"My royal brother, this is what I found out from my investigation of the Grand Marshal. Although he did not commit treason, he abused his power for personal gain, sold official positions and titles, accepted bribes and perverted the law, committed all kinds of crimes, exploited the people, bullied people by taking advantage of his position, abducted women, forced women of good families into prostitution, and committed all kinds of evil. His crimes are so heinous that they cannot be tolerated by Heaven." Prince Chun told the emperor what the Grand Marshal had done while in office.
"Damn it! Such a person deserves to die! Prince Chun, arrest the Grand Marshal immediately!" The emperor was furious after hearing this.
He felt sorry for the people of the world because there were such corrupt officials under his rule.
"I obey your order!" said Prince Chun.
"Brother, do you think I am not a good emperor?
"I feel so useless, unable to provide the people with a well-fed, well-clothed home where they can live and work in peace and contentment, and instead letting them endure the oppression and torture of the Grand Marshal," the emperor said self-reproachfully.
"Brother, don't underestimate yourself, you have done very well.
No one is perfect. When you are in a high position and trapped within high palace walls, how can you know what is happening outside?
The officials below are deliberately deceiving, so how can the emperor tell?" Prince Chun comforted the emperor.
"Have I really done a good job? I feel ashamed of the people," said the emperor.
"If my royal brother feels guilty towards the people, it would be better for him to come up with some new policies and collect less taxes from the people," Prince Chun suggested.
"Your Majesty is right, my brother. I need to think about what policies we should come up with that will benefit the people," said the emperor.
"I would like to thank the emperor on behalf of the people of the world. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave first!" said Prince Chun.
"Go down and do your work," said the emperor.
Prince Chun left the imperial study, returned to the clan house, and took people to capture the Grand Marshal.
The next day, after Yang Youxue finished her breakfast, the Yang family prepared to receive the imperial edict.
At one o'clock in the morning, Eunuch Hong came to Yang's house with the imperial edict. Liang Junhao was also among them. He followed because he was afraid that Eunuch Hong would make things difficult for Yang Youxue.
"The imperial edict has arrived!" Eunuch Feng, Eunuch Hong's little follower, shouted.
Yang Youxue came out with her family and stood in front of the lobby.
"Yang Youxue, please accept the order!" said Eunuch Hong.
"I accept your order!" Yang Youxue and her family knelt down and accepted the order.
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: My daughter Yang Youxue, virtuous and kind, with noble character, noble virtues and outstanding talents, solved the Jiangnan water monster, offered suggestions and solutions, helped the people improve their lives, and has made great contributions. From today on, I shall be named Princess Xueyao, and shall be granted a Princess Mansion, Dongdu County as my fiefdom, 10,000 acres of fertile land, two farms, five shops, 1,000 taels of gold, 10,000 taels of silver, a box of jewelry, a box of silk and satin, and a box of antique calligraphy and paintings. I decree this!" Eunuch Hong read out the imperial edict.
"Your Majesty, thank you for your grace!" Yang Youxue and her family bowed in gratitude. Then, they raised their hands high above their heads to receive the imperial edict.
He took the imperial edict and placed it on the incense table.
"I congratulate Princess Xueyao!" said Eunuch Hong.
"Thank you for your hard work, eunuch. This little money is for you to have some tea." Yang Youxue took the purse from Bai Chen and held the heavy money.
There were one hundred taels of silver and two hundred taels of silver notes inside.
"You're welcome, Princess." Eunuch Hong took the purse. The weight of it told him that it contained a lot of silver, so he happily accepted it.
"Sir, would you please stay and have a cup of tea before leaving?" Yang Youxue said.
"No, I have to go back to the palace to report to the emperor! Goodbye!" After saying this, Eunuch Hong took the eunuchs back to the palace, leaving only his personal eunuch.
"Take care, eunuch!" Yang Youxue followed behind respectfully to see him off.
"Congratulations, Princess. I am the apprentice of Eunuch Hong, Eunuch Gui. The princess's title has been sent to the princess's mansion, and I will take the princess there." Eunuch Gui flattered politely.
"Thank you for your help, eunuch! I hope you will accept this little gift." Yang Youxue handed over a purse with one hundred taels of silver in it.
"Thank you very much, Princess." said Eunuch Gui.
Eunuch Gui took Yang Youxue and her family to the Princess's Mansion, which was not far from the Yang Mansion.
When they arrived at the Princess's Mansion, there were many guards there, carrying things and waiting for Yang Youxue.
Eunuch Gui took the list and handed it to Yang Youxue.
Yang Youxue took the list and handed it to Bai Chen.
Bai Chen took the list and looked at it one by one.
"Miss, everything is complete." Bai Chen said.
"Now that the connection is completed, I have to return to the palace to report." said Eunuch Gui.
Bai Chen gave each eunuch a money bag, and Eunuch Gui took the eunuchs and left the Princess's Mansion.
The Princess's Mansion is a quadrangle courtyard with five entrances and five exits, and there are two stone lions at the entrance.
The people around were talking about it. Yang Youxue led everyone into the yard and assigned yards to their families.
At the first entrance, Old Man Yang, Lu Guihua, Yang Zhongyi and Huang Lijuan live.
Yang Zhongcheng's family lives in the second courtyard.
Yang Qingman and Yang Qingyao live in the third courtyard.
In the fourth courtyard, Yang Qingpei, Yang Qingyou and Yang Youxue live.
In the fifth courtyard, Yang Qingfeng, Yang Qinghao and Yang Qingbo live.
Old Man Yang and Lu Guihua lived in the east wing, and Yang Zhongyi and Huang Lijuan lived in the west wing.
Yang Zhongcheng and Su Shanshan lived in the east wing of the second courtyard, Yang Qingyi and Yang Qingjie lived in the west wing, and Yang Qingjun, Yang Qinghui, and Yang Qingan lived in the south wing.
Yang Qingman lived in the east wing of the fourth courtyard. Because she was not in the capital, the east wing was reserved for her to live in when she came to Beijing next time.
Yang Qingyao lived in the west wing of the fourth courtyard.
Yang Qingpei lived in the south wing of the fifth courtyard, Yang Qingyou lived in the west wing, and Yang Youxue lived in the east wing.
Yang Youxue took Bai Chen to her east wing, which contained two master bedrooms, four side rooms, a storeroom, a small kitchen, a small dining room next to the kitchen, a bathroom, a study, and a small hall for entertaining guests.
Bai Chen lived in her ear room to protect her.
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