Chapter 1311

The capital, Ningguo Mansion.

On a biting winter day, snow was falling heavily.

Watching a group of women admiring the plum blossoms, Zhang Cheng also curiously stepped forward.

"Yo, our first-class Marquis has arrived!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Wang Xifeng could not help but chuckle.

"Sister-in-law is joking; this first-class Marquis title of mine is merely relying on His Majesty's great favor!"

Looking at Wang Xifeng with indifference, Zhang Cheng smiled.

In the original work, Wang Xifeng was extremely ruthless to outsiders, competitive, and more capable than men.

After all, as a woman, she dared to take on lawsuits, break up marriages, and ruthlessly kill You Erjie.

However, Wang Xifeng had no shortcomings toward the Jia family; even the silver she earned outside was used to maintain the "face" of the Jia family.

Even using her own dowry, Wang Xifeng never complained a word to Grandmother Jia and the others.

Yet it was such a woman who, after being divorced, died of a hemorrhage.

After all, after losing Wang Xifeng, the Wang family lost control over the eldest branch of the Rongguo Mansion, and as an older brother, Wang Ren could ignore his niece; how could he let Wang Xifeng survive!

Do not forget that in this era, a woman from a noble family who was divorced basically had a hard time surviving, unless she could truly stand firm in her maiden home!

"Brother, can you write poetry?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng curiously, Xichun asked with a face full of doubt.

"No, because your brother is a barbarian!"

Looking at Xichun with a smile, Zhang Cheng joked.

"Brother Jue, who calls themselves a barbarian!"

Hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Wang Xifeng and the others laughed.

Just then, Tanchun said, "Brother is a hero in the military, so it is normal that he is not skilled in poetry!"

"Eh, Third Sister is right! Brother is indeed a hero!"

Patting Jia Tanchun's head, Zhang Cheng blinked his eyes.

"Husband, the imperial envoy has arrived!"

Just as Zhang Cheng was talking with the sisters, Qin Keqing came over, holding Shirley's hand.

Looking at the two who were like sisters, Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "Alright, I'll go to the front and take a look!"

"Sister-in-law!"

Seeing Qin Keqing, Jia Yingchun and the others bowed in salute.

"We are all family, no need to be formal. Come, let's go inside and drink tea; it's too cold out here!"

Inviting everyone, Qin Keqing smiled.

Outside the Ningguo Mansion, a grand procession passed by.

Looking at this scene, Zhang Cheng stepped forward and said, "Long time no see, Eunuch Luo! Is there any happy event today!"

Looking at Eunuch Luo with a smile, Zhang Cheng joked.

"Oh my, Marquis Jia, seeing you is a happy event for this humble one!"

Walking forward happily, Eunuch Luo held the imperial decree and hurriedly whispered, "His Majesty has bestowed the title of Consort upon Jia Yuanchun!"

"Consort?"

Suddenly hearing this, Zhang Cheng was surprised, because he didn't quite understand what Emperor Hongde was thinking.

After all, what was the meaning of bestowing the title of Consort upon Jia Yuanchun at this time?

Regarding the previous owed silver of the Ministry of Revenue, the Rongguo Mansion had already repaid it, but according to the current situation, Emperor Hongde didn't need the Rongguo Mansion; was he trying to do something and stabilizing the Jia family along the way? The power of the Four Kings, Eight Dukes, and Twelve Marquises was vast, with many students and former subordinates, and they were basically all in the military.

Such an existence, let alone Emperor Hongde, even an emperor with slightly inferior methods would not be able to sleep.

The Rongguo and Ningguo Mansions were declining, and Wang Ziteng took advantage of the trend to rise, originally being able to become the representative of the Jia family in the military, but because of Zhang Cheng's appearance, Wang Ziteng now did not control the military power.

And even without Zhang Cheng, the old associates of the Jia family would not necessarily become Wang Ziteng's resources.

After all, Jia Yuan, Jia Daishan, and even Jia Jing back then were all capable people; why would you, a Wang Ziteng, think that by sitting in the Jia family's position, you could make people submit to you? That was impossible!

And the Four Kings, Eight Dukes, and Twelve Marquises were not harmonious; everyone was basically in a "cooperative" relationship.

Just like Zhang Cheng, who had significant disagreements with the Four Kings; their military power was too heavy, which was not a good thing.

If Zhang Cheng could also chat with the Four Kings of the border garrisons, then the person who wouldn't be able to sleep would be the Retired Emperor!

"What is the title?"

Asking Eunuch Luo, Zhang Cheng stuffed the gemstone in his hand into his sleeve.

Flicking it into his sleeve pocket in an instant, Eunuch Luo said gloomily, "Virtuous and Virtuous Consort!"

"Virtuous and Virtuous Consort?"

Hearing this title, Zhang Cheng was stunned, because Emperor Hongde was clearly beating the Jia family!

But had the Rongguo Mansion done something he didn't know about?

When Jia Yuanchun visited home, what she said was wrong; after all, who would dare to openly say that the imperial palace was a place that couldn't be seen? This wasn't just a lack of brainpower; this was brainless!

And Jia Yuanchun was too dismissive of Concubine Zhao and Jia Huan; even if you didn't like them, you couldn't be so obvious; this was very uncultured!

In ordinary noble families, there is a great emphasis on the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate, but you, Jia Yuanchun, represent the imperial family, yet you couldn't be so obvious!

"Was the bestowing of the Consort title voluntary by His Majesty?"

Looking at Eunuch Luo, Zhang Cheng had already begun to suspect certain things, which was that Emperor Hongde didn't want Jia Yuanchun; this was a consort forced upon him!

"It was the Retired Emperor's order, but the Virtuous and Virtuous Consort title was bestowed by His Majesty!"

Speaking carefully, after Eunuch Luo finished this sentence, he shook his head, indicating that His Majesty was very angry about this!

Looking at Eunuch Luo with a twitching mouth, Zhang Cheng finally understood why Jia Yuanchun was the Virtuous and Virtuous Consort; because she didn't possess either!

Virtue, even if she didn't have it, that was fine; but as for being virtuous, she had even less!

To have been a female official in the palace for so long without being noticed by Emperor Hongde, how unwelcome must Jia Yuanchun be!

When Jia Yuanchun was selected into the palace, her appearance must have been good, but if certain aspects were not up to standard, she would definitely not be noticed by Emperor Hongde.

That she could be bestowed the title of Consort now, besides the Retired Emperor's order, was Emperor Hongde beating the Jia family, letting them see clearly who the emperor was!

"Alright, Marquis Jia, the Rongguo Mansion is likely prepared, I will be going now!"

Looking at Jia Jue with a smile, Eunuch Luo left with his people.

Watching Eunuch Luo leave, Zhang Cheng could not help but frown and say, "The Rongguo Mansion is not honest!"

"Uncle, this title!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng beside him, Jia Wei was also breaking out in cold sweat.

Because even he could feel that the title was not right!

"This group of people in the Jia family is going to be brainless again!"

Speaking to Jia Wei beside him, Zhang Cheng could already imagine what that big idiot Lady Wang was going to do.

Inside the lively Rongguo Mansion.

Upon learning that Jia Yuanchun had been bestowed the title of Consort, Lady Wang's face was full of joy, and even Grandmother Jia was very happy.

However, compared to the happy female family members, Jia She's expression became incomparably gloomy.

Because when he learned that Jia Yuanchun had been bestowed the title of Consort, he couldn't believe it; after all, if Jia Yuanchun had this ability, she would have been bestowed the title long ago, why would it have been dragged out until now?

And it was a two-character title; was this for the living or the dead?

Looking at Grandmother Jia not far away, Jia She suddenly remembered his visit to the palace half a month ago; at that time, it was said he went to find the Empress Dowager, so it was likely she who led the bestowing of Jia Yuanchun's title!

"Crack!"

Gritting his teeth, Jia She could not help but clench his fists, because after this matter was done, the Emperor would definitely be angry; there was no need to even think about it!

Applying eye drops was one thing, but this was applying chili water!

(End of this chapter)