The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife-Chapter 525: A’Yuan Wants to Be Emperor, and He’s Willing to Offer Himself Up

Chapter 525: A’Yuan Wants to Be Emperor, and He’s Willing to Offer Himself Up

Xie Beihan looked at Empress Xie with a pained expression, but remained silent.

However, Empress Xie hadn’t completely lost her sanity. She knew very well that her son had committed such treasonous acts and had surrounded the Chu family. Nanli, being a fiery character, would hardly offer help easily.

What to do? What to do?

Empress Xie collapsed onto a seat, her mind in turmoil as she pondered what to do.

Xie Beihan offered some advice, "Aunt, if you do good deeds in the future, all the merit will be credited to Yan’er, and he can escape from suffering sooner."

Empress Xie’s eyes were red as she looked at Xie Beihan, her voice choked with emotion, "Is that really true?"

"Yes," Xie Beihan assured, "I will also do good deeds and credit them to Yan’er." He continued to comfort her, "Aunt, actually, the Emperor has chosen a good burial site for Yan’er. What’s important now is to bury him as soon as possible so we can accumulate merit for him."

As a mother, how could she bear to see her son suffer in hell?

She grasped Xie Beihan’s hand, pleading desperately, "I can arrange for Yan’er to be buried soon, but Beihan, since you are acquainted with A’Li and the Chu family, could you plead for him?"

Xie Beihan wanted to resolve this matter quickly and avoid having Ye Chengyan’s body remain in Fengxi Palace. He replied vaguely, "I will."

Empress Xie placed all her hopes on him, "Beihan, I am relying on you."

Xie Beihan nodded without speaking.

"Really, I am relying on you," Empress Xie reiterated with a deep, sorrowful gaze.

Xie Beihan thought her gaze was cold, but he assumed it was due to her extreme sadness. He believed that after some time, she would recover, so he didn’t take it to heart.

That day, Empress Xie finally allowed the Imperial Guard to carry Ye Chengyan for burial. He was not eligible to enter the royal tomb, so he was buried on a hill near the temporary palace--a decent location.

After burying her son, Empress Xie fell ill.

Emperor Muwu was concerned but Empress Xie did not want to see him. He could only instruct the chief physician to take good care of her.

As the New Year approached, the palace and the surrounding areas began to bustle with activity.

After discussing with Prime Minister Lu and other senior officials, Emperor Muwu issued a decree of rewards and honors.

On that day, Chu Hanlin was granted the title of Duke of An’guo. The five sons also received rewards, and even the Grand Lady was given a gold-inlaid jade tiger-head cane. Among all the elderly in the capital, no one was more honored and illustrious than she was.

Chu Ye, already a third-grade General Wei Yuan, would be promoted to second-grade if rewarded further. However, due to his youth, Prime Minister Lu, as the future father-in-law of the Chu family, was worried that Chu Ye might become too arrogant if promoted too quickly. He suggested to Emperor Muwu not to promote Chu Ye’s official rank but to just give him some rewards.

Emperor Muwu understood Prime Minister Lu’s intentions, which aligned with Chu Hanlin’s views, and thus did not insist on promoting Chu Ye.

However, to avoid discouraging loyal officials, Emperor Muwu awarded Xiao Wanyi the title of third-grade Lady of the Court.

As for Chu Shuo, Emperor Muwu originally intended for him to hold a minor official position. Unexpectedly, on the day of the award, Chu Shuo had another request: "Your Excellency, could you tell the Emperor that I do not wish for an official position or reward but have only one request?"

The chief manager of the palace eunuchs smiled and said, "Second Master, please tell me your request. I will relay it to the Emperor."

Whether the Emperor agreed was no longer his concern.

Chu Shuo, delighted, said, "I am about to marry a young lady from the Lu family and wish to hold a grand and lively wedding. This may be a bit excessive, but I hope the Emperor will grant it!"

Madam Shen, kneeling in the front, glanced at Chu Shuo with resignation upon hearing this. She hadn’t expected him to still be concerned about such matters.

He must want the Lu family’s pearl crown to be encrusted with pearls from the Eastern Sea.

This child... once he fixes his sights on someone, he truly wants to give her the best in the world.

Chu Hanlin also understood his son.

If the Emperor agreed, he would certainly make the wedding very grand!

"Chu Shuo, you--"

Before he could finish, the Grand Lady interrupted with a smile, "Since he only asks for this one favor, let him have it."

The Chu family had survived the harsh winter thanks to the supplies brought by Chu Shuo, so granting his wish was acceptable.

With the Grand Lady’s approval, Chu Hanlin and Madam Shen naturally fell silent.

"Thank you, Grandmother!" Chu Shuo said happily.

The chief manager of the palace eunuchs smiled even more broadly, "Please rest assured, Second Master, I will inform the Emperor of your request as soon as I return to the palace."

Chu Shuo expressed his gratitude again.

The chief manager continued to read out the decree.

Chu Huan was awarded a complete set of the Spring and Autumn Annals, a rare book long held in the palace library.

Seeing the large box of books, Chu Huan’s eyes widened with excitement.

Qi Mu, standing nearby, couldn’t help but roll her eyes at his reaction.

She couldn’t understand how such a scholarly person could pick up a sword.

When it came to Chu Yang, Emperor Muwu awarded him a sword box.

The box didn’t look very special and its origin was unknown, but it had been stored in the treasure vault since the founding of Mu Nation. For hundreds of years, as long as the dust was wiped away, the wood and metal joints remained bright and new.

Chu Yang eagerly opened it.

The sword box was not large but was empty.

"..." Chu Yang’s mouth twitched. He wondered why the Emperor didn’t fill the box with a few good swords.

The chief manager of the palace eunuchs helplessly explained, "Fourth Master, there are no suitable swords left in the palace treasury. The Emperor’s intention is that this box is good, and you can collect swords yourself to fill it up as you travel the world."

Chu Yang thought about it and felt it was indeed more meaningful to collect his own swords.

Gifts from others might not suit him.

Qi Mu, hearing this, gave him a thumbs up and said, "Great minds think alike!"

Chu Yang smiled back at her and bowed slightly, appreciating her support.

Chu Huan was also thrilled, but when he saw the two of them looking so in sync, his gaze darkened.

Then came Chu Yan.

Expecting him to receive some precious treasure, it was surprising when Emperor Muwu appointed him as the Junior Secretary of the Dali Procuratorate.

The Chu family was astonished.

Chu Yan stood stunned.

To be appointed to such a high position straight away, without starting from a lower rank, was unprecedented.

Yet Emperor Muwu had directly appointed him as a fourth-grade official!

Chu Yan was only seventeen!

Chu Hanlin hurriedly refused on behalf of his son, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your favor, but Fifth Son is still young and has no prior official experience. He cannot take on such an important position."

Chu Yan also nodded, "Father is right. How can I, lacking merit, be given such a heavy responsibility!"

In the corner, Qi Hong was furious.

Was Chu Hanlin going senile? How could A’Yuan not be fit for an important position?

If they returned to Qi Nation, even if A’Yuan wanted to be Emperor, he would be willing to offer him up with both hands.