Chapter 229 The Wasted Son of an Ancient Family (27)
Imperial edict?
What's going on?
Everyone present was stunned.
Although it was a remote and small place, the influence of imperial power had been passed down through the ages and was deeply ingrained in people's hearts. Everyone knew what an imperial edict represented.
emperor!
At this opportune moment, the imperial edict arrived.
Could it be related to the clan leader's birthday?
Many people secretly speculated.
Yes, that's possible.
After all, some of the Song family's ancestors followed Emperor Taizu in conquering the country, and the Marquis's Mansion in the capital was once very powerful, with its influence still lingering.
Some people looked at the clan leader with even greater reverence.
The clan chief stroked his beard, somewhat bewildered.
He recalled his visit to the Marquis's residence in the capital last year. At that time, the Marquis told him that he would arrange for someone to come and celebrate his seventieth birthday, giving him a surprise. Could it be that the Marquis had arranged this and asked the Emperor for a favor?
If the Marquis were to speak, it might actually happen.
He recalled that not long ago, the lady of the Marquis's mansion had sent a letter inquiring about the eldest son's situation and hinting that he should leave the eldest son in his hometown forever, adding that there would be great benefits if it could be done.
The struggle for the crown prince position!
The clan chief certainly understood his thoughts.
But he dared not get involved in this matter. Could it be that the Marquis's mansion sent the benefits first because they saw that he hadn't taken any action?
"Congratulations, Uncle."
Song Shaojun arrived beside the clan leader at some point, offering his congratulations with a smile.
He spoke.
The others also joined in offering their congratulations.
The clan chief didn't have time to think much.
"All stand at attention and welcome the envoy!"
Da da da!
The sound of hooves swept by like the wind, and in a cloud of dust, five riders appeared before everyone.
Everyone's eyes lit up.
As expected of an envoy from the palace.
The horse was white and incredibly strong, without a single blemish on its body. Its hooves gleamed with a dark yellow-gold light, seemingly made of gold. The saddle was magnificent, and on it sat a man in a pale purple robe with floral patterns, the kind of clothing often worn by a high-ranking eunuch in the palace. Behind him were several men in official robes, who appeared to be local officials. Five others were dressed in tight-fitting clothes with swords at their sides, their expressions serious.
"This humble citizen, Song Zongyuan—"
The clan chief stepped forward, but was interrupted by a sharp shout before he could even speak.
Kneel down!
Thump!
The clan leader's legs buckled, and he immediately knelt down on the ground.
Behind him.
Everyone else was startled and knelt down.
The official who had spoken earlier smiled slightly and apologized to the eunuch in front of him, "Eunuch Wu, I am just a commoner from the countryside and I do not know the rules. Please do not take offense."
Eunuch Wu nodded and dismounted.
The clan chief and the others knelt on the ground, not daring to utter a sound.
Song Shaojun then knelt behind the clan leader.
He moved faster than the others and got closer to the clan leader, which was at the very front. He had intended to show his face, but instead, he was startled.
Thank goodness.
Among the visitors, he recognized Magistrate Zhao; when the students passed the imperial examination, this magistrate had hosted a banquet for them.
Perhaps after receiving the imperial decree, I can take this opportunity to chat with Magistrate Zhao.
Song Shaojun thought to himself.
At this moment, Eunuch Wu had already stepped forward. He was obviously a little tired and impatient to waste any more time. With a glance, his shrill voice rang out.
"Song Changqing, step forward to receive the imperial decree!"
Everyone was stunned again.
Song Changqing?
Who is Song Changqing?
The clan chief stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
What, what's going on?
Wasn't the eldest son of the Marquis's mansion disliked by the Marquis and demoted here to reflect on his mistakes? How come the imperial decree is still related to him?
Song Shaojun's mind went blank for a moment.
Before he could react, Changqing had already stepped forward.
"This humble citizen, Song Changqing, is here."
Changqing knew what was going on, so he remained calm. He walked up to the clan leader and knelt down.
Eunuch Wu softened his tone and began to read the imperial decree.
As for the content...
Very close.
He was ordered to return to the Marquis's residence to clean up the mess. However, to his surprise, the emperor did not want him to be the heir of the Marquis's residence, but instead directly ordered him to inherit the title of Marquis. The reason given was that Marquis Song Yu was in poor health and unable to manage the Marquis's residence, so the title would be inherited by his legitimate son, and he was ordered to return to the capital immediately.
"Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude."
Changqing accepted the imperial edict and expressed his gratitude.
"Congratulations, Young Master Song. No, I should say, congratulations, Lord Song."
"Eunuch Wu laughed," he said.
...
Changqing and the others walked for a long time.
Those present were still in a daze.
Lord Marquis...?
Wasn't he supposed to be a discarded pawn? How did he end up becoming a marquis?
Moreover, it was personally selected by the emperor.
The clan chief's face turned pale.
That's wrong.
I was terribly wrong.
Thinking about how he had just made people sit at a table with women and children, he couldn't help but slap himself twice.
How will he visit the Marquis's residence in the capital in the future?
Song Shaojun and his group of young people were also completely dumbfounded.
This kid inherited the title directly!
What does this mean? It means that he can now enter the palace to meet the emperor, while scholars like them, even if they pass the provincial examination, may not have that opportunity. Only by entering the palace examination can they have the chance to meet the emperor.
gap!
It was suddenly pulled apart.
Song Shaojun became even more worried. Given the influence of the Marquis's mansion, if he offended this Marquis and the Marquis said a few bad things about him, his future would be ruined.
The thought filled him with even greater fear.
what to do?
what to do?
His gaze involuntarily drifted towards Song Dabao.
This was the only one who wasn't worried; in fact, he was quite happy because when the new marquis left, he gave him a box and invited him to visit the capital sometime.
However, before Song Shaojun could do anything...
The clan chief stepped forward and bowed deeply to Song Dabao.
"Da Bao, from now on, we'll be relying on you for communication with the capital!"
The connection with the Marquis's mansion must not be severed, as it concerns the future of many people in the clan.
At this moment, the clan chief was extremely grateful.
Fortunately, there are still people in the clan who can communicate with the new Marquis, so this connection can still be cultivated slowly.
Song Dabao: .....
He never imagined that one day he would become such a popular figure in the clan.
These people were all criticizing me for being ignorant and incompetent before.
Now, however, everyone is being very polite to me.
They even invited me to sit down.
"Grandpa, please sit down. I... I'm not used to it."
He called out to his grandfather.
My grandfather, who used to advise me not to associate with that eldest son of the Marquis's family, was all smiles now.
"Da Bao, this is your good fortune. The clan leader asked you to sit, so please sit. In the future, the young men of the clan will have to rely on you."
Grandpa has never been so kind.
Song Dabao felt a pang of guilt.
However, thinking about how he actually had a good relationship with the new marquis, he straightened his back.
What's there to be afraid of?
When the Marquis left, he even invited him to visit the capital.
No one else has this honor!
With that in mind, he sat down without feeling guilty.
The birthday banquet continued.
However, everyone's mindset is different now.
...
"Young master, did you already know the imperial decree was coming?"
On the carriage back to the capital, Jianqiu stared at Changqing and asked curiously.
When the imperial edict arrived, she was startled, but the young master remained remarkably calm. In fact, he had already packed a small bundle at home and left as soon as he picked it up.
Changqing lay sprawled on a bench covered with a goose down blanket, and upon hearing this, lazily opened his eyes.
"Don't pry into my affairs."
Jianqiu stuck out her tongue. "Well, you're putting on airs like a marquis now!"
Changqing straightened up, his expression serious. "I am now a Marquis recognized by the Emperor. Qiumei, I hereby appoint you as my head steward. From now on, all matters, big and small, of the Marquis's mansion will be under your management!"
Jianqiu was taken aback, then seemed to realize something, her face turned red to the roots of her neck, and she lowered her head without saying a word.
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