Chapter 104

When Zhao Youze entered the mourning hall, the atmosphere in the hall was at its most awkward and tense.

Gu Junyi's few simple words were like putting Zhang on two fire racks, one of which was "unfilial" and the other was "unkind and unjust".

As luck would have it, Zhang couldn't easily refute it, otherwise it would have easily dragged the entire Anguo Mansion into trouble.

Seeing Zhao Youze coming in, Zhang seemed to have grasped a life-saving straw. She hurriedly walked over with a clever smile and personally handed him two bundles of incense sticks.

Zhao Youze ignored Zhang's overly attentive smile and said in a gentle voice, "The old lady passed away. My father and I are very sad. Today, I came here to pay my respects on my father's orders."

Hearing that it was Emperor Zhanghe who sent Zhao Youze, Zhang's expression became even more flattering. She quickly forgot the unpleasantness with Song just now, smiled, and deliberately said loudly: "The emperor's grace is like the sea, and everyone in the Anguo Mansion is grateful."

Zhao Youze gave her a warm and polite smile. He took the incense stick, stepped forward and bowed to inform Lady Wen.

Zhao Youze represents the king's grace today. No matter what Zhang thought of Zhao Youze in the past, in this situation, he must be regarded as a great Bodhisattva shining with golden light.

She glanced at Zhao Youze and said with a flattering smile, "Your Highness, you must have been very tired to come out of the palace for the old lady. I wonder if you would like to have lunch at home?"

Zhao Youze was still friendly. He said, "It is hard to refuse the Crown Prince's wife's kindness, but I have to go back to the palace to practice archery in the afternoon, so I won't bother you any more."

"I will go see the princess later and then leave." Zhao Youze's tone was very calm. He seemed to have suddenly remembered something and said, "Look at my brain. I forgot to announce the decree."

The Fourth Prince came to announce the decree at this time, it must be that His Majesty, out of consideration for the old lady, sympathized with their Duke's Mansion and wanted to reward them!

Zhang tried hard to hide the smile on her face and quickly said, "I will go and call someone to set up the incense table."

Zhao Youze nodded, said nothing more, and went to work with Zhang.

Most of the people in the mourning hall were women. Although most of them were married, Zhao Youze was no longer a child, so it was inconvenient for him to stay with them for long.

Mrs. Pei and Gu Junyi happened to be there, so they went to the side of the mourning hall to chat.

After a while, Zhang had set up the incense table in the main hall, and then she came to call for Zhao Youze.

Zhao Youze followed her out. Zhang had already invited Duke An and Zhan Tai out. They were about to kneel down to receive the order, but Zhao Youze looked around first and said with a smile, "Why did you bother the Duke and the Crown Prince?"

Duke Anguo said: "Since your majesty is so gracious, we should not lose our manners."

Zhao Youze continued with a smile: "Where is Madam Fu? I just saw her here."

Zhang didn't know why Zhao Youze asked about Song, but the mention of Song reminded her of the embarrassing incident in front of everyone in the mourning hall. She just replied calmly, "Why did your highness ask about her?"

Zhao Youze's tone was calm, and the corners of his mouth were still raised calmly. He said: "It's also my fault that I didn't explain it clearly, causing the Crown Prince's wife to misunderstand. This decree is not for the Duke's Mansion, but for Madam Fu."

"I saw the wife of the Crown Prince. I just told my personal maid to let Madam Fu stay and not leave. That's why I didn't pay attention to her whereabouts." Zhao Youze smiled gently, revealing a few white teeth around his mouth. He said, "Please ask the Crown Prince's wife to invite her over."

Hearing Zhao Youze's words, Zhang was stunned on the spot, her eyes full of surprise. Mrs. Pei and Gu Junyi were still following Zhao Youze. Seeing this, Gu Junyi went to the mourning hall in person to invite Song to come over.

Since it was an order for the Song family, it was impossible for Duke Anguo and Zhan Tai to continue to join in the fun, otherwise wouldn't it be a clear attempt to add glory to the Song family?

Before leaving, Duke Anguo secretly glared at Zhang, as if blaming her - you didn't even hear what the Fourth Prince said clearly, why are you so happy like a lapdog?

Song was soon invited by Gu Junyi. Not only Zhang, but also Song, everyone present did not expect that Zhao Youze's decree would be for her.

But the king cannot make a promise casually. If there is a result, there must be a cause. Let’s listen to what the cause is.

Facing Song, Zhao Youze's mouth curled up sincerely this time. He showed a quiet and gentle smile and said loudly: "Madam is finally here."

He said, "Madam, please listen to the announcement."

Song was startled for a moment, and seemed to realize something. She tightly grasped the handkerchief with one hand and knelt down heavily.

"The Emperor, in accordance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims: 'Ms. Fu Song is gentle, kind, docile, dignified and upright... She is hereby conferred the title of a third-rank imperial lady...'"

After Zhao Youze read the imperial edict, he handed the imperial edict to Song.

Song's face showed no joy. She still knelt there in a daze. It was Zhao Youze who asked first, "Madam, are you still not grateful?"

Song lowered her head and said, "I am terrified."

Zhao Youze smiled and said gently, "Don't be afraid."

He emphasized: "Madam deserves it."

After Song stood up, Zhao Youze gently explained the purpose of the decree to her. He said, "A few days ago, we received a victory message from the northwest. Fu Xiao was the vanguard, leading 200 archers and crossbowmen to attack the Turkic Yaju. Yeli Khan was caught off guard and was unable to form an army for a while. He could only flee with the remnants of his army."

"Fu Xianfeng has just been promoted to the rank of Fourth-Rank General for his great contribution."

Zhao Youze said: "On the day when the victory report came, my elder brother-in-law happened to be by my father's side."

Because they were in public, Zhao Youze called Zhan Yue "brother-in-law" to distinguish him from Shuxian's son-in-law, the Prince of Zhongyi.

Zhao Youze said: "My father asked my eldest brother-in-law what reward should be given to Fu Zhonglang."

"My eldest brother-in-law said that Fu Zhonglang's first wife had suffered a lot in her early years with him. Instead of rewarding her with gold, silver and treasures, it would be better to reward her with a title of imperial decree, so that when Mrs. Fu goes out in the future, she will not be unable to hold her head high in front of others."

"My father was already very happy, so he agreed to my elder brother-in-law's request." Zhao Youze said seriously, "Fu Zhonglang achieved such a great feat on his first battlefield, which really won honor for the men of Daliang."

"I am also here to say congratulations to the lady."

Hearing this, Song couldn't help but have tears in her eyes, one for Fu Xiao's pride, the other for Zhan Yue's thoughtfulness. She said the same thing as Zhang just now: "Your Majesty's grace is like the sea, and I am overwhelmed by your favor."

Mrs. Pei saw that she was a little emotional, so she hurried over to hold Song's hand and said with a smile: "It's such a good day, why are you crying?"

"Finally, all the hard work has paid off. I can't express my joy enough." Mrs. Pei smiled and looked at her intently.

Song wiped her eyes and said, "Yes, after all the hardships, there is happiness. I am sorry to make you laugh at me, sister."

Mrs. Pei pretended not to understand and just asked, "How do you say that?"

Seeing Zhang standing by and sitting on the bench, Zhao Youze spoke up at the right time: "Originally, I should have gone to Fu's house to announce the decree, but I happened to see Madam here, so I was lazy for a moment. In addition, the Crown Prince's wife was so kind that I couldn't refuse her kindness. If this caused any disturbance to Madam Fu and the Crown Prince's wife, it would be my fault. Yuankang apologizes to both of you here."

Zhao Youze was able to let go of his pride, but neither the Song nor the Zhang family dared to accept his apology, and they kept saying "I dare not".

Song had always been able to bend and stretch, and now that she had received some real benefits, she smiled and bowed to Zhang, saying softly, "I would also like to say thank you to the Crown Prince's wife for preparing the incense table for me."

Zhang turned her head to the side and said stiffly, "You're welcome."

No matter how stupid Zhang was, she knew that Zhao Youze, Madam Pei, Gu Junyi and Song were all in cahoots with each other! She didn't expect that the most cunning one would be Zhao Youze.

He first fooled her with some words, making her think that he came to announce an imperial decree to her family. After she had set up the incense table, he told her the purpose of his visit.

What's even more infuriating is that he clearly saw her calling Song, but he didn't say it at that time. He had to wait until she invited the Duke of Anguo out before he let her go!

She kept Song because she wanted to open her eyes and let her see how honorable the Majesty would bestow upon the Anguo Mansion. She didn't expect that this time it was she herself who was opened her eyes!

Zhang was so angry that her teeth were itching, but she couldn't get angry. The Fourth Prince never said that this decree was for you. Who can you blame for your own self-conceit? Besides, he even said "sorry", what else do you want?

Do you have a big face?

After Zhang returned to her room, she smashed a set of celadon tea set that day. She was not only angry because Zhao Youze had offended her, but also because of the title bestowed upon Song.

Zhang was the wife of the Crown Prince of the Duke's Mansion, and now she was only a second-rank official. In the past, she could speak with confidence in front of Song.

Although she is still one rank higher than Song, her husband Fu Xiao has also been conferred the title of Fourth-Rank General of the Central Army. Even though the official position is not high, the General of the Central Army is a military officer who holds actual military power.

For Fu Xiao, this was a leap like ascension to heaven.

Having just lost the support of Old Lady Wen, Zhan Yue seemed to need someone to rely on again.

What a good bargain for this bastard.

Zhang sneered in her heart and crushed a blooming flower in the glass vase with her long nails.

After Zhao Youze finished reading the decree, he learned that Jiashan was still taking a nap, so he did not disturb her.

He still has one day off this month. The Anguo Mansion is small and it is a bit cramped to live there. It won't be too late for them to talk again when Jiashan returns to the Princess' Mansion.

However, the news of the morning's imperial edict still reached Jiashan's ears. It was Gu Junyi who told her.

Gu Junyi was talking excitedly, her eyes were clear and pure, she said seriously: "I don't believe that the Fourth Prince didn't come in at the right time."

"The princess didn't see the scene, but I think the Crown Prince's wife was so angry that her nose was almost crooked." Gu Junyi covered her mouth and kept laughing with Jiashan, "I just took advantage of a few words. In the end, it was still the Fourth Prince who was capable. He helped Aunt Fu regain face with just a few words."

Gu Junyi said: "Now, let's see if the Crown Prince's wife dares to speak without restraint."

Fu Xiao was originally a commoner, but now he has been appointed General of the Central Army, which shows that he has a promising future. Even though the Yongding Marquisate is still being punished, the attitude of Emperor Zhanghe has already explained everything.

The current emperor is a king who values ​​and cherishes talents. As long as Fu Xiao can make military achievements in the future, who would dare to bring up the Fu family’s past crimes?

Power has always been able to control everything.

Jiashan naturally understood this, she smiled and said softly, "My cousin's wife was very righteous and helped my aunt a lot. Before she passed away, my aunt asked me to thank my cousin's wife on her behalf."

Gu Junyi shook her head and said with a smile, "Aunt Fu gave me such a precious bracelet. I just returned the favor. I just hope I didn't cause her any trouble by arguing with her."

Jiashan immediately said, "How could that be?"

Song was granted an imperial decree, and Jiashan was sincerely happy for her. However, when Zhan Yue came back that night, Jiashan grabbed his collar and complained: "Why did you keep it so secret that you didn't even tell me a word?"

Zhan Yue explained softly, "It was not intentional. Father had prepared to announce the decree at the family dinner that day, but it was delayed for two days because of what happened to my grandmother."

"My uncle is a formidable man," Jiashan thought of Fu Xiao and said with a smile, "He has lived up to the Fu family tradition."

Yongding Hou Fu Yan was the bravest man in the army and was famous in the northwest. Fu Xiao not only did not disgrace the reputation of his ancestors, but also did not disappoint Fu Shiyu who endured humiliation for him.

Zhan Yue nodded: "Yes."

"Unfortunately, my uncle may not be able to return to Beijing in the next few years." Zhan Yue said, "Why not let my aunt live with us for a while?"

Fighting a war would be too detrimental to the national strength. Since Fu Xiao was capable of repelling the enemy, Emperor Zhang He would not let him return to Beijing easily. He would definitely send him to lead troops to guard the border.

In the next few years, Fu Xiao will probably have to live a bitter and cold life at the border with Marquis Anding.

Jiashan and Song had always gotten along well, so she had no objection to this. She said, "Of course it's good. But, my aunt has just been granted an imperial decree, and she will need to move around more and more in the future. I'm afraid it will be inconvenient for my aunt."

Zhan Yue thought about it, nodded and said, "That's true."

"Then after you give birth, I will send my aunt and Ting'er back to the Fu family."

Zhan Yue said, "Your belly is getting bigger. I can't rest assured if you stay in the Anguo Mansion. After you carry the coffin for your grandmother tomorrow, you should go back to the Princess Mansion as soon as possible."

There was always a lot of fuss in the Anguo Mansion. Jiashan was going to give birth in a month or so, and Zhan Yue didn't want to take any risks.

Jiashan nodded and agreed with his opinion.

However, Jiashan did not expect that a special guest would come to the courtyard the day before she was about to return to the Anguo Mansion.

Zhan Shaoying's wife, Qi.