Do You Know?: Rule the World

Sheng Hong frowned, took a deep breath and said, "It was the Madam who did the wrong thing."

"Don't worry, Shuang'er. I'll take charge. Mo'er's coming-of-age ceremony will definitely not be unfair to her."

As he spoke, he reached out to wipe away the tears from Lin Qinshuang's cheek. When his fingertips touched her delicate skin, his heart softened again.

"I'll go talk to the Madam right now and ask her to invite at least ten tables and give Mo'er a decent headdress."

After hearing this, Lin Qinshuang still felt that Molan was a little wronged, but she did not show it.

She stopped sobbing and whispered, "Mo'er has a father like Honglang. It's a blessing that has been cultivated for several lifetimes."

"It's no wonder that I can't restrain my deep love for Hong Lang~"

"I originally thought that since Hong Lang has been running around to Sister Wei's place lately, he had forgotten about me."

Sheng Hong's heart softened again, and he sighed softly, "Oh, I just went to see Brother Liu, why did you come so far?"

"How about this, I'll have Dongrong send you three hundred taels of silver tomorrow, and you can buy Mo'er a few more decent pieces of jewelry in private."

Lin Qinshuang nodded with tears in her eyes, "Honglang~ you are so kind~"

Three days later, Molan came of age. At Sheng Hong's strong request, the entire Sheng family decorated their house with lanterns and colorful decorations.

Just after the hour of noon, guests' carriages were already parked outside the mansion gate in an endless stream, and the maids and servants were busy working.

Inside Weiruixuan, Wang Ruofu's face was so gloomy that water could drip out. She slammed her palm on the table.

"Which concubine's daughter's coming-of-age ceremony would be as grand as hers?"

"This bitch mother and daughter only know how to use these seductive tricks to seduce the official!"

"Hua'er is also confused. Molan is just coming of age, why would you give her such a valuable gift?"

"Are you trying to piss me off to death as a mother?"

As the eldest sister, Hualan should have been present today, but she was still in confinement and the imperial physician had advised her not to overwork or catch a cold.

He sent someone to deliver a set of gilded and kingfisher-inlaid headwear as a coming-of-age gift for Molan.

Mother Liu sighed softly and said soothingly, "Madam, please calm down. My sister's status is different now, so she should behave more decently.

"If you had followed my instructions and handled the matter for the Fourth Young Lady in a proper and impartial manner, then Miss Lin wouldn't have taken advantage of the situation and come directly to the Master for help."

"Besides, you are well aware of the master's temperament. If Lin sheds a tear or says a few words, she will obey you without hesitation."

Wang Ruofu's heart was heaving with anger. "Bitch! I'll take care of her sooner or later!"

Madam Liu glanced outside and reminded, "Madam, listen, the guests are here."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruofu straightened her clothes, suppressed her anger and walked towards the main hall.

In the main hall, an incense table had been set up early, and the rosewood chairs on both sides were filled with the families of the city's prominent officials.

Among these people, there was not only the eldest lady who was on good terms with Wang Ruofu, but also the families of Sheng Hong's colleagues. Even Princess Pingning sent someone to deliver a coming-of-age gift.

After all, the Sheng family is no longer the same as it used to be, and Sheng Hong’s future identity as the emperor’s father-in-law is a foregone conclusion.

Although she is a concubine's daughter who has reached the age of marriage, it is still worth it for them to go there in person with gifts.

When the auspicious time arrived, Lin Qinshuang gave him many instructions.

Molan, dressed in plain colorful clothes, came slowly, bowed respectfully to the officials' wives, and then knelt on the cushion.

Minglan acted as the assistant, picking up the comb and gently and solemnly combing Molan's hair, and then tied her hair into a bun.

It would actually be more appropriate for Rulan to be the sponsor.

But the two of them had never gotten along, and asking Rulan to comb Molan's hair was even more painful than killing her.

The main guest put on the hairpin three times, read the blessing speech, and went to the ancestral hall to worship the ancestors. Then Molan's hairpin ceremony was considered complete.

The guests took their seats one after another, and from time to time they came to Wang Ruofu with their wine glasses and said some flattering words.

Wang Ruofu forced a smile, but kept thinking in her mind what method she could use to completely prevent Lin Qinshuang from causing trouble again.

Inside the Linqi Pavilion, I could hear the laughter and chatter coming from outside from time to time.

Lin Qinshuang frowned and paced back and forth in the room anxiously.

When Zhou Xueniang entered the room, she couldn't wait to ask, "How did it go? Was the ceremony completed? Did the eldest lady look at you with disdain?"

"Don't worry, young lady. In front of all the guests, the lady wouldn't dare to show any displeasure to you."

"That's good. As a mother, I must fight for Mo'er." After saying that, Lin Qinshuang narrowed her eyes and chuckled.

The coming-of-age ceremony is not only related to marriage arrangements, but also makes the girl more respectable in her husband's family after marriage.

Zhou Xueniang stepped forward, smiling broadly, and said, "Just now, Princess Pingning sent someone to give our young lady a pair of shrimp-whisker bracelets. From afar, I saw they were truly beautiful."

Lin Qinshuang raised her pretty face and raised her hand to tuck a strand of hair on her forehead behind her ear.

It was as if he had already seen Molan marrying into the Duke of Qi's mansion with great fanfare in the future.

After a moment, she asked, "Is the lady still lending money out there?"

Zhou Xueniang nodded and replied in a low voice, "That day, the eldest sister came back and scolded the eldest lady for this matter. A few days later, she went to the Kang Mansion."

"I think if we don't use this handle, it will be ineffective."

A cold light flashed in Lin Qinshuang's eyes, and her fingertips gently stroked the edge of the teacup.

In Weiruixuan, several female servants had been secretly won over by her, and whenever they got the chance, they would report all of Wang Ruofu's actions.

"Xue Niang, find an opportunity to tell Dong Rong about this."

Chapter 102: Reward, the eldest son of the Yongchang Earl's Mansion

It is already mid-October and the autumn wind is beginning to pick up.

Zhang Fu and Gu Yankai led the army that had conquered the West and returned in triumph. The troops stretched for miles and the sound of horses' hooves shook the earth.

The people in the city, carrying their elderly and children, rushed to the streets just to catch a glimpse of the heroic figures of the soldiers.

Zhang Fu, who was in the lead, was dressed in military uniform. Although he looked a little tired, his eyes were still sharp, and his every move showed the demeanor of a great general.

Gu Yankai's face was full of smiles since he received a letter from home and learned that Gu Tingye had passed the exam.

He was eager to return home. The Gu family had been a family of generals for generations, and now they were finally going to have a scholar.

I secretly feel that this Bing Luzi's reputation will be eradicated in this generation!

Imperial Palace, Zichen Hall.

All important state events such as grand court meetings, military awards and honors were held here.

On the throne, Zhao Zhen was dressed in a ochre-yellow robe, his back leaning against a nine-dragon screen, his eyes calm, his divine majesty fully displayed.

Civil and military officials were lined up on both sides, and the whole hall was decorated with red and purple, which complemented each other brilliantly.

As the crown prince, Zhao Han wore a jade belt around his waist and stood solemnly at the first seat on the east side of the imperial steps.

As the ceremonial officer called out their names loudly, Zhang Fu, Gu Yankai and other generals walked into the hall with steady steps to pay homage to the emperor.

After the ceremony.

Zhao Zhen's gratified gaze slowly swept over them, and he said gently, "The great victory in the northwest is entirely due to the bloody battles fought by you, my dear ministers."

"You are all my loyal subjects, please stand up."

"Your Majesty, thank you for your grace!"

All the generals responded in unison, their powerful voices echoing in the palace.

Zhang Fu looked at Zhao Han standing at the foot of the imperial steps with a sharp gaze full of admiration.

"Your Majesty, the credit for this great victory in the Western Expedition belongs primarily to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

"If it weren't for Your Highness training the cavalry battalion, planning strategies, and personally visiting the battlefield to boost morale, how could we have been able to quell the border crisis so smoothly?"

"Your Highness personally takes care of everything from the distribution of military supplies to the placement of the wounded. The soldiers of the three armies are all grateful for your kindness!"

After these words were spoken, Zhao Zhen's smile deepened.

He was originally worried that Zhao Han came from a common background and might have difficulty winning the support of the people.

At this moment, seeing all the generals in the hall showing admiration, he realized that his previous worries were somewhat unnecessary.

"The Crown Prince is able to share the country's worries. This is truly a blessing for the country and a great honor for me. You, the ministers, should not underestimate yourselves."

After saying this, he turned his gaze to the ceremonial officer holding the imperial edict.

After the ceremonial officer understood, he stepped forward and read aloud: "Men, the decree says:

I believe that the destiny of the world depends on ministers who are pillars of the country, and the security of the country depends on generals who are the pillars of the country.

Duke of Yingguo, Zhang Fu, has a family history of loyalty and integrity, is a man of great courage and fortitude. He has prepared his troops and strengthened our country's defenses, and has made great contributions to the country and benefited the people.

He was promoted to General of the Cavalry, and was given a red-lettered iron certificate, two jade belts, a thousand taels of gold, and three estates.

You should be more loyal and diligent and maintain your good reputation forever.

Awesome! "

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fu straightened his clothes, stepped forward, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great grace!"

Although the General of the Cavalry was of the first rank, the highest rank among military officials and was honorable and prestigious, it was only an honorary title that only determined rank and salary, and had no actual responsibility for holding military power.

Zhang Fu had already expected such a reward.

After all, he is already the Duke of England. If he is given more real power, it will probably cause dissatisfaction among the civil officials.

Besides, Fern will probably need...

After conferring the title and reward on Zhang Fu, the ceremonial officer continued to read the imperial edict:

"My followers, I have received the favor of Heaven and am in charge of the world. I will show both grace and power, and reward those who have done good deeds and those who have done bad deeds.

Ningyuan Hou Gu Yankai has long been known for his loyalty and bravery, and his achievements are outstanding. His contributions have been made to the country, which is very gratifying to me.

He was promoted to the rank of Inspecting Grand Marshal, and was given a purple gold fish bag, two jade belts, one hundred pieces of brocade, and a fief of five hundred households.

You should be more loyal and diligent and maintain your position as a strong defense forever.

Awesome! "

Gu Yankai was also satisfied with such a reward.