The princess walked over and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, it was Ruyun who cured my long-standing cold ailment."
Although the princess knew it was Chiu Chiu's doing, she couldn't let such a small baby be exposed, otherwise it would arouse jealousy and bring disaster.
The Emperor said, "That is a great achievement! Today I hereby bestow upon Xu Ruyun the title of First-Rank Lady, and reward the Xu family with a hundred acres of fertile land and ten thousand taels of gold!"
Wow! His Majesty the Emperor is so kind!
The Xu family was also shocked when they heard this.
In just one day, from being investigated in the morning to receiving a reward now, things have gone from the bottom to the top in a short period of time, leaving people truly bewildered.
The family knelt down to express their gratitude.
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
Even more shocked than Grand Tutor Xu were Qi Jiating and Old Madam Qi.
Qi Jiating: What? How come this is different from what I planned? The Grand Tutor's Mansion didn't suffer any harm, but instead received a reward?
Madam Qi thought to herself: The Emperor bestowed honors upon the Xu family, but not upon the Qi family. What does that mean?
At this moment, a court official stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Qi Jiating is only a fifth-rank official in the court. It is unreasonable to bestow the title of First-Rank Lady upon his wife."
The Emperor said, "You think Xu Ruyun was rewarded because the Qi family supported me? Let me tell you, this First-Rank Lady has no relation to the Qi family whatsoever."
That was thanks to Grand Tutor Xu's excellent teaching of his daughter, and it was Xu Ruyun who cured the princess. It was something she earned herself!
Grand Tutor Xu is a first-rank official, and so is her daughter; she deserves this title. That's my decision!
Minister: "Your Majesty is right."
[Your Majesty is truly a man of noble character and profound understanding of righteousness; a wise ruler indeed!]
A slight smile appeared on the emperor's lips.
Although there are many people who flatter and praise him all day long, it's quite amusing to hear a baby praise himself like this for the first time.
Qi Jiating gave the official next to him a wink.
Then an official nearby said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, the princess was also cured of her illness at the Qi residence. I wonder what rewards Your Majesty will bestow upon the Qi family?"
Qi Jiating and his mother immediately perked up.
His Majesty just smiled. Perhaps in his good mood, he'll bestow upon them a reward, at least from the fifth rank to the fifth rank, or even the fourth rank...
Thinking of this, Qi Jia smiled happily.
Unexpectedly, the emperor coldly replied, "No reward!"
Qi Jiating: What? No reward? The Emperor was just smiling. He was in such a good mood, how can we not reward him?
Qi Jiating: "Your Majesty, my Qi family has also devoted ourselves to the court..."
The Emperor said, "Devoting yourself to the utmost? What contributions have you made to the court? How have you devoted yourself to the utmost? Isn't it all thanks to your wife's family?"
Grand Tutor Xu truly dedicated himself to the country and its people. If it weren't for him, you wouldn't even have reached the fourth rank!
[The Emperor's rebuke was spot on! That's exactly how he should be addressed! Otherwise, he'll never truly understand his place.]
Qi Jiating originally wanted to ask for a reward, but unexpectedly he was criticized by the emperor and made to look worthless.
Although every word he said was true, only the emperor dared to speak so frankly about him.
After all, men care about their image, and nobody wants to be told that they became successful because of their wives.
The Emperor said, "Qi Jiating, you'd better watch yourself! Treat Lady Xu, the First Rank Lady, well, or your Fourth Rank will be gone in an instant."
Qi Jiating was so frightened that he knelt down: "Yes, Your Majesty!"
The Emperor: "Alright. I'm going back now! You may continue!"
Eunuch Liu: "Let's return to the palace!"
The crowd knelt down: "Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty!"
Watching the Emperor's departing figure, Qi Jiating wiped the cold sweat from his brow.
Qi Jiating thought to himself: What is His Majesty thinking? I haven't offended him, have I?
As the emperor walked along the road, he thought to himself: "The handwriting on that letter of denunciation looks like Qi Jiating's. Only someone close to us could pinpoint the exact location of the stolen goods so accurately."
I wonder if Qi Jiating has learned his lesson after today's reprimand. I hope he can pull back from the brink and not disappoint me again.
After the Emperor left, everyone relaxed a lot.
The Xu family all gathered around to look at Qiuqiu.
"This is my granddaughter. She's so beautiful. Come here, let me hold her."
"You're a grown man, what do you know about holding a baby? You should leave it to me."
Everyone happily gathered around to watch the chirping chirp.
Chiu Chiu was already sleepy by then, and she fell asleep after yawning twice.
Xu Ruyun had her maid take Qiuqiu to her room to sleep, while she chatted with the Xu family.
Xu Ruyun's mother looked at her daughter with heartache and said, "Ruyun, have you not been eating well? I see you've lost weight."
Grand Tutor Xu: "Tomorrow, your father will send you the best dishes to help you recover!"
Xu Ruyun's brother: "Tomorrow I'll bring you a great chef; his cooking will be absolutely delicious."
Xu Ruyun looked at her family members with emotion.
"Father, Mother, Brother, I'm fine. I was ignorant before, and I haven't visited you in a long time."
Xu Ruyun's mother held her daughter's hand and said, "We're family, no need for such formalities. Bring Qiuqiu home more often in the future. The Grand Tutor's Mansion will always be your home."
Xu Ruyun nodded with tears in her eyes: "Yes."
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