The former dignitaries of Jiangnan, such as He Jingyun, and the great scholars of the Liang Kingdom, Li You and his son Li Shiheng, were all moved to sorrow upon seeing Qin Feng's head of white hair.
Mu Cheng owed a great deal of his success in conquering half the kingdom to this man. Had it not been for Liang Xiao's life-risking rescue and his willingness to share the blame, Mu Cheng would likely have been forever disgraced.
No one else knew that Mu Xuan was not Mu Cheng's biological son; Liang Xiao had not even told his wife.
This was Qin Feng's sole request: that Mu Cheng's posthumous reputation be preserved.
Wang Canghai looked at Liang Xiao, Qin Feng, Zhang Yang, and the others present, and sighed, "Marquis Zhenguo, we are now colleagues, all subjects of the Qian Dynasty. I hope Marquis Zhenguo can rouse himself and achieve further great deeds. You are all men of destiny, and I ask for your unified efforts henceforth!"
With the Prime Minister Wang Canghai's declaration, others soon offered their support as well.
The only regret was that Mu Hong was still in the East Sea defending against the Japanese pirates and could not attend the ceremony in the capital.
Qin Feng and his wife were immensely grateful for this, and Zhi Rou was overjoyed.
The officials and common people of Great Qian could accommodate him!
"All of this is thanks to the Marquis of An," Qin Feng cast a grateful glance at Liang Xiao.
The Li father and son beside them had mixed feelings in their hearts.
They had been reluctant to be summoned to Great Qian by Mu Cheng, as it meant abandoning their family's foundations in the Liang Kingdom.
Now, with circumstances having changed so drastically, they were even more grateful to Liang Xiao and Mu Cheng.
In another guesthouse of the Court of State Ceremonial, Liang Xiao's wives, led by Luo Qingxue, were also hosting Qin Feng's other wives.
Li Xin and others were among their retinue.
The former "Six Beauties of Hengjiang" were finally reunited, and everyone rejoiced, sharing their innermost thoughts. Their sisterly bond had not diminished with their separation.
Now, they could finally live together in the capital, spending their days with zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, living the most leisurely life they had ever dreamed of, without any further worries!
Without the oppression of Du Guchun, He Wanli, and others, Liang Xiao's elder brother, Liang Yun, was also promoted to General of the Feathered Forest Guards, filling the vacancy left by his father-in-law, Yang Huan, who was also promoted.
Led by Wang Canghai, they chatted along the way until they reached the palace gate, maintaining solemn expressions as they entered.
The grandeur of the music and ceremonies along the route was unprecedented in previous years.
Qin Feng, with a nervous heart, led Zhi Rou and followed Liang Xiao and Wang Canghai towards the great hall.
When he had met the Emperor of Great Qian back then, he had been full of youthful vigor; now, he was filled with reverence.
Qin Feng had to admit that this Emperor of Great Qian was worthy of the title "Sage Emperor," surpassing even Mu Cheng and the Founding Emperor of Great Qian.
"Invite the Empress of Liang and Marquis Zhenguo into the hall!"
The eunuch's booming voice announced the summons, and the word "invite" made the couple feel both humbled and awed.
"Your subject is now a subject of the court; I dare not claim the title of Empress anymore..."
The civil and military officials on either side cast approving glances at Zhi Rou.
Amidst the welcoming cheers of the officials, the couple finally entered the main hall and prostrated themselves.
"Your subject Qin Feng (Zhi Rou) pays respects to Our Emperor!"
Xiao Qing, suppressing her emotions, softly said, "Both of you ministers need not be so formal."
"By Imperial Decree of the Emperor, Who Bears the Mandate of Heaven: Empress Zhi Rou of Liang and her consort Qin Feng, having surrendered their entire kingdom and preserved their people and military, have rendered meritorious service beyond measure. We and the people of this realm shall remember it forever! We hereby confer upon Zhi Rou the title of Lord Dongning, granting her ten thousand mu of fertile land in the East Sea as her fief. Within her fief, she may retain the imperial ceremonies of Liang."
"We hereby confer upon Qin Feng the title of Marquis Zhenguo of Great Qian. Henceforth, he shall be a subject of Great Qian and participate in the Grand Ceremony of Unification, receiving appointments and dismissals alongside other meritorious officials! The couple shall each be rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold. Henceforth, work together in concord for the welfare of the people of Great Qian. Respect this Edict."
Upon the promulgation of the imperial edict, the officials exclaimed their emperor's sagacity.
After receiving the decree together, Zhi Rou said, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your immense grace. However, your subject privately believes that the imperial ceremonies should absolutely not be retained. The preservation of the Mu family ancestral temple is already a great act of imperial benevolence from Your Majesty. From this day forward, your subject is a citizen of Great Qian, with no divided loyalties. I request the abolition of all special privileges."
The civil and military officials could not help but nod slightly.
They had not taught them any of this, but this couple had resolved to submit to Great Qian, and it was a happy resolution for all.
"Decree granted!" Xiao Qing nodded with satisfaction and then asked Qin Feng and his wife, "However, We still believe that you should be treated with exceptional courtesy... Do you have any requests? The court will do its utmost to fulfill them."
Qin Feng pondered for a moment and replied, "Your Majesty has specially granted my humble wife a fief in the East Sea, but I request that Your Majesty permit my family to remain in the capital. This way, I can often receive instruction from the Marquis of An..."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qing almost burst out laughing and quickly covered her mouth, glancing at Liang Xiao beside her.
"So, he can't bear to part with this rascal..."
Xiao Qing looked at Qin Feng, who was sincere and even seemed to be somewhat reluctant in his eyes. Recalling the "little reports" from Luo Qingxue and the others, Xiao Qing couldn't help but stifle a giggle.
It seemed that only by teasing her beloved like this could she make him "furious" with delight...
"Good things take time, decree granted!"
Having received Xiao Qing's permission, Qin Feng finally smiled and repeatedly expressed his thanks.
Xiao Qing then took out a roster and personally read it aloud.
"Our dynasty's soldiers have bravely fought, serving the Three Grand Marshals to protect the borders, bring peace to the people, and expand our territory, achieving unparalleled merits. We are deeply pleased!"
"General Shenwei Tian Liang Xiao, Great General Lü Yi, Chariot and Cavalry General Gongsun Ye are the pillars of the nation. Lü Changhe, Nan Jiyun, Nie Yuan, Zhuo Ying, who strike fear into the four directions. Mu Hong, Gongsun Dingjun, Wang Chunqiu, Liu Fan, who defend their regions, all possess the character of national scholars. Yue Yun, Shi Liuyun, Yue Qing Tian, and others, strong and fierce, serve as our sharp claws and teeth. The gathering of heroes is the fortune of Great Qian!"
"Furthermore, civil officials have worked together in concord, assisting the sovereign, pacifying the populace, and stabilizing the rear, rendering meritorious service beyond measure."
"Civil and military officials, united in heart and mind, are creating this era of prosperity for Great Qian!"
"After discussion with the officials, We shall hold the Grand Ceremony of Unification at Tongxuan Hall in seven days, celebrating our dynasty's recovery of Helan Mountain, Yizhou, and Jiaozhou, our acquisition of the Three Mountains, the Great Desert, and the Vast Ocean, unifying the Liang Kingdom, and establishing a foundation unprecedented in history. Furthermore, We have other matters to announce to the world."
The officials all responded in unison, saying, "We rely on Our Emperor's sagacity, and the divine might of Marquis An!"
Xiao Qing looked at the humble Liang Xiao and felt immense pride. She reached out and clasped Liang Xiao's left hand, saying loudly, "His merits are known throughout the world, without precedent and unsurpassed. Without him, this era of prosperity would not exist! We shall bestow an additional title upon him on the day of the Grand Unification Ceremony, to comfort the hearts of the soldiers and civilians of Great Qian."
Wang Canghai, Ding Wuyi, and Ning Xuejun looked at Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing, smiling and nodding.
The creation of this prosperous land was her indulgence towards Xiao Qing!
But they could also hear a slight tremor in Xiao Qing's voice.
The morning court had provided an explanation to the world: the Sage Emperor of Great Qian had not mistreated Qin Feng and his wife.
As for the three years of tax exemption throughout the Liang territory, it had already been implemented the day Liang Xiao accepted Zhi Rou's surrender, gaining immense popular support.
Land tax was no longer the main source of revenue for the Great Qian treasury.
A large number of factories had been nationalized by Xiao Qing at high prices and then put into production with improved steam engines, machine tools, spinning machines, and other new inventions, already generating significant profits.
Tax revenue from encouraging commerce and industry, as well as salt administration, were now major sources of income.
This land was finally flourishing, embarking on a path entirely different from that of the "Heavenly General's" "homeland."
Returning to the West Palace Villa, Xiao Qing finally shed her dignified pretense and snuggled into Liang Xiao's arms, whimpering with a trembling voice,
"Brother Xiao, I'm still so scared..."