bayedsolid Chapter 695 Rewarding Fang Yuan!
Chapter 695 Rewarding Fang Yuan!
The Emperor looked at Fang Yuan standing below with a faint smile.
"You have been in the palace for many years, serving by my and the Empress's side, and your merits are countless. In particular, you have taken very good care of Prince Chang Le."
The Emperor paused for a moment, then continued, "To reward you with gold and silver would be too vulgar. Today, in front of these people, I will issue you an imperial decree. Whenever you wish to return to your hometown, just go. I will order someone to give you some more generous rewards so that you can return home in glory."
Fang Yuan was stunned for a long while before kneeling down with a thud, her eyes filled with tears. "Thank you, Your Majesty. This servant kowtows to express my gratitude for Your Majesty's grace."
The Crown Princess was also stunned. What kind of favor was this?
It's just about letting her leave whenever she wants?
Mu Xin Nuan was also a little confused. This reward sounded a bit strange.
"Don't rush to express your gratitude. I remember you used to be a third-rank Shangyi. Am I right?"
"Back to the emperor, exactly."
"Well, from this day forward, I will grant you the rank of First Grade. Uh, what are the specifics, Your Majesty?"
The emperor was genuinely a little confused about the ranks and titles of the women in the imperial harem.
The Empress smiled. "A first-rank official is a female official in charge of affairs. Very well, let it be. Fang Yuan, since you're not in the palace, the title of female official in charge of affairs is probably a bit of a lie, but the first-rank official rank is not fake. In the future, your salary will naturally be increased."
The Emperor smiled and didn't elaborate further, but the Crown Princess, standing to the side, felt somewhat embarrassed.
As the Crown Princess, she was the most honored woman in the world besides the Empress, yet she didn't have a single first-rank female official by her side. But this Mu Xin Nuan, at such a young age, had just given birth to a son, and already had such a powerful female official by her side.
From the first rank!
Such female officials were not allowed to be near anyone other than the Empress and Empress Dowager.
Now that the Emperor has bestowed this upon me in front of everyone, what does this mean?
Is this to elevate Mu Xinnuan while belittling himself?
Or perhaps, in the Emperor's heart, Mu Xin Nuan is the daughter-in-law he is most satisfied with?
What about yourself?
Over the years, I have devoted myself to raising Chen'er in the Eastern Palace. Why do I not see the Emperor showing me any affection?
The Crown Princess's heart was churning like a stormy sea, her blood surging uncontrollably. She clenched her teeth tightly, but her smile grew even more gentle and submissive.
Although she appeared to be the gentlest person on the surface, Mu Xin Nuan, who was standing next to her, could still feel the anger emanating from her, an anger that made people extremely uncomfortable!
Actually, it has to be said that the Crown Princess is just too clever; she has too many tricks up her sleeve.
The Emperor has already made it clear that since Duanmu Chuze was poisoned, Aunt Fang has been taking care of him.
As far as the Emperor was concerned, Duanmu Chuze was his own son. Aunt Fang had taken good care of him, and as a father, he should at least express his gratitude to her.
What's wrong with that?
Therefore, the emperor simply felt that he should reward Fang Yuan handsomely.
Such a reward is nothing compared to what Fang Yuan has done over the years.
The Empress and the Emperor had been married for many years, so she naturally understood his thoughts.
Duanmu Chuze was their youngest son, and like their youngest daughter Duanmu Jing, he had always been cherished by them. Now, simply bestowing some material possessions upon him was still insufficient to express their gratitude and high regard for him.
The matter concerning Fang Yuan has come to a temporary end.
Of course, there was one more thing that Mu Xin Nuan only learned after returning to the manor.
As a first-rank female official, she was entitled to enter the palace at any time. Of course, she had to present a formal letter of invitation and obtain the Empress's permission before she could enter the palace.
But even such an opportunity is not something ordinary women can have.
The wives of officials of the third rank or below did not receive such treatment.
"Father, why don't you let your daughter-in-law hold the child? This child is really too naughty."
Mu Xin Nuan's heart clenched into her throat when she saw Xiao Zong Hua actually reaching out and grabbing the Emperor's beard to play with it!
Those are dragon whiskers, can't they be plucked casually?
The Emperor glanced at her, knowing what she was worried about, and smiled, "No worries, he's just a child! But this boy is just like Aze when he was little, Empress, don't you think?"
The Empress nodded, seemingly recalling something extremely amusing. "Yes, when Aze was little, he loved to pull the Emperor's beard. I never imagined that this little Zonghua would also love to pull the Emperor's beard like that."
Duanmu Chuze paused for a moment, then turned to look at his mother. His innocent eyes seemed to ask, "Are you sure you're talking about me? Did I have this hobby when I was a child?"
Mu Xin Nuan chuckled, "A Ze, I didn't expect you to be so mischievous when you were little."
Mu Xin Nuan's voice wasn't loud, but it wasn't too low either, so everyone in the hall could still hear it.
Duanmu Chuze looked at his wife with some helplessness, "Anuan, don't you know that children who are naughty when they are young are more likely to be successful when they grow up? Just like me, I was naughty when I was young, but I was able to go to the battlefield to fight when I grew up!"
Mu Xin Nuan smiled lightly, "What kind of fallacy is this? According to your logic, wouldn't all quiet children be incompetent?"
"That's not it. It's just that people with quiet personalities might be better suited to studying."
The couple spoke as if nothing had happened, their natural demeanor and casual expressions making Aunt Fang, who was standing nearby, feel a pang of worry for them.
My lords, are you sure you know where you are right now?
This is the imperial palace!
The Emperor and Empress, sitting high on their thrones, are both watching you two closely.
Duanmu Chuze looked up and met the Emperor's somewhat ambiguous gaze. He coughed lightly and then walked towards the Emperor.
"Come here, Xiao Zonghua, come to your father. Don't always let your grandfather carry you. Otherwise, you'll tire him out."
The emperor was displeased upon hearing this, and leaned back to avoid Duanmu Chuze's outstretched hand.
"What are you saying? Are you implying that I'm old? I'm just sitting and holding a child, how could I possibly get tired?"
Duanmu Chuze was taken aback, never expecting the Emperor to react this way at this moment.
Xiao Zonghua, on the other hand, chuckled.
She flashed a few small white teeth and called out to Duanmu Chuze, "Dad, Dad."
The group of people were immediately stunned.
Mu Xin Nuan reacted quickly, rushing over in a few steps. "Zong Hua, what did you just call me? Say it again, okay?"