After several major battles, the city of Nanzhou was severely damaged and was in ruins from the inside out.
In order to restore order in the city as soon as possible, after returning to Nanzhou Prefecture, Lin Yinan summoned the original officials of the prefecture government to begin handling all matters in the city.
After a flurry of activity, the year-end is fast approaching.
The Southern Prefecture remained desolate, but thankfully, it had regained some of its former vibrancy.
After arranging matters within the city, Lin Yinan and Yun Mo went to the Yun residence to offer incense to Yun Zhentian before preparing to return to Longtan.
This is the first time she has been separated from her loved ones for more than half a year since she came into this world, and she misses them very much.
Yun Zhentian had already been buried in Longtan, but after hearing that the Hu people had been defeated, Wang insisted that Yun Jing exhume Yun Zhentian's remains and bring them back to Nanzhou Prefecture for burial.
When Yun Mo's grandfather, father, and elder brother died in battle and the entire eldest branch of the family was exiled, Yun Zhentian took it upon himself to set up an ancestral hall in the backyard of the Yun family mansion.
The Yun brothers fully support and respect Yun Jing's decision to bring Yun Zhentian back to Nanzhou Prefecture for burial.
After offering incense, Yun Jing saw the couple off from the Yun residence.
"Elder brother, please wait!" Yun Mo said, bowing to Yun Jing.
Turning around, Lin Yinan saw a grand procession of carriages approaching down the main street. A man on a tall horse led the way; it was none other than General Xie Chong, who had previously fought alongside them to annihilate the enemy in Linjiang County. Hundreds of soldiers followed behind the carriage, making for a formidable and imposing procession.
Xie Chong rode forward and stopped in front of the two of them. "Congratulations, Brother Yun and Madam Yun! There is an imperial decree from the court. You should prepare to receive it!"
Upon hearing that it was an imperial decree, Yun Mo and Yun Jing were both stunned. They exchanged glances, neither understanding the court's intentions.
Seeing the three of them standing there dumbfounded, and with the imperial messenger's carriage already close at hand, Xie Chong had no choice but to speak up again to remind them, "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and receive the imperial decree."
Yun Jing hurriedly ordered his servants to open the main gate, set up an incense table, and summon everyone in the mansion to come out and receive the imperial edict.
After the incense table was set up, Lin Yinan, looking completely bewildered, was pulled by Yun Mo to kneel in front of it.
Lin Yinan instinctively resisted this servile and humiliating feudal custom of kneeling to heaven, earth, and parents, and instead of kneeling to someone who supposedly conveyed divine will.
Seeing Lin Yinan's resistance, Yun Mo took her hand and whispered, "Anan, just hold on a little longer, it will be over soon."
People from the imperial court shouldn't be offended casually. Lin Yinan tapped the back of his hand to indicate that she was alright.
The imperial envoy, carrying the imperial edict, slowly stepped forward with the help of his guards. He narrowed his eyes and glanced at the crowd.
"Which one of you is from the Yunlin clan?"
Lin Yinan lowered her eyes, silently observing the newcomer out of the corner of her eye. This imperial envoy was tall and his stance was very stable, so he must be a martial arts expert. However, he was pale and beardless, and his voice was somewhat high-pitched and shrill, so he must be a castrated eunuch from the ancient palace.
She was lost in thought when Yun Mo suddenly pinched her finger.
"It's my wife."
Lin Yinan looked up at the envoy from the Tian family and said, "This humble woman is indeed from the Yunlin clan."
"Truly a heroine among women, a woman who is no less capable than any man." The imperial envoy glanced at her and announced loudly, "Yunlin Clan, receive the imperial decree!"
He then unfurled the bright yellow imperial edict in his hand and began to loudly proclaim it to the crowd:
"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: In times of chaos and war, the world is in turmoil and the people are suffering. When the scourge of war spreads to the south, fortunately there is the Yunlin family, who have lofty aspirations and are no less capable than men."
Amidst the chaos of war in the south, he displayed his strategic brilliance, leading troops into battle, brandishing his spear against the enemy, fearlessly fighting against overwhelming odds. In this battle, he endured numerous arduous struggles, overcoming countless obstacles, annihilating 100,000 enemy soldiers, and beheading the enemy general, establishing outstanding military achievements. His loyalty shines as brightly as the sun and moon; his courage shakes the heavens and earth.
In recognition of his merits, he is hereby granted the title of Marquis of Nanxing, with the two prefectures of Nandi as his fief. All the people and resources within this fief shall be under the jurisdiction of the Marquis of Nanxing, and the title shall be hereditary. It is hoped that he will not fail the Emperor's favor, and as always, uphold loyalty to the Emperor, govern the fief well, and protect the peace and tranquility of the people. So be it. Twentieth day of the twelfth month, the second year of Yongping.
After the imperial edict was read, everyone seemed to have been struck by lightning, and disbelief filled their faces.
Even Lin Yinan herself was stunned.
After the events in Linjiang County, she originally thought that after annihilating 100,000 Hu troops, the court would definitely send troops to garrison and suppress them to prevent their power in the south from growing too strong. Unexpectedly, Emperor Yongping actually enfeoffed her as a marquis, not only bestowing upon her the title of Marquis of Nanxing, but also granting her two prefectures in the south as her fiefdom!
The imperial envoy rolled up the imperial edict and placed it on a tray held by a guard beside him. He smiled at Lin Yinan and said, "Marquis of Nanxing, please step forward to receive the edict!"
Lin Yinan knelt forward two steps, accepted the imperial edict with both hands, and said, "Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
After receiving the imperial edict, everyone stood up.
Yun Mo took out a purse from his sleeve and stuffed it into the hand of the imperial envoy.
"Thank you for your hard work, angels!"
The imperial envoy patted his hand with a smile, squeezed the purse, and casually put it into his sleeve pocket. "Young Master Yun has truly married a fine wife!"
"Angel, you must be tired from your journey. Why don't you rest at my house? The kitchen has prepared wine and food."
As the host, Yun Jing warmly greeted the imperial envoy.
"I dare not trouble you, but the end of the year is approaching and I must rush back to the capital. I will not disturb you any longer. Farewell!"
Xie Chong bowed to Lin Yinan and said, "Marquis of Nanxing, Brother Yun, we shall meet again!"
After the group left, Lin Yinan and Yun Mo did not linger and hurriedly left the Yun residence to prepare to return to Longtan.
Watching the couple leave, Wang almost tore the handkerchief in her hand to shreds.
“She’s a woman and she can be granted a title, while your father worked diligently for the court for many years and died at the hands of the barbarians. How can the emperor be so biased?” she said resentfully.
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