CHAPTER 425: CHAPTER 425 HEARTACHE

Duke Zhen coughed, and it wasn’t the first time the civil and military officials and the Emperor had heard it.

At the city gate, Duke Zhen was already coughing.

During the welcoming banquet, he couldn’t stop coughing either.

Now, his coughing was so heart-wrenching that people worried he might not catch his breath and pass away.

He was already coughing to the point of concern, and now he’s handing over the newly acquired title to Old Master Xie—

Even though it was Old Master Xie who personally captured King Beimo, earning him the greatest merit.

But Duke Zhen doing this made it difficult for people not to suspect if he had little time left.

The Emperor’s nose turned sour, and he personally helped Duke Zhen up.

"Old Prince, take care of yourself; I need you," said the Emperor.

Marquis Dongxiang looked at the imperial decree in Duke Zhen’s hand and laughed, "It seems the Emperor has to issue a new decree."

"Since Duke Zhen passed the title to General Xie, I think it’s better to appoint the Princely Heir for the Prince Zhenbei Mansion too."

"So that the Emperor won’t have to issue another decree later."

The officials were silent, "..."

Appointing a Princely Heir is a big deal; it’s not just about saving a decree.

Marquis Dongxiang was clearly advocating for his son-in-law to obtain the position of Princely Heir.

Unfortunately, Duke Zhen’s eldest young master was poisoned and had little time left, incapable of bearing the responsibilities of the Princely Heir.

Since Marquis Dongxiang brought up the matter of appointing a Princely Heir, Old Master Xie said, "Please appoint Chenchen as the Princely Heir."

Xie Jingchen being the eldest legitimate son made it reasonable to appoint him as the Princely Heir.

But Duke Chong was the first to disagree.

He looked at the Emperor and said, "Emperor, Duke Zhen’s eldest young master still hasn’t been cured of his poison and can’t engage in battle, otherwise how could he have been publicly seized by the daughter of Marquis Dongxiang."

"The Prince Zhenbei Mansion is a military lineage; how can a Princely Heir who can’t go to war command the army and bear the responsibility of protecting the country?"

Marquis Dongxiang looked at Duke Chong and said, "As the legitimate eldest son, why shouldn’t Young Master Xie be appointed as the Princely Heir?"

"But he is frail. If his poison were resolved today and he were appointed as the Princely Heir, I would have nothing to say!" Duke Chong declared forcefully.

Looking at the resolve bursting from Duke Chong’s face.

The Emperor’s mouth twitched slightly.

Wasn’t he just offering himself up for Marquis Dongxiang to retaliate?

Marquis Dongxiang remained silent.

Half of the ministers in court agreed with Duke Chong’s statement.

After they finished speaking, Marquis Dongxiang said, "Who told you that the poison in my son-in-law’s body isn’t resolved?"

The officials were baffled.

Duke Chong’s face turned dark.

"Marquis Dongxiang, don’t fabricate claims to secure your son-in-law’s position!" Duke Chong asserted that Marquis Dongxiang was lying.

Marquis Dongxiang let out a chuckle.

He found a powerful witness for Xie Jingchen—

The Emperor.

"If Young Master Xie hadn’t arrived in time at the Great Buddha Temple, I might not have survived," the Emperor remarked.

With the Emperor as a witness, could the officials still suspect Marquis Dongxiang of fabrication?

The only criticism of Young Master Xie was the poison in his body.

Now that his poison was resolved, it was only natural for him to be appointed as the Princely Heir.

Duke Chong’s face shone with darkness; he looked at Old Master Xie and said, "Who is Young Master Xie’s birth mother, no one knows to this day."

"With the Prince Zhenbei Mansion holding significant military power, appointing someone with an unclear background as the Princely Heir will be hard to convince the masses."

Old Master Xie looked at Duke Chong and said, "Chenchen is my son; he was raised in Duke Zhen Mansion. How did he become unclear in Duke Chong’s words?"

"Even if Chenchen’s mother was a Beimo beggar, she was still my first wife, and Chenchen is my legitimate eldest son!"

"When I’m appointing my legitimate eldest son as Princely Heir, why would I need your consent?!"

Duke Chong’s face was already unsightly.

Old Master Xie’s phrase, "Why would I need your consent?" nearly made him spit blood in anger.

Duke Chong already controlled half of the court’s military power.

If his nephew then succeeded the Duke Zhen Mansion.

It would be like adding wings to a tiger; wouldn’t the entire Daqi Dynasty be under his control?

The ramifications were clear to everyone.

The Emperor waved his hand, appointing Xie Jingchen as the Princely Heir of the Prince Zhenbei Mansion.

Outside the Political Discussion Hall, there were guards as well as palace attendants.

Any matter discussed in court couldn’t be kept secret from the outside world.

The moment the Emperor decreed Duke Zhen’s appointment as Prince Zhenbei, palace attendants swiftly spread the joyous news to Duke Zhen Country Mansion.

Such good news surely warranted a reward of at least fifty taels!

When the news reached, the Duke Zhen Country Mansion was overjoyed.

The happiest one was the Old Madam.

Princess Nanzhang lay on the bed after having been punished, her pain dulling her joy.

The Duke Zhen Country Mansion being awarded the title of prince was sure to attract many well-wishers.

In her condition, how could she host guests properly?

If some careless words were spread by the servants, what would happen to her reputation?

The dissatisfaction of Princess Nanzhang didn’t affect the Old Madam’s mood.

Filled with joy, the Old Madam rewarded three months of salary to everyone in the Duke Mansion.

Just as she finished her announcement and the maids and servants thanked her for the reward, more palace attendants came with another piece of good news.

Duke Zhen had handed over his title to Old Master Xie.

The smile on the Old Madam’s face froze.

In nearly the blink of an eye, not a trace of a smile could be found on her face.

Mrs. Wang thought the Old Madam was worried about Duke Zhen and said, "Old Madam, don’t worry; the Duke is blessed and will surely recover."

The Old Madam closed her eyes tightly, gripping her Buddha beads firmly.

Inside the Peony Garden.

As soon as Old Master Xie was appointed, Princess Nanzhang couldn’t contain her joy.

Mrs. Zhao said, "Just now, the Duke was appointed, and the Old Madam ordered a three-month salary reward for the entire mansion."

Princess Nanzhang let out a cold laugh and said, "Relay my orders, reward the entire Prince Mansion half a year’s salary!"

Without doing anything, they received half-a-year’s extra pay, making the maids and servants ecstatically happy.

Princess Nanzhang was the generous one.

For the same prince appointment, the Old Madam only rewarded three months, while Princess Nanzhang awarded half a year.

The Old Madam’s joy lasted about half a cup of tea, while Princess Nanzhang’s joy lasted much longer.

A full quarter of an hour.

Xie Jingchen being appointed as the Princely Heir.

Was good news for Xie Jingchen and Su Jin.

But not for Princess Nanzhang.

Princess Nanzhang was the mistress of Duke Zhen Country Mansion, and she had just finished celebrating. Who would dare pour cold water on her now?

No one dared.

Eunuch Fu thought to send his trusty little eunuch with the joyous news to the Duke Zhen Country Mansion.

Manager Li took charge and rewarded the little eunuch fifty taels from the public funds.

When the news reached Su Jin’s ears, she was drinking tea.

Upon hearing it, she sprayed tea far away.

Xingxing couldn’t dodge it, and her skirt got a bit wet.

She shook the skirt and looked at Su Jin, saying, "The appointment of the lord as the Princely Heir is a good thing. Why such a reaction, my lady?"

Su Jin coughed and said, "It’s just that I pity the Old Madam and Princess Nanzhang."

Xingxing, "..."

This wasn’t just pouring cold water on their joy; it was a stab in the heart with a butcher’s knife.

Yeah.

WIth such a good opportunity, it’s hard not to make the most of it as the perfect chance to delight in someone else’s misfortune.

Xing Xing couldn’t hide her delight as she gazed at the radiant eyes of Su Jin, saying, "They’ve had their moment of joy, but now it’s your turn, my lady. "

"Master’s appointment as Princely Heir is excellent news."

Nobody dared to bring her down at such a happy moment.

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