Chapter 77: The Imperial Edict Arrives

Huh?

The entire room was almost out of control.

Chen Ping was dumbfounded.

Zheng Yueru was so embarrassed she wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Liu Zheng was also stunned.

As Liu Zheng's old man, Liu Dahao couldn't help but use a bold word to describe this Empress. Could it be that she had long known that this fellow Chen Ping had ulterior motives and harbored improper thoughts toward my Zheng?

As for the others, they were filled with envy.

Was this the rhythm of the Empress bestowing a marriage? Although this Zheng Yueru was only a descendant of a branch of the Zheng Family, if the Empress personally bestowed the marriage, it would be different. Usually, in this kind of process, they would first give Zheng Yueru a more presentable status, such as a title like Lady, and then marry her to Liu Zheng. In that case, this son of a County Marquis before them would truly have climbed a great tree. Who wouldn't be envious?

Empress Zheng Fu looked smilingly at the two young people kneeling before her.

Along the way, Zheng Yuxing and the Baiya Army had suggested to her that she could support this Liu father and son, with the focus on this young master of the Liu Family. She had always been quite skeptical, but she had to admit that the young man named Liu Zheng today had piqued her interest a little.

Since...

Zheng Yueru was not dead, then it would be better to let her marry Liu Zheng, which could also make Liu Zheng truly follow her side, to be used to check the Inspector Chen Ping.

"Empress, Empress, this..."

Liu Zheng felt like crying!

He had never expected this! He had thought about showing off a bit and getting an audience with the Empress, but Empress, you give me this?

The Empress kept a straight face: "What, do you think my Zheng Family's Yue Ru is not worthy of you?"

Zheng Yueru also glared over with a flushed face; in that state, who would believe she had no feelings for Liu Zheng?

Liu Zheng hurriedly said: "Empress, it is not a matter of worthy or unworthy, it is, it is, it is..."

"How is it?"

Liu Zheng was sweating profusely: "Empress, Liu Zheng, Liu Zheng..."

The crowd also looked over one after another.

Liu Dahao was also very anxious and wished he could curse out loud. The Empress is bestowing a marriage, what are you still hesitating about? If you agree to this, wouldn't the State Marquis you want be within your grasp?

Zheng Yueru was also looking at Liu Zheng.

Liu Zheng prostrated on the ground, his heart filled with bitterness. What was he supposed to do? To defy the Empress to her face, that would really be unjustifiable. Getting into trouble was a small matter; he feared that in the future, there would be no room for him and his old man in the entire Liangzhou.

But agree?

To be honest, Zheng Yueru was truly beautiful, and Liu Zheng also knew the look in her eyes when she occasionally looked at him... If he really took her as his wife, he felt she was worthy of him. But... Liu Zheng was no Liuxia Hui; he just felt that firstly, he hadn't considered these things yet, and secondly, even if he and Zheng Yueru were in love, there was absolutely no need for this imperial marriage. He had always been repelled by this kind of political marriage, and he liked even less to rely on a woman to obtain any social status.

And most importantly, there was Chen Ping on the side...

With one word from you, Empress, Zheng Yueru is married to me, but you turn around and leave, how will Chen Ping deal with me? This vast Liangzhou is all Chen Ping's territory! This absolutely deviated from his original intention of playing both sides.

Thus, he fell into a dilemma.

Chen Ping looked at him with a dark face.

The Empress looked at him with a smile.

The other officials looked at him with envy.

Of course, there were also those looking at him with schadenfreude.

"Empress, I..."

Liu Zheng steeled his heart, preparing to make up an excuse: I, Liu Zheng, have entered the void since childhood, I do not provoke the red dust, I am focused on developing business...

Just at this moment.

Suddenly, a high-pitched voice rang out from outside.

"The Imperial Edict has arrived!"

"The Imperial Edict has arrived!"

Everyone in the room was startled. The person holding the Imperial Edict was the Grand Eunuch, and he was actually following behind a woman wearing black martial attire, looking respectful.

Upon seeing the person, Liu Dahao was the first to shout excitedly: "Sanniang!"

Liu Zheng was also confused: "Mother?"

When the Empress saw the Grand Eunuch, she knew the Imperial Edict could not be wrong. As long as the old Emperor was not dead, no one under heaven dared to forge an Imperial Edict. Thus, she also walked down and knelt on the ground. In an instant, the top floor was in a flurry, and not a single person dared to stand.

Looking again at the woman Liu Zheng called mother, she was actually taller than the Grand Eunuch beside her; Liu Zheng estimated she was about 1.72 meters. In tight martial attire, she looked capable and dashing. Her face was fresh; although not a peerless beauty, her features were delicate. With a plain face, her aura was indeed extraordinary, giving off the feeling of a female overlord of the pugilistic world.

This was Liu Zheng's mother, Feng Sanniang!

"Sanniang..."

What Liu Zheng did not expect was that as soon as Feng Sanniang arrived, Chen Ping, who had been by his side, could not help but call out as well.

What the?

His whole body shook. Looking at the look in Chen Ping's eyes when he saw his mother, it was extremely complex. Could there be some story behind this?

Feng Sanniang was extremely capable and decisive. She walked over, first giving Liu Zheng a doting look, and then coldly glared at Liu Dahao, scolding coldly: "Useless!"

Liu Dahao looked ingratiating and dared not say more.

Liu Zheng still hadn't figured out what was going on.

The Grand Eunuch had already begun to read the Imperial Edict.

"By the order of the Emperor, the edict says: The County Marquis of Liangzhou pacified Yintan in three months, his merits are great, and his reputation is widespread..."

Everyone was startled to hear this. This Imperial Edict was actually for Liu Dahao? Next came a bunch of praise that Liu Zheng couldn't understand, mainly describing Liu Dahao's political achievements... Then, at the end, it stated that as Liu Dahao's wife, Feng Sanniang had contributed to the protection of the country, and the Liu Family were loyal subjects who could stand in the world.

"Appoint Liu Dahao as the Yinyang State Marquis!"

"Appoint Liu Dahao's son, Liu Zheng, as the Yinyang Prefecture Magistrate!"

Shock!

Everyone was in shock.

Liu Dahao was overjoyed and kowtowed to express his gratitude.

While Liu Zheng was shocked, the taut string in his heart finally relaxed!

This mother of his was truly remarkable; if she didn't return, she didn't return, but upon returning, she brought back a State Marquis title for his old man? If he had known this, what was the point of him coming to Liangzhou this time? All that scheming, trembling with fear, and playing both sides...

Of course, despite these complaints, Feng Sanniang's return today truly allowed Liu Zheng to play both sides.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

Liu Zheng also knelt down in great joy.

Not only that, he had also obtained the official status of a Prefectural Assistant. This Prefectural Assistant was, in reality, the secretary to the State Marquis... but come to think of it, this was quite a significant official position! A full rank seven! This meant that from now on, he was also an official, not just a pure merchant; with this status, no matter where he went, he would be well-regarded.

"Empress, the Emperor specifically instructed this servant that since this winter is long, Your Highness may rest easy while visiting your family, and return to the palace when spring begins!"

The Grand Eunuch left another imperial oral decree for the Empress, then offered his congratulations to Liu Dahao before turning and leaving with his group of eunuchs.

Until he left, everyone present remained dumbfounded.

Many were wondering whether Liu Dahao, in seeking a State Marquis title this year, would accept Chen Ping's goodwill or choose the Empress's olive branch? Who could have expected that the Emperor would suddenly intervene halfway?

"Congratulations, Liu Prefecture Marquis!"

"Liu Prefecture Marquis is well-deserving!"

The crowd offered their congratulations one after another, and Liu Dahao beamed with joy, unable to contain his happiness.

"This commoner pays respects to the Empress!"

Feng Sanniang hurriedly knelt to pay respects to the Empress.

Although Zheng Fu was unhappy in her heart, she still wore a kind smile: "The name of Feng Sanniang has truly been like thunder to the ears this year. Resisting the Xiongnu and repeatedly performing miraculous feats, you are truly a heroine among women! Since you have returned, you may enjoy more family time; this palace will not disturb you further."

Feng Sanniang said with emotion: "Thank you, Empress!"

The Empress rose and left, and the crowd bowed to see her off.

Liu Zheng had a bit of a headache; obtaining the State Marquis title was easy, but because of this, the Empress had not mentioned betrothing Zheng Yueru to him again. It was clear she held a grudge against Feng Sanniang. He hoped this wouldn't affect his ability to play both sides.

Zheng Yueru also stared blankly at Feng Sanniang before her, not knowing what to say. Seeing Liu Zheng look over apologetically, her face immediately turned cold, and she turned and left.

"Let's go home!"

Feng Sanniang returned with a bang and didn't waste words; seeing that Chen Ping still wanted to speak, she ignored him completely. Liu Dahao was so happy that he hurriedly and obsequiously supported his wife as they walked out of the flower pavilion. Feng Sanniang then hugged her son without any regard for her image, tears shimmering in her eyes: "Zheng, Zheng, Mother missed you so much! Tell me, did anyone bully you? Mother will avenge you!"

"Ah?"

Liu Zheng didn't know whether to laugh or cry; his family really was full of eccentrics.

It was truly strange to say, but even though it was their first meeting, Liu Zheng felt that Feng Sanniang was incredibly close to him, with no sense of strangeness at all. Especially upon hearing her words, his own eyes grew warm, and he called out: "Mother!"

"Good, good, good, let's go home first, let's go home first..."

Seeing people still reveling on the street, and because such an emotional display drew stares, the three returned to the Post House.

Who would have thought that before Liu Zheng could speak, Liu Dahao, having just arrived home, knelt down with a 'thud' before his wife and wailed: "Wife, that old man Chen Ping is truly detestable! He swindled me out of two million silver. Fortunately, your husband, through painstaking efforts and diligent governance, has now... now..."

Feng Sanniang fiercely grabbed Liu Dahao's ear and scolded angrily: "Just you? Painstaking efforts? Why do I see you've gained over ten pounds? Zheng, on the other hand, has become much thinner... You useless man, knowing our son was a spendthrift, you actually let him follow you to that godforsaken place of Yinzhou? Useless! Zheng, is it that you have no silver to squander? Mother still has some here."

Liu Zheng had black lines on his face.

He finally understood why the former Liu Zheng was such a spendthrift; with a Feng Sanniang who looked so heroic and dashing but was also this doting, how could he have turned out well?

He hurriedly offered a wry smile.

Feng Sanniang looked at Liu Zheng as if she didn't recognize him, then burst into a laugh: "It was Mother who was rash. In Jinghua, I kept hearing others praise my son as a man of overflowing talent, a genius of the age. It must be that with Mother not by your side, you lived a bitter life following your father and had an epiphany, right? Hmph, you useless man, kneel properly!"

Liu Zheng hurriedly stopped her and said incessantly: "That's right, that's right, Mother. As the saying goes, 'The old man lost his horse, but who knows if it's a blessing in disguise'?"

Feng Sanniang looked pleasantly surprised: "Look at that, my son can even speak in literary phrases now!"

Liu Zheng hurriedly put in a good word for Liu Dahao and helped him up. Under the ancient system where the husband is the guide for the wife, being able to have such a henpecked husband, Liu Zheng also felt it was quite eccentric.

The family of three was harmonious and happy.

Finally, Liu Zheng couldn't help but ask Feng Sanniang: "Mother, this Imperial Edict today is... because you performed meritorious service in defending the country?"

Feng Sanniang glared at Liu Dahao again, then picked up her teacup, looking calm and indifferent, and said slowly: "When I was escorting a caravan, I accidentally killed a Small Chanyu of the Xiongnu. It's not worth mentioning."

Ah?

The father and son of the Liu Family were scared silly on the spot.

Accidentally...

Killed a Chanyu?

This...