Chapter 470: Chapter 259: Liang Zhaoyi Promoted to Lady Liang_2
When her niece was mentioned, Consort Li’s eyes were filled with guilt.
"I will arrange a good marriage for Hou Ci."
The Fourth Prince nodded slightly: "That is all we can do."
"If you encounter any promising young talents, let me know."
"Alright."
Consort Li continued, "In two days, I will invite Mrs. Lu and Miss Lu to the palace."
The Fourth Prince said, "Mother, just make the arrangements."
Seeing her son still calm and composed, Consort Li couldn’t help but want to tease him.
"I heard that General Lu’s daughter is very beautiful and talented."
The Fourth Prince remained expressionless.
Consort Li went on, "Like father, like daughter. I hear that Miss Lu is an excellent military talent, well respected by the soldiers."
After being granted the marriage, the Fourth Prince had sent people to inquire about Miss Lu. He was aware of her background.
"Miss Lu is a close friend of the daughters of the Four Great Generals." Consort Li marveled at heart, the Emperor indeed granted Yun’er a fine marriage. "General Lu and the Four Great Generals are also friends; Yun’er, do you know what this signifies?"
"Mother, I understand."
"The daughter of a general family is unlike the girls from common families; we cannot judge her by ordinary standards." Consort Li was not pedantic, "She is a talented female general, and confining her to the inner chambers would be a great injustice. After she marries you, you must not wrong her."
"Rest assured, Mother, I won’t." The Fourth Prince was not someone conventional; he would not constrain Miss Lu with societal norms, nor let her be trapped in the inner quarters of the Prince Mansion. Furthermore, in the future, they would go to their fief together, and by then, they would need Miss Lu to help train the soldiers there.
Consort Li knew her son was not that kind of person, but she still needed to remind him.
"Prepare a gift for Miss Lu; when she comes to the palace, you should give it to her."
"Alright, I will prepare it with care."
Consort Li smiled, "Miss Lu is a female general; don’t gift her things that ordinary girls like." She thought for a moment and said, "As for a female general, she might like military books, blades, or bows and arrows."
"I understand." The Fourth Prince gratefully said to Consort Li, "Thank you, Mother."
"No need for such formality with Mother." Consort Li always felt that her son was too polite to her, never acting affectionately, which made her a bit sad. Still, she knew that was his nature.
Alas, her son was so smart and composed, never causing her worry, which sometimes made her feel a little lonely.
Consort Li talked more about the Lu family with the Fourth Prince, who listened very attentively, even though he already knew and even understood more than Consort Li.
This lunch was shared warmly between mother and son.
After lunch, the Fourth Prince did not rush to leave but stayed to have tea and chat with Consort Li.
At this moment, Sun Kui arrived at Changding Palace.
Consort Li and the Fourth Prince looked at Sun Kui with some surprise.
Sun Kui first saluted Consort Li and the Fourth Prince, then took out an imperial decree.
Consort Li and the Fourth Prince hurriedly knelt to receive the decree.
Sun Kui opened the decree and read aloud: "Consort Li, virtuous and wise, deeply cherished by His Majesty..."
Kneeling on the ground, Consort Li’s heart suddenly raced as she listened to the decree, a difficult-to-conceal delight flashed in her eyes.
"Promoted to Princess Consort, with the Emperor’s respect!" Sun Kui finished the decree and respectfully handed it to Consort Li.
Consort Li received the decree with both hands.
"Congratulations, Your Highness." Sun Kui thanked Consort Li.
Qiu Sang and others quickly congratulated Consort Li: "Congratulations, Your Highness, best wishes, Your Highness!"
Consort Li, with an expression of disbelief, thanked joyfully: "Mr. Sun, thank you."
"Your Highness, there is no need for thanks; this is my duty," Sun Kui added some congratulatory words.
The Fourth Prince invited Sun Kui to sit and have tea, but Sun Kui declined, saying he needed to go to Kunde Hall to proclaim the decree.
Upon hearing this, Consort Li and the Fourth Prince both showed surprised expressions but did not ask further questions.
Sun Kui informed Consort Li and the Fourth Prince that the Emperor also promoted Princess Consort Ying to Noble Princess Consort Ying and Liang Zhaoyi to Lady Liang.
Finding out that she was not the only one promoted, Consort Li breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. If she were the only one promoted, it would be too conspicuous.
The Fourth Prince personally escorted Sun Kui out of Changding Palace.
Sun Kui expressed his thanks to the Fourth Prince and then added a word to him.
"Your Highness, the Emperor greatly values you; you must not disappoint His Majesty."
The Fourth Prince’s heart skipped a beat, and he promptly thanked Sun Kui: "Thank you, Mr. Sun, for the reminder. I will not let Father be disappointed."