The Rebirth of the Deposed Empress

Although Xuerong Hall had been uninhabited since Hua Zhukong left, it was cleaned very cleanly by the servants every day.

After entering the house, Hua Zhukong and Ye Buhuo sat on two high seats at the top.

The emperor's decree rewarding the Hua family came very quickly. Almost as soon as the few people sat down, a servant came in to report that someone had come from the palace.

Every time the Hua family army returned victorious, a eunuch would come to the general's mansion to convey the imperial edict, which was nothing more than the emperor's reward.

Eunuch Fushou came in with a smile on his face: "Receive the decree."

Everyone performed the ceremony of bowing to the emperor, except Ye Buhuo who was exempted from the kneeling ceremony.

Eunuch Fushou first read out the rewards for Hua Zhukong and Hua Wujing, and then read out the imperial edict to confer the title of Duke on Hua Rongyu.

"From now on, this General's Mansion can be renamed Duke Ding's Mansion. Congratulations, Duke!"

When the old lady and Hua Jingqian heard that Hua Zhukong had resigned as general and handed over all the Hua family troops to Hua Rongyu and his son, they were already gnashing with hatred.

As a result, Hua Rongyu was conferred the title of Duke, and Hua Wujing was also promoted to a higher rank. The old lady almost vomited blood.

Seeing Hua Rongyu respectfully accepting the imperial edict, the old lady thought sinisterly in her heart that she should have eradicated this source of evil when Hua Rongyu was still young!

In this way, everything belongs to Qianer!

After congratulating Hua Rongyu, Eunuch Fushou chatted with Hua Zhukong for a few more words, mostly congratulating General Hua on his life of military service and his outstanding contributions. It was truly a cause for celebration that he was now retiring from the army and enjoying the happiness of family life.

Although Hua Zhukong no longer held the position of general, his rank remained. When facing the eunuch in the palace, he accepted the flattery of Eunuch Fushou with neither humility nor superiority.

"You're welcome, sir."

Eunuch Fushou smiled, then turned to Ye Buhuo and bowed, saying:

"Since the prince is here, we don't have to go to Prince An's mansion again."

He opened the last scroll of the imperial edict and read it out:

"The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims: Prince An Ye Buhuo is brave and skilled in warfare. He is both courageous and resourceful. He led the Black Iron Army to defeat the Northern Kingdom at the Beimo Pass, enhancing the prestige of our country and making outstanding military achievements. In order to show his bravery, Prince An's request is granted."

At this point, Eunuch Fushou paused, glanced at Hua Wuke, and continued:

"Appoint Hua Wuke, the third daughter of the Hua family, as Princess Pingle. I decree this."

Eunuch Fushou folded the imperial edict and looked at Hua Wu Ke who was still kneeling on the ground in a daze with no reaction. He then handed the imperial edict in Hua Wu Ke's direction.

"Princess Pingle, please accept the order."

Even after holding the imperial edict in his hands, Hua Wu Ke was still confused.

Wasn’t it the award for Ye Buhuo? Why did they confer the title of princess on me?

Hua Wu Ke was still kneeling on the ground, staring at the imperial edict without blinking, until Ye Buhuo came over and helped her up.

Looking at his sister's silly look, Hua Wujing shook his head.

"The prince asked for it for you in the palace, my princess sister."

It was normal for Hua Wu Ke to find it a little unbelievable for a moment. After all, when Hua Rongyu and the other three heard Ye Buhuo offer to use his military merits to exchange Hua Wu Ke for the title of a princess, they were also surprised.

After being surprised, I couldn't help but feel more satisfied with Ye Buhuo.

They had guessed that Ye Buhuo's request might be related to Hua Wuke, but it was probably just that he wanted the emperor to grant them a marriage.

Unexpectedly, Ye Buhuo did not mention marriage at all, but instead asked for the title of princess for Hua Wuke.

Hua Wu Ke held the imperial edict, looked at Ye Bu Huo, and asked with a trace of confusion in his eyes:

"What are you doing?"

Hua Wu Ke, with a hint of confusion, looked extremely well-behaved.

Ye Buhuo really wanted to touch this cat-like girl, but because there were so many people around, he just restrained himself and helped her up before letting go.

"I didn't do anything, but I thought that if Suisui became a princess, she would have a higher rank and would not allow others to bully her."

Ye Buhuo had never thought before that although Hua Wuke was the legitimate daughter of the general's mansion, she did not have a rank. Anyway, she would naturally have a rank when she became the Princess of An in the future.

Until last night, I saw the old lady relying on her status as the most senior woman in the general's mansion to insult Hua Wuke. Although a legitimate daughter does not have to bow down to the concubines in the mansion, she can't avoid being gossiped about by people who say she is disrespectful to filial piety.

It would be different if she had the title of princess. No one would dare to use seniority to suppress her!

The old lady was not stupid. As soon as Ye Buhuo said that, she understood that he was hinting that it was because of what she did last night that she asked for the title of princess for Hua Wuke.

Unexpectedly, with just a few words, Hua Wu Ke got the title of princess for nothing. The old lady felt so upset that she felt like vomiting blood.

Looking at the happy faces of the people in the first house, her eyes almost popped out.

Hua Jingqian quickly sorted out his thoughts and congratulated with a smile:

"Congratulations Sui Sui. From now on, Second Uncle will have to kneel down and salute Sui Sui whenever he sees her."

Although Hua Jingqian is suspected of secretly persecuting Hua Wuke, in Hua Rongyu's eyes, Hua Jingqian may be innocent as long as there is no conclusive evidence.

Facing this younger brother who had called her "big brother" for decades, Hua Rongyu could not bear to see him kneeling down to pay homage to her daughter, and immediately wanted to say that this was not allowed.

But before he could open his mouth, Hua Zhukong spoke first.

"It's not nice for an uncle to kneel down to his niece all day long."

Hua Rongyu nodded, thinking that what her father said was correct.

Hua Rongyu thought it was no problem, but Hua Wujing and Hua Wuke thought it was a serious problem.

The brother and sister looked at each other, unsure of what their grandfather meant. Knowing that Hua Wu Ke had been bullied by the second branch of the family for a long time, how could he say such a thing?

It seems that grandfather still cares about the father-son relationship between him and Hua Jingqian. Hua Wuke sighed and it was time to tell grandfather the truth about Hua Fuyue jumping into the well.

Hua Wuke was sighing, Hua Wujing was depressed, but Ye Buhuo was very calm, as if he knew that this was not as simple as it seemed.

Sure enough, just as Hua Jingqian was about to respond to his father, Hua Zhu suddenly changed his tone and said:

"Now that Yu'er has been conferred the title of Duke Dingguo, this General's Mansion will soon become the Duke Dingguo Mansion. The second branch should move out and find another place to live."

"The emperor has awarded me several houses today. You can pick one for yourself."

Hua Zhukong's sudden decision not only caught the second house off guard, but also surprised Hua Wuke and others.

Hua Jingqian still wanted to use the first wife to pave the way for himself, so how could he easily agree to divide the family?

He calmed himself down and said:

"Father, brother, but what did I do wrong? The first and second wives have always gotten along harmoniously, why are they suddenly going to separate?"

The person in this mansion who is both capable and soft-hearted is none other than Hua Rongyu, so even though Hua Jingqian said this to both Hua Zhukong and Hua Rongyu, he was looking at Hua Rongyu the whole time, his eyes full of confusion and melancholy.

Hua Rongyu felt that his father was indeed too decisive in this matter. He and Hua Wujing had been leading troops in battles outside for many years, and the first wife was entirely taken care of by the second wife. How could the family be divided just because Hua Wuke was conferred the title of princess?