68: Marquis of Yongding

Mo Yingqi had been incredibly nervous, but the moment he saw Luo Yongan and Luo Yongning, dressed in red wedding attire and holding round fans to cover their faces, that nervousness completely vanished.

Despite the magnificent phoenix coronets and robes, and the faces hidden behind the round fans, the two pairs of almost identical peach-blossom eyes belonging to Luo Yongan and Luo Yongning were gazing at Mo Yingqi with a gentleness like water.

Yet, hidden within those two pairs of peach-blossom eyes were far too many emotions that Mo Yingqi could not understand. According to the rites of the Daxing Dynasty, if a woman married into a higher social class, she was required to wear green wedding attire.

But because Luo Yongan and Luo Yongning held such noble status, they wore bright red wedding robes extremely similar to the one Mo Yingqi wore.

The etiquette was neither simple nor overly complex. Beside Mo Yingqi, the old Eunuch who had instructed him followed him throughout, whispering reminders of what he should do. Since he was well-read and polite, he managed to complete the rites trembling but without a single mistake.

"I say, Jingzhong, I never thought I'd be able to enter the Imperial Palace in this lifetime, and as the family of a Prince Consort, no less," Lu Qianyuan whispered to Tang Jingzhong. "Tell me, should we just run for it later?"

"Are you stupid?" Tang Jingzhong glared at him in disdain. "Do you think this is the Pacification Bureau office? No, even if it were our office, you can't just come and go as you please—that's a latrine."

"What is wrong with you, why are you saying that here?" Lu Qianyuan was almost amused by his words. "This place is likely full of high-ranking officials and nobles. You and I, one a Captain of the Pacification Bureau, the other a Clerk, not only have low ranks, but we also work for this office that offends everyone and do jobs that offend everyone. Do you think they'll tolerate us?"

"There's no helping it. Besides, you knew it would be like this, didn't you? And yet you still came," Tang Jingzhong smiled helplessly. "We couldn't let him have absolutely no family here, could we? In the whole capital, we are the ones closest to him."

"Hah, I'm not afraid, I'm just afraid of causing him trouble," Lu Qianyuan said indifferently. "Though it's a pity that damn rogue didn't come..."

"Old Lu, if you make a move now, that's what will really cause trouble for Little Mo," Tang Jingzhong's voice suddenly turned cold. "The mess with the Marquis of Anding hasn't been dealt with yet; how could he possibly come to the palace to attend a wedding at a time like this?"

"I know, I'm just lamenting..."

Lu Qianyuan didn't say anything more. Tang Jingzhong wanted to persuade him further but could only sigh inwardly. There were many in the Pacification Bureau: some were frustrated and unappreciated, like himself; others were at a dead end, looking for a meal, and were fearless of death or trouble.

Then there were those like Mo Yingqi and Lu Qianyuan, who joined the Pacification Bureau with thoughts of revenge. Hatred is a fixation; not to mention that Lu Qianyuan had given up a promising future in the Border Army to seek revenge, caring for nothing else but to personally send Xu Fengzhang to the execution ground.

A few words wouldn't be enough to truly calm him down, especially now that The Emperor was openly clashing with the Grand Chancellor, making the situation of the Xu Family extremely awkward and delicate.

With Xu Fengzhang courting death first and The Emperor intending to suppress him later, Tang Jingzhong could fully understand why Lu Qianyuan's mind was stirring. However, some things really couldn't be rushed. The noble families were not ordinary small officials; they couldn't be slaughtered or disposed of just by saying so.

At this moment, in the great hall, The Emperor and Empress Shen sat in the main seats. After the couple bowed to heaven and earth, it was time to listen to their parents' teachings.

"I don't have much to say. I only hope that you three... will support each other and respect each other in the days to come."

The Emperor had also been a prince who fought his way out of bloodshed and had experienced the tragedy of brothers killing each other, but even he couldn't help but have teary eyes at this moment.

"Eunuch Fang, read the decree publicly," The Emperor looked at Eunuch Fang on the side and nodded at him. "Now that the Prince Consort and the Princesses are married, it is a double celebration. Let us grant the Prince Consort special honors."

Eunuch Fang nodded and then unfolded the imperial decree in his hand: "I, upon examining ancient systems of officialdom, find that rewarding merit is the glorious code of the nation. As for the relatives by marriage, they join the Imperial House; when they go out, they proclaim the virtues of the Royal House, and when they enter, they assist Me personally. How can one be stingy with such glorious rewards?

"I hereby address the Prince Consort Mo Yingqi. Your family possesses meritorious service, and loyalty and filial piety are passed down through generations. You possess an intelligent demeanor and a gentle nature. By marrying Princess Yongan and Princess Yongning, you have strictly observed the proper conduct, are trusted within the Inner Court, wait upon Me by My side, and serve with diligence and unwavering loyalty.

"Observing your conduct, you can be said to be both loyal and filial, possessing both civil and military talent. I, deeply mindful of family affection and further valuing your meritorious deeds, how can I not reward such virtuous conduct and great achievements with high rank and special favor?

"I hereby promote you to Marquis Yongding, with a fief of three thousand households. You are granted the patent of nobility, to be inherited by your descendants. Respect this!"

Once the imperial decree was issued, even though most of the observers were people close to The Emperor, some were still taken aback. In their view, it would have been enough for Mo Yingqi to be granted the title of Count. Who would have thought that The Emperor would directly grant him the title of Marquis?

But The Emperor and Empress Shen didn't care at all. A Marquis? If they hadn't thought it inappropriate, they would have dared to grant Mo Yingqi the title of Duke!

Just kidding, being able to marry his two daughters, he felt that even a Marquis was a slight to him!

"Your subject Mo Yingqi thanks The Emperor for his great kindness!"

Mo Yingqi bowed low. In this setting, refusal was definitely impossible. He secretly looked at Luo Yongan and Luo Yongning; the sisters didn't seem surprised by this at all.

"Good heavens, he was directly made a Marquis," Lu Qianyuan's mouth couldn't close, his face full of astonishment. "What do we do from now on? Which Marquis is still a Captain in the Pacification Bureau?"

"I'm telling you, it's really hard to say..." Tang Jingzhong was also extremely shocked. "The decree didn't mention a word about Little Mo's promotion in rank, only the Marquis title..."

Under normal circumstances, if Mo Yingqi were to be promoted, it would be clearly written in the decree. Since the title had already been granted, why care about the rest?

But the decree mentioned nothing else besides his marriage to the Princesses and the Marquis title. This left even Tang Jingzhong somewhat confused. He had thought that at the very least, after Mo Yingqi married the Legitimate Princess, even if he didn't leave the Pacification Bureau, he would at least be a Centurion.

It was obviously unlikely that he would be made a Pacification Commissioner or even Commander directly; they understood this principle, and The Emperor naturally understood it too. But taking a step back, wouldn't a Centurion position be appropriate? He was already a Marquis with a fief of three thousand households, after all.

"Jingzhong, what exactly is The Emperor planning?" Lu Qianyuan had also figured out this problem. "So Little Mo... is just going to keep his Marquis title and continue working as a Captain?"

"I'm afraid that's the case..."