This day, the capital city was covered with a tense atmosphere all the time. Except for Duan Canghai and Qi Feng inquiring outside, all people in the mansion of the Marquis of Honor stayed indoors.

Since Yang Ning couldn’t go out, he often cultivated Purity Scripture in the mansion. He had learnt martial arts and knew that he didn’t worry about food and clothes as he was the heir of the Marquis of Honor, but because of this, he would be a thorn in some people’s flesh. Although there were many guards in the mansion, who were powerful in martial arts, he couldn’t bring them all the time. It was fine if he met an opponent who was average, while if he met a real great master, he had to protect himself with his own strength.

Since he had this plan, he cultivated Purity Scripture hard. The little monk Zhenming was so young yet he was powerful in martial arts even though he didn’t show his ability. Although it might not be only because of Purity Scripture, its influence couldn’t be neglected. And Yang Ning knew that Jingchun whom he hadn’t met once was the fourth elder lord from the Qi family and told somebody to teach him Purity Scripture must for a reason, so he would cultivate when he was free.

Yang Ning was clear that Purity Scripture was a mental cultivation method of Buddhism and couldn’t work immediately, and he needed to build the foundation step by step slowly, so although his breath still couldn’t circulate after he cultivated continuously, he wasn’t anxious.

The streets and alleys had been blocked for two days successively. Duan Canghai got the news that the crown prince had held the ceremony to worship God and officially taken the throne in the Temple of Great Light, and he would make it known to the public after he returned to the capital.

Yang Ning thought that even though the crown prince had taken the throne, they couldn’t be sure that the general situation was settled.

At noon, Zhao Wushang rushed over and reported, “Your Excellency, some people have come from the imperial palace. The crown prince…oh, no, His Majesty’s imperial edict has arrived and Eunuch Fan has entered our mansion. Please hurry up and go to accept the imperial edict.”

Yang Ning asked, “The crown prince…oh, has the new emperor returned to the capital?”

“I haven’t heard that His Majesty has returned,” Zhao Wushang replied.

Yang Ning went to the main hall of the mansion in haste. All people in the mansion had come over in a hurry and knelt on the ground in the courtyard in front of the main hall. Yang Ning came up and saw that Gu Qinghan and Duan Canghai were in the crowd, but he didn’t see Qi Feng. Perhaps Qi Feng was still inquiring outside. Tang Nuo was certainly not here, while the ugly man with the black cloak he had brought from Jiangling was at the end of the crowd. All the others were kneeling, yet he was sitting on the ground, looking at all people while laughing foolishly.

Some people next to him winked at the ugly man, while he turned a blind eye and didn’t understand what they meant seemingly. He just looked up at the sky.

Yang Ning saw that the eunuch who came to declare the imperial edict was Eunuch Fan he had seen at Qi Jing’s funeral. He was an acquaintance, and several young eunuchs followed him, two of whom held a box made exquisitely for each.

Seeing that Yang Ning showed up, Eunuch Fan smiled pleasantly. “Your Excellency, His Majesty made an imperial edict. Please accept it first.”

Yang Ning cupped his hands and then knelt down in front of the crowd. Eunuch Fan opened the scroll and declared in a sharp voice, “The emperor issued the edict. The family of the Marquis of Honor is loyal. They respect the elders and educate the children at a young age. It’s a disciplined and brave family. All the family members obey laws and the three cardinal guides as well as the five constant virtues. They have glorious ancestors and are good at cultivating descendants. They have made great contributions to the country and society. Qi Ning, you are the old marquis’ grandson and the late marquis Qi Jing’s first legitimate son. You are heroic and frank with sharp eyes. You benefit the clan and get along well with the relatives. You are ready to share clothes and food with those in need. You protect and bring honor to the family. You have shown your loyalty to the country, so I will reward you and let you inherit the title of Marquis of Honor. Hope that you will be more outstanding, continue to follow the rules of conduct, protect the family’s good reputation and make more contributions. That’s all.”

Eunuch Fan’s voice was rising and falling in cadence, and after he read the imperial edict, he showed ruddy cheeks, while Yang Ning was dizzy to hear that and could only understand ten percent of the words. But he heard clearly that the title of Marquis of Honor was given to him. Even though he knew that he would be titled sooner or later, he hadn’t expected that he was titled at this time suddenly, so he was surprised.

“Marquis, please accept the imperial edict!” Eunuch Fan smiled brightly. “Congratulations, Marquis!” He had closed the imperial edict and walked two steps forward, giving it to Yang Ning.

Seeing that the imperial edict was handed to him, Yang Ning came back to earth and stated in a hurry, “Thanks, Your Majesty!” He received it with both hands, while Eunuch Fan came over and helped him up in person, saying in a gentle tone, “Marquis, His Majesty thinks highly of you and misses you a lot.”

“Lord Fan, has His Majesty…come back to the capital?” Yang Ning asked.

Eunuch Fan smiled mysteriously, while Gu Qinghan got up and walked forward. “Ning, invite Lord Fan to have a cup of tea in the hall.”

Yang Ning reacted and knew that the officials were not like common people in society, so he couldn’t be careless. He smiled hurriedly. “Lord Fan, please come in. Somebody, serve tea.”

Eunuch Fan replied with a smile, “Thanks. I won’t disturb you. Since I have sent the imperial edict, I won’t…”

“Lord Fan, you are tired as you came to send the imperial edict. Can’t you just have some tea?” Yang Ning grabbed Eunuch Fan’s arm. “Come in. Have a cup of tea.” He looked around, to see that all people in the mansion looked happy, and even Duan Canghai couldn’t conceal his excitement. He understood these people’s feelings, and he just smiled faintly.

Eunuch Fan was all smiles. “So I have to disturb you.”

After entering the main hall, Yang Ning sensibly told Eunuch Fan to sit at the head of the table. Although a manager of eunuchs couldn’t be put on a par with a marquis, he worked in the imperial palace and served the emperor, so he couldn’t be neglected.

Somebody served tea immediately, and even the two eunuchs who followed in were not ignored.

“Lord Fan, have a taste first. How is this tea?” Yang Ning knew that Gu Qinghan was considerate. Since they entertained the people from the imperial palace, the tea couldn’t be of bad quality.

Eunuch Fan picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea. Then he put down the teacup and showed a thumbs-up sign. “Nice tea!” And he added, “Right, His Majesty specially gave you two treasures as a reward.” He looked back and winked, while the two eunuchs held the boxes and walked over, putting them on the table next to Yang Ning.

Yang Ning couldn’t open them in front of the outsiders, so he didn’t know what the emperor rewarded him with. Meanwhile, Eunuch Fan continued with a smile, “Marquis, His Majesty is still in the Temple of Great Light. The late emperor’s dead body was sent to the royal mausoleum to rest in peace today. After His Majesty worships God, he will pray for the late emperor in the temple these two days and then go to the royal mausoleum in person, so he won’t return to the capital city these days.”

Yang Ning was stunned and thought that the people in the imperial palace did everything beyond all expectations these days. The crown prince left the city at midnight, and the late emperor’s dead body was sent away today all of a sudden. Duan Canghai was well-informed, but he got the news late these days.

At this moment, Duan Canghai came in from the side door with a tray in his hands. Yang Ning glanced at him, to see that there were four gold ingots in the tray, with a weight of ten tales at least for each. After Eunuch Fan saw the gold, he just glanced at it casually and then picked up the teacup at leisure.

After Duan Canghai whispered something in Yang Ning’s ear, Yang Ning nodded slightly and then smiled at Eunuch Fan. “In fact, I have heard that you don’t like anything but tea, so I prepared some gold for you to buy some tea. Please accept it, Lord Fan.”

Duan Canghai walked to Eunuch Fan with the tray, and the latter said immediately, “Marquis, thanks a lot, but how can I make you pay so much?” He waved his hand repeatedly. “I can’t accept it.”

Yang Ning stated, “Lord Fan, you know that it is a lucky day for our family today. I want to buy you some tea, but you refuse me?”

“This…” Eunuch Fan smiled. “Marquis, if you say so, I will show disrespect to you once I refuse you.” He looked back, and a young eunuch walked forward, receiving the tray. Eunuch Fan winked again, and the two young eunuchs prepared to retreat, while Duan Canghai walked out with them and gave them some silver respectively.

Eunuch Fan saw that and showed a bigger smile. “Marquis, thank you very much. We will keep in touch in the future, so please take care of me.”

“Please take care of me, Lord Fan.” Seeing that Eunuch Fan told the young eunuchs to go out, Yang Ning knew that this man had something to say, so he kept his countenance and raised his hand. “Please have tea.”

Eunuch Fan nodded with a smile and then lowered his voice. “Marquis, you are honest to me, so I won’t hide it from you. This time, before you inherit the title of nobility, it is not simple, and many people disapproved of it at the back.”

“Oh?” Yang Ning asked modestly, “Lord Fan, why did you say so? Did I offend somebody?”

“Somebody reported to His Majesty and commented on you with some words unpleasant to hear. They even said that you are not like the late marquis, but the younger master in your mansion has the late marquis’ temper,” Eunuch Fan said in a low voice. “On the report, the person suggested letting the younger master inherit the title of marquis and even…” He looked around and then whispered, “Even some people in the Qi Clan spoke evil of you behind your back.”

Yang Ning was clear about that and smiled faintly. “Lord Fan, to be honest, my father passed away all of a sudden, and some people want to concoct a plot, which is as I expected.”

Eunuch Fan expressed, “In fact, His Majesty’s situation is similar to yours…” He paused for a moment and then laughed. “His Majesty thinks highly of you. After the ceremony of worshiping God, he issued the imperial edict and gave you the title of marquis because he considers the marquises’ loyalty to the state.”

Yang Ning cupped his hands and waved them on his left shoulder, sighing with emotion. “Thanks for His Majesty’s kindness. Our family can do nothing but be loyal to him and will never disappoint him.”

Eunuch Fan stated with a smile, “His Majesty has said that after he returns to the capital, he will talk with you. You can make preparations before you see him.”

Yang Ning thought, “I don’t know if this old eunuch said something polite or the new emperor really attaches so much importance to the family of the Marquis of Honor.” But he smiled, “Lord Fan, thanks for reminding me. I will make preparations carefully.”

Eunuch Fan got up. “Marquis, I need to go back, so I won’t stay for longer.”

“Lord Fan, are you going to the Temple of Great Light?”

Eunuch Fan nodded. “Right. I specially came to the capital to send the imperial edict under His Majesty’s order. I am going back to serve His Majesty now.”

Yang Ning was astonished and thought that since this old eunuch specially rushed to the capital to declare the imperial edict, it appeared that the new emperor really took it seriously.

After seeing Eunuch Fan and the others off, all people in the mansion gathered in the courtyard and looked cheerful. It seemed that it took a load off Gu Qinghan’s mind, and she expressed excitedly, “Ning, His Majesty made the imperial edict, so you are the Marquis of Honor from now on. The old marquis and General must be relieved if they know it in the paradise.” While speaking, she shed tears involuntarily.

However, Yang Ning sighed with emotion as everything changed unpredictably. Two months ago, he was merely a beggar in Huize, but now he became the Marquis of Honor by accident. Life was really mysterious.