Red Mansion: After being expelled from the family, I was granted the title of Marquis of Mobei

Chapter 2 The Shadow of Rongguo Mansion
At this moment, Emperor Yongping suddenly felt that he had no strength left in his body and he relaxed completely.

He knelt before the previous emperors of the Great Zhou Dynasty and couldn't help but burst into tears.

"Ancestors, your spirits in heaven saw it, I did it, I did it."

"I have avenged the century-long national humiliation of my Great Zhou."

"He did not disappoint me. He really helped me pacify Mobei in three years."

The king of a country was crying like a tearful man at this time, which shows how much pressure Emperor Yongping was under.

After a long time, Emperor Yongping calmed down.

He tidied himself up briefly and concealed his tears.

Emperor Yongping then pushed open the gate of the Taimiao.

At this time, officials from the three provinces and six ministries, as well as important civil and military officials, royal family members and nobles were all standing in the courtyard outside the gate.

When they saw Emperor Yongping walk out of the Taimiao, everyone knelt down and shouted loudly.

"Congratulations to your majesty, congratulations to your majesty."

"The Zhenbei Army destroyed the Xiongnu royal court and captured the Xiongnu Great Chanyu alive."

"This is a blessing for your Majesty, for the Great Zhou, and for all the people."

"Your Majesty, I congratulate you."

Emperor Yongping looked around at the civil and military officials kneeling in the courtyard, and suddenly a great sense of heroism surged in his heart.

Then Emperor Yongping spoke loudly.

"This great victory in Mobei is truly the greatest victory our Great Zhou has ever achieved against the Xiongnu in the past hundred years."

"Convey my decree, commanding the Northern Guard's Marshal, Duke Ying, to lead the vanguard General Jia Jue and the meritorious soldiers to return triumphantly to the capital to surrender the captives. I will reward these meritorious soldiers generously."

"Also, all nine cities in the capital will celebrate. All palace maids who are sixteen years old or older will be allowed to marry."

"All criminals in the capital, except those guilty of the ten most unforgivable crimes, will be pardoned."

"Also, I will issue a decree to announce to the world that to celebrate this great victory, I will hold an additional special examination next year."

"Your Highness obeys your order. Long live the Emperor."

Soon, the news of the great victory in Mobei spread throughout the capital.

That night, all the restaurants and diners in the capital were packed with people, and laughter was everywhere. The entire Great Zhou had waited for this hard-won victory for too long.

On Ningrong Street in the east city of Shendu, two connected mansions were brightly lit and a banquet was being held.

Located on Ningrong Street are Ningguo Mansion and Rongguo Mansion, two of the four kings and eight dukes of the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

The Duke's Mansion is a century-old mansion with two dukes in one family, which can be considered a continuous wealth and prosperity.

Although by this generation, the Ningguo Mansion had been downgraded to Tinghou, and the Rongguo Mansion had been downgraded to Xianhou.

However, because the Rongguo Mansion still has a legitimate and superior noble lady, Mrs. Jia, it can still maintain the treatment of a Duke's Mansion.

Old Lady Jia was the wife of the second Duke of Rong, Jia Daishan.

Because of his achievements, Jia Daishan's inherited title was not downgraded and he still retained the title of Duke.

This also means that the only remaining facade of Rongguo Mansion today is that of Old Lady Jia.

At this time, in Rongxi Hall of Rongguo Mansion, Rongguo Mansion also received the news of the great victory in Mobei and was holding a banquet to celebrate.

Old Lady Jia sat on the main seat in Rongxi Hall. Although there was a hint of joy on her face, her eyes revealed that she was uneasy.

Jia Zheng, who was standing by, was very good at observing people's expressions. After seeing that Lady Jia was worried, he asked in a low voice.

"Mother, today is the day of a great victory for the imperial court. What's wrong with you?"

"You seem a little disturbed."

After hearing this, Mrs. Jia sighed slightly.

"The great victory of the imperial court is a good thing, but the name of the vanguard general of the Northern Guard Army who captured the Xiongnu Great Khan alive makes me feel angry."

Jia Zheng thought for a moment and then smiled and said.

"Mother, you're probably overthinking it. I think it's just a coincidence of names."

"That evil creature, his bones are now shattered into pieces, why are you so sad?"

Mrs. Jia nodded and said, "Yes, yes, it's been three years."

"If it weren't for this bastard, how could Baoyu..."

"Oh, never mind. I won't say anything more."

"You guys eat and drink. I'm a little tired. I'm going back to rest first."

Seeing that Old Lady Jia left the main hall with a slightly sad look on her face, the rest of the people felt that there was no point in staying and they all dispersed.

In Rongxi Hall, as soon as Jia Zheng entered the bedroom, he was stopped by Mrs. Wang.

Jia Zheng said in confusion after hearing this.

"Ma'am, what's wrong?"

Mrs. Wang looked at Jia Zheng and asked.

"Mom wasn't in a good mood when she left just now. What happened?"

Jia Zheng sighed and said.

"When mother heard the name Jia Jue, she felt uncomfortable."

"If that incident hadn't happened back then, how could so many complications have arisen?"

When Mrs. Wang heard the name Jia Jue, her face twitched with anger and her teeth itched.

"Humph, being burned to death in a fire is such a blessing for this beast! I wish I could chop him into pieces."

"This Zhenbei Army's vanguard general has a name like this, so why not give him such a lame name? It's obvious he's not a good person either."

"My poor son, if it weren't for that beast, he wouldn't be like this today, depressed all day long, a laughing stock among the gods, and afraid to even leave the house."

Seeing Mrs. Wang's furious look, Jia Zheng felt helpless.

Thinking of the chaos in Rongguo Mansion that year, Jia Zheng was still frightened.

This matter also became a taboo in Rongguo Mansion. Over the years, if any servants in Rongguo Mansion dared to mention it, if they were heard by Mrs. Wang, they would be expelled from the mansion at best, and beaten to death at worst.

Time flies, and two months have passed in the blink of an eye.

It was almost the twelfth lunar month, and the entire Great Zhou was decorated with lights and lanterns, preparing to welcome the New Year.

On this day, on Zhuque Street in the capital, all the officials of Jingzhao Prefecture were out in full force, pouring clean water on the streets to maintain order.

On the Chengtian Gate Tower, Emperor Yongping stood in a cloak, braving the biting cold wind, with his hands behind his back, his eyes looking towards the east of the city.

Xia Shouzhong, the eunuch of the six palaces, said after serving a cup of hot tea.

"Your Majesty, the weather is cold. Please drink some tea to cool off."

Emperor Yongping took the teacup, took a sip and asked calmly.

"Where is the triumphant army?"

Xia Shouzhong said hurriedly.

"Your Majesty, half an hour ago, the guards reported that the triumphant army had arrived twenty miles outside the city."

"At this time, the army should be estimated to be less than five miles away from the outer city."

Emperor Yongping nodded slightly and said.

"Go ahead, I will personally go outside the city to welcome the victorious army."

Xia Shouzhong was shocked when he heard this and quickly knelt down and said.

"Your Majesty, this is against etiquette."

"Your Majesty's personal presence at Chengtian Gate is already a great favor to the triumphant soldiers. If you were to descend the steps and go outside the city to greet them, it would probably cause criticism from both the court and the public, and it would not be a good thing for Duke Ying and General Jia either."

Emperor Yongping said calmly.

"Criticism, what criticism?"

"This time I want to tell the world clearly."

"I will not hesitate to reward anyone who has made great contributions to the country, nor will I care about any etiquette or regulations."

"Issue an order to the Left and Right Prime Ministers to lead all civil and military officials and accompany me out of the city to personally welcome the victorious soldiers of the Zhenbei Army."

(End of this chapter)