After the two returned to the mansion, they went directly to Madam Da Qin and told her about what had happened in the palace.
Hearing that the Grand Princess was still infatuated with Gu Sinian, Madam Da Qin sighed heavily, "She is, after all, His Majesty's own daughter. With her acting like this, will His Majesty harbor any ill feelings towards you..."
Madam Da Qin's worry was not unfounded. Although Consort An was Emperor Chongwen's favorite concubine and held a high position, everyone knew that favor was the most unpredictable thing. One could be in the Emperor's good graces today and... well, it was very uncertain. For now, due to Consort An's favor, Emperor Chongwen doted on Gu Sinian as a junior. However, no one could guarantee that Consort An would always be favored. If that time came, and Gu Sinian, whom the Emperor currently didn't pay much mind to, rejected the Grand Princess's affections, the situation would be hard to predict.
"Mother, please don't worry. Your son will work hard to earn merit. Even if my aunt loses the Emperor's favor, I will still be able to protect you all," Gu Sinian reassured her. "Besides, His Majesty is a rare wise ruler. He will surely understand that feelings cannot be forced."
Madam Da Qin patted Qi Zhenzhen's hand, "Zhenzhen, Ah Nian is a capable man. If he says he can protect us, he likely can. As for the Grand Princess, don't give it another thought."
Qi Zhenzhen was touched. She realized Madam Da Qin had subtly prompted Gu Sinian to say those words, fearing she might overthink things.
"Mother, I believe in Ah Nian," Qi Zhenzhen said softly.
Madam Da Qin felt very gratified. Having experienced her own emotional troubles, she deeply wished for her only son to have a harmonious relationship.
"You are a good child. I am very happy that you married Ah Nian. I hope you two will stay together and support each other in the future, facing whatever comes your way together," Madam Da Qin earnestly advised.
"Don't worry, Mother. If Ah Nian remains true to me, I will never leave his side," Qi Zhenzhen affirmed.
Hearing this, Gu Sinian's lips curled up unconsciously, and he looked at Qi Zhenzhen with a half-smile, "You said it yourself, you know."
"Madam, Young Master, Young Madam, the Duke has sent someone to say that there is an eunuch from the palace waiting in the front courtyard to proclaim an imperial edict," a maid entered and announced.
Madam Da Qin, being a noble lady of a certain rank, understood the procedure.
"You were in the palace, and His Majesty gave an oral decree. However, in addition to that, an imperial edict befitting your rank needs to be issued. Furthermore, the imperial edict itself must be enshrined," Madam Da Qin stood up and said as she walked out, "In our mansion, the Old Madam is a first-rank noble lady, and I am also a first-rank noble lady. But this is due to our status as the Duke's wife. It is perhaps more honorable for Zhenzhen to be a fourth-rank Congren, because once Ah Nian inherits the title, you will naturally become a first-rank noble lady."
When they arrived at the front courtyard's main hall, the other masters and servants of the Duke's mansion were crowded in the hall.
With everyone present, led by the Protector Duke, the group knelt down in unison.
The eunuch proclaiming the edict then read the imperial decree. At the end, he personally stepped forward to help Qi Zhenzhen up, "Congratulations, Congren Qi."
The rank of a fourth-rank Congren was not particularly high, but it couldn't be helped that Congren Qi had other identities. She was the Young Master's wife of the Duke's mansion, and the future Duchess. Most importantly, the Noble Consort in the palace held this niece-in-law in high regard, and His Majesty also held the Young Master in high regard. All these identities combined were enough to earn the eunuch proclaiming the edict a different kind of respect.
Except for Madam Da Qin, who was already aware of the matter, everyone else wore undisguised shock on their faces after hearing the imperial decree.
They had only been married for three days, and the palace had already conferred a noble lady title?
Gu Changwei did not think much of it. In his eyes, it was not a significant matter, but it was still an honor for the Duke's mansion, and thus a good thing. As for Dong Ningxin, jealousy was almost palpable in her eyes. Why did she not receive such treatment? Sharing Dong Ningxin's sentiment was also the Eldest Young Madam, Lin Fangruo. Both were daughters-in-law of the Duke's mansion. When she entered the household, let alone being conferred a noble title, she didn't even get an opportunity to enter the palace. Why did Qi Zhenzhen receive such honor?