Chapter 127 Proclaiming the Imperial Decree
Xiao Fengyi's face instantly turned extremely ugly.
If it really is Xi Han, then not only did he not handle things well, he messed them up.
"Your Majesty! This...this Western Cold..."
"how?"
Pei Yan's face suddenly darkened. "Does the Empress have objections to my decree?"
The warning in her words sent a shiver down Xiao Fengyi's spine, and all the words stuck in her throat. She knew that arguing any further would not only be futile but would also anger the emperor and bring trouble upon herself.
She bit her lower lip hard and lowered her head: "Your Majesty is wise and thoughtful."
"Hmm." Pei Yan nodded in satisfaction, as if he had won a great victory and was in a great mood.
He looked at Desheng, who was still kneeling at his feet, and the more he looked at him, the more pleasing he became to the eye. What a wonderful person!
“Desheng,” his voice softened considerably, “you servant, you’re quite quick-witted. You’ve solved a difficult problem for me.”
"It is my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens! How dare I, with my humble efforts, presume to deserve Your Majesty's praise!"
Desheng immediately kowtowed repeatedly, his fat face filled with a flattered and obsequious smile, but inside he was overjoyed!
Performance! Huge performance!
The young lady will definitely be satisfied!
"Issue the decree!" Pei Yan commanded directly, his voice tinged with a hint of mischief. "Order the Hanlin Academy to draft the decree immediately! Princess Xie Sangning of Jianing County is virtuous, diligent, and gentle, and has made many contributions to the country and its people, which greatly pleases me! In particular, considering that she has been in Xihan for a long time and still cherishes her homeland, I hereby bestow upon her the entire territory of Xihan as her fief, to be hereditary forever! I hope that she will live up to my expectations, govern well, and bring peace and security to the people and the borders! This is my decree!"
"Your servant obeys!" Desheng replied loudly, quickly getting up with a rosy complexion on his fat face, and eagerly preparing to go out and deliver the message.
"Wait a minute." Pei Yan seemed to remember something, a wicked smile curling at the corner of his lips, and called out to Desheng.
"Your Majesty?" Desheng turned around quickly.
“Add another sentence to the decree,”
Pei Yan said slowly and deliberately, "The Western Cold is barren, and the people suffer greatly. I... will bestow upon Princess Jianing an additional reward... um... fifty cartloads of top-grade medicinal herbs and one hundred bolts of cloth! To help the princess... govern her fiefdom well!"
This is a blatant humiliation.
"This servant understands!" Desheng replied loudly and quickly retreated.
Desheng's face lit up with joy; he seemed to already see his future, a future that was absolutely bright.
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, only Pei Yan's hearty and triumphant laughter remained.
At the General's Mansion, Xie Sangning listened to Ru Xia's low report that Desheng had arrived outside the mansion with the imperial edict.
There was no surprise in her eyes.
"Set up an incense table and receive the imperial decree."
In front of the mansion gate, Desheng held a bright yellow imperial edict, trying his best to maintain the solemnity and dignity expected of an imperial decree. However, his slightly raised eyebrows and the occasional glances into the mansion betrayed his excitement and anticipation.
Xie Sangning bowed gracefully before the incense table, her posture respectful and impeccable.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Princess Xie Sangning of Jianing County is virtuous, diligent, and gentle, and has made many contributions to the country and its people, which greatly pleases me! In particular, considering that she has lived in Xihan for a long time and still cherishes her homeland, I hereby bestow upon her the entire territory of Xihan as her fief, to be hers forever! I hope that she will live up to my expectations, govern well, and bring peace and security to the people! Furthermore, considering that Xihan is impoverished and the people suffer greatly, I hereby bestow upon her an additional fifty cartloads of top-quality medicinal herbs and one hundred bolts of cloth to help her treat the common people well! This is my decree!"
Desheng's sharp voice echoed in front of the general's mansion, and he pronounced the words with particular intonation.
After the imperial edict was read, Desheng looked at Xie Sangning, who was kneeling at the front, with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.
According to the normal script, Xie Sangning should be struck dumb at this moment, her face pale, suppressing her humiliation and resentment, and thanking him in a trembling voice.
After all, this was a humiliating gift carefully prepared by His Majesty the Emperor!
Giving her the poorest, most dilapidated land would make anyone feel incredibly resentful!
However--
Xie Sangning slowly raised her head.
Desheng's heart skipped a beat!
On Xie Sangning's exquisite face, there was not the slightest anger or resentment at being humiliated; instead, a bright smile spread across her face!
That smile was like a flower that suddenly bloomed, dazzling the eyes!
"Your humble servant, Xie Sangning—"
Her voice was clear and melodious, filled with barely suppressed excitement and gratitude. She proclaimed, "I thank Your Majesty for your divine grace! Your Majesty's boundless kindness, in understanding my longing for home, has bestowed upon me the Western Han, the land I yearn for, as your fief! This grace and virtue are like a second birth! I am deeply grateful and will certainly do my utmost to live up to Your Majesty's high expectations, and govern the Western Han with peace and prosperity, to repay even a fraction of Your Majesty's profound kindness!"
As she spoke, her eyes even reddened slightly, as if she was truly moved to tears by the emperor's kindness!
Desheng felt a buzzing in his head!
How could he possibly respond to the Emperor? The Emperor wanted to see the young lady looking frustrated and upset, yet forced to accept the decree.
Now that you're acting so happy, the Emperor will surely be unhappy when he finds out!
"Please rise, Your Highness!" Desheng, being an old fox, snapped back to his senses and quickly stepped forward to help Xie Sangning up, a smile spreading across his face: "Your Highness is deeply righteous and grateful for the Emperor's grace. If His Majesty knew of Your Highness's gratitude, he would surely be very pleased!"
While making polite remarks, he winked at the girls behind Xie Sangning who were about to burst out laughing.
Hurry up and give out the bonus! Such a big thing was accomplished, I wonder how much the bonus will be!
Ru Xia immediately understood, stepped forward, and stuffed a heavy red brocade pouch that she had prepared beforehand into Desheng's hand.
"Father-in-law, you must be tired from your journey. Please use this small amount of money for tea to moisten your throats, along with the young gentlemen."
Desheng held the weight of the brocade pouch in his hand, and his chubby face beamed with a smile that seemed to burst out!
He subtly tucked the brocade pouch into his sleeve, his face practically overflowing with obsequiousness: "Your Highness is too kind! This servant is unworthy of such praise! Unworthy of such praise!"
"You deserve to be called a father-in-law." Xie Sangning still wore that bright and touching smile of gratitude on her face, but her voice was lowered a bit, so that only Desheng could hear her clearly, "Desheng, this time... you've been very quick-witted. This county magistrate is very satisfied."
Desheng was overjoyed! He had been praised by the young lady herself! This excited him even more than the silver notes! This was recognition from his true master!
"This servant...this servant is merely fulfilling his duty!"
Xie Sangning looked at him, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes: "Hmm. Doing your duty well will naturally be rewarded. Your rank... will be promoted one level. Also..."
She paused, looking at Desheng's eyes, which were now filled with anticipation and held their breath. "I remember you have a nephew who is having a hard time in the capital?"
Desheng's heart leaped into his throat!
Her beady eyes widened, and her voice trembled with disbelief: "Yes...yes...Princess! My nephew...is too young, and no one is looking after him..."
"Now you may move your nephew to Xihan to settle down. I, the county magistrate, will have people make proper arrangements for him, ensuring he has enough to eat and wear, and lives a peaceful and happy life."
Desheng could no longer control himself, and his eyes reddened.
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