The poorest member of the Imperial Guard, the Empress begged me to embezzle.

"Thank you, Lord Jiang."

Chu Xiu smiled slightly, thanked Jiang Wan'er, and accepted the imperial edict.

He knew that Empress Murong Si would definitely reward him for his achievements, but he really didn't know what kind of reward she would bestow.

He also harbored a sense of curiosity.

"You're too kind, my lord. It's all I should do."

Jiang Wan'er quickly returned the greeting and said to Chu Xiu.

Chu Xiu smiled gently, slowly opened the imperial edict in his hand, and began to read it carefully.

only……

Upon closer inspection.

Chu Xiu was completely stunned!

What did he see? ? ?

Is this really a reward from Murong Si?

"Lord Jiang, am I seeing things correctly?"

"Or is there a mistake in His Majesty's imperial edict?"

Chu Xiu raised his head and looked at Jiang Wan'er with a strange expression, asking her a question.

"My lord, you are not mistaken. This is indeed His Majesty's imperial edict. His words are law, how could they be wrong?"

"Moreover, all the civil and military officials in the court already know about it."

"His Majesty announced the conferment of the title upon the Marquis in court."

Jiang Wan'er smiled and said.

To be honest, when she heard Murong Si announce it, she did not expect that Chu Xiu would be granted the honors of wearing a sword and shoes in the palace, not having to bow when entering the court, and not having to mention his name when being praised.

But that's exactly what's true.

Moreover, after careful consideration, she felt that it was perfectly normal for Murong Si to grant Chu Xiu such an easy gift.

Consider that it was Chu Xiu who quelled the rebellion of Prince Murong Zhi of Zhao in one fell swoop, and that Chu Xiu was also greatly involved in suppressing the rebellion of the Yellow Heaven Sect in Jizhou. Almost every time, Chu Xiu made earth-shattering contributions to the Great Zhou Dynasty.

With all his merits accumulated, it wouldn't be impossible for Chu Xiu to be granted the title of Duke of the Great Zhou Dynasty, sharing prosperity with the nation.

Although Murong Si had bestowed titles and rewards upon Chu Xiu each time before, those rewards were actually insufficient compared to his merits.

This time, since Chu Xiu has only been enfeoffed as the Marquis of Champion for a short time, it is not appropriate to promote him from Marquis of Champion to Duke in a short period of time.

Since that's the case, the only honors we can bestow upon him are the privilege of wearing a sword and shoes in the palace, not having to bow when entering the court, and not having to mention his name when being praised.

"This body can shatter three thousand suits of armor, yet it cannot bear even a thread of the Emperor's grace!"

Chu Xiu took a deep breath, his expression turned solemn, and he spoke in a firm and resounding voice.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wan'er was shaken, her eyes gleaming as she looked at Chu Xiu. She was completely stunned by Chu Xiu's words.

Perhaps this is what true sage rulers and virtuous ministers are all about.

“Lord Jiang, it’s perfect timing. I also have matters to attend to at the palace. I’ll go with you to meet His Majesty.”

Chu Xiu calmed himself down, slowly rolled up the imperial edict, put it away, and looked at Jiang Wan'er.

“My lord, if you are going to the palace to personally thank His Majesty, then there is no need.”

"His Majesty said that you have just returned to the capital after suppressing the Maitreya sect rebellion for our Great Zhou Dynasty. You can rest for a while and not overwork yourself."

"I will certainly report back to Your Majesty what you just said, word for word."

Jiang Wan'er looked at Chu Xiu with sparkling eyes and a beautiful face, and said softly.

Chu Xiu smiled slightly and said, "My purpose in coming to the palace to meet Your Majesty this time is not to express my gratitude for Your Majesty's grace, but to report an extremely important matter to Your Majesty and ask for your decision."

"My lord, if that's the case, then let's go to the palace together now."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wan'er spoke solemnly.

"it is good."

Chu Xiu nodded slightly and said.

Jiang Wan'er took the reins from a soldier of the Imperial Guard and said to Chu Xiu, "My lord, please mount your horse."

"Lord Jiang, you've become quite distant with me!"

"You weren't this reserved in front of me before."

Chu Xiu smiled and took the reins from Jiang Wan'er. The moment his right hand touched her soft, boneless white hand, he looked at her with a smile and said.

Jiang Wan'er's pretty face flushed slightly, feeling a burning sensation in her hands and cheeks. She said softly, "Times have changed. Now, the Marquis is a favorite of His Majesty."

"Isn't Lord Jiang also a favorite of His Majesty?"

"You are a female official of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs of our Great Zhou Dynasty, and the chief minister in charge of the entire Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs."

"I'm counting on Lord Jiang to put in a good word for me in front of His Majesty."

Chu Xiu smiled gently and looked at Jiang Wan'er.

Jiang Wan'er rolled her eyes at Chu Xiu, but she no longer felt the same restraint and distance she had shown earlier.

"Lord Jiang, let's go, let's go to the palace now."

Chu Xiu smiled, said something to Jiang Wan'er, then mounted his horse and sat on the Dragon Blood Steed.

"it is good."

Jiang Wan'er nodded slightly, then mounted her horse and sat gracefully atop the Dragon Blood Steed.

"let's go."

Chu Xiu rode the Dragonblood Horse toward the palace.

Jiang Wan'er, accompanied by a group of imperial guards, escorted Chu Xiu toward the palace.

Because Chu Xiu was given a Dragonblood Horse, two Imperial Guards soldiers shared one horse.

However, the Dragon Blood Horse was the best warhorse of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and it would not have any impact if two Imperial Guards soldiers rode one horse together.

Less than a moment.

Outside the Taiji Palace.

"Your Majesty, the Marquis has arrived."

Jiang Wan'er led Chu Xiu to the outside of Taiji Palace and bowed respectfully.

"Minister Chu has arrived?"

"Quickly bring Minister Chu in."

Upon hearing this, Murong Si, who was reviewing memorials at her desk, immediately put down the memorials in her hand and spoke loudly.

"Yes."

Jiang Wan'er responded and led Chu Xiu into the Taiji Palace.

"Someone, bring a seat for Minister Chu!"

A smile appeared on Murong Si's face as she spoke with a broad grin.

"Yes."

A palace maid responded.

Soon a chair was placed in front of the emperor's desk.

"Your humble servant Chu Xiu thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."

Chu Xiu bowed to Murong Si with his hands clasped in a gesture of respect.

"Minister Chu, there's no need for such formalities."

"Sit down and talk."

Murong Si waved her hand and said to Chu Xiu.

"The minister obeys the order."

After Chu Xiu expressed his gratitude, he sat down in the chair.

"Except for Jiang Wan'er and Pei Guanyin, everyone else may leave."

Murong Si said calmly.

She knew very well that Chu Xiu's visit to the palace this time was definitely not as simple as wanting to express his gratitude.

There must be something extremely important going on.

"Yes, ma'am."

The palace maids slowly withdrew from the main hall of Taiji Palace.

"Minister Chu, speak now. There are no outsiders here. Is your entry into the palace related to the traitor Xiao Yu?"

After watching the gates of the Taiji Palace close, Murong Si asked Chu Xiu.

Jiang Wan'er and Pei Guanyin also focused their attention on Chu Xiu, their hearts filled with curiosity.

"Your Majesty, my visit to the palace has nothing to do with Xiao Yu."

"It is related to the Daxiangguo Temple."

Chu Xiu shook his head and said with a serious expression.

"Daxiangguo Temple?"

Murong Si looked at Chu Xiu with a hint of surprise on her face.

Jiang Wan'er and Pei Guanyin's expressions changed slightly. They exchanged a glance and guessed what was going on.

However, Chu Xiu hadn't said anything yet, so they weren't sure if it was true.