Chapter 36: Examining Demons and Ghosts

After returning from the palace, Xie Chengyi originally planned to go to the suburbs. Unexpectedly, early in the morning, Xie Chengyi received news from the palace and immediately went to Wenhui Hall to discuss things with his father and Chenglin.

Three quarters past the hour of Chen, in front of the mansion of Marquis Dingyang.

Xie Chongkun led Xie Chengyi and his party, dressed in brocade robes and standing solemnly.

The common people who had flocked to the mansion all crowded in front of the gate, asking around to find out what was going on. They looked at the upright and dignified marquis and the unparalleled brave Xie Chengyi, their eyes full of respect and admiration. Since the prince was transferred back to the capital, some indignant common people had even organized several petitions, petitioning His Majesty to investigate the border affairs in detail and give justice to the general. It was Xie Chengyi who suppressed the rebellion in private that caused no impact. Now faced with such a situation, the common people wanted to know the truth.

Gao Pan was escorted by Fan Zhen in front and followed by officials from the Ministry of Rites, who walked slowly, holding the imperial edict high.

"Is it an imperial edict?" someone among the people shouted.

"This is quite a big scene. Look, this is Eunuch Gao beside His Majesty, who is holding the imperial edict!" the people smacked their lips.

"Our Lord is a founding hero. The general has guarded the border for ten years, repelled foreign enemies, and ensured the stability of Northern Jin. How many people can compare with such achievements? If Eunuch Gao comes, they will be able to bear it!"

The people nodded in agreement.

Gao Pan said, "Thank you, Chengyi, for your instructions!"

As soon as this voice was spoken, crowds of people knelt down in unison.

Gao Pan said solemnly and with a bright look in his eyes:

The Emperor, by order of Heaven, proclaims:

Xie Chengyi is endowed with extraordinary talents and a dignified character. He is as tall and majestic as a golden branch, and as heroic as a jade hand. He deserves to be given a thatched house, so that he can have a home and a country. He is loyal and upright in the imperial court, and has made contributions to the protection of the country. His name is known to the world, and he has made peace for the country. I highly praise him. I hereby appoint you as the General of the Cavalry! I order that, from now on, you will enter the Shangshutai and serve as the Shangshu Zuocheng. I admire you!
Xie Chengyi kowtowed heavily: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

As Gao Pan's voice stopped, the people on the long street showed joy in their eyes. In the history of Northern Jin Dynasty for more than a hundred years, there were only a few people who were specially awarded this title. Since His Majesty came to power, in addition to specially awarding three royal princes, he also awarded military generals with the first-class honor. Xie Chengyi was the only one!

Furthermore, the Shangshutai is a central agency in charge of the six ministries. Sheng Zhenglin is now the Shangshuling, but he will soon retire, and after him will be Shangshu Zuocheng and Shangshu Youcheng. Xie Chengyi was promoted to Shangshu Zuocheng, which was His Majesty's way of showing his preference for Xie Chengyi. This real power in the court is more favored than the general of the cavalry!

For a moment, the people's cheers and joy truly embodied one word: the people's will.

Gao Pan smiled and said to Xie Chongkun: "My Lord, you have educated a good son!"

Xie Chongkun bowed repeatedly and said humbly, "Thank you, Eunuch Gao. The mansion has prepared a small banquet, I hope you don't mind it."

Gao Pan clasped his fists and smiled, "How dare I? Then we won't be polite and want to share in the general's good fortune."

As he was talking, Cheng Lin led Eunuch Gao into the mansion.

The officials from the Ministry of Rites brought thirty copies of documents, court robes, documents on the award of mansions and other rewards.

Xie Chongkun looked at the faces full of smiles and admiration, and felt extremely relieved.

Xie Chengyi also entertained and socialized politely.

This reward came suddenly. Xie Chongkun only received the news almost an hour ago. Although he seemed a little flustered, fortunately he was still decent.

Until the guests left, Xie Chongkun looked at the plaque "General of the Cavalry" personally bestowed by the emperor and felt like he was dreaming.

The old lady was so happy that she kept making a wish in the temple. Guan Yulan's face was almost frozen with laughter. After she walked into the inner room with heavy steps, she looked at the plaque and couldn't help but stroke it gently. With tears in her eyes, she asked, "My Lord, is this really our Cheng Yi's?"

To others, this is a legend; but to the Xie family, this was almost something their son paid for with his life.

Xie Chongkun looked at the plaque and said leisurely: "This is a reward, and it is also a tight curse that His Majesty has put on Chengyi..."

"Be it a tight curse or a reward, as long as Chengyi can stay by my side safely, it's the best." Guan Yulan choked up and wiped her tears.

"By the way, where is Chengyi?" Guan Yulan asked.

Mother Wang said with a pleased look on her face, "The prince is drinking with Master Su, so I guess they will have to wait until the evening."

"Remind him to drink less!" Guan Yulan couldn't help but say.

Xie Chongkun said with relief: "Let him drink, it would be nice if he could have a glass of wine."

***
South Hall.

Xie Chengyi and Su Han were clinking their glasses and drinking.

"Now, you have a bright future and have achieved success!" Su Han said enviously.

Xie Chengyi held the wine in his hand and said bitterly, "You know I'm not interested in this."

Su Han sighed slightly and said, "Even if you don't want to do this, you have to change in the future."

"Why do these words sound so familiar..." Xie Chengyi joked.

Seeing Xie Chengyi like this, Su Han felt relieved.

"Brother Xie, I discovered something." Su Han looked at him probingly. Xie Chengyi was stunned, "What is it?"

"You're different."

Xie Chengyi looked himself up and down, "Different? I didn't notice."

Su Han shook his head and said doubtfully: "No, no, no, it's different. I just feel like I have become a little more cheerful."

Xie Chengyi held the wine and looked into the glass, as if thinking about something.

"In the past, you were like a cold arrow that could strike the enemy directly without any hesitation or leaving any leeway, exuding coldness and monotony everywhere; but now, it's like there is a crack in the cold pond, and a sapling has grown in the shade, it's a little more alive." Although this description is strange, Su Han's intuition is like this.

"Life?" Xie Chengyi actually liked this description.

Su Han was different from Sheng Zexi. He usually didn't ask about Xie Chengyi's personal situation, but this time he asked curiously, "Did anything good happen to Brother Xie recently?"

Xie Chengyi also thought about his life according to Su Han's description. If something happened, he could only think of one thing - Huo Aying.

Seeing Xie Chengyi pursing his lips, smiling, with a slight smile in his eyes, Su Han concluded that something must have happened. "Who is it?"

Xie Chengyi drank the wine in the glass in one gulp and joked, "What can happen to a rough guy like me who just came back from the frontier? Stop guessing and drink! Today, I won't go home until I'm drunk!"

***
Cheng Lin, who had been busy all the time, sent the last guest out of the mansion before he told Ma Saner, "Lock the door."

"Yes."

"Clean up the guest room for Young Master Su. After my brother returns to Songqing Courtyard, please find someone to take care of Young Master Su." Xie Chenglin patted his sleepy face.

A Kuan responded, "Yes."

"Are father and mother asleep?" Cheng Lin asked A Kuan who was standing beside him.

"The Marquis' wife has returned to Songhua Courtyard. She must be tired. The concubine hasn't slept yet. Would you like to go over for a while?" A Kuan asked, looking at the second young master's expression.

Xie Chenglin's eyes moved, and a layer of disappointment appeared on his brows, "What difference does it make whether I go or not..."

After all, the reason why A Kuan said this is because he understood his little master. No matter how mature the Second Young Master was, there was always something missing in his heart.

When Xie Chenglin turned to Songbaiyuan, he could already hear the sounds from the courtyard at the door.

"Qiao'er, go and deliver these sets of clothes to Chengfeng. The child is growing fast, and the previous clothes will probably be too tight." Xie Chenglin's eyes shook, and his mother's voice was still as crisp and sweet.

Qiao'er responded and went to get it.

Xie Chenglin raised his head and said in frustration: "Let's go."

As A Kuan and I were walking to a corner, Qiao'er saw a shadow.

After returning from delivering the things, Qiao'er looked at the face of Concubine Liu Wutong and said, "Concubine, I think I saw the Second Young Master just now."

"Chenglin?" Liu Wutong, who was sorting out the paintings in Chengfeng's room, said casually.

"Well, it seems like it walked past us." Qiao'er's tone was a little melancholy.

There was endless disappointment and indifference in Liu Wutong's eyes. "That child was really born to collect debts. He has rarely called me since he grew up. If you say he is unfilial, he cares a lot about the lady and the old lady. If you say he is filial, he treats me, his biological mother, like an enemy. Now, I am too lazy to care about him and I can't count on him. I hope that Chengfeng can achieve success in the future, and then I will feel at ease."

Qiao'er didn't say much, just smiled and agreed.

Walking into the light, Xie Chenglin looked at the silver thread on his sleeves and smiled bitterly. He was not worthy of her after all...

***
royal palace.

As the night lights came on, Xiao Wenzhang stood on the steps of the huge palace. Apart from the dragon throne behind him, he didn't know where else could he sleep peacefully.

"How is his performance?" a low and dull voice came.

Gao Pan smiled slightly, "The emperor's grace is so great that I can't help but feel overjoyed."

"Well, that's right. In the whole Northern Jin Dynasty, how many people can be given the title of General of Cavalry? Even though it's not like Marquis Dingyang who can inherit the title, this honor is unique!" Xiao Wenzhan leaned on the dragon throne and smiled faintly.

"Is it possible that I am being praised too highly? I'm afraid..." Gao Pan asked in a puzzled voice.

Xiao Wenzhang glanced at him sideways and asked, "Are you afraid that people might complain?"

Gao Pan immediately nodded without saying anything.

"The more you are the target of public criticism, the more you can test the evil spirits and monsters..." Xiao Wenzhan murmured.

Good morning, cuties.
Please continue to support "Welcome to the Good People"
Than heart
A Ying: There will always be someone who will fall in love with your clarity and embrace your shortcomings.