Madam, don't do this!

Chapter 336 His Majesty's Bestowal of Marriage is Also an Act of Imperial Favor (1)

There was a slight commotion in the imperial court.

These seasoned veterans could all see that Song Yan's growth was unstoppable.

The censor's impeachment was a test.

If Song Yan showed even the slightest sign of weakness, he would face a relentless barrage of attacks. But no one could have predicted that Song Yan's response would be so drastically different. He acted like a rogue, giving these civil officials no chance to reason or engage in verbal sparring, and immediately threatening to exterminate their entire families. This rogue-like behavior, ironically, made these officials hesitant to act rashly. Furthermore, this unprecedented title stirred some strange thoughts within these civil officials: Champion, Champion, signifying unparalleled bravery in the army.

Although it was only a marquisate, it was a very clear signal.

Emperor Ninghe is planning to take this opportunity to support military generals.

At this moment, all the civil officials, regardless of their faction, remained silent. They could see the wariness in each other's eyes when they looked at each other. Even though they came from different factions, they were the same in their views on civil officials and scholars. If military generals became too powerful, it would inevitably affect the power of civil officials, which was something they absolutely did not want to see.

However, this Song Yan was different from the opponents they had faced before. Their familiar, established rules were useless now, and they would do nothing until they figured out a way to deal with Song Yan.

The court was very quiet.

There were no congratulatory or congratulatory messages.

After Song Yan accepted the imperial edict and returned to his seat, Fang Hai and Jiao Junze patted him on the shoulder with smiles, preventing him from feeling too isolated. Looking at the edict in his hand, Song Yan was somewhat puzzled. It was clear that Emperor Ninghe had prepared it in advance; otherwise, the eunuch wouldn't have taken it directly from his robes. Before coming to the capital, Fang Hai had told him that even if he had achieved merit this time, Emperor Ninghe would likely keep him in check.

The wood is beautiful in the forest, and the wind will destroy it.

Perhaps, to those who have embraced modern ideas, this sounds like nonsense. Whether in a company or a government agency, can't we show our abilities? Young people are energetic and should seize every opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities so they can climb higher and go further in their lifetime.

However, Song Yan understood that in the current era, in the officialdom of Ningguo, being too sharp and outspoken was never a good thing. Here, seniority was often more important than ability. If you were promoted too quickly, you would inevitably become a thorn in the side of others, and even those who had no grudge against you might turn against you out of jealousy.

Everyone says that Gan Luo became a high-ranking official at the age of twelve, but no one remembers that Gan Luo died at the age of thirteen.

Sometimes, concealing one's shortcomings is also a skill.

I never expected that Emperor Ninghe would act so unpredictably. Is he planning to make him a target, a target for the Bailu Academy and the powerful clans?

It's possible.

In this way, Emperor Ninghe might be able to relax a little.

This tactic of shifting blame was executed flawlessly. Of course, Song Yan wouldn't harbor any resentment towards Emperor Ninghe because of it, since the benefits he gained were substantial. He had originally thought that even if he were to be enfeoffed as a marquis, he'd be content with something like the Marquis of Pingyang, and not a Marquis of Lei. He never expected to be enfeoffed as the Marquis of Champion, a truly unexpected delight. The officials in the Ning Kingdom's court didn't understand the significance of the title "Marquis of Champion" to a transmigrator like Song Yan. However, seeing Song Yan's constant joy, their wariness towards him lessened somewhat: although he was a capable warrior and ruthless enough, he ultimately lacked composure and maturity, and his tendency to show his emotions openly was a major taboo for them.

In a place like Dongling City, dealing with such a person shouldn't be too difficult.

Following that, there was a report from the prefect. Jiao Junze's memorial was a bit brief, since the most important merits had already been mentioned by Song Yan. But in any case, leading the prefectural troops to intercept the Jurchen cavalry under the walls of Dingzhou, and together with Song Yan, annihilating a Jurchen tribe and pacifying four others, were all real achievements. Emperor Ninghe then bestowed upon him the title of Baron of Dingzhou County, thus making him a nobleman.

Currently, Ningguo has a total of twelve prefectures, and besides Song Yan, Jiao Junze, and Fang Hai, there are nine prefects. The subsequent memorials were largely the same as before, reporting peace and prosperity, with the people living in harmony and contentment—in short, Ningguo's situation was excellent. Only one prefect was in trouble; the rebellion of Li Er of Liutang was in his territory. Half a year had passed, and the rebellion had not only failed to subside but had even intensified, earning him a reprimand from Emperor Ninghe. The prefect was sweating profusely, realizing that if he couldn't suppress the rebellion quickly upon his return, his term as prefect would be over.

Before we knew it, it was already noon.

Just as the court session was about to end, Yang Hetong stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Champion previously mentioned that he had captured the queen of Wanyan Guangzhi, the Great Khan of the Jurchens. I wonder what should be done with this foreign queen?"

Song Yan was a little embarrassed. He had been so focused on the Marquis of Champion that he had completely forgotten about Nahetuya, which was rather inappropriate. Emperor Ninghe was also taken aback: "I almost forgot. Fortunately, Minister Yang reminded me. Do any of you ministers have any objections?"

"The Jurchens have committed unforgivable crimes against the territory of Ningguo and should be beheaded as a warning to the world." Before long, someone stepped forward and said in a deep voice.

“No, this is not appropriate. Ningguo is a land of etiquette and should be taught with benevolence and righteousness. According to the rules, it would be better to send her to the harem and make her a palace maid.”

"Perhaps he could be sent to the Jiaofangsi (a government-run educational institution) to learn etiquette and moral education."

The once quiet court was now filled with noise.

According to custom, if a country is destroyed, the captured princes will often receive some rewards, such as being granted the title of marquis or duke. Then they will die unexpectedly for some random reason. As for the king's empress, concubines, and princesses, they will mostly be brought into the harem to wait for the emperor's favor, which is also a way to demonstrate their power.

Humans are, in the final analysis, animals, with animal instincts. Just like a male lion that defeats the original lion king of the pride, it will always kill all the cubs and then take over all the lionesses.

This time, however, the situation was somewhat different. After all, she was a queen of the Jurchen barbarians, and these Confucian officials didn't hold her in high regard. Just a female barbarian, how could she be qualified to enter the harem?

It's more like the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment district).

Emperor Ninghe frowned slightly, seemingly deep in thought, and did not rush to make a decision. Just then, Yang Hetong suddenly stepped forward, and the court fell silent.

"Your Majesty, this old minister believes that the Jurchens are barbarians."

“Although Wanyan Guangzhi declared himself king, he was just a beast in the mountains. His queen is not qualified to enter the harem.” Yang Hetong said eloquently, “But the queen is ultimately a woman. Even if the Jurchens plundered Pingyang, burning, killing, and looting, it has little to do with her as a woman. She should not be too involved. Sending her to the brothel would be a bit too much.”

Emperor Ninghe raised an eyelid: "Oh, then what does Minister Yang think?"

"How about we grant this woman her freedom and bestow upon her the identity of a citizen of Ningguo? This would also demonstrate His Majesty's magnanimity, benevolence, and compassion!" Yang Hetong said with a faint smile.

Song Yan's expression was strange. Although he had only just met Yang Hetong, he did not think that the old man was a kind-hearted person. What exactly did he mean by these words?
I had a feeling that Yang Hetong still had something to say.

As expected, Yang Hetong pursed his lips and spoke again: "In addition, Your Majesty can issue another imperial decree to bestow a marriage upon the Marquis of Champion and the Princess Consort of Wanyan Guangzhi."

Hey!
Song Yan's eyes widened; this old rascal was up to no good.

On the dragon throne, Emperor Ninghe suddenly stood up, his smile vanishing instantly, replaced by a livid face. His chest heaved rapidly, and his eyes narrowed into slits as he stared intently at Yang Hetong, seemingly filled with extreme anger.
"Minister Yang, what did you just say?"

The emperor was angry and laid down millions of corpses.

Although Emperor Ninghe did not possess such an aura, when such a suppressed voice echoed in the hall, it was still like a bolt from the blue, chilling everyone to the bone.

The atmosphere became extremely oppressive.

The heavy scent of incense and the heavy breathing mingled together, yet they couldn't suppress the overwhelming aura.

Beads of sweat the size of beans covered the foreheads of the assembled officials in the hall; their hearts pounded as if they would leap from their chests. None dared to raise their heads, fearing that the chilling gaze would fall upon them and bring about their demise. Beneath their brocade robes, their bodies trembled slightly—a fear that originated from the depths of their souls. While the current Emperor Ninghe could not shake the Yang family or the White Egret Academy, if he truly wished to kill a few people, no one could stop him.

Only Yang Hetong, with a smile playing on his lips, seemed completely oblivious to the oppressive atmosphere and anger in the air, and bowed again: "Your Majesty..."

"This princess was originally a captive of the Marquis of Champion, so there is nothing wrong with bestowing her upon him in marriage."

"As far as I know, although the Marquis of Champion has been married for more than half a year, the Princess is suffering from an illness and it is feared that she will be unable to bear him an heir. The Marquis of Champion is a pillar of our Ning Kingdom. If the Marquis of Champion were to live a life without children, wouldn't that chill the hearts of loyal ministers?"

"His Majesty's bestowal of this marriage is also a great act of imperial favor."

Yang Hetong lowered his head slightly, his face calm, as if he were simply stating the facts without any personal motives.

Yang Hetong dared to speak so boldly at this time because he was fearless. First, the conflict between Emperor Ninghe and the Yang family had almost reached the point of open hostility, and continuing to cover it up would only be pointless. Moreover, given the power of the Yang family, Emperor Ninghe would not dare to directly touch him in court, so Yang Hetong was not afraid.

Secondly, this is also an excellent opportunity to sow discord between Emperor Ninghe and Song Yan.

Whether Song Yan has taken a liking to that princess is not important at all. As long as he brings this up now, if Emperor Ninghe refuses, Song Yan will feel somewhat dissatisfied and a knot will remain in his heart. When this knot grows to a certain size, that will be the time when Emperor Ninghe and Song Yan break up.

The relationship between Emperor Ninghe and Song Yan is the same as the marriage between Luo Tianxuan and Song Yan, with the Jurchen princess being the wedge inserted into this marriage.

Women are jealous.

Moreover, how could a princess allow her husband to have other women by her side?

Luo Tianxuan might cause a scene. Even if she has the demeanor of a well-bred lady and doesn't make things too ugly, her usual little actions will only exacerbate Song Yan's dissatisfaction with her.

Once this discontent accumulates to a certain point, the bond between Song Yan and Emperor Ninghe could break at any moment. Emperor Ninghe, without the support of Song Yan's army, would be a toothless tiger; similarly, without the emperor's support, Song Yan would be much easier to deal with.

He could even find a way to send the news of Song Yan's marriage to the princess into Jurchen territory, and perhaps even use Wanyan Guangzhi to get rid of Song Yan, this scourge.

At this moment, even Fang De's expression couldn't help but turn solemn.

That old bastard Yang Hetong, once he makes a move, it's a killing blow!
(End of this chapter)