Reborn to be replaced, remarried to the royal palace to raise children and train husband

Everyone in the hall stood up in unison and saluted respectfully to welcome the arrival of the Emperor and Empress.

After the emperor and empress took their seats, the emperor graciously allowed everyone to stand. At this time, Gu Qinlan supported Princess Duan and slowly sat down.

As the palace banquet officially began, the emperor first gave a speech, reviewing the achievements of the previous year and expressing his high hopes for the new year. The queen also added a few concise words and then signaled to start serving the dishes.

The palace servants lined up in rows, carrying exquisite food boxes. Each table had two large food boxes, which contained eight cold dishes and eight hot dishes, a total of sixteen delicacies. Each dish was as exquisite and beautiful as a work of art, like a painting to be appreciated.

The Zheng family was somewhat surprised to be attending a palace banquet for the first time. However, this was not a big deal, as many newcomers who attended a palace banquet for the first time had similar reactions.

However, it was clear that someone was trying to embarrass the Zheng family.

A lady sitting diagonally opposite to them pretended to be considerate and reminded them, "Mrs. Zheng, please speak softly. Don't disturb the etiquette."

Gu Qinlan raised her eyes and took a glance, and immediately recognized the other person's identity.

The wife of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Ms. Liu.

Her husband is a member of the Fourth Prince's camp.

Without waiting for Gu Qinlan to respond, the Fourth Prince's wife suddenly asked, "What's wrong? Who is so out of control?"

Liu immediately stood up in a panic and explained, "Fourth Prince's Concubine, I was the one who warned the family of Zheng Duan Wangfu, fearing that their noise would disturb the Fourth Prince's Concubine. I was really panicked."

The Fourth Prince's wife frowned slightly, with a hint of dissatisfaction in her tone: "Zheng Shizi? Zheng Dinglian? How could the Crown Princess be so careless in arranging matters? How could she let Gu Qinlan get involved in this palace banquet?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell into silence.

The Queen frowned slightly, her eyes serious, "Fourth Prince's Consort, Zheng Dinglian is a third-rank military commander, and his family is naturally qualified to participate in the palace banquet. The Crown Princess has drawn up the banquet list according to the rules, why do you have any objections?"

The Fourth Prince's Consort immediately stood up and bowed to the Queen. "Mother, I heard that Madam Zheng had set many traps in Prince Duan's mansion to protect her own safety, but it caused the deaths of many refugees. I am worried that the bloody smell on her body will offend the holy bodies of my father and mother."

Everyone in the hall turned their eyes to Gu Qinlan, with worry and fear that were difficult to conceal on their faces.

Mrs. Zhao was furious and immediately wanted to stand up to defend Gu Qinlan.

However, Gu Qinlan quickly sent a look to Madam Zhao, signaling her to remain calm. Then, she slowly stood up, bowed respectfully to the Emperor and the Empress, and then spoke to the Fourth Prince's wife:

"What the Fourth Prince's wife said is true. When the refugees swarmed in and attacked Prince Duan's mansion, I did set traps all over the mansion to protect the old and young in the mansion. As you said, those traps claimed the lives of many refugees."

"However, I do not think I have been stained with blood. Those refugees were no longer simple refugees, but mobs who betrayed the Western Wei, harmed national interests, and were enemies of the court. Anyone could kill them. Killing them was to follow the will of heaven, relieve the worries of the Western Wei, and protect the country and the people. How could it be bloody and cruel?"

"Even if I have been convicted of murder and bloodshed, Your Majesty is the true dragon emperor, and Your Majesty is the incarnation of the phoenix. They are recognized by the heavens and have protected the Western Wei kingdom and the people for a hundred years of peace. How dare those filthy spirits cause chaos in front of Your Majesty and Your Majesty? The filth in this world will only be purified by the righteous spirit of Your Majesty and Your Majesty."

As soon as she finished speaking, she turned around and bowed deeply to the emperor and the empress: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, when I was besieged by refugees, I offered sacrifices to the capital from afar, praying for Your Majesty's protection to keep my family safe. Unexpectedly, my family and I escaped from that desperate situation safely. Your Majesty's kindness is boundless. Even though you are thousands of miles away, you can still protect the people of Western Wei. Whenever I think of this, I am filled with emotion. With the protection of Your Majesty, my Western Wei will surely last for thousands of years and enjoy endless blessings."

Her words were earnest, sincere and touching, and the emperor and empress were deeply moved.

The emperor was even more delighted: "Great! I have the approval of the heavens, and I am possessed by the dragon spirit. Why should I fear bloody and filthy things! Madam Zheng, you are as brave as any man in the country. I have praised you in the past. After seeing you today, I feel even more deeply that my country is lucky to have such a talented woman."

He paused for a moment, turned around and whispered a few words to the queen.

The queen smiled and nodded frequently.

The emperor looked at Gu Qinlan kindly and announced loudly: "Gu Qinlan, kneel down quickly and listen to my order."

Gu Qinlan was startled, feeling as if a huge pie was about to hit her, so she quickly walked to the center of the hall and knelt down respectfully: "Your Highness Gu Qinlan obeys your order."

The emperor smiled happily, "Gu Qinlan is very intelligent and well-mannered. Although she is a woman, she has the courage and wisdom that are not inferior to men. The queen and I are both pleased. We hereby personally confer the title of Linchuan County Lady on Gu Qinlan, with the fief of Jindu and a fief of 100 households."

Gu Qinlan stood there in a daze for a moment. County Princess?

She was actually named County Lady?

This unexpected honor was like a huge pie falling from the sky, catching her off guard.

She couldn't help but wonder if she was still dreaming.

Upon hearing this, the Fourth Prince's wife's face suddenly darkened. She hurriedly stood up from her seat and fiercely retorted, "Father, Gu Qinlan is just a merchant's daughter. She has never contributed anything to the country. If you confer her the title of county lord, I'm afraid it will cause criticism from both the government and the people. I hope you will think carefully about this."

The Queen glanced at her calmly and asked in a calm tone, "Fourth Prince Consort, are you questioning the decision made by His Majesty and me?"

"Gu Qinlan has generously donated money many times in Jindu to help disaster victims and distribute food to benefit the people of the entire city. Isn't this an outstanding contribution? Even if she didn't have these achievements, just because I favor her, who would dare to argue against her canonization as a county lady? Do His Majesty and I need your consent to act?"

The Fourth Prince's wife was startled and knelt hurriedly, saying in a trembling voice: "I dare not overstep my authority, but I feel that this matter is of great importance and should not be taken lightly..."

"My will has been made. Do the people of the Fourth Family want me to take it back?"

The emperor's face had turned livid, and he was obviously angry at the fourth prince and his wife's outrageous behavior. He thought to himself that it was time to teach them a lesson.

The Fourth Prince's wife was so frightened that her face turned pale. She knelt on the ground trembling, not daring to breathe.

The emperor was too lazy to pay attention to her anymore and turned his gaze to Gu Qinlan in the palace: "Linchuan County Princess, why don't you thank me quickly? Are you dissatisfied with my reward?"

Gu Qinlan recovered from her shock and hurriedly bowed deeply, shouting loudly: "I, your humble servant, accept the decree and thank the emperor and the queen for their reward and gift. Long live the emperor, long live the emperor, and live the queen a thousand years and a thousand years."

The emperor smiled with satisfaction and said, "Stand up. This is the honor you deserve. From now on, you must help the court solve its problems."

Gu Qinlan replied respectfully: "I will definitely remember the emperor's teachings."