Chapter 62 Imperial Edicts and Decrees
The moment the messenger called out, the atmosphere of the Dingyuan Marquis's residence, which had been relatively relaxed and peaceful, instantly became serious.
Although the second steward at the gate was old, he had to exert himself to go straight from the front yard to the middle yard.
"Second Miss, someone from the capital has come with an imperial edict to the master."
Xiao Jinghong stopped and calmly instructed, "Have someone set up an incense table in the main hall of the central courtyard, and then send someone to fetch my grandfather's court robes so that he can dress properly."
"Also, inform Second Grandfather that the envoy from Kyoto Prefecture is of high status, and that he and I will go to greet him together."
The second steward readily agreed, then passed them and ran towards the Intermediate People's Court.
The Great Wei Dynasty had meticulous etiquette, and there were certain rules for receiving imperial edicts.
Seeing Xiao Jinghong and the others still standing there, Chen Yi said, "Madam, I'll go wait in the central courtyard first."
Xiao Jinghong was pondering the purpose of the imperial decree when she heard this and gently shook her head: "My husband, come with me..."
She paused, then looked at Chen Yi and asked, "Is it alright?"
Chen Yi had no objection, nodded, and stood quietly beside her, thinking to himself:
This kind of dialogue does have a hint of husband and wife working together harmoniously.
However, he wouldn't mind switching places—who says it can't be "the wife leads and the husband follows"?
As the saying goes, a young man doesn't know the sweetness of a life of luxury, but an old man suffers bitterness and resentment that no one knows.
It would be good if he could live a comfortable life.
Chen Yi was lost in thought.
Xiao Jinghong took a more serious approach.
For my grandfather's sixtieth birthday, the scale, procedures, and ceremonial guards had already been reported to the imperial court as usual. His Majesty should have known long ago that the Xiao family wanted to hold a low-key celebration.
Why did they specifically choose a birthday celebration and send someone to deliver the imperial decree?
"After this, I'm afraid those ministers in the court will once again regard my Xiao family as a thorn in their side."
Even Xiao Jinghong, who had always stayed in Shu Prefecture, knew one thing: whoever gained the emperor's favor would be subject to some inexplicable criticism.
Jane is in the Emperor's heart.
Thinking about all this, Xiao Jinghong asked absentmindedly, "Husband, what do you think should be done about the current situation of my Xiao family?"
Chen Yi was taken aback, turned his head to look at her, and realized that she probably said those words unconsciously.
After thinking for a moment, he casually replied, "Build high walls, store up plenty of grain, and wait patiently... just keep a calm mind."
In recent days, based on the fact that the "hidden guards" and the top three scholars from the imperial examinations have been coming to Shu Prefecture one after another, it is not difficult to deduce that the imperial court is about to take some action here.
However, Chen Yi didn't know much about the Xiao family and the situation in Shu Prefecture, and he also had only a vague understanding of the situation in other prefectures and the court of the Great Wei Dynasty.
Therefore, he was unsure of the intentions of those people in the imperial court in their arrangements in Shu Prefecture.
Is it aimed at the Xiao family, who are loyal to the country and willing to die for it, or at the powerful clans and aristocratic families of Shu Prefecture, or at the high-ranking officials, such as the provincial governor, the provincial judge, and the protectorate?
Both are possible.
In short, such a grand scheme couldn't possibly be for the sake of him, the son-in-law of the Xiao family.
Xiao Jinghong was slightly taken aback when she heard his reply, then looked at him with a serious expression in her eyes:
"Could you please explain in detail, my husband?"
"Well..."
Chen Yi hesitated for a moment, then glanced at the Second Master Xiao Wang who was walking quickly towards him, and gestured, "Madam, let's talk about it later, let's deal with the present first."
Xiao Jinghong nodded, memorized those words, and then went with Xiao Wang to greet the messenger.
Chen Yi followed beside them and saw several envoys dressed in blue robes in the distance. The one in the lead was old, but had a white face and no beard, and looked like he had a feminine air about him.
Suddenly I understood—it was my father-in-law.
I don't know if he's Eunuch Ping'an, Eunuch Zhao Gao, or Eunuch Zhongxian.
"This must be General Jinghong. I am Feng Erbao, the Grand Secretary of the Directorate of Ceremonial. Greetings, General Jinghong."
"I have come by imperial decree, and I hope General Jinghong will forgive me."
Xiao Jinghong bowed slightly. "Please come in person, Lord Feng. My grandfather has already prepared an incense table in the central courtyard."
With that, she and Xiao Wang led the way.
After returning the greeting, Feng Erbao followed with several eunuchs carrying trays.
Chen Yi was slightly behind Xiao Jinghong, and he also felt that these eunuchs were nothing special except for being a bit effeminate.
Unexpectedly, Feng Erbao spoke up: "To be honest, General Jinghong, in addition to wishing the old Marquis a happy birthday, I have also brought an imperial edict."
Xiao Jinghong turned to look at him and said calmly, "Please wait a moment, Father-in-law, until we see Grandfather before we talk."
Feng Erbao shook his head. "General Jinghong has misunderstood. The imperial edict we brought is not for the old Marquis, but for your husband, Chen Yi."
For me?
Chen Yi paused, glancing over out of the corner of his eye. How could I, a son-in-law, possibly disturb the Emperor?
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinghong looked at him, equally puzzled.
Xiao Wang, standing nearby, couldn't help but point at Chen Yi and say, "The person that Lord Feng spoke of is right here. I wonder what imperial edict His Majesty brought?"
Feng Erbao first looked in the direction he was pointing and saw Chen Yi. He gave a sinister laugh, as if to say, "We've finally found you."
He then turned to Xiao Wang without recounting the contents of the imperial edict, his expression turning stern and his tone cold:
"His Majesty's edict was only for Young Master Chen; how could it be heard by anyone else?"
Xiao Wang paused upon hearing this, then his face flushed slightly, clearly annoyed by his words.
However, given the other party's status, Xiao Wang had no choice but to suppress his anger and offer a stiff apology.
Seeing this, Chen Yi and Xiao Jinghong exchanged a glance, and Chen Yi gave Xiao Jinghong a look that said, "I want to know too."
However, he was somewhat displeased.
He, the son-in-law, only wanted to stay quietly in the Marquis's mansion, so why did everyone have to come and disrupt his plans?
The previous teachers from Guiyun Academy were already enough to give him a headache and trouble of figuring out how to eliminate the influence of calligraphy models.
Now this Feng Erbao is even more outrageous, coming directly with an imperial edict.
This isn't enough to just throw his life into chaos, is it?
With things having come to this point, Chen Yi was at a loss.
Now, all he wanted to hear was what the emperor, far away in the capital city of Kyoto, had to say to him.
Not long after.
The guests in the central courtyard all left their seats and waited outside the main hall, along with the second branch of the Xiao family and distant relatives from collateral branches.
Only the old Marquis Xiao Yuan and his three wives from the eldest branch of the family, Xiao Wan'er, Xiao Jinghong, and Xiao Wuge, remained in the main hall.
And... Chen Yi.
Heaven knows what the guests and Xiao family members outside are thinking at this moment.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe it as a state of utter frustration, envy, and jealousy.
Chen Yunfan glanced at Chen Yi, who was standing beside Xiao Jinghong in the main hall, and clicked his tongue in amazement:
“My younger brother Yi has made something of himself; he’s even able to receive imperial decrees alongside the master.”
To outsiders, a son-in-law of a noble family is nothing more than a dispensable, impoverished son.
Contrary to expectations, he was qualified to receive the imperial decree alongside the old marquis.
What's this?
Reversing the Heavenly Gang!
Therefore, at this moment, apart from Chen Yunfan's strange expression, the rest of the people were mostly the same.
However, the second branch of the Xiao family and their distant relatives had complicated thoughts.
Looking at Xiao Wang's ashen face, Xiao Qiuyun asked in a low voice, "Father, why was Chen Yi able to get in?"
Xiao Wang, recalling his previous defeat at the hands of Feng Erbao, snorted, "The Emperor has given him an imperial edict."
Xiao Qiuyun's expression changed slightly, "Him?"
Xiao Wang hummed in agreement and reminded him, "Don't make a fuss yet. Let's wait until we hear the contents of the imperial edict before we speak."
Xiao Qiuyun nodded slightly, her gaze towards Chen Yi in the main hall changing slightly, her mind inevitably wandering a bit more.
She had long known that the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture was favored by the Emperor.
Even so, Chen Yi, a son-in-law, shouldn't have received an imperial edict.
Without mentioning what the people outside were thinking.
Inside the main hall.
Feng Erbao stood quietly in the hall, facing the old Marquis and others as he read out the imperial decree:
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I think that you, Marquis of Dingyuan, Xiao Yuan, have long been a descendant of generals and have been able to carry on your family's reputation."
"Your presence in Shu Prefecture has brought peace and tranquility to the barbarians. Now, on the occasion of your sixtieth birthday, I hereby bestow this special honor upon you to signify your exceptional glory."
"Bestow upon him a brocade python robe, a jade belt, and a seven-colored glass cup… So be it!"
Xiao Yuan bowed respectfully, as the old Marquis did not need to kneel.
Xiao Jinghong stepped forward to receive the imperial edict and then quietly looked at Feng Erbao. She was also curious about what kind of message the emperor would send to her husband.
The same applies to Xiao Yuan and the others.
Chen Yi stared intently at Feng Erbao, afraid that he might say something inappropriate.
For example, making him an official or putting him to hard work, etc.
That was an utterly undeserved disaster.
Feng Erbao glanced at everyone and smiled slyly, "The Emperor's decree ordering me to give General Jinghong's husband is quite simple."
Seeing that Xiao Yuan and the others looked calm, he continued, "It is the Emperor's decree."
"I have heard that Chen Yi is a man of great talent, and I am very sorry that he was unable to participate in this year's imperial examination."
"But don't be discouraged. Talented people come from all walks of life. I hope you will work hard and strive for excellence."
Chen Yi breathed a sigh of relief; those were just polite words of encouragement.
But Feng Erbao added at the end, "If Young Master Chen is willing, His Majesty may grant you a special pardon to participate in the next imperial examination."
I had no intention of doing so!
Chen Yi forced a smile, bowed, and said, "Please ask Eunuch Feng to convey my gratitude to His Majesty for his kindness, but as for me, my knowledge is only so-so."
Feng Erbao shook his head with a smile, "Our family is only responsible for relaying messages, not for carrying them on."
"..."
This eunuch has the air of a treacherous official!
(End of this chapter)
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