8: Receive the imperial decree

Seeing the Prince of Zhenbeis Residence guard rush in uninvited, Yang Zhong couldn't help but frown slightly, feeling displeased.

If Yang Zhong showed such an expression, how much more so Shangguan Yuexi, the mistress of the residence?

Seeing her beautiful brows tightly furrowed, she coldly rebuked, “What is the meaning of this panic? Can't you see that This Palace is currently receiving guests?”

The guard's expression changed, and he immediately knelt down and said, “Princess Consort, please forgive me! This subordinate knows his mistake, but Eunuch Yan has come to deliver an imperial decree, and I dared not fail to report it!”

Hearing this, the expressions of the few people present changed in surprise.

Shangguan Yuexi looked at Yang Zhong, “General Yang, let's go receive the decree first. We can talk afterward!”

“Very well!”

The group stood up and walked outside. As Shangguan Yuexi passed the guard, she casually said, “It's alright, this is not your fault. You may leave.”

“Thank you, Princess Consort!”

The guard said gratefully, but remained kneeling. Only after everyone had left did he stand up and depart.

Shangguan Yuexi, holding Nangong Yu, and the group quickly arrived at the Front Courtyard, where they saw a fair-faced, refined middle-aged man standing there, holding a scroll with both hands.

Behind him followed a squad of serious-looking Imperial Guards clad in black armor.

That middle-aged man was none other than Eunuch Yan!

Seeing the group arrive, Eunuch Yan announced loudly, “Your Majesty has decreed! I request the Princess Consort of Zhenbei to receive the imperial decree!”

As soon as he spoke, everyone present immediately dropped to their knees, except for the people Eunuch Yan brought, Yang Zhong's group of three, and Shangguan Yuexi.

Of course, Yang Zhong and the others also bowed slightly to show respect.

Eunuch Yan didn't say anything, as these few people indeed had the qualifications not to kneel when receiving a decree.

He opened the scroll, cleared his throat slightly, and began reading the Imperial Decree aloud.

→By the Mandate of Heaven, We govern the world and rule the people. It is only through the unity of Our subjects that this prosperous age is possible.

Now, the Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Aochen, having guarded the Northern Border for decades, has unfortunately died for the nation. Our heart is deeply pained.

We hereby issue this decree: granting the Princess Consort of Zhenbei, Shangguan Yuexi, an Imperial City Residence, one hundred servants and maids, ten thousand Spirit Stones, and one hundred portions of Grade Seven Spirit Medicine and Spiritual Materials.

Granting Nangong Yu, the Heir Apparent of the Prince of Zhenbeis Residence, one hundred thousand Spirit Stones, the Medium Grade Spiritual Artifact si chen sword, the hereditary title of Prince of Zhenbei, and command over the three thousand Zhenbei Army troops, with permission to lead troops into the Imperial City without Our decree, in recognition of the Prince of Zhenbei's service.

Respect this.←

As his voice faded, the scene fell into an eerie silence, and everyone was somewhat dumbfounded.

Everything else could be understood, but the point about “command over the three thousand Zhenbei Army troops, with permission to lead troops into the Imperial City without a decree” utterly astonished everyone.

The Zhenbei Army totals only three thousand men, all veterans of a hundred battles. Their cultivation Realms are all in the Deity Transformation Realm, and the three Commanding Generals are masters of the Divine Combination Realm Medium Grade and Late Stage.

Wherever the three thousand Zhenbei Army troops passed, not a blade of grass would grow. When activating their Battle Formation, they could resist the Spirit Venerable Realm, and even killing a Spirit Venerable Realm expert was easily done.

If the Zhenbei Army hadn't coincidentally been dispatched by the Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Aochen, the day before, the tragedy of the Prince of Zhenbei dying in battle would not have occurred.

And now, their Emperor had actually handed the Zhenbei Army over to a newborn baby?

Could this be any more outrageous?

At this moment, Eunuch Yan spoke with a smile, “Princess Consort Your Highness, please receive the decree!”

Shangguan Yuexi spoke in surprise and doubt, “Eunuch Yan, did you misread it? The Zhenbei Army...”

But before she could finish, Eunuch Yan waved his hand and chuckled, “Princess Consort Your Highness, This Servant did not misread it. His Majesty instructed This Servant to inform you that you should continue holding the Zhenbei Army military tally, and you can hand it over to the Little Prince whenever he comes of age.”

“Furthermore, His Majesty is worried about you and your son and wishes to invite the two of you to reside in the Imperial City. What are your thoughts, Princess Consort Your Highness?”

“Of course, the Zhenbei Army can also accompany you and be stationed just outside the Imperial City!”

Hearing Eunuch Yan's words, everyone finally understood that their Emperor was being serious!

Shangguan Yuexi took a deep breath, bowed while holding Nangong Yu, and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty. This Concubine accepts the decree!”

Hearing this, Eunuch Yan smiled slightly and carefully handed the Imperial Decree to Shangguan Yuexi, along with two storage rings, which contained the bestowed items!

“Eunuch Yan, please come inside and have a seat!” Shangguan Yuexi invited with a slight smile.

Eunuch Yan shook his head upon hearing this. “No, thank you. This Servant still needs to return and report back to His Majesty. Thank you for your kindness, Princess Consort Your Highness.”

After speaking, he slightly cupped his hands and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Shangguan Yuexi quickly signaled Aunt Shen with her eyes.

Aunt Shen understood and quickly stepped forward to hand Eunuch Yan a Pouch. “Eunuch Yan, you must be exhausted from your journey!”

But seeing this, Eunuch Yan quickly waved his hand and said, “How can I accept this? This is merely This Servant's duty. How dare I accept a reward from the Princess Consort Your Highness? Please take it back!”

Hearing this, Aunt Shen thought Eunuch Yan was just being polite before accepting it!

Unexpectedly, just as she was about to press him again, Eunuch Yan seemed to recall something, and he smiled and accepted the Pouch.

However, he placed something inside the Pouch, and then handed it to Nangong Yu, saying, “This Servant didn't prepare a gift for the Little Prince upon our first meeting, so allow me to Offer a Humble Token.”

“This...”

Seeing this, everyone was surprised. Was this still the Eunuch Yan who usually accepted rewards immediately after delivering a decree?

Why was he so unusual today?

But how could they know? As Nangong Aotian's Close Attendant, Eunuch Yan understood Nangong Aotian best.

He had personally watched Nangong Aotian write this Imperial Decree himself.

He also understood some of Nangong Aotian's intentions: nothing more than transferring all the care he had for the Prince of Zhenbei onto Nangong Yu.

He even wanted to issue this Imperial Decree to silence the public gossip, serving as a strong counterattack against the rumor that “Nangong Yu is a Fiend Star.”

Furthermore, the Qingyou Empire's Imperial Secret Guards had already been dispatched to secretly investigate who started the rumor, showing Nangong Aotian's regard for Nangong Yu.

Under such circumstances, he was eager to give Nangong Yu more gifts; how could he dare accept a reward from Shangguan Yuexi?

At this moment, Nangong Yu looked at the small Pouch in his arms and couldn't help but reveal a cute smile.

Seeing Nangong Yu smile, Eunuch Yan couldn't help but smile too. “The Little Prince is truly adorable!”

Immediately, he turned and looked at Yang Zhong and the other two. “This Servant was just about to look for the three of you, I temporarily didn't notice you were here.”

Hearing this, Yang Zhong and the two others were puzzled. “May we ask what important matter Eunuch Yan needs us for?”

Eunuch Yan nodded and spoke with a serious expression: “By His Majesty's verbal decree: Yang Zhong is commanded to quickly reorganize the Northern Border Army and prepare for a Northern Expedition at any time. Ancestor Zhao is requested to assist him. Attendant Liu is requested not to return to the Imperial City for the time being, but to first guard the Grand Consort of Zhenbei, Shangguan Yuexi, and the Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Yu, for a period.”

Hearing this, everyone was surprised, but Yang Zhong and the two others quickly bowed. “We accept the decree!”

“This Servant has delivered His Majesty's decree and shall now take my leave. Farewell, everyone!”

Eunuch Yan nodded slightly, then turned and left with his attendants.

Everyone watched him leave before Shangguan Yuexi spoke, “General Yang, I invite the three of you to come inside for a cup of tea, and we can continue discussing what we were talking about earlier!”

Hearing this, Yang Zhong shook his head slightly. “Princess Consort Your Highness, you must already know This Subordinate's purpose for coming. We truly cannot delay any longer.”