Chapter 73 The Imperial Edict Arrives

Hu Jianbi was watching everything from below, especially when he saw his uncle nodding to Li Mingyan frequently, he was so jealous that his intestines turned green!

He swore to teach this country bumpkin a lesson!

Li Mingyan knew that his goal for today had been achieved, so he stood up and returned to his original position, no longer disturbing the conversation between the city lord and others.

The bigwigs nodded in satisfaction at his understanding again, their eyes full of admiration.

As soon as he sat down, Qingye came in.

Qingye walked up to him and whispered, "Master, the cousin has left the City Lord's Mansion!"

Li Mingyan paused while pouring the wine, "Hmm?"

"It seems that Miss Yaojia was bullied and thrown out of the City Lord's Mansion. My cousin was worried about her and went to look for her. Madam Hu followed my cousin, so I came here to report this."

Li Mingyan's drooping brows darkened, and then he continued to pour the wine, his voice flat and without any fluctuations, "I understand."

At this moment, a shrill and long voice suddenly came from outside, "The imperial edict has arrived!"

Everyone, including Zhu Hongchen, was stunned!

It was the steward Zhu Wu who came to his senses first and reminded him, "Sir, go and receive the decree!"

"Oh, yes, come on, let's go and greet them!" Zhu Hongchen and a group of people hurried out of the front hall to greet them.

In the courtyard, the imperial guards were lined up on both sides, led by a white-faced, beardless eunuch. He stood there with an arrogant expression, holding a bright yellow imperial edict high in one hand.

Seeing Zhu Hongchen coming out, the eunuch stepped forward and said, "The imperial edict has arrived. Zhu Hongchen, the Lord of Sifang City, accept it!"

"Your Majesty, Zhu Hongchen accepts the order!" Zhu Hongchen knelt down hurriedly, and a group of people knelt behind him.

"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Zhu Hongchen, the Lord of Sifang City, governs wisely, his people live and work in peace and contentment, and the harvests are plentiful. I, knowing your majesty's heart, bestow upon you a pair of jade ruyi, fifty pieces of brocade, and one hundred taels of gold! I also decree that your daughter, Zhu Shanshan, is both intelligent and gifted in both civil and military matters, a true testament to the love of her father. I hereby appoint her Princess Yushan and grant her eight bodyguards as a token of my gratitude. I decree this!"

After the eunuch finished reading the imperial edict, Zhu Hongchen was stunned!

This reward is like a pie in the sky, and his daughter was even conferred the title of princess!

Seeing Zhu Hongchen didn't move, the eunuch knew why he lost his composure and reminded him, "Master Zhu, please accept the order!"

Zhu Hongchen finally came to his senses, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I accept your command. Thank you for your grace. Long live the Lord!"

Zhu Hongchen took the imperial edict with both hands, stood up, and said to the eunuch politely and respectfully, "You have come a long way and must have worked hard. Please go to the front hall for tea!"

"We are here by imperial decree. Now that the imperial decree has arrived, we must return to the capital immediately to report. We will not disturb Lord Zhu any longer!" The eunuch said, pointing to the eight guards beside him. "These eight guards are the emperor's reward to Princess Yushan. I hope Lord Zhu will make good arrangements for them!"

"I will keep your words in mind, sir, and I will definitely do it!" Zhu Hongchen said with an apologetic smile.

The housekeeper Zhu Wu had already prepared the banknotes and took the opportunity to slip them into the eunuch's sleeve. The eunuch then smiled and said, "Master Zhu, please stay. I'm leaving now!"

The eunuch came and left quickly. With a wave of his hand, he took away the imperial guards who were protecting him, leaving behind eight guards with indifferent expressions, standing still.

As soon as the eunuch left, everyone immediately congratulated Zhu Hongchen.

"Congratulations, Lord City Lord, congratulations, Lord!"

"Haha... let's be happy together. Let's go. Today, we must drink to our heart's content and not go home until we are drunk!" Zhu Hongchen laughed and invited everyone back to the front hall.