“An imperial decree has arrived!”
“No need to guess, it must be for General Gu.”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“General Gu has achieved great military feats, defeating the main force of Western Liang. This time, he advanced eight hundred li to the west, forcing Western Liang to send envoys for peace talks, washing away Great Feng’s humiliation of many years. It’s only right to reward him during the banquet.”
Cao Du stroked his beard, speaking eloquently.
As the Minister of Rites, he was responsible for such matters.
He could quickly learn any inside information.
It also proved that his years of befriending the Gu Family were not in vain.
From now on, the Gu Family would be firmly established.
Becoming an indispensable military noble family in Great Feng!
Gu Yuan would also replace Old Prince Ning, permanently guarding the Western Border.
The three hundred thousand Wolf Army of the Northwest would all be under Gu Yuan’s command.
It wouldn’t be long before he would be enfeoffed as a Duke.
Gu Mingzhi quickly called out.
“Quick, set up the incense table and prepare to receive the decree.”
“Understood!”
The servants hurried to prepare.
This was an unparalleled honor!
Naturally, it had to be welcomed with the highest standards.
“Do you see that?” Lin Xianhong looked at Ning Que and said coldly, “I have admired generals who serve the country since I was a child. You come from Prince Ning’s Manor, and your father and brothers all died in battle. But what have you done? In my eyes, you will never compare to General Gu!”
“Heh…”
People truly laugh out of anger when they are speechless.
How could Lin Xianhong be so confident?
“Ah, don’t speak of the Young Master like that.” Gu Yuan feigned nonchalance, speaking in a sarcastic tone, “The Young Master was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and he can live very well on his father’s and brothers’ military merits. It’s normal for him not to want to go to the battlefield; how can you say he is greedy for life and afraid of death?”
“General Gu is truly righteous.”
Lin Xianhong nodded in agreement.
She truly looked down on Ning Que from the bottom of her heart.
In her eyes, Ning Que was a scoundrel.
No matter what he did, she could always find fault.
Because she had a preconceived notion.
Tian Zhongxun stroked his beard, smiling sinisterly.
Ning Que was, after all, a Young Master without real power.
No matter how much he jumped around, he couldn’t make much of a splash.
Indeed, Emperor Feng really wanted to support Ning Que.
But the premise was that Ning Que had true talent and ability!
Otherwise, how could he win over the public?
Prince Qi then looked at Gu Mingzhi.
Both of them smiled.
The Gu Family had not wasted his efforts.
Supporting Gu Yuan’s rise was a major chess move!
Through this, he would completely control the Northwest Wolf Army!
“Young Master Ning, do you see it now?”
“Winning with words is useless.”
“In Great Feng, it’s still about military merit.”
Tian Zhongxun looked at Ning Que smugly and said indifferently, “Yes, today is indeed Old Prince Ning’s death anniversary. But so what? A new emperor brings new officials. Old Prince Ning died in battle at Yumen Pass. Now Gu Yuan guards the Western Border and commands the Wolf Army. The Emperor sending an imperial decree of reward to the Gu Family’s banquet today is the best proof!”
“I suspect you are all related?” Ning Que found it ridiculous, “Why do you think this decree is for Gu Yuan?”
“Hahahaha!”
Gu Mingzhi immediately burst into laughter.
He was laughing so hard he was bending over.
He pointed at the plaque in the distance.
“Young Master Ning, look closely.”
“This is my Gu Manor, not Prince Ning’s Manor!”
“The imperial decree was sent to my Gu Manor. If it’s not for Yuan’er, could it be for the Young Master?”
“Hahahaha!”
Prince Qi and the others also started laughing.
Lin Xianhong’s willow-like brows furrowed slightly, and she whispered, “Ning Que, don’t cause any more trouble here. Even if you don’t mind being embarrassed, you should consider the reputation of the Prince’s Manor. I know everything you do is for me. Just consider it my fault, and you should go back first.”
“What are you, exactly?”
Ning Que didn’t want to waste any more words with them.
They were just a bunch of overconfident fools.
At this moment, Chief Steward Hu walked over.
Behind him followed many eunuchs.
Chief Steward Hu was a favored person by Emperor Feng.
He could often represent Emperor Feng when outside.
He had been loyal for many years and had never made a single mistake.
His official position was not high.
He served as the Chief Official of the Imperial Household Department, ranking third grade.
But even first-grade officials had to be polite to him.
“Greetings, Chief Steward Hu.” Gu Mingzhi walked forward with a smile, greeting him, “Thank you for making a special trip this time, Chief Steward Hu. Please stay and have a few cups of wine later.”
“No need.” Chief Steward Hu calmly flicked his sleeve, “Lord Gu, this imperial decree is not for your Gu Family.”
“Ah!?”
“It’s not for me?”
“This… this…”
Everyone was in an uproar.
What was going on?!
Chief Steward Hu came to the Gu Manor to issue a decree.
And then said it wasn’t for the Gu Family?
This kind of operation had never happened before…
Chief Steward Hu then held up the imperial decree in his hand.
“Ning Que, Young Master of Prince Ning, listen to the decree!”
“Your subject Ning Que, receives the decree!”
Ning Que bowed calmly.
At this moment, the entire scene was in an uproar, and faces changed.
“It’s really for Young Master Ning?”
“I know, it must be to reprimand Young Master Ning!”
“Right!” Prince Qi’s eyes were filled with rage, “Young Master Ning was responsible for disaster relief in Jingyang, but he neglected public duty for personal reasons to attend the Gu Family banquet. It must be a decree of blame.”
“I heard the Young Master even brought the coffin to face the Emperor.”
“Perhaps that’s what angered His Majesty.”
“The Young Master is still too young…”
They also weren’t very optimistic.
Ever since Ning Que married Lin Xianhong, Emperor Feng often admonished him. He hoped he could shoulder the heavy responsibility of a Young Master and uphold the entire Prince Ning’s Manor. But Ning Que repeatedly disappointed Emperor Feng, and later Emperor Feng simply stopped bothering. This time, sending him to disaster relief, there was some hope. But what did Ning Que do? Every day he sent gifts to the Lin Family. It was clear he was still obsessed with Lin Xianhong. Saying he divorced her was actually a feigned indifference to get her attention. As a Young Master, he only cared about personal affections. How could Emperor Feng not be angry?
…
Chief Steward Hu looked at Ning Que and slowly opened the imperial decree.
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees. Prince Ning guarded Great Feng for many years, achieving outstanding military feats, and recovering the Yan Yun Sixteen Prefectures was an unparalleled achievement. However, in the Battle of Yumen Pass, Prince Ning and three young generals fought to the death and were martyred. I have been grieving ever since, and after much deliberation, from this day forward, Prince Ning’s death anniversary shall be designated as a National Day of Mourning. From top to bottom, no banquets or celebrations shall be held!”
National… National Day of Mourning?!
The entire scene was in an uproar, and faces changed.
Since the founding of Great Feng, there had never been such a rule!
It even exceeded the specifications for the death of an emperor!
It was said that after an emperor’s death, all officials had to keep vigil.
The princes and the new emperor had to observe three years of mourning.
After three years, then it was back to music and dancing.
But this time?
Designating Prince Ning’s death anniversary as a National Day of Mourning!
No banquets or celebrations were allowed throughout the entire country!
Such an honor was simply unimaginable!
Ning Que’s eyes reddened, and he raised his hands in a deep bow.
“Your subject, thanks the Emperor for his grace!”
Emperor Feng knew what he cared about most.
And at the same time, shattered all rumors!
“The Young Master Ning Que has long been a symbol of auspiciousness, consistently displaying extraordinary qualities, possessing divine martial prowess, and profound wisdom. His heroic vision surpasses the world, and his brilliant strategies delve into the divine, vanquishing the violent and eliminating the wicked, leaving no one unconvinced. In the drought and locust plague of Jingyang, the Young Master swiftly quelled the disaster. Therefore, Ning Que shall now inherit the title of Prince Ning, and all necessary rites shall be prepared for his timely investiture.”
At this moment, the entire scene was in an uproar!
Prince Qi’s eyes widened.
He suddenly crushed the glazed wine vessel in his hand.
How could this be?!
Ning Que was allowed to inherit the princely title just like that?
Lin Xianhong’s expression was even more incredibly vivid.
Shock, incomprehension, surprise…
Had Emperor Feng gone mad?!
Letting Ning Que inherit the princely title?
This would only tarnish the reputation of Prince Ning’s Manor!