Chapter 644: Reward
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Eunuch Zhu said politely, “Lord Yu, get up!’
Yu Zongzheng quickly stood up and respectfully led Eunuch Zhu and the others through the door. Eunuch Zhu carried the imperial edict and a few guards of honor to the front hall.
Old Madam Yu, who was waiting in the front hall, also received the news.
As soon as Eunuch Zhu entered the house, the family knelt neatly in the hall and waited. Yu Zongzheng and Yu Zongshen quickly knelt behind Old Madam Yu.
Old Madam Yu hurriedly said, “I’ll bring the entire Yu Residence’s main branch and follow His Majesty’s orders.”
Eunuch Zhu glanced over. Old Madam Yu was dressed in heavy makeup and kneeling respectfully at the front. Behind her were the two elders of the Yu Residence, followed by the legitimate son, Yu Shansi, and the young master from Youzhou, Zhou Linghuai. At the back were three young misses in a row.
The group also followed the rules.
Madam Yang, the first wife, had been sick for a few years. She was afraid that she would offend the Holy Decree, so she did not come over. There was also Yu Shanming, the son of a concubine. He looked to be a year or two old, so it was not appropriate for him to come out.
From the looks of it, the first branch of the Yu Residence was complete.
Eunuch Zhu nodded to himself. He raised the imperial edict in his hand and raised his voice. “You Yao of the Yu Clan, come forward and listen to the seal!”
Yu Youyao quickly stood up and lowered her eyes. She walked to the front and knelt down. “I, Youyao of the Yu Clan, will follow His Majesty’s orders.” Eunuch Zhu unfolded a bright yellow imperial decree that was more than three feet long. He read, “By the heavens, the emperor’s imperial decree—”
“You are a loyal family that shows filial piety with kindness and virtue. How can I be stingy with praise? Today, the Yu Clan has a daughter called Youyao. She’s unique and beautiful. She has a beautiful aura and is elegant. Her character is pure, quiet, loyal, and respectful. 1 hereby give her the title of County Lord of Shaoyi. She has received high evaluation and recognition from the imperial court! ”
Yu Youyao held her breath.
The county lord was the daughter of a prince. Only the daughter of a princess could be bestowed the title of county lord.
What right did she have to be bestowed the title of the imperial family by the emperor?
Even though the Duke Rongs Residence had almost ruined her reputation and made her suffer, her relatives could not represent the royal family. This matter had nothing to do with the emperor.
The palace would at most reward them with some things to comfort them. It would also be considered a considerate way of being a ruler and minister. There was no need to give her a title.
In the past dynasties, there had also been precedents of the imperial family conferring titles to the daughters of external vassals. However, it was rare. Usually, it was for special reasons such as for the Imperial Court’s important political achievements or marriage.
Emperor Xianzong had once graced a loyal orphan with the title of County Lord of Yuyu.
Thinking of what had happened to the Duke Rongs Residence, Yu Youyao couldn’t help but feel a chill run down her spine. The position of county lord seemed to be reminding her to remember the emperor’s kindness and serve the Imperial Court. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be worthy of her position.
Yu Youyao suddenly recalled that two years ago, the dog emperor had posthumously given King You the title of “King Li of Zhou”. Then, he was conferred the title of “King Yue Fei”. How similar was this situation to back then? As the county lord of Shaoyi, it was a benevolent gesture and a warning.
After the imperial edict was read, Eunuch Zhu carefully closed it and smiled at Yu Youyao. He said kindly, “County Head Shaoyi, accept the imperial edict!”
Yu Youyao raised her hands flat and high.
Eunuch Zhu placed the imperial edict in Yu Youyao’s hand.
Yu Youyao held the imperial edict with both hands and pressed the back of her hands against the ground. She gently touched the imperial edict with her forehead and bowed. “ I, Young Yao of the Yu Clan, thank the emperor for his grace. Long live the emperor!”
As her father, Yu Zongzheng also thanked the emperor.
Old Madam Yu led the others in the hall to thank the emperor again.
Only then did Eunuch Zhu smile and say, “The emperor already knows about what happened at the Flower Festival. The emperor is grateful for the loyalty of the Yu Residence and is very angry with the actions of the King Rongs
Residence. Yesterday, he had already dealt with the King Rongs Residence.
County Head Shaoyi has suffered.”
These words also represented the emperor’s intentions.
Yu Youyao quickly said, “l was terrified. I don’t dare to accept his thoughtfulness.”
These seemingly casual words were said very brilliantly. Firstly, she expressed that the emperor’s recognition and protection of the Yu Residence was pointed out to every person in the Yu Residence. Those who were officials in the court and her grandmother were loyal and righteous, including her. The emperor felt that after the matter was settled, no one would dare to talk about her anymore.
He even mentioned that she had suffered. It was as if the emperor had dealt with the Duke Rong’s Residence heavily for her. As the daughter of an external minister, she had to remember the emperor’s kindness even more.
Eunuch Zhu smiled. “The materials for the county lord’s memorial and a set of gowns are all ready-made, but they have to be made on the spot. It will take a few days. In about five days, the Internal Affairs Department will send someone to your residence.”
It was easier to issue an imperial order, and it was rare for clothes to be sent over. There were a total of two sets of gowns and common clothes. The materials were ready-made, but it was meticulous work. The entire Internal Affairs Department had to hurry up to get it done. Five days was already the fastest time.
Yu Youyao said gently, “Thank you, Eunuch.”
Eunuch Zhu changed the topic and said, “The Empress Dowager heard that County Head Shaoyi was shocked at the flower festival, so she specially rewarded him with some things to calm him down.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a young eunuch beside him bent down and handed over a golden book.
Eunuch Zhu reached out to take it, opened the book, and began to list out the rewards. “A pair of jade ruyi for the County head of Shaoyi. There’s a gold-plated and red-embroidered phoenix crown. There’s two rolls of snow silk and satin, two rolls of heavenly green muslin, four rolls of soft smoke colored cloth, and four rolls of ten-colored cloud brocade…
The Empress Dowager’s rewards were very generous. There were headgear, accessories, literary artifacts, jade artifacts, famous porcelain, and so on. In addition, there was silk, spices, makeup, and so on.
As Eunuch Zhu recited, the corresponding items were sent into the front hall by palace maids or eunuchs. The most expensive items were given to the palace maids and eunuchs, who carried them in order. The second-best items were placed in boxes and were carried in by the eunuchs.
After a long while, Eunuch Zhu finished speaking and handed the reward list to Yu Youyao. “County Head Shaoyi, take a look!”
Yu Youyao quickly took the list. How could she dare to really take a look? “l thank the Empress Dowager for her grace. Long live the Empress Dowager.”
Satisfied, Eunuch Zhu smiled and said, “Get up!’
Old Madam Yu finally heaved a sigh of relief and immediately stood up to greet Eunuch Zhu. “Thank you for specially coming to issue the decree. It’s a long journey from the palace to the outside world. Eunuch Zhu, sit down and rest. ”
The decree carriage stopped on Chang An Street. It took more than an hour to reach the Yu Residence. Thinking about it, Eunuch Zhu had already set off before dawn.
Wasn’t it difficult?!
Eunuch Zhu was really polite to Old Madam Yu. “Old Madam, quickly sit down. There’s no need for you to greet me. I was ordered to come to the Yu Residence to announce a decree. It’s an official mission. I naturally don’t deserve it.”
Old Madam Yu quickly agreed. The servants cleverly served tea, snacks, fruits, and so on. They also prepared soup and snacks. They were very meticulous.
After walking all the way, Eunuch Zhu was indeed tired and hungry. He did not stand on ceremony and ate some blood swallows and snacks. He also felt that the taste was not bad and not inferior to the imperial food in the palace..
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