saying this, he narrowed his eyes in a smile and continued, "Miss, you are so smart. Good fortune is yet to come for you in the future."
Hearing this, Luo Shuiyao instantly realized that people in the world didn't use such words of blessing or honorifics to address the emperor. She felt embarrassed, but she suppressed it, maintaining a calm demeanor as she softly said, "Thank you, eunuch, for your kind words."
After saying that, she glanced at Chuntao who was looking confused not far away.
Chun Tao immediately came to her senses, stepped forward quickly, and took out a large red envelope from her sleeve. Luo Shuiyao took it and handed it to Eunuch Su: "Eunuch, you should know that I come from the common people and don't have any rare things. This is just a small token of my appreciation. I hope you won't despise it."
Eunuch Su did not refuse. He took it with a smile and put it in his sleeve, saying, "Of course not. Our family loves these folk trinkets the most."
Luo Shuiyao bowed again in thanks, then slowly stepped back. She had prepared the red envelope, intending to go out today to select gifts for the Marquis's wife and the Loyal and Brave Marquis. After all, she had been at the mansion for some time, receiving many benefits without giving anything in return. She had wanted to choose some gifts to show her gratitude, but she hadn't expected it to be used here first. It seemed she would have to go back and prepare them again.