This afternoon, Chen Jin drafted the imperial edict in accordance with Your Majesty's wishes in the Imperial Household Department.

After the eunuch Li Fang, who was in charge of the seal, carefully checked it and made sure it was correct, he solemnly stamped it.

When we left the inner court, it was almost dusk, and we estimated that it would take until evening to complete the announcement and return.

So they arranged for them to ride in a sedan chair with a blue cloth brocade canopy carried by four people, and two imperial guards on horseback escorted them to the Xingyuan Marquis Mansion.

As soon as the sedan chair entered Dongxing Street where the Xingyuan Marquis Mansion was located, the doorman and servants came forward to greet it.

As soon as he got off the sedan chair, the doorman kowtowed respectfully at the door and welcomed Chen Jin into the front hall.

"Replying to Eunuch Chen, the Crown Prince and the Second Master have already changed into their official uniforms in the backyard and will be here immediately."

Chen Jin flicked the whisk in his hand and said, "No rush!"

His eyes fell on the coffin of the old marquis Xue Yonghuai in the front hall. He handed the imperial edict to his entourage, walked forward to light incense and kowtowed deeply in worship.

Just as he stood up, Xue Yuanchu and Xue Zhongfu, already in their official uniforms, came forward and bowed respectfully.

"Eunuch Chen, I apologize for not coming to greet you. The incense table is ready in the courtyard to receive your order. Please follow me."

Chen Jin gracefully took the imperial edict handed over by the accompanying guard with his right hand, held it high in front of his chest, gently waved the whisk with his left hand, walked ahead, and entered the Xiangyun Hall.

In the yard, Hong Yingrong saw Chen Jin coming in, a hint of nervousness flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

She was the first to kneel on the leading cushion and respectfully called out, "Hong, the widow of the Marquis of Xingyuan, kneels to receive the imperial edict from His Majesty."

Xue Yuanchu and Xue Zhongfu also quickly walked behind Hong Yingrong and knelt on the cushion. The rest of the brothers and sisters also knelt in their designated positions. They leaned forward and knelt with their foreheads touching the ground, showing their full respect.

Chen Jin slowly unfolded the imperial edict and read it out clearly and solemnly in a slightly shrill voice.

"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: The unfortunate death of Xingyuan Marquis Xue Yonghuai, who failed in his campaign, is truly a misfortune for the Great Zhou. I am deeply saddened."

"In recognition of his many years of military achievements, I am hereby granting this favor to his family."

"The wife of the Marquis of Yongxing, Mrs. Hong, has been promoted to the first-rank Lady of Langya County. The wife of Crown Prince Xue Yuanchu, Mrs. Jiang, is gentle, respectful, and modest, and well-versed in poetry, literature, and etiquette. She has been specially granted the third-rank Lady of Qinghe County."

"The second son, Xue Zhongfu, was promoted to Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Works; the third son, Xue Jiyan, was promoted to Second Class Cloud Cavalry Captain."

"The eldest daughter, Xue, was granted the title of Lady of Ronghua County; the second daughter, Xue, was granted the title of Lady of Rongde County, each with a fief of 200 households."

"Tomorrow at 11:00 AM, the coffin of Xingyuan Marquis Xue Yonghuai will be lowered into the ground and buried. At noon, his spirit tablet will be moved to the Imperial Ancestral Temple. I decree this."

"The entire Xingyuan Marquisate bows in gratitude for the emperor's great grace. Long live the emperor."

Hong Yingrong kowtowed again, and before she stood up, her daughter-in-law Jiang Shuxiu was already in a hurry to support her.

Chen Jin handed the imperial edict to Xue Yuanchu, then turned his gaze to Hong Yingrong and said solemnly, "Old Madam, please accept my condolences. Your Majesty has shown greater respect and honor to the entire Marquisate than ever before."

Hong Yingrong responded calmly, her tone filled with gratitude: "Eunuch Chen, please tell His Majesty that the Marquis' Mansion is deeply grateful for the Emperor's grace and has no way to repay it. We will all devote ourselves to His Majesty in return for the Emperor's grace."

Xue Yuanchu was waiting nearby, about to personally escort Chen Jin out of the house.

Hong Yingrong pretended not to see him and politely asked him to stay, "Eunuch Chen, it's still early before the inner palace curfew. Why don't you go to the living room to have a cup of tea and rest for a while?"

Hong Yingrong didn't know how Xue Yuanchu dealt with Chen Jin in his previous life, but this time she planned to observe and experience the various mysteries in person.

After hearing this, Chen Jin looked at Hong Yingrong with a little surprise.

It is rumored that the old lady of the Marquis's Mansion is not good at socializing, and she mostly enjoys the care, honor and wealth of her children at home.

However, within an incense stick of time since he entered the Marquis' Mansion, he discovered that Old Madam Hong's thoughtfulness in dealing with people seemed to even surpass that of the Crown Prince beside her.

"I've heard that the tea in the Marquis' Mansion is delicious, so I'll ask the old lady for a cup of tea." Chen Jin gladly accepted the invitation.

"You're too polite, Eunuch Chen." Hong Yingrong invited Chen Jinshang to sit down.

In the Xiangyun Hall, exquisite teacups have been placed on the table.

Since it was inconvenient for the young female relatives to sit with them, Jiang Shuxiu considerately took the two sisters-in-law to the side hall. At the same time, the maid gently lowered the green gauze curtain to add a touch of tranquility.

"It's really unexpected," Jiang Shuxiu said softly, "When the imperial edict came, we all became imperial consorts and county ladies."

Xue Shanqiu blinked and said in disbelief, "Have we...really been conferred the title of County Lord? This feels like a dream."

"That's true," Xue Huichun agreed, her voice filled with surprise. "I never thought there would be a day like this."

"Sister-in-law, you are now a third-rank official." Xue Shanqiu congratulated.

"I really didn't expect that His Majesty would still consider me," Jiang Shuxiu admitted. "Think of my grandmother on my mother's side. My grandfather was an official in a remote area for more than 20 years, and he had to collect five or six Wanmin umbrellas. Even so, it was only on her 60th birthday that she was granted the title of Fifth Rank Shou'an Gongren by His Majesty."

Jiang Shuxiu's father had not been promoted in his position as the chief academic officer of the Imperial College for many years, so his mother still had no imperial edict.

Through the gauze curtain, they saw Eunuch Chen sitting in the main seat, sipping tea leisurely, and there seemed to be no sign of him leaving immediately.

Jiang Shuxiu stood up and said softly, "Sisters, please take a seat first. I'll go outside to make some arrangements and will be back soon."

Xue Huichun and Xue Shanqiu nodded in agreement. Although they were doted on by Hong Yingrong, they were very clear about the rules and etiquette and remembered them all in their hearts.

In the main hall, Hong Yingrong looked at Chen Jin quietly. In her memory, this person also started to rise rapidly in the past few years in his previous life and eventually became a popular figure around the empress dowager.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!