53. Bestowing Rewards Based on Merit

Early in the morning, at the Tianhe Hall of the Imperial Palace.

This was Yue'er's first time attending the grand morning court. Her heart fluttered with anxiety as she walked all the way from the palace gate to the Tianhe Hall. She knew that once she stepped inside, her destiny would completely change, leaving no room for retreat. At this moment, there was no turning back for her. Perhaps the events of today had already been destined from the very moment she entered the Tianhe Hall to take the imperial examinations. Trembling, Yue'er followed behind Haiyang and Haiming into the Tianhe Hall. Following Grand Eunuch Rong's high-pitched proclamation of "His Majesty has arrived!", Xuan Yuanren, dressed in a dragon robe, walked up to the platform where the dragon throne stood and seated himself with an imposing aura, making his naturally majestic demeanor even more regal.

Everyone bowed deeply before Xuan Yuanren. Yue'er, along with the others, dropped to their knees and chanted in unison, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" It had to be repeated three times like this, as it was a matter of ritual and protocol.

Xuan Yuanren smiled and said, "Rise, my esteemed ministers!" Everyone had filed in and taken their places according to the civil and military ranks. Of course, the front row did not follow the standard civil and military division; it was originally reserved for the imperial princes and royal lords. Because Xuan Yuanren's sons were all still underage, no imperial princes occupied those spots. Instead, those positions were held by Xuan Yuanren's brothers and uncles. Naturally, Zhao Chengxian stood among the royal lords, while Feishu, who had not yet been conferred a princely title, stood at the very end of the line of princes. Attending the morning court was different from ordinary times; one had to strictly follow the rules of the imperial ancestors. Since Yue'er, Haiyang, and Haiming had not yet been assigned official ranks, they only needed to stand at the very back, without needing to separate into distinct groups.

Everyone shouted in unison to express their gratitude, "Thank Your Majesty!" Then they rose uniformly. It was quite a magnificent spectacle with hundreds of people performing the exact same movement simultaneously. From where they stood, Yue'er and her companions could not see Zhao Chengxian and Feishu at all. Now she finally understood why the Emperor had to sit on such an elevated throne; if he were not seated high enough, the ministers in the back would probably not even be able to see who the Emperor was.

Xuan Yuanren continued with a smile, "Has everyone heard about the border dispute between Jiayang and Linyan these past few days? The reason was that Linyan mistakenly believed their commoners had died at the hands of Jiayang soldiers. The successful resolution of this matter is thanks to the following individuals: Prince Jun, Xuan Yuanfeishu, Yang Wentai, Haiyang, and Haiming. Step forward to receive your imperial investiture! As for the three personal guards of the Prince Jun's Estate, let each of them be rewarded with a hundred taels of gold." Those guards were merely retainers of Prince Jun's Estate, making it inappropriate to confer official posts upon them.

Yue'er, Haiyang, and Haiming stepped forward from the very back, while Zhao Chengxian and Feishu only needed to shift slightly toward the center. Zhao Chengxian cupped his hands in a salute to Xuan Yuanren and said, "Your Majesty, this subject does not require any reward or title. Being able to serve the country and Your Majesty is this subject's greatest honor, and even more so, my bounden duty!" He was already a royal prince; if he were granted further honors, it would overshadow Prince Rui, which would only bring him trouble without a single benefit. Perhaps refusing today's reward could be traded for Yue'er's safety in the future.

Xuan Yuanren understood Zhao Chengxian's concerns and thus replied, "Very well, since Prince Jun declines any enfeoffment, then whenever you have any requests in the future, just voice them freely, and I shall certainly grant them!" Xuan Yuanren did not know that Zhao Chengxian was simply waiting for those exact words.

Zhao Chengxian smiled and said, "Then this subject thanks Your Majesty in advance!" I hope you will not go back on your word in the future! Zhao Chengxian thought as he looked at Xuan Yuanren, then glanced briefly at Yue'er. Neither of them could allow any emotional attachment to show in their eyes, because Yue'er was currently Yang Wentai.

Yue'er also wished to politely decline the reward, so she bowed deeply, cupped her hands in salute to Xuan Yuanren, and said, "Your Majesty, this humble subject believes that Prince Jun's words are most reasonable. I also beg Your Majesty to waive this subject's investiture. Knowing that my own talent is shallow and my learning meager, I wish to return to the Wenxuan Library to study diligently and temper myself through experience before returning to contribute to the common people!" She knew this might fail to live up to her reputation as the top scholar of the imperial examinations, but life was far more important than mere fame.

Xuan Yuanren did not agree with Yue'er's words. He shook his head and said, "Scholar Yang is mistaken. Judging solely by this incident involving the Linyan Kingdom, Scholar Yang is a person of genuine talent. If I cannot entrust important responsibilities to someone as capable as you, wouldn't I earn the infamous reputation of failing to recognize true talent? I know Scholar Yang must be speaking out of modesty, but Scholar Yang should remember that excessive modesty borders on arrogance. Could it be that you fear the official rank I am bestowing upon you is too small?" Hearing the tone of Xuan Yuanren's words, appointing Yue'er to an official post was already a certainty. Zhao Chengxian had no choice but to nod gently at Yue'er, signaling her not to refuse any further, as provoking Xuan Yuanren would bring no good results.

Yue'er had no choice but to bite the bullet and express her gratitude to Xuan Yuanren, "Then this humble subject thanks Your Majesty for the grace of this reward!" You truly might end up earning the reputation of failing to recognize talent in the future! Yue'er thought as she looked at Xuan Yuanren. Since there was no way to refuse, she could only devise a strategy later.

Yue'er and the others knelt and kowtowed to receive their appointments. Grand Eunuch Rong took out the imperial edict and read aloud: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: My younger brother Xuan Yuanfeishu has rendered meritorious service to the state, and is hereby conferred the title of Prince Qing, along with the bestowal of a Prince Qing's Estate!" In truth, Feishu should have been granted a princely title long ago, but Xuan Yuanren had not found the right opportunity. Now that the opportunity had finally arrived, Xuan Yuanren naturally made the conferment. Meanwhile, Haiyang and Haiming were respectively appointed as Left Cavalry General and Right Cavalry General, while Yue'er was appointed as a Junior Vice Minister of the Ministry of Punishments, which was roughly equivalent to a deputy chief of police. With that, the investiture ceremony came to an end.