Three individuals stood up together, performing a salute: "Your servants follow the imperial edict."
Emperor Xiping pondered for a moment before speaking again, "Direct the Directorate of Ceremonial to draft a decree, to confer the title of State-Protecting Mage upon Zhang Duanrui, the heir of the Heavenly Master’s Mansion at Mount Longhu, and promote him to the First Rank as a Grand Master of the Guanglu."
The chief eunuch, who stood at the side, was about to step forward to receive the order when Shen Fa preempted him, saying, "Your Majesty, please reconsider this!"
Emperor Xiping: "Hmm?"
Shen Fa carefully chose his words and solemnly said, "Yang Erlang once mentioned that Zhang Xuansu laid out plans to sever the fate of Zhou Tang due to Emperor Tian De’s favoritism towards Buddhism over Taoism... Yet the Chan School still thrives to this day, with offerings and incense burning strong."
Emperor Xiping’s eyebrows shot up suddenly, "You mean to say...?"
Shen Fa: "This is but a humble servant’s conjecture, with no solid evidence to back it. However, in my unworthy opinion, the court should not hastily involve itself in the disputes between Buddhism and Taoism before the situation becomes clear."
Emperor Xiping, suddenly enlightened, said with a joyful face, "Zhong He is truly like my chancellor Zhuge Liang, excellent!"
Shen Fa bowed deeply in salutation: "To share my lord’s concerns is but the duty of a subject; I do not deserve such praise from Your Majesty."
Emperor Xiping stroked his beard, thought for a moment to gather his thoughts, then spoke again, "Draft the decree, conferring on the current Heavenly Master of Mount Longhu, Zhang Duanrui, the title of Grand True Master for the Expansion of Culture and Education, and promote him to the First Rank as a Grand Master of the Guanglu!"
"Confer the title of Marquis of Luting on Yang Erlang of Luting, hereditary without lapse, and appoint him as a Senior First Rank Master Tutor to the Crown Prince..."
As he was speaking, he glanced at Shen Fa in front of him, who was wrapped up like a mummy, and continued, "Confer the title of Marquis of Kaifeng on Shen Fa, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, hereditary without lapse, and promote him to the Second Rank as a General of Agile Cavalry!"
The preceding two conferrals seemed normal to everyone present, and even when Yang Erlang was suddenly conferred a title, they viewed it as a sign of the Emperor’s wise and far-sighted governance.
It wasn’t until Shen Fa’s title was conferred that everyone in the court was shocked, including Shen Fa himself, who was utterly flabbergasted!
In Wei, the conferment of nobility was extremely cautious and rigorous. Over one hundred and sixty years, besides the founding twenty-four marquises, only a handful of over ten people had been ennobled, and all were for military service. Even after the triumphant victory over the Wulangha Tribe of the Tartars a few years ago, which was celebrated throughout the nation, the generals and officers were only granted additional offices and stipends, without the conferment of nobility...
Although Shen Fa was born into the Jiangxia branch of the Shen Family, he was merely the second son, and the title of Marquis Jiangxia would not fall upon his head; establishing his own household was only a matter of time.
Shen Fa regained his composure, trembling with excitement as he gripped his hands and bowed deeply: "Your servant Shen Fa thanks Your Majesty, long live our Emperor, may he reign for tens of thousands of years!"
While expressing his gratitude, he shouted in his heart with excitement, ’I knew it, I knew it, no beating comes without reason...’
What is this called?
This is called reaping the rewards for every deed, finding resolution for every affair, even a beating must leave a mark!
Looking at his emotional childhood friend in front of him, Emperor Xiping also stroked his beard with a smile, casually promising him, "Rise, take care with your tasks, be more diligent, and your family’s honor may yet be enhanced!"
Shen Fa loudly: "With Your Majesty’s magnanimous grace, your servant has nothing with which to repay, except to give my wholehearted effort until death!"
Emperor Xiping picked up a memorial and waved his hand, "Very well, get back to work. I await your good tidings!"
"Your servant takes leave!"
Wei Heng and Liu Xian stood up together, performing a salute. They turned their heads in astonishment towards Shen Fa.
Shen Fa pretended not to see their gazes, standing still until both had withdrawn.
Only after the two had left the imperial study did Emperor Xiping look up in surprise and asked, "What’s the matter? Waiting for a meal?"
Shen Fa smiled awkwardly and gave a salute, "Your Majesty, your servant has another matter to report..."
Updat𝒆d fr𝑜m freewebnøvel.com.
Emperor Xiping: "Speak!"
Shen Fa chuckled nervously and said, "How has... the Princess been lately?"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xiping’s interest was immediately piqued; he closed the memorial in his hand with a full-faced smile and asked, "Any progress?"
Shen Fa’s mind raced as he mumbled in a low voice, "This matter may not unfold as we initially foresaw..."
The smile on Emperor Xiping’s face vanished as quickly as it came: "What discrepancies?"
Shen Fa: "That stubborn donkey seems to lack the feelings of a man for the Princess..."
Emperor Xiping’s expression darkened, and he was about to get angry when Shen Fa continued, "However, according to my observations, it seems like the stubborn donkey treats the Princess as his sister... his own sister!"
The anger on Emperor Xiping’s face disappeared in an instant, as if it had never been there, and he laughed, "That’s not bad, they are both young, and passion can ignite quickly when they are in close quarters. Who knows, maybe it will happen sooner than we think!"
He rubbed his hands together with gleeful anticipation, his crafty demeanor entirely unbecoming of an emperor.
Shen Fa wiped the sweat from his forehead, not holding out much hope for his own plan but not daring to dampen the Emperor’s "elegant mood." He could only go along with the Emperor’s words, "So, should the Princess return to the palace, there mustn’t be any slip-up. That stubborn donkey is fiercely protective – if the Princess were to return to the palace and suffer any distress..."
He looked at Emperor Xiping, leaving the rest unsaid, but the implications were clear: ’You wouldn’t want that stubborn donkey to come back to the capital, right?’
"Er..."
Emperor Xiping’s face stalled, and then he too couldn’t help but wipe his brow, even though there was no actual sweat: "Indeed, you are thorough, Zhong He. I almost neglected this matter... Jixiang, issue the order to Changchun Palace, I will dine there later."
The chief eunuch bowed deeply and responded, "As you command."
Shen Fa also bowed and said, "Your Majesty, your servant takes his leave!"
Emperor Xiping waved his hand.
Shen Fa left the imperial study, and not far away, he saw Wei Heng and Liu Xian waiting for him.
"Congratulations to Lord Shen, our felicitations to Lord Shen."
Upon seeing Shen Fa, Wei Heng approached with a falsely cheerful smile and maliciously saluted, "You have indeed pioneered the precedent for conferment within the Imperial Guard!"
Shen Fa replied with a similar insincere smile, "Not at all. If you feel inequitous, I could go to His Majesty this very moment and request that he offers you a chance for ennoblement as well..."