Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

The following morning, the morning court session was held in the Taiji Hall.

After the Qixi Festival, the imperial court began to request rewards and honors for the imperial guards' singers and soldiers who had made outstanding contributions in the battle.

"The Emperor decrees that Shen Lang of the Jingwei Guard, having relieved the nation's worries, has recovered the Heluo region in three months, driven out the Tartars, and reclaimed Chang'an, the capital of our Great Chu, which has stood for six hundred years."

His military exploits in conquering the Western Xia in Xiliang were truly outstanding and worthy of lasting fame! Effective immediately, I hereby bestow upon Shen Lang the title of Duke of Zhenguo, with a fief of ten thousand households, as a testament to his loyalty and valor!

On the dragon throne, Jiang Mengxuan sat upright, listening to the eunuch beside her read aloud the decree bestowing upon Shen Lang the title of Duke. She raised her phoenix eyebrows slightly and quietly watched Shen Lang kneeling below the steps, listening to the imperial edict.

After their conversation last night on Qixi Festival, the two finally let go of all their psychological burdens and opened their hearts to each other.

Now, all that's left is the final step: on our wedding night, I will give myself completely to my partner.

In fact, after the Qixi Festival ended last night, Shen Lang also returned to the palace with the Empress, so that Jiang Mengxuan would no longer have to live in fear.

During this time, Jiang Mengxuan also subtly hinted that if he was willing, they could stay in the palace together.

Although she was still very resistant to premarital sex, believing that the most precious thing could only be perfectly obtained when the auspicious time arrived.

But in order to keep Shen Lang's heart, she still decided to let herself be "confused" for a moment.

If Shen Lang wanted, they could have made it a fait accompli last night.

Shen Lang was certainly not a saint, and he naturally understood what would happen if he stayed, given the alluring hints from the empress.

However, he felt that since things had already come to this point, a few more days wouldn't make a difference, so he pretended not to know anything and went to rest in the side hall.

This scene made Jiang Mengxuan feel a little disappointed, but also a sweet feeling in her heart.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Shen Lang raised his hand to receive the imperial edict and stood up to stand beside the ranks of officials.

Jiang Mengxuan originally planned to directly bestow a royal title upon Shen Lang. After all, his achievements in recovering the old capital and annihilating the Western Xia were enough to make him a figure of historical renown, and it would not be an exaggeration to bestow a royal title upon someone of a different surname.

However, upon learning this, Shen Lang voluntarily requested to be demoted to the rank of duke, in order to prevent the Empress from facing pressure from the court officials.

Now that he's certain that Jiang Mengxuan is his wife, he has to consider everything from her perspective and absolutely cannot let her suffer any injustice.

As for himself, titles and such didn't matter to him; he didn't care about these things at all.

While the officials were quite unhappy about Shen Lang being granted the title of Duke, it was still within an acceptable range.

Even those officials who had prepared impeachment arguments and were ready to argue their case fell silent after hearing the contents of the imperial edict.

After all, it was a foregone conclusion that Shen Lang would soon become the son-in-law of the Great Chu Emperor, and no one could change that.

Conferring a noble title was in accordance with proper etiquette, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with it.

The edicts for further commendations and rewards for the Imperial Guard are still in effect.

Finally, the Empress added one more sentence.

"From this day forward, a shrine to martyrs will be established in the northwest garden of Weiyang Palace. All soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country should be remembered by the world and worshipped for eternity."

Because of them, the people of my Great Chu can live and work in peace and contentment; because of them, they have protected this homeland with their own lives.

Their names may be forgotten, but their contributions to the empire will become a monument, passed down through generations!

"Your Majesty is wise!"

His words resonated with both the scholars and the warriors.

Standing beside Shen Lang, Jiang Shangxian couldn't help but nudge Shen Lang's shoulder with dark circles under his eyes and tease him in a low voice.

"Brother, now you have a title too. How does it feel to be a member of the royal family?"

"Your Highness, why do you look so weak?"

"Don't even mention it. The goods I'd stored for over a year were all taken away by my wife last night."

I told her I didn't want it anymore, but she still wouldn't let me go. It's terrifying!

Even if a hundred beautiful women stood naked before me now, I wouldn't feel any interest. It's too pathetic.

"Isn't this how it should be? You and the princess should be this close; that's how a married couple should live in harmony."

"Oh dear, come on, I have a bitter pill to swallow. You know I'm all lust and no guts. When have I ever actually succeeded in doing something?"

"Come on, if I hadn't been watching you, who would know if you'd come back with some kind of disease?"

"Get lost! After court today, you have to accompany me to eat some nourishing soup. Choose that restaurant in the north of the city, you'll pay. I need to get my body back in shape."

While the two were exchanging barbs, the announcement of the rewards was completed.

The roster of all meritorious generals in the Imperial Guard has been fully registered and compiled, and a group of qualified generals will emerge after the military reform.

The Empress's clear, cold voice rang out at the opportune moment: "The old capital Chang'an has been restored, and the Western Xia barbarians have been destroyed."

This is a sign of the revival of our Great Chu! All of you should congratulate these soldiers who have endured hardship, for with them, our nation will stand!

"May the Great Chu Dynasty live ten thousand years! May Your Majesty live ten thousand years!"

The assembled officials shouted in unison, their voices echoing throughout the Taiji Hall.

Jiang Mengxuan clenched her jade-like hand. At this moment, she seemed to see the scene of truly ruling the world.

"Furthermore, I hereby declare that Shen Lang is of upright character, possessing both literary and martial talents. Although he comes from a humble background, he is deeply concerned about the well-being of the people. His assessment has greatly pleased me."

Therefore, on the auspicious day of the twelfth day of the seventh month, I and Shen Lang were married, and this is hereby proclaimed to the world.

After speaking, she glanced at Shen Lang again, her bright eyes filled with undisguised tenderness.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

The courtiers offered their congratulations once again.

At the same time, officials at all levels of the six ministries all cast a friendly and conciliatory glance at Shen Lang.

This is no ordinary pretty son-in-law.

He was a meritorious son-in-law of the emperor.

He was the emperor's son-in-law who recaptured the old capital, Chang'an.

He is also a decisive and ruthless son-in-law of the emperor.

No one present had the right to look down on him, and they tried their best to avoid any conflict with him.

After the investiture ceremony, Ye Mo stepped forward and replied, "Your Majesty, the envoy from the Song Kingdom has been waiting outside the palace gates for quite some time. Would Your Majesty be willing to grant him an audience?"

Jiang Mengxuan gently closed her eyes: "The State of Song and my Great Chu have always been friendly neighbors separated only by a strip of water. These past few days, court affairs have been busy, and I have perhaps treated the envoys from our friendly nation poorly."

"Taking advantage of the grand occasion of our Great Chu's triumphant return today, we hereby summon the Song envoy to the capital for an audience."

"Old minister accepts the order."

The so-called friendly nations are only in name.

In reality, the relationship between the three kingdoms of Chu, Song, and Wu was merely a superficial peace.

Currently, the situation among the three kingdoms is such that Chu is showing signs of resurgence, Song is declining, and Wu is terminally ill.

If the internal situation remains stable, Jiang Mengxuan will not hesitate to annex these two countries.

Before long, the Song Dynasty envoy leisurely entered the palace.

"Zhou Xianwu, envoy of the State of Song, pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress of the State of Chu!"

The Song envoy Zhou Xianwu entered the palace and paid homage directly, demonstrating his thorough understanding of etiquette.

The states of Song and Chu were friendly states for hundreds of years, with frequent cultural and trade exchanges.

Therefore, the etiquette systems between the two countries are very similar. Apart from the difference in official robes, there is almost no difference in other dietary customs and clothing.

"The Song envoy has come from afar. I have been busy with state affairs and have neglected to treat the Song envoy properly. I hope the Song envoy will not take it to heart and may dispense with the formalities."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After rising, Zhou Xianwu cupped his hands again and said, "Your Majesty, I have heard that our friendly nation has recovered the former capital Chang'an. On behalf of the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty, I congratulate the Great Chu on its restoration and on the blessings that will last for generations."

This was news that Zhou Xianwu only learned after arriving in Jinling, and he couldn't help but marvel at how prosperous the Chu Kingdom was.

With the recapture of Chang'an, the power of the Chu state will be restored, and for the next hundred or even several hundred years, there will be no more external threats.

In contrast, within the Song Kingdom, the government was in disarray, treacherous officials held sway within the country, and powerful enemies lurked in the distance, a scene of internal and external troubles.

Jiang Mengxuan smiled and said, "I have felt your country's sincerity. I am sure that your new emperor will lead the Song state to a new era."

Zhou Xianwu returned the greeting with clasped hands: "Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty. Your Majesty will surely feel the Empress's sincerity in Bianliang, to show your support for the restoration of the old capital of our friendly nation."

The Emperor specially ordered his ministers to present a modest gift: ten thousand taels of gold, two hundred thousand taels of silver, ten thousand bolts of silk brocade, twenty thousand bolts of fine silk, three thousand cattle, and ten thousand sheep.

There are also twenty boxes of jade and agate, and thirty luminous pearls from the Southern Dragon Sea. I hope Your Majesty will accept them.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan frowned slightly.

This gift is far beyond the proper protocol for diplomatic exchanges between friendly nations; there must be an important matter they wish to request.

Ye Mo was equally uneasy. He looked at Zhou Xianwu, trying to discern the purpose of his trip from his composed exterior.

Shen Lang's gaze remained fixed on a female official behind Zhou Xianwu.

They exchanged a glance and immediately recognized each other.

"Lin Yunxiu?"

In an instant, Shen Lang took a half-step back, his eyes becoming wary.

"This woman must be here for some unquenchable fire. Let's see what tricks they're up to first."