Jiang Nuan returned to the courtyard and began preparing for her work with trepidation.
Even charlatans must adhere to professional ethics; if they're going to pretend, they should at least act like enlightened masters.
First, she set up the basic formation in the main courtyard, then watered the red plum blossoms in the courtyard. After communicating with them, she went back to her room to wash off the makeup that had been covering her face and changed into carefully prepared clothes.
Her ethereal beauty, fair and radiant skin, flowing fairy-like dress, and cool, otherworldly aura made her breathtakingly beautiful.
“Mother,” Xie covered her mouth, her eyes wide open, “Your face, your face has changed.”
"Is it beautiful?" Jiang Nuan smiled.
"Beautiful!" Madam Xie nodded emphatically, then asked cautiously, "Is this Mother's true face?"
In just a short while, he completely changed into a different person; it truly is divine intervention.
"right."
"Mother," Xie Shi looked at Jiang Nuan with longing, her heart burning with desire, "Can I be this beautiful too?"
Previously, Ms. Xie was very satisfied with her appearance.
She is pretty and sweet, and although she can't compare to Meiyu and Qianqing, she still surpasses most people.
Now, seeing the changes in Jiang Nuan, she felt envious.
"There is an opportunity."
"real?"
"When have I ever lied to you?" Jiang Nuan raised an eyebrow and ruffled her hair. "Alright, let's go out."
The two moved gracefully, leaving behind Huang Lao Er, Huang Xiao Si, and Huang Yi, who were still dumbfounded and hadn't recovered yet.
"Second brother, is this our mother?" He couldn't help but rub his eyes. "Am I seeing things?"
"No, I don't think so," Huang Lao Er said uncertainly. "Why don't we go to Mother's room and see if anyone is still there?"
Her originally dull skin is now glowing white, her eyes have become bigger, her nose more upturned, and her features have become very delicate.
Moreover, he seems to have grown taller as well.
The changes were so drastic that Huang Lao Er could hardly recognize him.
Other members of the Huang family shared the same idea as him.
"Girl," Grandma Jiang nudged Jiang Nuan carefully, "Are you really my daughter?"
“Of course,” Jiang Nuan said jokingly, “Doesn’t your mother even recognize her own daughter?”
"Looking at you," Grandma Jiang said in surprise after looking the person up and down, "I almost don't recognize you."
There are indeed traces of her former self, but not many; they can only be vaguely seen in her facial features.
"What happened? How did you become like this?"
“It was carefully dressed up.” Jiang Nuan whispered in her ear, “My daughter used to dress up to look older in order to appear more mature.”
"Height too?"
"I deliberately made the soles of the shoes higher."
"Excellent, excellent!"
Grandma Jiang circled Jiang Nuan twice with satisfaction, like she was looking at a piglet ready for market.
My daughter has this skill; she shouldn't be exposed.
The old lady finally felt a little relieved.
She herself is quite daring; otherwise, she wouldn't have told so many lies about her daughter's marriage, deceiving everyone in the surrounding villages.
But she really didn't have the confidence to fool the whole world.
At this moment, looking at Jiang Nuan, who has undergone a complete transformation, I suddenly felt a little bit of comfort that she has surpassed her teacher.
Jiang Nuan timed it perfectly.
Before we had even finished preparing a cup of tea, Grand Secretary Liu arrived with a sense of awe and reverence.
After investigating, they learned of Jiang Nuan's extraordinary qualities and took her seriously.
Upon entering the courtyard, my sense of awe suddenly intensified.
An ethereal face, a cool and aloof demeanor, and mysterious methods...
If this weren't a banished immortal, he'd be willing to write his name backwards.
"Your humble servant Liu An pays his respects to the Lady Protector of the Nation."
"Please rise, Grand Secretary Liu."
Jiang Nuan spoke in a cold voice, exuding the air of a charlatan.
But I was incredibly puzzled.
Jiang Nuan was speechless that Liu An, a high-ranking official, bowed so deeply to her upon their first meeting.
I'm also very puzzled.
Is the title of "charlatan" really that useful?
"Madam, if you have the time, how about we announce the imperial decree now?"
His fawning words and cautious demeanor make one wonder: Is this really a high-ranking official?
"Mm." Jiang Nuan nodded gently.
"Madam, you may stand and listen to the decree. I will read it as soon as possible so as not to trouble you. If you feel uncomfortable, please let me know and I will stop immediately."
"Thank you for your kindness, Grand Secretary Liu."
He remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was filled with unease.
This was the first time Jiang Nuan had ever met someone like Tian Cheng. If she hadn't sensed no malice in him, she would have suspected that he was up to no good.
Liu An was unaware of Jiang Nuan's thoughts. He was so pleased with himself that he was practically bubbling with pride, thinking he had won over the Lady Protector of the Nation.
After the Huang family was ready, he stroked his beard and announced the imperial decree with a smile, "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Huang Jiang of Yu, a woman of virtuous character and noble heart, has repeatedly performed extraordinary feats, benefiting the country, the people, and the nation. She is hereby specially granted the title of Superior Rank Protector of the Nation Lady. Her deceased husband is posthumously granted the title of Marquis of Liuxian, and her eldest son shall inherit the title. This is the imperial decree!"
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"
As soon as she finished speaking, red plum blossoms fell from the garden, swirling around Jiang Nuan.
Then, everyone felt a strange yet profound power spreading through their souls, so comfortable that they couldn't help but groan and become completely intoxicated.
When the group witnessed this incredible scene, their expressions immediately changed drastically.
Even those who don't believe in ghosts and gods have begun to doubt the existence of the banished immortal.
Seeing this, Liu An felt even more that Jiang Nuan's methods were extraordinary, and he lowered his attitude even further.
After the imperial decree was announced, he drove away his companions and shamelessly stayed at the Huang family's house.
First, he brought over the gifts he had prepared, then he kept talking about interesting things in the capital, and occasionally revealed some news about Ji Xuan.
“Grand Secretary Liu,” Jiang Nuan said helplessly, putting down her teacup.
"Madam, you can just call me Liu An."
"Liu An, it's getting late, look..."
“Madam,” Liu An stood up nervously, “have I offended you?”
“No, you misunderstood,” Jiang Nuan explained. “I was just afraid of taking up your time.”
"Thank you for your understanding, Madam," Liu An said with a smile. "His Majesty gave me half a month, and it hasn't even been ten days yet, so it won't be a delay."
"But should we place them at the post station?"
"Yes, my entire group is at the post station."
He did want to live in the Huang residence, but he was afraid that his demands would be too excessive and would only annoy people.
"That's fine then," he said, then waved his hand and ordered someone to prepare food. "Is there anything you'd like to eat?"
"I'm not picky about food," Liu An said, flattered. "Madam, you don't need to prepare anything special. I'll just eat whatever I feel like."
Originally, he just wanted to absorb more of the immortal energy and stay as long as possible.
I never expected to have the chance to stay and eat here.
The Emperor praised the Huang family's food.
In his mind, the food of the banished immortals could not be ordinary; even if it could not prolong life, it could at least strengthen the body.
"In that case, I'll have someone keep an eye on things and make some preparations."
After saying that, Jiang Nuan made an excuse to leave.
Liu An's excessive enthusiasm made her feel very uncomfortable.
If someone harbors malicious intentions, you can find a way to get rid of them, but unfortunately, they genuinely have no ill intentions.
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