Chapter 328 Rewards
Princess Fu fainted from excessive grief and woke up shortly after arriving at the clinic.
With the medicine prescribed by the doctor, the carriage continued its journey and arrived at the private residence that Qiu Heng had bought for Princess Rongning.
Although the house was not large, it was more than enough to house Princess Rongning and her daughter, as well as their two maids, Xiuqiong and Xiuzhi.
Xiuqiong and Xiuzhi were spared from being enslaved by the government because they accompanied Princess Rongning to marry into Xijiang. They were also the only two maids who returned alive from Xijiang.
Xiuqiong helped Princess Fu take her medicine and fall asleep, while Xiuzhi and Fangzhou were busy in the kitchen.
"Miss, Princess, dinner will be ready soon. If you're hungry, have some snacks to tide you over," Fangzhou said with a smile as she peeked out from the kitchen.
Seeing Fangzhou's smiling face, Princess Rongning's heavy mood eased a bit: "Fangzhou, from now on, call me Lingyan. I am a commoner now."
Fangzhou didn't show any sympathy, but smiled and said, "Then I'll call you Miss Yan from now on."
"Sister Yan, there's a small garden with a well in the back. Let me show you." Qiu Heng pulled Princess Rongning to familiarize herself with the new residence.
Princess Rongning strolled from the front yard to the back yard, and stood in the pitifully small garden, extremely satisfied: "I can grow some vegetables here in the future."
What vegetables do you want to grow?
“Plant some cabbage so it can be stored until winter, and also plant some chives, since Mother likes to eat chive dumplings. And plant a cucumber too…” Princess Rongning said, tears that she had been holding back for a long time finally fell. “Aheng, thank you.”
She hated her father and was disappointed in her three brothers, but blood ties cannot be erased by hatred and disappointment.
She knew that the pain of losing a loved one would last a lifetime. But with her mother and close friends by her side, she could withstand the pain with love and keep going.
The lunch menu wasn't extensive, but it was delicious and visually appealing. Princess Fu, a woman of strong will, forced herself to get up and drink a bowl of porridge before returning to her room.
Princess Rongning escorted Qiuheng to the front gate.
"Now that we're close by, if Sister Yan needs anything, just send someone to tell me."
Princess Rongning nodded gently, watched Qiuheng and Fangzhou walk out of the alley before turning back.
Qiu Heng returned to the Yongqing Marquis's residence, where the Marquis was waiting for her.
"Heng'er, I heard that you arranged the accommodations for Princess Fu and her daughter?"
Qiu Heng readily admitted, "Yes."
The Earl of Yongqing frowned deeply: "Although they have been pardoned, they are still the female relatives of traitors. It's not that your grandfather is stopping you from helping your friends, but if you wanted to help, you could have secretly slipped them some money. You shouldn't have made such a public show of it..."
"They don't lack money."
Although the Prince of Fu's mansion was raided, the private belongings of Princess Rongning and Princess Fu were turned a blind eye, ensuring that the mother and daughter would have no financial worries in the future.
"Since you're not short of money, you have even less reason to—"
“Grandfather,” Qiu Heng interrupted Yongqing Bo’s nagging with displeasure, “you should mind your own business.”
"What?" Earl Yongqing stared, disbelieving his ears.
"I told you to mind your own business and leave me alone," Qiu Heng said, and without waiting for Yongqing Bo's reaction, she turned and left.
After a long while, the stoic-looking Marquis Yongqing suddenly turned around. His dark face was not directed at the girl who was walking further and further away, but at his attendant: "What the Sixth Miss said must not be revealed to anyone else!"
It would be too embarrassing for him to let people know that Liu Yatou doesn't respect him as her grandfather.
As for settling scores with Liu Yaya?
Don't joke around, what if you bring him bad luck and kill him?
As Yongqingbo thought this, he didn't even dare to get angry anymore, and was filled with trepidation: He could only scold that girl a few times, he couldn't let her die, could he?
Feeling increasingly uneasy, Yongqingbo quickly went to Qiansongtang and expressed his concerns.
The old lady sneered, "Are you too idle? Why are you lecturing Heng'er for no reason?"
"Why do you say that? I'm only doing this for the good of the Earl's family. I'm afraid that Heng'er will get too close to the female relatives of the traitor and annoy that person."
The old lady rolled her eyes: "Don't say things like 'for the good of the Earl's Mansion.' Every single thing you wanted to do before brought great misfortune to the Earl's Mansion. Luckily, Heng'er stopped you..."
The Earl of Yongqing was furious: "I came to you for comfort, not to hear you dredge up old grievances. You old woman, how can you have no compassion at all?"
The old lady grabbed a tangerine from the fruit plate and threw it at him: "Get out of here, Heng'er isn't my nemesis anyway."
The maids and servants of Qiansong Hall listened to the old lady's argument, which was overwhelmingly in favor of them, without changing their expressions and continuing to do what they were supposed to do.
The dark clouds hanging over the capital city, which had been hanging over the execution of Prince Fu and others, had not yet completely dissipated when the coronation ceremony arrived.
Civil and military officials stood solemnly in the main hall according to their rank. Amidst the music, the new emperor, wearing a crown, walked step by step toward the throne.
Three kneelings and nine kowtows, and all the officials shouted "Long live the Emperor!"
The young emperor gazed down at the kneeling civil and military officials through the tassels hanging in front of his eyes.
His expression was calm.
Having experienced so much in such a short time, he has developed a composure and resilience beyond his years.
After serving as crown prince for more than ten years, he can finally sit here peacefully and listen to the congratulations of all the officials.
If my mother knew this from beyond the grave, how happy she would be.
The new emperor's thoughts drifted back to the time before the late empress dowager's death.
She held his hand tightly, reluctant to part, her eyes filled with unbearable regret.
"My child, I'm so sorry, I couldn't be there to watch you grow up..."
At that time, I was young and only focused on my grief. I didn't fully understand my mother's meaning. Later, I slowly realized how difficult it would be to grow up properly without my mother's protection.
The new emperor's eyes reddened slightly, but fortunately, the tassels on his robes prevented his ministers from noticing.
"All of you, rise."
The grand and magnificent enthronement ceremony has ended, but the ripples caused by Prince Fu's rebellion still have an aftershock.
Previously, those who deserved to be killed were killed, and those who deserved to be punished were punished. Now it's time to reward those who have made contributions and to fill vacancies and promote those who have made contributions.
Among them, the most eye-catching is Xue Han, the Imperial Envoy.
After the imperial edict, filled with effusive praise, was read aloud, the rewards bestowed upon Xue Han reached the ears of the officials and nobles.
Xue Han was rewarded for his meritorious service in protecting the emperor and was appointed as the Deputy Commander of the Palace Guards, and was granted the title of Marquis of Anping, a truly prestigious promotion.
The officials didn't show it on their faces, but those with daughters or granddaughters of marriageable age were filled with deep regret.
How could we have missed out on such a perfect son-in-law? That old rascal, the Earl of Yongqing, really got a good deal.
Standing in a secluded corner, Lord Yongqing noticed the subtle envious glances and unconsciously puffed out his chest.
Although the sixth daughter doesn't give him face as her grandfather, she still earns him face in public!
Unexpectedly, there was something that brought honor to the Earl of Yongqing but also caused dismay among the court officials.
Princess Qiuheng of Suiyun County was promoted to Princess of Suiyun County for her meritorious service in saving lives during the palace coup.
When the Earl of Yongqing returned to his residence with the messenger, he was still in a daze.
Why was Heng'er involved in the palace coup?
He went to the funeral of the late emperor, and that night he discovered that the mausoleum area was on fire. He also went to see it. Later, when all the officials and nobles gathered at the temporary palace, they were told that Prince Fu was plotting a rebellion. He was one of the people who were frightened.
How could he not know that Heng'er was also present during the palace coup?
A eunuch from the Yongqing Marquis's residence had come to inform them in advance, and by the time the imperial messenger arrived, everyone in the Marquis's residence had already gathered in the front courtyard and set up an incense table.
After the official who delivered the imperial edict finished reading it and left, the Earl of Yongqing quickly walked towards Qiuheng.
(End of this chapter)
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