The charming widow of the Marquis's mansion: The stable boy carries the flag and raises the dra

The next day.

imperial court meeting

Civil and military officials lined up on both sides, while the dragon throne in the main hall remained empty.

The officials whispered among themselves, discussing the earth-shattering battle of the previous day.

"I heard that Marquis Zhao Pojun of Zhennan colluded with evil sects and plotted a rebellion, and has been executed on the spot."

"It's not just the Marquis of Zhennan, even the Second Prince and the Third Prince... Alas, what a tragedy."

"And what about that old stable boy from the Marquis of Zhenbei's residence? I heard he's done something great?"

Amidst the whispers, the eunuch's shrill voice suddenly rang out.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

All the officials knelt on the ground, their foreheads touching the earth.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Murong Yuan walked slowly out from the side hall, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe and a twelve-tassel crown, his face dignified.

He walked to the dragon throne, sat down, and glanced at the entire audience, raising his hand slightly.

"All of you, rise."

The officials rose, stood with their hands at their sides, and dared not look directly at the emperor's face.

Murong Yuan's gaze swept across the crowd, finally landing on an aged figure at the end of the line.

Wang Long, dressed in a brand-new gray robe with his hair neatly combed, stood at the very end of the military officer's formation.

Qin Minglan and Luo Hanyi stood behind him.

Ye Niannu disliked such occasions, so she didn't come and chose to stay at the Marquis's residence to sleep.

Murong Qing stood in the princess's reserved spot, dressed in a light pink palace gown, her black hair cascading down her back.

She wore a white jade hairpin in her hair, looking dignified and elegant. Every now and then, she would steal a glance in Wang Long's direction, a slight smile playing on her lips.

Murong Yuan spoke slowly, his authoritative voice clearly reaching the ears of everyone present.

"Yesterday, the imperial city suffered a great calamity. Spirit beasts went berserk, evil forces invaded, and the country was in imminent danger."

"Fortunately, there were loyal and brave men who risked their lives to turn the tide and protect our great Qian Dynasty from collapse."

"Today I have summoned all my ministers to discuss and reward those who have made contributions."

All the officials bowed in unison.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Murong Yuan raised his hand, and a eunuch brought out a scroll of imperial edict from the side.

Unfold, and read aloud in a shrill voice.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees—"

"The mistress of the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion, Luo Hanyi, remained calm in the face of danger and led her servants in a bloody battle against the rebels, thus protecting the imperial city. She is hereby specially awarded 10,000 high-grade spirit stones, 10 bottles of sixth-grade pills, 3 mid-grade earth-rank spirit artifacts, and 100,000 taels of gold."

"Furthermore! Luo Hanyi is hereby granted the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady, and is bestowed with a mansion and a thousand acres of fertile land."

Luo Hanyi stepped forward, knelt down, and expressed her gratitude.

"My wife, I thank you for your kindness."

Murong Yuan smiled and nodded slightly.

"Qin Minglan of the Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion fought bravely against the enemy, slaying dozens of spirit beasts with his sword, and rendered meritorious service in protecting the emperor."

"Bestowed with a low-grade Earth-rank spiritual weapon, the Azure Phoenix Sword, three hundred spirit stones, five bottles of fifth-grade pills, and thirty thousand taels of gold."

Qin Minglan's eyes lit up, and she quickly stepped forward, knelt down, and expressed her gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

She was overjoyed; finally, she had a handy weapon.

Murong Yuan smiled as he looked at Wang Long, then glanced at his daughter, whose face was beaming with joy.

I felt a pang of sadness, thinking how daughters grow up and leave home.

"Today, I have truly joyous news to share with all of you!"

Murong Yuan said in a deep voice, and the officials immediately became interested.

"My Qing'er has reached marriageable age..."

These words immediately stirred up the officials, as they all had children of school age.

If they could marry this pearl of the Great Qian Dynasty, their family's status would surely rise to a higher level.

In the Great Qian Dynasty, there was no rule that prohibited imperial sons-in-law from participating in politics.

Marrying a princess would also bring even broader opportunities for advancement.

All the officials had prepared their vocabulary and were giving their best recommendations for their own talented young men.

But then he heard Murong Yuan say in a deep voice.

"Qing'er already has someone she likes, so today I will make the decision for her!"

With a slight lift of his hand, the eunuch continued reading.

"By special decree, Princess Yongning, Murong Qing, is to be married to Wang Long!"

Murong Qing's face flushed red, and her face was filled with a happy smile.

As soon as he finished speaking, the court erupted in chaos.

"What?! The princess is marrying a stable boy?"

"What merits does this old man possess?"

"What kind of behavior is this! What kind of behavior is this?!"

Murong Yuan scanned the area, his voice turning colder.

"What? Do any of you have objections?"

The court fell silent instantly, the officials looked at each other, none daring to speak.

Just then, a rough voice came from the ranks.

"I have an objection!"

A burly middle-aged man stepped out of the queue; it was none other than Duke Zhenguo, Zhao Lie.

He clasped his hands in a salute, his voice booming.

"Your Majesty, the princess is of royal blood, a golden branch and jade leaf. To marry a stable boy would only invite ridicule from the world! Please reconsider!"

Murong Yuan's fingers tightened slightly, but his expression remained unchanged.

"Does anyone else have any objections?"

Two more figures stepped out of the queue.

One of them was Li Chongwen, the old Marquis of Dingyuan.

One of them was Zhou Demao from the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion.

The three stood side by side, clasped their hands in a gesture of respect.

Li Chongwen spoke, his voice steady and calm.

"Your Majesty, we are not against the princess's marriage, but her husband must be worthy of the royal family."

"How could a fifth-rank stable boy be worthy of Princess Yongning?"

Zhou Demao echoed this, his voice even louder.

"Exactly! Yesterday he was a servant, today he's a phoenix rising from the ashes? What kind of logic is that?"

The three men's voices echoed in the court, and many officials nodded in agreement.

"The three marquises are right..."

"It is indeed inappropriate for a princess to marry a stable boy..."

Whispers rose and fell.

Murong Yuan's face darkened completely.

He suddenly stood up, and a terrifying aura of a peak ninth-grade expert erupted from his body, sweeping across the entire Taihe Hall!

"boom!"

Fine cracks appeared on the gold brick floor, dust fell from the beams, and the officials retreated, their faces ashen.

"Are you trying to teach me how to do things?!"

Murong Yuan's voice was icy, carrying undisguised killing intent.

Zhao Lie, Li Chongwen, and Zhou Demao felt their bodies sink slightly under the pressure, but they did not retreat even half a step.

They exchanged a glance, a cold smile flashing in their eyes.

next moment.

Three terrifying auras rose simultaneously from three directions outside the imperial court!

Each wave is stronger and more ferocious than the last!

Mid-stage Ninth Rank! Late-stage Ninth Rank! Peak Ninth Rank!

The three auras were like three towering mountains, colliding head-on with Murong Yuan's oppressive aura!

Rumble!

The entire Hall of Supreme Harmony trembled, the beams and pillars groaned under the weight, and tiles fell down with a crash.

The officials scattered in terror, some hiding behind pillars, others lying on the ground trembling.

Murong Yuan's face darkened completely.

He never expected these noble families to be so audacious!

This is outrageous!

His gaze passed over Zhao Lie and the other two, and looked towards the outside of the court.

Three aged figures descended from three directions, landing in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

One was a burly man, the other an old man with a white beard, and the third a middle-aged scholar.

They are the ancestors of the three families, all of whom are ninth-rank experts!

The three stood side by side at the entrance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, their eyes fixed on Murong Yuan, smiles playing on their lips.

The burly old man spoke as Zhao Qing, the ancestor of the Duke of Zhenguo, his voice like muffled thunder.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. We were merely discussing the matter at hand; there is no need for anger."

Murong Yuan stared at them, speaking each word clearly.

"You're forcing me to abdicate!"