Chapter 859: Again Enfeoffed, Again Rewarded!

The sky had not yet lightened.

A faint purple glow lingered.

The Da He Otter family lay sprawled on the ice platform, sleeping in all directions.

Liang Qu yawned, scratched his temple, and sat on the edge of the bed in a thin robe.

Creak.

The door opened; Long Yao placed folded clothes and boots on the bedside, then brought a towel and basin. Long Li removed her shoes and knelt to the rear to tie Liang Qu's hair and place his crown.

When Liang Qu had donned his long boots and fastened his belt, the two opened a drawer and added ornaments, an official token, and a sachet to his belt.

The crowd before the square gradually gathered.

No errors in this version. Original text at 69shuba. com.

An official from the Honglu Temple unrolled a golden-embroidered imperial decree and proclaimed it aloud.

Long Long Eying gripped her sleeve; she was tall and striking, standing in the line, impossible to hide.

Dry, stifling air filled her nose and mouth.

Xu Shi knelt one body-length to the right; Long Long Eying knelt half a body-length further right than Xu Shi.

Everyone once again formed the same impression.

From morning sunlight entering the doorway's shadow, from scorching summer heat stepping into spring's gentle breeze, from a riverside village to the majestic imperial capital.

Steps taken in all four directions.

Long Yao shut off the ice platform, hugged the quilt, and stepped out. Long Li opened the window for ventilation.

Wumen.

The central gate of Wumen.

Nandi called from outside.

Before entering the palace, no one monitored conduct or behavior; no small groups of five or six gathered to discuss state affairs.

"Don't worry, just follow behind my mother. Do whatever she does."

"Young Master! Madam is calling you out!"

Except for the Emperor and the Empress on her wedding day, only the Top Graduate, Second Place, and Third Place among the Twenty-Eight Mansions may walk here.

"Why isn't the Earl of Baron Xingyi surprised this time?"

Long Long Eying's heart beat rapidly.

"Huh~"

Her hair strands lifted slightly, her sleeves swayed gently, her jade pendants trembled without clinking or ringing.

"So hot already this morning?"

"Liang Qu has, since entering court, been diligent and devoted, achieving extraordinary feats. At eighteen years and five months, he was promoted to Shouhu; at twenty-two years and two months, he was promoted to Entering Zhen Xiang, fully demonstrating the glory and prestige of our Great Shun. I believe that rewards must match merit, so that the hardworking are encouraged and the idle are inspired."

Dong~ The bells and drums roared.

The fourteen counties of Xu Pingyang's estate are exempt from taxes for three years, and no additional levies shall be imposed within thirty years…

Yang Yang Dongxiong strode forward and knelt on one knee half a body-length behind Liang Qu.

The imperial decree states:

The eunuch read aloud as the officials listed matters from across the empire.

He had just complained.

The ranks on either side withdrew their gazes, lifted their feet, and filed in one after another.

The interplay of light and shadow grew sharper, sharper, completely swallowing the solitary figure.

Unless for special duties, Wangyue Tower permits entry and exit only from the eighth hour of Chen to the ninth hour of Xu; all other times are strictly forbidden. He could not possibly join the morning lineup for the grand court assembly at five a. m., so last night Liang Qu went home to sleep.

The Censor fixed his gaze; the imperial scribe lifted his brush.

The Da He Otter shivered, scratched with his paw, grabbed the Little River Otter, and dragged him back into his arms.

The imperial decree states:

On either side of the line, the Chancellor and the princes and dukes had their hair and beards fluttering, yet their steps were not as usual.

Twelve strands of jade pendants hung silently.

Can one man win the Top Graduate title twice? His eyes fixed on the center.

"Your Majesty!" Liang Qu stepped forward, leaving the line.

"Here!"

"I govern the realm through culture, subdue chaos through martial strength. Yet generals and commanders are the very pillars of the court and the bulwarks of the state. How can their service and merit be erased without reward and honor?"

"I hereby appoint you as Second-Class Earl of Baron Xingyi, hereditary with descending rank down to Earl of Baron Xingyi, perpetual succession; grant you the rank of Seventh-Grade Light-Chariot Commandant, promote you to Deputy Fourth-Rank General of Huishui; bestow upon you a First-Rank Flying Celestial Dragon Blood Horse, an Xuanhuang plaque, fifty hectares of fertile land, a full set of armor, and three scenic treasures…"

The imperial palace stretched endlessly, banners snapping in the wind.

"Remembered."

They shifted their steps; only then could the lines behind them move. Today was different.

"Step forward."

On either side of the tower, armored tiger soldiers stood solemn and grave; civil and military officials lined up in staggered order.

"Feeling cooler now?"

So young.

A surge of hot air rushed toward him.

After arranging Liang Qu, Grand Eunuch Li approached Yang Yang Dongxiong: "Lord Yang, Lady Xu, and Lady Long, the three of you will proceed through the eastern gate after the ceremony, standing behind Lord Qin. Do not forget the order…"

The Honglu Temple official stepped forward, scanning the crowd with open eyes.

He gazed again at his reflection; his hair was combed strand by strand, now crowned with a jade cap.

The noisy chatter vanished, leaving only the banners flapping on the walls.

Frost spread from outside to inside, a chilling cold covering the floor.

Red pillars stood tall; civil and military officials stretched endlessly.

Xiu~ The cold mist ceased.

Shadows stretched obliquely.

The eunuch departed.

Liang Qu took a shallow breath.

"Cough." Liang Qu covered his mouth, knowing this was a jest about last time. "Better safe than sorry."

The twenty-first day of the eighth month.

"Please, Yang Yang Dongxiong, Xu Shi, Long Shi, step forward!"

Xu Shi patted Long Long Eying's hand to comfort her.

All rules and rituals had been explained.

Generals enter first, then close attendants, then dukes, marquises, and Fuma, then the Five Ministries and Six Departments, then officials stationed in the capital.

"First time attending court? Nervous?"

Grand Eunuch Li reiterated his instructions; seeing Liang Qu respond readily, he flicked his fly whisk and smiled.

The Grand Court Assembly.

After diligently cultivating for over half a month, his sea of qi—ten times the size of Immortal Island—had grown to twelve times its original size. Rarely relaxed, his inner sea of qi now felt lively.

He turned his head slightly, fixing his gaze on the center.

Liang Qu grinned, pulled Long Long Eying, draped in a long gown, to sit beside him on his bed, savoring the summer chill.

"To uphold martial glory, we reward those who serve with vigor; to bestow imperial grace, we honor kin through merit. Yang Yang Dongxiong, as Master of General Liang Qu of Huishui, has cultivated himself with diligence, diligently upheld family teachings, and opened auspicious lineage, having long received the Leopard's Tactics…"

The layered green glimmer of the Liuli tiles reflected like ocean waves.

Everyone had arrived.

"In military service, we remember the mother who raised the warrior; in the imperial court, grace extends to kin. Xu Shi, as the adoptive mother of General Liang Qu of Huishui, has upheld the virtues of the inner chamber, exemplifying maternal grace…"

"Lord Liang, when the palace gate opens, you alone shall walk the central path, unaccompanied. This is a great honor—do not forget!"

"Your Lordship, I understand."

…

"Cooler!"

This court assembly did not summon only Liang Qu; Yang Yang Dongxiong, Xu Shi, and Long Long Eying were also summoned—the scene was even grander than the last time he was promoted to Shouhu! The two whispered a few words, toes nudging toes.

The heroic young man stepped forward beneath the jade steps, bowing to receive orders.

Long silence.

"Where is Lord Liang?"

A full set of intricate, exquisite official attire was flawlessly adorned by Long Li and Long Yao.

The Da He Otter chewed his teeth, scratched his belly, kicked the Little River Otter away, and rolled over.

Pah! The whip cracked.

Normally, they went first.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Rewards for merit must not lag behind service; otherwise, the court and realm will be disappointed, and hearts will turn divided."

"In this bestowal of grace, I grant you the title of Central Grand Secretary, and confer upon you the imperial edict…"

Beneath the jade pendants.

…

"Mm."

"A bit."

Two grand court assemblies—one during a heavy snowfall before the New Year, another during the scorching heat of midsummer—neither was a comfortable day.

Liang Qu exhaled slowly, standing alone in formation.

The palace gates slowly opened.

The young man stood alone.

Inside Tianchen Hall, all was silent.

The sky glowed with purple light.

The floor was smooth as a mirror; shafts of light streamed through the wooden lattice of the long windows, and dust danced within the beams.

Having finished speaking.

By this decree of grace, I bestow upon you the title of Commandery Lady…

The imperial edict states:

It is reported that Long Long Eying, granddaughter of the Grand Elder of the Jianghuai Dragon Clan, possesses noble virtue and celestial grace, her essence refined like the moon's radiance, and she shares mutual affection with Liang Qu, General of Huai River. Though their hearts are pledged, the matter remains unfulfilled. To bring about a happy union… a propitious day shall be chosen for their wedding.

This is my decree!'

(End of Chapter)