"Receive the imperial edict?"
Mrs.Cui was startled.
Qin Yuan hurried to comfort her: "Mother, I suppose Marquis submitted a petition before opening the mansion, and now the Emperor has issued an edict."
Mrs.Cui let out a long sigh of relief, smiling: "This is a good thing. Marquis volunteered to seal the mansion for the Capital's safety, and now smallpox is gone. The Emperor ought to reward the Marquis Mansion."
Old Madam Gu and Qin Yuan both wore formal robes today, their hairpieces and adornments befitting their rank and status. They followed Gu Shiliu to the front hall, to join Marquis Gu and Sixth Master Gu.
The imperial edict was delivered by the Chief Eunuch beside the Emperor, whom Qin Yuan had seen several times in her previous life.
Now, the man appeared in his prime—tall, fair-skinned, with a pair of long phoenix eyes whose corners were slightly upturned, giving him a touch of indescribable frivolity.
