Before everyone could react, they saw a ceremonial procession entering the ancestral hall, with bright flags flying all over the sky. It was obvious that they were people from the palace.
The leader was a female official who was about fifty years old. She wore an official hat and a purple official robe. Her face was sullen and quite majestic.
"Announce, the Empress Dowager's decree~"
The elders had lived for so many years and had never seen anyone from the palace. They were excited and nervous, and didn't know what to do for a moment.
Ji Gongming was an official after all, and he was knowledgeable and experienced. He immediately led everyone to kneel down, and he naturally knelt at the front.
Ji Yunhuan understood in her heart that this was the Queen Mother's decree to make her a concubine. She knew this day would come as early as when the Queen Mother was building up momentum for her.
The female official smiled kindly at Ji Yunhuan, "The Empress Dowager has specifically instructed that you don't have to kneel, young lady."
Ji Yunhuan was not polite either. He bowed lightly and stood still.
The high-pitched voice of the female official echoed throughout the ancestral hall. "The Empress Dowager decrees that Ji Yunhuan, a woman of both talent and virtue, possesses a gentle and kind disposition, is prudent and prudent. She is a role model for women and can truly assist in domestic affairs. With seal and decree, she is hereby granted the title of Shufei. It is hoped that she will be respectful and diligent in the future and continue to produce descendants."
"Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live a thousand years!"
Ji Gongming was very excited, but he looked respectful and humble as he reached out to receive the empress dowager's decree.
The elders showed joy on their faces and shouted, "Long live the Queen Mother!"
The female official, however, passed by the crowd and handed the imperial decree to Ji Yunhuan with a smile, "May Your Majesty be blessed with good health. Of all the beautiful ladies entering the palace this time, Your Majesty is the most prestigious and has the highest rank. The Empress Dowager specially sent us here to take care of the arrangements for Your Majesty's entry into the palace."
Ji Yunhuan smiled shyly and sighed, "The Empress Dowager has shown such great love to me. I truly feel unworthy of it."
The female officials showed approval on their faces. Not to mention the daughters of ordinary officials, even Concubine Liu, who was only a concubine when she entered the palace, was delighted and wanted to announce it to the world.
It is rare for this newly promoted Concubine Shu to be so calm and composed.
Ji Yunhuan glanced over, and Taohong immediately took out a large purse, which was bulging with money. Ji Yunhuan personally handed the purse to the female official and said with a smile:
"Just a token of my appreciation. Thank you all for your hard work."
This was a common practice when going out of the palace to announce the imperial decree, and the female official did not refuse. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the gift. We would like to share in your happiness."
Ji Gongming knelt there with empty hands, waiting for the order to stand up for a long time. The female official had already started greeting Ji Yunhuan, as if she had forgotten about them.
The elders were old, and they began to stagger after kneeling for a while, with expressions of pain on their faces.
"It's all my fault for being so happy that I actually forgot that Lord Ji was still kneeling. The imperial decree has been announced. Everyone, please stand up quickly."
Ji Gongming stood up and, with great filial piety, helped the elders up one by one, acting as if he was not surprised by the fame or disgrace.
"It is my daughter's blessing that the Empress Dowager has taken a liking to me. When I enter the palace, I must be filial to the Empress Dowager, serve His Majesty, be respectful, frugal and modest, and stop acting like a fool in the boudoir."
"Ancestors, hearing this joyful news today is enough to comfort the spirits of our ancestors. Your mother, if she is still alive, will surely be delighted for you."
"I have only loved Jun Wan in my life. I have remained faithful to her for three years and will never remarry. Huan'er, no matter where you go, you are your father's only legitimate daughter!"
Ji Gongming pretended to wipe the tears from the corners of his eyes, playing the role of a loving father vividly.
Although he lost his illegitimate son, he had a legitimate daughter who became the queen, so he had no worries about not being promoted in the future.
Moreover, he is in his prime. Once he takes in a few concubines, he will definitely give birth to a son. Then he can be adopted by Jun Wan as the legitimate son and will naturally inherit the family business.
The elders also gathered around, smiling flatteringly, "So Huan'er just said she wanted us to be witnesses of this happy event!"
"This is something that's causing smoke to rise from our ancestors' graves. I think we should write it into the family tree for future generations to admire."
"Yes, yes, yes. Since the family tree has been obtained, let's record it as well."
Ji Yunhuan's smile remained unchanged as he spoke word by word, "Do you all remember why we came to the ancestral hall today? And why did you ask for the family tree?"
The elders were a little embarrassed and said stubbornly, "That...that was all a misunderstanding. It doesn't count."
Taohong had already moved the lady's spirit tablet out of the way, and Ji Yunhuan shouted, "I made it clear yesterday that if Master Ji makes Concubine Zhang his wife, I will sever all ties with you. Is that right?"
"Mrs. Zhang has personally admitted that she poisoned my mother and killed two people. Is that true or not?"
"Now that Zhang Rou has become Lord Ji's legal wife, Lord Ji favors his concubine over his wife and kills my mother. Is that right or wrong?"
Ji Yunhuan was so powerful that Ji Gongming retreated again and again. Finally, he stumbled and fell to the ground, covering his face and crying.
"Huan'er, you are still blaming your father. Your father was simply deceived. Your mother is the only one in your heart. Your father..."
"Enough!" Ji Yunhuan said angrily, "Master Ji, there's no need to act so hypocritically in front of our deceased mother's spirit tablet. We all know the truth."
"Today, a palace lady is here to bear witness for me. I will take my late mother's spirit tablet and leave the Ji family. I will also move her grave out of the Ji family. From now on, I will sever all ties with the Ji family and have no further connection with them!"
The elders of the clan immediately jumped out to oppose it. It was so hard for the Ji family to have a concubine, and the whole family would benefit from it in the future. How could they sever ties with her?
"Nonsense! How can the bloodline between father and daughter be severed?"
"Huan'er, listen to my advice. What woman would dare to sever ties with her family? This is treasonous!"
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