At the break of dawn, Miss Jun stepped out the door to find quite a few people gathered in the courtyard.
"Gongzhu." Fang Chengyu came over, bypassing the crowd, and showed her his hand, "Do you think I'm dressed appropriately like this?"
A robe of royal blue, a white jade crown, a red gold pendant hanging from his waist, and shoes of black gold cloud patterns so bright they dazzled the eye, yet strangely did not seem incongruous or awkward.
Zhu Zan looked at Fang Chengyu's face with disdain.
The young man's face was as fair as jade, his smile like starlight.
No matter how luxurious the clothing, it paled under this smile.
Zhu Zan touched his own face, muttering something unintelligible; his gaze had already settled on Miss Jun.
Miss Jun smiled as she earnestly appraised Fang Chengyu.
"Wasn't this chosen already yesterday?" Zhu Zan lightly coughed, "It's too late to change now."
Fang Chengyu acknowledged with a bit of apology and unease.
"It's my first time entering the palace to see the emperor; I'm a bit nervous. Brother, don't laugh at me," he said.
"It's alright, don't be nervous. I'm here with you," Miss Jun said.
Zhu Zan twitched the corner of his mouth.
"As if I would dare laugh at you," he said.
"Alright, the clothes are fine; no need to be nervous," Miss Jun reassured.
Fang Jinxiu and Seventh Chen invited Miss Jun to talk. De Sheng Chang had its own way of celebrating, and Fang Jinxiu thought Jiuling Hall should naturally have its method as well. The preparations were to be reviewed once more, since people would surely gather to hear the news after they left the imperial palace.
As he watched Miss Jun walk away, Zhu Zan naturally followed.
"Brother." Fang Chengyu tugged at his sleeve.
Zhu Zan turned back to look at him.
"What?" he asked.
Fang Chengyu looked at him with a somewhat shy smile.
"Would you tell me what to watch out for when meeting the emperor?" he asked.
"Didn't the people from the Ministry of Rites and the eunuchs tell you yesterday?" Zhu Zan said.
"I'm nervous and afraid of remembering wrongly," Fang Chengyu said.
"You don't need to be nervous. She's there; just follow her lead," Zhu Zan said and started to walk away.
Fang Chengyu held onto his sleeve, refusing to let go.
"Gongzhu is a woman; it's different from us men. I'd feel more assured listening to you, brother," he said earnestly, "You often go to the imperial palace and are familiar with the emperor."
Zhu Zan let out a breath and turned to look at him.
"Young Master." He said, "Why are you pestering me?"
Fang Chengyu looked at him.
"You asked me to do this, right?" he answered straightforwardly, "Did you forget, brother?"
Did he say that? Zhu Zan was momentarily speechless.
Alright, he indeed had said that.
"But it's not right," he replied, "I told you to pester her, not me."
Fang Chengyu shook his head.
"I know, but it can't be done like that," he said earnestly, "The best way to avoid bothering Jiuling isn't to pester her but to pester you. Jiuling is very polite and won't disturb you if she sees you're busy."
He smiled and shook his hand.
"Rest assured about the task you gave me, brother."
Oh, this kid! Zhu Zan glared.
He took a deep breath, forced a smile, and patted Fang Chengyu's shoulder.
"Kid, it was like this at the time; I had some things that needed your help," he said, "But you don't need to take it to heart; just forget it."
Fang Chengyu shook his head.
"How could I just forget?" he replied, "Brother, that would mean you look down on me. Although I, Fang Chengyu, am not skilled otherwise, I know that a real man should keep his word. I would never renege on a promise."
You're tough! Zhu Zan nodded, thinking this kid was quite adept at playing the fool.
Fang Chengyu returned his gaze calmly and nodded as well.
As they locked eyes, Miss Jun walked over.
"What are you talking about?" she asked.
Just as Fang Chengyu was about to speak, Zhu Zan patted his shoulder.
"Nothing, I was just telling him things to watch out for when meeting the emperor," he said.
Miss Jun smiled faintly.
"Forget it, he can't learn your way," she said, gesturing to Fang Chengyu, "Come on, we should go."
Fang Chengyu immediately smiled and went over.
"Thank you, brother," he did not forget to say courteously.
Zhu Zan made an acknowledging sound and looked at Miss Jun.
"What's wrong with my way?" he muttered.
"Your way is too impressive," Miss Jun laughed, giving him a sidelong glance.
Impressive? He had handled dealings with the emperor many times and considered himself quite impressive.
Zhu Zan couldn't help but smile, but quickly suppressed it.
Miss Jun had already taken Fang Chengyu by the hand and was leading him out.
When she speaks properly, it's quite fine, Zhu Zan thought, although he also recalled that she used to say things like that but seemed frivolous. However, he quickly dismissed that thought.
He reminded himself to adapt to the present and not impose things of the past.
Zhu Zan cleared his throat twice, straightened his back, and followed.
Fang Chengyu turned his head.
"Umm, brother, you shouldn't see us off or follow along," he said, "I'm worried if people see you following, it might be bad for you."
This little rascal! Really too much!
Zhu Zan's expression froze as he stopped.
Now they were no longer pretending to be a couple, so coming and going together indeed could not be beneficial to the Duke of Chengguo.
Miss Jun turned back.
"You should go back; don't worry," she smiled as she spoke.
Zhu Zan made an acknowledging sound and watched them walk out.
So that's why he didn't like kids, especially troublesome ones.
.........
.........
The emperor also didn't particularly like children, especially overly radiant girls.
At this moment, he watched Miss Jun bowing deeply in the hall, with a eunuch beside presenting the document of conferment.
Once inside, she maintained composure, showing neither submission nor arrogance, without the slightest trepidation. Even when bowing to the emperor, the persona of supreme authority, her manner remained unshaken.
Perhaps it was because she had been here before.
Recalling the last time, the emperor's expression grew more complex.
The last time she gained fame for vaccination and was conferred recognition, and now, just over a year later, she rose to fame yet again and received the title of County Magistrate.
This woman, she's quite impressive.
If she continued at this pace, who knows, she might stir things up next year and be conferred as a princess or noble lady.
The emperor leaned back in his chair.
This opportunity couldn't be given to her.
"Rise at ease," he said kindly with a smile.
Miss Jun and Fang Chengyu expressed thanks and rose again.
One eunuch first handed Miss Jun the document of conferment, which she accepted, and then another eunuch approached with another tray to present Fang Chengyu his award.
"Additionally, I've written something for De Sheng Chang," the emperor said, smiling.
Receiving a word from the emperor was as significant as an imperial decree.
Fang Chengyu and Miss Jun gave their thanks once more.
The emperor signaled them to rise while two eunuchs unfurled a scroll with large golden characters reading "House of Accumulated Virtues."
Fang Chengyu was overwhelmingly excited.
"Grandmother will surely be delighted," he said, reaching out to take it.
The emperor suddenly patted the armrest, as if he recalled something.
"There is one more thing," he said.
Fang Chengyu halted and stood ready to listen.
"The imperial decree conferred by the former emperor to your family is not very practical. Now I give you this one, which is more suitable for hanging and known to all," the emperor said with a smile.
This one is more suitable; clearly, the previous decree was no longer appropriate.
The original decree, indeed.
Miss Jun looked at the conferment she held; clearly, these weren't given for nothing.