SGEIRS -Chapter 438 Third-Rank Imperial Title

Not long after lunch, Qingqiu hurried in and bowed to Meng Jinyao and her husband.

“Marquis, Madam, an imperial edict has arrived from the palace.”

Gu Jingxi was slightly surprised. He had just been to the palace that morning, and the edict had already come. He had thought it would take at least until tomorrow.

Meng Jinyao asked in confusion, “Husband, why would the palace suddenly issue an edict?”

Gu Jingxi pretended not to know. “I’m not sure either. Let’s go receive it first. We’ll find out soon enough.”

Meng Jinyao agreed and stood up, following Gu Jingxi to the front courtyard.

Since she was pregnant, she walked slowly. By the time they arrived, all the women from the first and second branches—except the men who were out—had already gathered. Even Old Madam Gu was present.

Everyone in the Gu household who was at home had arrived. They all knelt to receive the edict.

The eunuch glanced at the Gu family, slowly unrolled the bright yellow imperial decree, and read in a sharp voice:

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
The wife of Marquis Changxing, Gu Jingxi, Madam Meng, is dignified and virtuous, gentle and kind, exemplary in conduct, and harmonious in managing her household. She assists her husband with grace and governs her home with benevolence. Therefore, she is hereby conferred the title of Third-Rank Shuren. Respect this decree.”

When he finished, everyone was stunned. No one had expected it to be an edict conferring an imperial title.

Gu Jingxi was a third-rank official. By virtue of her husband’s status, Meng Jinyao had now been granted a third-rank noble title.

Meng Jinyao herself was completely taken aback. Being granted an imperial title was something she had never dared to imagine. Now that it had suddenly fallen into her lap, she even wondered if she had misheard.

Seeing her standing there in a daze, the eunuch gently reminded her, “Madam Gu, please receive the decree.”

Only then did Meng Jinyao react. She hurriedly kowtowed and said,

“This subject receives the decree. Thank you for Your Majesty’s great grace. Long live the Emperor!”

After speaking, she raised both hands to accept the edict.

Once everyone stood up, Old Madam Gu instructed the maids to hand over the prepared purses to the three eunuchs as tea money.

After the eunuchs left, Meng Jinyao was still holding the edict in a daze. It felt like she was dreaming. Even with the decree in her hands, it didn’t seem real.

Madam Zhang and Madam Chen were full of envy. Previously, only their mother-in-law in the Changxing Marquis Residence had an imperial title. Now their third sister-in-law had one too. This was not only an honor, but it also came with a monthly stipend, opportunities to attend palace banquets, and even meet the Emperor and Empress.

Becoming a titled noblewoman was the dream of countless women. If their husbands lacked the ability, they could only hope their sons would succeed in the future.

Seeing Meng Jinyao staring blankly at the decree, Old Madam Gu smiled kindly.

“A-Yao, the eunuchs have already left. Why are you still in a daze?”

Meng Jinyao snapped out of it and smiled shyly.

“Mother, it just doesn’t feel real. I can’t quite process it yet.”

Madam Zhang laughed. “Third sister-in-law, don’t tell me you think you’re dreaming?”

Madam Chen congratulated her. “It’s still daylight, so it can’t be a dream. Congratulations.”

Gu Xuanyi also smiled. “Congratulations, Third Aunt.”

Meng Jinyao returned their smiles and exchanged a few polite words. After chatting briefly with Old Madam Gu, everyone returned to their own courtyards.

As soon as they returned to Weirui Pavilion and entered the room, Meng Jinyao threw herself into Gu Jingxi’s arms, smiling brightly.

“Thank you, husband.”

Gu Jingxi wrapped an arm around her waist and laughed.

“Why are you thanking me? The Emperor granted it. You should thank His Majesty.”

“But it must be because you did well and earned merit that you could request this for me. You went to the palace this morning, and the edict arrived in the afternoon. You must have made great achievements, right?”

After calming down, Meng Jinyao realized the Emperor wouldn’t grant her a title for no reason. It must be because of her husband’s contributions.

Gu Jingxi admitted honestly, “I did earn some merit this time.”

He lowered his head and kissed her cheek, then pulled her to sit beside him.

“A-Yao, our wedding was rushed and absurd. You’ve been gossiped about all this time because of it. You’ve suffered. I couldn’t give you a proper wedding, so I can only make up for it in this way.”

“I was wronged, yes, but it wasn’t only me,” Meng Jinyao said softly, gazing into his eyes. “You were wronged too. You were also a victim. It was your first marriage, yet you didn’t get a proper wedding either.”

Gu Jingxi was stunned, his heart full of guilt.

“In the end, it was all caused by the Gu family.”

“It’s all in the past,” she said gently. “And it wasn’t your fault. It was Gu Xiuming’s problem.”

Then she asked curiously, “Back then, when Gu Xiuming ran away from the wedding and you claimed he was ill, what did you plan to do afterward?”

Gu Jingxi replied truthfully, “We had no choice. If people found out he had fled, you’d be pushed into the spotlight. So we said he was sick, caught him and punished him, and then waited for your decision. If you wanted to continue, the Gu family would never treat you poorly. If you didn’t, we’d arrange a separation and publicly blame him. When you remarried, we’d add extra dowry as compensation. Who knew the truth would leak out and be exposed on the spot by your maid.”

Meng Jinyao was stunned, then smiled.

“My two maids—Qingqiu is steady, Ningdong is impulsive. But her impulsiveness that day suited me well. If not for her, we wouldn’t be together now. She’s our matchmaker.”

Gu Jingxi nodded. “When she gets married, we’ll prepare a generous dowry for her.”

“Of course.”

Then Meng Jinyao suddenly thought of Chan’er and Yu Chuan.

“By the way, after Chan’er returned to the capital, I told her about Yu Chuan’s feelings and asked if she liked him. Guess what she said?”

Gu Jingxi guessed, “She agreed?”

She shook her head.

“No. She didn’t answer clearly. She just said Yu Chuan should tell her himself when he comes back. Now that he’s back, you should let him go talk to her.”

Gu Jingxi nodded. “I’ll tell him another day.”

Meng Jinyao asked curiously, “Do you think Chan’er likes him?”

Gu Jingxi smiled and shook his head.

“A girl’s thoughts are hard to read. I can’t tell. I only see that Yu Chuan likes her.”

She asked again, “Among your four attendants, Yu Chuan is the youngest, right?”

“Yes,” Gu Jingxi replied. “He’s the same age as you—not yet eighteen. After the New Year, he’ll be eighteen. Zhou Yun is nineteen. The twins Fang Xuan and Fang Ce are older—twenty-two this year.”

Meng Jinyao laughed.

“If Chan’er likes him, he’ll be the youngest and the first among them to marry.”

Gu Jingxi chuckled softly.

“Who knows whether that silly boy can win the girl’s heart?”