Chapter 214 The Duke of Chu is currently enjoying immense prestige!

On New Year's Eve, the family was going to have their reunion dinner. Lu Yifang had already invited Jiang Yu's adoptive parents to the mansion and arranged for them to sit next to the old Duke of Chu, which showed how much she valued the two of them.

As the Duke of Chu, Jiang Yu said a few words of encouragement before the banquet began, and then everyone ate in a lively atmosphere. A little while later, the imperial dishes arrived, a total of four courses.

The eunuch who came also smiled and said to Jiang Yu, "As soon as the banquet in the palace started, the Emperor sent dishes to your residence. This year, the Duke of Chu's residence is the first to receive a dish."

Jiang Yu quickly expressed her gratitude and gave her fathers-in-law large red purses.

With the imperial dishes as a gift, the atmosphere of the banquet was even more festive. Midway through the banquet, several of Jiang Chengye's older concubine daughters came over to toast her, all with great respect.

Jiang Yu understood that they were all hoping for a good marriage in the future. Jiang Yu had told Lu Yifang about this; the Chu State Duke's Mansion wouldn't use arranged marriages within the family to solidify its position, and would try to choose suitable women. But if anyone was love-struck, so be it; he wouldn't need to rely on the Chu State Duke's Mansion for support in the future.

The New Year's Eve dinner was a harmonious affair, with the old Duke of Chu wearing a smile throughout. Harmony in the family is the foundation of all things, and no one could see any unhappiness in the otherwise peaceful family.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Jiang Yu took her family to pay their respects to the old Duke of Chu. The old Duke of Chu smiled and gave everyone a red purse.

Starting from the second day of the Lunar New Year, Jiang Yu visited relatives and friends, and she always brought Jiang Yunkang with her. The little guy was very sensible and knew how to behave appropriately. Jiang Yu was even afraid that this child would grow up to be an old-fashioned person.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, the Marquis of Jinyang and his wife, along with Li Zhengze and his wife, came to visit. Jiang Yu received the Marquis of Jinyang and his son in the front courtyard. After chatting for a while, the Marquis of Jinyang said with a smile, "The Duke of Chu will definitely be promoted after the New Year. Have you heard any rumors that the Emperor will send you somewhere?"

Jiang Yu shook her head, "How would I know?"

Marquis Jinyang glanced at his spoiled son and said, "To be honest, I am really grateful that you have led him onto the right path. I will be at ease if he can stay with you in the future."

He felt that Jiang Yu would at least be promoted one level this time, but it was uncertain which department she would be assigned to; it all depended on the Emperor's decision. What would happen to his spoiled son then?

After listening to his words, Jiang Yu thought for a moment, leaned slightly to the left, and whispered, "The Xie family's Jufeng Money Shop and Trading Company will soon belong to the imperial court. On the surface, Xie Ning'an will be in charge of management, but the emperor will still send some trusted people in. I think Brother Zhengze might be suitable for that place."

Marquis Jinyang's eyes lit up. "Yes, yes, with his personality, he would never make a name for himself in the Six Ministries."

At this point, a look of worry crossed his face. "I wonder if Jufeng Money Shop and Trading Company have any official titles."

Jiang Yu: "The Emperor probably hasn't made any plans yet."

Marquis Jinyang nodded knowingly. It's good to have a plan; the emperor will definitely consult with people, and the outcome of the consultation can be implemented. Anyway, Jufeng Money Shop and the trading company both belong to the imperial court, and those who go there to handle affairs are serving the court and should rightfully hold official positions.

At this moment, Jiang Yu was thinking about whether he should suggest that the emperor establish a department with functions similar to the modern National Development and Reform Commission to promote the development of the national economy.

If it is to be a suggestion, a series of plans need to be developed, which will be a considerable undertaking.

After having lunch at the Duke of Chu's residence, the Marquis of Jinyang and his family returned home. Jiang Yu escorted them to the gate. The Marquis of Jinyang had a smile on his face the whole time. When he saw the Spring Festival couplets pasted on the gate of the Duke of Chu's residence, he praised them highly, making Jiang Yu feel embarrassed.

The busy welcoming and seeing off of guests continued until the sixth day of the first lunar month when the imperial court began its morning court session. Although Jiang Yu was currently a sixth-rank official, she was a Duke of Chu, a title beyond the official rank, and therefore had to attend court.

Attending court in ancient times was truly a grueling task. The court sessions were held only once every ten days, with the actual court time being 5:00 AM (卯时). However, one had to wait outside the palace gates from 3:00 AM (寅时). Given the distance between the Chu State Duke's residence and the imperial palace, Jiang Yu had to get up around 1:15 AM (卯时), which is around 3:00 AM.

Still half asleep, Jiang Yu was woken up. With her eyes closed, she let Xia He and the others help her with her hair and makeup. After drinking a couple of sips of porridge, she headed outside. Just as she stepped out of the hospital gate, she saw Lu Yifang approaching.

Jiang Yu quickly went over and asked, "Why did you come here?"

Lu Yifang shoved a teapot into her hands, saying, "I couldn't sleep, so I came to check on you. Have you eaten anything?"

"I've had some porridge," Jiang Yu said with a smile.

"Alright, hurry up and go to court, don't be late." Lu Yifang gently pushed her.

"You should go back too, it's cold outside." Jiang Yu said, turning and walking out. Lu Yifang watched her figure disappear before turning back to her own courtyard.

On the way, she sighed and said, "After Zhu'er returned to the manor, she has been busy every day. Although she said she likes this kind of life, she has no one to share the burden with and no one to accompany her. It breaks my heart to think about it."

Granny Feng, standing beside her, didn't know how to respond. Jiang Yu was the Duke of Chu, more shrewd than any man; what kind of person could be worthy of him? Even if someone were, how could someone of her status possibly marry?

After thinking for a moment, Granny Feng said, "The Duke is no ordinary woman."

Lu Yifang sighed again, "She's not an ordinary woman, she's a woman too."

...

When Jiang Yu arrived at the palace gate in her sedan chair, many officials were already there. As soon as she alighted, people came over to greet her. Whether it was the emperor's gifts before the New Year or the first dish bestowed by the emperor on New Year's Eve, it all indicated that the emperor intended to give Jiang Yu an important position, so naturally many people came to curry favor with her.

Seeing Jiang Yu surrounded by a group of people, the Earl of Qingshan's face was very unpleasant. He never imagined that Jiang Yu would reach this point. He turned to Prime Minister Pei Chengkun and said, "The Duke of Chu is enjoying immense prestige now!"

Pei Chengkun glanced at Jiang Yu, who was surrounded, and then looked at Uncle Qingshan and said, "That's her ability."

Uncle Qingshan didn't understand his meaning, but it wasn't appropriate to ask at this time, so he could only keep quiet. After a while, Jiang Yu walked over, glanced at the crowd surrounding Jiang Yu, and said sarcastically, "I think the Duke of Chu is the busiest person here."

This was clearly not a compliment, and the entire space fell silent. Everyone looked at Jiang Yu, wondering how she would respond. Her smile remained unchanged as she looked at Uncle Qingshan and said, "Uncle Qingshan, Happy New Year!"

Her face was smiling, and her tone was sincere, which contrasted sharply with Uncle Qingshan's sarcastic remarks, making Uncle Qingshan seem petty and narrow-minded.

What could Lord Qingshan do at this point? He could only force a stiff smile and say, "Happy New Year, Duke of Chu."