Chapter 232 The Imperial Edict Arrives
At this time, General Li, the eunuch with a mustache who delivered the imperial edict, and a thousand personal soldiers entered the northwest city, and they went straight to the county governor's mansion.
Such a majestic team entered the city, attracting the people to stop and watch, and everyone was guessing what had happened.
Lord Fang had already received the news sent by General Li in advance, and had brought a group of people from the county capital to wait at the gate of the yamen early.
When they saw General Li and others coming, everyone knelt down to greet them.
"Welcome General Li, Eunuch Hu, and all the soldiers!"
General Li and Lord Fang are old acquaintances and have a good relationship with each other.
General Li immediately dismounted and came to Lord Fang. He helped him up and said, "Lord Fang, please stand up. How are you?"
Although the two of them had similar positions before, General Li is now a fourth-rank general, and his official position is higher than that of Mr. Fang, so he naturally has to kneel down to greet him.
Lord Fang said respectfully, "Thank you, General Li, for your concern. I am fine. I would like to congratulate General Li on his promotion. General, Eunuch Hu, and all the soldiers must have been exhausted on the journey. Please go to the back hall and rest first."
Even if they were old acquaintances, now that the other person held a higher official position than him, they could no longer get along as well as before.
People are like that. When they are at the same height, any way of getting along is acceptable. But once the height is higher, it’s a different story.
The superior is the superior, and that is a class line that cannot be crossed.
"good."
General Li was very satisfied with Lord Fang's attitude towards him, and happily invited Eunuch Hu, his personal guards, and Lord Fang into the yamen.
Lord Fang first arranged for Eunuch Hu and others to rest. He and General Li went to their usual office to reminisce about the past.
After inviting General Li to sit down and serving tea, Lord Fang asked, "General Li, are you here for Prince Li?"
General Li took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "Lord Fang is quite well-informed. I have indeed come here for Prince Li. After a short rest, please take us to Prince Li to announce the imperial edict. After that, we can quickly return to the capital."
Lord Fang didn't care what General Li said about him being well-informed. When he heard General Li call him King Li, he was sure that his master had been pardoned, so it didn't matter what General Li said, and he didn't dare go back and tell tales.
Lord Fang breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, he was truly relieved.
Mr. Fang said, "It's not a bother, it's my duty."
Afterwards, the two talked about some things in the capital. At noon, Lord Fang arranged a welcoming banquet for General Li and others.
At Murong Mansion, Su Yue and Murong Li waited for people to come after lunch, and even the entire Su family came.
"Why haven't you come yet?"
The old marquis' neck hurt from stretching.
"Don't worry, Grandfather. We're almost there."
The corners of Su Yue's mouth twitched, and even her usually calm grandfather couldn't remain calm.
However, no one would be able to remain calm if this happened to them. It's the day of turning things around, and I guess no one would be able to remain calm.
"Murong Li, let's go to the gate." Su Yue saw Lord Fang coming with a group of people.
Murong Li nodded and waved to everyone, and everyone came to the gate.
Coincidentally, Lord Fang came in with General Li and Eunuch Hu.
Eunuch Hu walked in front, holding a tray with three rolled-up imperial edicts from the Ming Emperor on it.
The three of them entered Murong Mansion, and a thousand personal soldiers were divided into two groups to guard the door.
When the three of them saw Murong Li, they immediately knelt down and paid their respects: "Your Highness, we pay our respects to King Li."
Murong Li pursed his lips tightly and said in a deep voice, "General Li, Lord Fang, and Eunuch Hu, please stand up."
After saying that, he strode forward and helped the three of them up.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The three of them responded in unison, standing up at the same time.
Eunuch Hu then handed the tray to General Li and unfolded an imperial edict beside him: "Murong Li, please accept the edict."
Seeing the imperial edict was like seeing the emperor, and everyone present knelt down in unison.
Murong Li stood in front of everyone, tossed his clothes and knelt down: "Your Highness Murong Li accepts your order."
Eunuch Hu recited in his shrill, duck-like voice, "By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that my fourth son, Murong Li, has lived a sincere and honest life since his exile in the Northwest County. He has done his utmost to help the people affected by the drought, enabling them to return to normalcy in the shortest possible time... This meritorious service can atone for his sins. Furthermore, I miss my son dearly, so I pardon Murong Li's sins and restore his title of Prince Li. Upon receipt of this imperial decree, you shall return to the capital immediately! I decree!"
When Eunuch Hu finished reading the imperial edict and closed it, Murong Li shouted, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace. Long live your Majesty!"
After he finished speaking, he kowtowed three times towards the capital.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
Everyone immediately congratulated Murong Li.
Murong Li nodded lightly. In the eyes of General Li and Eunuch Hu, this reaction showed that he was steady and could remain calm in the face of ups and downs.
No wonder the emperor secretly recalled the person without announcing it to the world.
Eunuch Hu handed the imperial edict to Murong Li with both hands. Murong Li took it with both hands and said, "Eunuch Hu, you have worked hard."
Eunuch Hu waved his hand and said, "It's not hard, it's not hard. It's a blessing for our family to be able to make this trip. Your Highness, please continue later. We have another decree to announce."
"good."
Murong Li stepped aside.
Eunuch Hu picked up the imperial edict in the middle, spread it out, glanced at the smiling Su family, and said sharply, "Su family, accept the edict."
"Criminals, wait for your orders."
The Su family members knelt down hurriedly.
Eunuch Hu read aloud, "By the Will of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that the Su family has been law-abiding and faithful since their exile... From this day forward, their title of Marquis of Anding will be restored, and they will return to the capital with Prince Li! This is decreed!"
The old marquis and his wife burst into tears. The old marquis quickly said, "I thank the Lord for his grace. Long live the Emperor!"
Like Murong Li, the old marquis kowtowed three times towards the capital before getting up. He took the imperial edict tremblingly and held it in his arms as if it were a treasure.
The Su family was finally pardoned. No matter whether they would go to court in the future, having this empty title was enough.
"Congratulations, old marquis!"
General Li, Lord Fang, and Eunuch Hu immediately congratulated the old marquis.
Everyone was happy and congratulated him. Then Eunuch Hu took out the last imperial edict and placed it before Murong Li: "Your Highness, this imperial edict is from the Emperor. The Emperor has instructed that after you receive it, I will give it to you."
"Okay, then everyone, please follow Lord Fang back to the county government office. I will be there shortly."
Lord Fang and his companions understood that since the two families had been pardoned and were in a hurry to return to the capital, something must have happened. They all nodded tactfully, said goodbye to Murong Li and the others, and left.
However, he left behind a thousand personal guards to guard outside Murong Mansion.
When Murong Li regains his status as a prince, some evil spirits will surely show up. This is the emperor's personal instruction. Prince Li's safety must be guaranteed. If anything goes wrong, all of them will be brought back to justice.
Murong Li did not refuse, and he sent a thousand personal soldiers into the mansion to arrange food and accommodation for them.
(End of this chapter)
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