12dz Chapter 336: Mo Yu Yun Tian (40)
Chapter 336: Mo Yu Yun Tian (40)
Chapter 336: Ink Rain and Clouds (40)
The emperor's gaze fell on Xiao Minghan, with a bit of scrutiny and a bit of admiration.
"General Xiao, you did a great job this time." The emperor spoke slowly, his voice deep and full of unquestionable majesty.
"It is my duty to share your majesty's worries." Xiao Minghan lowered his head and answered respectfully.
"What a loyal servant!" The emperor nodded. "You and your wife, for the sake of Great Yan, have hidden your identities, penetrated deep into enemy territory, gathered intelligence, and expanded your influence... This loyalty deeply comforts me!"
Su Luo stood quietly by, watching the carefully choreographed drama unfold before her. This was the script she had devised for Xiao Minghan and his wife's "faked death." To completely defeat the Dai Kingdom, they had to take a risky tactic, using their faked deaths as cover to penetrate deep into enemy territory, paving the way for Xiao Heng's final blow.
There was a rare warmth in the emperor's voice: "You have suffered a lot over the years."
Xiao Minghan's wife's voice was gentle, yet it revealed an unquestionable firmness: "It is our duty to share your Majesty's worries."
"Good! Good! Good!" the emperor praised three times, his face clearly delighted. "I will remember all your contributions!"
He paused for a moment, his eyes sweeping over Xiao Minghan and his wife, then he spoke slowly, each word carrying a weight of ten thousand pounds: "I have decided to confer upon Xiao Minghan the title of First-Class Zhenguo Duke, a title to be hereditary for generations!"
"Your Majesty, thank you for your grace!" Xiao Minghan kowtowed, his voice trembling slightly.
"Madam..." The emperor's gaze turned to Xiao Minghan's wife, with a hint of praise in his voice.
"I'm here." Xiao Minghan's wife bowed slightly, her voice clear and neither humble nor arrogant.
The emperor nodded, seemingly weighing his words. After a moment, he spoke, "I... am grateful for your years of hard work in assisting General Xiao, risking your life and death. Your contributions are invaluable. However..." He paused slightly, a hint of amusement in his tone, "I always feel that the five words 'First Rank Consort' are not enough to fully demonstrate your achievements..."
Su Luo listened from the side, chuckling inwardly. The emperor's words were beautifully written, both acknowledging Madam Xiao's contributions and laying the groundwork for a larger reward. She wanted to see what the emperor had in mind.
Xiao Minghan and his wife exchanged a glance, each seeing a hint of doubt in the other's eyes. They were both experienced people, so they naturally understood that the emperor wouldn't say such things without reason.
"Your Majesty...you are too kind." Madam Xiao remained respectful, but there was a hint of caution in her tone.
The emperor laughed heartily and waved his hand. "Exaggerated? I don't think so!" He stared at Madam Xiao intently, his tone suddenly becoming serious. "I've heard that in Dai, you not only assisted General Xiao in gathering intelligence, but also saved the people from danger many times. You even... single-handedly held off three thousand elite Dai soldiers."
Madam Xiao was slightly stunned. She didn't expect that the emperor even knew all these things.
"Your Majesty is wise." Madam Xiao did not deny or exaggerate, but simply acknowledged it lightly.
"Excellent! What a 'Sage and Wise'!" The Emperor laughed heartily, clapping his hands. "Today, I will let everyone in the world know that Great Yan not only has loyal and courageous generals, but also heroines of both wisdom and courage!"
He slammed the armrest of the dragon throne, his voice suddenly rising: "I have made up my mind! Confer the title of 'Lady Protector of the Nation' on Madam Xiao Minghan, raise her rank to the first rank, grant her a fief of 10,000 households, and grant her a purple gold waist badge. She may not kneel before an official, nor bow before the king!"
When these words were spoken, everyone in the hall was shocked!
The title of "Lady Protector of the Nation" had never existed in the history of Great Yan. It was not just a title, but also a symbol, a symbol of status, even... more honorable than Xiao Minghan's "First-Class Protector of the Nation"!
Xiao Minghan was also stunned. He had not expected the emperor to give his wife such a high honor. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but he didn't know what to say.
Su Luo was even more delighted. The emperor's move was a stroke of genius! "Lady Protector of the Nation"—this title was loud and powerful! Who would dare to look down on Madam Xiao from now on?
Madam Xiao was also a little slow to react. She was stunned for a moment before slowly kneeling down, her voice trembling slightly: "Your Majesty, thank you for your grace!"
First-class Zhenguo Duke, first-rank imperial consort! This is an incredible honor!
The air around seemed to freeze for a moment, and then whispers came like a tide.
"General Xiao has truly made a great contribution!"
"Yes, I heard that the couple was in Dai State and had a very close call!"
"Duke Zhenguo, a hereditary title. This Xiao family is going to prosper!"
"A first-rank imperial wife, tsk tsk, how many people envy her!"
Su Luo listened to these discussions, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.
"Your Majesty, I have a request." Xiao Minghan suddenly spoke.
"Oh?" The emperor raised his eyebrows. "Tell me about it."
Xiao Minghan glanced at Su Luo and said, "During my time in Dai, thanks to the care of the Princess, I was able to escape danger many times. The Princess saved my life, and I think..."
The emperor interrupted him and laughed heartily: "General Xiao, do you think I would treat my meritorious officials unfairly? As for Wan Ning, I have already thought of how to reward her!"
He turned to look at Su Luo, his eyes filled with a hint of teasing: "Wan Ning, what reward do you want? Just ask, I will not be stingy!"
Su Luo blinked, feigning distress as she pondered. Her slender fingers gently tapped her chin, her eyes darting around, perfectly portraying a mischievous look. The atmosphere in the hall, originally heavy with the award, lightened somewhat with her gesture.
The emperor watched her with interest, not pressing her, waiting for her to make a big offer. Xiao Minghan and his wife exchanged glances, each catching a hint of a smile. They knew the princess was about to blackmail His Majesty again.
Finally, Su Luo seemed to have made up her mind, with an expression of "reluctantly giving up something", and said with a smile: "Royal brother, I don't lack anything. With you, I have everything. Gold, silver and jewelry, my storehouse is almost full..."
The emperor was quite pleased with the first half of the sentence, but after hearing the latter, he couldn't help but twitch his lips. This girl, really is...
"But..." Su Luo changed the subject, looking at the emperor with sparkling eyes, "I've recently taken a fancy to the pots of 'Yao Huang' peonies in the imperial garden, and the new Western chef in the imperial kitchen. I heard that his roasted lamb legs are so delicious..."