Chapter 501 Grand Secretary
No sooner had Jiang Yu returned to her residence than the imperial decree of marriage arrived, delivered by Zhao Fuquan.
"Congratulations, Duke of Chu, on your happy ending." Zhao Fuquan congratulated him with a smile, though his smile was clearly sincere, it was somewhat forced.
Jiang Yu could understand his feelings. Having served the emperor for many years, they had developed a deep bond. Now that the emperor's time was near, it was understandable that he couldn't smile.
After receiving the imperial decree, Jiang Yu thanked him. The two were acquaintances, and Jiang Yu subtly inquired about his future plans. With the new emperor's ascension to the throne, he, as the former emperor's personal chief eunuch, would inevitably have to step down.
"Thank you, Duke of Chu, for thinking of our family. His Majesty is compassionate and has arranged a place for me to retire."
As he spoke, he couldn't hold back his tears. But he quickly wiped them away, bowed deeply, and apologized, "Duke of Chu, please forgive me... my family, on your joyous day, my family..."
Jiang Yu patted his shoulder, "It's alright. If you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, you can come to me."
Zhao Fuquan quickly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Duke of Chu, thank you, Duke of Chu."
Jiang Yu told him to dispense with the formalities, and Zhao Fuquan left quickly without further delay. Jiang Yu looked down at the imperial edict in his hand and said to Lu Yifang and Jiang Chengye, "Although the bestowed marriage is a joyous occasion, it is not advisable to publicize it. Starting tomorrow, we will close the door to guests."
Lu Yifang nodded hurriedly in agreement, her heart filled with complex emotions. She was naturally happy that her daughter's marriage was arranged, and with the most handsome and outstanding man in Daqin. However, she was also deeply saddened by the passing of the Empress Dowager and the approaching death of the Emperor. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor had treated the Duke of Chu's family very well.
Jiang Yu returned to his study with the imperial decree bestowing the marriage upon him. He sat alone at the tea table by the window, took out tea leaves and placed them in a teacup, then picked up the steaming teapot and poured water into the cup. Listening to the rushing water, he thought of the first time he met the emperor.
She couldn't help but purse her lips, feeling somewhat embarrassed when she thought back to her actions. It had indeed been a bit rash and naive. But the emperor had still given him a chance, and whatever his reasons, as a beneficiary, she was genuinely grateful.
She picked up the teacup she had poured, and stared blankly for a long time before finally taking a small sip. Even the finest tea had lost its flavor.
"Your Excellency, the Marquis of Cheng'en has come to visit." The steward's voice came from outside. Jiang Yu was taken aback, then immediately said, "Please come in quickly."
As she spoke, she stood up and went to the courtyard gate, where she saw Marquis Chengen striding over. The two exchanged a few pleasantries and then went into the study together, sitting opposite each other at the tea table. After sitting down, Marquis Chengen remained silent for a long time.
Jiang Yu roughly guessed why he was like this, so she didn't say anything, but lowered her eyes, poured a cup of tea, and placed it in front of him.
"I haven't congratulated the Duke of Chu yet," said Marquis Chengen, stroking his teacup.
Jiang Yu smiled faintly, "Thank you, but my sorrow is even greater right now."
Marquis Chengen picked up his teacup. "His Majesty wants to register the Crown Prince under the Empress's name. Duke of Chu, you know that, right?"
Jiang Yu nodded. After taking a sip of tea, Marquis Chengen held the teacup in silence, his face full of sorrow. Jiang Yu sighed and said, "They say don't suffer the hardships of others, and don't advise others to be kind. But so many years have passed, and His Majesty... is nearing his end and has expressed remorse. Let's let it go, otherwise it will hurt both of us."
Marquis Chengen's hand trembled as he held the teacup. "I only regret that I shouldn't have let my sister marry into the royal family."
Jiang Yu lowered her eyes, finding it difficult to offer words of advice, since the incident hadn't happened to her. However, she still spoke up for the Emperor, "Putting everything else aside, Your Majesty, as a ruler, is a wise and benevolent monarch."
Marquis Chengen put down his teacup, a bitter smile on his face. "All these years, if it weren't for the fact that he was still considered a wise ruler..."
He didn't say anything more, and Jiang Yu naturally didn't respond. She picked up the teapot again and silently poured him a cup of tea. Then she heard Marquis Chengen sigh deeply and say, "What troubles me now is how to get along with His Highness the Crown Prince in the future."
Jiang Yu's gaze lingered on the steaming tea for a moment, then she said in a calm voice, "What is the purpose of our entering the court as officials?"
Marquis Chengen frowned, puzzled as to why she suddenly asked this. Jiang Yu didn't wait for his answer and continued, "We enter the court as officials to ensure the long-term prosperity of our families, to be loyal to the emperor and serve the country, and to do our best to do practical things for the people."
Marquis Chengen frowned thoughtfully, when Jiang Yu said again, "In the court, we use all our scheming and intrigue, but these are just means to achieve our goals."
She looked up into the eyes of the Marquis of Chengen and said earnestly, "If we put the cart before the horse, we will lose our true selves. We should do what we should and can do, be worthy of heaven and earth, worthy of our family, and worthy of the people, and let everything else take its natural course."
After listening, Marquis Chengen remained silent for a long time, then cupped his hands to Jiang Yu and said, "I have learned a lot."
Jiang Yu also cupped her hands in greeting, saying, "You've just gotten stuck on one point for a moment."
Marquis Chengen shook his head and smiled, "There are few people in my life whom I admire, but you, Duke of Chu, are one of them."
Jiang Yu smiled and replied, "You flatter me."
Once the Marquis of Chengen's inner conflict was resolved, he rose to take his leave, and Jiang Yu personally escorted him to the gate of the mansion.
The next day, at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the Emperor, despite his physical condition, personally presided over the ceremony of registering the Crown Prince under the Empress's name. All the main ministers of the court attended the ceremony.
That night, the emperor died.
Besides her grief, Jiang Yu was most worried about Prince Rui. He had been pampered and spoiled by the Emperor and Empress Dowager since childhood, and now that they had both passed away, she feared he wouldn't be able to bear this enormous blow.
The next morning, she entered the palace. Upon arriving outside the Emperor's bedchamber, she saw all the empresses and members of the imperial family present, and officials from the Ministry of Personnel bustling about, but Prince Rui was nowhere to be seen. Jiang Yu searched for a long time, finally asking the Crown Prince, and finally found him in the Empress Dowager's palace.
"His Highness has been sitting in his childhood room all night. Please go and try to persuade him," the nanny beside the Empress Dowager said to Jiang Yu with concern.
Jiang Yu nodded and quickly went inside. In the dimly lit room, he sat there blankly, head down, seemingly lost in thought. Jiang Yu's heart skipped a beat. She went over and sat down beside him, saying nothing, and then reached out and hugged him.
Prince Rui stiffened at first, but upon feeling her breath, he softened, burying his head in the crook of her neck and holding her tightly. Then Jiang Yu felt something wet brush against her neck.
Jiang Yu didn't say anything, she just hugged him tightly...
...........
Following the emperor's funeral, the new emperor ascended the throne. After a series of tedious procedures, the new emperor sat on the throne and issued his first imperial edict:
By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
Duke of Chu, Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince Jiang Yu, is a loyal and diligent minister, renowned for his virtue and ability. He assisted the late Emperor in establishing the state and is now appointed Grand Tutor to nurture the heir apparent; his contributions are immeasurable. Therefore, he is specially promoted to Grand Secretary of the Secretariat, overseeing all affairs of the Secretariat and participating in the decision-making of major military and national policies. It is hoped that you will diligently perform your duties, assist me in securing the peace and stability of the country, and live up to my trust.
So be it.
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