Chapter 422： canonize

In a blink of an eye, it’s the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Early in the morning, four palace carriages arrived. From them came two officials from Zhongshu Province, several palace maids holding gift boxes, several eunuchs holding ritual vessels, and a group of mounted guards.

They came to the gate of Jiang’s house and shouted loudly: “The Holy Spirit has a decree!”

The boy guarding the door jumped up in shock and hurried into the backyard to report.

Chunniang and her daughter got up early, put on new clothes, and were preparing breakfast. They were startled by the servant's announcement, and immediately called their two sons and Jiang Quanhuzi to receive the order at the door.

A group of people were welcomed into the main hall to read out the imperial edict. The family prepared the incense table and knelt down to listen to the edict.

It turns out that the emperor was hosting a banquet today for ministers and their families in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and asked the Jiang family to enter the palace for the banquet.

There are also two imperial edicts. One is to confer Xu Chunniang as a sixth-grade Anren, and give her a set of ceremonial clothes and ribbons, as well as a book.

In addition, Jiang Yingbao was granted the title of Lord of Qinchuan County, the second rank, and was given a formal dress, ribbon, jade butterfly, and corresponding ritual utensils. He also had eight palace attendants, a mansion for the county lord, a carriage and sedan, and twelve bodyguards.

Looking at the palace maids and eunuchs holding ritual utensils, Ying Bao was a little confused.

One of the ministers smiled and said: "Qinchuan County Lord, if you don't hurry up and accept the order, you will have to go to the palace to thank me later."

Yingbao quickly kowtowed and accepted the order.

Holding the imperial edict and the jade butterfly in his hands, he didn't know what to say for a moment.

Unexpectedly, the master made her the county head and also made Qinchuan County a fief for her.

This is the kind of treatment only a prince or the daughter of a county prince can get.

After receiving the order, Chun Niang and her son wanted to leave Tongshi and others to eat. They shook their heads and said, "We have to go back to resume our duties, we will be here soon."

Upon seeing this, Jiang Jie quickly took two big red envelopes and delivered them to the two housekeepers. Several eunuchs also had a red envelope each.

After seeing off the official who conveyed the order, the family looked at the eight palace officials.

A palace maid came to Ying Baofu and said, "Numei Xiang, please give my regards to the county lord."

Another palace maid also knelt down and saluted: "My lord, I wish you all the best. My name is Lanxiang."

“nuhexiang”

“My name is Qiuxiang.”

Four eunuchs also came over and saluted: "Guixiang, Jinxi, Yulian, Yu Dahai, please pay your respects to the county lord."

Ying Bao nodded and asked them to get up.

The eldest palace maid Mei Xiang said: "The county chief will enter the palace later to thank you. Let the slaves serve you and get dressed."

“Okay.” Yingbao walked into the house with her arm on her arm.

Today, Chun Niang will also put on the dress of a sixth-grade married woman and a ribbon, go to the palace to thank her, and attend the palace banquet by the way.

In addition, she and her daughter also had to listen to Mei Xiang's lecture on the rules and etiquette in the palace.

Fortunately, these maids can accompany me when I enter the palace this time. Even if I can't remember it, it won't be rude to have the maids to give me some advice.

The four maids dressed Yingbao and her daughter, put on makeup, and then stood aside with their hands down.

Yingbao's dress is longer than A-niang's, with the back reaching to the ground, making her look particularly majestic.

After Chun Niang put on the dress of a married woman, her aura instantly increased. In addition, her face was delicate and beautiful, which was no worse than those ladies from aristocratic families.

Subsequently, the whole family went to the palace for a banquet, but Jiang Quan was not among the invitees.

Fortunately, Jiang Quan had a big heart, and after seeing off his third aunt and his little cousin happily, he went back to his house and sat on the kang to count the money.

Ying Bao's car arrived in front of the imperial city gate and saw carriages and sedans packed with officials.

Her carriage is a royal carriage and can be entered directly.

Eunuchs and guards opened the way, and the crowd at the door got out of the way.

Drive into the Imperial City, enter Xuanyou Gate, and follow the north-south street to Huitong Gate outside Zichen Hall.

As long as you pass through the Huitong Gate, you will find the palace inside.

 Inside the Huitong Gate is the imperial kitchen of the Provincial Shang Shi Bureau in the palace, as well as the Shang Yao Bureau, Shang Ying Bureau, Shang Yi Bureau, Shang She Bureau and Shang Nian Bureau, a total of six Shang Bureaus, which are usually very tightly guarded.

Those who can enter through this door are the close associates and attendants of the emperor and his concubines. At this moment, outside the gate, the magistrates, imperial medicine officers, personal attendants, chariot officers, Cheziyuan, Huangyuan, and soldiers from various internal divisions and other miscellaneous personnel are ready to be called upon at any time.

All the people in the palace who are responsible for purchasing and paying tribute also enter the palace from here.

Ying Bao and A Niang got out of the car and walked into Huitong Gate surrounded by several palace maids.

Afterwards, they came to the side hall next to Zichen Hall, Wenhe Hall. Mei Xiang said that the emperor would stay here temporarily.

As expected, there were many eunuchs and maids guarding the entrance of Wenhe Palace. It seemed that the emperor was already in the palace.

After the announcement, Ying Bao and Chun Niang walked into the hall.

Zhou Wuchang was seen wearing a bright yellow dragon robe and a crown made of gold wire, sitting on the dragon chair.

“See Your Majesty, May Your Majesty be blessed!”

The mother and daughter performed three kowtows and nine bows to Zhou Wuchang in an orderly manner.

Zhou Wuchang smiled: "Get up. Give me a seat."

The palace attendants on both sides immediately brought up two round stools.

Yingbao and Aniang thanked each other and sat down on the stools.

She thought for a moment and asked, "Your Majesty, is Qinchuan County really a fiefdom for my disciple?"

Zhou Wuchang nodded.

Yingbao smiled: "Then I will go back to Qinchuan County to live in the future."

“It’s a good idea, you need to stay in the capital.” Zhou Wuchang picked up the tea cup and took a sip.

“Why?”

Zhou Wuchang: "You are not married yet. Once a husband is chosen for you, you can move to Qinchuan County."

ˆ Yingbao: "."

Zhou Wuchang added: "Today's palace banquet, you just have to take a closer look. If you think any young master is a match for you, tell me."

Yingbao's head is covered with black lines.

Zhou Wuchang: "You are not young anymore. There are really not many unmarried women at the age of seventeen in this dynasty. Every time I go to court, I have to listen to those old ministers repeat it several times. How many of you, Zhou Hao, and Zhang Min are there?" How many times have I been impeached by those old ministers, and I have no choice but to do so.”

“What if the person I like is not in the capital?” Ying Bao tried to fight to the death.

Zhou Wuchang: "It doesn't matter. As long as you tell me which one it is, I will grant you a marriage."

“What if he doesn’t agree?” Yingbao asked, blinking.

Zhou Wuchang snorted: "It doesn't matter, I will call him and ask him."

Seeing that Ying Bao was about to speak again, the emperor hurriedly said: "The banquet will begin soon, you go to Chui Gong Hall first."

Chui Gong Hall is right next to Zi Chen Hall. Today, all the concubines and wives are having a banquet in this hall.

Ying Bao saw his master opening his mouth to drive people away, so he had no choice but to say goodbye to his mother-in-law.

When we arrived at Chui Gong Hall, many married women were already sitting in the hall.

Ying Bao and Chun Niang took their seats under the guidance of the palace eunuch.

There is nothing we can do about it, because their grades are different, and the position arrangements between her and A-niang are also different.

Fortunately, Mrs. Wu and Mrs. Luo were also there. They were of the same rank as Chun Niang, both from the sixth rank of An, so they sat together.

Yingbao felt a little relieved when he saw his mother sitting next to Mrs. Wu, and nodded to the ladies on the left and right.

She is the county head of the second rank, and her status is equivalent to that of a royal family member. She sits with several first- and second-rank wives.

Mei Xiang secretly told her that among these ladies, there were Concubine Yao Shu's biological mother, Concubine Lu Xian's biological mother, and two others, Concubine Chen Hui's mother and Concubine Zhong De's mother.

They look young, just like Chun Niang.

"Are you the Holy Emperor's female disciple?" Mrs. Lu asked with a smile.