The Marquis' Wife

Honorary Degree

The group arrived and were greeted with great fanfare by the people, they first came to the residence of Prefect Zhong.

A eunuch wearing a green robe unrolled the golden-inked paper scroll, everyone who was in the Zhong residence kneeling waiting for the Emperor's decree to be delivered.

"Fengtian!! The Emperor decreed that Zhong Yuanji of the Zhong family was a wise and dignified Prefect who contributed so much to the Murong Kingdom. Therefore we will give the honorary title of 'Sanshuangxu' to Zhong Yuanji for the services he has done to our Kingdom, Murong Kingdom. Execute immediately!!".

Both Prefect Zhong and his wife Liang Shu were similarly shocked by the reward they had obtained. Sanshuangx!! Third rank honorary title!!

"Prefect, please take the Emperor's mandate". Eunuch warned Prefect Zhong.

"Oh! I thank you and carry out the mandate of the Emperor. Long live Emperor!! May the Emperor live a long life of ten thousand years!!".

Prefect Zhong took the stand and paid tribute to the Emperor accompanied by his wife, son and servant. He stood up and took the money from his wife and gave it to the eunuch.

"Thank you for coming all the way here. Eunuch Han, do you want to drink for a moment?".

Eunuch Han squeezed the bag of money and guessed its hefty contents then smiled happily. "No need for Prefect Zhong, I still have to pass on the Emperor's decree to scholar Lu Xiang Xiao Xieyuan".

"alright. I won't bother you when you get back. Thank you for coming to the Zhong family residence".

The group then went to Lu Xiang's house which was also filled with many people who wanted to see what order the first person in the Kingdom would give.

"Company coming! Big master, madam, young master. Quickly go ahead!!". Lu Yan and Lu Mei cried out hysterically, both of them were extremely nervous because this was the first time for them to hear the grand Emperor's edict.

Lu Xiang, Adelia and her sisters immediately went to the front of the main gate to welcome the arrival of the entourage sent by the Emperor.

"Welcome eunuch".

The yamen officer then gave way to Eunuch Han. "You're Lu Xiang Xiao Xieyuan?".

"Yes eunuch".

"Kneel down. I will pass on the decree of the Emperor!!".

Everyone knelt with anticipation, even some of the maids to the point of shaking from being too nervous in waiting.

Today is a historic day for you as well as for you. The word of the Emperor!!

"Fengtian!!! The decree of the Great Emperor says that Lu Xiang of the Lu family was a scholar of insight, wisdom and also generous in imparting his knowledge to the public, with this we confer the title of 'honorary scholar' to Lu Xiang for his knowledge and jewelry, four cold silk sutras, four warm brocades, four gauze rouye and one fragrant shop in the capital. So".

All eyes were wide-eyed by the gift the Emperor gave!!.

Lu Xiang calmed his thumping heart and then raised his hands respectfully accepting the Emperor's decree and mandate. "Lu Xiang received and executed the Emperor's decree. Long live the Emperor of the heavens, great Dragon may long live ten thousand years!!".

"Long live the Emperor of the heavens, the Great Dragon may long live ten thousand years!!" Adelia and the others repeated Lu Xiang's words while persisting.

Eunuch Han was stunned by Lu Xiang's praise as well as the authority that the man displayed, it seemed that the Emperor was not wrong in judging and wanted to make Lu Xiang his loyal servant.

"Thank you Eunuch for coming to the Lu family residence. If you want to drink tea first, a long trip will make you tired". Lu Xiang gave him the money bag he had prepared.

Eunuch Han again squeezed the bag and assessed the contents then smiled happily weighing the weight of the coin. "There is no need for mister Xiao Xieyuan, I must leave to report to the Emperor immediately".

"All right then. Hope your journey home is safe and enjoyable".

Eunuch Han laughed and then said goodbye to Lu Xiang.

Adelia clasped her husband's hands enthusiastically, both of them looked up and smiled with excitement, one hand Lu Xiang clasped tightly to the decree he had just received.

"Congratulations Brother Xiang!!". Lu Shan also congratulated and hugged Lu Xiang and Adelia.

"Hahaha, thank you my dear sister". Lu Xiang was very happy, he stroked the heads of his two younger siblings while laughing cheerfully.

"Congratulations to the honorary bachelor's degree you have earned" The servants also congratulated.

"Thank you, as a form of celebration, you will get a two-month salary bonus".

"Thank you, big sir!! Thanks lady!!" The waiters were delighted to get the big bonus and repeatedly thanked and congratulated.

Adelia then told Lu Mei to throw a handful of coins at the watching public and congratulate her, this time throwing silver coins as a form of great happiness that her family received on this day.

"Happy master Xiao Xieyuan!!".

"You are a wise great scholar".

"Congratulations to Juren!!".

Various welcome from the community who also heard the Emperor's decree delivered by Eunuch Han with a loud and strong voice.

"Thank you for the congratulations you gave to this family, as a celebration of De Xiang store will give a 30% bonus for every order you order".

The public cheered and went en masse to the De Xiang store, who did not like the discounts let alone the products that were very popular in the city of Fucheng.

Adelia then told Lu Yan to convey the happy news to Lu Niang and the shop clerk and the same bonuses that other servants get as a celebration of the happiness his family feels.

Lu Xiang hugged Adelia from behind and muttered in a hoarse voice. "I succeeded, baby. I managed to obtain the honorary title and attention from the Emperor".

Adelia clasped her husband's hand. "You did my husband. You're so great as always, I'm so proud of you!!".

Lu Xiang laughed happily then kissed the wife's shoulders and neck affectionately. Today he was finally able to grab the fruit he planted from a few months ago, when he entered the capital later he had already built the foundation for his career, he said, all he had to do was assess the Emperor's attitude and decide to whom he would side with in the end!!.

Honorary bachelor's degrees are just ordinary but special degrees because they get directly from the Emperor, perhaps the Emperor knew that the honorary title was not worth the idea and the contribution he made so as to give him another gift.

What he did not expect was that the Emperor gave a shop to him!! It seemed like the Emperor had slipped in detail about him and his family so giving a gift was perfect for it.

With the store, he and Adelia do not need to bother looking for a store in a strategic place that is certainly very difficult to get. Lu Xiang thought that this was the appreciation the Emperor had done for him.

People came back to congratulate and bring gifts to the Lu family's residence, this time no one dared to send out a proposal after the rejection Lu Xiang gave a day ago.

"Congratulations Lu Xiang. You finally got the honorific title".

"Bachelor of honor, good title!!".

"Your career in the capital will be safe with that title!!"

Lu Xiang's friends come home and say during his top honorary bachelor's degree. Although the title did not show any strength and position, but with that title the Lu Xiang family managed to change its status from a bachelor family to a noble family because the title was obtained directly from the Emperor!!.

On the other hand, Li Yueyin who heard the news again grew a wishful tree to become Lu Xiang's concubine even after being frightened by the cruel words of the man!.

But the noble family!! Who does not want to be a noble family of higher status than a family of scholars.

Li Yueyin clenched a powerful hand, her eyes full of ambition showing that she was not afraid of the threat Lu Xiang gave her and thought that the man was just bluffing.

But Li Yueyin did not know that the ambition could not be implemented because she and her brother had to go home to Cheng the next day.