Chapter 315 (1/2)

The servant: “Elder madam, go to the front yard to take a look. The eunuch that had come to make the imperial decree is already waiting in the front yard!”

Hearing that there would be an imperial decree, the matriarch trembled as a conditioned reflex. In the past half year, the Feng family had received more imperial decrees than in the previous 20 years, but each time, it did not seem to be a good thing, and if it was anything good, it was related to Feng Yu Heng. Thinking like this, she naturally felt that this imperial decree would most likely be for Feng Yu Heng, thus she quickly informed the servant: “Perhaps second young miss still has not gone very far. Quickly chase after her and bring her to the front yard.”

The servant that had come with the message stomped her foot and laughed, saying: “Oh! Elder madam, this imperial decree is for you! It’s an extremely good thing!”

Granny Zhao immediately felt that something was off and quickly said: “Speak clearly. What exactly is the good news?”

Only then did the servant say: “An imperial decree came from the palace for the elder madam. It says that elder madam will be conferred the title of first rank noble lady! Elder madam, quickly go to the front yard to receive the imperial decree!”

“Oh!” The two were stunned at first then revealed their joy. Granny Zhao immediately informed the servant: “Quickly have people call the concubine mothers and young misses of each courtyard to go receive the imperial decree together. Right, you must bring second young miss back too. She left not too long ago.”

“Ok!” The servant happily ran out to spread the word.

Granny Zhao helped the matriarch stand up. While helping her tidy her clothes and hair, she said: “Our manor will soon be welcoming the eldest princess of Qian Zhou. Thinking about it, his Majesty is definitely feeling that elder madam not having a noble title is something that is unacceptable. But speaking of this, this old servant feels that this noble title is coming a little too late. Elder madam, you are the mother of a standard first rank official. You should have received it long ago.”

The matriarch was already full of enthusiasm. How could she still be worried about such things, as she pushed for granny Zhao to hurry up. She then said: “Whether it came early or late, either way, it has come. If his Majesty decided not to confer this title, there is also nothing we could do!”

Granny Zhao casually said: “Hah, thinking of how that Yao shi has the title of first rank noble lady makes this old servant feel wronged on elder madam’s behalf.”

The matriarch also felt wronged on this matter: “Hmph, A-Heng even knows to request a noble title for her own mother; however, my son doesn’t have that on his mind!” Upon mentioning this, the matriarch’s expression sank.

Granny Zhao quickly tried to pardon herself: “It was all this old servant’s fault for being poor with words. Elder madam, you absolutely must not get mad at master. Master is the prime minister, so he naturally must be an example for the other officials. If he is like the others and only looks out for his own family’s benefit, how could that be good!”

The matriarch was also thinking of this reasoning, and her expression improved slightly.

Granny Zhao secretly let out a sigh of relief. It really was too dangerous earlier. If the elder madam had truly gone to get angry at master because of what she had said, her crime would have been too great. She began moving her hands faster and brushed the matriarch’s hair once more then said: “Everything’s ready. Elder madam, let’s quickly head towards the front yard!”

On this side, the matriarch led her servants over to the front yard. The people from the other courtyards also began to head towards the front yard. Feng Yu Heng was on her way back to Tong Sheng pavilion but was brought back. In regards to the matriarch suddenly being conferred the title of first rank noble lady, she did not feel that it was unexpected.

Feng Jin Yuan was already the prime minister; therefore, being conferred the title of noble lady was just a matter of when. Moreover, the title of noble lady was just a reward for the family of the government officials. It did not have any real purpose.

But Huang Quan provided some analysis, saying: “This is so the elder madam doesn’t lose too much face in front of Princess Kang Yi, right?”

Feng Yu Heng laughed, “If things don’t go well, she will lose face in front of me.”

“Hm?” Huang Quan was puzzled, “His Majesty is always thinking of young miss. How could he allow elder madam to suppress young miss?”

“How could you know what his Majesty is thinking?” Feng Yu Heng raised the corner of her lip and wickedly said: “Perhaps someone is trying to curry favor and is doing their best to treat grandmother well!”

“Young miss is saying that it was eldest princess Kang Yi?”

“Just wait and see!”

The two chatted until they arrived in the front yard. The people from the other courtyards also rushed over. Only after all of the people from the Feng family had been gathered did housekeeper He Zhong quietly say something to the eunuch. The eunuch then raised his voice and loudly said: “Elder madam of the Feng manor, Li shi, to receive the imperial decree.”

The matriarch quickly walked forward then kneeled, loudly saying: “This humble old woman will receive the decree.”

With her kneeling, everyone in the Feng family also kneeled on the ground. The eunuch opened up the scroll in his hand and loudly said: “Elder madam of the Feng manor, Li shi, has been noble and is considerate. This time, you will be conferred the title of first rank noble lady and given a court dress, and that shall be the case!”

The matriarch’s smile bloomed like a flower, as she immediately replied in a loud voice: “This humble old woman accepts the decree and gives thanks for the imperial grace. Long live his Majesty.” She then raised both of her hands above her head and received the decree in her hands. A servant to the side also came forward and carried the court dress back.

Granny Zhao helped the matriarch up then gave a small pouch of money to the eunuch that had brought the imperial decree. The eunuch fiddled with it a little then said in satisfaction: “Congratulations to elder madam Feng. I wonder if elder madam still has any instructions. If there are none, then we will be returning to the palace.”