Chapter 206 Reward
The onlookers and officials were still discussing the matter, and some had some unpleasant things to say, but when they saw the solemn-looking black-armored guards escorting the black coffin slowly into the city in unison, the surroundings suddenly became quiet.
Whether they were truly mourning or harboring ill intentions, they dared not utter a word.
Gu Huan walked in front of the coffin with mixed feelings.
The Mu family army fought bloody battles to bring joy and peace to the officials and people of the capital, but how many people are sincere?
Old Lady Mu led the crowd and stood in front of the gate of Duke Yong waiting.
The old man's eyes were slightly red, and he stared at the approaching coffin.
Gu Huan felt sad when she saw her face turn pale, and guessed that the old lady didn't know about Mu Junyan's plan.
But she still managed to stand up straight and didn't cry. She is really a very strong woman.
Gu Huan stepped forward and bowed slowly: "Mother."
The old lady held her tightly and choked up, saying, "Good child, you have worked hard along the way."
Gu Huan's eyes suddenly turned red. She held her hand tightly and whispered, "Mother, don't be too sad. Take care of yourself."
The old lady nodded and said, "Don't worry. I am also a military commander. My husband and two sons all died before me. I am used to it. I won't be too sad."
She looked at Gu Huan distressedly: "Now that Ziyuan is gone, I have to hold on even more. I have to protect my daughter-in-law and grandson. With you and the child, the Mu family has hope."
Gu Huan felt a pang in her heart, sad and guilty.
I just hope Mu Junyan can return to the public as soon as possible to comfort the old lady.
Gu Huan raised her head and looked at the door lintel of the Duke Yong's Mansion. It was covered in white mourning clothes and had eight large white palace lanterns hanging on it.
The old lady walked slowly into the mansion with her and whispered, "The emperor sent the Ministry of Rites to take care of it personally."
Gu Huan felt a little relieved.
The emperor received the military report uploaded by the Mu family army through the Ministry of War, and learned about Mu Junyan's achievements.
I just don’t know what Jiang Duo will say after he enters the palace to meet the emperor, and what the Jiang and Yuan families are planning to do.
There was silence in the mansion of Duke Yong.
A huge white canopy covered the large main courtyard, and a white carpet extended all the way to the main hall. Dozens of eternal lamps were lit on both sides, illuminating the entire path.
The mourning hall was set up in the main hall. Chiyu and Chiyan commanded the black-armored guards to carry the black coffin in and place it in the middle.
Several officials from the Ministry of Rites bowed respectfully and lit incense.
The old lady stared at the coffin with a desolate look.
The hoarse voice choked with sobs: "Okay, go with peace of mind."
Everyone present was moved when they heard this, even the officials from the Ministry of Rites had red eyes and some were wiping away tears.
In this world, is there anything more sad than seeing the young die before the old?
Moreover, the old lady had already sent away her husband, two sons, and other direct uncles and brothers, and now she wanted to see with her own eyes the coffin of her only son standing before her.
It’s sad to think about it.
Gu Huan felt her body tremble slightly, and called out distressedly, "Mother."
The old lady turned her head to look at her, smiling at her with red eyes: "It's okay. We will go to the palace to see the emperor in a while, you should go wash up and change clothes. Then we can eat something to fill our stomachs before entering the palace."
"Yes, mother."
Gu Huan was indeed exhausted. In order to hurry on her way, she hadn't showered for two days and her body felt sticky and uncomfortable.
At the exact time of You, the palace sent a carriage to pick us up.
Gu Huan and the old lady went to the palace to meet the emperor, but they didn't expect that the emperor and empress would hold a private banquet.
Only the queen and her biological second prince, sixth prince and sixth princess were present at the banquet.
When the emperor, empress, princes and princesses saw them come in, they all stood up.
The Queen came forward in person and supported the old lady who was about to pay her respects.
"No need to be so polite, old lady."
The old lady had a sad face and choked up, "Thank you, Queen."
Gu Huan squatted down to salute, but was also supported by the Queen's hand.
"Gu Huan doesn't need to bow."
The queen also had red eyes, but she did not dare to mention Mu Junyan's matter. She personally supported Madam Mu.
"Old lady, please take a seat. Gu Huan, please come here."
Madam Mu sat next to the Queen.
Gu Huan was a little nervous. Although she had met the emperor once, it was her first time meeting the empress and the second prince.
Zhao Luoxuan couldn't wait any longer, so she rushed over and took Gu Huan's arm, "Sister Huan, there's no need to be so polite. You're my savior."
Gu Huan blushed and broke free from her, but still bowed to the emperor and the empress politely: "Your Highness, I greet you, Your Majesty."
The queen smiled and shook her head: "Xuanxuan, quickly help your sister Huan up."
Gu Huan was slightly startled and looked up at the Queen. Why did she just follow Zhao Luoxuan's way of addressing her casually? How could she dare to be the legitimate princess's sister?
She wanted to bow again: "I dare not."
Zhao Luoxuan pulled her up with all her strength: "I told you not to bow. Father said that this is a family dinner, specially to thank you for saving me."
"That's what a concubine should do."
The emperor looked kind and smiled, "Gu Huan, come and sit down quickly, or the banquet won't start."
Gu Huan blushed and could only follow Zhao Luoxuan to the Eight Immortals Table. When she saw the Second Prince and the Third Prince, she was about to salute them, but Zhao Luoxuan held her back.
"Sister Huan, you will also have a rank from now on, so you don't have to bow every time you meet someone."
Gu Huan looked confused.
The emperor and empress looked at each other and smiled.
The Queen smiled and said, "I wanted to wait until after dinner to announce the decree, but Xuanxuan is outspoken and can't wait."
Zhao Luoxuan pouted: "Good things should be said first. Otherwise, Sister Huan will always feel that her status is low and she won't be able to eat enough."
The Queen said angrily, "Okay, okay, I will announce the decree now so that your sister Huan will have the appetite and courage to eat her fill."
The emperor smiled and said, "I will give you oral instructions first. When the imperial edict is sent to the palace, the ceremony of enthronement will be held."
Gu Huan was stunned.
Canonization?
The emperor said, "Ziyuan has made great military achievements. I was prepared to show him great kindness when he returned. I didn't expect that he would sacrifice his life for the country despite his great achievements. I am very sad. I heard that you are pregnant with his posthumous child, and also Ziyuan's only child. You must be of noble status. The old lady also said that before Mu Junyan left, he also left a document to make you his legal wife. I will be a good person to the end."
"Gu Huan, I grant you the title of a third-rank lady and make you the wife of Duke Yong. In addition, you have made great contributions, and I have ordered the Ministry of Rites to formulate a reward for you according to the rules."
Before Gu Huan could react, the old lady came over and pulled Gu Huan to kneel down together.
The two said in unison: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."
"No need to be polite. Today is a family dinner, no need to be polite."
The two of them thanked the emperor again.
The palace maid helped the old lady to sit down.
Gu Huan was still a little dazed.
She never thought that she would one day be granted an imperial decree, and even less did she expect that the emperor would personally issue an edict to make her his legal wife.
Seeing her in a daze, Zhao Luoxuan took her arm and said coquettishly to the queen, "Mother."
The queen smiled and glared at her: "Look at how impatient you are. Thanks to Gu Huan for protecting you, otherwise you would have lost your life long ago."
"That's right." Zhao Luoxuan laughed.
The queen came over, took her hand, took off a jade bracelet from her hand and put it on her: "This jade bracelet is my dowry. It was originally a pair. One was given to Xuanxuan, and the other is for you."
Gu Huan was so shocked that she wanted to bow and thank him again, but Zhao Luoxuan was holding her arm, so she could only say thank you quickly.
"I would like to accept you as my goddaughter. Are you willing?"
Gu Huan's eyes widened: "Empress, this... is inappropriate. I really don't dare..."
Zhao Luoxuan said anxiously: "What is there to be afraid of? Without you, there would be no me."
"Xuanxuan is right. Her trip to Juzhou really broke my heart and made me worried. I never thought she would come back."
The queen held her hand, her eyes reddened: "I am really grateful to you."
Gu Huan was a little terrified: "My Queen..."
Zhao Yuwen poked his head over and said, "Mother, Sister Xuan, Madam Mu, we can talk slowly. Let's eat first. Father and we are hungry."
The queen smiled and said, "Yes, yes, yes. Don't let the old lady and Huan'er's baby starve."
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