The emperor waved his hand grandly: "Yin Shun, deliver the decree. In recognition of Minister Cao's tireless service and achievements, We hereby confer upon his mother the title of First-Rank Lady of Honor. Though his wife has recently suffered a miscarriage, should she bear a son in the future, the child shall be granted the title of Count, while a daughter shall be made a County Princess. Let the Secretariat draft an edict proclaiming this across the realm, so all may know Our benevolence!"
At this proclamation, even Shi Hong and others couldn't help but feel envious.
Two rewards at once—how rare for this notoriously frugal emperor!
And one of them was an inheritable title, an unprecedented honor in the capital!
Old Madam Cao remained composed as ever, slowly bending in a bow. "This old woman thanks Your Majesty on behalf of my descendants."
The emperor nodded, then glanced at Cao Yang. "Have Minister Cao carried back to rest. The ground is cold—we wouldn't want his condition to worsen..."
"This old woman obeys."
With the matter settled, the crowd dispersed.
Outside Fengtian Hall, Old Madam Cao lingered. Spotting Yan Zheng emerging, she bowed deeply. "Today's outcome is thanks to Your Excellency the Chief Councillor!"
Without Yan Zheng's mediation, even if they had managed to drive that wretched Marquis Chengen out of the capital, they would never have secured the titles of Lady of Honor and nobility.
Yan Zheng quickly steadied her. "A mere trifle, Madam. You honor me too much."
"No. What was a trifle to you was a lifeline for the Cao family!" Old Madam Cao insisted, casting a glance back at Cao Yang. "Had my son been conscious, would a mere Marquis Chengen have dared bully us? But such are the ways of the world—when a man loses power, even his tea turns cold. Thus, the Cao family shall never forget your great kindness."
This iron-spined old matriarch could still bend when necessary.
Yan Zheng inwardly admired her resilience, then glanced at Shi Hong and the others.
Taking the hint, the latter promptly said, "Your Excellency, we have official duties awaiting at our offices and shall take our leave."
Old Censor Wang nodded at them before shuffling unsteadily toward the palace gates.
Once alone, Yan Zheng lowered his voice. "To speak frankly, Madam, the misfortune that befell your daughter-in-law today was partly due to Ayan's misjudgment—though she meant no harm. Thus, I boldly ask that you and Old Madam Cao keep this matter confidential and never let her know."
Old Madam Cao paused in realization. "So that's why..."
No wonder Yan Zheng had set aside his grudge against Imperial Son-in-law Cao to intervene—it was for her sake.
"Rest assured, Chief Councillor. The Cao family knows right from wrong. Without you and your wife today, Jing'er would not have escaped calamity, nor would my son's flesh and blood have been preserved. Our household is eternally grateful and harbors no resentment."
Yan Zheng exhaled in relief. "Then I thank you, Madam."
On his way out, he noticed Prince Qin standing at the palace gates, gazing into the distance.
Yan Zheng frowned.
Prince Qin was one of the emperor's most trusted ministers, yet he'd been frequently absent from court lately. What was he doing here?
A sharp-eyed young eunuch nearby volunteered, "Your Excellency may not know—General Zhenbei is returning to the capital!"
"General Zhenbei? Feng Huan?"
"Indeed! His Highness Prince Qin received word some days ago and took leave to personally renovate his western villa. He even bought up all the wintersweet blossoms in the city to create a garden for... a certain someone."
It took Yan Zheng only a moment to recall—Feng Huan's daughter, Feng Ying, was returning with her father.
"Are they arriving at court today?"
"Your Excellency is most perceptive..."
As they spoke, a carriage appeared at the end of the road.
Feng Huan, clad in armor, dismounted at the palace gates and helped a veiled woman alight. Though her face was obscured, Prince Qin shot forward like an arrow, stopping just before her. "A-Aying, you've finally returned!"
The commander of three armies stood there, uncharacteristically nervous as a bashful youth.
Feng Ying smiled faintly. "You honor me with your concern, Your Highness."
Prince Qin seemed transfixed by her face until Feng Huan's pointed cough made him step aside.
Watching this, Yan Zheng's frown deepened, reminded of Ayan's younger sister. He quickened his pace to leave.
Meanwhile, Feng Ying caught sight of Yan Zheng's profile and asked, "Father, who is that...?"
Feng Huan glanced over in surprise. "His Majesty appointed a new Chief Councillor? What happened to Chancellor Gu?"
After a brief explanation from their guide, Feng Ying gasped, covering her mouth. "It's him!"
Her gaze lingered, unable to look away...
Outside the palace gates, Yan Zheng had just boarded his carriage when Shadow appeared.
The mute boy gestured rapidly, leaving Meng Yang baffled. "What's he saying? That something's wrong with Madam? What could possibly be wrong with Madam?"
Yan Zheng lifted the curtain to find Shadow frantically signing at him.
His temple twitched. "Is this true?"
At Shadow's emphatic nod, Yan Zheng covered his face with one hand before sighing in resignation. "Take us home..."
His tone was utterly defeated.
Meng Yang burned with curiosity—what could possibly make his master react like this?
Upon reaching the residence, he understood immediately and nearly bolted. "M-My lord, perhaps we should leave!"
But it was too late. Before the crowded gates of the Yan residence, several sharp-eyed shopkeepers had already spotted them.
The proprietor of Qibao Pavilion rushed to block their carriage. "Your Excellency Yan, surely the Chief Councillor's household won't renege on debts! Today, Madam Yan purchased goods totaling three hundred taels from us..."
"Meng Yang, settle the accounts."
At Yan Zheng's order, Meng Yang hastily produced silver.
The satisfied creditors departed, and Meng Yang scratched his head. "My lord, it's not so bad—Madam only spent under two thousand—" His words died as a black-lacquered bed adorned with golden tracery was carried past him.
Then the jade rings dangling from its canopy...
Followed by gauze-covered objects whose shapes unmistakably revealed them to be Burmese bells and phallic implements...
Meng Yang's jaw dropped. Yan Zheng was already striding toward the residence, left hand shielding his face.
Yet even so, the whispers reached them:
"Heavens, is the Chief Councillor really that... vigorous?"
"How long would it take to use all these?"
"I thought Madam Yan was frail—can she endure it?"
"..."
Finally understanding his master's earlier expression, Meng Yang thought wryly—who could possibly laugh under such circumstances?
Inside, Chu Ruoyan was cheerfully directing servants in arranging the new acquisitions.
Spotting Yan Zheng, she bounded over. "You're back! Come see—do you like them?"
The courtyard fell silent, servants wishing they could unhear this.
Rubbing his temples, Yan Zheng barely suppressed his mingled amusement and exasperation. "Hmm."
"'Hmm'? Is that yes or no?"
At her pouting insistence, Yan Zheng remained silent until her face fell. "Oh... you don't like them? But you said tonight was my choice, so I visited all those shops specially..."
Glancing at the... implements, Yan Zheng softened his voice. "Go wait inside. I'll join you after finishing official business."
Chu Ruoyan skipped off happily. Meng Yang immediately offered, "My lord, I'll have these disposed of at once!"
"Hold!" Yan Zheng stopped him, his gaze darkening. "Who said anything about disposing of them?"
Meng Yang’s eyes widened as he heard his master say leisurely, "First, find a courtyard and lock her up."
Once Ayan recovered, he would make sure she understood the full consequences of pushing him too far.
"Also, go to Bai Xiao Pavilion again and ask Old Divine Doctor Qin if there’s any progress on Ayan’s condition..."
No sooner had he spoken than Shopkeeper Du, who served by Yun Lang’s side, arrived with a beaming smile. "Lord Yan, my master requests your presence. He says there’s news about your wife’s illness!"
