Wasn't he supposed to be beaten to death? Why did this powerful cousin love him so much?

The news that Jiang Sese had been exceptionally granted the title of Princess Chenjia was kept secret from the entire country because no imperial edict was issued to announce it to the world, nor was the Ministry of Rites made a copy to spread the news far and wide. As a result, no one in the prefectures, counties, mountains, or common people knew about it. Only within the capital city did it cause a huge uproar.

Emperor Jingyuan's imperial edict was quietly issued to the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court. The Department of Ceremonial Affairs worked overnight to finalize the imperial edict format, the princess's crown and robes, and the rank of the ceremonial guard. The Department of Imperial Clan Affairs made an exception and included a woman without imperial blood in the imperial clan register and added her to the list of princesses.

The Ministry of Revenue and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices followed suit, calculating the annual salary of 800 shi (a unit of dry measure) and drafting festival rewards. The corresponding official documents were exchanged and circulated. A number of middle-level officials and physicians who handled the affairs also learned about the inside story one after another, and they were all shocked and astonished.

...Why has the emperor fallen ill again?

When the princes and hereditary dukes in the capital checked the monthly updates of the Imperial Clan Court's registers and came across the brand-new record of Princess Chenjia, their expressions changed drastically, and they were all deeply shocked.

In less than half a day, this imperial edict, which had no explicit command, had spread far and wide.

Throughout history, the title of princess has always been reserved for daughters of the imperial family. There has never been a precedent of an ordinary woman being granted a title of imperial honor, receiving a princess's salary, or living in a royal residence.

The officials of the Ministry of Rites and the Censorate were the first to be moved, and submitted several memorials to the palace overnight. Every word was earnest and every sentence was a direct remonstrance, stating that His Majesty had broken the rules and regulations, violated the established laws of the ancestors, and disrupted the rites of the imperial clan.

According to the system of the Great Yong Dynasty, all memorials to the throne, except those specially ordered by His Majesty to be kept in the capital, were copied and circulated to the Six Ministries for all officials in the capital to read and copy.

Within a single day, from the Grand Secretaries and high-ranking officials of the Nine Ministers to the lowest-ranking civil servants of the Hanlin Academy, the Imperial Academy, and the Six Ministries, every official in the capital knew of this matter. This is one of the advantages of being an official in the capital; you know the news immediately and can then adjust your actions accordingly.

The court was in an uproar, and the hearts of the civil and military circles were shaken. They discussed it privately, saying that His Majesty's move was an unprecedented favor in a century, and also the most absurd imperial grace that was contrary to etiquette.

The news from the imperial court caused a huge uproar among the upper echelons of the capital.

When the various noble families and civil officials met, they all started talking about Princess Chenjia. Some sighed, some were surprised and doubtful, and some were wary.

For a time, the powerful and wealthy in the capital all knew in tacit agreement that this Princess Chenjia, who had no imperial lineage, no noble title, and no powerful background, was a unique imperial exception personally created by Emperor Jingyuan.

The following day, carriages and horses streamed in and out of the newly bestowed Princess Chenjia's residence.

Upon hearing the news, the noble ladies flocked to offer their congratulations. Among them, the most distinguished were Princesses Chen Yi and Chen Pei, as well as Princess Yunhe, Chen Shixuan.

Upon seeing Jiang Sese, Chen Yi spoke first, her smile radiant: "Sister Sese... oh, now you should call me Princess Chenjia!"

Chen Yi chuckled and playfully scolded herself, her tone incredibly affectionate, "When we heard His Majesty's decree yesterday, my sister and I were both surprised and delighted! Such an overwhelming favor shows how much His Majesty values ​​the Princess, and it's also a testament to the Princess's great fortune!"

Chen Yi's eyes were filled with undisguised eagerness.

Chen Pei immediately chimed in, displaying even greater intelligence and tact than Chen Yi, her words flowing flawlessly: "Indeed! The title of Chenjia is unparalleled in its nobility, and this Princess's residence looks magnificent; His Majesty has truly put his heart into it."

Chen Pei's gaze swept over the furnishings in the hall, and she was secretly alarmed.

This kind of honor is something even proper princesses might not receive.

My father is so biased... but I dare not say it aloud. Both thunder and rain are acts of imperial favor.

In the past, the two sisters would tease Chen Shixuan a bit because of her favor with the emperor, but when they heard that her title was Chen Jia... they both fell silent. Although they were young, they had heard a lot about Consort Chen from their mother.

Compared to the princess's residence, the emperor actually ordered the construction of a hot spring resort for Consort Chen. The scale of the project was so enormous that it was almost obsessive for an emperor like Emperor Jingyuan, who cherished his power.

Therefore, everyone regarded Consort Chen as a wicked concubine.

Chen Yi and Chen Pei praised Jiang Sese to the skies, and inquired in detail whether she had been frightened when she entered the palace the day before, showing great concern for her, lest they appear not warm enough.

The character "宸" (Chen).

The weight and implications behind this title were enough to make them put away all their princess-like arrogance.

Think of Consort Chen, whom their father, the Emperor, had devoted everything to… The Emperor's favor towards Jiang Sese before them was far beyond their comprehension and ability to offend. No one was a fool.

One can only envy Jiang Sese for being lucky.

Chen Shixuan sat quietly in a slightly distant spot. She was naturally introverted and shy, and at this moment she seemed even more reserved. However, she was happy for Jiang Sese. But seeing that there were many people, Chen Shixuan was too embarrassed to squeeze through.

But Jiang Sese took the initiative to come over.

no way.

People like to manipulate others.

"Sister Shixuan." Jiang Sese sat down next to Chen Shixuan, deliberately putting on a stern face, but her tone concealed a smile, "Why are you sitting here alone? Has she become distant from me since I was made a princess?"

Chen Shixuan quickly put down her teacup, her voice soft and urgent: "No, no, how could I be distant with my sister... I just saw there were so many people and was afraid of crowding you, so... that's why I sat here. I... I'm really happy for my sister, really—"

Halfway through her sentence, Chen Shixuan met Jiang Sese's smiling eyes and realized that she was teasing her. Her cheeks immediately flushed red.

She was a shy and easily embarrassed princess.

She wasn't even mentioned in the book! She's so cute!