Chapter 336: A Woman Admiring Another Woman
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Qin Xiaoyao hurriedly took a step forward and bowed respectfully to the Emperor.
“The victory in the war with the Liao State is the result of all the soldiers uniting together to slay the enemy. Your humble servant dares not claim the credit,” she responded.
“Haha…” The Emperor laughed out loud.
He exchanged a glance with Empress Jia beside him.
Immediately after that, Empress Jia spoke up, “Official Qin, you don’t have to be so modest.
“With just over a thousand men, you can take down several towns. After that, you even recovered Ning An Prefecture and wiped out most of the Liao invaders inside the Great Jin State.
“After arriving at High Pass Town, you repeatedly accomplished amazing achievements. You annihilated tens of thousands of Liao troops and even… killed the archenemy of our Great Jin State, Xiao Yuan. This incident completely changed the outlook of the war between the Jin and Liao States.”
Empress Jia’s gaze at Qin Xiaoyao was filled with appreciation.
“What’s even rarer is that you are actually a woman.” At this point, Empress Jia even nodded her head, her face full of pride.
When Qin Xiaoyao heard this, she couldn’t help but raised her head to look at Empress Jia.
When she saw her expression, her heart felt a little moved.
In ancient times, there were many restrictions and oppressive practices placed on women.
In this era, women like her and Empress Jia were indeed rare.
It was not strange for Empress Jia to admire her.
It was a pity that Empress Jia was her husband’s enemy. Otherwise, she probably wanted to be closer to her.
As soon as Empress Jia said this, many people stole a glance at her, including the Emperor.
The other people cast her odd looks, but the Emperor gave her a somewhat doting look.
Empress Jia did not seem to mind and looked at Qin Xiaoyao again.
“Since you have made so many great contributions, you should be duly rewarded!” she said excitedly.
Then, without waiting for Qin Xiaoyao’s reply, she continued, “Qin Xiaoyao, receive the decree!”
Qin Xiaoyao was stunned momentarily
Then she hurriedly bowed.
“Your servant is ready to receive the decree!” She then cupped her fists and bowed.
Empress Jia looked at Qin Xiaoyao with satisfaction.
“Lieutenant General Qin Xiaoyao is brave and good at fighting. She has made many outstanding achievements in war and has made great heroic contributions to our Great Jin State. Today, Xiaoyao is hereby conferred the title of First-class Marquis, inheritable in eternity.
“In addition, the Zhao County is hereby renamed to Xiaoyao County and shall become Marquis Xiaoyao’s fiefdom.
“We shall further bestow upon our beloved official a Marquis’s estate in the capital and a thousand taels of gold as a reward.”
Qin Xiaoyao was shocked when she heard this.
She didn’t expect that not only would she become a Lieutenant General, but she would also be made a Marquis, and even be awarded Zhao County as her fiefdom. In addition, she also received a residence and a large amount of money.
Didn’t the Second Prince say that she was now seen as one of his people?
Empress Jia and the Second Prince were not on good terms.
However, now, Empress Jia was so doting toward her. Did she do it deliberately for the courtiers to see, or did she have other intentions?
Forget it. It didn’t matter if she had ulterior motives. Since the benefits had come, she would be a fool not to accept them.
“Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Royal Highness!” Qin Xiaoyao hurriedly bowed.
“Haha! Please rise.” Empress Jia actually walked down personally and helped Qin Xiaoyao up.
When she saw Qin Xiaoyao’s delicate features and heroic good looks, she admired her even more.
“Official Qin, you must stay in the capital for a few more days. When you are free, you can come into the palace to keep the Emperor and me company.
“The Emperor and I have been hearing a lot about your recent exploits, and we are very fascinated. I’ve been looking forward to seeing you return to the capital, so I can see with my own eyes what you’re capable of!” Empress Jia said as she held Qin Xiaoyao’s hand.
As she spoke, she even turned around and smiled at the Emperor.
When he saw this, the Emperor nodded his head affectionately.
Qin Xiaoyao watched from the side and felt that the Empress’s feelings were out of the ordinary.
“Your humble servant shall obey!” Qin Xiaoyao replied.
Since she was going to stay in the capital, going into the palace was naturally unavoidable.
Empress Jia was pleased and smiled in response.
After exchanging a few more words with Qin Xiaoyao, she turned her gaze to the Second Prince.
“Wudi, you have also made a great contribution this time. You have recruited a great talent like Marquis Xiaoyao for our Great Jin State.
“But your status is very noble as you are a Prince, to begin with. In addition, you’re also the Imperial Court’s Minister of War and General, so it’s no longer wise to continue bestowing titles on you.
“But such a great service cannot go unrewarded.
“How about this, Your Majesty? Why don’t we give Wudi the title of Prince Huaiyin? And shall we award the Huaiyin Province to Wudi as his fiefdom?” Empress Jia looked at the Emperor with a smile.
The smile on the Emperor’s face froze.
Huaiyin Province was not that great a territory.
The Empress was still pretending to be magnanimous. She had already agreed to make his second son the emperor-in-waiting but in the end…
“Er…” The Emperor looked at the Second Prince with a troubled expression.
In the past two years, his health had been getting worse and worse.
He couldn’t help thinking of his sons, and he thought of his second son the most. He also felt that he had let down his second son the most. He had been wanting to make it up to him.
This time, his second son had made a great contribution, and he had even taken the initiative to mention to the Empress that he wanted to make his second son the emperor-in-waiting.
In the end, the Empress had agreed very readily.
The Emperor was still very happy at that point. He was thinking that after so many years, there was finally a chance to resolve the conflict between the Empress and his second son.
He didn’t expect the result to be the same in the end.
When the Second Prince saw the Emperor’s expression, a hint of helplessness swept through his heart, but he did not show it on his face.
He bowed to the Emperor.
“Your son thanks Emperor Father and Empress Mother for your kindness.”
After all these years, he had gotten used to it. So, there was nothing to be disappointed about.
To be able to return to the capital and be made a Prince with his own fiefdom was already very good for him.
As for where the fiefdom was, it didn’t really matter.
After all, what he wanted was never as simple as a fiefdom.
He would slowly get back from Empress Jia what she owed him and his Concubine Mother.
Ignoring the apologetic look the Emperor was giving the Second Prince, Empress Jia smiled and said to the Second Prince, “Wudi is still so sensible.”
Following that, the Second Prince’s reward was settled.
Next, they discussed the peace negotiations between the Great Jin and Great Liao States.
The envoy from the Liao State would be arriving in the capital the next day. The Great Jin State had the upper hand in this peace negotiation. Empress Jia had actually arranged for the Second Prince to enter the Ministry of Rites to preside over this matter.
In addition, the task of appeasing the refugees in the Jin State was assigned to the Third Prince, who was also the current Crown Prince.
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Empress Jia was paving the way for her son to win over the people’s hearts.
The Second Prince naturally knew her intentions, yet, he had accepted it all.
Thus, Qin Xiaoyao witnessed Empress Jia’s methods in the Imperial Court.
She saw how the Second Prince was bullied by the other party, but he still maintained a calm and relaxed attitude, and even treated the other party with respect and gentleness. Her heart was filled with admiration for him.
When the court session finally ended, Qin Xiaoyao left together with the Second Prince.
In the end, she had just walked out of the Hall of Court Affairs when a palace servant came to look for her.
He said that the Emperor and the Empress had summoned her.
Qin Xiaoyao had no choice but to let the Second Prince leave first, while she followed the palace servant to meet the Emperor and Empress.
Qin Xiaoyao left the Hall of Court Affairs with the palace servant. After walking for a long time, she finally arrived at the Imperial Garden.
At this moment, the Emperor and the Empress were already waiting for her in the Imperial Garden.
The spring greenery was in full bloom. Coupled with the warm sun today, the scenery in the Imperial Garden was extremely beautiful. The Emperor and the Empress were sipping their tea and enjoying the beautiful scenery. They seemed to be in a good mood.
Qin Xiaoyao stepped forward and bowed.
“Your humble servant hereby pays her respects. May the Emperor live for tens of thousands of years! May the Empress live for thousands of years!”
Empress Jia first looked at Qin Xiaoyao with a smile in her eyes, and then she said, “Official Qin, please get up..”