Just as Gu Lili was about to take the things out, a shrill, mocking laugh came from outside the door.
"Oh dear! Why isn't Princess Mengyun staying peacefully in the capital? Why has she come all this way to shout for war?"
Everyone in the courtyard turned around and saw that the person who came was none other than Eunuch Zhang, who served the Emperor.
Eunuch Zhang has come to Gu Lili's house twice to deliver imperial edicts, so he's quite a familiar face.
Beside Eunuch Zhang was Magistrate Yang, whom he hadn't seen for several months.
He sent two spies from Fusang to the capital last time, and spent several months helping the officials there to investigate the matter. That's why it took him so long to return.
Upon seeing Eunuch Zhang, Song Mengyun immediately panicked, and her previously arrogant expression instantly turned timid.
If she was showing off in front of Gu Lili, then in front of Eunuch Zhang, she was like a stray dog whose tail had been stepped on, no longer daring to be arrogant.
After all, Eunuch Zhang was the chief eunuch by the Emperor's side, and he knew the situation of the Duke of Song's mansion best.
“Father-in-law, you are joking. I came to Donghai Town for sightseeing, but I did not expect to be mistaken for a villain by this ill-mannered Princess Yongning and beaten up. That is why I am so angry.”
As Song Mengyun explained, she showed her swollen face to Eunuch Zhang.
Eunuch Zhang glanced at it indifferently and then looked away.
In fact, he had already seen Princess Mengyun's injury. If she hadn't said earlier that she wanted to destroy the vicious intentions of the Gu family, Eunuch Zhang would not have recognized Princess Mengyun at all.
Princess Mengyun was quite out of place among the noble ladies of the capital.
He would punish his maidservants at the drop of a hat, regardless of the occasion.
That's why her voice left a deep impression on Eunuch Zhang.
Moreover, she lost her husband when she was only twenty.
Rumors circulated in the capital that she had literally angered her husband to death.
The reason was that her husband had taken a concubine, which made Princess Mengyun jealous.
He disregarded the fact that his concubine was pregnant and ordered his men to strike her on the stomach with a wooden stick, causing harm to both mother and child.
When her husband came home, he saw this bloody scene and was so angry that he died.
Eunuch Zhang ignored Song Mengyun's words and instead cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Gu Lili.
"It's been a long time, Princess Yongning!" Eunuch Zhang said with a smile.
Gu Lili quickly returned the greeting, but just as she was about to reply, Song Mengyun's scream startled her.
"Eunuch Zhang, are you mistaken? She is clearly the Princess of Yongning County, how did she become a Princess of the County?"
Song Mengyun screamed and questioned him, her outburst clearly indicating that she had forgotten Zhang Gonggong's identity.
Gu Lili then realized with a start that Eunuch Zhang had just addressed her as Princess, and wondered if there had been a mistake.
Eunuch Zhang glared at Song Mengyun, who quickly covered her mouth.
Gu Lili asked in a series of questions, "It's been a long time since I've seen Eunuch Zhang. Who is the princess you mentioned earlier?"
Gu Lili had already vaguely guessed what was going on. The last two imperial decrees that conferred titles upon her were both delivered by Eunuch Zhang.
Eunuch Zhang nodded, turned around and glanced at the guards behind him, who then took out the imperial edict.
Eunuch Zhang took the imperial edict and gently unfolded it.
"Gu Lili, receive the imperial decree!" Eunuch Zhang announced in a shrill voice.
Gu Lili hurriedly knelt down, and everyone in the courtyard followed suit.
Song Mengyun stood there in disbelief. Although she was impulsive, she knew what this meant.
This means that Gu Lili rose from a peasant girl to a princess in less than a year, having been promoted three times.
Moreover, Gu Lili has an official title.
If she were truly granted the title of Princess, her status would be above mine.
Then her trip was a waste, not only was it a waste, but she also got a severe beating!
What a joke!
When Eunuch Zhang saw that everyone in the courtyard was kneeling down except for Song Mengyun, who was standing upright, he immediately frowned in displeasure.
You must understand, what Eunuch Zhang was holding was an imperial edict; seeing an imperial edict was like seeing the emperor himself.
“Princess Mengyun refuses to kneel; is this disrespect for the Emperor?” Eunuch Zhang said coldly.
Han Mei quickly grabbed Song Mengyun's skirt, and Song Mengyun suddenly realized what was happening and hurriedly knelt down.
"Mengyun wouldn't dare!"
Han Mei is now filled with deep regret; this is a classic case of shooting oneself in the foot.
Eunuch Zhang snorted coldly and began to read the contents of the imperial edict.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Princess Gu Lili of Yongning is exceptionally intelligent. She outwitted spies from the enemy state, discovered golden apple snails in the rice paddies, and devised a solution. She is truly a lucky star of our Southern Yue Kingdom. Therefore, effective immediately, she is hereby granted the title of First-Rank Princess, awarded a thousand taels of gold, a mansion in the capital, and five hundred acres of fertile land. This is the imperial decree!"
After listening to Eunuch Zhang's explanation, Gu Lili was somewhat stunned.
She originally thought the emperor was going to reward her for saving Yin Jiuchen, but it turned out to be something else entirely.
Has Yin Jiuchen not yet safely returned to the capital?
Did something happen to Yin Jiuchen during this time?
No wonder she hadn't received a letter from Yin Jiuchen for so long. Gu Lili couldn't help but feel uneasy and worried about Yin Jiuchen.
Looking at the stunned Gu Lili, Eunuch Zhang smiled kindly and said, "Princess Yongning, are you so happy that you forgot to express your gratitude?"
Gu Lili quickly gathered her thoughts, kowtowed deeply, and respectfully raised her hands above her head to receive the imperial edict.
With a clasp of his hands, Eunuch Zhang closed the imperial edict, then bent down and handed it to Gu Lili.
Gu Lili accepted the imperial edict and quickly thanked him, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your reward!"
Gu Lili accepted the imperial edict, and Eunuch Zhang gestured for her to stand up.
Gu Lili slowly stood up, and the group of people kneeling behind her followed suit.
Han Mei remained composed, showing only a slight expression of shock on her face.
But Song Mengyun was different; her facial expressions were truly rich.
Looking at the angry and fearful Song Mengyun, Eunuch Zhang asked with a smile, "Just now, I heard Princess Mengyun say that she was going to kill the entire Yongning County Princess's family. I wonder if it's true?"
Upon hearing this, Song Mengyun was so frightened that she almost knelt on the ground.
When Eunuch Zhang is away from home, he represents the will of the current emperor.
That means the Emperor is on Gu Lili's side.
If what she just said were to reach the Emperor's ears, not only would the Gu family be killed, but the Song family would likely be in grave danger.
"Eunuch Zhang...you're joking. I...I was just joking with Princess Yongning," Song Mengyun stammered.
Song Mengyun now knows that it is wise to be pragmatic, and that she suffered a beating from Gu Lili for nothing.
Gu Lili couldn't help but scoff; jokes shouldn't be made like that!
Eunuch Zhang nodded, looked at Gu Lili, and asked with a smile, "Princess Yongning, how do you plan to handle this matter?"
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