Chapter 120 Nan Ke Digs a Trap for His Grandfather
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Song family of the Marquis of Anping has rendered meritorious service in providing early warning before the torrential rain, thus saving the people of Bianjing from flooding."
He later donated grain to relieve the Ministry of Revenue's urgent needs. This righteous act moved heaven and earth and can serve as a model for all officials in the court.
The Emperor hereby bestows upon the Marquis of Anping a plaque inscribed with the words "A Family of Accumulated Virtues," personally written by the Emperor. He also awards the Song family a pair of jade ruyi scepters, a jade belt, a box of gold and silver jewelry, a box of pearls and gemstones, and twelve bolts of silk and brocade. This is the imperial decree.
The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict put away the edict and looked down at the stunned Marquis Anping.
"Lord Marquis?"
Marquis Anping exclaimed in surprise, finally snapping out of his shock. He was so excited that he wanted to jump up and laugh out loud three times.
It's not about punishing someone!
It's a reward!!!
Heaven knows the last time the Marquis of Anping's mansion received an imperial edict was when he inherited the title!
Marquis Anping was so excited that he trembled all over as he shakily accepted the imperial edict from the eunuch's hands.
The eunuch smiled slightly and then waved his hand.
A group of people entered from outside the door, with the two at the front carrying a plaque.
The four large characters "A Family of Good Deeds" above shimmered with gold in the sunlight, making them exceptionally dazzling.
The eunuch said, "My lord, the words on this plaque were written by His Majesty himself. Please cherish them."
Marquis Anping nodded excitedly, "Don't worry, Father-in-law, my Li family will definitely enshrine this imperial plaque in the ancestral hall."
He immediately ordered the steward to bring people over to collect it.
"Be careful, or you'll get hurt, and I won't let you off the hook."
The eunuch watched as they took the plaque away, then clapped his hands.
Behind them was a row of eunuchs, each carrying a box.
The eunuchs put down the box, opened it, and the jade ruyi, jade belt, gold and silver jewelry, pearls and gems, and silks and satins inside shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight.
Sun was almost blinded by the dazzling light, and her heart was filled with jealousy that drove her almost mad.
Were these things all bestowed upon the Song family?
On what grounds?
The eunuch bowed and said to Song Yi with a smile, "Congratulations, Lady Song, this is a gift from His Majesty."
Furthermore, His Majesty has summoned the Crown Prince's wife and her eldest daughter, Li Nanke, to the palace. His Majesty and the Empress wish to see you.
Song Yi got up and instructed Tao Mama to take people to carry everything away and put it into the warehouse.
Then he stuffed the prepared purse into the eunuch's hand.
"I'm sorry to have troubled you to make this trip, but please accept this small token of my appreciation for the tea."
The eunuch subtly squeezed the purse, then smiled and slid it into his sleeve.
The smile on his face became even brighter.
"Congratulations, Lord Marquis and Lady. With such a wise and righteous person as the Lady of the Heir Apparent, how can the Marquis's mansion not prosper?"
Marquis Anping's expression stiffened for a moment, then he nodded and smiled in agreement.
“What you say is absolutely right, Father-in-law. This time, Song donated grain, which was also discussed with me. My wife and I both strongly support her actions.”
"The Marquis is a man of great integrity and righteousness, worthy of our admiration."
Marquis Anping stroked his beard and laughed heartily.
Song Yi stared in shock.
Her father-in-law knew nothing about her donating grain, yet he had the audacity to claim credit for it.
Li Nanke was speechless, his eyes darting around.
She said with a grin, "Grandfather, Mother donated five thousand bushels of grain. All of Mother's dowry money has been spent."
Marquis Anping frowned slightly and lectured her, "So many people are suffering. It is our duty to save them from their misery."
"Let alone five thousand shi, even ten thousand shi should be given up."
Li Nanke glanced at the eunuch's expression and nodded.
“Grandfather is right, I’ll remember that.”
The eunuch's eyes flickered slightly, his gaze shifting between Li Nanke and Marquis Anping. Upon looking at Marquis Anping, his smile faded slightly.
Lady Song, the Crown Prince's wife, clearly donated 10,000 shi of grain, but Marquis Anping seems unaware of it.
"I will certainly speak highly of your magnanimity to His Majesty when I return, my lord."
Marquis Anping's eyes lit up, and his beard practically stood on end with excitement.
Perhaps His Majesty will be pleased and restore his salary.
"Then thank you very much, sir."
The eunuch's smile faded slightly. "With such a magnanimous heart, Your Highness will be able to accomplish anything in the future."
Marquis Anping frowned, feeling that there was something strange about what he had said.
But he couldn't quite put his finger on what was wrong with him.
Li Nanke looked up at the eunuch and said in a clear voice, "Grandfather was always concerned about the disaster victims. When the rain stopped, he even said he would personally put on a three-day opera to celebrate."
The eunuch was surprised. "Is that so? I didn't know that Your Highness was also good at singing opera. When will you be performing? If I have time, I will definitely come to listen to you sing a few lines so that I can learn it for His Majesty when I get back."
Marquis Anping's face stiffened, and he secretly glared at Li Nanke.
Li Nanke pursed her lips and lowered her eyes, ignoring him.
Marquis Anping cursed the girl in his heart, but dared not show his displeasure in front of the eunuch.
She could only give an awkward smile and say, "I will definitely let my father-in-law know once the time is set."
"Then I'll be waiting for you."
The eunuch nodded and then turned to look at Song Yi.
"Please, Madam Song, pack your things and bring your eldest daughter with you to the palace."
Song Yi: "Father-in-law, please sit for a moment. I will come with the child after I change my clothes."
Marquis Anping led his eunuch to the front hall for tea.
As Madam Sun watched as Madam Tao led the maids and servants of Fanghua Courtyard to carry in boxes of gifts, she was consumed by jealousy.
Unable to resist, she whispered to Madam He, "This was a gift from His Majesty to the Marquis's residence. Why did you have it carried directly to Fanghua Courtyard, sister-in-law?"
Shouldn't it be stored in the Marquis's mansion's storeroom?
Madam He coughed twice and gave her a brief, indifferent glance.
"The grain was donated using your sister-in-law's dowry, so the reward will naturally be given to your sister-in-law as well. Think it over, and then donate your own dowry."
Sun cursed the old hag under her breath, then turned and left.
Song Yi quickly took Li Nanke back to Fanghua Courtyard to change into clothes befitting the wife of the Marquis's heir.
Li Nanke also changed into a light yellow cross-collar narrow-sleeved blouse with several butterflies embroidered on the collar, paired with a light grass-green skirt, making her look cute and elegant.
Song Yi tugged at her clothes and asked nervously, "Did His Majesty summon us to the palace to discuss the matter of the princess being his study companion?"
"Ke'er, have you really thought about how to refuse His Majesty?"
Li Nanke nodded.
"Mother, don't worry, everything will be alright. When His Majesty asks questions, just remember to do what we agreed on before."
The mother and daughter discussed in hushed tones, then boarded the carriage and headed towards the palace.
As they left, news of the Marquis of Anping's residence receiving a reward from His Majesty spread like wildfire.
When the news reached Song Hui's ears, she was so angry that she smashed a tea set.
Song Hui has been suffering greatly these past few days.
She was clearly the first to be reborn, the first to know about the torrential rain and the breaching of the dam, so why did she end up with nothing?
Instead, they lost all of their family's savings!
The mother, Zhang, was so distressed that half of her hair turned white overnight, and the father, Song Cheng, fell ill from anger and would scold her whenever he saw her.
The loan she had taken out at exorbitant interest rates was due again, but even after selling all her grain, she could only raise 50,000 taels of silver, which was not enough to pay the interest.
The borrowers came to her door every day demanding repayment. With no other option, she pawned her jewelry and a shop to barely scrape together enough to cover the interest.
Just as I was recovering, I heard the news that Song Yi had received a reward and had been summoned to the palace by imperial decree.
Song Hui felt so nauseous she felt like she was going to vomit blood.
Then the maid said, "His Majesty also specifically instructed Lady Song to bring the eldest daughter of the Li family, so His Majesty probably has other rewards for her."
Other rewards?
Song Hui's heart stirred, and she suddenly remembered something.
at the same time.
Prince Xuan's residence.
Erfeng hurriedly entered the room to report to Shen Cong.
"Your Highness, Lady Song has brought Miss Nan Ke into the palace."
Shen Cong paused, his hand holding the heater still.
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