Chapter 8

Chapter 8: How Could It Be Junior Fifth Rank

He still had to do what the note said. Just then, more news came from outside.

Chief Attendant Su heard it and immediately tiptoed to the imperial desk: “Your Majesty, Princess Qing Ning has returned.”

Emperor Chong Sheng lifted his brows: “Was there any movement on the Empress Dowager’s side?”

Chief Attendant Su bowed his head respectfully: “This servant heard the Empress Dowager ate more than half a bowl of the sweet fermented rice balls Princess Qing Ning made herself. The Empress Dowager has already fallen asleep.”

Emperor Chong Sheng paused for a moment: “So Qing Ning has learned to behave. I thought Princess Qing Ning would come beg me to take her side.”

Chief Attendant Su lowered his head again: “Your Majesty, this servant fears that may not be a good thing.”

Emperor Chong Sheng did not understand: “How so?”

Chief Attendant Su said, “Everyone outside is saying that when Princess Qing Ning begged for an edict to marry, Princess Qing Ning angered both you and the Empress Dowager. They also say Qi Shu Xian dared take a concubine because you and the Empress Dowager no longer sheltered Princess Qing Ning. But-Your Majesty clearly cherishes Princess Qing Ning.”

Chief Attendant Su continued, “Qi Shu Xian knew that, yet still brought the woman back. That may not-”

Emperor Chong Sheng’s face darkened: “May not what?”

Chief Attendant Su quickly dropped to his knees: “May not be anything but arrogance from taking credit!”

Emperor Chong Sheng’s expression turned ugly at once.

It was true he lacked young military officers. But if that made Qi Shu Xian think the court could not do without Qi Shu Xian, then-

The emperor’s thoughts were impossible to read. After a brief silence, Emperor Chong Sheng glanced at Chief Attendant Su: “Who taught you to say those words?”

Chief Attendant Su’s body jolted. He grew even more frightened and kept kowtowing: “Your Majesty sees everything clearly. This servant only watched Princess Qing Ning grow up. Now Princess Qing Ning suffers, and this servant cannot bear it. Back then, Qi Shu Xian clearly promised Princess Qing Ning that Qi Shu Xian would never take a concubine in this lifetime.”

The sound of his forehead striking the floor continued. In no time, blood showed on his brow.

The suspicion in Emperor Chong Sheng’s heart finally sank. Emperor Chong Sheng waved a hand: “Enough. Get up. Who told you to knock your head like that? You are already so old. Are you not afraid you will knock yourself to death?”

Chief Attendant Su forced a smile: “With Your Majesty’s protection, this servant’s life is hard to kill!”

Emperor Chong Sheng snorted. After thinking it over, Emperor Chong Sheng looked at the imperial edict on the desk, the ink not yet dry: “Fine. Qi Shu Xian is still young. Young people are proud. That Senior Fourth Rank Ping Yan General title really was lifting Qi Shu Xian too high.”

Chief Attendant Su finally relaxed: “Your Majesty is wise!”

If so, that person should be satisfied.

Yet Chief Attendant Su could not help wondering. Since Chief Attendant Su started doing things for that person, Chief Attendant Su only received three orders. The first two could shake the entire court. This time, though, why did it feel like petty personal grudges were mixed into it?

Outside Zi Sheng Hall.

Qi Shu Xian calmly dealt with several officials who came to chat and curry favor.

Duke Qi reminded him, “When His Majesty grants rewards today, you must not grow complacent. Work a little harder. Who knows-maybe our family will one day produce two dukes in one generation. That will be true glory for our name.”

Duke Qi said he should not be complacent, but every corner of Duke Qi’s face showed joy.

Qi Shu Xian gave a slight nod.

In the morning light, Qi Shu Xian’s looks were undeniably striking. His brows were sharp, his eyes clear, and his nose bridge high. With both literary talent and martial skill, Qi Shu Xian carried a faint scholarly air on top of his heroic presence. It only made Qi Shu Xian seem more exceptional.

Soon, as the announcements rose one after another, Qi Shu Xian stood inside the hall under the envious and admiring gazes of the crowd.

Emperor Chong Sheng looked Qi Shu Xian over several times.

Originally, Emperor Chong Sheng intended to praise Qi Shu Xian publicly. But after recalling Chief Attendant Su’s words, Emperor Chong Sheng cut the praise down to a single line.

Emperor Chong Sheng said, “Young and capable, brave in battle.”

Then Emperor Chong Sheng had them read out the imperial edicts for the rewards from the Cang Nan campaign.

Qi Shu Xian truly had great merit, but in the battle of Cang Nan, the marshal who actually commanded the army was someone else.

There were three imperial edicts in total, read from top to bottom.

Based on the final battle where Qi Shu Xian turned the tide, Qi Shu Xian should have been listed as the top contributor. Yet the first reward read out was not his.

A flicker of confusion passed through Qi Shu Xian’s eyes. Only when the last edict reached his name did Qi Shu Xian settle, thinking His Majesty deliberately placed him at the end.

Qi Shu Xian ran through the thanks speech prepared yesterday. Qi Shu Xian was ready to kneel and accept the grace, but then he suddenly heard, “Granted Junior Fifth Rank Xuan Wei General.”

Qi Shu Xian froze on the spot. Qi Shu Xian did not even react when the reading finished.

[Junior Fifth Rank? How could it be Junior Fifth Rank?]

Chief Attendant Su reminded him, “Xuan Wei General, hurry and accept the edict, and thank His Majesty.”

Only then did Qi Shu Xian press his lips together and hide the shock in his eyes. Qi Shu Xian knelt and bowed with his forehead to the floor. As for the looks thrown his way from all around, Qi Shu Xian acted as if he never saw them.

When the conferment ended, Duke Qi stopped Chief Attendant Su, who was about to leave. Duke Qi’s expression did not look good.

Duke Qi said, “Eunuch Su, yesterday His Majesty’s meaning was to confer my son as Senior Fourth Rank Ping Yan General. Why did it become Junior Fifth Rank today?”

Those were two full tiers apart.

Chief Attendant Su smiled: “Is Duke Qi and the Heir Apparent questioning His Majesty?”

Duke Qi forced the words through his teeth: “I would not dare. I would not dare.”

Chief Attendant Su walked away.

Duke Qi watched him go, helpless. The people who wanted to befriend Qi Shu Xian for his war merit also lost their earlier enthusiasm. The emperor’s heart was hard to read. Who knew what His Majesty truly meant?

Duke Qi still wanted to investigate further, but Qi Shu Xian took a slow breath and stopped Duke Qi.

Qi Shu Xian said, “Father, let’s go back first. Perhaps this is His Majesty testing me. I am still young. Senior Fourth Rank really would have been too much.”