Chapter 616 Entering the Palace to Express Gratitude
As Jiang Nuanzhi had said, Li Rong was right. Less than half an hour later, another imperial edict came from the palace.
This time, the one who delivered the imperial edict was Eunuch Zhao, the chief eunuch in charge of affairs in the palace, second only to Li Quan.
"Imperial Physician Jiang Nuanzhi receives the imperial decree."
"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"
The general went to war to protect the country, and his achievements were outstanding; his virtuous wife managed the household well, supporting her husband and raising their children, and her virtue was equally evident. Now, General Li Rong, the Grand General of the State, bears the heavy responsibility of the nation and has gone to the border to defend against the enemy. His ability to concentrate wholeheartedly and bravely advance is all thanks to the support of his wife.
Lady Erjiang was gentle and kind, skilled in domestic matters. She possessed superb medical skills and relieved the country's worries. Since marrying Li Rong, she managed the household affairs with great efficiency; when the general went to war, she was able to comfort the family and stabilize the rear. Her virtuous reputation was known far and wide.
To honor your virtue, I hereby bestow upon you the title of First-Rank General's Wife. I bestow upon you a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, granting you the honor of a first-rank official; I reward you with gold and silver jewels, demonstrating the imperial favor. I hope that you will continue to uphold your virtue, serve as a model for all women, assist the General in his swift return, and safeguard the peace of our Jing Kingdom.
"Now that my decree has been issued, do not fail my expectations. So be it!"
Compared to Li Rong's imperial edict, Jiang Nuanzhi's investiture was much more perfunctory. Aside from the part about her exceptional medical skills, Jiang Nuanzhi felt it was acceptable; as for the rest…
What kind of person is she, gentle and kind, skilled in domestic matters? A devoted wife and mother, her virtue shining brightly? Her reputation for virtue known far and wide? Does this sound like her?
Who would understand? When Jiang Nuanzhi heard this, she was terrified that the Emperor would say something about her coming from a prestigious family. Luckily, the Emperor still had some sense.
However, Jiang Nuanzhi didn't care at all what the imperial edict said; her eyes were now fixed on the large box covered with bright yellow cloth that had been bestowed upon her.
Regardless of whether Li Rong was appointed in a time of crisis, the Emperor is clearly putting on a very good show now.
However, after taking a closer look, her face froze.
"What's this?"
Jiang Nuanzhi looked at Eunuch Zhao in disbelief.
Eunuch Zhao wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "Replying to Madam, these are the new gold-embossed memorial tablets that His Majesty ordered the Imperial Household Department to rewrite for the martyrs of the General's Mansion."
Is that all?
In the blink of an eye, Eunuch Zhao understood Jiang Nuanzhi's meaning and immediately lowered his voice to say, "Madam, the rewards in the imperial decree have all been sent to the General's Mansion. Yes, this servant has given you the key. You can take your people to the General's Mansion to check them later."
Jiang Nuanzhi took the key and was momentarily stunned.
Seeing Jiang Nuanzhi lost in thought, Eunuch Zhao carefully called out, "Madam?"
"Then what are we waiting for?" Jiang Nuan quickly put away the keys: "Let's hurry up and go to the General's Mansion to take a look."
"Madam, Madam!" Eunuch Zhao hurriedly caught up with her. "Madam, you can have someone check these things. Um, do you think we should take the young master and young lady to express our gratitude to His Majesty?"
Jiang Nuanzhi frowned: "Is there such a rule?"
Eunuch Zhao nodded frantically, "Indeed, Madam. The Emperor is still waiting for you in the palace. The General is now preparing the troops, so you'll probably have to work quite a bit."
After thinking for a moment, he added, "You are still serving as an imperial physician in the palace, and the emperor is still waiting for you."
To be honest, he really didn't want to do this job, since he had recently had some contact with this Imperial Physician Jiang, and this man was definitely not easy to deal with. Now he had also been granted the title of a first-rank noblewoman.
Good heavens! A first-rank imperial consort! There's only one like her in the entire court. By that calculation, she's actually of a higher rank than the highest-ranking empress in the palace.
Unfortunately, this person is a close advisor to the emperor, and the emperor's health still depends on her. There's also the Crown Prince, who is unusually close to her, but he can't afford to offend him. At this juncture, remembering the general's mansion, he couldn't help but swallow hard. He decided to let this young lady enter the palace first.
If we see it later, then it has nothing to do with him.
"Alright, let's go to the palace then. But my children are still young and have fallen ill, so they won't be able to come in to express their gratitude."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Zhao was stunned for a moment, looking at the two exquisitely beautiful children behind Jiang Nuanzhi. "Is this what you call being infected with a disease?"
But ultimately, he lacked the courage to question it, and forced a smile, saying, "Yes."
Jiang Nuanzhi smiled and said, "Then please wait for me. I'll go change my clothes and then we'll go to the palace."
"Oh, that's natural."
Jiang Nuanzhi then summoned several of her trusted confidants and instructed them: "Take good care of the sick in the manor. The elderly and children in the household should not go out unless necessary. Lü Shizhu, continue preparing the medicine. If you don't have enough money, ask Linchun for more. Linchun, you don't need to come with me today. Let Dongzang come with me. You stay at home and manage all the affairs, big and small. In particular, keep a close eye on the servants who come and go. The manor is not what it used to be. I don't want any rumors to spread. Also, if you have time today, take everyone to take stock of how much wealth we still have."
"yes!"
The group responded in unison.
As Jiang Nuanzhi spoke, she paused for a moment and then asked, "Which room is Zhao Yuniang settled in? Is she awake?"
"She's in the west wing guest room, Master. She hasn't woken up yet. Don't worry, I've already sent people to keep a close watch on her."
Jiang Nuanzhi frowned and pondered for a while. The next second, she got up and headed towards the west wing.
Inside the west wing, Zhao Yuniang lay on the bed, her face frighteningly red, the wound on her forehead swollen and red. Her mouth was open, and she was unconsciously muttering incoherently.
The next second, a silver needle pierced straight into her philtrum.
When Zhao Yuniang just regained consciousness, she met a pair of calm eyes.
Jiang Nuanzhi's voice drifted from afar: "Zhao Yuniang, tell me, how did Zhao Niuniu get the injury on her hand?"
A quarter of an hour later, Jiang Nuanzhi emerged from the west wing. Her fingers were unconsciously stroking, lost in thought.
The next second, however, it was hit directly by a small cannonball.
"Mother! You're going to the palace again?!"
Jiang Nuanzhi was startled. She quickly looked down to see the little girl rushing towards her.
She held a gun that was much longer than her, and her rosy little face was full of reluctance.
Jiang Nuanzhi's heart softened. She shifted the position of the gun and squatted down to pinch her soft little face: "Baozhu, be good. Wait for Mommy at home. Mommy will be back soon."
Baozhu pouted and said, "Mother is lying. Baozhu waits for Mother every day but can't find her. She can't wait for me before I go to sleep, and she can't wait for me when I wake up."
She counted on her little fingers: "Father disappeared after he recovered from his illness, and Grandpa Jing disappeared too. Master Dongzang, Brother, and Brother Lü are all very busy and don't pay any attention to Baozhu. Mother, shall we go to the palace to find Brother Xuanting?"
"No!" Jiang Nuanzhi suddenly frowned and uttered these two words before realizing that Baozhu in front of her had been stunned by her shout.
"sorry."
Jiang Nuanzhi took a deep breath, and it took her a while to hide the coldness in her eyes. She quickly hugged the little girl and said, "It's all my fault."
(End of this chapter)
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