Unexpectedly, the imperial decree from His Majesty soon arrived!
Delivering the decree was a eunuch whose eyes crinkled happily as he gave his congratulations again and again, politely making a fist in salute to the imperial consort the Empress had sent.
Seeing that Su Pan’er was about to kneel to accept the decree, the eunuch stopped her promptly.
"His Majesty said that Mrs. Qin, being pregnant, is specially allowed to accept the decree while standing!"
Accepting the imperial decree while standing, what a great honor this was!
When these words from the eunuch ca out, almost everyone’s eyes landed on Su Pan’er — envious, surprised, curious; all sorts of looks converged on her.
Su Pan’er felt very surprised herself!
Didn’t His Majesty treat Qin Yi too kindly?
Apart from Su Pan’er, everyone else knelt to accept the decree, and the eunuch recited the decree with a casual smile.
The main content of the decree was a long list of rewards and it appointed Qin Yi as a third-grade official with food salary but without actual authority, as well as apostling Su Pan’er as a third-grade lady appointed by the imperial decree.
Everyone was dumbfounded, and those around Qin Yi and Su Pan’er were stunned by this big surprise!
Even Ye Han showed a surprised face, apparently he was not inford about this in advance either.
The eunuch finished reading the decree, and when no one ca forward to accept it, he saw everyone kneeling still in shock, and had to lightly cough to remind them.
Everyone finally ca to their senses, thanked His Majesty, and ca forward to accept the decree.
Then, naturally, there were congratulations all around!
Su Pan’er and Qin Yi also had jubilant expressions, and invited the two eunuchs to sit. Both eunuchs declined, stating that they still had duties at the palace and needed to hurry back.
Qin Yi personally escorted them out. As they were about to leave, the eunuch delivering His Majesty’s decree whispered sothing into Qin Yi’s ear.
Causing Qin Yi to nod repeatedly in agreent.
The joy of moving hos was unexpectedly t with a decree of congratulations from His Majesty, and additionally with a promotion. This huge favor left those around Qin Yi both surprised and overjoyed, and the guests who ca to congratulate were extrely shocked.
From the ti Qin Yi arrived in the Capital City until now, just over a month had passed. He had skipped several ranks from being a minor official - not only had he beco a courtier, but he also beca the deputy commander in front of the palace.
This already felt unbelievable.
Now, he moved into the new residence granted by His Majesty who even issued a decree of congratulations, and promoted him as a third-grade official without real authority, and Su Pan’er to a third-grade lady appointed by the imperial decree.
Although he was just a third-grade official with food salary but without real authority, this was a goal many people struggled for their entire life to achieve but could not reach.
Yet he obtained it so easily!
This rate of promotion, this level of favor, was jaw-dropping!
Was there a hidden aning behind this?
Not only were the various calculations in the minds of the visiting officials churning, but Qin Yi himself also had nurous thoughts rolling in his heart.
His Majesty seed to be treating him far too well, didn’t he?
Driven to envy, jealousy, and even giving rise to goosebumps of horror!
Like being dropped into a high-heated oil pan, swiftly turning into a fragrant stead bun that exudes an irresistible aroma, enticing to all. Each person can’t help but wanting to lung forward and take a big bite!
As for what’s going on in people’s hearts, only they themselves know. At least on the surface, everyone kept a smiling face and endlessly extended their congratulations; it was certainly a lively gathering.
The banquet soon began.
The two chefs in charge at the Qin Family’s Mansion were personally selected by Ye Han for Su Pan’er’s health regin, and their culinary skills were superb. Even though the preparation ti was sowhat rushed, both cooking technique and flavor were masterfully handled—they had put out a full table of food.
Even though the table was filled with a variety of dishes, the number of people who could sit in the innermost part of the room was limited-they were naturally those with high status and prestige.
The atmosphere during the banquet was cordial, filled with joy.
Currently, Qin Yi was the object of His Majesty’s favoritism. Given such a festive day, of course, no one would intentionally embarrass them.
The guests chatted and laughed during the al, when they set their eyes on the dishes close to them, the maids and old won serving food would imdiately pick it up with chopsticks to fill their bowls.
Everything was carried out in a remarkably smooth and orderly manner.
Before long, the sounds of toasting and the drinking ga ca from the male guests’ seats. Su Pan’er was pregnant and naturally couldn’t drink. Luckily, there weren’t many heavy drinkers among the female guests.
Su Pan’er accompanied them with tea instead of wine for a small cup, then handed over the duty of accompanint to Jun Ruoxue. Jun Ruoxue and Su Pan’er were good friends, naturally she had no reason to refuse. Unfortunately, many of the guests were seniors. As a junior in this setting, she had no choice but to drink several cups.
A few cups of wine down, Jun Ruoxue’s pretty face was already flushed, but a few of the heavy-drinking ladies showed no signs of inebriation. Fortunately, Mrs. Zhang stepped in in ti and took the responsibility of accompanying the guests in drinking.
Mrs. Zhang did have a high capacity for alcohol, and she was eloquent! With her diation, the banquet was lively, with guests and hosts both thoroughly entertained.
Su Pan’er was sitting aside, supporting her pregnant belly, just maintaining a quiet company.
Before long, a few won started to slur their words.
Seeing the situation, Su Pan’er quickly gestured to Mrs. Zhang, who was a savvy woman who didn’t want to cause trouble at this kind of banquet. After sipping two more drinks, she wrapped it up.
After finishing the al, it was already past noon. Su Pan’er, fighting off fatigue, invited everyone to the western room for tea.
Perhaps it was the effect of the alcohol, these won certainly had beco more talkative. But with the accommodating Mrs. Zhang who could handle all things smoothly welcoming the guests, nothing major happened.
The only one who seed to be causing trouble was Old Mrs. Liu, who was already slurring her words and couldn’t stop talking.
"Everyone says Mrs. Qin is a woman of good fortune. Looking at it now, isn’t it the truth? Forget about everything else, just thinking about His Majesty’s favor, that’s sothing unique to her in the entire capital city. In the future, your Jun Family might also be brought up, benefiting from her prominence."
With these words, the faces of the crowd turned peculiar.
Who in the room didn’t know that although Su Pan’er was technically a mber of the Su family, the Liu Family frequently caused trouble in front of the Ye Family’s Mansion, clamoring for Su Pan’er to recognize her ancestors and return to their clan. As ti passed, most of the guests at the banquet were socialites with keen observation and sharp eyes - who wouldn’t know about this issue.
This was a blatant case of soone unwilling to acknowledge their familial ties, and shalessly latching onto soone else when it suited them. Seeing that they couldn’t have any benefits, they began to sour grape.
Hearing this from Old Mrs. Liu, let alone Old Mrs. Jun and Young Mrs. Jun of the Jun Family, even Jun Ruoxue’s face showed so indignation.
"Old Mrs. Liu, you do have a way with words."
Old Mrs. Jun absorbed the moisture from the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, her eyelids slightly lifted: "My daughter Ruoxue and Mrs. Qin are well-known close friends. Besides, we are getting older and seeing the younger generation getting along peacefully is a joyous affair. As for the issue of benefiting from soone’s success... Old Mrs. Liu, I think you are overthinking it."
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