If only Jiang Li knew about the tiger tally in Jiang Ke"s hand getting burned, he would not have let the court be dismissed that easily. He would have used that as another weapon against the Marshal, and a tool to also anger the Emperor. Sadly, he didn"t know. So the Marshal, who naturally wouldn"t disclose that secret, was spared from getting scolded by the son of heaven. He was even able to have some time to exchange "pointers" with Jiang Li a couple of streets away from the palace. Of course, neither of them ended up injured. While the Marshal was annoyed that he was at the same level as someone younger by two decades than him, Jiang Li was annoyed that he couldn"t land a blow on the Marshal even though he had already done his best to anger and distract him during the fight.
...
A few hours later...
A eunuch stood in front of the small gate of the humble house next to the huge and tall Chen w.a.n.g Residence and double-checked the plaque on the top. The smooth calligraphy only said, "Moon Reflection". However, that made the eunuch sure he was in the right place. The plaque had the owner"s name in it. The given name Ying Yue meant reflection of the moon while her surname Jiang meant river. One could simply imagine how poetic the name was.
"The Prince-General probably fell in love with the name since even I find it very beautiful." thought the eunuch as he led the other palace servants into the courtyard.
Contrary to the small and plain-looking gate, the garden and the house looked quite imposing and not like what commoners would have. It might not be huge, but the materials used to build it were topnotch. For example, the pillars were made of wood usually used in constructing a palace for the imperial concubines.
The garden was also very well-maintained. Amidst the sea of colorful flowers and ornamental plants was a woman with unmatched grace and poise painting a b.u.t.terfly in her canva.s.s. She was all alone there, her back was facing them so she didn"t see them coming. However, she did hear the incoming footsteps.
Without turning around, she asked, her voice as soothing as her last name, clear river. "Xiao Lu, is that you? Please wait a moment. I"m almost done with my sketches. If you"re going to drag me back inside to eat, just spare me this once."
The Eunuch cleared his voice. His entourage was already a few steps away from the lady and was exchanging looks with each other. It seemed she mistook their many footsteps for a single person? Should they be amazed at her concentration on her work?
From the door of the house"s main hall, a girl who seemed at the same age as the young miss emerged, and she was shocked upon seeing so many people appearing behind her young miss. Her shock doubled when she realized they were from the palace. And it tripled when somebody from the gate came in again.
"Y-Your Highness." Xiao Lu greeted quite loudly, hoping her Miss would turn around immediately to realize the situation.
The one who just arrived was indeed Jiang Li, Mao Hong and Xun He following behind him. The man"s lips were curled into a grin as he looked at the girl painting, and the people from the palace standing a bunch of creeps behind her.
"Your Highness has come?" Jiang Ying Yue did turn her head when she heard Xiao"s voice, almost immediately, voice filled with both surprise and happiness. A second later, she gasped and stood up, then lowered her head.
She curtsied and greeted, "This commoner woman humbly greets Eunuch Lin. May you have a day as great as the rising sun from the east. "
At the presence of somebody who even dared to casually answer the Emperor and yet get away from it, the fat eunuch didn"t dare put on airs, especially in front of someone that person treasured in the palm of his hands. He frantically waved his hands and said, "No, no, Lady Jiang doesn"t need to bow to this insignificant one. Please don"t. Lady Jiang, this servant doesn"t dare and is not worthy to accept your courtesy."
After seeing the girl raised her head, the eunuch sighed in relief then turned around and bowed at Chen w.a.n.g. "Greetings, Your Highness. This one is happy to see you in great health."
Jiang Li nodded. He glanced at the boxes being carried by the servants. Seeing where his eyes were directed at, the head eunuch didn"t tarry anymore. After clearing his throat, the eunuch announced the decree.
"Miss Jiang. His Majesty found you clear of any guilt and is to be restored as the First Miss of the Jiang family. As a sign of an apology from the Ministry of Justice"s error before, His Majesty decided to compensate you with a thousand taels of gold, a hundred bolts of the snowy silk fabric, a manor in the east-west district and a third-rank t.i.tle, Lady of Ping"An. Lady, please accept the decree."Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.
Shocked at first, but still immediately recovered her senses, Jiang Ying Yue bowed and received the scroll being handed to her. There was no joy in her eyes. Deep in her heart, she knew, this would come to her sooner or later since her prince would surely not rest until she regains what she lost.
"Long live the Emperor. This lady has accepted His Majesty"s grace." Eyelashes angled forty-five degrees downward, she curtsied before she continued speaking in a calm voice. "Eunuch Lin, please pa.s.s my words of thanks to the son of heaven."
The fat guy nodded then after ensuring the boxes of gifts were deposited properly inside the hall, he excused himself from the people there and led the palace servants back to the palace.
When only Chen w.a.n.g"s people and Jiang Ying Yue were left at the place, the girl raised her head to his direction, a smile slowly forming on her face. The moment she took a step forward, everyone else retreated to a distance, clearly intending to give them a s.p.a.ce of their own. Their action, of course, made Jiang Ying Yue"s cheek reddened, but as the strong and resolute girl that she had become, she braved both the embarra.s.sment and the man"s laughing eyes.
She continued moving forward, her slow steps reminding Jiang Li of when he watched Na Yu float down the aisle of a huge and famous church on their wedding day. For a moment, his eyes showed deep nostalgia and Jiang Ying Yue became lost in the warmth and emotions she saw in them.
"Your Highness," she called in a clear and soft voice. She was now standing in front of him, with the decree in hands. She raised it to him with a small, gentle smile on her beautiful face.
On one side, Xiao Lu was biting on her handkerchief to prevent herself from squealing. "It"s a play! It"s a romantic play! The picture before me is so beautiful. The garden and them. Ahhh! My pure heart couldn"t take it! But wait, what is my young miss going to do? Is she finally too moved she couldn"t wait for His Highness to propose?"
The two men a few meters away from her were pondering over the same question, their gazes at their boss so weird. Even now, they were still having a hard time believing a death G.o.d like him could fall for someone like this.
Jiang Li acted like he didn"t see everyone"s expressions and movements when he swept his gaze around. Looking back to Jiang Ying Yue and the rolled-up piece of paper he opened his mouth, "So... Are you going to ask if it was my doing?"
She shook her head. There was no need to ask the obvious. She raised her chin and looked into the man"s eyes. Then she said,
"Your Highness. Will you please accept this decree containing my name and deed?"
He tilted his head to the side. "This is the Emperor"s decree, you know?"
He was reminding her that not properly storing this thing in her person would be a capital offense.
"I know." She smilingly replied. "But even if it"s a crime, I"d like to gift all of me and all I have to His Highness."