Sheng Xiyan stepped forward, picked up three incense sticks, and lit them. The big characters for "memorial" were like a knife splitting her in half, leaving her bloody and bloody. Her heart was dead, but her soul was not, and she still had to endure the pain of grief.
Princess E cursed, "You jinx! Yan'er knelt under the scorching sun for a whole day and night to marry you. You should repay her with your own death."
Sheng Xiyan knelt on the mat and burned paper. Even if she no longer had the protection of a man, she still had a young child. What qualifications did she have to follow her husband?
At this time, the servant brought the Sheng family in. Sheng Xiyan's deceased father was a well-known doctor in the capital.
My brother’s name is Sheng Jingheng, my sister-in-law is Lin Xueshuang, and my sister is Sheng Xitang, who has just reached the age of 15.
"Ayan!"
Sheng Jingheng put down the gift in his hand and said politely, "Your Majesty, Princess, we should have come yesterday, but we only came today. We are truly sorry. Please accept my condolences."
The Prince of E's family has always looked down on the Sheng family, thinking that they are marrying above their station and have ignored the Sheng family.
"My son shouldn't have married a disaster like you!" Princess E rushed forward to hit Sheng Xiyan, but was stopped by Sheng Jingheng and Lin Xueshuang, "Don't hit my sister."
Sheng Jingheng said angrily: "Is this how you, the Prince of E's Mansion, bully my A Yan? Now that we are here, don't even think about bullying my sister again!"
Princess E beat her chest and stamped her feet, cursing, "You unlucky star, you killed my Yan'er! Come back here with your life!"
The Crown Prince's Consort stepped forward and took the opportunity to kick Sheng Xiyan. She had been bullied by her in the past few years, and now she could finally vent her anger, but was pushed away by Sheng Xitang.
Sister-in-law Lin Xueshuang questioned, "Princess, my daughter A-Yan was married to Qi Yan by the current emperor. You said she was an unlucky star. Are you blaming the emperor?"
Princess E was speechless. "Don't try to avoid the important point. If I hadn't married her, Yan'er wouldn't have died in vain! A calamity!"
Prince E scolded, "What are you doing? The mourners will be here soon. Aren't you ashamed? Come, take the Second Madam away."
Sheng Xiyan said, "Please, father-in-law and mother-in-law, let your daughter-in-law stay in the mourning hall to mourn for Yan Lang."
This is her beloved husband, and she wants to see him off to the end no matter what.
"Drag her away! The Sheng family, get out now!"
In an instant, the housekeeper ran into the yard.
"Your Majesty, an imperial decree has arrived from the palace!"
Several people from the palace were welcomed into the courtyard to announce the imperial decree.
Prince E respectfully said, "Eunuch Fu, you have come in person. It must be because of the Emperor's will."
"Your Highness, please accept my condolences. I am here on the orders of the Emperor."
Prince E and his men knelt down hurriedly.
Eunuch Fu looked around the mourning hall and asked, "Who is General Qi's wife?"
Prince E was startled and said quickly, "Eunuch Fu, please wait a moment."
Sheng Xiyan clenched her hands, and her sister-in-law Lin Xueshuang supported her. She was already dizzy and every step she took was top-heavy and extremely difficult.
When he came up to her, Eunuch Fu said, "Madam, please accept my condolences. The Emperor is deeply saddened by the General's passing and has sent me here to give you a message. I hope you will be strong."
Sheng Xiyan's delicate face was covered with tears as she slowly knelt down.
Eunuch Fu opened the imperial edict and said, "By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: 'Remembering Qi Yan's sacrifice for his country, I hereby posthumously confer the title of General Protector of the Nation upon Qi Yan. His wife, Sheng Xiyan, for her virtuous character, is hereby conferred the title of Second Rank Consort, and a reward of one thousand taels of gold.'"
Usually, a wife's imperial edict is consistent with her husband's official title. Qi Yan was originally the fourth-rank General of Andong, and now he is posthumously awarded the title of second-rank General of Protecting the Nation. The emperor even directly conferred the title of second-rank Imperial Lady on Sheng Xiyan, which is a unique favor.
The few second-rank ladies in the capital who can be counted on one hand are all old.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great grace. Your grace is so great."
Sheng Xiyan took the imperial edict with both hands and cried to the sky, "Yan Lang, did you hear that? The emperor is a wise ruler. With the emperor's grace, I will definitely raise my son well. May your soul rest in peace in heaven."
"Mrs. Qi, please get up quickly."
Eunuch Fu helped Sheng Xiyan up, "Madam, be strong."
Prince E hurriedly said, "Eunuch Fu, you've taken the trouble to come here. Come to the flower hall and have a cup of cold tea."
Eunuch Fu said, "No, I have to go back and serve the Emperor!"
Prince E personally escorted him to the palace gate and stuffed a bulging purse into his pocket, "Please accept this, eunuch. I will have to rely on you to support Consort Shu in the future."
"The Emperor has always been very fond of Consort Shu. This time, because General Qi has made great military achievements, the Emperor has promoted Consort Shu to Consort Shu. Your Highness can rest assured."
Prince E was overjoyed, "Really? The Emperor is so gracious."
After watching Eunuch Fu leave, Prince E looked up at the white silk flowers at the door and lamented, "Our family is in misfortune. We have lost our beloved son. In the future, we can only rely on our eldest daughter."
The eldest daughter Qi He he was talking about was Liang Yuan when she first entered the Eastern Palace. When the emperor ascended the throne, she was named Shupin. Later, she was promoted to Xiuyi. Last year, she was promoted to Zhaoyi. This time, she was promoted to Shufei because of her younger brother.
Sheng Xiyan held the imperial edict that conferred her the title of Lady, and neither Princess E nor the Crown Prince's wife dared to stop her from staying in the mourning hall to mourn. Several people from the Sheng family accompanied her.
Princess E cried out, "Yan'er, the Emperor has appointed you as the Great General Protector of the Nation. It would be so wonderful if you could come back alive!"
The Crown Princess left the mourning hall in a rage and returned to her own courtyard.
"Why did she, who has no family background, get the imperial decree?"
The maid comforted her, "Princess, I heard that the imperial edict is just an empty title and has no real power. You don't have to be afraid."
The Crown Prince's Consort raised her hand and slapped her. "What do you know? Imperial edicts give monthly stipends to the court, and you can also participate in large banquets and sacrificial ceremonies in the palace. That's a very respectable thing."
With the title of Consort personally conferred by the Emperor, Sheng Xiyan received a salary and was granted good farmland, becoming financially independent. She no longer needed to rely on the palace for her livelihood and could focus on raising her young son.
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