Chapter 182: Duan Lang Becomes a Father

Under the gaze of the masses, Duan Fengyun finally stated his request once again.

"Since that is the case, then please, Supreme, write an Imperial Edict by hand.

Leave the Imperial Edict blank, and please, Supreme, sign and seal it.

Let this Imperial Edict serve as your promise, Supreme; in time, if my descendants of the Duan family require the help of the Imperial Court, they may bring this Imperial Edict to seek assistance from those in the Imperial Court.

Of course, this Imperial Edict will not state that the Supreme at that time must abdicate or make any other excessive demands.

I wonder if the Supreme can grant this request."

To the Supreme, this request from Duan Fengyun was not really a request at all; given Duan Fengyun's status, he would have no need to write this to get the Supreme's help.

But since Duan Fengyun requested him to write it this way, he would simply write a blank Imperial Edict according to Duan Fengyun's request.

"Someone, go to the Imperial Study and bring the Imperial Jade Seal and an Imperial Edict."

"Yes!"

The old eunuch who had just returned from the side hurried off toward the Imperial Study again.

This time, there was no one to block or question him, and the old eunuch returned very quickly.

"Supreme, the Imperial Jade Seal and the Imperial Edict have been brought; please take a look!"

The Supreme took the Imperial Edict, opened it, saw that his name was already written inside, and picked up the Imperial Jade Seal to stamp it directly.

He had too many government affairs to handle every day, so whenever he was free in the Imperial Study, he would sign several Imperial Edicts in advance for urgent needs.

The Supreme spread out the signed and sealed Imperial Edict and had the eunuch pass it to Duan Fengyun.

Seeing Duan Fengyun take the Imperial Edict from the eunuch's hands, the Supreme spoke:

"Hero Duan, this is the Imperial Edict you wanted.

I guarantee to you that in the future, your descendants of the Duan family may fill in any content they wish on this Imperial Edict, including conferring titles of nobility, appointing officials, and so on.

My word as a ruler is not a joke, and I ask all the ministers to bear witness!"

After hearing the Supreme's words, Duan Fengyun held the Imperial Edict and bowed with cupped hands:

"Then I thank the Supreme."

The Supreme smiled:

"Compared to the grace of Duan Fengyun saving our lives and the merit of defeating the enemy from Dongying, this is nothing, nothing at all."

After the Supreme finished speaking, he fixed his gaze on the civil and military officials and began to announce an appointment he had already prepared.

"My ministers, receive the Edict: to express my gratitude for the life-saving grace of Duan Fengyun, Qin Shuang, Nie Feng, and Bu Jingyun, as well as the four men's merit in repelling the enemy.

I now confer upon Duan Fengyun the title of Prince of Equal Rank, upon Qin Shuang the title of Qin King, upon Nie Feng the title of Feng King, and upon Bu Jingyun the title of Yun King.

When you see these four Princes, it is as if you see me!"

"We have seen the Prince of Equal Rank, the Qin King, the Feng King, and the Yun King!"

The civil and military officials knelt down one after another to pay their respects.

Regarding this move by the Supreme, the four men, including Duan Fengyun, were somewhat caught off guard.

They did not expect the Supreme to play this hand; he was trying to bind the four of them alive to his ship.

Thinking of Duan Lang and the others, and that the Supreme's character was not bad, the four did not refuse and accepted these four titles that were empty in name only.

"Then we shall respectfully obey, Supreme."

Duan Fengyun represented the four and accepted the titles conferred by the Supreme.

Hearing the four accept his titles for them, the Supreme was overjoyed.

This meant that the four, including Duan Fengyun, were now completely bound to his country; in the future, as long as the four were still around, whenever the country was in trouble, the four would step in to help.

With this, the Supreme, who had exhausted countless energy, wealth, and painstaking effort, finally completed his plan step by step.

And immediately following this, the delighted Supreme began to announce his next Imperial Edict.

"The former Chancellor has retired to his hometown for many days, and the position of Chancellor has remained vacant.

I need someone with both wisdom and integrity to serve as this Chancellor and share my worries and solve my problems.

After some consideration, I have decided to appoint the current Minister of Personnel, Wang Jian, as the new Chancellor."

Regarding this appointment by the Supreme, all the civil and military officials had already guessed it.

The position of Chancellor had been vacant for a long time, and the one with the best chance was originally the Minister of War.

But the Minister of Personnel, Minister Wang, had a good daughter.

She had latched onto Duan Fengyun's younger brother and became a member of the Duan family.

Now that Duan Fengyun had even accepted the Supreme's title, there was no need to guess who would get this Chancellor position.

The civil and military officials, who had just stood up, began to bow again:

"We have seen Chancellor Wang."

And at this moment, Minister Wang—no, it should be changed to Chancellor Wang.

And at this moment, Chancellor Wang was still stunned in place; he had not expected that he would one day be able to reach the position of Chancellor.

He knelt down on the ground with a thud and kowtowed:

"Your subject thanks the Supreme for your great kindness; I will surely exert my utmost strength until my dying day to repay your grace in promoting me."

The Supreme waved his hand and said:

"Chancellor Wang, this is all what you deserve.

I hope that in the future, in the position of Chancellor, you can continue your past way of serving as an official and help me resolve my worries."

In fact, the Supreme was also muttering in his heart at this moment:

"If your daughter hadn't married into a good family and you didn't have a good son-in-law,

this Chancellor position would have absolutely nothing to do with you."

Wang Jian was able to reach his current position, so his ability to judge the situation was certainly not poor.

He knew that everything today was thanks to the person before him, but now, in the imperial court, there were some things he could not say; he could only speak with Duan Fengyun after returning home.

And just at this moment, the Imperial Guard outside sent a message in.

"Reporting to the Supreme, news has come from the Duan Mansion that the young lady of the Wang family, Madam Duan, is about to give birth.

Mr. Duan requests that Hero Duan and Minister Wang return to the Duan Mansion immediately."

Hearing this news, Minister Wang jumped up high; his daughter was his protective talisman now, so nothing must go wrong.

"Supreme, my daughter is about to go into labor, this subject requests to withdraw first!"

Wang Jian said with a bow.

"Then Supreme, we shall also take our leave first.

If the Supreme has any matters, please feel free to send someone to the Duan Mansion to notify us."

Hearing that his little nephew/niece was about to be born, Duan Fengyun was also very excited.

"Very well, then you few may return first.

After I have handled the affairs of the court, I will also visit the Duan Mansion."

After the Supreme finished speaking, Duan Fengyun and the other three, along with Long Er and Wang Jian, left the Imperial Palace at top speed.

When the group arrived at the Duan Mansion, the entire Duan Mansion was bustling with activity.

Duan Lang stood outside the bedroom door, pacing back and forth anxiously.

Looking at Duan Lang at this moment, Duan Fengyun felt as if he were seeing his former self.

"Little brother, it will be fine; your big brother is someone who has been through this, it will definitely be fine."

Duan Fengyun tried to comfort Duan Lang, letting Duan Lang relax.

But in such matters, those involved are always confused while the bystanders are clear; how could Duan Lang not be nervous?

And Wang Jian, this newly appointed Chancellor, was also pacing back and forth just like Duan Lang.

While worrying about his daughter, he was also worrying about his official career; his daughter must not have any trouble, for if something happened, his newly soaring career would plummet once again.

"Waa, waa, waa, waa!"

As a series of cries rang out from inside the room, the hearts of Duan Lang and Wang Jian were finally half at ease.

After a while, the door opened, and a maidservant came out holding the already swaddled child and said:

"Congratulations to the Master, joyous tidings to the Master, both mother and child are safe.

The Madam has given birth to a big, healthy boy for the Master."

Upon hearing that both mother and child were safe, the hearts that Duan Lang and Wang Jian had been hanging in suspense finally settled completely.

Hearing that it was a boy, a few more smiles appeared on both of their faces.

Especially for Wang Jian, now that he had a grandson, his official career looked very clear in his eyes.

Duan Lang walked into the room to check on Wang Qiaoer's condition.

Meanwhile, Duan Fengyun and the others sat in the courtyard chatting.

Duan Fengyun laughed:

"Uncle, it seems your official career is bright indeed.

Perhaps in a few years, you will be enfeoffed as a prince."

Wang Jian laughed shamefully:

"Nephew, you are joking.

If it were not for you, nephew, how would this old man have today?

Everything is thanks to you, nephew.

This old man has nothing to repay you with, I can only kowtow to express my gratitude."

Having said this, Wang Jian prepared to kneel down.

Duan Fengyun directly used his palms and True Qi to stop Wang Jian.

"Uncle, you are being too formal.

Qiaoer is now my sister-in-law, isn't it only right for me to help you?"

At this moment, Duan Lang walked out holding the already named Duan Zheng, followed by Wang Qiaoer, who looked relaxed after shedding her burden.

It seemed Wang Qiaoer usually practiced some martial arts, otherwise she would not have recovered so quickly.

"Yo, so this is my sister-in-law; truly graceful and poised, the very image of a virtuous wife and loving mother."

Duan Fengyun laughed.

Wang Qiaoer smiled shyly:

"Brother, you are joking."

It seemed Duan Lang had long since described the appearances of Duan Fengyun and the others to Wang Qiaoer; there was no need for introductions, Wang Qiaoer knew who was who.

At this time, Nie Feng and the others also began to take out the gifts they had prepared for little Duan Zheng.

"Duan Lang, these are the gifts we prepared for little A Zheng, hoping he grows up healthy and strong."

Qin Shuang opened the Golden Bull box, revealing the small Golden Bull inside, and handed it to Duan Lang.

Bu Jingyun opened the puppet box and handed the Sandalwood Doll to Duan Lang.

Nie Feng also opened the Hetian Jade Buddha and handed it to Duan Lang.

Looking at the gifts from the three, which were clearly of great value, Duan Lang said embarrassedly:

"Three brothers, thank you for your concern and blessings for little A Zheng.

But these gifts are too precious, I cannot accept them."

Duan Fengyun said dismissively:

"Not precious, not precious."

This is only a matter of four or five thousand taels, what is there that cannot be accepted?

They are not short of money, hurry up and accept it."

Hearing Duan Fengyun speak of several thousand taels as if they were a few copper coins, Duan Lang and the other two could not help but sigh; truly, comparing people only leads to frustration.

Since Nie Feng and the others had no intention of taking back their gifts, Duan Lang had no choice but to accept them.

Having accepted the gifts, Duan Lang finally let go of his pride and began to stretch his demonic claws toward Duan Fengyun.

Acting on the principle that one need not be polite with one's own elder brother, Duan Lang began to demand a gift from Duan Fengyun:

"Brother, as A Zheng's biological uncle, you wouldn't happen to have no gift, would you?

And Qiao'er, this sister-in-law of mine, hasn't received your greeting gift yet either."

"That's right, Brother, where is my gift?

You can't just give A Zheng a gift and not give one to me, your sister-in-law."

Qiao'er coordinated with Duan Lang, forming a husband-and-wife duo to demand gifts from Duan Fengyun.

Looking at the couple who had changed their expressions in an instant, Duan Fengyun could only smile bitterly; fortunately, he had been prepared.

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