CHAPTER 2031: CHAPTER 2033

Subsequently, Princess Consort Zhuang’s family, originally a Marquis Mansion, was elevated to a State Duke’s Residence.

Both her maternal and marital families were ennobled, and various secondary princess consorts and ladies in her family received different kinds of rewards.

State Duke Tong did not have much contribution when Baili Yan ascended the throne, but as he continually sided with Baili Yan, he was considered a meritorious subject. However, since the State Duke Tong’s title is already hereditary, it couldn’t be raised to a royal rank due to insufficient merit, so he could only be rewarded with gold and silver.

Originally, State Duke Tong would not have received a reward this time, but during the coup, his daughter died, and the new Emperor, in consideration of this, granted the reward earlier.

Having received the reward, State Duke Tong was still not at ease, not because he wasn’t satisfied with the reward, but because he hated Prince Le. If it weren’t for him, his daughter would not have died. Now that Prince Zhuang has become the new Emperor, if his daughter were still alive, she would have been made Empress in the future. If she were to have a son, the Emperor, for the sake of the child and the Tong family, would surely grant her the title of a consort. Twenty years from now, who knows who will be the Emperor? Perhaps by then, with the help of his grandson, the Tong family could advance further.

What a pity now!

Besides State Duke Tong, the Luo family was also dissatisfied, as Old Madam Luo passed away, Old Master Luo and Second Old Master Luo’s family were all in the residence observing mourning.

But the Capital City is only so large, and outside matters couldn’t be kept from their ears. They were certainly clear about the new Emperor’s honors.

Upon hearing that the original earl title of the Luo Residence was restored, everyone was very pleased, but when they heard that the restored earl title was inherited by Luo Linhao, it left a bitter taste in their mouths.

Especially for First Madam Luo, her face was so dark it seemed ink could drip from it.

Her own family, the Li Family, had been confiscated and exiled, and now her husband’s family was also declining, how could she feel good?

"Mother, being so angry is of no use," said Luo Linfei. "Instead of being angry, why not think of a way to get the title back."

"Do you think I don’t want to? Hmph, damn bastards, this title clearly should have gone to your father, and even if he didn’t inherit it, it should have gone to your eldest brother. Even giving it to your second brother would have been better than letting the bastard from the third branch inherit it."

It was enough to drive her mad, the title, no matter to whom it was given, would end up with the first branch, but now to think that the third branch, with just one son, would eventually inherit two titles.

"Mother!" Luo Linfei’s eyes darted as she spoke, "Do you want my eldest brother and his family to rise again or not!"

"What idea do you have?"

"The third branch has two titles; if both could be secured, then eldest brother and nephew would have a promising future. As for second brother, you can forget about him; being an illegitimate son, he’s nothing but a waste," Luo Linfei sneered. "If the third branch has no children, surely they will not leave their titles with no successor."

"No children?" First Madam Luo didn’t grasp at first. "Are you saying to eliminate that little bastard?"

"Mother, how can you be so foolish?" Luo Linfei said unhappily. "When that old fool was alive, he wouldn’t even kill that little bastard. Do you think you can? We don’t need to kill him; we just need to ensure he can’t have children. He’s out in the army now, surely not paying much attention to his personal matters, the perfect chance for us to act!"

"Hmph, if nothing can be done from his side, then go after that country bumpkin he married. Isn’t his country bumpkin wife back in the countryside? With no influential people in the countryside, it’s the perfect opportunity for us. If the two of them can never have children, they have to adopt, don’t they? Eldest brother has two sons, just adopting one of them would allow inheriting both titles. What do you think of this idea?"