Chapter 550: The Demon Lord Junzhu's Slacking Daily Life Chapter 643: Enfeoffed as Heir Apparent

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Upon hearing the Emperor had arrived, everyone hurried back to their respective seats, then knelt and kowtowed in unison to welcome the imperial carriage.

Amid the crowd's shouts, the Emperor walked with dragon's gait and tiger's stride to his throne and settled onto it steadily.

Once the Emperor was seated, he smiled and waved his hand, signaling everyone to rise. The crowd stood up as if granted amnesty.

Everything proceeded as usual: first palace maids filed in, bringing one exquisite dish after another to the tables. While savoring the delicacies, everyone watched the court dancers' graceful movements, utterly at ease.

However, because the weather had turned cold, these freshly served dishes grew ice-cold before long.

Qianqian gazed happily at the fragrant, flavorful dishes before her, yet couldn't help worrying: such delicious food gone cold — how to eat it? Would it upset her stomach?

She wondered if she could have the palace maids take the dishes away, reheat them, and serve them again. Qianqian's mind raced with idle thoughts, leaving her no heart to appreciate the dancers' performance.

Not only Qianqian — everyone else had similar thoughts.

They merely sipped a few mouthfuls of hot water and then stopped using their chopsticks; after all, no one wanted to eat cold food. The Emperor, seeing the table full of thoroughly cooled dishes, likewise lost his appetite at once.

Just then, the Emperor decided to delay no longer. Seizing the interval when the dancers finished their performance, he decisively instructed Eunuch Sun to fetch the imperial edict.

Eunuch Sun answered nimbly, then quickly trotted to the Emperor's side and presented the edict respectfully.

Seeing this, everyone knew what would come next; they put down their chopsticks, sat upright with proper decorum, and fixed their eyes on the Emperor, awaiting his proclamation.

First, the Emperor wore a smile and spoke slowly: "Today, all of you beloved ministers surely know why We held this victory celebration banquet."

His voice was resonant and powerful, reverberating through the great hall so that every person could hear clearly.

The Emperor continued: "During this past period, Pingding King Yan Wang led the Yan Family Army to fight valiantly, enduring countless hardships and dangers, and finally conquered both Xishang Kingdom and Beilin Kingdom. Now, Dachang Kingdom has become the undisputed number one great nation!" His words revealed praise and affirmation for Yan Wang and the Yan Family Army.

The Emperor paused briefly, then went on: "Moreover, because Dachang Kingdom and Dongying Guo have formed a marriage alliance and produced a son, this is undoubtedly a good beginning for world peace." His gaze swept over the ministers in the hall, his face beaming with gratified smiles.

Immediately after, the Emperor raised his wine cup and declared loudly: "Today, We wish to raise a cup together with all beloved ministers, to wish our Dachang Kingdom stands forever unshaken, and to wish this prosperous era of peace endures long!" His voice was like a great bell, shaking the heart.

Hearing the Emperor's words, all ministers rose, lifted their cups, and shouted in unison: "May Dachang Kingdom stand unshaken, may the prosperous peace last forever!"

This shout was like thunder, resounding through the entire hall, as if to pierce the clouds and reach the heavens.

The Emperor smiled with great satisfaction, then drained his cup in one gulp. Seeing this, all ministers likewise drank their cups without hesitation, expressing loyalty and blessings to the Emperor and Dachang Kingdom.

After the Emperor finished speaking, he sat down. Everyone quickly realized the Emperor might have an important matter to announce next.

Sure enough, the Emperor gave a slight nod to Eunuch Sun standing nearby; Eunuch Sun understood at once, immediately unfurled the edict in his hand, and prepared to read it.

Eunuch Sun's sharp, high-pitched voice echoed through the palace like a nightingale: "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees!" This cry shook the whole hall.

Everyone held their breath, waiting quietly for the decree. Eunuch Sun continued: "Pingding King Yan Wang, learned and resourceful, with outstanding strategy, in this campaign served as commander-in-chief, directed with composure, and achieved unparalleled merit! He is specially enfeoffed as Heir Apparent of An Wang Fu, a title inheritable by his descendants for three generations!"

Before the words fell, gasps of astonishment rose in the hall. People whispered among themselves, expressing envy and admiration for Yan Wang's singular honor.

Eunuch Sun paused briefly, then read on: "Furthermore, bestowed are ten thousand taels of gold, a thousand qing of fertile fields, one mansion! Also one death-exemption gold tablet, to manifest his merit! Additionally, Yu Zhou is granted to Pingding King as a fief, to enjoy its tax revenues! Respect this!"

Hearing the decree, Yan Wang's heart surged; he hurried forward a step to the center of the hall, knelt on both knees, and kowtowed respectfully to the Emperor, proclaiming loudly: "Thanks to the Emperor for the bestowal!"

Then he raised both hands above his head; Eunuch Sun, seeing this, carefully rolled up the edict and gently placed it in Yan Wang's hands. At the same time, Eunuch Sun also handed over the death-exemption gold tablet that had been prepared in advance.

The Emperor smiled at Yan Wang and said gently: "Wang'er, rise. This campaign has been hard on you."

Yan Wang hastily replied: "It is all within this subject's duty; I dare not speak of hardship." Finished, he slowly rose, holding the edict, and returned to his seat.

Just then, Eunuch Sun produced a second and third imperial edict, and announced loudly: "Tang Qi, Ai Jiao, receive the edict!"

The two slowly rose from their seats, their steps steady and solemn, as if each step bore their glory and responsibility.

They passed through the hall's corridor and walked straight to the central open space.

When they reached the center of the hall, the two stood side by side, then together knelt on both knees, heads bowed low, to show reverence and submission to the Emperor.

The entire hall was solemnly silent; only Eunuch Sun's clear, dignified voice echoed in the air.

Eunuch Sun held the edict, standing before the two; his voice was unhurried yet full of majesty: "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..." With each word he read, it struck like a heavy hammer on the listeners' eardrums.

"Deputy General Tang Qi, Ai Jiao son of the Minister of War, in this campaign performed outstandingly, possessed superb martial skill, and obeyed commands, coordinating closely with Yan Wang to successfully take the other two nations.

Their achievements cannot be erased; they are truly pillars of the state. Therefore Tang Qi is specially enfeoffed as Zhenwei General, awarded one thousand taels of gold, one hundred qing of fertile fields, and granted a General's Mansion; Ai Jiao is enfeoffed as Zhenwu General, awarded one thousand taels of gold, one hundred qing of fertile fields, and granted a General's Mansion. Respect this!"

Hearing the edict, Tang Qi and Ai Jiao felt an indescribable surge of emotion.

They knew well how hard-won this honor was, and understood it was the best reward for their years of diligent effort. Thus the two shouted in unison: "Thanks to the Emperor for the bestowal!" Their voices reverberated in the hall, lingering long.

Eunuch Sun placed the two edicts respectively into their hands; since the edicts' general content was similar, he read them together. Then the Emperor's voice came from the Dragon Throne: "You two beloved ministers, rise."

Tang Qi and Ai Jiao kowtowed in thanks again, then slowly stood. Their faces glowed with joy and pride, yet they maintained humility and respect.

After returning to their seats, the two remained immersed in this sudden joy, their spirits unable to calm for a long time.