First, seventeen solemn tolls suddenly rang in the palace, announcing the sudden death of Princess Danyang due to illness.
Xiao Jingnan once whispered the truth to Li Wanming: It turned out that the fire in the Shoukang Palace that night not only devoured Concubine Kang but also forever trapped the proud princess in the raging inferno.
"She had a chance to escape," his voice was tinged with indescribable complexity. "But at the last moment, she pushed her lover out and turned around to jump into the blazing fire alone."
Li Wanming was silent for a long time.
She suddenly recalled Danyang's eyes that always carried a hint of drunkenness and her lazy figure reclining on the soft couch.
"What she wanted was to be the most powerful person in the world. Now that the situation was hopeless, perhaps she didn't want to be a mere titular princess, living a lonely life under the palace eaves."
Although Li Wanming didn't like Danyang, she had to admit that among the women she knew, Danyang was the most special one, living a life of complete freedom and unconstrainedness.
Such a woman ultimately chose the most decisive way to end her life.
The second astonishing imperial edict was about rewards.
Actually, for many people, the rewards were expected.
As the saying goes, the power changes on the city - wall. After the dust settled, it was time to reward those who had made contributions.
But for Li Wanming, it was too unexpected.
She never thought that the Li family would benefit the most from this operation!
Li Rusong was promoted to the General of the Left Xiao - Wei Army, a third - rank official in charge of the capital's guards. From then on, he officially entered the ranks of the powerful in the capital.
Yuan Jinqiu was conferred the title of the Fifth - Rank Lieutenant of the Left Guard, temporarily subordinate to Li Rusong.
Even Li Wanmo and Li Wanxin received corresponding rewards...
When the imperial edict was read out, Li Wanming thought she had misheard. She didn't know when her parents had become the emperor's confidants!
"Five years ago, when General Li was recalled to the capital, His Majesty already intended to recruit him. Over the past five years, General Li had patiently lurked in the army and finally got a clear understanding of the military situation in the suburban camp, laying the foundation for today's event."
"As for your mother, she is truly a heroic woman," Xiao Jingnan said with a smile. "That night, if it weren't for your mother taking the lead and giving proper commands, it would have been much more difficult to suppress the rebellion of the Jinyu Guards. There might have been hundreds more corpses in the capital..."
It was only then that Li Wanming realized that her father and mother were actually the emperor's spies in the suburban camp! And they hadn't even breathed a word of it to her.
"We didn't mean to hide it from you," Xiao Jingnan said. "His Majesty and I hadn't made up our minds at that time."
"At that time, we just thought that there must be our own people in the capital's patrol force. At that time, the Empress Dowager was powerful, and General Feng was far away in the northwest. The best way was to promote a group of young generals from other places."
"Later, with the changing situation, you accidentally married me, and the Li family was destined to be tied to His Majesty's ship. So it was only natural for them to do things for the emperor."
Li Wanming opened her mouth and asked, "What about my elder sister and second sister? Did they participate in that night's event?"
"Oh, them..." Xiao Jingnan said. "Your second sister went to battle with your mother and indeed made contributions. As for your elder sister," he shrugged helplessly, "His Majesty insisted on rewarding her. I had no choice."
Li Wanming stood there stunned. It took her a long time to find her voice. "You mean... after all this, I'm the only one in our family who was kept in the dark?"
"Well, you can't really say you were kept in the dark..."
Li Wanming raised her hand and pounded him continuously. "Is that what I care about? What I care about is that all of you were charging into battle and risking your lives, while I just stayed in the mansion and couldn't help at all..."
"How could you not help?" Xiao Jingnan grabbed her hand. "Weren't you guarding the prince's mansion? You remained calm in the face of danger and protected the important court officials. That's the greatest contribution!"
He magically took out a bright yellow scroll from behind and said loudly, "Li Wanming, receive the imperial edict!"
His clear voice echoed in the room.
"I believe that the virtue of the female is to assist. The Princess Consort of the Ning Prince's Mansion has long been known for her virtue and has effectively managed the inner affairs. Her contributions are for the country, and her virtue benefits the people. I hereby promote you to the rank of First - Rank Imperial Lady and bestow this imperial edict to further highlight your good reputation!"
Li Wanming stared blankly at the glittering silk scroll. It was not until Xiao Jingnan gently placed the imperial edict in her hands that she woke up from her dream.
When her fingertips touched the cold brocade surface, she let out a surprised laugh. "Wow! I've become a First - Rank Imperial Lady!"
"His Majesty already intended to reward you. I specifically asked him to let me read the edict to you," Xiao Jingnan wrapped his arms around her from behind and gently rested his chin on the top of her head. "So, do you like it?"
Li Wanming held the bright yellow silk scroll in her hands, reluctant to let go. "I like it! I've also become an official woman, and a First - Rank one at that!"
"An Imperial Lady is an external female official and not really a regular female official. But your mother's position as the Lieutenant of the Left Guard is a real military official position. From now on, she will no longer be just your father's appendage but a proper court official."
He tightened his embrace of the girl in his arms, his voice as gentle as water. "I once promised you that I would let women serve in the court. I've kept my promise."
Outside the window, the autumn scenery was beautiful. A beam of sunlight shone through the carved window lattice and landed on the unfolded imperial edict. The gold - embroidered cloud patterns flowed in the halo, making Li Wanming's eyes sparkle.
Yes, he had never broken his promise to her.
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The days of busyness finally came to an end. Those who should be imprisoned were in jail, those who should be promoted had received their official certificates, and those who should be buried were laid to rest. As for those who should be sent away... it was finally time for farewell.
The Empress Dowager Kang's carriage was extravagantly eye - catching. The golden silk curtains glistened coldly in the sun, and the tassels made of pearls and jade swayed gently in the breeze, making a soft rustling sound.
Zhao Yanke even dispatched a two - thousand - strong imperial guard to escort her along the way, led by Feng Xiao himself.
On the day of her departure, Zhao Yanke personally saw her off outside the city.
However, the Empress Dowager Kang didn't even get out of the carriage.
Without leaving a single word, the carriage rumbled away.
Zhao Yanke stood on the official road in a plain robe, with only a piece of white jade hanging from his waist, looking like an ordinary young man. He stood against the wind, watching the carriage gradually disappear into the distance, his eyes flickering.
He remembered that since his biological mother's death, it seemed to be this step - mother who had urged him to study and practice calligraphy and encouraged him to ride horses and practice martial arts.
There seemed to have been some tender moments between the mother and son.
Unfortunately, in the royal family, there was no room for sentiment. Once the situation changed, they were ultimately separated, and the mother - son relationship came to an end.
Zhao Yanke raised his eyebrows, and the emotions in his eyes vanished. He waved at the carriage in the distance. "Mother, take care! I'll come to visit you when I'm free!"
Xiao Jingnan put his arm around Li Wanming's shoulder and sighed softly. "The victor prevails, and the loser fails. It has always been like this. It was already a great blessing that there were less than a hundred casualties that night."