Chapter 601 Reward
Qiao Zhan clung to the window, waving his arms frantically at Qiao Jingyao.
Qiao Zhan was originally named Mu Fangfeng. Later, Qiao Jingyao and Mu Jin rewrote their marriage certificate, held a wedding ceremony, and the child's name was changed and added to the Qiao family genealogy.
However, people usually still call it "windproof".
We've gone off on a tangent.
When Qiao Zhan shouted downstairs, Qiao Jingyao also looked around immediately, and finally spotted the four people from the second wife's family gathered at the window.
He grinned like a fool and waved at the group.
The situation in Grandma Qiao's private room was much the same; she was searching for her relatives in the group while being amazed by the unique scene before her.
Unlike the others who were focused on watching Emperor Xiaozhao's imperial procession and the triumphant army, Qiao Qinghe had her attention mostly on the infant Li Yiqian from the moment the procession slowly came into view.
As the sound drew closer, Qiao Qinghe began to stuff cotton into the little one's ears herself.
The little guy wouldn't cooperate at all. Even though he was only a few months old, he had already learned to tilt his head back and to the side. He wouldn't let Qiao Qinghe put anything in his ears.
Not only that, he stretched out his tender little melon seed towards the direction from which the sound came from the window, grabbing and scratching, while making "ee-yah-yah" noises incessantly. Judging from his little appearance, he clearly wanted to go to the window to join in the fun.
Qiao Qinghe didn't believe in superstitions and had A Shuang carry the little one away from the window. Sure enough, the little one's mouth twitched, and it was about to cry.
As Ah Shuang carried him closer to the window, he grinned and kept pointing at the window, making "ah ah oh oh" noises.
"Young master, you're really brave! Aren't you afraid of making a noise at all!" Ah Shuang looked at the child in amazement.
Qiao Qinghe poked the little thing lightly, annoyed. "I don't know who he learned this from. He's so young, yet he loves to join in the fun."
It can only be said that Qiao Qinghe's vision was too sharp; she saw through Li Yiqian's true nature long ago!
After the procession passed and the crowd gradually dispersed, Qiao Qinghe led her people into a carriage and returned to the Qiao residence in the southern city.
In the afternoon, news spread from the palace.
As predicted, the Earl of Enping was granted the title of Marquis, retaining his original title. He is now the Marquis of Enping.
In addition, he was appointed to a temporary post in the Ministry of War and granted the title of Pillar of the State General, a first-rank official. He was also awarded a residence in the capital and a sum of gold and silver.
Then came the Marquis of Yongchang, who was granted the title of General of the Cavalry, a second-rank official.
Yu Lei, the eldest son of the Yu family, was also a vanguard general with outstanding military achievements and was awarded the title of Zhaoyong General, a second-rank official.
Because he was originally the garrison commander of Shang'an, he stayed in Shang'an after the rebellion was quelled and did not return to the capital to receive his title.
The imperial edict bestowing the rewards will then be sent to the border.
As someone who had gained military merit by association, the Duke of Jin was granted the title of General Huaiyuan, a third-rank official, and also received a nominal position in the Ministry of War, a third-rank official.
This can be considered a boost to Madam Zheng's reputation.
Others were also rewarded according to their respective contributions.
Of course, the Qiao family was most concerned about Qiao Jingyao and Qiao Jinglian.
According to information obtained, Qiao Jingyao entered the city and became the deputy commander of the East City Guard, and was awarded the title of Fifth-Rank Martial General.
Whether it was the powerful position in the city guard or the unexpected fifth-rank official position, the Qiao family was overjoyed.
Qiao Qinghe waved her hand and rewarded all the servants in the mansion with a month's salary.
Qiao Jinglian was also good; he was assigned to the Xishan Camp, which was close to the capital, and he could go home for two days every month.
As for the rank, it's the same as I guessed before, the eighth rank, unchanged.
Because everyone was mentally prepared, they were all delighted to hear about Qiao Jinglian's reward, and no one was foolish enough to jump out and spoil the fun.
In addition to official titles, the rewards also included varying amounts of gold and silver.
Qiao Jingyao received 500 taels, and Qiao Jinglian received 100 taels.
Although it's not much, when you think about the soldiers who died on the battlefield, whose lives were only compensated with twenty taels of silver, you realize how precious this money was.
Both Mrs. Qiao and Mrs. Zhou said that once they moved, they would set up an altar to display the reward money and the imperial edict together, and pass them down through generations.
The Qiao family gathered together in high spirits, chatting and laughing, occasionally listening to the new news brought back by their subordinates.
They had originally planned to wait for the two brothers to return so they could have a proper celebration.
However, a message arrived saying that banquets were being held both inside and outside the city, and Qiao Jingyao would stay in the palace to attend. Qiao Jinglian, on the other hand, returned to the camp outside the city to celebrate with the other soldiers.
It was the afternoon of the third day when the Qiao family finally met the two brothers.
On the first day, Emperor Xiaozhao held a banquet to reward the three armies.
The next day, the general and his soldiers celebrated together.
On the third day, after saying goodbye, those on leave went home, and those returning to camp left Beijing.
The Qiao brothers only returned to Nancheng after watching the army leave.
Upon learning the news, Qiao Qinghe immediately sent someone to wait at the door.
It wasn't until mid-afternoon that the gatekeeper reported that the two had returned.
Not only that, the gatekeeper brought another piece of good news: Amo had also returned. Looking at his armor, it seemed to be exactly the same as Qiao Jinglian's.
Zhou Shi and Old Madam Qiao, who were also waiting in the main courtyard, were all somewhat bewildered.
Wei Jia was the first to stand up and curtsy to Qiao Qinghe, congratulating her, "Mother, congratulations! Our household has produced a capable child!"
Qiao Qinghe thought of the child who was originally named Donggua, later changed his name to Amo, worked as a coachman, a gatekeeper, and finally became a junior manager, but almost lost his life when he was ordered to go to Jiangnan. She couldn't help but sigh, "This child has finally gotten his reward after suffering."
Before long, the three of them entered the main courtyard.
Upon reaching Qiao Qinghe, the three of them knelt down and kowtowed to her before rising to speak.
Since everyone present was a member of the Qiao family, and everyone's focus was on Qiao Jingyao.
Amo was already embarrassed to sit down because of his status, and there were also several unmarried young ladies from the Qiao family in the hall. After sitting for a while, he got up to apologize and leave.
Qiao Qinghe naturally noticed Amo's unease, so she didn't stop him. She just gave He Shi a wink when he left.
He smiled and nodded as she went out and followed Amo.
"Young Master Mo, please wait."
Amo paused, then turned to look at Madam He with embarrassment. "Butler He, please just call me Amo. It makes me feel uncomfortable with you calling me that."
Mrs. He said with a smile, "Then I won't stand on ceremony."
Amo smiled and nodded: "Yes, you're welcome."
Only then did he feel like he was still a member of the Qiao family.
Seeing his sincere smile, Madam He felt somewhat comforted and said with a smile, "The old lady asked me to take you downstairs to rest, saying she wants to see you alone later."
"You're not in a hurry to leave, are you?"
Amo smiled sheepishly, "Steward He is too kind. Although I have gained an official position because of some military merits, I still have nowhere to go except for the Qiao residence."
"I was planning to visit some friends at the mansion and then go back to my old room to rest."
"But judging from what Butler He is saying, does he mean he wants to kick me out?"
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