The matriarch was shocked by this sudden good news and anxiously asked: "What good news is it?"
The servant: "Elder madam, quickly go to the front hall to take a look. The eunuch is already waiting in the front yard!"
Upon hearing that it was an imperial decree, the matriarch reflexively trembled. Over the past half a year, the Feng family had received more imperial decrees than they had received in the previous 20 years, but there was never any good news. Since it was good news, it should be for Feng Yu Heng. She pondered like this and naturally felt that it should be for Feng Yu Heng, thus she quickly ordered the servants: "Perhaps the second young miss has not gone far. Quickly go and bring her back. Have her come to the front yard to receive the decree."
The servant that had come to pass on the message stomped her foot and said with a smile: "Hah! Elder madam, this decree is for you! It's great news! "
Granny Zhao immediately sensed that something was off and quickly said: "Speak more carefully. What exactly is the good news?"
Only then did the servant say: "An imperial decree came from the palace. It is for elder madam. Elder madam will be conferred the title of first rank noble madam! Elder madam, quickly come to the front yard to receive the decree! "
"Ah!" Both of them stared blankly for a moment before a look of pleasant surprise appeared on their faces. Granny Zhao immediately instructed the maidservant, "Quickly send people to each courtyard to inform the concubines and young misses to come out and receive the edict together. Oh right, we also need to invite the second young miss back. She just left not long ago."
"Hah!" The servant happily ran out to pass on the message.
Granny Zhao helped the matriarch stand up. While tidying up her clothes and hair, she said: "Our manor is about to welcome the eldest princess of Qian Zhou into the manor. Thinking about it, his Majesty must feel that elder madam's lack of a noble title cannot be suppressed. But speaking of, this old servant still feels that this noble title came too late. Elder madam, you are the mother of a standard first rank official. You should have been conferred this title long ago. "
The matriarch was already bursting with joy. How could she still care about such things. She continued to urge granny Zhao to move faster. She then said: "Whether it was early or late, it was conferred in the end. If his Majesty insists on not conferring it, there is nothing we can do! "
Granny Zhao casually said: "Ah, thinking about how that Yao shi has the title of a first-rank noble lady, this old servant feels wronged for the elder madam."
The old lady also felt wronged. "Hmph, even Mr. Heng knows to ask for a title for his mother, but my son doesn't care about me at all!" As soon as she mentioned this, the old lady's face immediately darkened.
Zhao mama was so frightened that she hurriedly apologized, "It's all this old servant's fault for not knowing how to speak properly. Old Madam, please don't be angry with Master. Master is the Prime Minister, so he naturally has to set an example for the other officials. How can it be good if we only benefit our own family like everyone else? "
The old lady thought about it and felt that it made sense. Only then did her complexion look better.
Zhao mama secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It was really too dangerous just now. If because of her words, the old lady was angry with the old master, her sin would be big. Her hands moved faster, and she combed the old lady's hair again. Then she said, "Alright, old lady, let's hurry to the front yard!"
On this side, the old lady led a group of servants towards the front yard. The people from the other courtyards of the Feng family were also rushing towards the front yard. Feng Yu Heng was stopped on her way back to Tong Sheng pavilion. In regards to the old lady suddenly receiving the title of a first-rank noble lady, she did not feel too surprised.
Feng Jin Yuan was already the court's prime minister. His mother receiving the title of a noble lady was something that would happen sooner or later. Moreover, the title of a noble lady was nothing more than a reward for the family of an official. It did not have any real meaning.
But Huang Quan analyzed it and said: "Is this for elder madam to not lose too much face in front of Princess Kang Yi?"
Feng Yu Heng laughed, "It's possible that it's for her to not lose too much face in front of me."
"Hm?" Huang Quan was puzzled, "His Majesty has always favored young miss. How could he allow elder madam to suppress young miss."
"How do you know that it's his Majesty's intention?" Feng Yu Heng curled up the corners of her lips and wickedly said: "I fear that someone is trying to curry favor with elder madam!"
"Young miss is speaking of eldest princess Kang Yi?"
"Just wait and see!"
As the two spoke, they had already reached the front yard. The people from each yard had also hurried over from different directions. Only when all the members of the Feng family had arrived did housekeeper He Zhong quietly say a few words to the eunuch delivering the decree. The eunuch then cleared his throat and loudly said: "Feng manor's matriarch, Li shi, receive the decree."
The matriarch quickly walked forward and kneeled, loudly saying: "This humble woman receives the imperial decree."
Following her kneeling, everyone in the Feng family also kneeled. The eunuch unfurled the imperial decree and loudly said: "Feng manor's elder madam, Li shi, has a noble character and is well-spoken. Today, you are conferred the title of a first-rank noble lady and a first-rank noble lady's court robe.
The matriarch's heart bloomed with joy, as she immediately loudly said: "This humble woman receives the imperial decree and thanks the grace. Long live the Emperor." She then raised her hands above her head and received the imperial decree. A servant to the side also stepped forward and brought back the court robe.
Granny Zhao helped the matriarch up then gave a small purse to the eunuch under the matriarch's instructions. The eunuch fiddled with it then smiled with satisfaction: "Congratulations elder madam Feng. I wonder if elder madam has any other orders. If there is none, this one will return to the palace to report the imperial decree."
The matriarch quickly said: "I have troubled eunuch, but I did not invite you into the manor to drink a cup of tea."
"Ah! No need, no need! Then elder madam, please stay. This one will take his leave! "The eunuch did not stay for a moment longer. After announcing the imperial decree and receiving his reward, he quickly left.
Feng Yu Heng looked at the matriarch's happy expression while holding the imperial decree and wanted to laugh. She could practically imagine Emperor Tianwu's impatient appearance when he gave this imperial decree. Such a simple imperial decree, with just a few short sentences, did not even give any more compliments. It was clear that this title of noble lady was not something that Emperor Tianwu wanted to confer.
Thinking about it, Feng Jin Yuan had been the prime minister for so many years, yet he had never asked for a title for his mother. It was enough to see that Emperor Tianwu did not like the family of the prime minister very much. Yet he did not confer it earlier or later. Instead, he waited until Kang Yi was about to marry into the family before conferring it. Even if she used her toes to think, she would know how this title of noble lady came about.
Sure enough, after the eunuch left, the maidservants that had come with him did not leave. The leader walked over to the matriarch and bowed: "This servant pays respects to elder madam. Congratulations elder madam on being conferred the title of noble lady."
The matriarch looked carefully for a while then recognized this person: "You are maidservants from Qian Zhou?"
The servant said: "Indeed. Elder madam has good eyes." While she spoke, the warmth caused everyone to tremble. "I wonder if elder madam is satisfied with the gift that our eldest princess sent?"
The matriarch was startled, "What gift?"
The servant smiled and said: "It's this imperial decree with the title of noble lady! Our princess said that elder madam is the head of the family and should always be at the top. That's why she specially went to ask His Majesty Dashun to confer elder madam the title of first rank noble lady. "
The matriarch was stunned. This title of noble lady was something that Kang Yi had requested for her? Thinking a little more, that's right. If Feng Jin Yuan had gone to request it, he would have definitely told her beforehand. This imperial decree had come too suddenly. Previously, she had only been happy, but now, she felt that it was a little odd.
The servant saw that the matriarch pondered for a long time without saying anything, so she quickly said: "Our eldest princess said that because the matter between her and Lord Feng happened too suddenly, and Qian Zhou is too far from Dashun, there is no time to prepare a dowry. Eldest princess was thinking that there was something that elder madam could do to repay elder madam's kindness. Also, our princess Ru Jia also has something that she wants to give you! "
As she spoke, she waved her hand, and two maidservants immediately came forward with a wooden box. The boxes seemed to be extremely heavy, as the maidservants could not carry them. They had to lean on their bodies to support them.
"These are two bolts of moon palace silk that His Majesty Dashun gifted princess Ru Jia on the first day of the new year. Princess said that from the first moment she saw elder madam, she felt a sense of familiarity. After living in the manor for a few days, the more she interacted with you, the more she felt that you were her grandmother. Now that her wish has come true, princess said that this would be considered a greeting gift for elder madam! "
With this, the matriarch truly began to laugh. Not only did she receive the title of noble lady, she also received court clothes. Now, she also received two bolts of moon palace silk. This was truly too unexpected.
Looking at the two wooden boxes, her eyes lit up, as she repeatedly said: "The two princesses really are too courteous."
The servant also knew how to speak: "Not long after, we will be one family. Princess will be kowtowing to elder madam." She ordered for the two bolts of moon palace silk to be handed to the Feng family's servants then said: "These servants also need to return to the palace to report to eldest princess, so we will not be staying any longer. Elder madam, you absolutely must take care of your health. Eldest princess said that when she marries into the Feng manor, she will accompany elder madam every day and personally take care of you."
This servant's words were sweet, causing the matriarch to laugh from the bottom of her heart. The bit of enmity that she originally had for Kang Yi disappeared once more. From being on guard, she was filled with anticipation.
With the servant from Qian Zhou leaving, only the people of the Feng family remained in the yard. Seeing that the matriarch's joy had not yet passed, Feng Chen Yu thought quickly and took the initiative to go forward. Kneeling on the ground, she said: "Granddaughter congratulates grandmother for receiving the title of noble lady!" After saying this, she kowtowed.
With her like this, how could the others continue to watch. An shi quickly pushed Xiang Rong, and Xiang Rong followed behind Chen Yu and kneeled.
Feng Yu Heng and Feng Fen Dai kneeled a little later, but they could be considered to have followed the rest. Behind them, the concubines kowtowed, including the pregnant Han shi, who knelt on the ground. The matriarch did not tell her to get up.
Although this was not the first time that the Feng family had kowtowed to her, the significance of today was different. She had also received the title of noble lady. From this moment forward, she would no longer need to envy the women of other families, nor would she need to feel embarrassed to attend banquets because she did not have the title of noble lady.
With this sort of vanity, she had everyone kneel for the time it took for half a stick of incense to burn. Only then did she say: "Alright, you may all rise. It's just a title of noble lady. There's no need to kowtow like this." It was clear that her words did not match her heart. Even an idiot could see that she was already beaming with joy.
After standing up, Chen Yu took a couple steps forward and said with a smile: "In the future, grandmother will be a madam with the title of noble lady. When you have the chance to enter the palace, you will need to wear court clothes. How impressive! Who knew that eldest princess would be so considerate. Grandmother has the title of first rank noble lady. Even if she is the princess of Qian Zhou, Qian Zhou is a vassal state. Compared like this, her rank is below yours. " After saying this, she lowered her voice and used a volume that only the two of them could hear, saying: "Grandmother has the title of first rank noble lady, and second sister has the title of second rank county princess. Eldest princess has truly put in a lot of effort!"
The matriarch's eyes lit up. That's right! She had always been a little afraid of Feng Yu Heng's position as county princess. Now that she had the title of noble lady, she was fiercely suppressing her!
Upon thinking of this, the matriarch's smile became a little more profound.
Feng Yu Heng stood to the side. Although she did not hear what Chen Yu had said, she had clearly seen her lips move. She immediately understood what was being said. She could not help but secretly smile. A title of noble lady without a title wanted to suppress a county princess with a fief. What exactly was this family thinking?
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