Jiang Shan walked forward somewhat bewildered, looked around, and was pulled down to kneel beside Jiao's mother.
"Mother, what happened?" Jiang Shan asked again.
Jiao's mother gave her a look, meaning she shouldn't ask any questions and should just lower her head and listen to the decree.
A silver-white horse trotted over, and a middle-aged man jumped off.
Eunuch Hou hurriedly stepped forward and respectfully said, "Your Excellency, everyone has arrived. Please announce the decree."
Jiang Huai, who had finally managed to kneel down after being pressed to the ground by Fu Qiyuan, jumped up again as soon as he saw the horse, pointing at it and shouting, "Horse! Little White's daddy!"
His foal was named Little White. When he finally saw a large horse of a similar color, he naturally assumed it was Little White's father.
The imagination is indeed rich.
Jiang Shan also turned his head to look, and yes, it did look quite similar.
The Duke of Rong, holding a gleaming imperial edict, walked straight to the front, bent down, and glanced at Jiang Huai. "Are you Huai'er?"
Jiang Huai looked up and chuckled, "Little one, who's Little Uncle?"
Duke Rong raised his thick, dark eyebrows and said, "Call me godfather."
Jiang Huai readily agreed, "Godfather, let's go ride horses!"
Duke Rong thought for a moment, "After the imperial decree is read and the errand is completed, your godfather will take you horseback riding."
Jiang Huai was even happier. He clapped his hands and grinned so wide his eyes disappeared. "Okay!"
Grand Eunuch Hou stared dumbfounded as the toddler, who was barely taller than Duke Rong's thigh, casually struck up a conversation with Duke Rong and became kin with him. His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Fu Qiyuan patted Jiang Huai's head speechlessly and whispered, "Kneel properly, or your mother will make you kneel on a washboard!"
Jiang Huai then knelt down properly, but his crescent-shaped eyes were fixed on Duke Rong, waiting for him to finish his business so he could go horseback riding.
The old master of the Fu family, standing to the side, was so jealous, it was as if he had drunk a whole pot of aged vinegar.
It's just that he thinks his black friend isn't handsome enough!
Duke Rong cleared his throat and began to read the imperial edict.
The imperial edict was very long. First, it clarified that Mr. Xunmei was the current emperor's tutor and that his official rank would be promoted by one level to the title of Grand Tutor. It also praised his daughter, Cheng Mei, for her kindness and selflessness in raising the son of the current minister and was granted the title of Fourth-Rank Lady. Furthermore, it commended Fu Qiyuan for not forgetting his adoptive mother's deep kindness and for being both loyal and filial, and awarded him a thousand taels of gold and promoted him by one level to the position of Chancellor of the Imperial Academy.
Finally, Duke Rong produced another scroll, a yellow scroll, which was an imperial edict from Li Yang requesting the appointment of a crown prince for Jianghuai.
After listening to the Duke of Rong read out a long passage, Jiang Huai only remembered three words: Prince Huai.
Holy crap! Her son has become the heir apparent!
She herself was still a commoner, while her son was already the heir apparent!
At Fu Qiyuan's prompting, Jiang Huai snatched the imperial edict and hugged it to his chest, saying happily, "Huai'er thanks Godfather!"
Duke Rong also presented a complete set of crown, robes, and ceremonial regalia representing the heir apparent, which was accepted from all those from Jianghuai.
Jiang Shan, representing Jianghuai, was to express her gratitude. She willingly kowtowed and said heartily, "This humble woman thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness! I will never forget the affection shown to Huai'er by Duke Xie and Grand Princess Liyang!"
Duke Rong pinched Jiang Huai's little face and said with a smile, "You have given birth to a fine son, which is a great achievement. Li Yang likes Huai'er very much, and so does I! Prepare a few more dishes tonight, as I want to have a good drink with the Grand Tutor!"
The scene that unfolded in front of Jiang's Private Kitchen quickly spread.
...
Jiang Shan looked at the set of princely attire in the box, his hand itching to touch it, but Jiao's mother slapped it away.
"They can't wear it on ordinary days, and Huai'er will grow taller in a few months and won't be able to wear it anymore, so let's put it away!" Jiao's mother said calmly.
Jiang Shan sighed, "Mother, I really gave birth to a precious gem! Is it because I benefited from his good fortune, or is it because he benefited from my good fortune?"
Madam Jiao glared at her, "What's there to argue about with your own son? Huai'er is the heir now, and he must be even more careful in his words and actions. He's strong, so you have to keep a close eye on him and make sure he doesn't cause any trouble!"
Jiang Shan felt a chill run down his spine and spread his hands. "I can't keep an eye on him every day. With Fu Li and An Yi watching over him, it should be fine, right?"
Both of them are skilled in martial arts; how could they not subdue a two-year-old child?
After thinking for a moment, Madam Jiao said, "Let's go and find out what the Duke has to say. After all, Huai'er inherited the title of Liyang, and she will be inseparable from the Grand Princess and the Duke of Rong's mansion in this life. Perhaps the Duke has his own plans."
Jiang Shan remained silent for a moment, then stopped speaking.
Her son is her son. Unless she doesn't want to take care of him, anyone who tries to take over her son's care will be rejected.
Jiang Shan naturally wouldn't say this to Jiao's mother openly.
But she could whisper sweet nothings in Fu Qiyuan's ear.
At dinner, besides Grand Tutor Cheng, the Duke of Rong was also accompanied by the old master of the Fu family and Fu Qiyuan.
Jiang Huai was held in Grand Tutor Cheng's arms, so he was considered half a person.
After riding a horse with Duke Rong, Jiang Huai became so close to him that they could talk about anything.
She's never been shy around strangers, and now that we share common interests and topics, she can follow along with me with just a little effort.
Duke Rong took the half-piece of crab roe cake that Jiang Huai handed him and ate it, saying, "Li Yang keeps nagging me about this adopted son, and I'm really envious. I've always wanted to find an opportunity to come to Yuzhou to see him. Indeed, he's much more fun than that brat Rong Yue! When are you going back to Shangjing? Take Huai'er back with you!"
Grand Tutor Cheng pretended not to hear; he was merely the great-grandfather, and it was not his place to decide Huai'er's fate.
The old patriarch Fu didn't say anything either. He wanted to say something, but unfortunately, his words didn't count.
Duke Rong glanced sideways at Fu Qiyuan while feeding each other crab roe cake with Jiang Huai.
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