Jiang Bai sat up straight again. She thought about it and realized that she must have misheard; the emperor wasn't talking about her.
However, when the emperor turned to look at her, he waved to the eunuch beside him, who then stepped forward and cleared his throat: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that Zhao Shi Jiang Baiminghui is of excellent character and is hereby granted the title of First-Rank Imperial Consort."
Jiang Bai glanced at Zhao Yi, then at the Emperor.
This lady of high rank is really too abrupt.
Seeing her like this, the emperor chuckled: "I just bestowed the title of 'Peace' on her yesterday, and then I asked this child what she wanted."
"And guess what? The child absolutely refused."
Jiang Bai pondered for a moment. Xiao Ping'an's move was indeed clever. By asking for nothing, he appeared humble to the emperor, not ambitious.
In this way, the emperor will trust him even more.
He was initially worried that Ping An was too young and might be too impetuous at times.
This child is still confident in his abilities.
"After much thought, I realized that if I didn't reward him with something, it would seem like I was neglecting him."
Jiang Bai thought this made sense. After all, Zhao Ping'an was now a general who protected the country, and the emperor couldn't just let him be an empty shell. Otherwise, people would inevitably gossip about him in the future.
"So, I thought of your Zhao family, and then I heard that Anping said some things. Jiang Bai, you have indeed made contributions. You cured the Empress Dowager's illness and later found the Empress Dowager's wife for the Imperial Uncle."
"These are all great achievements, so I will bestow upon you the title of Lady of the Imperial Decree."
Jiang Bai understood and bowed, saying, "This humble woman thanks Your Majesty."
"Wait a minute," the emperor said with a smile.
"There's no need to refer to yourself as a commoner woman anymore."
Jiang Bai looked up, somewhat puzzled.
Zhao Yi, who was standing to the side, had already sensed something.
"Your Zhao family is now the richest in the Great Chu. Over the years, you have been loyal and devoted to the royal family. So, the position of Minister of Revenue shall be given to Zhao Yi."
Jiang Bai glanced at Zhao Yi. No wonder the Minister of Revenue suddenly resigned a few days ago. His Majesty must have realized something and just happened to fill a position for him.
Although the emperor gave Zhao Yi a position, the Zhao family was now firmly in control of the emperor's position.
However, Jiang Bai also understood that the Zhao family, or rather the Zhao family's assets, would be under the emperor's control from now on.
Jiang Bai felt somewhat uncomfortable.
However, now that they are in the imperial court, she and Zhao Yi have no other choice.
We can only take it one step at a time.
Zhao Yi and Jiang Bai had the same idea, and Zhao Yi bowed and said, "Your subject, Zhao Yi, thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."
The emperor was very pleased and said, "Rise."
Jiang Bai and Zhao Yi exchanged a few more pleasantries with the emperor before leaving the palace.
The two walked side by side on the palace road. Jiang Bai was silent for a moment. The sun shone on them, and Jiang Bai couldn't open his eyes for a moment.
Zhao Yi walked in front of her, shielding her from some of the sunlight.
Jiang Bai was silent for a moment before saying, "Once we become subjects, we won't be as free anymore."
This is not the life she wants.
Zhao Yi took his hand and said, "When the time is right, I will resign from my post and we will travel around and enjoy the scenery."
Jiang Bai looked up, her eyes gleaming. What Zhao Yi said resonated with her.
Now that Xiao Ping'an's great revenge has not been avenged, the Zhao family's entry into the imperial court as officials can both help Xiao Ping'an and restrain the Ling family.
It's not too late for them to leave once everything has settled down.
Today, Jiang Bai finally saw the emperor's hidden, little-known side beneath his gentle exterior.
Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger, especially since His Majesty is so stoic that you can never truly understand what he's thinking.
Jiang Bai sighed inwardly.
She felt a little sorry for the money she had earned over the years.
Zhao Yi turned around and saw her looking so heartbroken. He patted her head and asked, "What's wrong?"
Jiang Bai shook his head: "It's nothing. I just felt a little heartache thinking about my money."
Zhao Yi chuckled: "Don't worry, my Zhao family's wealth is comparable to that of a country, and it all belongs to Madam."
“They’re all mine, of course,” Jiang Bai joked, going along with his words.
The two left the palace, and the carriage slowly drove towards the Zhao residence.
Within half a day, the news of the Zhao family being granted official positions spread throughout the capital, and many people came to Yipin Pavilion or the Zhao family to congratulate Jiang Bai and Zhao Yi.
Zhao Nan, however, understood the emperor's actions and brought a pot of wine to talk to Jiang Bai.
The back hall of Yipin Pavilion, in a square courtyard, is filled with seasonal flowers, making it a very pleasant place.
Jiang Bai moved two deck chairs to the center of the yard, and the two of them lay there gazing at the sky.
There was no one around.
Zhao Nan poured Jiang Bai a cup of peach blossom wine: "This is wine that I buried more than ten years ago. Try it."
Jiang Bai immediately perked up and downed the wine in one gulp: "Indeed, this is fine wine!"
"The whole court knows that you went to the palace yesterday."
A family like the Zhao family, where within a single year, the son was promoted to general, the husband was appointed minister, and the family itself was granted an imperial title, has never existed since the founding of the dynasty.
With each new honor, an ordinary person would be overjoyed.
Jiang Bai remained relatively calm.
Zhao Nan glanced back at Jiang Bai: "You should be able to see things clearly. What the emperor means is that he wants to suppress your Zhao family."
"At the same time, he also wants to cultivate your Zhao family into his confidants, firstly to guard his territory, and secondly to make money for him."
Jiang Bai had naturally thought of these things as well.
Unexpectedly, after all her hard work over the years, everything she had achieved was handed over to the royal family.
Zhao Nan knew that Jiang Bai was unwilling, but this was the rule of this world.
The emperor is supreme, and no one can disobey him.
Jiang Bai took another sip of wine: "But I refuse to be like them."
Zhao Nan raised an eyebrow: "What are you going to do?"
"We'll leave the capital once we've finished what we need to do."
Zhao Nan was somewhat surprised: "Does the Emperor really think he'll let you leave so easily?"
Jiang Bai smiled slightly: "Then naturally we'll find a way to leave. The children are all grown up and have their own plans. As for Zhao Yi and me, we've been through so much in our lives, and although life is much better than in our previous life, I want freedom."
"Just consider it as me being too greedy."
Zhao Nan was somewhat dazed; she understood Jiang Bai's words perfectly well.
Back then, she also wanted freedom.
That's why I left the capital.
“I understand.” Zhao Nan filled her glass. “If you need any help, just ask.”
"Thank you, Aunt Zhao."
Zhao Nan chuckled: "No need to thank me, it's fate that we were able to meet."
"For the life we have earned with such difficulty."
The two raised their glasses and clinked them together, Jiang Bai's chest heaving.
She seemed to have found what she should do in the future. The glory and wealth of the capital was something she had worked hard for, but now it was slowly becoming a burden to her.
It's time to let go and make plans for a new life.
For the next few days, Jiang Bai and Zhao Yi each did their own part.
In less than half a month, Zhao Yi had secured a position in the court.
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