The eunuchs who came to Shen Mansion to announce the decree before met him and bowed down to salute: "I have met Eunuch Li."
Eunuch Li said politely: "Our family has also come to Shen's Mansion to announce the decree under His Majesty's order. You two have worked hard, and the matter has been completed?"
He glanced at it and saw that the plaque of Nanyang Marquis Mansion had been taken down and placed at the door before it could be moved away.
The official of the Ministry of Rites smiled and said: "Come on, I am about to send the plaque back to the Ministry of Rites."
Another eunuch who announced the decree also said politely: "Since Eunuch Li is here in person, your Excellency and I will wait a little longer and return to the palace with Eunuch Li to report back to Your Majesty."
"Take a moment, you two, our family will go in first." Eunuch Li nodded, then led several young eunuchs behind him and entered the gate of Shen's Mansion holding the imperial edict.
Officials from the Ministry of Rites and eunuchs who announced the decree also followed.
Eunuch Li stood on the steps of the gate, looked at the people kneeling in the courtyard across the incense table, and asked, "Why aren't everyone here yet?"
The old Marquis managed to take a breath, cupped his hands and said, "Eunuch Li, everyone is here."
Eunuch Li asked: "Why isn't Miss Shen here?"
The old Marquis looked stunned, and he didn't have time to ask.
Eunuch Li looked around and soon saw Xiao Lingyue and her son standing in the corner. His eyes lit up and he shouted: "Miss Shen!"
Xiao Lingyue was surprised and led Beibei over: "Eunuch, are you looking for me?"
Eunuch Li smiled particularly enthusiastically: "Miss Shen, Your Majesty has an edict. It's time for you to kneel down and accept it."
Wha...what?
The excitement on the butler's face suddenly froze, and he looked at Xiao Lingyue in disbelief. Is this decree for the third lady?
The old Marquis' cheek twitched slightly, and he gritted his teeth and asked, "Shen Wan, what's going on?"
Xiao Lingyue rolled her eyes and quickly guessed what the purpose was.
She ignored the old Marquis and politely asked Eunuch Li: "Excuse me, Eunuch, is this edict for me alone?"
Eunuch Li felt slightly strange, but didn't think much about it: "Yes."
"I see."
Xiao Lingyue glanced at the old Marquis meaningfully, led Bei Beiyue out, and knelt on the ground.
The rest of the Shen family did not kneel down, nor did they stand up.
The atmosphere was extremely weird for a while.
Eunuch Li did not care so much, and soon started the imperial edict and read aloud: "By God's blessing, the emperor issued an edict: Shen Wan, the daughter of the Shen family, is intelligent, agile, and has a good nature. She is astute and capable in Xiangguo Temple. She has made meritorious service in rescuing the driver. She will be here immediately. I will be granted the title of Zheng Erpin County Lord, the title of Anping, and a palace in the capital with a thousand taels of gold. I admire this!"
The loud sound echoed throughout the front yard.
The Shen family members who were kneeling on the ground were stunned, and the housekeeper's jaw almost dropped to the ground in shock.
Second grade...county lord...
Could he have heard it wrong?
The Shen family had just been deprived of their title, and the third lady...she was actually given a title?
The old Marquis's face suddenly turned the color of pig liver, he suddenly covered his chest, and his whole body began to tremble violently.
Eunuch Li didn't pay attention to him. After reading the imperial edict, he carefully rolled it up, walked down the steps, and held it to Xiao Lingyue with both hands: "Master Anping County, please accept your majesty's grace."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xiao Lingyue's expression was very calm. After taking the imperial edict with both hands, she kowtowed again to express her gratitude.
Previously at Xiangguo Temple, Emperor Zhaoming had given her an oral edict, which was exactly what was written in the imperial edict.
Now that the imperial edict is issued, it is equivalent to telling the world that a clear path has been passed.
After she thanked her and stood up, Eunuch Li smiled again and said: "In addition, Your Majesty also gave an oral instruction. The Lord of Anping County saved Prince Yi's son in Xiangguo Temple and made another great contribution. He was given a palace card and allowed to enter and exit the palace freely. As for the other rewards... His Majesty has also said that, the Lord of Anping County has already known about it, so he will not say more."