Chapter 294 She was specially granted the title of Third-Rank Virtuous Lady and bestowed the name 'Chaste and Righteous'
A notice was given, coming from afar and drawing near, carrying an air of authority.
Immediately afterward, heavy and orderly footsteps broke the sound of rain, and a squad of heavily armed imperial guards rushed into the courtyard of Tingzhuxuan. They were dressed in soaking black armor, their eyes as sharp as hawks. They split to the left and right in an instant, quickly taking control of all the key passages in the courtyard. An invisible aura of killing intent spread, intimidating all the servants and guards in the courtyard so much that they dared not move.
Shu Linglang's steps froze on the spot, her expression changed drastically, and she turned around abruptly!
Following closely behind, four robust eunuchs holding oilcloth fans lined up on both sides, and it was only then that the eunuch Zhao Gonggong appeared.
He was dressed in the crimson robes of a high-ranking official in the Imperial Household Department, his expression solemn, holding a scroll of bright yellow brocade with cloud and dragon patterns aloft in both hands.
A young eunuch respectfully held up a huge blue silk umbrella for him, keeping all the rain out.
Despite the torrential rain, Eunuch Zhao's official robes remained dry and crisp, except for the edges of his official boots, which were damp.
Shu Linglang's face under the lamplight in the rainy night underwent several dramatic changes, eventually settling into a deep, iron-blue color.
All the maids and guards hurriedly knelt down, their foreheads pressed against the cold, wet ground, utterly silent.
Eunuch Zhao's gaze swept over the mess in the courtyard, finally landing on Shu Linglang, where he paused for a meaningful moment.
Shu Linlang naturally understood the meaning behind his gaze. She took a deep breath, calmly straightened her sleeves, then faced the imperial edict and bowed deeply with perfect poise, saying, "Your Majesty, I respectfully listen to your decree."
Yunxiu, who hadn't gone far, turned around at the sound and saw that her mother had already bowed. She was so frightened that she trembled all over. Her resentment was instantly replaced by fear. She almost collapsed and knelt in the mud and water, and hurriedly lowered her head.
Eunuch Zhao stopped looking and turned his gaze to Lu Zhaoruo and Xiao Yeming, announcing loudly, "Imperial decree! Lu Zhaoruo, receive the decree—!"
Lu Zhaoruo's heart skipped a beat.
Could it be...?
The Emperor sent people to Jizhou to investigate thoroughly, and the matter has been clarified? Now, the imperial edict... is it to clear his name? Or even... bestow an imperial title?
But this imperial edict came at just the right time.
Such a grand procession didn't seem like a simple act of bestowing an imperial title; it seemed more like a deliberate attempt to rescue her and Xiao Yeming.
That's it! Otherwise, why would Eunuch Zhao personally carry the imperial decree and go straight into the depths of this forbidden garden?
She quickly suppressed her turbulent emotions, carefully adjusted her posture, and held Xiao Yeming's head and neck more securely in the crook of her arm. Then, forcing her numb body to stand up, she bowed deeply and respectfully in the direction of the imperial edict: "This humble woman, Lu Zhaoruo, respectfully listens to the imperial decree."
With a solemn expression, Eunuch Zhao unfolded the bright yellow brocade edict with cloud and dragon patterns in his hand and proclaimed in a loud voice: "The Emperor decrees: Lu Zhaoruo, a woman from Jizhou, is loyal and diligent in her actions. In the past, when the Japanese pirates were rampant in Linhai and military supplies were scarce, you, with a strong sense of righteousness, distributed all your family wealth to support the military and even risked your life to draw a detailed map of the pirates' lair, helping the court to defeat the enemy. This merit is outstanding and beneficial to the country."
"Previously, because of your lawsuit against your husband's family, rumors spread and the reward was not given. I was worried and specially sent people to investigate. Now it has been found that what you did that day was out of righteous indignation because of the misfortune of your family; the death of your elder was due to your own shame for not managing the household well and the fear that caused you to fall ill. It had nothing to do with you. The stigma of the past has been cleared away today."
"Based on your merits, you are hereby granted the title of Third-Rank Virtuous Lady, bestowed with the name 'Zhenyi', and granted the salary of a Lady of Imperial Decree, in recognition of your achievements. It is hoped that you will henceforth abide by the rules of propriety and serve as a model for women in the inner chambers."
So be it!
The four words "a lady of the third rank" resounded like thunder in the deathly silent courtyard!
The guards and old women in the courtyard, who had been kneeling in fear, were now trembling with terror and almost collapsed!
They glanced incredulously at the woman holding the blood-soaked General Xiao, the merchant's daughter whom they had just looked down on, neglected, and even tried to stop, who had suddenly become a high-ranking third-rank imperial consort!
"No! Impossible!"
Yunxiu suddenly raised her head and stared intently at Lu Zhaoruo.
"She's just a lowly merchant's daughter! What right does she have! This imperial edict is fake! It's fake!"
She prepared to get up, but Aunt Ji beside her pressed her arms down firmly and said, "Your Highness, this woman cannot be touched! She is now an official!"
How could Yunxiu be willing to accept this?
The "merchant's daughter" identity she despised the most was completely overshadowed and crushed by the more prestigious "imperial consort" identity.
Her proud title of "Jun Jun" paled in comparison to the other woman's title of "San Pin Shu Ren".
She realized that from then on, she would not only be utterly defeated in her relationship with Xiao Yeming, but would also forever be inferior to Lu Zhaoruo in terms of status and position, which she cared about most.
Princess Linglang, upon hearing the title "Third-Rank Lady," swayed almost imperceptibly.
Her face instantly drained of color, turning ashen.
However, just a moment later, she forcibly suppressed all her outward emotions, and her face returned to calm.
Only those unfathomable phoenix eyes gazed at Lu Zhaoruo and Xiao Yeming.
Lu Zhaoruo kowtowed deeply, and with all her might, clearly replied, "This commoner, Lu Zhaoruo, thanks Your Majesty for your great grace! Long live the Emperor!"
Eunuch Zhao closed the imperial edict and his gaze fell on Xiao Yeming, who was lying in a pool of blood, barely breathing.
He gasped, his foot even involuntarily taking a half-step forward. His voice, filled with undeniable shock and sorrow, pierced clearly through the rain: "This... General Xiao! How... how could you be so badly injured!"
He gave no one a chance to breathe, his gaze like two cold lightning bolts piercing the ashen-faced Shu Linglang. His tone was sorrowful, yet every word was laced with veiled sarcasm: "Your Highness! General Xiao is a fourth-rank official whom His Majesty often speaks of, praising his 'commendable loyalty and bravery'! Today, in your residence, he... has suffered such an unexpected calamity. This old servant returns to the palace to report, but I truly do not know how to face His Majesty with this old face!"
Shu Linglang said coldly, "He trespassed into the inner courtyard. I only gave him thirty strokes of the cane as a minor punishment."
Thirty strokes of the cane?
Lu Zhaoruo held Xiao Yeming tightly, overwhelmed with pain.
Feeling pity, Eunuch Zhao immediately turned around and shouted sternly to the imperial guards behind him, "What are you all standing there for! Quickly! Carefully move General Xiao to the Imperial Medical Bureau! If his treatment is delayed, and His Majesty is enraged, who can bear the consequences!"
"Prepare the carriage! Escort Lady Zhenyi to the palace immediately!"
The order was given swiftly and carefully. The well-trained Imperial Guards immediately stepped forward and placed Xiao Yeming on a stretcher.
Only then did Eunuch Zhao turn around, bow slightly to Shu Linglang, his posture respectful, but his words were barbed and blocked all avenues for retreat: "Your Highness, in urgent circumstances, one must act expediently. This old servant has no choice but to take the person back to the palace for treatment first. Once General Xiao's injuries have stabilized, His Majesty's wise judgment will be made, and this old servant... will take his leave now."
After saying that, he didn't look at her again and stepped aside to protect Lu Zhaoruo.
With the Imperial Guards clearing the way, the group ignored the deathly silence of the courtyard, stepped over the mess, and left directly.
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