Ch 82: The Regent’s Farmer Husband

“Congratulations, Duke Chang!” The eunuch delivering the decree smiled brightly as he placed the imperial edict into Jiang Ji’s hands.

“Thank you,” Jiang Ji replied, still a bit dazed as he accepted it.

Behind the eunuch, attendants carried in chest after chest of rewards, jewels, gold, and a box filled with land deeds. Steward Zhong quickly arranged for people to receive them.

“Your Grace,” the eunuch said with a smile, “your residence is not far from the Regent’s Residence, just on the same street. The Imperial Household Department is currently cleaning and renovating it. In about ten days, you may move in. If you have time, you may go take a look. If there’s anything you’re dissatisfied with, simply inform the overseers, and it will be handled properly.”

Jiang Ji came back to his senses and smiled in thanks. “Much appreciated.”

“Additionally, these are the land deeds. His Majesty specifically selected fertile land closer to the capital. If Your Grace wishes to inspect it, you may notify the Imperial Household Department, and this old servant will accompany you. There are also thirty-eight servants attached to the estate, granted together with the land. Their contracts are in this box.”

Jiang Ji accepted it. “Thank you.”

The eunuch then gestured to a middle-aged man beside him. “This is an official from the Weaving Bureau. He will take your measurements and prepare your ducal court robes. As for your honored mother’s formal attire, it will be sent along with the decree-bearing entourage.”

“Understood. Thank you.”

Steward Zhong smilingly slipped a pouch of silver to the eunuch and escorted them out.

“Congratulations, Your Grace!”

“Congratulations!”

The servants of the residence offered their congratulations one after another. Hearing it repeatedly, Jiang Ji felt it all a bit unreal.

He was now Duke Chang?

The imperial edict in his hands, the chests of gold, jewels, and silk gleaming before his eyes, it all felt dazzling, almost blinding.

“Thank you, everyone.” Jiang Ji took out a stack of silver notes from his pouch and handed them to Steward Zhong without counting. “Let everyone share in the joy. Distribute this among the household.”

Steward Zhong glanced at the amount, then at Lu Huaizhou. Seeing him nod, he accepted it with a smile. “Many thanks, Your Grace.”

“Thank you, Your Grace!” The servants grew even more delighted.

Since Jiang Ji did not yet have his own residence in the capital, Steward Zhong asked, “Your Grace, shall these rewards be stored in a separate treasury for the time being?”

Jiang Ji looked at the jewels and silks. “Yes, thank you.”

“You’re too kind.” Steward Zhong led people away with the rewards.

After the Weaving Bureau staff finished taking Jiang Ji’s measurements and were also seen off with tips, Jiang Ji finally had a moment of peace.

He turned to Lu Huaizhou, lifting the imperial edict. “What’s going on here?”

Lu Huaizhou smiled. “You’ve made great contributions to Da Sheng. This is what you deserve.”

“You never mentioned this before,” Jiang Ji said in surprise. “You really startled me.”

“A surprise for you.” Lu Huaizhou took his wrist and led him toward the courtyard, then looked at him. “Are you happy?”

“What do you think?” Jiang Ji raised a brow, a bright smile spreading across his face. “Of course I am. A duke, no less. I’ve got a title now, and my mother has been granted rank too. No one can bully us anymore.”

Seeing how genuinely happy he was, Lu Huaizhou smiled. “The decree will also be sent to your home. They’ll set out immediately. As for the gold and jewels, if you want them sent along with the decree for display, that can be arranged.”

Such an honor would certainly have greater impact back home if accompanied by the actual rewards.

But Jiang Ji shook his head. “No need. When we move to the capital later, we’d just have to transport them again. It’s inconvenient and not very safe. Just keep them here.”

“Alright.”

“Will my mother need to come to the capital to give thanks after receiving the decree?”

“Mm. It’s best if she does.” Lu Huaizhou led him back into the courtyard. “Shall I send people to escort her?”

Jiang Ji scratched his head. “I had planned to go back myself after a while. Didn’t expect I’d have to bring them here first.”

“Then why not take this opportunity to move them to the capital?” Lu Huaizhou suggested.

Jiang Ji thought for a moment. “But I still need to go back to set up the workshop. Once things are established and stable, then we can move properly. There are also the shops to deal with. I wouldn’t feel at ease leaving my mother here alone.”

“That works too.” Lu Huaizhou nodded. “You must be exhausted from these past few days.” He instructed, “Xiao Liu, prepare water for His Grace’s bath.”

Xiao Liu, who had been following behind, had been quietly watching the two of them holding hands. Hearing the order, he hurried off.

His mind, however, was still racing.

The day Jiang Ji first arrived, the regent had already slept with him. Now they were holding hands again. That meant…

Xiao Liu sucked in a breath, shocked by his own realization, then quickly shook his head.

Don’t think about it. Don’t think about it.

The Regent and the Duke’s affairs were not for him to speculate on.

Back in the room, Jiang Ji placed the edict into a drawer. As he turned, he walked straight into Lu Huaizhou’s arms.

Without a word, Lu Huaizhou pulled him in and kissed him. Jiang Ji had missed him as well, tilting his head slightly and wrapping his arms around Lu Huaizhou’s waist as he responded eagerly.

They hadn’t seen each other for days, and the longing between them was intense. They kissed for a long while.

“Why didn’t you go to the palace today?” Jiang Ji asked between breaths. “Aren’t you busy?”

“I am,” Lu Huaizhou murmured, brushing his lips against Jiang Ji’s. “But you were coming back.”

Jiang Ji laughed softly. “Missed me?”

“Mm.” Lu Huaizhou answered quietly, his gaze fixed on Jiang Ji’s face, tracing every feature.

Jiang Ji lifted a hand and touched his face. “I missed you too.”

Lu Huaizhou’s heart trembled, and they fell into another embrace and kiss.

Only when Xiao Liu returned with the bathwater did they separate, straightening their clothes and stepping out.

After bathing, Jiang Ji came out with damp hair, and Lu Huaizhou took a cloth to dry it for him.

Sitting down, Jiang Ji said, “Now that I’ve been granted a title, do I need to go thank the Emperor?”

“Mm. Tomorrow, you’ll attend court with me.”

Jiang Ji immediately turned around, alarmed. “Don’t tell me I’ll have to attend court regularly from now on?”

Lu Huaizhou raised a brow. “You don’t want to?”

“No.” Jiang Ji answered without hesitation. “Who wants to wake up that early? Besides, I don’t understand court affairs.”

He grabbed Lu Huaizhou’s hand. “Can I request not to attend? I’m just a farmer. Why should I go to court?”

Lu Huaizhou chuckled softly. “Then bring it up yourself tomorrow.”

“Alright, but you have to back me up,” Jiang Ji said seriously. “If they make me attend court regularly, that’ll kill me.”

Lu Huaizhou: “……”

“Oh, and one more thing,” Jiang Ji added. “Now that I have a title, I can’t run my business personally anymore, right? Can I still sell seeds?”

“You can,” Lu Huaizhou replied. “It’s already been approved. As long as the price is reasonable.”

“That’s good.” Jiang Ji sighed. “Being made a duke is an honor, but it comes with a lot of restrictions.”

Lu Huaizhou reassured him, “Let your subordinates handle the business. In the future, when Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei grow up, they can take over.”

“Mm. Jiang Bei still has to take the imperial exam and become a top scholar, so we can’t have him do it,” Jiang Ji said with a smile. “Speaking of which, what’s the point of this hereditary title? I won’t have any descendants anyway.”

Lu Huaizhou continued drying his hair as he explained, “If you have no heirs, the title can be passed on to your brothers or nephews.”

“Oh? That’s allowed?” Jiang Ji was surprised. “A title can be inherited by brothers or nephews too?”

“Mm.”

Jiang Ji brightened again. “That works. I won’t have children anyway. In the future, I’ll just pick a promising child to raise.”

Lu Huaizhou carefully dried his hair as Jiang Ji continued, “When the decree reaches the village, my mother will definitely be shocked, suddenly becoming a titled lady.”

Just imagining it made Jiang Ji laugh, then he paused. “Ah, wait, I should write a letter home first and let them know.”

He tilted his head up at Lu Huaizhou. “You help me write it.”

“Alright.”

After drying his hair, the two went to the study. Lu Huaizhou spread out the paper while Jiang Ji ground the ink.

Once the ink was ready, Jiang Ji dictated while Lu Huaizhou wrote, composing a long letter home, recounting everything that had happened since Jiang Ji arrived in the capital.

Standing beside him, Jiang Ji said, “Minister Lu and Madam Lu are both very kind, but I don’t know if they’ll accept my marriage with Jiang Yan…”

Lu Huaizhou paused mid-writing and looked up at him. “I already told my parents that I intend to marry you.”

“What?” Jiang Ji froze, then asked nervously, “When did you tell them? How did they react? Tell me quickly.”

“Five days ago.” Lu Huaizhou paused, then began recounting what happened.

---

Five days earlier, at the Lu Residence.

After finishing his duties, Lu Huaizhou specifically returned home to see his parents. Before even speaking, he knelt down, startling them both.

He kowtowed three times, then raised his head, his gaze steady and unwavering as he said calmly, “Father, Mother, I like Jiang Ji. I want to marry him.”

Both were stunned. Madam Lu even dug at her ear. “Who did you say you want to marry?”

“Jiang Ji,” Lu Huaizhou repeated.

Now that they were sure they had heard correctly, Minister Lu immediately flew into a rage, pointing at his eldest son. “Lu Huaizhou, have you lost your mind? Jiang Ji is a man, not a woman.”

This was the first time in his life Lu Huaizhou had ever been told by his father that something was wrong with his head.

Madam Lu was equally shocked. “Huaizhou… do you understand what you’re saying?”

Lu Huaizhou looked at them firmly. “I know he is a man. I am devoted to him. That is why I want to marry him.”

“So many women you could marry. Why choose a man?” Madam Lu could not understand.

“I don’t like women,” Lu Huaizhou said. “I only like Jiang Ji.”

Both parents were stunned. Madam Lu hesitated. “What do you mean, you don’t like women?”

Lu Huaizhou answered without hesitation, “It means I don’t like them. I cannot be with a woman in that way.”

Minister Lu: “……”

Madam Lu: “……”

After a moment of silence, Madam Lu asked quietly, “Should we… have a physician examine you?”

Lu Huaizhou looked at her. “Mother, it’s not that I can’t. It’s that I can’t with women.”

Minister Lu: “……”

Madam Lu: “……”

The couple exchanged a glance. Madam Lu hesitated. “Then… you can with men?”

Lu Huaizhou thought for a moment, then answered, “With Jiang Ji, yes.”

Both of them fell silent.

Was this some kind of condition? Could it even be treated?

Madam Lu asked again, “Can it be cured?”

Lu Huaizhou replied calmly, “No.”

This time, Madam Lu truly fell silent. She looked at her husband. Minister Lu frowned, puzzled. “How did you end up like this? Are you making this up to fool us?”

“This is not a condition, and I’m not lying. Otherwise, when you arranged marriages for me before, I would have already chosen someone,” Lu Huaizhou said. “I simply fell in love with a man.”

Madam Lu exclaimed, “So that’s why you refused all those marriage arrangements before?”

Lu Huaizhou nodded. “Yes.”

In truth, he had never had the inclination before, but to persuade them more quickly, he admitted it outright, something he had learned from Jiang Ji.

Madam Lu murmured, “No wonder no woman ever caught your eye…”

The three of them fell silent for a moment. Madam Lu and Minister Lu exchanged looks.

Still unwilling to give up, Madam Lu said, “Should we at least have an imperial physician take a look? Maybe it can be treated?”

Lu Huaizhou looked at her. “Mother, do you want the entire capital to know that I… cannot perform in that regard?”

Madam Lu: “……”

Minister Lu coughed awkwardly.

That would indeed be undignified, especially for the Regent.

Lowering his gaze, Lu Huaizhou said, “Father, Mother, I want to marry Jiang Ji. I ask that you grant your approval.”

Minister Lu immediately grew angry again. “Since ancient times, where has there ever been a marriage between two men?”

“There will be now,” Lu Huaizhou replied calmly.

“You—you want to anger me to death, don’t you? You unfilial child!” Minister Lu stood up, pulled off his shoe, and hurled it at him. Lu Huaizhou did not dodge. The shoe struck him with a loud smack, leaving a mark on his black robes.

Madam Lu hurried to stop her husband. “Talk it out properly, don’t resort to violence.”

“Look at him! Does he resemble a Regent at all?” Minister Lu pointed at him. “He’s simply a rebellious son!”

Lu Huaizhou waited until his father finished venting, then said steadily, “Father, this is not something I can control. I have no choice. You are a man, you should understand.”

“I—I don’t want to know!” Minister Lu snapped angrily.

Lu Huaizhou glanced at him and said, “In any case, I intend to marry Jiang Ji as soon as possible. Even if you do not agree, I will still marry him. Father, Mother, please come to terms with it soon. I hope you can attend our wedding. Jiang Ji respects you deeply, and I don’t want him to have any regrets.”

Minister Lu was so angry his nose seemed to twist. Turning to Madam Lu, he said, “Look at him! Does he have even a shred of a Regent’s bearing?”

Madam Lu sighed and said to her son, “If you do this, won’t people point fingers at you behind your back and laugh?”

“I am the Regent. Who would dare laugh?” Lu Huaizhou’s gaze turned cold, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

“They may not laugh in front of you, but what about behind your back?”

Lu Huaizhou replied calmly, “As long as it doesn’t reach my ears, why should I care?”

Seeing his attitude, Madam Lu changed tack. “Does Jiang Ji think the same way?”

If Jiang Ji didn’t agree, there might still be room to turn things around.

At the mention of Jiang Ji, Lu Huaizhou’s expression softened. “Mm. He likes me too. He has already spoken to his mother.”

Madam Lu was curious. “His mother agreed?”

“She did.” Lu Huaizhou nodded. “She treats me like her own son. For the past half year, she has taken good care of me. She is worried, but she hopes Jiang Ji can marry the one he loves and live a happy life. Nothing else matters to her.”

Madam Lu: “……”

Wasn’t that clearly directed at them? As if to say, even a village woman could set aside everything for her child’s happiness, yet you, a refined and educated household, cannot.

Madam Lu coughed lightly. “Your situation is different. You are the Regent.”

“Jiang Ji will soon be granted a title as well. The edict has already been drafted,” Lu Huaizhou said.

“What?” Madam Lu was startled. “What title?”

“A First-Rank Duke. He’ll be officially conferred when he returns in a few days.”

“A First-Rank Duke?!” Madam Lu was shocked, but recalling Jiang Ji’s contributions, she understood. “That makes sense. To double the nation’s grain production is indeed a great achievement. But the two of you… sigh…”

Lu Huaizhou knew they could not accept it immediately. He kowtowed once more and said, “Father, Mother, Jiang Ji will return in a few days. He wishes to come pay his respects. Please consider it carefully. I’ll take my leave.”

With that, he stood and left, leaving the couple staring at each other.

Madam Lu asked worriedly, “What should we do?”

Minister Lu snorted. “Just because he’s become Regent doesn’t mean he can do whatever he wants. As long as he bears the Lu name and is still my son, he must listen to me.”

“…You can’t control him anymore,” Madam Lu reminded him. “He is the Regent.”

Minister Lu: “……”

He snorted again, flicked his sleeve, and stormed off.

Madam Lu sighed. They had finally welcomed their son back, only for this to happen. What a predicament.

---

After recounting everything, Lu Huaizhou finished speaking.

“You really said all that to them?” Jiang Ji widened his eyes in shock, then sighed. “That’s bad. They must be furious.”

Lu Huaizhou patted Jiang Ji’s hand reassuringly. “With them, it’s best to be direct. They just haven’t come to terms with it yet. They will eventually. I’ll keep persuading them.”

Jiang Ji grabbed his arm. “Let me go meet them.”

Lu Huaizhou patted the back of his hand. “Let’s think about it after you go give thanks tomorrow.”

“Right.” Jiang Ji nodded. “I’ve only just thought of what gifts to bring. I haven’t had time to buy them yet. Once I do, we’ll go together.” He suddenly became urgent. “Quick, quick, let’s finish writing. I need to prepare the gifts.”

As the two of them continued writing in the study, Steward Zhong came to report, “Your Highness, Your Grace, the Wu’an Marquis Residence and the Zhongyong Earl Residence have sent people with congratulatory gifts upon hearing of the conferment.”

Unfamiliar with such official exchanges, Jiang Ji looked at Lu Huaizhou. “Do I need to meet them?”

Lu Huaizhou asked, “Who came to deliver the gifts?”

“Their stewards.”

Lu Huaizhou then said to Jiang Ji, “No need. They know your ducal residence isn’t ready yet, so they’ve only sent stewards to show courtesy. Once you move in, you can host them then.”

Jiang Ji nodded. “Alright, I’ll follow your lead.”

Lu Huaizhou instructed Steward Zhong, “Accept the gifts and register them. Tell them the Duke is currently indisposed and will host them after moving into his residence.”

“Yes.” Steward Zhong withdrew to handle it.

Jiang Ji reached out, patted Lu Huaizhou’s shoulder, turned his face, and kissed him. “Good thing I have you.”

Lu Huaizhou’s lips curved slightly, then reminded him, “The gold from the imperial reward cannot be spent. The jewels and silks cannot be sold or given away, only used within the household. Be careful not to lose them, or someone may use it against you as a charge of disrespect.”

Jiang Ji was speechless. “…Can’t sell it, can’t give it away? That’s not very practical. What if someone needs money and wants to sell it to make ends meet?”

“You won’t need to rely on that,” Lu Huaizhou said with a smile. “Most people enshrine imperial rewards rather than use them.”

Jiang Ji sighed. “…Official life really is troublesome.”

Lu Huaizhou squeezed his hand. “If you’re unsure about anything, ask me. If I’m not around, ask Steward Zhong.”

“Alright, got it.”

News of Jiang Ji being granted the title of Duke Chang spread quickly through the capital. Many official households sent gifts to congratulate him, all of which Steward Zhong had carefully recorded and stored in a special treasury prepared for Jiang Ji.

By the time Jiang Ji returned, it was already mid-afternoon. After finishing the letter, Lu Huaizhou remained in the study handling state affairs, while Jiang Ji went to take a look at the gifts.

Steward Zhong brought the gift registry for Jiang Ji to review. Jiang Ji scanned through it one by one and noticed among them a congratulatory gift from the Lu Residence.

“Steward Zhong, did Minister Lu send a gift as well?”

“Yes, a jade ruyi.” Steward Zhong picked out a brown box from those not yet stored away. “This one.”

Jiang Ji opened it. Inside lay a pair of mutton-fat white jade ruyi, their luster soft and smooth, the texture fine and delicate.

“Steward Zhong, who delivered it?”

“The steward from the Lu Residence.”

Jiang Ji closed the lid. “Please store it carefully for me.”

“Of course.”

As Jiang Ji walked back toward the courtyard, he pondered. The Lu family had sent such a valuable jade ruyi. Did that mean their attitude toward him was at least somewhat acceptable? If he went to visit, they probably wouldn’t throw him out, right?

Returning to the study, he sat across from Lu Huaizhou and said, “Lu Huaizhou, our father sent over a mutton-fat jade ruyi. Do you think it’s just courtesy, or are they starting to soften a little?”

Our father…

Lu Huaizhou’s eyes curved slightly as he looked at him. “What do you think?”

“I hope they’re softening,” Jiang Ji said. “At least then, when we go see them, they won’t be as angry.”

“Let’s hope.”

Jiang Ji sat to the side and began browsing through his system, picking out gifts.

Lu Huaizhou glanced at him, watching his fingers move through the air, but did not disturb him.

---

At the Lu Residence.

The steward hurried back to report. “Madam, the gifts have been delivered. The steward at the Regent’s Residence conveyed that since the ducal residence is not yet ready, His Grace is unable to receive guests for now. He will host once he has moved in.”

Since Jiang Ji did not yet have a residence in the capital, this was only natural.

Madam Lu nodded. “Understood. Has the master returned?”

“He should be back soon.”

As she spoke, Minister Lu returned from duty, casually removing his official hat and handing it to the steward before taking a seat.

Madam Lu poured him a cup of tea. “Jiang Ji has returned and received the imperial decree. He’s been granted the title of Duke Chang. We’ve already sent our congratulatory gift.”

“Mm, I’ve heard.” Minister Lu took a sip of tea, his expression troubled.

Madam Lu sat down, her expression complicated. “Huaizhou said that once Jiang Ji returns, he intends to come visit. What do you plan to do?”

Minister Lu’s expression grew even more complicated. Thinking of what his eldest son had said a few days ago, his face darkened again.

“What can I do? He’s determined to walk this path to the end. No one can stop him.”

Madam Lu sighed and tentatively said, “Should I go speak with Jiang Ji?”

Minister Lu paused. “That wouldn’t be appropriate. Not to mention he is now a duke, and he is staying at the Regent’s Residence. If Huaizhou finds out, it wouldn’t be good. If we’re going to resolve this, it must be through Huaizhou. There’s no reason to make things difficult for the other party.”

“Then what should we do?” Madam Lu worried. “Do we really agree to their marriage?”

Minister Lu sighed as well, at a complete loss.

This son of his had never caused him worry growing up. He excelled in both scholarship and martial ability, achieved top honors, and rose to become the Regent, bringing glory to the family.

Who would have thought the only two times he caused concern would be, once when he disappeared and lost his memory, and now wanting to marry a man?

As Madam Lu had said, he truly could no longer control this son.

Minister Lu felt as though he must have stepped in something unlucky this year, misfortune after misfortune.

After hesitating, he said, “Should we go to Wenhua Temple and pray? Change our luck?”

Madam Lu paused, then nodded. “That could work. I’ll go tomorrow.”

---

Early the next morning, before dawn, Jiang Ji got up and followed Lu Huaizhou to the palace.

Yawning, tears slipped from the corners of his eyes. “Aren’t you sleepy?”

Lu Huaizhou reached out and wiped his tears. “I’m used to it.”

“You officials really have it rough,” Jiang Ji said, leaning against his shoulder.

Lu Huaizhou: “……”

He casually took a bun from the food box and fed it to Jiang Ji. “Eat something. Court will take a while.”

“Mm.” Jiang Ji took a bite. “You eat too.”

Lu Huaizhou took a bite as well, the two of them sharing the food between them.

At the palace gates, many officials’ carriages were lined up. After inspection, they proceeded on foot into the palace.

The Regent’s carriage, however, could go directly to the front of the hall, so Jiang Ji remained seated and entered with him.

In front of the Qinzheng Hall, Lu Huaizhou stepped down from the carriage and lifted the curtain to help Jiang Ji down.

Many officials nearby greeted Lu Huaizhou. Seeing the unfamiliar young man in blue beside him, entering together, they guessed he must be the newly appointed Duke Chang.

A well-dressed man in his forties stepped forward, saluted Lu Huaizhou, and asked, “Your Highness, this must be the Duke Chang?”

Lu Huaizhou nodded, then introduced, “This is Marquis Wu’an, Earl Zhongyong, Minister Lin of Revenue, and Scholar Luo.”

They cupped their hands in greeting. “Greetings, Duke Chang.”

Jiang Ji returned the gesture. “Marquis Wu’an, Earl Zhongyong, Minister Lin, Scholar Luo.”

More officials approached, but Lu Huaizhou said promptly, “It’s almost time. I’ll take the Duke inside first. We can speak after court.”

“Yes.”

Lu Huaizhou led Jiang Ji into his private side hall. After resting for a short while, the sound of a gong rang outside, and an attendant came to announce that court was about to begin.

Lu Huaizhou instructed, “Wait here until you are summoned.”

“Alright, go ahead.”

Jiang Ji sat in his chair, bored. He opened his livestream and said softly, “Anyone up this early?”

He glanced at the viewer count, surprised. “Wow, over six hundred thousand people are already awake this early? Not bad.”

【Didn’t you say you were going to meet the Emperor? I want to see the young emperor】

【I watched the replay until 2 a.m., and you said you’d get up early to attend court and meet the young emperor. No way I’m sleeping now, I’ve been gaming until this moment just to see him】

【Same, been gaming all night】

【Not me, I saw the title saying you’d meet the Emperor and set three alarms to wake up】

【Court starts this early? 5 a.m.? Being an official isn’t easy】

【Turns out officials in ancient times wake up earlier than me, I feel a little better now】

Before going to sleep last night, Jiang Ji had changed the livestream title to: “Court at 5 a.m. tomorrow, meeting the young emperor, miss it and you’ll regret it!”

The number of viewers kept climbing. Jiang Ji smiled. “Looks like everyone’s really interested.”

【I really want to see how court sessions actually work】

【After you meet the Emperor, you can eat and fish with him】

Jiang Ji laughed. “That’s still a bit far off, but with Jiang Yan around, it might actually be possible.”

He sighed again. “Before, I didn’t know Jiang Yan was the Regent. I thought it was an impossible goal. Didn’t expect it might actually happen now. I’m a little excited.”

【Hahaha, it came without effort】

【What we said before still holds, earn merit, get rewarded, and you’ll meet the Emperor】

【First time at court, do well, don’t let those officials look down on you】

“Alright, just watch.”

Jiang Ji chatted quietly with the viewers for a bit when an attendant entered to announce, “Duke Chang, His Majesty summons you to court.”

“Thank you.” Jiang Ji stood, straightened his robes, and followed the eunuch into the main hall.

“Duke Chang arrives!” the attendant announced, gesturing for him to enter.

Jiang Ji stepped into the Qinzheng Hall.

🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾