Volume Two: Following in the Ancestors' Footsteps, Brocade and Blood Chapter 148: Conferment of Peerage

The capital remained shrouded in tension throughout the day. Apart from Duan Canghai and Qi Feng, who were out gathering intelligence, everyone within the Marquis's Mansion stayed indoors.

Since Yang Ning could not go out, he spent his time practicing the *Scripture of Purity* within the estate. Having been introduced to martial arts, he was well aware that while his status as the heir to the Brocade-Clad Marquis afforded him a life of comfort and abundance, it also made him a target of envy and a thorn in the side of certain individuals. Although the mansion possessed a formidable guard of skilled martial artists, it was impossible to have them shadow him twelve hours a day. Dealing with ordinary adversaries was one thing, but encountering a true master meant he would ultimately have to rely on his own strength for protection.

With this thought in mind, he diligently practiced the *Scripture of Purity*. Young Little Monk Zhenming possessed considerable martial arts skills despite his tender age and unpretentious demeanor. While this might not be entirely attributed to the *Scripture of Purity*, the scripture undoubtedly played a vital role. Moreover, knowing that the yet-unmet Jingchun was actually Grand Uncle Qi, and realizing there must have been a deliberate reason for him to pass down the scripture, Yang Ning seized every spare moment to cultivate it.

As a Buddhist mental cultivation method, the *Scripture of Purity* could not yield instantaneous results. Yang Ning understood this clearly, knowing he had to build his foundation gradually step by step. Thus, although he practiced continuously and was still unable to circulate his vital energy smoothly, he remained calm and unhurried.

For two consecutive days, the streets and alleys remained blocked to traffic. According to information gathered by Duan Canghai, the Crown Prince had already held the grand sacrificial ceremony to the heavens at the Great Brilliance Temple and formally ascended the throne as Emperor, awaiting only his return to the capital to issue a universal proclamation.

Yang Ning reflected that although the Crown Prince had ascended the throne, it did not guarantee that the overall situation had settled.

At noon that day, Zhao Wushang hurried over and announced, "Young Lord, someone from the palace has arrived. It is the Crown Prince—no, His Majesty's imperial edict has arrived! Eunuch Fan has already entered the estate. Young Lord, you must hurry and receive the edict."

Yang Ning asked, "The Crown Prince—oh, has the new Emperor returned to the capital?"

"I have not yet heard of His Majesty's return," Zhao Wushang replied.

Yang Ning hurried to the main hall of the Marquis's Mansion, where everyone in the household had already rushed over, kneeling densely across the courtyard. Stepping forward, Yang Ning saw that Gu Qinghan and Duan Canghai were among them, though Qi Feng was missing—presumably still out gathering intelligence. Tang诺 was naturally absent, while the ugly man in the black cloak whom Yang Ning had brought back from Jiangling sat at the very back of the crowd. While everyone else was kneeling, he remained seated on the ground, grinning foolishly at the crowd.

Someone nearby cast him a warning glance, but the ugly man in the black cloak ignored it entirely, seemingly oblivious to the meaning, and instead looked up at the sky.

Upon arriving, Yang Ning recognized the eunuch delivering the edict as Eunuch Fan, a familiar face from Qi Jing's funeral. He was followed by several junior eunuchs, two of whom carried exquisitely crafted boxes.

Seeing Yang Ning appear, Eunuch Fan beamed with a genial smile and said, "Young Lord, His Majesty has issued an edict. Let us receive it first!"

Yang Ning cupped his fists and knelt at the front. Eunuch Fan opened the imperial edict and read in a shrill, piercing voice:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: A household of loyalty and filial piety has long since fulfilled its domestic teachings; the lineage carrying forward the virtues of integrity and martial valor regards the bonds of human relations with solemn reverence. Shining brightly without blemish, guiding the future with proper methods, we hereby confer the glory of an elevated peerage to manifest our recompense of virtue. You, Qi Ning, grandson of the late Marquis, the Righteous Duke, and legitimate eldest son of the former Marquis Qi Jing, are naturally endowed with outstanding talent, your gaze flashing like lightning. You benefit your clan and harmonize your kin, akin to Yan Ying's generosity to the multitude, and share your clothing and food like Fan Chun's benevolence. You embody the benevolence that continues the Qi family lineage and vividly manifest loyalty to the state. By virtue of our profound grace, you are hereby bestowed the succession to the title of the Brocade-Clad Marquis, along with this imperial decree. Oh, let the footsteps of the unicorn be peerless, the green-locked doors manifest the teachings of righteousness, the patterned garments shine with brilliance, and the purple court display the light of lingering fortune. Respect this!"

Eunuch Fan's voice rose and fell with rhythmic modulation. As the edict was read, his face glowed with radiance, while Yang Ning listened in a daze. He could barely comprehend ten percent of the entire proclamation, but the phrase conferring upon him the title of the Brocade-Clad Marquis was crystal clear. Although he had known that the title would eventually be bestowed upon him sooner or later, he never expected it to be decreed so suddenly at this juncture, leaving him greatly surprised.

"Little Marquis, quickly receive the edict!" Eunuch Fan said with a piled-up smile. "This humble servant congratulates the Little Marquis!" Closing the edict, he took two steps forward and handed it over.

Realizing the edict was being offered, Yang Ning snapped back to his senses and hastily said, "I thank the Emperor for his boundless grace!" Receiving it with both hands, Eunuch Fan personally stepped forward to help Yang Ning rise, speaking in a warm tone, "Little Marquis, His Majesty holds you in the highest regard and keeps you constantly in his thoughts."

"Eunuch, has His Majesty... has His Majesty returned to the capital yet?" Yang Ning asked.

Eunuch Fan offered a mysterious and unfathomable smile. Gu Qinghan had already stepped forward and said, "Ning, quickly invite the Eunuch into the hall for tea."

Yang Ning immediately snapped to attention, keenly aware that official circles differed vastly from the pugilistic world and allowed for not a single moment of carelessness. He promptly smiled and said, "Eunuch, please come inside. Someone, serve tea!"

Eunuch Fan smiled. "There is no need to trouble yourselves, no need! This humble servant has delivered the edict and shall not—"

"You have labored so hard to deliver the edict, Eunuch. Can you not even spare time for a cup of tea?" Yang Ning caught Eunuch Fan by the arm. "Come, come, come inside for tea." He glanced around and saw that everyone in the mansion wore expressions of joy, even Duan Canghai bearing an undisguised look of excitement. Understanding their emotions, Yang Ning offered a faint smile.

Beaming from ear to ear, Eunuch Fan said, "In that case, I must intrude."

Entering the main hall, Yang Ning deferentially invited Eunuch Fan to take the seat of honor. Although the status of a chief eunuch could not compare to that of a marquis, a person working in the palace and serving closely beside the Emperor could never be neglected.

Servants promptly brought in freshly brewed tea, and even the two accompanying junior eunuchs were treated with courtesy.

"Eunuch, please taste this tea and see how it is," Yang Ning said, knowing that Gu Qinghan handled matters thoroughly; anything used to entertain people from the palace would naturally be of high quality.

Eunuch Fan picked up his teacup, took a small sip, set it down, and gave a thumbs-up. "Truly excellent tea!" He then added, "Ah yes, His Majesty also specifically bestowed two precious items!" Turning back, he gave a slight signal, and the two junior eunuchs stepped forward, placing the boxes on a table beside Yang Ning.

Unable to open them on the spot, Yang Ning remained unaware of what the Emperor had bestowed. However, he heard Eunuch Fan say with a genial smile, "Little Marquis, His Majesty is still at the Great Brilliance Temple. The late Emperor's sacred remains were moved to the imperial mausoleum today. After holding the grand sacrifice to the heavens, His Majesty spent the past two days praying for the late Emperor at the Great Brilliance Temple and will subsequently proceed personally to the imperial mausoleum. Therefore, he will not be able to return to the capital for a few more days."

Yang Ning was startled, reflecting that recent events in the palace had all been unexpected: the Crown Prince leaving the city in the middle of the night, and the late Emperor's remains being suddenly transported away today. Despite Duan Canghai's well-informed sources, they had been a step behind over the past few days.

Just at that moment, Duan Canghai walked in through the side door carrying a tray. Yang Ning glanced down and saw four gold ingots resting upon it, each weighing no less than ten taels. Catching sight of the gold ingots, Eunuch Fan merely cast a casual glance before picking up his teacup once more, completely composed and at ease.

Duan Canghai whispered a few words into Yang Ning's ear. Yang Ning nodded slightly and smiled at Eunuch Fan. "I have long heard that Eunuch has no particular hobbies other than savoring fine tea. I have prepared a modest token for tea expenses here. Please accept it with a smile, Eunuch!"

As Duan Canghai approached with the tray, Eunuch Fan immediately protested, "Little Marquis, this must not be! How could I allow you to go to such expense?" Waving his hands repeatedly, he said, "This will not do, this will not do!"

Yang Ning replied, "Eunuch knows that today is a day of great celebration for the Marquis's Mansion. Will you refuse to give me face by accepting a cup of tea from us, Eunuch?"

"This...!" Eunuch Fan smiled. "If the Little Marquis puts it that way, then I would be impolite to decline." Glancing back, a junior eunuch hurried forward and took the tray. Eunuch Fan gave another subtle nod, signaling the two junior eunuchs to withdraw. Duan Canghai followed them out and slipped a silver ingot to each of the junior eunuchs.

Observing this, the smile on Eunuch Fan's face deepened. "The Little Marquis is far too courteous. We will have a long time to deal with each other in the future, and the Little Marquis must offer much guidance."

"It is I who must rely on your guidance, Eunuch." Seeing Eunuch Fan dismiss the junior eunuchs—evidently to speak privately—Yang Ning maintained his composure and gestured, "Eunuch, please, have some tea!"

Eunuch Fan smiled and nodded, lowering his voice slightly. "Little Marquis, since you have treated this humble servant with absolute sincerity, I shall not conceal the truth from you. Your enfeoffment today was no simple matter; quite a few people behind the scenes opposed it."

"Oh?" Yang Ning put on an attitude of humble inquiry. "Eunuch, how so? Could it be that I have offended someone?"

"Someone submitted a memorial containing rather unpleasant words about the Little Marquis, claiming that you lacked the demeanor of the former Marquis, whereas the young master of your honorable household possesses the temperament of the late Marquis," Eunuch Fan said in a low voice. "The memorial advised that the young master of your household should inherit the marquisate, and even..." He glanced left and right before lowering his voice further, "...even certain members of your own Qi family spoke ill of you behind your back."

Fully aware of the situation, Yang Ning smiled faintly. "Eunuch, let me speak from the bottom of my heart. My late father departed hastily, and that some would harbor illicit ambitions is well within my expectations."

Eunuch Fan remarked, "His Majesty's current predicament is quite similar to that of the Little Marquis..." Pausing for a moment, he smiled and continued, "His Majesty holds the Little Marquis in high esteem. Immediately following the grand sacrificial ceremony, he issued the edict conferring your peerage, mindful of the Brocade-Clad Marquis's generations of loyalty and righteousness toward Great Chu."

Yang Ning cupped his fists toward his left shoulder, sighing with emotion, "With His Majesty's boundless grace, the Brocade-Clad Marquis's Mansion can only pledge its allegiance to the death and shall never fail His Majesty's painstaking efforts."

Eunuch Fan smiled. "His Majesty said that upon returning to the capital, he wishes to converse properly with the Little Marquis. The Little Marquis may make preparations in advance so that you will be ready for an audience with the Emperor when the time comes."

Yang Ning wondered whether the old eunuch was merely exchanging polite pleasantries or if the new Emperor genuinely held the Brocade-Clad Marquis's Mansion in such high regard. Outwardly, however, he smiled and replied, "Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch. I will certainly make thorough preparations."

Eunuch Fan then stood up and said, "Little Marquis, this humble servant must hurry back and cannot stay long."

"Are you returning to the Great Brilliance Temple, Eunuch?"

Nodding, Eunuch Fan replied, "Indeed. I was charged with His Majesty's imperial decree to return specifically to the capital and promulgate it. Now I must return to attend upon His Majesty's side."

Yang Ning felt somewhat surprised, realizing that the old eunuch had made a special trip back to the capital solely to read this edict. It appeared the new Emperor truly attached great importance to this matter.

After seeing Eunuch Fan and his party off, everyone in the mansion crowded into the courtyard, rejoicing and celebrating. Gu Qinghan seemed to have finally dropped the heavy stone weighing on her heart, and she said with emotion, "Ning, now that His Majesty has issued the edict, you are henceforth the Brocade-Clad Marquis. If the late Marquis and the General in the netherworld know of this, they will surely be comforted." At this, she could not help shedding tears.

Yang Ning sighed inwardly at the impermanence of the world. Two months ago, he had been merely a little beggar in Huize City; now, through a twist of fate, he had been transformed overnight into the dignified Brocade-Clad Marquis. Human life truly was profound and unpredictable.