Chapter 44 will definitely come looking for her again!
Liu Ruolan's beautiful eyes widened as she looked at Huo Yunzhan in disbelief: "My lord, what's going on? What kind of imperial decree requires you and...her to go receive it together?"
Her nails were almost digging into her palms, but she forced a smile and teased sarcastically, "Could it be that you, Lord Marquis... secretly asked the Emperor for permission to marry your sister-in-law as a concubine?"
Huo Yunzhan's face darkened, and he sternly rebuked, "What nonsense are you spouting! How dare you presume to know the Emperor's will! I don't know what the decree is either; I'll know once I receive it!"
He glanced at Shen Qingci subconsciously, feeling inexplicably irritated.
A hint of resentment flashed in Liu Ruolan's eyes after he shouted at her, but she still persisted, saying in a coquettish voice, "Then I want to go and see with you! As the mistress of the household, how could I not know about such important matters in the Marquis's mansion?"
Shen Qingci sneered inwardly, but her face remained calm and composed. She ignored Liu Ruolan's provocation, only glancing at her lightly before taking graceful steps and heading straight for the central courtyard.
That calm and composed demeanor, on the contrary, made Liu Ruolan feel a tightness in her chest.
The servants had been instructed by Huo Yunzhan to stop Shen Qingci, but when they saw the imperial edict that suddenly arrived, specifically calling on Shen Qingci to receive the decree, they dared not be presumptuous anymore and shrank back to the side.
When the group arrived at the central courtyard, they indeed saw several palace eunuchs standing respectfully waiting, with the elder eunuch Zheng leading the way.
Huo Yunzhan quickly put on a smiling face and stepped forward first: "So it's Eunuch Zheng. Does His Majesty have some important decree? Why didn't you reveal anything about it in the palace earlier?"
The eunuch Zheng returned the greeting with a forced smile, but his gaze went straight past Huo Yunzhan and landed on Shen Qingci. His smile became a little warmer: "Your Excellency is too kind. This imperial edict was specially issued by His Majesty to the wife of the General Who Conquers the West. However, the wife of the General Who Conquers the West is currently recuperating at the Marquis's residence, which is why I am troubling Your Excellency to hear the edict together."
"For her?" Huo Yunzhan's smile froze instantly, a look of surprise and confusion flashing in his eyes.
An imperial edict for Shen Qingci?
Eunuch Zheng said little, his expression turned solemn, and he took out a scroll of bright yellow imperial edict from his sleeve, and said loudly: "Shen Qingci, wife of the General Who Conquers the West, and Huo Yunting, Marquis of Yongning, kneel to receive the imperial edict!"
Huo Yunzhan and Shen Qingci knelt down as instructed, but Huo Yunzhan's heart sank, and an ominous premonition arose spontaneously.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"
"General Huo Yunzhan, who was loyal, brave and resolute, repeatedly made great achievements. Unfortunately, he died for his country while suppressing a rebellion in the western frontier. I am deeply saddened. In remembrance of his heroic sacrifice for the country, I hereby recall his meritorious deeds."
"Huo Yunzhan's wife, Shen Qingci, is virtuous and kind. While her husband was away fighting, she managed the household affairs and raised their orphan, which was no easy task. In order to recognize her husband's merits and to sympathize with her widowhood, she is hereby granted special favor."
"My mind is made up. I hereby confer upon Shen Qingci the title of Third-Rank Lady, granting her the honor of an imperial decree, to comfort her loyal soul and to inspire future generations."
"So be it."
Shen Qingci felt a slight tremor in her heart, followed by a surge of warmth that caused the corners of her lips to involuntarily turn up slightly.
A Lady of the Third Rank!
This must be Chu Jichen's work, right?
This is what she meant by giving Liu Ruolan the confidence to no longer easily bully her!
"Your subject, Shen Qingci, accepts the imperial decree and expresses her gratitude! Long live the Emperor!" Her voice was clear and resonant as she raised her hands high and respectfully received the imperial decree.
Eunuch Zheng smiled and offered her a helping hand: "Madam General, please rise. His Majesty has conferred titles upon several newly appointed ladies, and the Ministry of Rites has specifically instructed me to inform you that you may enter the palace with the other newly appointed ladies to express your gratitude three days from now at Shenshi (3-5 PM).
Shen Qingci bowed gracefully: "Thank you for your guidance, Father-in-law. I will remember it."
Eunuch Zheng's smile deepened, and he added, "By the way, His Majesty has some more rewards to give, which will be sent to your residences after the ladies enter the palace to express their gratitude."
Shen Qingci agreed to all of them and personally escorted Eunuch Zheng and his entourage out of the mansion.
When she turned around, she was met with Huo Yunzhan's pale and ashen face, and Liu Ruolan's eyes filled with jealousy and resentment!
Liu Ruolan trembled with rage. She gritted her teeth and looked at Huo Yunzhan: "You... your second brother died on the battlefield, why... why was she, an outsider, the only one to be honored? This title, even if it should be bestowed, should be given to Mother. What is she?"
Huo Yunzhan frowned, his temples throbbing with anger at Liu Ruolan's stupidity. He said impatiently, "Mother is already a second-rank noblewoman!"
"But what right does she have?" Liu Ruolan seemed to have gone mad, completely losing her usual gentleness. "Doesn't that mean that in the entire Yongning Marquis's mansion, I'm the only one... the only one without an official title? I, the dignified Marquis's wife, am not even as good as a widow?"
Shen Qingci slowly and deliberately rolled up the bright yellow imperial edict in her hand. Upon hearing this, she let out a very soft but extremely mocking laugh: "On what grounds?"
She raised her eyes and looked directly at Liu Ruolan: "This imperial title was naturally earned by my late husband, Huo Yunzhan, who sacrificed his life for the country and died on the battlefield, earning him great military achievements!"
"Does your sister-in-law also want an imperial title?" A meaningful smile appeared on her lips as she glanced mockingly at Huo Yunzhan, whose face was ashen. "Then I'm afraid... we'll have to wait patiently a little longer."
If Huo Yunzhan were to "die" on the battlefield again in his current identity as "Marquis Yongning Huo Yunting," perhaps then the honor of being named a Lady of the Imperial Decree would be yours, sister-in-law!
Shen Qingci didn't spell out her words, but the sarcasm and implication in her glance were like a resounding slap across Huo Yunzhan and Liu Ruolan's faces!
Huo Yunzhan's face instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot. "Sister-in-law! You...you mustn't talk nonsense!"
Shen Qingci simply shrugged innocently, his smile growing even brighter: "Your Excellency is mistaken. I was merely stating the truth. How can you call that nonsense?"
She gently stroked the bright yellow imperial edict in her hand. Its dazzling color was extremely glaring to Huo Yunzhan and Liu Ruolan at this moment!
"The Marquis forbids me from striking the Dengwen Drum to seek justice for myself and for my unjustly killed child."
Shen Qingci's voice suddenly turned cold, her gaze sharp as a knife as she stared directly at Huo Yunzhan, "But now, I am ordered to enter the palace to express my gratitude and meet the Emperor. Surely the Marquis cannot... also forcibly confine me, a third-rank noblewoman, to the mansion and forbid me from leaving, can he?"
Her gaze slowly swept over the couple opposite her, their faces ashen with rage, unable to speak. Her tone carried a hint of barely perceptible satisfaction: "Some things are just as the will of Heaven is, and retribution is inevitable. You can't change the facts or cover up the truth by silencing anyone."
"Wanqing, let's go back inside!" Shen Qingci turned and left without giving them another glance.
Wanqing suppressed her laughter, quickly responded, and followed Shen Qingci with a triumphant air.
Once back in her courtyard, Wanqing slammed the door shut. Unable to contain herself any longer, she stamped her foot excitedly, her voice trembling, "Miss! That was so satisfying! Did you see the faces of the Marquis and Madam Liu just now? They looked worse than if they'd swallowed flies! They deserved it!"
"Lord Marquis... he's completely blind! There's irrefutable evidence of you falling into the water and Liu Ruolan kicking you, yet he sided with Liu and forced you to apologize! Now that the imperial decree has been issued, let's see how he can still show favoritism!"
"But how could he have become like this? He was so good to you before... before, Miss..." Wanqing's voice lowered, tinged with a hint of melancholy.
Shen Qingci's eyes dimmed slightly. Was Huo Yunzhan good to her before?
Naturally, that's good.
Those little trinkets secretly delivered over the wall, those local specialties brought back from afar, the unconditional forgiveness after mistakes, the painstaking coaxing when she was angry... each scene was once the warmest light in her life.
But the Huo Yunzhan she knew now was so unfamiliar that it chilled her to the bone.
She even couldn't help but wonder if all the good things she had done before were just an act.
Shen Qingci lowered her eyelids, concealing the turmoil in her eyes: "It doesn't matter anymore, those things... are no longer important."
From the moment he chose to fake his death, to take his brother's place, and to spend every night with Liu Ruolan, all the beauty vanished like bubbles and turned to ashes.
Wanqing took a deep breath and nodded emphatically: "Yes! Miss is right! None of that matters anymore! Those heartless bastards are not worth your sadness!"
"This servant only...only felt sorry for Miss!"
Wanqing quickly changed the subject, not wanting to dredge up Shen Qingci's sad memories, and said excitedly, "Miss, this imperial decree has come just in time!"
"This...this must be His Highness the Regent's doing, right?" She lowered her voice, her eyes gleaming with gossip. "Just two days ago, the Prince sent over a note saying that he would make sure Liu Ruolan would never dare to bully you again. I never expected...it would be such a swift and decisive move!"
Wanqing couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Although the general... no matter what, his 'death in battle' can be considered a lucky accident, bringing you this honor, Miss!"
"Now, Miss, you are a dignified third-rank imperial lady! If Liu Ruolan dares to disrespect you again, she will be showing contempt for the imperial lady and offending the emperor's grace! Let's see if she dares to be arrogant and domineering again!"
"I bet they're feeling incredibly anxious right now, both angry and scared, and they're probably racking their brains trying to come up with a solution!"
Shen Qingci nodded, a cool smile playing on her lips.
She knew better than anyone else that Huo Yunzhan was a certain kind of person.
He will definitely come back to her.
As night deepened, Shen Qingci had just settled down when she was awakened by a jarring noise.
She frowned and sat up. Seeing Wanqing hurrying in from outside, she quickly asked, "What's all the commotion outside?"
Wanqing lowered her voice, but her face showed a hint of excitement as she watched a good show: "Miss, it seems to be coming from the main courtyard. It sounds like... they're arguing, and it's quite a commotion!"
Is that coming from the main courtyard? An argument?
Shen Qingci immediately remembered that Huo Yunzhan had just gone to the Prime Minister's residence today to bring Liu Ruolan back...
Liu Ruolan's menstrual cycle should have ended by now.
A meaningful smile curved her lips as she winked at Wanqing, her voice tinged with amusement: "Oh? Then go and listen carefully to see what could possibly cause the Marquis and his wife to have such a big fight in the middle of the night."
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