reward
Emperor Liang said, "I have met you twice before. At that time, I only felt that you were reckless and impulsive, and very unreliable. Moreover, you come from a merchant family and are an illegitimate daughter. You are not a good match for my Heng'er..."
Jiang Yi gasped. Here it comes!
"But who can blame us when Heng'er likes you so much?"
Jiang Yi suddenly looked up: "Huh?"
"...I have read the story circulating in the capital recently. Along the way, I am grateful that you were by his side. I have also seen your righteous and courageous side. I will remember this kindness. Since you two have each other in your hearts, how can I be so cruel as to separate two lovers? Alright, come forward."
Jiang Yi was certain that Emperor Liang was speaking to her, so she turned her head slightly to look at He Lin. He Lin nodded at her, and Jiang Yi then felt relieved and stepped forward.
"His Majesty."
Emperor Liang picked up a golden token from the pile of memorials on his desk, held it out to her, and said in a deep voice, "Keep this token safe. Seeing it within the territory of Liang is as if I am here in person. You can freely enter and leave the six courtyards of the palace. Even civil and military officials will kneel and pay their respects to you upon seeing this token. I was in a hurry when I bestowed this marriage and did not have time to prepare a wedding gift. Consider this token as a wedding gift for you."
"...From now on, Heng'er will need your continued care. You two should live a good life together. I cannot be with his mother forever, but I only wish that you two can hold hands for a lifetime and stay together until your hair turns white."
Jiang Yi's eyes widened. What was going on?!
Not only did Emperor Liang not stop her from being with He Lin, but he also gave her such a huge gift. Did he get a windfall? It's so good it could knock someone out!
So, if she has this token, she can go wherever she wants in the world! That's awesome!
Emperor Liang frowned when he saw that she was hesitant to accept the gift, and asked, "What's wrong? Do you think this gift is too small and don't want it?"
After regaining her senses, Jiang Yi waved her hands repeatedly: "No, no, no, I want it! I want it! Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Jiang Yi took the token and examined it repeatedly. There were two dragon patterns carved on the front and the character "令" in the center. The back was simpler, with nothing carved on it.
Wow, it's quite heavy, made of solid gold! If you converted that to RMB, how much money would it be worth!
Emperor Liang instructed, "Although I have bestowed the token upon you, you must make good use of it and not use it to commit evil deeds or bully the weak. Otherwise, I still have the right to take it back."
Jiang Yi's playful expression vanished, and she replied seriously, "Yes."
Immediately afterwards, Emperor Liang's gaze returned to He Lin.
Jiang Yi took a few steps back and stood next to him.
"Your Majesty, I have a request."
"Tell me, and I will definitely agree!"
He Lin pursed his lips and said, "I only wish to be He Lin, living in the General's Mansion with my parents and Jiang Yi."
Upon hearing this, not only was Emperor Liang stunned, but Jiang Yi also didn't react for a long time. She quietly looked up at Emperor Liang, then looked away and fixed her gaze on the ground, no longer looking around.
How embarrassing!
Emperor Liang just said he would grant him any request! Who knew He Lin would be so rebellious, uttering such blasphemous words! Imagine, who could tolerate their son disowning them and calling someone else "father" to their face?! You couldn't find anyone like him even with a lantern!
However, He Lin's words were tantamount to telling Emperor Liang that he did not want to reveal his identity as the third prince and would remain the second son of the General's Mansion.
Emperor Liang gave a bitter smile, shook his head, and looked heartbroken and helpless.
"Heng'er, if I agree, would you be willing to call me Father Emperor?"
He Lin's lips were almost pressed into a straight line as he stood there quietly without saying a word.
This means "I'm unwilling".
After a short while, Emperor Liang sighed softly, "Alright, since you like it, then I will grant your wish."
Then he loudly summoned Li Shengquan in.
"His Majesty."
"...By imperial decree, General He Wei has guarded the border for many years and has rendered meritorious service in protecting the country. Now, in recognition of his merits, he is hereby granted the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households, with a stipend of a thousand gold pieces, which shall be hereditary and unrestricted, and his family shall be honored with high rank and honors. His family members shall also be granted the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady, and be granted ten thousand gold pieces."
Li Shengquan hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth with difficulty to remind her, "Your Majesty, if Lady Tong is granted the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady, she will be on par with the First Lady. This... I'm afraid the First Lady's side..."
"It's alright, my elder sister will understand. Go and deliver the decree."
"yes."
Just as Li Shengquan was about to walk out of the study, Emperor Liang suddenly stopped him, saying, "Wait."
Li Shengquan turned around and quickly returned the way he came: "Does Your Majesty have any other instructions?"
Emperor Liang pondered for a moment and said, "My elder sister also helped me in recognizing Heng'er this time. Since my elder sister is already a first-rank official, I will bestow another title upon her, adding the title of Roujia. I will appoint the eldest son, He Yu, as the deputy commander of the Shenji Camp, leading a thousand troops. It will not be too late for him to be promoted after he follows his father to achieve meritorious deeds in the future."
Li Shengquan bowed and nodded: "Yes, this servant will go to the General's Mansion to deliver the decree."
Emperor Liang looked at He Lin and said, "Since you don't want anything from me, then I will bestow it upon your family. Although He Wei and Su Tong committed the crime of deceiving the emperor, I can forgive them in consideration of the years they raised you. This can be considered a balance of merit and demerit."
He Lin cupped his fists in thanks: "Your Majesty, I thank you!"
No need for formalities.
Jiang Yi couldn't help but sigh, "No wonder Emperor Liang was able to become emperor. Whether it was between the emperor and his ministers, or between father and son, he was always adept at navigating social situations and handling interpersonal relationships with ease. He knew that it was difficult to deal with He Lin directly, so he started by undermining those around him, and everyone he dealt with received rewards. Tsk tsk tsk, the old fox is indeed shrewd..."
"If Your Majesty has nothing else to say, I shall take my leave."
Emperor Liang opened his mouth, intending to invite him to dine in the palace, but the words stuck in his throat. The Empress Dowager was right; some things couldn't be rushed.
"Okay, go ahead."
Jiang Yi followed He Lin in bowing to the man on the dragon throne and then withdrew.
The two walked out of the study one after the other. After walking a distance, He Lin unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. Jiang Yi couldn't help but find it a little funny. Was it really necessary to feel so much pressure when meeting one's biological father?
He Lin led her by the hand as they walked along the palace path. The young palace maids and eunuchs passing by bowed to the two of them and then hurried on their way. Only after they had passed did they turn back to peek and giggle with their companions, covering their mouths.
Jiang Yi looked down at the large hand He Lin was holding and laughed: "He Lin, how dare you be so bold today? You actually dared to talk back to His Majesty."
“I didn’t argue with him. He wanted to talk to me, and I was just telling the truth and expressing my thoughts.”
Jiang Yi nodded with a pursed lip, took out the gold token that Emperor Liang had given her, and bit it.
"Ouch, I can't bite it! This is real gold!"
He Lin slowed his pace, amused by the man's words: "As a king, would he give you a fake?"
"Then I'd better keep it safe!" Jiang Yi put it back into her belt and patted it twice. "I know His Majesty gave me this token so that I could protect you, right? If anyone bullies you again, I'll take out this token and scare them to death!"
"...No need for that, you should protect yourself."
Jiang Yifu turned around and faced He Lin walking backwards: "Hey, you don't believe me, do you?"
"No! Watch where you're going, or you'll fall!"
After hearing this, Jiang Yi did the opposite of what he said, tilting her head with her hands behind her back, looking arrogant.
"Hmph, so what?"
He Lin shook his head and could only keep a close eye on her movements, lest she accidentally trip over the pebbles under her feet.
With no one around, Jiang Yi said in a low voice, "He Lin, you're just too proud. You always have a cold face and don't give him a single smile. I think he still loves and cares for you."
He Lin said, "He only felt guilty. If we're talking about being ruthless, he's the first to be blamed."
"You shouldn't be so cold-hearted, after all, he's your biological father."
He Lin remained silent.
Jiang Yi sighed and stopped walking.
"What's wrong?"
Jiang Yi stared at him intently, then took a step towards He Lin, raised her hand and hooked his chin with her index finger, teasingly saying, "What's wrong? You don't want to smile at him, so why aren't you giving me a friendly look today? Hmm?"
He Lin took her hand away: "Alright, we're in the palace, stop fooling around."
"What's wrong with the palace? We're a married couple who've gone through the wedding ceremony. So what if others see us? I'll just tease you!"
At this point, she flicked her tongue like a rogue and said in a soft voice, "Give me a smile, Second Young Master?"
"you……"
Although He Lin had spent some time with Jiang Yi and had gained some understanding of her rogue nature, no matter how much time passed, she would still tease him until he blushed. She could spout those sweet and affectionate words that would make anyone blush, and he didn't know where she learned them from!
He Lin's face visibly began to flush red, even the tips of his ears gradually turned red. Helpless, he could only curl his lips into a smile, but the tenderness and doting in his eyes could not be hidden and seemed to be overflowing.
Seeing this, Jiang Yi decided to add fuel to the fire and continue to flirt: "Second Young Master was so well-behaved today, how about I give you a reward?"
"What?"
Jiang Yi didn't answer, she just kept smiling. Taking advantage of his unpreparedness, she stood on tiptoe and suddenly kissed him on the corner of his mouth. The kiss was brief, but it was very forceful. He Lin was so shocked by her that he almost lost his balance and nearly hit his teeth.
After the kiss, Jiang Yi wore a bright smile, while He Lin stared at her blankly, his handsome face turning even redder...
A few palace maids walked over from a distance, carrying trays and lined up in a row. Seeing the two of them standing there without moving, they all bent their knees in greeting, and then slowly walked away, gradually disappearing into the distance.
Jiang Yi waved in front of He Lin and asked with a smile, "What's wrong? You're not dumbfounded, are you?"
He Lin grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the palace gate.
Jiang Yi followed behind, laughing so hard she couldn't stand up straight: "He Lin, slow down! What's the rush? I'm about to fly!"
"..."
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