CHAPTER 484: CHAPTER 484: REWARDS BASED ON MERITS

"To the warriors!"

Everyone raised their cups high and drank heartily.

Each wearing a touch of melancholy on their faces.

It wasn’t until the Emperor set down his wine that the palace banquet truly began.

Today, most of the attendees were military generals.

There were also civil servants, but only those above the Standard Second Rank could attend.

Amongst a sea of military generals, they appeared somewhat thin and frail.

Yet their spirit remained.

Thus, while watching the dances, they did not reveal any improper thoughts.

The performances arranged by Lin Wanyi today.

Included songs expressing mourning and drum pieces depicting warriors on the battlefield.

They were quite fitting for the occasion.

And on the table, several dishes from Huazhou were served.

Not the famous ones, but rather some home-style dishes.

Many warriors, having been in distant battles for long, were deeply moved to taste dishes reminiscent of those made by their mothers at home.

They looked up at the Emperor and Imperial Concubine seated above.

Feeling that they had indeed followed the right master.

One could tell from a simple dish the amount of thought put into it.

The Fourth Prince noticed the expressions of the surrounding warriors and felt quite pleased himself.

After all, the Imperial Concubine is his adopted daughter.

Winning hearts not through manipulation, but through genuine sincerity.

He too felt a sense of pride.

After several rounds of drinking, the Emperor was slightly tipsy.

Since it was a feast to reward and welcome the return of the warriors, it wouldn’t do for everyone to be completely drunk.

Thus, the palace banquet gradually came to an end.

Qin An and Qiu Ming arranged for all the court officials to be sent home.

As for other matters, they would be discussed in the next day’s court session.

Back at Yihua Palace.

The children had long gone to rest.

Lin Wanyi attended to the Emperor, rinsing his mouth and wiping the sweat off his body.

After changing into nightwear, the two extinguished the lights and lay down.

In truth, the Emperor wasn’t particularly drunk but he greatly enjoyed being cared for by Lin Wanyi.

He knew well the envy he felt watching Lin Wanyi care for the children in the past.

Now he felt it too.

Feeling even more captivated.

Worried his breath might affect Lin Wanyi, he shifted slightly inward.

Luckily, the bed was large enough, so even with some distance between them.

There was still ample space for both to rest.

"Your Majesty, rest early, don’t you have to rise early for court tomorrow?"

Lin Wanyi’s voice was gentle.

But to the Emperor, it carried a sweetness.

Even though they had been together for years, their fondness never faded.

Thus, the Emperor mumbled.

"Mm, truly wish to be a ruler who sleeps in."

Then he chuckled softly.

But both he and Lin Wanyi knew, it was merely a joke.

He was not like the late Emperor; the empire’s weight in his heart was immense.

Lin Wanyi held his hand.

It was slightly warm, a result of the alcohol.

Then, she softly said.

"I will always be by your side, Your Majesty."

She naturally understood the Emperor’s sentiment, so she didn’t express her thoughts too strongly.

Their hearts were in sync, and then they closed their eyes and drifted to sleep.

Outside, the lotus flowers absorbed the essence of the earth and sky.

Gradually, they bloomed.

The fragrance of the lotus filled Yihua Palace, bringing a touch of cool sweetness to the oppressive heat.

The following day, in court, the Emperor ordered the Ministry of War to begin assessing the wartime merits of the generals for commendations and rewards.

Meanwhile, those military families who once were closely associated with the Marquis of Northwest and the Liu family were either stepping down due to feigned illness or being implicated and having their properties seized.

Thus, rewards were given where deserved, and punishments were meted out where due.

Such lively affairs.

Throughout June, the entire Shengjing City buzzed with discussions about this.

Especially those newly promoted young generals, who caught the attention of many matchmakers.

As the Emperor wasn’t selecting concubines, many noble families were on the lookout for suitable matches for their daughters.

Young, promising, with a bright future.

Most importantly, their political standings were clear.

Therefore, they were highly sought after in Shengjing City.

Families everywhere had their eyes on them.

The Fourth Prince naturally noticed this too.

So, one day while playing chess with the Emperor, he pretended to be annoyed and said.

"With no selection for concubines, Your Majesty can’t fathom how fervently those families with eligible daughters are pursuing matches! Both Feng Qi and Jiang Huanqing have retreated with the large group back to Huazhou."

"Oh? A monk may run, but the temple won’t flee; even if they escaped, it’s of no use. I’ve heard the gates of the Feng family and Rongchang Marquis Mansion are nearly worn out from visitors."

Then he placed a black chess piece, taking over a small patch of the Fourth Prince’s white pieces.

"Don’t even mention it, that Feng family keeps their gates shut tight, Feng Jichun feigns illness and hides at home, as for Rongchang Marquis Mansion..."

The Fourth Prince couldn’t help but chuckle.

"They probably haven’t seen such liveliness in decades."

Before the fall of Prince Zhan Mansion, they were thoroughly suppressed, barely able to breathe.

Now, riding the momentum, it seems they’ve come alive again.

Not only are outsiders coveting, even related Shunyi Earl Mansion has considerations.

Though same-clan brothers shouldn’t marry, there are still the families of the ladies in Shunyi Earl Mansion.

First among them is the grandniece of the current head lady of Shunyi Earl Mansion.

Two years younger than Jiang Huanqing, a well-bred young lady since childhood.

Initially intended for the palace.

Thus, taught with strict discipline.

Yet, she waited until she turned eighteen without a place to settle.

By lineage, she is the legitimate granddaughter of Shouyuan Earl.

In terms of looks, not as stunning as Lin Wanyi, but pleasing and elegant.

In terms of talents, she’s adept at painting, especially floral and avian subjects, done with exquisite realism.

So, with such a good child, the head lady couldn’t bear for her to marry just anyone.

Thus, she waited, and indeed, the opportunity came.

Jiang Huanqing’s background and character were well understood by her.

In Rongchang Marquis Mansion, only the Old Marquis remained alive.

Without anyone to manage the household.

Thus, Miss Meng could take charge immediately upon marrying.

With no in-laws to face, just needed to tend to the Old Marquis a bit more.

It’s just that the years of oppression left hollow gaps.

Even with the Emperor’s rewards to Jiang Huanqing, it might not sustain them long.

Hence, the dowry must be ample, potentially to fill some old holes in the Marquis Mansion.

But the head lady believed this was only temporary.

With Jiang Huanqing’s skills and intelligence, a prominent future awaited in the court.

Moreover, unlike the young generals, Jiang Huanqing has a title to inherit.

He would one day be addressed as Marquis.

So, calculating all this, Miss Meng wouldn’t be at a disadvantage.

With this in mind, the head lady acted as a matchmaker.

The Old Marquis of Rongchang Marquis Mansion had become spoilt for choice these days.

But upon learning about Miss Meng, he too found her quite suitable.