Because the second master and Li were present, Chu Lingxuan roughly explained the situation but didn't dare to elaborate. He only said that the third master had refused, and Lord Chu also helped his brother to refuse. Although the emperor didn't agree verbally, he seemed to be relenting. After dinner, Chu Lingxuan went home first, while Lord Chu and the third master were kept by the emperor.
He had said these words to the old marquis yesterday, and today he emphasized them to the third wife. The third wife is far-sighted and thinks that her husband and uncle are doing the right thing. The current emperor is wise and courageous. He must remember the good things about his family, especially the uncle, for whom he has deep feelings. But the late emperor was suspicious of the uncle, and he would have explained something to the current emperor before his death. The emperor might be testing him by doing this. When he knows that the Chu family really has no intention of being disloyal and puts aside all grudges, the Chu family will have good days.
I only heard the old marquis say to the third lady with a smile, "If the third son resigns from the real position, he will be idle at home before he is forty years old."
The Third Lady smiled and said, "When my master was young, he was at the border. At that time, the border was not peaceful, and he often led people to fight the enemy. In the past few years since he returned to the capital, he was too busy to go home, and then he went to the south to suppress the rebellion. I was always worried. It's a good thing that he can have some free time in the future, and I'm happy too."
The old marquis pinched his white beard and nodded. This daughter-in-law was a great choice. She was considerate and generous.
Li's face was smiling at first, but then it became more and more gloomy. The two heads of the Chu family resigned from their high positions. Wouldn't her son have fewer people to help him in the future? Although Chu Lingxuan's position was not small, he was not yet at the level of a high-ranking official. Moreover, he might become a general, which would mean leaving the capital. She didn't want her only son to go to another place.
She knew that the old marquis and the third lady hated her, and she shouldn't speak in such an occasion. She winked at the second master, meaning that he should quickly beg the old marquis to find a good future for his son.
The second master didn't say anything, but glared at her a few times, meaning that she should be more honest and not talk nonsense.
Everyone saw the couple's expressions. Shen lowered her head in embarrassment, and the old marquis snorted and ignored them.
Before dinner, Lord Chu and the third master finally came back.
Except for the old marquis, everyone stood up and saluted them. The third lady took out her handkerchief and wiped her tears.
Lord Chu sat next to the old Lord, the third Lord sat below Lord Chu, and above the second Lord.
Lord Chu also said that the emperor only took back the actual position of the Minister of War, and still appointed the third master as Shaobao, and promoted him to Xijinhou, and the title was hereditary for three generations. He also said that if the court needed the third master to come out again in the future, he must make no mistake.
This shows that the emperor is still willing to use him.
In addition, Chu Lingxuan will be appointed as the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard. Although this position is only of the second rank, one level lower than the previously promised general, he is a close minister of the emperor and can only be held by the emperor's confidant. Moreover, the commander-in-chief, Mr. Huang, is nearly fifty years old. At this age, people usually go to the governor's office to serve, which means that Chu Lingxuan will be able to take over his position in a few years.
This is really unexpected good news, which shows that the emperor is different from the previous emperor. He still trusts the Chu family and regards the Chu family as his absolute confidants.
Upon hearing the last piece of good news, the old marquis laughed so hard that his beard stood up. He smiled and said, "What we did before touched the emperor's heart."
Lord Chu nodded and smiled, his smile reaching his eyes. He said, "The Emperor has agreed that I can pass the title to Xuan'er. From now on, I will be free from my duties as an official." Seeing the old Marquis's sympathetic eyes, he smiled again, "The Emperor also said that he will always remember what I have done for him. Tomorrow morning, he will grant me the 'Golden Book and Iron Certificate' in front of all the civil and military officials."
After that, he clasped his hands together, bowed to the north, and said, "The emperor's grace is so great!"
The "Golden Book and Iron Certificate" is commonly known as the "Golden Medal of Immunity from Death". The emperors of the Dashun Dynasty treasured such things very much and would not issue them casually. They only gave a few pieces to meritorious officials who made great contributions at the founding of the country. This was the first piece given by the emperors of the following generations.
In other words, although Lord Chu did not hold any official position, he enjoyed supreme honor.
This good news made everyone in the hall excited, and even the old marquis cried. Although all the Chu marquisates were retired, and the third marquis was semi-retired, it seemed that the highest official position in the Chu family was only Chu Lingxuan's second rank, but the Chu family had undoubtedly become one of the top noble families in the capital.
Chen Afu was also happy. Families with the "gold medal of immunity from death" and their descendants could be exempted from all death sentences as long as they did not commit treason. Also, the emperor treated the Chu family with such courtesy, and Chu Lingxuan held such an important position. In the future, Miss Chu would have her family's support, so there should be fewer people who wanted to marry the prince, right?
Chen Afu looked at the three children who were huddled together with Chu Lingxuan. They were strong and smart, and she didn't need to worry about them. The one who worried her the most was the gentle and honest Chu Hanyan.
Lord Chu looked at the envious expressions on the faces of the Second Master and Li, and said, "Don't worry, Second Brother, Qi'er and An'er are both good children. If they work hard, they will have a bright future."
The second master nodded repeatedly and said with a smile, "When Xuan'er becomes successful, he will naturally help his two younger brothers."
Li's laughter also got louder. Her son happened to be working in the Imperial Guards, so he would definitely have a good future.
In addition, the emperor also gave the third master ten carts of brocade, jade ornaments, oriental pearls, medicinal herbs, and other things, as well as five hundred taels of gold and one thousand acres of good farmland. He also gave Chu Lingxuan five carts of brocade, ornaments, and other things, as well as five hundred taels of silver and five hundred acres of good farmland.
The Chu family had secretly split up some time ago, so these things belonged to the first and third branches, and the second master and Li were jealous but could do nothing about it.
After finishing the business, Lord Chu realized that this time was a little different from usual. Usually, the three little grandchildren would squeeze together with him, but now they squeezed to his son's side.
He waved at them and said with a smile, "Come to Grandpa." Seeing that they were still reluctant to leave their father, he added, "Your father is busy with official duties. From now on, only Grandpa can take you to take a boat ride, climb mountains, and walk the dog."
He had promised to take them to the countryside to play in the future, so when the children heard this, they all went to their grandfather. Xiao Yuer climbed onto his grandfather's knees and shouted unwillingly, "I still want to find grandma, I want to find grandma, grandpa forgot."
Grandpa often said he would take them to go boating, mountain climbing, dog walking, and visit grandma, and she remembered it. Now that she saw that grandpa had actually forgotten to mention visiting grandma, she added the words.
Lord Chu laughed and said, "Yes, we still need to go find grandma. It was grandpa who forgot."
Chu Lingxuan smiled at Chen Afu and said that he had always wanted to build a business, provide a good life for his wife and children, and let his mother return home. This wish was finally about to come true.
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