Chapter 185 Returning to the Earl's Mansion

With the imperial eunuch waiting nearby, the two dared not delay any longer. The Earl of Nanping quickly had all the boxes and trunks moved to the carriage outside.

Su Chengniang had already made arrangements at the Su residence. After everyone had packed up, they boarded the carriage and set off in a grand procession towards the Nanping Marquis's residence.

Having received the news, Madam Qiao stood at the gate with a group of servants to greet them. Seeing the Earl of Nanping carefully helping Su Chengniang down from the carriage, Madam Qiao's hands, which were draped in front of her, clenched tightly together.

Gritting her teeth and suppressing her resentment, she stepped forward and said with a smile, "It's still Lord Marquis who has the most influence. He finally persuaded my sister to return to the manor. When I went to see my sister that day, she was adamant that she didn't want to come back."

Su Chengniang did not look at Qiao Shi, but instead looked up at the plaque above the gate that read "Nanping Earl's Mansion" bestowed by the emperor and remained silent.

Almost twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye, and she has returned to this place.

The steward hurriedly stepped forward and respectfully said to Su Chengniang, "Welcome back to the mansion, Madam."

As soon as the steward finished speaking, the servants around him knelt down, uttering the same humble words to welcome Su Chengniang.

Uncle Nanping raised his hand and told everyone to stand up.

The steward then said, "Your Excellency, as you instructed, the manor has made preparations to receive the imperial decree."

The Earl of Nanping turned around and invited the imperial eunuch to announce the decree. The group then stepped onto the steps and entered the gate of the Earl of Nanping's mansion.

Qiao did not follow. She stood there and turned to watch her husband and Su Chengniang walk inside side by side. Her husband did not even greet her. The smile on Qiao's face turned cold.

However, she didn't have time to think too much. Right now, Su Shi had actually been personally brought back by the Earl, along with the imperial eunuch from the palace. Her heart had been pounding nonstop since morning, and she had a feeling that something bad was going to happen.

Granny Wu, who was standing nearby, quietly nudged her. Qiao Shi snapped out of her daze, lifted her skirt, and hurriedly walked inside.

Inside the main hall of the Earl's Mansion, the Earl of Nanping and Madam Zhang stood at the front, Su Chengniang stood on the Earl of Nanping's side, and Madam Qiao stood on Madam Zhang's side. The other masters and concubines in the mansion, including all the younger generation such as Yu Qingying, also came over and stood in line in turn.

Once everyone had arrived, the eunuch delivering the decree opened the bright yellow imperial edict in his hand, and everyone knelt down to receive it. The shrill voice rang out again.

After the imperial edict was read aloud, everyone realized that it was for Lady Qiao, and the court had actually conferred upon her the title of Fourth-Rank Lady Gong.

Zhang's eyes widened in disbelief, while Qiao swayed and nearly lost her footing.

The imperial eunuch seemed oblivious to their expressions, still smiling benevolently: "Congratulations, Lord Earl, congratulations, Madam and the two ladies! Today, both ladies of your household have received imperial titles bestowed by His Majesty. This is unprecedented in our dynasty. Truly a cause for celebration!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Madam Zhang asked in a shrill voice, "At the same time? What do you mean? Who else has been granted an imperial title?"

After Zhang finished speaking, she looked at Su Chengniang with disbelief in her eyes.

The imperial eunuch announced: "Just now, I accompanied the Earl to the Su residence in Liuli Lane to deliver an imperial decree. The Earl's principal wife, Madam Su, has been bestowed the title of Second-Rank Imperial Lady."

It should have been a cause for celebration that two people from the same family were granted the title of Lady of the Imperial Household at the same time, but why was it Su Chengniang who received the title that should have belonged to Lady Qiao?

Zhang was the first to find it unacceptable; she really wanted to shout: I don't believe it!

Su Chengniang seemed to have seen through her thoughts, and generously unfolded the imperial edict in her hand for everyone to see clearly.

There was not a sound in the main hall for a long time.

Qiao stiffly stepped forward to accept the imperial edict, then lost all strength and slumped limply against her daughter, Yu Qingying.

In fact, compared to the imperial edict that conferred the title of Su Chengniang, the second imperial edict was equally unbelievable. It clearly stated that Qiao was a secondary wife and was conferred the title of a fourth-rank Gongren, which was more than one or two ranks lower than Su Chengniang, the principal wife.

In the end, the Earl of Nanping still chose to treat everyone fairly. He requested that his first wife, Chengniang, be granted the title of Lady of the Second Rank, which matched her status. As for Lady Qiao, he requested that she be granted the title of Lady of the Fourth Rank. This way, he could give his mother and the Qiao family a satisfactory explanation.

Su Chengniang had no complaints about her husband requesting that Qiao Shi be granted an imperial title at the same time. After many years of marriage, she had long expected that her husband would not easily humiliate the Qiao family, even after the rumors had spread.

Since there is no conclusive evidence that this matter is related to the Qiao family, the Qiao family should still be given the respect due to them. Therefore, Su Chengniang chooses to accept the current situation, as long as the Earl is happy.

The Earl of Nanping rose, ordered his steward to present a large red envelope to the eunuch delivering the imperial edict, and then politely saw the man out.

The old lady, Madam Zhang, was furious when her son suddenly pulled this stunt, not only bringing Su Chengniang back but also bestowing upon her the title of Lady of the Imperial Decree.

As soon as the palace servants left, Madam Zhang's fierce eyes were fixed on her daughter-in-law, Su Chengniang, but the words she uttered were addressed to her son:

"Well, you really are my good son. I didn't even know you had submitted a memorial requesting her to be granted an official title. Do you even have any regard for your mother?"

"A divorced woman, how dare she be called a first-rank noblewoman? Aren't you ashamed to be laughed at?"

The Earl of Nanping had anticipated that his mother would not let the matter rest, and upon hearing this, he simply said:

“Mother, there’s no need to bring up the matter from back then. Cheng Niang is my first wife. Over the years, she has been working hard alongside her son, bearing and raising children with utmost dedication. Giving her the title she deserves is only right and proper. Mother also doesn’t want our Nanping Earl’s Mansion to be constantly criticized by outsiders on this point, affecting the reputation of the entire mansion.”

Zhang understood what her son was saying, but what she couldn't accept was that Su had been granted the title of Imperial Noblewoman. That would make it much harder for her to cause trouble for Su in the future.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. His fingers stiffened as he pointed towards Su Chengniang and said:

"She bore children and fulfilled her duties? If she were really as good as you say, she should have accepted my arrangement and obediently resigned and became a concubine when the Su family was in trouble!"

But what did she do? She preferred to be divorced rather than stay in the Earl's mansion, and left with the divorce papers on her own.

All these years, all you've seen is her. You've forgotten what I told you, you've forgotten that it was Qiao Shi who worked so hard to manage the household affairs and who was dutiful to me, her mother-in-law. How could you face me, how could you face your wife, Qiao Shi?

Nanping Earl: "So your son has also requested a title for Qiao Shi. Mother, this matter has been settled. Cheng Niang has also moved back. In the future, you will have another daughter-in-law to be filial to you. Wouldn't it be better for our family to live together in harmony?"

Madam Zhang waved her hand: "No, please. I can't accept her filial piety. Just don't make me angry."

After saying that, she looked at Su Chengniang and said, "Hmph! Back then, I don't know who vowed that they would never set foot in my Earl's Mansion again in this lifetime, but now they've come back in a hurry. If you're so capable, then do what you said. I think you just can't bear to part with the wealth and honor of our Earl's Mansion, and you can't bear to part with your status as a first-rank imperial consort."

"Let me tell you, even if you come back, this old woman won't acknowledge you. You're not worthy to be the mistress of my Nanping Marquis's mansion, and you can forget about interfering in the household affairs!"