Jiang Yuyao's face looked a little heavy, and she nervously grasped the hem of her skirt tightly in her hands.
The Emperor's decree specifically mentioned Jiang Songyi, which was quite intriguing. And judging by Eunuch Ying Shuo's cheerful tone, it was clear he was conveying good news.
When the daughter of a foreign official receives an imperial gift, it usually means the gift of marriage.
Could it be that, after clearing up his misunderstanding of Jiang Songyi, the Fourth Prince had fallen for her and petitioned the Emperor through Concubine Yang to arrange their marriage? The thought of herself relegated to the position of concubine, while Jiang Songyi would become the Fourth Prince's principal wife, towering over all the beauties, pierced Jiang Yuyao's heart like a thorn in her throat.
Jiang Yuyao was not the only one who had the same suspicion. Madam Jiang, Mrs. Xu, Jiang Shu, and others also suspected the same thing. However, they learned from Jiang Songyi's heart that the Fourth Prince's actions towards the Marquis' Mansion in her previous life had filled her with a deep hatred for him, and she wanted to avoid him as much as possible.
They absolutely do not want Jiang Songyi to become the Fourth Prince's spouse!
In fact, they knew in their hearts that Jiang Songyi herself would never be willing.
However, now that the imperial edict has been issued, it is golden advice and they cannot disobey the will of heaven.
Everyone's eyes turned to Jiang Songyi, revealing some worry and uneasiness.
On the surface, Jiang Songyi still maintained that noble and calm demeanor, but in her heart she was as excited as a wild horse that had broken free from its reins.
[This is for me? That heartless father actually went to the palace himself to secure this honor for me?]
[The hero who quelled the Ghost Fetus Rebellion in his previous life was said to have been named Imperial Master? Could it be that the Emperor intends to bestow the title of Imperial Master upon me as well?]
Madam Jiang, Jiang Shu, and Xu all looked bewildered.
When did Jiang Songyi quietly go to resolve the ghost fetus chaos in the Duke of Huguo's Mansion?
Their eyes inevitably turned to the Xu family, who was currently in charge of the mansion. However, even Xu was confused. She had the records of Song Yi leaving the mansion, but she had never set foot outside the house.
Jiang Songyi stepped forward and said, "Your servant obeys my orders."
Eunuch Ying Shuo solemnly announced: "Jiang Songyi, receive the order."
Jiang Songyi knelt down respectfully, ready to accept the imperial edict, and the people behind her also knelt down.
In the courtyard, there was an instantaneous sound of heavy kneeling, as if dark clouds were gathering, and the atmosphere was solemn and dignified.
Even Madam Zhang and Zhang Dingqian had to kneel down. They only stared at the scene of Eunuch Ying Shuo and the people in the Marquis' Mansion laughing and talking happily, but an ominous premonition arose in their hearts.
If they had known this would happen, they would have turned around and left without hesitation.
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Jiang Songyi, the eldest daughter of the Yongding Marquisate, has a gentle personality and virtuous character, is beautiful in appearance, and intelligent in nature..."
At first, everything was normal, filled with grand words praising the ladies in the boudoir.
However, the topic suddenly changed and the writing style changed drastically.
"At this time, the demonic aura permeated the Duke of Huguo's mansion, and evil spirits raged throughout the capital. Evil spirits descended upon the world, the lives of the people hung by a thread, and the imperial city was in imminent danger. In this crucial moment of life and death, Jiang Songyi, despite her frail body, utilized the metaphysical art of exorcism, following the will of heaven, single-handedly repelling the evil, restoring peace, quelling the demonic chaos, and ensuring the safety of the capital. Her hard work and contributions are truly admirable. I am deeply pleased and have specially decreed that Jiang Songyi, the eldest daughter of the Yongding Marquisate, be accorded the rank of Second Rank County Princess, bestowed with the title of Jiaqing, and granted a fief of 500 households, making her the equivalent of a prince's daughter."
[Huh? Not the Imperial Master?]
[Wait a minute, there's a fief? Five hundred households! They say a marquis of ten thousand households only has a fief of ten thousand households. Am I just ascending to heaven overnight and eating government food?]
[It turns out that heartless father was actually quite reliable, not giving me a title that was merely empty. After all, being a Second-Rank County Lady does sound pleasant, but in the capital, where princesses and princesses abound, such a title is merely ordinary, far less prestigious than the status of the eldest daughter of the Yongding Marquisate. However, having a fiefdom makes a world of difference; many less favored princesses wouldn't even be able to enjoy such treatment!]
"Miss Jiang, please accept my order."
Eunuch Ying Shuo handed the golden imperial edict to Jiang Songyi with a smile.
Jiang Songyi maintained an elegant demeanor as she gently took the imperial edict with both hands, her tone solemn and respectful: "Your servant accepts the order with gratitude. Long live the emperor, long live the emperor, long live the emperor."
Eunuch Ying Shuo immediately helped her up, his face filled with joy. "Congratulations, Miss Jiang. Oh, no, I should address you as Princess Jiaqing."
The young eunuchs behind him also congratulated in unison: "Congratulations to Princess Jiaqing."
Everyone around stood up, their faces filled with congratulatory smiles.
Mrs. Xu was even more excited than Jiang Songyi. She took the imperial edict from her daughter and carefully reviewed it over and over again. "My daughter is truly remarkable. She has earned the title of Second Rank County Lady through her own talent. Look, from now on, my daughter will be the Jiaqing County Lady, and I will be her mother."
Xu seemed to want to show off this honor to the whole world. The imperial edict in her hand seemed like a medal of victory. She proudly raised her eyebrows at Jiang Shu beside her.
Jiang Shu felt that her sister-in-law seemed a bit childish. "You are the wife of a first-class marquis, a noble lady of the first rank."
Xu said excitedly, "That's different. I'm the county lady's mother now."
Jiang Shu smiled and responded: "Then I am the county lady's aunt."
Hao Qingmo smiled playfully and said, "Then I'll become the county lady's cousin!"
Hao Qingzhi and Hao Qinghe also laughed, "We are also the county lord's cousins." Their laughter echoed in the air, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
Jiang Jinzhao couldn't help but glance at Jiang Songyi in surprise. This sister was really beyond his expectations. She seemed to be very different from Yuyao and other beauties and talented women in the capital, and was unique.
"Alright, everyone, you're shortsighted. Isn't it just a second-rank Jiaqing County Lady? Although Songyi is the only one in the capital to have received this unique honor, why be so arrogant and let everyone know? The Yongding Marquisate is now like a flourishing flower and a raging fire in the eyes of outsiders. We should all remain humble."
Old Madam Jiang's face was solemn. She reprimanded Xu and others in a stern tone, and then took the imperial edict skillfully.
[You're dismissive? Then give it back to me.]
Jiang Songyi had just received the imperial edict and had not even had time to read it carefully before it was circulated among Xu and others.
Madam Jiang glanced at it for a few seconds. She seemed to hear Jiang Songyi's inner voice, but pretended not to notice. Then she handed the imperial edict to Aunt Xi beside her and said calmly, "Take it to the ancestral hall and enshrine it properly."
Therefore, Jiang Songyi did not even bother to pay attention to the imperial edict of enthronement. The imperial edict was placed in the ancestral hall, standing quietly in front of the ancestors.
What was even more shocking was that Old Madam Jiang actually ordered people to take down the imperial edict that had been enshrined for a long time and symbolized the glory of Jiang Dinglian's title of nobility, and replaced it with a brand new one for Jiang Songyi, which was placed in the center of the altar, extremely prominently.
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