After the servants set up a table in the main hall, where incense sticks were burning, Song Yixiao wore solemn make-up and magnificent clothing, kneeling before the hall decently.

After the protocol officer finished reading the article about conferring Song Yixiao with an honorary t.i.tle, which contained pairs of four parallel constructions and six-character sentences, Song Yixiao kowtowed and expressed her profound grat.i.tude to the Emperor's honor. Raising her hands above her head, she took over the imperial decree made up of the jade axis and brocade embroidered with flying phoenix-like birds and stood up with the help of the maids by her side. Before she offered her greetings, the protocol officer joined his hands together in salute as he said indifferently, “Your Highness, I have to leave first since I have other official business to take care of!”

“Please take care of yourself!” Based on the protocol officer's behavior, Song Yixiao knew it was clear that he didn't want to get close to Duke of Yan's family, thinking that he was supposed to be Qiu Shuxia's confidant. As a result, she didn't even bother to brush him off. Nodding reservedly, she handed the imperial decree to Jinxun after seeing the protocol officer stepping over the threshold as she said, “Put it together with the one I got when Empress Dowager granted marriage to me!”

“Your Highness, congratulations!” After Jinxun took over the imperial decree, she didn't leave right away. It was not until she came forward to congratulate Song Yixiao along with other maids on the scene that she retreated happily while holding both ends of the imperial decree at her hands.

In the servants' opinion, from now on, Song Yixiao, who they were serving currently, was a lady with an honorary t.i.tle conferred by imperial mandate. She, Lady of Yan, was a first-rank-t.i.tled lady!

When it came to how to celebrate the kind of happy event like this, of course, it was more than simply congratulating Song Yixiao in the main hall where she had accepted the imperial decree.

After Song Yixiao came back to the back hall, the respected servants gathered specifically and took turns to kowtow and salute to her solemnly, congratulating her on the fact that she eventually became a perfectly justifiable mistress of Duke of Yan's mansion.

“Your Lady, We need to go to the p.a.w.nshop and withdraw some banknotes.” It was not after Jinxun distributed the last reward and confirmed that n.o.body was waiting outside that she left the door ajar. After that she added with a smile, “Your Highness, the banknotes you brought over here when you got married are almost used up today!”

“Tell them to serve the dishes.” What had happened to Song Yixiao was supposed to be a happy event. However, Song Yixiao was in a bad mood now. Although she had acted smilingly in front of the outsiders, she didn't bother to keep pretending when only her confidant was present. She said indifferently, “After the lunch is over, send someone to check on the situation in Jiangxing Villa and report to me if there is any update. Moreover, regarding what happened last night, how did Xubai plan to explain to the outsiders?”

Jinxun went outside, ordered the servants to serve the dishes, and took care of Song Yixiao over lunch. After that, she asked Yuedeng to visit Jiangxing Villa and see how the situation there was going on. It was not until she served Song Yixiao with a cup of tea and saw her taking a sip that she spoke, “His Highness went out pretty early this morning. He isn't at home yet so far. However, before he left, he advised us that before he discussed it with Her Highness Jinguo Grand Princess and His Highness Prince Consort to figure out a unify statement, we should neither leak this family scandal to any outsiders nor disclose any detail. Everyone inside the mansion should keep their mouths shut.”

Song Yixiao thought, “A lot of people must have died last night. The neighbors, who were neither deaf nor blind, certainly had got wind of something. Although Jian Xubai said that n.o.body should leak the news, he didn't really mean it.”

As a result, she thought with concern, “Since I did have been held as a hostage for quite a while last night, I wonder whether anybody would say something against me?”

She pondered on it for a while and said, “Based on my observation, there weren't many servants coming here to congratulate me a moment ago, most of whom were the ones who had accompanied me here on my wedding date. Where are others…?”

“Your Highness, I don't know.” As Jinxun heard Song Yixiao's words, happiness in her eyes vanished right away. A hint of fear showed up in her eyes as she lowered her head and said, “It seemed His Highness had issued an order last night that he would conduct a thorough investigation against Chief House Steward's remaining confederates. Many servants were confined in the side yard. Could it be that they were still there?”

As Song Yixiao heard her words, she didn't say anything at all. Instead, she asked, “Hasn't Yuedeng come back yet?”

Yuedeng came back soon and reported to Song Yixiao somewhat anxiously, “It seems that Miss Wei Chan was afflicted with somewhat serious coldness. Your Highness, when I arrived there, the doctor, who had diagnosed you yesterday, was also there. According to him, Miss Wei Chan couldn't recover soon. It would take her at least a dozen days to half a month to take care of herself well before she was fully recovered!”

After that, she added, “Others were fine. Although Sister Qiaoqin and Sister Liyu had a headache, they could stand up already. They would come here to pay respects to you and congratulate you a while later, Your Highness!”

“Tell them to go back to their rooms to have a rest for a few days.” Song Yixiao shook her head and continued, “They don't need to be eager to pay respects to me and congratulate me. A few more manpower should be needed in Chan's dwelling place. She only gets Sudie by her side, who is also supposed to be in bad condition and can't necessarily take care of herself well now. In that case, Sudie certainly can't take care of her.”

Knowing the manpower in Duke of Yan's mansion was scarce now, she ordered Jinxun, “Go to Ms. Zhao's family house immediately, asking her to choose a few girls of suitable age out of those ones accompanying me here on my wedding date to take care of Chan.”

Although a.s.signing the kind of untrained girls who had just entered the mansion to be maids certainly would arouse some difficulties, it would at least solve the current urgent issue. After all, there was n.o.body else in Jiangxing Villa except for Sudie that Wei Chan could order about. Moreover, however immature these girls were, depending on Song Yixiao for their living and lives, they would be more reliable than the ones recruited from outside.

As Jinxun heard her words, she was hesitant for a while and obeyed her order ambiguously.

After that, Song Yixiao asked Yuedeng, “Is Chan in a serious condition now? Is there any medicinal material she is taking that is difficult to be prescribed? Is she awake or…?”

“According to the doctor, Miss Wei Chan's condition is not that bad. However, if she didn't take care of herself well, there might be some future trouble. Regarding the medicinal material she needs, they are common ones, which could be all prescribed based on what is stored in the mansion.” As Yuedeng spoke, she glimpsed at Jinxun quietly and added, “It seems Miss Wei Chan isn't awake yet.”

Song Yixiao, who didn't say anything at all, waved her hands and asked Yuedeng to retreat, leaving Jinxun to serve her alone. After that, she frowned and asked, “Had you told Yuedeng that you didn't like Chan? If not, why was she hesitant about clarifying Chan's condition? She said so to discourage me from visiting Chan in Jiangxing Villa in person, right?”

“Your Highness, you just got hurt because of Miss Wei Chan last night!” Jinxun, whose intention had been exposed by Song Yixiao, felt fearful as well as being wronged. She added, “Your Highness, it is understandable that you had no alternative but to go to the main hall to accept the imperial decree in person a moment ago. Since the doctor had checked on Miss Wei Chan, you, who don't know anything about Chinese herbal medical science, don't have to visit her in person. There is a pretty long distance from here to Jiangxing Villa. What if you get the flu because of the cold wind on the way?”

“It is exactly because of what happened last night that I certainly should go there to check on her in person!” Song Yixiao let out a sigh and explained to Jinxun patiently, “Otherwise, Chan might be pretty fearful! Think about it, how should I explain to the Wei Family if anything happens to her, who was here safe and sound by herself at first? Even if the Wei Family dares not argue in front of me, what will the outsiders think of me if the relative news spreads? You indeed did so whole-heartedly for my good. However, look at how you got it done!”

As Jinxun was about to defend herself, voices of conversation came from the court, which indicated that Jian Xubai was giving an order to Ji Su. Both Song Yixiao and Jinxun stopped their discussion right away subconsciously.

A moment later, Jian Xubai walked in by himself and said, “I heard from the doorman that you had just been officially conferred with an honorary t.i.tle by imperial mandate?”

“Yes.” Song Yixiao replied gently and winked at Jinxun, asking her to retreat. After that, she continued, “Did you come back from Father and Mother's dwelling place? How was it going on?”

Walking to the seat of honor on Song Yixiao's opposite side across the table, Jian Xubai lifted up his robe and sat down. It was not until he upturned the tea set on the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a sip that he spoke, “According to Father and Mother, we should keep what happened to ourselves. After all, they were just some servants. It wouldn't do us anything good if we made it become the talk of the city. Moreover, we shouldn't weaken the festive atmosphere since Yiyou would get married soon!”

“I am afraid that Yiyou would be so furious about what you did that he certainly wouldn't feel happy at all.” Although Song Yixiao thought so in secret, she said instead, “I get your point. However, it happens that we lost so many people all of a sudden at the end of the year when all issues just pile up, which is such a headache!”

“I do have some back-ups for the manpower in the forecourt.” Jian Xubai put down the teacup and raised his eyes as he continued, “Most of them were personal bodyguards serving by my side when I went on an expedition. Since everywhere across the world is peaceful and secure and countries don't attack each other, they have taken off their armor and gone home. They are eager to work for us since they are available and have nothing to do. Besides them, I took in some people in Wuhuan, who can't arrive in the imperial capital until a few days later due to various reasons. It happens that they can make up for the vacancies. As for the manpower shortage in the back hall, I will leave it to you to figure out a way to get it done!”

Jian Xubai's last sentence was exactly what Song Yixiao needed. Even so, she said, “Previously, I constantly thought it wasn't until the New Year Holiday was over that I had to take this issue into consideration. So I am caught off guard. I am afraid it may take me some time before I fill out the manpower shortage. Moreover, training maids can't be done within a few days. I think in the following days, the back hall is likely to be noisy.”

Jian Xubai replied, “Your concern doesn't matter at all. After all, we don't live together with the seniors. If the back hall is noisy, only you and me will be affected. We will put up with it temporarily before the situation goes back to normal.”

Consequently, they made a deal as for how to deal with the manpower shortage. Song Yixiao planned to recall Ms. Zhao right away so that she could discuss it with her. Previously, because of Jingzhao Munic.i.p.ality's favor, You Hong had been fined rather than getting beaten. However, after You Qingchun got divorced and came back to the You Family's house with her son, her brother and sister-in-law refused to take them in. Consequently, You Qingchun had no choice but to ask Ms. Zhao to beg Song Yixiao on her behalf, making her take refuge in Duke of Yan's mansion. Even so, how their son and daughter-in-law had treated You Qingchun and her son made You Hong and Ms. Zhao feel quite furious!

You Hong thus gave his son a good beating. However, his daughter-in-law, who was not easy to deal with, said loudly, “Father, you only care about your daughter and her son without paying attention to your son and grandson at all.” Besides that, she also tried to hang herself and drown herself in the river, making her natal family members send a few people to question the You Family in person. The neighbors nearby consequently enjoyed such a good show of them!

After Song Yixiao knew about what was going on in the You Family, she let Ms. Zhao enjoy her days off and told her to stay at home before the issues of her family were completely solved.

Of course, she did so more than sympathizing for her foster nurse. She was anxious that if Ms. Zhao were still here, she would keep mentioning the love-catalytic fragrance, which, according to her, had been put in the secret cabinet of Song Yixiao's suitcase by Wei Mengying.

However, since she was faced with an emergency now, she had no alternative but to ask Ms. Zhao to come back and a.s.sist her.

After Song Yixiao made up her mind, she was about to ask the maid to come inside. However, Ji Su, who had been standing outside the door, walked in. He, who didn't hold a horsetail whisk as usual, carried a stand for birds instead. A parrot, which was of red lips and green feathers, was resting on the stand, looking colorful. Its feathers were smooth and sleek. Its black eyes looked extremely energized as it looked around. Ji Su bowed and said, “Your Highnesses, please accept my respects!”

The parrot opened its mouth immediately and said in a voice, which sounded like that of a little girl, “I wish you good fortune and every success! May all your wishes come true!”

What the parrot said made Song Yixiao slightly confused. Jian Xubai chuckled, signaled Ji Su to hand the stand to him, and placed it on the table between them in person. After that, he said, “Back when I visited Mother a moment ago, someone sent her a grackle, a pretty smart one, which could also sing songs. It made Mother grin from ear to ear. Thinking that you probably also liked to keep one as a pet, I picked out one in the market on my way home.”

Pointing at the parrot, which was still mumbling about something like “good fortune and success”, Jian Xubai continued, “Although this one is not as talkative as Mother's grackle, it should perform almost the same if you go on educating it. Moreover, it gets beautiful feathers, which is much better than the grackle!”

Knowing that Jian Xubai did so to compensate and soothe her, Song Yixiao felt emotionally complicated in secret and became silent for a while. In the end, amid the expectant look in his eyes, she stretched her fingers out and touched the parrot's head. The parrot pecked her fingers obediently and said, “Beauty! Beauty!”

“Your Highness, look at it! This little thing is so discerning!” Standing before the Jian couple, Ji Su glimpsed at them and summoned up his courage to mediate between them as he said, “His Highness paid for it in the market and asked the owner to clean it before sending it here. I picked it up at the gate. As I carried it along the way here, it said so

Although Song Yixiao held a grudge against Jian Xubai, it would be stupid of her to break off her relations.h.i.+p with him right now. So she said conveniently after hearing Ji Su's words, “This parrot seems to be quite interesting. I wonder whether it is difficult to raise it or not.”

“Of course not! Not at all! All it needs is food and drink!” Ji Su added hurriedly, “Even if it is difficult to raise a parrot, Your Highness, you don't need to worry about it at all!”

As they talked about the parrot, the atmosphere eventually became somewhat relaxing. Jian Xubai stroked the tea cup and tilted his head as he said to Song Yixiao, “Sister Yourui will leave tomorrow. Don't go to see her off since you are injured. If you have anything to say to her, how about you write a letter and I take it to her for you?”

Jian Xubai's words made Song Yixiao at a loss. After that, she realized that several days had gone since Pei Yourui had come to beg them in person. Before Princess Changxing married Jian Yiyou, the Pei Family had to leave the imperial capital. So they were pressed for time. It was true that it wouldn't be appropriate for them to keep lingering here.

After Song Yixiao, who didn't communicate with Pei Yourui frequently, heard Jian Xubai's suggestion, she didn't know what she should say instantly. It was not until she was silent for a while that she replied, “It is said that the south region is prosperous and rich, I sincerely hope Sister Yourui…”

“They planned to head for the north rather than the south.” Jian Xubai shook his head and added, “It took Mother great efforts to convince Jin Suke. However, Grand Secretariat Pei didn't like to go to the south region, saying he missed his hometown so much and he certainly would take Sister Yourui back to Youzhou!”

Song Yixiao bit her lips for a while and stared at the ground tile not far away from her as she said, “Then… as for the banknotes we got out of the items in the several boxes of the Pei Family, is it OK that you hand them over to Sister Yourui?”

“OK!” Jian Xubai nodded. Before he was about to say something, Jinxun, who had retreated previously, came in and reported, “Your Highness, Her Majesty Empress Dowager sent an aunt to visit you, who is on her way here now!”