Chapter 811 Promotion to Fourth-Rank Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices
The He family home was packed with guests, with people everywhere.
Cheng Wanwan sat at a table with several familiar ladies, including Old Madam Shen, Shen Zheng's wife Lin Weirong, Situ Man, Lu Yingxue, Madam Ruan, Madam Zhang, and others.
We're all from the same circle, so there's no need for formalities when we eat. We chat and exchange pleasantries, with laughter frequently breaking the silence.
Many people at the next table cast envious glances at them.
"Madam Sui and the He family are practically in the same boat."
"Madam Sui is capable, her son and nephew are civil officials, and General He is also under her influence. This faction has truly risen in the capital."
"Madam Ruohui is not a woman, so she should have been promoted to the rank of sixth-grade official long ago."
"I heard that Madam Sui has two unmarried sons. One is a seventh-rank officer who was appointed at the beginning of the year, and the other is a newly promoted top scholar. If they were to become in-laws with Madam Sui, how many people would envy them?"
"..."
Upon hearing this, many of the ladies at the table were intrigued.
Although Madam Sui's family came from a farming background, it was precisely because they were farmers that they didn't have the kind of shady and disgusting affairs found in large mansions, where marrying off one's daughter was the only way to enjoy a good life.
These ladies all gave their sons meaningful glances, suggesting that they first approach Lady Sui's son to assess his character before making any further plans.
Zhao Sanniu and Zhao Sidan were eating when a number of young men from prominent families came over to toast them, leaving the two completely bewildered.
Shen Zheng chuckled inwardly, "They're trying to find out what kind of women you two like, so they can find their ideal husbands for their sisters."
Cheng Zhao couldn't help but speak up: "San Niu is nineteen years old this year, it's really time to put his marriage on the agenda."
“Yes, yes, yes!” Zhao Sidan nodded vigorously. “I’m still young, no rush. If Third Brother keeps dawdling, he’ll be twenty. While Mother is in the capital, we need to settle Third Brother’s marriage quickly, otherwise I’m afraid he won’t be able to find a wife.”
Zhao Sanniu scratched his head.
To be honest, he didn't have much of a feeling about marriage. Even if his grandmother found him someone in Dahe Town, he could get married immediately as long as his mother agreed.
Anyway, people have to get married eventually, and in his view, it doesn't matter who he marries.
Shen Zheng put his arm around Zhao Sanniu's neck and pointed to the women's section, saying, "See these? These are all young ladies from the capital. Those are famous talented women, and these are the top-ranked girls from the girls' school... If you take a fancy to any of them, hurry up and tell your godmother. Once she leaves, no one will be there to help you with this."
Zhao Sanniu actually started reading very seriously.
As he was watching, a figure suddenly blocked his way.
"Hey Zhao Jingyu, who are you peeking at?" Ruan Mingzhu stood in front of him with her hands on her hips. "That's my cousin. If you're having any dirty thoughts, I'll beat you to a pulp."
Zhao Sanniu jumped up as if his tail had been stepped on, saying, "Who would have designs on your cousin? Stop trying to make yourself look good, okay? You can't beat me at all, so how can you say you'll beat me to a pulp?"
"Hmph, I just learned a few moves from my dad. Come on, let's have a go!" Ruan Mingzhu said defiantly.
Zhao Sanniu looked around and said, "These are all guests. If we're gesturing here, it will disturb everyone's drinking. Let's go to the main gate and find an open space to gesture a bit more."
The two of them, not even bothering to eat, walked outside one after the other.
Shen Zheng frowned: "San Niu is always fighting with his brothers in the army. He'll never be able to get married in his life."
Zhao Sidan blinked and said, "That's not a brother from the military camp, it's Miss Ruan. Every time she meets Third Brother, the two of them have to compete. Last time it was a drinking contest, and this time it's a kung fu contest. This fate is truly wonderful."
Shen Zheng, being shrewd and quick-witted, immediately understood: "What a pity, what a pity, San Niu, this simpleton, is so slow to understand."
Zhao Sanniu and Ruan Mingzhu, each wielding a spear, began fighting in the open space in front of the He residence. Ruan Mingzhu, being a young woman, had practiced martial arts since childhood, but her father and brothers couldn't bear to see her suffer. Despite her skillful moves, she lacked power and was quickly subdued by Zhao Sanniu, who possessed brute strength.
Ruan Mingzhu was even more unconvinced: "No, no, let's try again. My older brother taught me another trick, let me try it again..."
Just as they were about to start fighting, a carriage suddenly stopped in front of the He residence. The two quickly moved aside to make room for the entrance.
A young eunuch got out of the carriage first, followed by Eunuch Ming, a favorite of the emperor. The eunuchs in the carriage behind carried a lacquered tray containing the imperial edict.
"Let's stop fighting, let's stop fighting," Zhao Sanniu hurriedly said. "An imperial decree has arrived from the palace; it must be to promote my master."
The reason why the palace turmoil on New Year's Eve was quelled so quickly was because his master made great contributions, but he had not been promoted or rewarded. It seems that the turmoil is finally coming.
The wedding banquet was in full swing when Eunuch Ming arrived, bringing the atmosphere to its peak.
"On behalf of His Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty the Empress, I extend my congratulations to General He," said Eunuch Ming with a smile. "Today is General He's wedding day, and His Majesty has specially sent me to add to his joy. General He, please accept this imperial decree!"
"I accept your order!"
He Xiao lifted his wedding robe and knelt on the ground.
Everyone in the courtyard quickly knelt down as well.
He Xiao is now a third-rank Zhaoyong General, a position he earned many years ago by serving on the front lines and making military contributions. He was later unjustly dismissed from his generalship, but was later reinstated and has held this position ever since. No one was surprised by his promotion.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: General Zhaoyong Hexiao is accomplished in both civil and military affairs, loyal and upright in his guard duties, and upholds integrity and righteousness... He is hereby appointed as the Second-Rank Zhaoyong Grand General, and will escort the Assab royal family back to the capital in three days. This is the imperial decree!"
He Xiao raised his head.
The promotion was actually within his expectations, because the emperor had mentioned it once half a year ago, but he refused on the grounds that he was pleading for the He family's collateral branch.
However, he was actually tasked with escorting the Assab royal family back to the capital, a trip that would take at least two months... He had originally planned to take his cousin back to Dahe Town...
Having been away from Dahe Town for so long, he really wanted to go back one more time.
He pursed his lips, about to speak.
Eunuch Ming ignored him and walked over to the women in the crowd, still smiling as he spoke: "Madam Sui, please receive the imperial decree."
Cheng Wanwan knelt in the crowd, never expecting that she would be involved in this matter.
She rose, bent over, and walked out, kneeling at the front: "Your subject receives the imperial decree!"
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Zhao Chengshi, a sixth-rank official of the Court of State Ceremonies, has diligently studied the classics since assuming office, burning the midnight oil. I commend him greatly… Therefore, I hereby appoint you as a fourth-rank Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, to accompany the Assab royal family back to the capital and to investigate border affairs on my behalf… This is my decree!"
Cheng Wanwan was surprised, but not so surprised.
After Queen Asab cried to the Queen, she guessed that the court would definitely support Asab in regaining military power.
As the person most fluent in the Assab language, she would certainly be sent there.
Unexpectedly, the imperial court promoted her, from a sixth-rank official to a fourth-rank official, the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial. The emperor was truly generous.
Wow!
The courtyard erupted in excitement.
"General He's promotion is due to his merit in saving the emperor, but Madam Sui is..."
"In such a short time, she has become a fourth-rank official, and she is a woman. There is no other like her in the entire capital."
"Who made Lady Sui so fluent in the Assab language? I just don't understand why being able to read a language can lead to such a high official position."
"..."
With a smile, Eunuch Ming helped Cheng Wanwan up.
Simply being proficient in languages wouldn't guarantee a meteoric rise. It's mainly because Lady Sui is exceptionally intelligent. During this trip to Asab, many decisions needed to be made by Lady Sui as the leader. That's why the Emperor was so generous in promoting her... If it weren't for the opposition from so many people in the court, Lady Sui could have directly reached the third rank... However, the current positions of second-rank lady and fourth-rank junior minister are sufficient.
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