Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 163 The New Nobles
"Chen Bao, do you think this Marquis of Wenxiang is satisfied with?"

“Your Majesty, being granted a marquisate is the lifelong wish of the civil officials of Great Yu, and he will surely be satisfied,” Chen Bao said, then added, “Moreover, he must be satisfied.”

Marquises conferred by the Later Yu dynasty were not rewarded with land, salaries, or fiefdoms.

But its value is higher than anyone else's.

Because the aristocratic families were already wealthy enough.

The truly elite old money people care about face.

Only marquises could wear marquis robes.

The upper limit on the number of maids and servants in a marquis's mansion is also higher than that of ordinary nobles.

Moreover, when they are able to travel, they ride in three carriages.

Other officials, even those who have reached the position of prime minister but do not hold a noble title, cannot reach this level of status.

If you actually do that, you'll face a very serious charge—overstepping your authority.

Even if it's just a local lordship that can't be inherited, one can still enjoy glory for a lifetime.

The Song family of Huai County truly stepped into the limelight.

"Then do you think Song Shi'an will be satisfied with what I give him?" the emperor asked again.

“Your Majesty, he will,” Chen Bao said. “It is both a challenge and a pressure.”

"It's all about pressure," the emperor joked. "I've observed that this man seems to perform even better under pressure."

The King of Pressure Resistance in Da Yu

"Your majesty is wise and wise."

Chen Bao flattered.

"Since you have accepted the reward and the favor."

The emperor's tone gradually became stern: "Then you must accept my interference."

.........

The jade, robes, and swords brought from the palace were all presented by eunuchs and delivered to the main hall of the Song residence.

At the same time, there was a female official who was about forty years old, slightly plump, but who looked capable and authoritative at first glance. She stood to the side with Eunuch Xi and smiled gracefully.

"This is Consort Xu, who was once Princess Changqing's wet nurse. She was also bestowed by His Majesty to serve the Song family," Eunuch Xi introduced.

Upon hearing this, Song Jing immediately bowed to Eunuch Xi and accepted the invitation with great joy: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I am deeply grateful."

Madam Cui's vanity was at its peak.

This Shangyi is someone who serves the royal family and holds a sixth-rank official position. How did she end up in my Song family?
It’s so respectable.

But Song Ce quickly realized what was happening.

This is His Majesty's blatant act of planting spies within the Song family.

Of course, he wouldn't show that kind of vigilance.

This is where he needs to learn from his father.

Even if it was a 'restraint' from His Majesty, he would accept it without a second thought, as if he couldn't see the intention.

"This old servant greets Your Excellency." Xu Shangyi bowed to Song Jing.

Although they were palace servants, representing the dignity of the royal family and holding a higher status than others, they were still here to serve others. Therefore, they had to respectfully refer to themselves as 'servant' when addressing the head of the household and the mistress of the house.

Song Jing smiled and nodded.

"Does Your Excellency know the purpose of His Majesty sending Consort Xu to the manor?" asked Eunuch Xi.

Plant a spy; a wise man is cautious even when alone.

Song Jing looked puzzled and asked, "This humble official does not know, please enlighten me, sir."

"I wouldn't dare to give any advice. His Majesty personally instructed this old servant to relay the message to the Marquis." After glancing around at the people behind him, which made Song Jing look puzzled, Eunuch Xi said, "The Marquis is a pillar of our Great Yu state, and both of your sons have passed the imperial examinations. They are outstanding individuals among outstanding individuals, yet they are still unmarried."

“My son does indeed have some of his own thoughts…” Song Jing said with difficulty.

"So His Majesty said that sending a nanny was to put the Lord's mind at ease, as the two young masters' children would have someone to help take care of them," Eunuch Xi relayed.

"Your Majesty's kindness is deeply appreciated," Song Jing said, flattered.

"So, let me ask you privately, young masters Song, do you have a young lady you fancy?" Eunuch Xi asked in a low voice, full of curiosity.

"This..." Song Fu frowned. "We were just thinking about this, but that son of mine, Song Shi'an, is really stubborn."

"So, does Young Master Ce listen to what I say?" Eunuch Xi pressed on.

"He's quite well-behaved."

"Haha, it's alright, it's alright," said Eunuch Xi, comfortingly. "The two young masters have very different personalities, but they are both talented men who are filial, righteous, and loyal. Your Highness is blessed."

Song Jing listened, then glanced at Song Qin and Song Ce, and said with unusual kindness, "Yes, they are both good children."

The usually strict father actually praised her in front of the people in the palace?
Song Qin's eyes couldn't help but gleam.

Why am I getting teary-eyed?

Song Ce was deeply inspired and resolved to be as excellent as his father.

"Next, there is another decree, specifically for Little Song... that drunken Lord Little Song," said Eunuch Xi.

“Then you might have to wait a little while, Father-in-law…” Song Jing said with some difficulty.

“Isn’t Lord Song in his room? Let’s go directly there,” said Eunuch Xi.

“He was completely drunk yesterday and unconscious. I’m afraid he’ll embarrass himself if he sees you, Father-in-law,” Song Jing said, still worried.

"Then, for the sake of Lord Song's reputation, you all don't need to come. Let me go with Lord Song Jing."

Grandpa Xi didn't seem to care.

“Alright.” Song Jing nodded in agreement, then said to Madam Cui and Madam Jiang, “You two, take Shangyi to the mansion and prepare the room and the maids to serve her.”

These words immediately aroused Madam Cui's sense of crisis.

Isn't it my mistress's duty to have these palace ladies-in-waiting?

She, as a concubine, also wants to be with me?
I'm annoyed, really annoyed.

But she knew that this noble family had come from Song Shi'an, and now she could only tolerate this concubine to some extent.

“Yes, sir,” Jiang said with a beaming smile.

"Okay." Madam Cui could only express her status through subtle details in her words.

And so, Song Jing, along with Eunuch Xi and several other eunuchs, went to Song Shi'an's room.

He noticed that the eunuchs were carrying plates, which clearly indicated that there were still 'rewards' to be given.

That means these were given to Song Shi'an separately.

It's unlikely that he'll be given an official position.

Because that's not the process.

Officials of Dayu were appointed and dismissed through the formal process of the Ministry of Personnel, and there was also a very important handover process.

That was pure favor. The group arrived at Song Shi'an's door.

A eunuch knocked on the door and asked in a low voice, "Young Master Song?"

"Just push it away."

Song Jing spoke to the young eunuch with a hint of sternness in his voice, as if addressing his son inside.

And so, the door opened.

Song Shi'an lay sprawled on the bed, snoring away.

"Shi An, get up."

Song Jing was quite embarrassed, but he could only blush and walk to the bedside to call out.

But he was still sleeping like a dead dog, and couldn't be woken up.

"Get up quickly, the imperial edict has arrived." Song Jing tugged at his arm, her tone somewhat angry.

Song Shi'an remained motionless.

The eunuch couldn't help but mutter to himself.

"It's probably going to take at least an hour for him to wake up."

"Yes, that's a lot of drinking."

The smell of alcohol was unmistakable; everyone else could tell too. Seeing this, Song Jing tried to pull him up, but the eunuch Xi quickly said, "Passing the imperial examination is a momentous occasion, and it's understandable that young Master Song is expressing his feelings through wine. Perhaps the Marquis could accept this decree on his behalf?"

"Well, I'm so sorry, Eunuch Xi."

Having no other choice, Song Jing could only accept the reward in place of his son.

"Song Shi'an, receive the imperial decree," Eunuch Xi announced loudly.

Inside the room, Song Jing knelt down and prostrated himself to receive the imperial decree.

"The Emperor, by the Will of Heaven, decrees:
I have heard that in times of turmoil, true loyalty is revealed; in times of war, unwavering devotion is seen. In this strategically vital region of Shuofang, a solitary fortress hangs precariously; when the Qi army peers across the river, a lone pillar stands firm in the midst of the torrent. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon you, Song Shi'an, the magistrate of Shuofeng County, a seventh-rank official in black robes, who, with outstanding merit, resisted a hundred thousand armored barbarians.

He was bestowed with a white jade belt.

Gilded crown
The Kui Xing Sword.

Upon hearing the imperial edict, Song Jing was stunned for a moment.

Such an award is too strange.

This is unprecedented in the history of Dayu.

First of all, the title of Earl is rarely granted.

Secondly, these titles were usually bestowed upon hereditary marquises, that is, the sons of county marquises.

Just like Xun Hou Zhao Lun, among his sons, Zhao Xiang was the Marquis of Changxiang, and the rest of his sons, all of whom were born of the principal wife, were earls.

Actually, it's not only the heir to the throne who is called the crown prince.

The heirs of dukes and marquises who are eligible for hereditary succession are called heirs.

Zhao Xiang was the heir of Xun Hou, but in order to distinguish him and highlight the nobility of the royal family, the Dayu state would grant him the title of Marquis of a Township as a transitional title.

So what's the problem?

The key point is that Song Jing's title cannot be inherited.

However, Song Shi'an still retained his noble title.

This is just empty promises from the emperor.

I employ you, and you accomplish your goals. You will naturally enjoy endless wealth and honor, which will be passed down through generations.

Moreover, they were given the same treatment as original shares, a unique case, comparable to nobles and the Sun family.

They became the new nobles.

This pancake is huge!

"My lord, accept the order."

Although Song Jing was also somewhat shocked, he still calmly raised his hands and accepted the imperial edict.

The items were then placed away one by one.

“In that case, let the young master continue to rest. We’ll head back to the palace now,” the eunuch said with a smile.

"Grandpa Xi, I've come to see you off."

Song Jing held the other person's arm and said with a smile.

The Marquis's farewell was also a sign of respect.

Grandpa Xi readily accepted.

Song Jing led them away.

After finally seeing everyone off, Song Jing hurriedly returned to Song Shi'an's room.

Suddenly, a brother and sister appeared.

"Dad...I, I'm here to check on my brother."

Holding the Kui Xing sword in her hand, Song Qin, who had already drawn it from its sheath, said with cold sweat dripping down her face.

"Are you trying to kill your brother?" Song Jing was speechless.

At this moment, Song Shi'an finally woke up, sat up, and said groggily and irritably, "Why... are there so many people?"

"Young Master, you're awake?" Song Jing teased. "You weren't pretending to be asleep when you received the imperial decree, were you?"

"Father, what about Consort Xu?" Song Ce whispered a reminder.

"Don't be too reserved at home, just don't say anything inappropriate."

Song Jing, on the other hand, was completely at ease and showed no discomfort at being monitored.

Moreover, given Song Gan's quick wit, he should immediately arrange for a maid to spy on, or rather, 'keep an eye on' this old palace maid, so that she can report directly to him if there is any movement.

"Although I heard most of it, I was really sleepy at that time..." Song Shi'an explained.

"That's enough," Song Jing interrupted, turning directly to the group and asking, "Do you know what other purpose Xu Shangyi has in coming here besides keeping an eye on our family?"

Song Ce and Song Qin both shook their heads.

“She is Princess Changqing’s wet nurse,” Song Jing said, looking into Song Ce’s eyes.

Song Ce still didn't understand it very well.

But what's strange is why my father specifically spoke to me like that?
A hint of hesitation appeared in his eyes.

Song Shi'an, standing behind him, also looked at his gentle and kind younger brother.

"Your Majesty wouldn't be thinking of marrying the princess into our family, would you?"

Song Qin guessed in surprise.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Song Shi'an said sternly to the astonished Song Ce, "If you don't want to, then refuse."

(End of this chapter)