A young eunuch handed the imperial edict to Eunuch Qi, who was standing beside the emperor, and all the civil and military officials below knelt down.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: General Zhenbei, who has guarded the northern frontier for several years... is a model of national defense... and is hereby granted the title of Marquis of Dingguo, effective immediately... General Ningyuan, Yan Shuping, for his bravery in fighting the enemy and his meritorious service in the war of resistance, is hereby granted the title of Third-Rank Yunhui General..."
After bestowing titles upon all the generals, Eunuch Qi did not stop.
"Hui Gongren possesses extraordinary talent and ingenuity... She created the gunpowder marvel to aid our northern frontier campaign and drive away foreign enemies... She is truly a remarkable woman of our Great Yin Dynasty. She is hereby granted the title of Third-Rank Lady, and bestowed with official robes and seal... and a residence in the capital..."
The imperial edict caused an uproar throughout the court. General Yan was made Duke of Dingguo, and there was also a third-rank general. The Yan family's power was even greater. What exactly did His Majesty mean by this?
What's even more astonishing is that Lady Hui was promoted again in less than half a year, becoming a third-rank Lady! This speed of promotion is simply heaven-defying, but who can blame her when her achievements are one after another, and all of them are quite significant? This woman is truly an extraordinary person.
Although I was jealous, I also genuinely admired him.
After the imperial edict was read, Song Anxin and a group of generals kowtowed to express their gratitude and then moved to the banquet area in the palace.
When the generals returned from their victorious campaign in the northern frontier, the palace naturally held a banquet to celebrate and entertain them.
As Song Anxin entered the banquet area, just as she was about to take her seat, a woman who looked like a nanny came to her side.
"Lady, the Empress is worried that you, a woman, may feel uncomfortable staying here alone. She invites you to come and sit with us."
Song Anxin was surprised and looked up at the upper position. A graceful and noble woman was smiling at her. Although she was smiling, her whole person exuded an aura and majesty that came from within. She was indeed worthy of being the empress who ruled the world.
"Go ahead, your aunt is a very kind person. She told me before that she wanted to befriend Hui Shuren," Yan Shuping whispered to Song Anxin.
Song Anxin nodded and returned a gentle smile to the Empress, sensing the Empress's goodwill.
"Thank you for the seat, Your Majesty." Song Anxin bowed and expressed her gratitude before the Empress.
When the Empress saw Song Anxin, her smile deepened, and she took Song Anxin's hand.
“Hui Shuren, there’s no need to be so polite. Shuping often mentions you to me after returning to the capital. Although this is the first time we’ve met, I feel very close to you.”
Song Anxin smiled and didn't think much of it, saying, "What a coincidence, Your Majesty the Empress has the same feeling. I don't know why, but I feel very close to Your Majesty the Empress."
The empress smiled, quite pleased with the woman before her.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
Just then, Eunuch Qi's voice rang out, and a group of palace servants escorted the emperor out.
The officials quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
The emperor changed into casual clothes and raised his hand, saying:
"My dear ministers, please take your seats. Since this is a victory celebration banquet, there is no need to be so formal."
After all the officials were seated, the emperor raised his wine cup and said, "Come! Let us drink together for the meritorious generals of our Great Yin Dynasty. You have worked hard in the northern frontier."
The generals replied, "Serving the Emperor and the court is no hardship!"
After a glass of wine, the banquet began, and courtly song and dance performances were presented.
The emperor noticed Song Anxin, who was sitting on the same side as the empress, below her.
The Empress smiled and explained, "I just had a conversation with Consort Hui and we found we got along very well. Since there were only men at the other seats, I was worried that Consort Hui might feel awkward, so I had her come here to keep me company."
The emperor nodded and said, "The empress is very kind."
Song Anxin thought that since the Emperor had looked at her, she should at least show her appreciation. So she raised her wine cup and said, "Your Majesty, I would like to offer you a toast. I thank Your Majesty for your many bestowals upon me. I wish you good health and longevity."
The emperor looked at the woman with a frank and open face and chuckled: "Very well, and I also hope that Lady Huishu can continue to contribute her talents to my Great Yin Dynasty."
After a glass of wine, a young man sitting opposite Song Anxin raised his glass to her and said, "Hui Shuren, I'd like to toast you. Your talent truly fills me with admiration."
Song Anxin felt a little embarrassed; she didn't know anyone.
Fortunately, the Empress came to her rescue.
“Hui Shuren, this is my son Chengsheng.”
When the Empress spoke of her son, her eyes filled with tenderness.
The Empress's son, that is, the current Crown Prince. She looked at the man in front of her solemnly. He looked six or seven parts like the Empress. His eyes were sincere and undisguised towards her. Just like the Empress, he was also very likable.
Song Anxin quickly raised her wine cup: "Greetings, Your Highness, I am truly unworthy of such praise."
"Heh, Lady Hui, don't be modest." The second man in the seat below the Crown Prince spoke up. "Lady Hui has created one amazing thing after another and won many awards. It's truly admirable. I don't know where a peasant woman like Lady Hui gets so many ingenious ideas."
Although the man spoke words of admiration, his eyes revealed utter contempt and arrogance.
Ah, a peasant woman got a lot of opportunities and caught the emperor's eye, which caused him and his uncle to be neglected by the emperor for a long time. He really couldn't swallow this insult.
The Empress looked somewhat displeased and introduced Song Anxin, "This is the eldest prince."
Song Anxin thought to herself, the eldest prince, who is also Consort Liang's son, is the prince that the Liang family, who wanted to take her potatoes, wanted to support. They were probably the masterminds who instigated the Liang family. They failed to take the potatoes and were instead tricked by her. No wonder she was so hostile towards him.
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince frowned slightly and said, “Brother, although Consort Hui is a peasant woman, it is precisely because of this that she is able to better understand the lives of ordinary people, know their needs, and create things that benefit them. As the Master said, one should not look down on others because of one’s status. Consort Hui is so intelligent and capable; she is truly a remarkable woman. We should all learn more from her.”
“Third brother is right,” a noble man sitting below the crown prince agreed, a smile playing on his lips. “However, eldest brother is well-read and his talents are probably no less than those of Lady Hui Shu, so there’s no need for you to teach him. Perhaps he just lacks the opportunity to interact with things like Lady Hui Shu. If eldest brother admires Lady Hui Shu’s ingenious creations so much, why not go to the farmland in the suburbs and spend more time there? Maybe he can come up with some good things to benefit the people.”
The eldest prince was speechless, his face turning extremely ugly. What was he, a prince, doing in the fields! The second prince even said that he was well-read and talented. Among all his brothers, he was the worst student and often criticized by the teacher. The second prince was deliberately trying to embarrass him!
He glared fiercely at the Second Prince.
The Second Prince didn't care at all, raised his wine cup and said, "Consort Hui, I toast you. You are a woman, but you are in no way inferior to men. You deserve our respect."
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