Gu Baishuang chatted with her son about family matters.
Tong Huaqiong went to find her inexpensive son, Gu Jingzhe.
She was too tired yesterday to have a word with Gu Jingzhe.
Tong Huaqiong, as usual, first admonished Gu Jingzhe to be more tolerant of Lu Zhaozhao, as it was indeed hard for a pregnant woman carrying a child.
Gu Jingzhe went to study at the Imperial College during the day, and at night he accompanied Lu Zhaozhao, making sure to massage her feet and calves daily to alleviate the discomfort of pregnancy. After all this, he lit a lamp to read and prepared for the next year’s imperial exams.
Honestly, it was exhausting.
But Gu Jingzhe found joy amidst the hardship.
When he heard Tong Huaqiong’s admonishments, he didn’t boast of his deeds, but instead listened respectfully to her instructions.
Tong Huaqiong scrutinized Gu Jingzhe carefully.
Feeling uneasy under her gaze, Gu Jingzhe asked, "Mother, is there something on my face?"
Tong Huaqiong said, "Your face is too handsome. Since you’ve been in Shengjing, has any family’s daughter taken a liking to you?"
Gu Jingzhe was greatly shocked.
He thought to himself that his mother was probing him again. Heaven knows, apart from Lu Zhaozhao, he hadn’t paid attention to any other girl.
Why does his mother always seem convinced that he would change his mind?
Gu Jingzhe said a little aggrievedly, "Mother, I don’t have the leisure to be concerned with other girls."
Tong Huaqiong said, "When the results of the spring exams are posted next year, with your talents, obtaining the title of Champion Scholar or Tanhua will be no problem. By then, if any Commandery Princess or a daughter of a noble family comes to the street to choose a husband, they might take a fancy to your face and whisk you away."
Gu Jingzhe shook his head repeatedly and said, "That won’t happen. Those Commandery Princesses and daughters of noble families already have intended matches. I have no titles and am already married; no one will choose me."
Tong Huaqiong said, "Back when Zhaoyang became Champion Scholar, he hadn’t held a title either and was married, but he was still favored by the Princess."
Moreover, her son’s handsome face was even more striking than Lu Zhaoyang’s.
Gu Jingzhe raised his hands and said, "If that situation really arises, I will refuse as well. In this lifetime, I have only Zhaozhao as my wife."
Tong Huaqiong said, "Alright, I believe you."
Though she said this, she thought about meeting the Commandery Princess who had forced Gu Jingzhe to divorce his wife in a previous life.
"Alright, have breakfast and head to the academy."
Gu Jingzhe felt greatly relieved when he heard Tong Huaqiong had concluded the topic.
After breakfast, Manager He came to the Tong Mansion to meet Tong Huaqiong.
The shops in Shengjing had opened in just a few short months, which owed much to Manager He’s efforts.
After chatting with Manager He, Tong Huaqiong was led by Manager He along with Gu Dashi and Gu Taohua, planning to inspect the shops in Shengjing.
Before they could leave, someone from the palace arrived.
The visitor was Eunuch Pan, whom the Old Emperor trusted most.
The whole family quickly went to greet him.
Eunuch Pan was there to announce an Imperial Decree, and it was for Chen Sufen.
In recognition of Chen Sufen’s contributions in raising the Grand Prince, she was bestowed the title of Fifth Rank Madam.
Chen Sufen received the decree with trembling hands.
Besides bestowing Chen Sufen with the title, the Old Emperor also rewarded Tong Huaqiong and others with abundant gifts.
Everyone, including Tong Huaqiong, expressed their gratitude.
"Uncle Pan, you’ve had a long day." After Eunuch Pan read out the decree, Gu Dashi stepped forward to support Eunuch Pan’s hand and slipped a thick red envelope into his sleeve.
"Nephew Dashi, there’s no need to be so courteous." Eunuch Pan declined.
Gu Dashi said, "You’ve already called me nephew, it’s only right for a nephew to honor his uncle."
"You are quite the talker." Eunuch Pan chuckled as he accepted the red envelope with a smile.
Tong Huaqiong clicked her tongue. Gu Dashi had only been in Shengjing a short while and had already established an uncle-nephew relationship with Eunuch Pan.
"By the way, Uncle Pan, how’s my niece, grand-niece, and son doing in the palace?" Gu Dashi asked.
"They’re all well, all well," Eunuch Pan replied with a smile.
Gu Dashi said, "Thank you for your care, Eunuch Pan. The three children came from the countryside, unfamiliar with palace protocols. The family is worried they might offend someone of importance; please look after them."
Gu Dashi implied if it were possible to help bring the three children out of the palace.
The comfort of home could never be found in the palace.
Gu Dashi had been summoned twice to palace banquets and thrice to meet the Emperor. The Emperor enjoyed the freshness of seeing a straightforward person from the countryside and invited Gu Dashi for entertainment.
Gu Dashi understood the Old Emperor summoned him mainly because he had no requests from the Emperor.
The Old Emperor found this safe.
With time, Gu Dashi and Eunuch Pan hit it off, and Eunuch Pan treated him as a nephew.
Eunuch Pan understood Gu Dashi’s intention and said softly, "His Highness, the Grand Prince, just returned to the palace. The Emperor left Man Er and the others in the palace to prevent the Grand Prince from feeling lonely, but they will be sent out in due time."
Eunuch Pan’s words were not just for Gu Dashi, but also for Tong Huaqiong, Chen Sufen, and others to hear.
Everyone felt assured after hearing this.
Especially Liu Yueer, who hadn’t seen her son for several months. Hearing yesterday that her son was kept in the palace, she had imagined all sorts of terrifying palace scenarios and had a restless night.
Inwardly, she cursed the Old Emperor for being inconsiderate. Why detain someone else’s child without reason?
After Eunuch Pan left, Mrs. Zhao walked beside Chen Sufen to look at her decree.
"Sufen has indeed good fortune, now a Madam." Mrs. Zhao said.
"That’s also because Sufen has a good heart. Years ago, when suddenly a child appeared, claiming to be Da Han’s illegitimate child, who wouldn’t have found it hard to accept? Even the gossip alone could drown anyone. Fortunately, Sufen didn’t mind and loved the Grand Prince dearly. It goes to show that good deeds are rewarded." Mrs. Hong said.
"Now Sufen can stand on equal footing with some of Shengjing’s Madams." Old Mrs. Huang said.
A Fifth Rank Madam, her Jingshan was also of the Fifth Rank.
Tong Pandi stroked the decree, full of envy.
Tong Huaqiong said, "Your Mr. Su is now the Grand Prince’s teacher, you will eventually have an official title too."
Tong Pandi said, "As long as our family stays together, I would thank heaven. Though, if I am given a title, of course, I would take it."
Tong Huaqiong laughed; she liked seeing Tong Pandi looking deserving.
"Congratulations, Grandma."
The servants gathered around to congratulate Chen Sufen.
Liu Yueer felt a bit uncomfortable. Despite yielding no title from Gu Dashi’s Customs Supervisor role, Chen Sufen had received one, and it was Fifth Rank, higher than her mother-in-law’s township noble rank.
In a few years, Gu Jingzhe might earn an official title for Lu Zhaozhao.
Moreover, Taohua seemed to have mutual feelings with Su Chengmin, who was a prominent figure around the Grand Prince. Once Taohua and Su Chengmin got married, she would eventually become a Madam as well.
All the family’s women would have ranks. Only hers was low.
If she had known earlier, she’d have vied for the adoption of the Grand Prince.
But who could have guessed that child was the Grand Prince?
As Liu Yueer felt down, Tong Huaqiong ordered the emperor’s bestowed gifts to be carried into the house and asked Chen Sufen to reward the servants.
Chen Sufen being conferred the title of Madam was something to celebrate.
Gu Dahan wasn’t bestowed a title because he was in Qinghe Bay. Tong Huaqiong lamented the significant loss, thinking that had Gu Dahan been in Shengjing as the Grand Prince’s foster father, he might have been granted an official position.
However, given Gu Dahan’s disposition, he wasn’t suited for a government role; he was more fit for the Agricultural Department, studying plant seeds.
Tong Huaqiong went out to inspect the shops, and Mrs. Zhao tugged Liu Yueer’s sleeve, signaling her to return to the room.