Xu paused, stunned, by the hanging flower gate.

Xie Anfeng, Xie Yu, Grand Secretary Gu, Gu Chengyan, and others, along with Madam Xie, went out to the front yard.

Hua Zisheng smiled broadly and said, "Where is the Grand Secretary's wife? Come quickly to receive the imperial decree."

He was the chief eunuch in the palace, about the same age as His Majesty, and very shrewd. Knowing that both Miss Xie and Miss Xie had married into the Marquis's mansion at the same time and were both Madam Gu, he naturally could not create any ambiguity, so he addressed her as Madam Grand Secretary.

This way you absolutely won't make a mistake.

Everyone was stunned. Xie Zhaozhao?

Why did she accept the imperial edict out of nowhere?

Xie Yu immediately instructed Ying'er to invite Xie Zhaozhao over.

Xie Zhaozhao was also confused when she came over. Why was she suddenly given an imperial edict?

When she arrived, Hanako Katsu announced the imperial decree with a smile.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Xie family has illustriously helped displaced people and contributed to the stability of the capital. I am deeply moved by the Xie family's achievements. Her loyalty and diligence are exemplary for women and a blessing to the people... I hereby bestow upon her the title of First-Rank Imperial Consort to honor her virtue. So be it!"

A first-rank imperial consort!

Xie Zhaozhao was very surprised. In fact, given Gu Shaoyu's status, if she hadn't committed any obvious wrongdoing, Gu Shaoyu would have eventually asked him to grant her an imperial title.

However, Emperor Hui's imperial edict stated that she was granted the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady because of her merit in resettling the refugees.

It wasn't because of Grand Secretary Gu's status, but because she earned it herself.

She was deeply moved.

She probably understood His Majesty's thoughts, so she praised her highly and also made the officials keep an eye on her to prevent her from amassing military power and endangering the country.

She knelt respectfully to receive the imperial edict and expressed her gratitude.

Hua Zisheng handed her an imperial edict woven with auspicious cloud patterns on a jade scroll.

He then handed over to Xie Zhaozhao the official robes and hairpins bestowed upon her by His Majesty as a first-rank imperial consort, as well as the gifts from His Majesty, the Empress, and the Consort Xi.

Yuanyuan and the head maid of the mansion immediately helped to receive it.

Gu Shaoyu gave Hua Zisheng a silver note, and Xie Yu also gave him one.

Hua Zisheng accepted the benefits without hesitation, said many auspicious words, and happily went home.

Xu and Xie Xiangxiang swallowed all the words they wanted to say to complain.

Now, if Xie Zhaozhao asks Xie Xiangxiang to kneel down, she will indeed have to kneel down.

Even she, as the stepmother, has to kneel.

The old lady was already so happy that she shed tears. She held her hand and said, "Zhaozhao, you did a great job. Saving people is a bit of a hassle, but it benefits the people, so it's worth it."

Xie Zhaozhao remained courteous to the old lady and did not act arrogantly.

"I should thank my grandmother for her support. If it weren't for the estate, I wouldn't know where to settle people! In the end, this honor is a gift from my grandmother."

Who wouldn't like to hear such words? The old lady's heart and eyes were full of this granddaughter, and she said to Xie Anfeng, "Master has done a good job educating her."

Xie Anfeng refused to accept credit, saying only that it was the Grand Secretary who had requested the title for Zhaozhao.

Looking at this family, Madam Xu could only force a smile, a smile that looked more like a grimace.

Xie Xiangxiang couldn't stand it anymore, feeling resentful, and turned away.

Xie Tingting was also unhappy, and behind everyone's back, the two sisters verbally abused Xie Zhaozhao mercilessly.

Xie Tingting gritted her teeth in anger and said, "We can't let her be so smug."

Feeling annoyed, Xie Xiangxiang asked, "Do you have any good ideas?"

Xie Tingting smiled, pulled her aside, and whispered, "Aunt Qu just gave birth to a son..."

Xie Xiangxiang was both excited and scared: "Will it work?"

"Natural journey, the greenery is originally the people who have been by my mother's side."

Xie Tingting's plan sounds flawless, and the little brother won't die, he'll just suffer a little.

Xie Xiangxiang smiled gently. Her younger sister was indeed as cunning as ever... ruthless!

In her past life, on the same day as her return visit to her parents' home, everyone went to see her half-brother. Lvyi asked Xie Zhaozhao to hold the baby, but the half-brother died the next day. It was found that he had been poisoned.

Aunt Qu lost her son and fought a bitter feud with Xie Zhaozhao for a long time.

She thought it was her mother's doing, but it turns out it was Tingting who did it in her previous life!

Unfortunately, her father and Gu Chengyan both believed Xie Zhaozhao unconditionally and did not punish her, nor did the heir apparent divorce her.

So annoying!

This time, she will have both witnesses and physical evidence to ensure a fatal blow.

Eldest sister, you just wait patiently.

Xie Xiangxiang and Xie Tingting went to Aunt Qu's courtyard to see their newborn half-brother.

Aunt Qu had only given birth a few days ago and was still in her postpartum confinement period.

However, since she was already able to get out of bed, a concubine was not so precious. After giving birth, she had to serve the mistress.

Xie Xiangxiang and Xie Tingting were both legitimate daughters, so Aunt Qu didn't dare to be presumptuous. When she saw them arrive, she hurriedly bowed.

Xie Xiangxiang said with a smile, "I've come to see my little brother."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Qu immediately brought her son out to show her.

After playing with the baby for a while, Xie Xiangxiang said, "My elder sister was just granted the title of First Rank Lady. She'll probably come to see her little brother later. It's hot, so Auntie will give him a bath."

Aunt Qu was very embarrassed. In the summer, children are bound to smell, and she herself smelled bad.

Xie Xiangxiang was talking to Aunt Qu, while Xie Tingting and her maid Luyi were chatting outside.

The two left shortly afterward.

Xie Zhaozhao was still talking with her relatives when Xie Wanwan was pulled along by Xie Tingting to chime in, saying that Aunt Qu had given birth to a son and that the baby was very handsome.

The old lady glanced at Xie Wanwan, and Xie Er's wife immediately said to Xie Wanwan, "Wanwan, go to the public hall and get some more ice. It's too hot here at Grandmother's."

Xie Wanwan went to get ice, and Xie Tingting said to Xie Zhaozhao, "Big sister, go and take a look. That little brother is really handsome. Father likes him very much!"

Xie Zhaozhao glanced at Xie Tingting with a slight smile, ignored her, and continued talking to her grandmother.

Logically speaking, she is the legitimate daughter and has no need to look at the son born to a concubine.

Xie Tingting and Xie Wanwan repeatedly asked her to go see Aunt Qu's child, and she suddenly remembered her past life.

In her previous life, when she returned to her parents' home, everyone said to go and see the child born to Aunt Qu, saying that the child was very beautiful and obedient.

Xu and Xie Xiangxiang asked her to go and take a look.

Grandmother nodded at the time. After all, in her previous life, Xie Xiangxiang was the legitimate granddaughter-in-law of Prince Jing, and her status was higher than Xie Zhaozhao's. When she said she was going to visit her half-brother, Xie Zhaozhao could not refuse.

After she arrived, Greenery asked her to hold the baby, so she did.

The child started crying after she left, then had convulsions, and didn't make it to the next day; he was gone.

Greenery insisted that she had taken the child and that she had poisoned her half-brother to death.

Aunt Qu demanded an explanation from Xie Anfeng, who said that Xie Zhaozhao could not possibly have done such a thing.

Xie Yu was definitely on her sister's side. Aunt Qu hated Xie Zhaozhao to death and resented Xie Anfeng for not punishing Xie Zhaozhao. She and Madam Xu were completely on the same side.

He gave Xie Anfeng chronic poison every day.

The Xie family mansion collapsed because of a secret letter hidden inside. It was Aunt Qu and Madam Xu who stole the letter.

The two joined forces to poison Xie Anfeng and Xie Yu, and steal the letter.

In this life, she is once again tasked with "poisoning" her half-brother.