Chapter 422 Canonization
In a blink of an eye, it’s the first day of the new year.
Early in the morning, four palace carriages arrived. From them came two officials from the Zhongshu Province, several palace maids holding gift boxes, several eunuchs holding ritual vessels, and a group of mounted guards.
They came to the gate of Jiang's house and shouted loudly: "The Lord has a decree!"
The boy guarding the gate jumped up in shock and ran into the backyard to report.
Chun Niang and her daughter got up early, put on new clothes, and were preparing breakfast. They were startled by the servant's announcement, and immediately called their two sons and Jiang Quanhuzi to receive the order at the door.
A group of people were welcomed into the main hall to read out the imperial edict. The family prepared the incense table and knelt down to listen to the edict.
It turned out that the emperor was hosting a banquet for ministers and their families in the Hall of Supreme Harmony today, and asked the Jiang family to enter the palace for the banquet.
There are also two imperial edicts. One is to confer Xu Chunniang the title of Sixth Grade Anren, and give her a set of ceremonial gowns, ribbons and a book.
In addition, Jiang Yingbao was granted the title of second-grade Lord of Qinchuan County, and was given a dress, ribbon, jade butterfly, and corresponding ritual utensils, eight palace attendants, a mansion for the County Lord, a carriage and sedan, and twelve bodyguards.
Looking at the palace maids and eunuchs holding ritual utensils, Ying Bao was a little confused.
A Tongshiren said with a smile: "Lord Qinchuan County, if you don't hurry up and accept the order, you will have to go to the palace to thank me later."
Ying Bao quickly kowtowed and accepted the order.
Holding the imperial edict and jade butterfly in hand, I didn't know what to say for a moment.
Unexpectedly, the master made her the county head and also made Qinchuan County a fief for her.
This is a treatment only given to the daughter of a prince or a prince.
After receiving the order, Chun Niang and her son wanted to stay with Tongshi and others for dinner. They shook their heads: "We have to go back to recover, we will not be here soon."
Seeing this, Jiang Jie quickly took two big red envelopes and delivered them to the two housekeepers. Several eunuchs also had a red envelope each.
After seeing off the official who conveyed the order, the family looked at the eight palace officials.
A palace maid bowed to Ying Baofu and said, "Numeixiang, please give my regards to the county lord."
Another palace maid also knelt down and saluted: "My lord, my name is Lanxiang."
"Nuhexiang"
"My name is Qiuxiang."
Four eunuchs also came to salute: "Guixiang, Jinxi, Yulian, and Yu Dahai, please pay your respects to the county lord."
Ying Bao nodded and asked them to get up.
The eldest palace maid Mei Xiang said: "The county chief will enter the palace later to thank you. Let the slaves serve you and get dressed."
"Okay." Yingbao walked into the house with her arm on her arm.
Today, Chun Niang will also put on the dress of the sixth-grade married woman, put on the ribbon, go to the palace to thank her, and attend the palace banquet by the way.
In addition, she and her daughter also had to listen to Mei Xiang's lecture on palace rules and etiquette.
Fortunately, these maids can accompany me when I enter the palace this time. Even if I can't remember it, it won't be rude if the maids are there to give me some pointers.
The four maids dressed Ying Bao and her daughter, put on makeup, and then stood aside with their hands down.
Ying Bao's dress was longer than A-niang's, and it was dragged to the ground at the back, making her look particularly majestic.
After Chun Niang put on a married woman's dress, her aura instantly increased. In addition, her face was delicate and beautiful, which was no worse than those ladies from aristocratic families.
Later, the whole family went to the palace for a banquet, but Jiang Quan was not on the invitation list.
Fortunately, Jiang Quan had a big heart and happily sent away his third aunt and his little cousin, then went back to his house and sat on the kang to count the money.
Ying Bao's car arrived in front of the imperial city gate and saw carriages and sedans packed with officials.
Her carriage is a royal carriage and can be entered directly.
Eunuchs and guards cleared the way, and the crowd at the door got out of the way.
Drive into the Imperial City, enter Xuanyou Gate, and follow the north-south street to Huitong Gate outside Zichen Hall.
As long as you pass through the Huitong Gate, you will find the palace inside.
Inside the Huitong Gate is the imperial kitchen of the Provincial Food Bureau in the palace, as well as the Shang Yao Bureau, Shang Ying Bureau, Shang Yi Bureau, Shang She Bureau and Shang Nian Bureau, a total of six Shang Bureaus, which are usually very tightly guarded.
Those who can enter through this door are the close associates and attendants of the emperor and concubines.
At this moment, outside the meeting gate, there are various miscellaneous personnel such as the provincial governor, the imperial medicine officer, the personal officials, the chariot officers, the Cheziyuan, the Huangyuan, and the soldiers of the various internal divisions, waiting for the call at any time.
All the people in the palace who were responsible for purchasing and paying tribute also entered the palace from here.
Ying Bao and A Niang got out of the car and walked into the Huitong Gate surrounded by several palace ladies.
Afterwards, they came to the side hall next to Zichen Hall, Wenhe Hall. Mei Xiang said that the emperor would stay here temporarily.
As expected, there were many eunuchs and maids guarding the entrance of Wenhe Palace. It seemed that the emperor was already in the palace.
After the announcement, Ying Bao and Chun Niang walked into the hall.
Zhou Wuchang was seen wearing a bright yellow dragon robe and a crown made of gold wire, sitting on the dragon chair.
"See your majesty, may your majesty be blessed and safe!"
The mother and daughter bowed three times and bowed nine times to Zhou Wuchang.
Zhou Wuchang smiled: "Get up. Give me a seat."
Palace attendants on both sides immediately brought two round stools.
After Yingbao and Aniang thanked them, they sat down on the stools.
She thought for a while and asked, "Your Majesty, has Qinchuan County really created a fiefdom for my disciple?"
Zhou Wuchang nodded.
Yingbao smiled: "Then I will return to Qinchuan County to live in the future."
"It's a beautiful idea, you have to stay in the capital." Zhou Wuchang picked up the tea cup and took a sip.
"Why?"
Zhou Wuchang: "You are not married yet. Once a husband is chosen for you, you can move to Qinchuan County."
Yingbao: "."
Zhou Wuchang added: "Today's palace banquet, you have a chance to take a closer look. If you think any young master is a match for you, tell me."
Ying Bao's head is covered with black lines.
Zhou Wuchang: "You are not young anymore. There are really not many unmarried women at the age of seventeen in this dynasty. Every time I go to court, I have to listen to those old ministers repeat it several times. How many of you, Zhou Hao, and Zhang Min are there?" How many times have I been impeached by those old ministers, and I have no choice but to do so."
"What if the person I like is not in the capital?" Ying Bao tried to struggle.
Zhou Wuchang: "It doesn't matter. As long as you tell me which one it is, I will grant you a marriage."
"What if he doesn't agree?" Ying Bao asked, blinking.
Zhou Wuchang snorted: "It doesn't matter, I will call him and ask him."
Seeing that Ying Bao was about to speak again, the emperor hurriedly said: "The banquet will begin soon, you go to Chui Gong Hall first."
The Chui Gong Hall is right next to the Zi Chen Hall. Today, all the concubines and wives are having a banquet in this hall.
When Ying Bao saw her master opening her mouth to drive people away, she had no choice but to say goodbye to her mother-in-law.
Arriving at Chui Gong Hall, many married ladies were already seated in the hall.
Yingbao and Chunniang took their seats under the guidance of the palace eunuch.
There's nothing we can do about it, because the positions between her and A-niang are also different because of their different levels.
Fortunately, Mrs. Wu and Mrs. Luo were also there. They were of the same rank as Chun Niang, both from the sixth rank of An, so they sat together.
When Ying Bao saw her mother sitting next to Mrs. Wu, she felt relieved and nodded to the ladies on the left and right.
She is the principal of the second-grade county, and her status is equivalent to that of a royal family member. She sits with several first- and second-grade wives.
Mei Xiang secretly told her that among these ladies, there were Concubine Yao Shu's biological mother, Concubine Lu Xian's biological mother, and two others, Concubine Chen Hui's mother and Concubine Zhong De's mother.
They look young, about the same age as Chun Niang.
"Are you the Holy Emperor's female disciple?" Madam Lu asked with a smile.