“Of course, I cannot allow the Empress Dowager to pray while ill, so I have decided to choose a person of great fortune to ascend the pagoda and pray on her behalf.” Helian Qi calmly finished the sentence.
Then his gaze turned to Ning Wanyin.
“I have heard that your grandmother is devoted to Buddhism and has a granddaughter as virtuous as you. She must be a blessed person. Let your grandmother go to the pagoda to pray on behalf of the Empress Dowager.”
All eyes fell on Ning Wanyin and then turned to the seat of the Count of Shou’an.
Normally, the Count of Shou’an might not be able to attend such an occasion. There was a certain number of seats available for nobles, so with so many people, the Ning family wouldn’t be able to get a seat.
Ning Wanyin had become the Emperor’s favored concubine, so the Ning family got a seat this year.
At this moment, sitting in the seats were Old Mrs. Ning and Cheng Shi. There were no extra seats for Ning Ziyin, and besides, she had just been banished by the Emperor, so Old Mrs. Ning dared not let her out and offend the Emperor.
Old Mrs. Ning never expected the Emperor to suddenly mention her. She was stunned for a moment before reacting and then shakily stepped forward to bow and kneel down.
“Your Majesty’s kindness is too much for this old woman…this old woman…”
Sending her to a Buddhist pagoda for three years of seclusion and fasting—wasn’t that just locking her up in the mountains for three years?
“Old Mrs. Ning, you only need to express your gratitude for His Majesty’s decree!” Wang Degui coughed, reminding her.
Old Mrs. Ning was filled with rage.
It must be that wretched Ning Wanyin who whispered in the Emperor’s ear!
But how could she refuse an imperial decree?
“This old woman thanks Your Majesty!” Old Mrs. Ning could only grit her teeth and agree.
After making the arrangements, Helian Qi looked at Duke Xue and asked, “What do you think of my arrangements, Duke?”
“Your Majesty’s filial piety is evident. Your Majesty is wise!” Duke Xue readily complied.
Otherwise, should the Empress Dowager go in person? Of course, one should praise the Emperor’s wisdom.
Seeing this, Xue Zhaoyi realized that the Emperor had no intention of driving the Empress Dowager out, and the Xue family would never allow the Empress Dowager to be driven out.
The Emperor used this as a pretext to drive away the Old Mrs. Ning from the Ning family.
Moreover, the Ning family could only express their honor.
Praying on behalf of the Empress Dowager—wasn’t that a tremendous favor?
“Old Mrs. Ning prayed for the Empress Dowager without complaint. Ning Shi also took meticulous care of me, and the Count of Shou’an is serving me loyally. Your Ning family is full of loyalty and virtue. I am greatly pleased.” Helian Qi continued.
“Issue my decree: bestow upon the Ning family a plaque inscribed ‘Loyalty and Virtue’, and grant Countess of Shou’an the title of Second-Class Noblewoman.”
First-class: Duke, second-class: Marquis, third-class: Count.
Cheng Shi’s rank remained that of a third-class countess, but she enjoyed the privileges of a marquis’s wife.
(In the Great Yan Dynasty, there were two types of conferment of titles upon wives: one based on her husband’s noble title, and the other on her husband’s official rank.)
Ning Wanyin was taken aback. She looked at Helian Qi in surprise, stood up, and bowed, “Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty.”
Cheng Shi and Old Mrs. Ning also hurriedly bowed to express their gratitude. However, one’s face was full of joy, while the other’s smile was rather forced.
Helian Qi looked at Ning Wanyin and saw the look of surprise on her face, which pleased him greatly.
…
After the banquet ended, Ning Wanyin took a bath and changed into her nightgown.
Lian Rui, tending to Ning Wanyin’s hair, said happily, “Miss, His Majesty treats you so well! He sent the Old Madam to the mountain to vent your anger. He also promoted the Eldest Madam to the status of a second noblewoman and bestowed favors upon the Ning family. Now, who doesn’t envy the Ning family?”
“I didn’t expect His Majesty to do these things…” Ning Wanyin leaned back in the bathtub, slightly surprised.
She only wanted the Emperor to show her more pity. She truly hadn’t expected His Majesty to interfere in the Ning family’s affairs, bestowing both rewards and punishments.
She now understood why the women in the harem, even knowing that falling in love with the Emperor was a painful thing, still flocked to him.
When the Emperor wanted to be good to you, he could give you so much.
But…
Ultimately, all of this came from imperial power.
Imperial power—that’s the most alluring thing in the world.
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Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152