Chapter 216: Ennoblement

"Jiang Baichuan listens to the seal!"

"I'm here!" Jiang Baichuan knelt down and saluted with a serious expression.

"I confer upon you the title of Duke of Zhenguo, a hereditary title, and grant you a red-lettered iron certificate, which stipulates that you will not kneel when you see me. I also grant you the Zhennan Palace on South Street, allowing you to establish your own residence."

"I, your Majesty, thank you so much. Long live the Emperor."

"Jiang Qinghuai, listen to the seal!"

"I'm here!" Jiang Qinghuai's voice was cold and his expression was solemn.

"I confer upon you the title of Marquis of Jingbei, the title of Minister of War, and Governor of the Capital." Lu Bing paused, pondering, "As for your marriage... I will withhold it for now. You may marry on your own."

After all, he and the imperial concubine had already decided to find a way to give Jiang Qingning to Qin Xiu.

"I obey your order, thank you, Your Majesty!" Jiang Qinghuai breathed a sigh of relief.

"Mrs. Xiao has taught her daughter well and is a man of great integrity. She is specially granted the title of First Rank Consort and enjoys double salary."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Long live the emperor." The three of them saluted and shouted in unison.

"Jiang Qingning, listen to the seal!"

"Your servant is here." Jiang Qingning lowered her eyes, hiding the indifference in them.

Lu Bin's gaze fell on Jiang Qingning with an extremely complicated admiration.

"Although you are a woman, you are unparalleled in your loyalty and bravery, and your wisdom and strategy are extraordinary. You stepped forward in times of national crisis, turning the tide and making great contributions to the country."

"I hereby appoint you as Princess Chenhua. You will enjoy the treatment of a prince's daughter and be one level higher in appearance than an official. You can make your own decision on whether to marry or not in the future."

He paused, then snorted pointedly, "I've heard that some people are so blind that they've discarded this precious pearl and expelled it from the family tree. It's simply ridiculous."

"Today, I will personally clear your name. From now on, the honor of Princess Chenhua belongs only to you, Jiang Qingning. It has nothing to do with your foolish grandmother and mean uncle!"

This reward is indeed very generous.

Especially the enthronement of Jiang Qingning and the permission for Jiang Baichuan's family to set up a new household were unprecedented favors. All the civil and military officials in the court were surprised, but when they thought of the Jiang family's great contributions, they felt that it was justified.

"Your Majesty, I bow to thank you for your grace. Long live your Majesty." The three members of the Jiang family knelt down again to express their gratitude.

Lu Bin nodded with satisfaction and waved his hand: "My dear ministers, you must have been exhausted from the journey. Return home and rest today. Tomorrow I will hold a celebration banquet in the palace and have fun with you all!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The three of them bowed and took their leave, then calmly walked out of the Golden Palace amid the envious and awe-inspiring gazes of the crowd.

According to the Ministry of Works’ explanation, the imperial residence on South Street is still under intensive reconstruction and renovation and will not be available for occupancy until at least the end of the year.

Jiang Baichuan and Jiang Qinghuai didn't care about this at all. They would rather return to Ning Pavilion, which was managed by Jiang Qingning and full of her life.

The family returned to the gate of Ning Pavilion in a grand procession. As soon as they dismounted from their horses, the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict walked out of the mansion after reading out the decree to confer the title of First-Rank Lady on Xiao.

When the eunuch saw the father and son of the Jiang family, he hurriedly stepped forward with a smile on his face, bowed and greeted them, said countless compliments, and then left.

As soon as they stepped into the gate of Ning Pavilion, Madam Xiao and Jiang Qingxi, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately came to greet them.

The family was finally reunited, and they were filled with mixed emotions and had endless things to say.

Mrs. Xiao held her daughter's hand and looked at her thin but energetic face. She felt distressed and proud, and her tears could not stop flowing.

Jiang Qingxi was even more chattering, asking questions all the time around her sister, her eyes full of admiration.

Jiang Qingning enjoyed the warmth of his family and felt soft in his heart.

Knowing that his father and brother were tired from the journey, he interrupted with a smile: "Mother, father and brother must be tired from traveling all the way. Go back to your rooms and freshen up and rest for a while. We can talk in the evening."

Madam Xiao wiped her tears and said, "Okay, okay, good child, let's go back and have a good rest."

Then everyone dispersed and returned to their respective courtyards that had been arranged long ago, still maintaining the same habits from eight years ago to rest.

When Jiang Qingning returned to his main courtyard, Zisu and Zhiqiu had already prepared steaming hot bath water and clean clothes.

In the misty water vapor, she took off her clothes and immersed herself in the warm water, sighing comfortably, and the fatigue of the past few days seemed to have dissipated a lot.

Nanny Zhang was serving her by her side, combing her long hair and reporting in a low voice the recent developments in the capital.

"Miss, during the time you were away from Beijing, a big event happened in the palace. His Majesty appointed Concubine Qin as the queen." Nanny Zhang said in a serious tone.

Jiang Qingning's eyes suddenly opened, a sharp light flashed across them: "Oh, so fast?"

"Yes," Nanny Zhang continued, "After the imperial edict was issued, Duke Qin's mansion was filled with honors and favors. Although Duke Qin was still ill, rewards flowed into the mansion like water. The most important thing was that Lord Qin was promoted to the rank of Second Rank Prince's Junior Tutor."

"Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince?" Jiang Qingning's lips curled up in a cold arc. "Now that Dagan has no crown prince, His Majesty is so eager to give Qin Xiu the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince... Madam, what does this mean?"

Nanny Zhang whispered, "This means the crown prince position has almost been tacitly assigned to the Fourth Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Yong."

"Queen Qin, Duke Qin's Mansion... Qin Xiu is definitely the future uncle of the emperor. Your Majesty is paving the way for Prince Yong, balancing the various factions and rallying his own forces."

Jiang Qingning closed his eyes again and leaned on the edge of the bucket.

The moisture blurred her face, but made her thoughts clearer.

Lu Bin's move was both expected and faster than she expected.

It seems that the situation in the capital has changed again during the time she was away. Qin Xiu actually handed over his military power so easily in exchange for an empty title. This is not like his style.

Just then.

The voice of Night Owl came from outside the door: "Master."

"Come in." Jiang Qingning said lightly.

Night Owl appeared behind the screen and reported through it, "Master, there's news. Our people have found traces of Wei Zhai and Fu Boqian."

Jiang Qingning raised his eyebrows slightly: "They are lucky enough not to flee at the sight of the enemy. Where are they hiding?"

Night Owl's voice held a subtle hint of sarcasm. "They didn't flee far. Instead, they hid like rats in a sewer, near the long-abandoned drainage ditch in the western suburbs of the capital. The terrain there is vast and complex, dark and damp, making it easy for them to hide. No wonder we couldn't find them despite our previous searches."

Hearing this, Jiang Qingning chuckled softly, with a playful, cat-and-mouse vibe. "They're really not done with their evil intentions, resorting to the same old tricks again. It seems they're still obsessed with the throne of the capital."

"Master, do we need to mobilize manpower immediately and catch them all in one fell swoop?" Night Owl asked.

With the power and intelligence they currently possess, it would be easy to wipe out the remnants of the previous dynasty.

However, Jiang Qingning slowly shook his head.

"No." Her voice came through the mist. "Catching them now would just mean crushing a few rats. At most, it would make Lu Bin happy again and he would reward us with some gold and silver."

She paused, her fingertips unconsciously sliding across the warm water, a frightening glint in her eyes. "Let them hide first, and it's best if they hide well."

"This princess has come up with a better idea. Perhaps we can use these mice to catch bigger fish and put on a more exciting show."

"Give orders to keep a close watch on them, but don't alert the enemy. No one is allowed to touch them without my order."

Jiang Qingning's voice left no room for doubt: "I want them to play their greatest role at the most appropriate time."

"Yes." Night Owl took the order and left without hesitation.

Behind the screen, there was a soft sound of water.

Jiang Qingning slowly stood up from the bathtub, and water droplets rolled down her smooth skin.

Zi Su and Zhi Qiu immediately stepped forward and covered her with soft pajamas.

She walked to the window, pushed it open, looked at the familiar scenery in the Ning Pavilion courtyard, and an unfathomable arc slowly appeared at the corner of her mouth.

"Miss, you may have your meal now." Zi Su stepped forward respectfully.

"The good show has just begun." Jiang Qingning chuckled and turned to walk towards the round table.