Jingguang Temple sits on the slopes of Mount Putuo, not far from the capital. Its abbot, Master Xuyun, is a highly respected monk whose profound Buddhist knowledge makes this temple the royal state temple of the Great Gan Kingdom.
Because of this, this place often attracts royal nobles to come and pray and worship Buddha.
The eldest princess had spent a year in Jingguang Temple. When the mother of the three brothers and Princess Lan passed away, the eldest princess was heartbroken and fell ill, almost following her beloved daughter.
The eldest princess and her husband had two daughters together. The husband was once the study partner of the current emperor. When the emperor was still the crown prince, he was hunting and was unfortunately attacked by an assassin. The husband took the sword for the emperor and died heroically.
The eldest princess's legitimate daughter was born prematurely and was weak, and died before she was fifteen years old.
For various reasons, His Majesty holds the Princess in high esteem and regards her with special affection. The Princess is free to deploy the 30,000 troops left behind by the late Emperor, and His Majesty has never objected, allowing her to do as she pleases.
It was noon when the three brothers arrived at Jingguang Temple. The eldest princess was seriously ill and could only accept their kowtows through a folding screen.
The eldest princess's weak voice came through the screen like a mosquito: "Everyone, get up. It's rare that you three children still miss me so much."
The three brothers stood up and stood respectfully aside. Jiang Zhixu spoke first, "Grandma, has your health improved? We brought you some nourishing herbs this time."
The princess sighed softly, "I am deeply satisfied with your filial piety. However, I am afraid that I will not be able to recover from my illness anytime soon."
Jiang Shuyan hurriedly said, "Princess, please don't worry. Master Xuyun's Buddhist teachings are profound and will surely protect you and help you recover soon."
The eldest princess looked at the timid Jiang Yiyun and said earnestly, "Your grandmother is extremely foolish. She actually raised her child like this. You must never let Yi-ge stay with her again."
"Yes, we are ready to send him to school." Jiang Zhixu stroked his younger brother's head and said softly.
"Well, that's very good. When you return, you must do your duty diligently. I know that you came here not only to visit me, but also to inquire about the military talisman.
Those 30,000 soldiers are in my fiefdom. My father entrusted them to me before his death. Although I can deploy them, the military tokens have not been handed over to me, and I don't know their whereabouts."
Jiang Zhixu frowned and pondered, which meant that the princess only possessed these troops temporarily. Once the military token reappeared in the world one day, these troops might be transferred away!
The late emperor was taking advantage of the eldest princess. He knew that the current emperor had a close relationship with the eldest princess and would not touch the troops in the eldest princess's hands. It felt like the late emperor was using the eldest princess to protect someone!
The three brothers had a quick vegetarian meal at Jingguang Temple, said goodbye to the eldest princess in a hurry, and then rushed back to the Duke's Mansion. After all, the imperial edict was expected to arrive at the Duke's Mansion in the afternoon, and they couldn't keep the eunuch who delivered the edict waiting for too long!
As soon as they stepped into the Duke's Mansion, the imperial edict arrived like timely rain. They hurriedly cleaned themselves, changed their clothes, and went to the front hall. They set up the incense table and knelt reverently, ready to receive the edict.
The eunuch delivering the decree shouted in a shrill voice:
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims:
I know full well that a nation's prosperity depends on its loyal and devoted ministers. On the battlefield against Dong Jinguo, Duke Jiang Zhixu bravely fought like a tiger descending from the mountains, serving the country with unparalleled valor. I now promote you to the rank of Third Rank Lieutenant General and appoint you Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I hope you will be even more loyal and conscientious in your duties, worthy of my grace in selecting you, and work together to build a prosperous and peaceful nation. Respect you!
Give:
A set of python pattern patched clothes,
A white jade belt,
One hundred ounces of gold,
His wife was specially granted the title of Third Rank Lady and was given the title of Third Rank Lady Court Dress.
I hereby order you."
Lord Jiang Zhixu hurriedly knelt down to receive the imperial edict and express his gratitude.
Jiang Zhixu and Jin Linlin knelt forward together to receive the imperial edict and accepted the court robes as rewards.
The eunuch delivering the decree shouted again at the top of his voice:
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims:
I know full well that a nation's prosperity depends on loyal and devoted ministers. On the battlefield against Dong Jinguo, Duke Jiang Shuyan, like a reincarnated Zhuge Liang, served the nation with remarkable skill and resourcefulness. I now promote you to the rank of Minister of Rites, Fourth Rank. I hope you will be even more loyal and dedicated to your duties, worthy of my selection, and work together to build a prosperous and peaceful nation. Respectfully!
Give:
A set of Jinxian crowns,
A white jade belt,
Fifty ounces of gold,
His wife was specially granted the title of Fourth Rank Gongren and was given the title of Fourth Rank Imperial Lady.
I hereby order you."
The third brother and his wife hurried forward to receive the imperial edict and were rewarded with court robes.
Zhuang took the three purses from the maid, holding them like three precious pearls, and handed them to the eunuch who was delivering the imperial edict, saying with a flattering face:
"Thank you for your help, eunuch. I'll give you some tea!" The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict had a calm expression. He pinched the purse, which was quite light, and thought it must contain silver bills. He put it in his arms, bowed to Zhuang, and said a few polite words.
"Then I'll take my leave. The two Lords Jiang will take up their posts in two days." After saying that, he turned and left.
Everyone stood up, and the palace suddenly became noisy, with everyone congratulating Jiang Zhixu and Jiang Shuyan. Jiang Zhixu and Jiang Shuyan's faces were calm, but their eyes could not hide their joy. Zhuang's face was full of pride. She shook their hands tightly and said, "You must serve the emperor wholeheartedly and do not let this great favor down."
The Duke of Zhenguo told everyone in the mansion that the second and third young masters had already become officials and should be addressed as Second Master and Third Master.
Jiang Yiyu was envious and secretly clenched his fists, vowing in his heart to work hard and achieve great things like his two brothers in the future.
At this time, the housekeeper came hurriedly to report: "Master, the lady wants to invite you two adults to move to her courtyard." Jiang Zhixu and Jiang Shuyan looked at each other, and then followed the housekeeper.
When they arrived at the Taifu's courtyard, she was all smiles, holding their hands and asking about their well-being. She also mentioned that this promotion was an honor for the family. Then she changed the subject and mentioned the eldest son of the first wife, hoping that Jiang Zhixu and Jiang Shuyan would help him get a position in the court.
Jiang Zhixu and Jiang Shuyan were well aware of the Madam's plans, and though they echoed her sentiments, they each had their own calculations. After leaving the Madam's presence, they knew their path to the imperial court would be fraught with obstacles.
In recent years, because there is no one in the court, the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion has fallen into the ranks of a third-rate family. When noble families, dukes, royal relatives, and aristocrats hold banquets, they rarely send invitations.
The day after the imperial edict was issued, invitations from various families poured in like snowflakes, landing on the Duke's Mansion. Jiang Zhixu and Jiang Shuyan looked at the table full of invitations, their lips curled slightly. Those noble families who had once scorned the Duke's Mansion were now fawning over it.
However, before they had time to carefully consider how to respond to these invitations, news arrived from the palace that the Empress was hosting a banquet and inviting the women of the Zhenguo Mansion to the palace. Zhuang, Jin Linlin, and the others immediately became nervous and began preparing appropriate clothing and gifts.
After discussing it, Jiang Zhixu and Jiang Shuyan decided to selectively accept invitations from aristocratic families, using this opportunity to regain their footing in the court. The road ahead was still long, and whether the Zhenguo Mansion could regain its glory depended on how well they took this step.
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