Upon receiving the contents of the imperial edict, Li Dequan was truly shocked!

What is it about the Imperial Noble Consort that makes the Emperor act so recklessly—no, why does the Emperor bestow such lavish rewards upon her?

However, looking at what the imperial edict said, he could understand the emperor.

When the emperor was so young, he not only contracted smallpox, but the late emperor even sent him to a manor for the safety of everyone in the palace.

At that time, the late emperor's Consort Chen was about to give birth, and the late emperor did not even think of sealing off any part of the palace, leaving the emperor in the palace to treat her.

Why!

Li Dequan sighed inwardly.

She was also very lucky. Not only was she beautiful enough to win the emperor's heart, but she also became pregnant and gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. Now, the tribe has even successfully developed a cowpox treatment.

It's understandable that the emperor would favor such a remarkable person.

He stepped into the shadows, took the jade seal that was almost covered by the letters, and stamped it with a bang.

"Li Dequan!"

After Kangxi had him put away the imperial edict, he gently called out to him.

"Your Majesty, this servant is here!"

"Summon Mingzhu to the Imperial Study after the morning court session tomorrow, along with Zhang Ying."

Emperor Kangxi held the letter presented by the Ministry of Justice in his hand, and it was unknown what he was thinking.

"Yes! Your servant obeys!"

He could understand why Lady Mingzhu was coming to the palace, but he was a little confused about why she was being addressed as Lady Zhang Ying.

However, the Emperor naturally has his own considerations, and it's best not to make any unfounded speculations.

When Kangxi returned to Qingxi Palace, Harigana was already asleep.

I was going to wait a bit, but then I remembered what had happened earlier, so I immediately pulled up the covers and started trying to fall asleep.

She wanted to avoid it for as long as possible, and she was even a little nervous.

After washing up and making sure he wasn't cold, Kangxi lay down on the bed.

But before he could reach out to hug the person, the person rolled into his arms on their own.

"Xuan Ye!"

She simply called his name, then snuggled in his arms until she found a comfortable position, let out a soft moan, and then fell completely asleep.

Kangxi sighed helplessly, and after confirming that she was asleep, he gently moved her head.

That evening, in a corner of the palace, a guard sneaked towards Qingxi Palace, his face full of anticipation.

As soon as they reached the vicinity of Qingxi Palace, they were covered in the mouth and taken away.

The next day, early in the morning, Kangxi received a message from his secret guards, which made him feel much more relaxed.

Now everything is ready, and all that's left is for good news from Tsarist Russia, at which point he can wipe them all out in one fell swoop.

After changing into his court robes, he went into the inner hall to cover Harigana with a blanket, then helplessly stuffed a pillow into her arms to make sure it wouldn't fall off before turning to leave.

I wonder if everyone changes after giving birth.

She used to be such a well-behaved sleeper, but after giving birth, she seems like a completely different person.

Thinking about how the person in his arms tormented him several times last night made him want to laugh. He thought the person was trying to push him away because he was holding him too tightly, but he didn't expect the person to climb on top of him.

"hehe!"

Li Dequan looked at Kangxi with a complicated expression.

He woke up early this morning, before dawn, and I don't know if he was still half asleep, but he was smiling broadly on his way to court.

The little one laughed, and even laughed out loud; it was unbearable to watch.

At the entrance of the Qianqing Gate, officials from all sides had gathered, their gazes toward Zhang Ying, who was huddled in a corner, all bearing different expressions.

"Lord Zhang, did you sleep well last night? Do you have any plans to have another good son?"

A man with an extremely sharp and gritty appearance, though not shouting, didn't hold back either, and everyone around him turned to look.

"Lord Li, you are joking. Everyone knows that your son is the best among men. How can my son compare to you?"

As for matters within my own office, I will not discuss them with Lord Li.

Zhang Ying didn't want to cause trouble, but she wasn't afraid of trouble either.

People were practically pointing their fingers at you and accusing you of only getting the reward because of your son. If you don't fight back, who knows what kind of talk will come your way in the future.

Because Zhang Ying was a Han official, few others were on good terms with him. He was also devoted to learning and creating benefits for the people, so he rarely spoke.

He felt that he would rather spend that time reading more books.

It was this indifferent personality that led many people to think he was weak and incompetent.

Hearing his sudden sarcastic remarks, not only was Lord Li rebuked, but everyone else was also shocked.

The troublemaker, Lord Li, was a member of the Han Banner Army, but Zhang Ying was a genuine Han Chinese.

So today I originally wanted to put Zhang Ying in a bad position, but he left me speechless with a question about bedroom matters.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

The eunuch announced the arrival of the emperor, and the hall fell silent instantly. Everyone knelt neatly on the ground until they saw the yellow dragon boots step into the hall, at which point they immediately began to pay their respects.

"This servant greets Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

After sitting on the dragon throne and waiting for Li Dequan to straighten his dragon robe, he said in a deep voice, "Get up!"

Perhaps because they were severely scolded in the Imperial Study yesterday, those people were very well-behaved today, even as well as as well-behaved as children.

Several officials who genuinely needed to submit their memorials did so, followed by a period of silence.

I thought today would be like any other day, with whatever I feared coming true.

They then saw Li Dequan take out the imperial edict, preparing to read it aloud.

By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

I, with my virtuous character, have inherited the great throne and have worked diligently and conscientiously, never daring to be idle.

We humbly acknowledge the illustrious legacy of our ancestors, who entrusted us with this weighty responsibility. The task of continuing the family line and bringing joy to our ancestors rests entirely on the shoulders of virtuous and capable individuals.

In the winter of the 21st year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, the leader of the Borchijin tribe, Baoliri, after numerous verifications, obtained a secret formula for treating smallpox, which is truly a blessing for the nation.

He is kind-hearted and prudent in his conduct.

Loyal, filial, pure, and sincere; serving the country and its people.

In recognition of your merits, I hereby bestow upon you the title of [Grand Duke] and grant you a golden book and golden seal.

I hope that you will be even more diligent in the future, conscientious in your duties, and live up to my expectations.

So be it!

[June 5th, the 22nd year of the Kangxi reign]

The court was completely silent. After a moment, the officials realized that they had not misheard.

Do you have any questions?

Kangxi looked at the people below, his voice completely calm.

The officials at the front looked at each other, none of them daring to go up. The insults from yesterday were still fresh in their minds; they didn't dare risk offending anyone.

Moreover, the imperial edict had already been read aloud, and according to past precedents, no matter what they said, the emperor would not retract it.

So, they should just shut up.

Those behind them wanted to say that this behavior was inappropriate, but even high-ranking officials of the first rank, led by Suo'etu, did not object. Would the emperor listen to what they said?

Soetu knelt on the ground, his hands clenched into fists inside his sleeves.

He had intended to ask for leave today, but remembering Kangxi's warning yesterday, he dared not act as recklessly as before.

Although he felt resentful and unwilling, he still reluctantly went to court for the sake of the future of the Hesheli clan.

Unexpectedly, I heard the imperial edict granting me a higher title.