Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

Today is the auspicious occasion of the new ruler’s coronation and the imperial wedding. As the Holy Emperor’s sister, the Seventeenth Princess should have been present in grand attire, smiling and radiant. Why, then, does she appear in such a manner?

"Look at the expression of the Seventeenth Princess... It seems something unforeseen might have occurred just now."

"Silence! Do not speculate too much!" Someone seemed to understand something and immediately fell silent.

At this moment, low whispers spread like ripples among the crowd, yet swiftly subsided.

Sitting on the dragon throne, Ji Minghao saw Ji Mingyue’s appearance, and his expression slightly changed beneath the coronet tassels.

He already knew what had just happened with Ji Mingyuan, that Ji Mingyue had gone to Ji Mingyuan’s residence and witnessed Ji Mingyuan’s death.

He gripped the armrest tight and then loosened his hand.

He took a deep breath, stood up, and called out loudly, "Shiqi, you have come!"

His voice was gentle and steady, carrying the majesty of an emperor.

Ji Mingyue paused for a moment, raised her head, and through the beaded curtain of the coronet, she could not clearly see her brother’s face, yet she could sense that unfamiliar majesty overwhelming her.

At this moment, a bitter smile naturally appeared at the corner of her mouth.

She approached slowly, stopping before the imperial steps, bowing gracefully with a serene voice: "Your Majesty, I, Ji Mingyue, pay respects. May Your Majesty live for ten thousand years."

Ji Minghao lifted his hand with a gesture of support: "Rise, no need for such formalities."

Ji Mingyue slowly stood up.

"Shiqi, come, sit beside me."

"Thank you for Your Majesty’s kindness, but it’s unnecessary!" Ji Mingyue shook her head and then looked towards Jiang Ning, "Your Majesty, I can sit beside the Dongling Marquis!"

Ji Minghao glanced at Jiang Ning, hesitated slightly, and then nodded slowly.

"Very well!"

"Your Majesty!" At this moment, as Ji Mingyue was about to lift her foot and step away, she halted again and looked at Ji Minghao.

Ji Minghao’s tone remained gentle: "If Shiqi has something to say, feel free to speak directly."

Ji Mingyue looked at Ji Minghao’s eyes, her gaze filled with complexity.

She wanted to announce Ji Mingyuan’s death, but as the words reached her lips, she hesitated and held back.

Afterwards, she shook her head: "It’s nothing!"

Having said this, she moved to sit by Jiang Ning’s side gracefully.

Her red dress spread out, extraordinarily vibrant.

Jiang Ning squeezed her palm, then lightly patted it.

He had witnessed the recent scene from Chengtian Hall.

At this moment, he roughly understood why Ji Mingyue appeared so distraught.

The struggle for imperial power, fratricide, naturally has a grave impact on one’s heart.

For the first time, Ji Mingyue directly faced the tremendous impact brought on by power.

Now, facing Jiang Ning, she forced a smile, putting on a facade of cheerful elegance.

Looking at Ji Mingyue’s demeanor, Jiang Ning couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

The ruthlessness of imperial power, the tragedy within the imperial family, fratricide, has always been the norm.

He could understand Ji Minghao’s choice, as well as Ji Mingyue’s current sorrow and disappointment.

But he was in no position to judge any of it.

Matters of this world cannot always be simplified into right and wrong.

Then the banquet continued.

Amidst the music, singing, and dancing, the celebration persisted.

Midway through the banquet, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Xie Xun, stood and approached the imperial presence, bowing: "Your Majesty, the auspicious time has come for the grand ceremony of rewards."

Ji Minghao nodded slightly: "Proceed."

Xie Xun straightened, cleared his throat, and proclaimed loudly: "By His Majesty’s decree—Hear ye, all ministers!"

At these words, the entire assembly fell silent.

Civil and military officials alike rose, adjusted their attire, and stood respectfully.

Jiang Ning also rose from his seat, standing in the center.

According to the customs of Great Xia, the new ruler’s ascension must be followed by rewards.

Firstly, to reward the meritorious ministers, and secondly, to stabilize the court’s morale.

Especially in this case of throne succession involving palace coups, battles of succession, and military uprisings, there were many contributors, and rewards were inevitable.

Xie Xun unfurled a bright yellow imperial edict and read aloud:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, young and inexperienced, have inherited the great order with the grace of Heaven and my ancestors, and with the assistance of civil and military ministers. Now, at the beginning of my reign, we must reward merits and punish faults to uphold the court’s order. Based on merits, rewards will be given accordingly."

"Great General Shen Xiao, commendable in loyalty and courage, has repeatedly achieved feats, allied by marriage with the imperial family, and is a father-in-law to Us. Granted the title of Duke Zhen, a hereditary title, with a reward of ten thousand taels and a thousand bolts of celestial silk, retaining the position of Great General, commanding the nation’s forces. Additionally, bestowed with three Death Exemption Tokens, pardoning thrice from death sentences."

Shen Xiao came forth, bowed to receive the decree: "I, Shen Xiao, thank Your Majesty for the great favor!"

His voice was steady, his face calm, but the hint of a smile at the corner of his eyes betrayed his inner delight.

Duke Zhen, a hereditary title, continued control over the military forces.

This honor could be said to be the utmost a military general could achieve in the court.

Moreover, the Death Exemption Tokens were indeed rare rewards.

Though they seemed redundant for him, given his strength, he was naturally equivalent to being exempt from death.

Yet, the Death Exemption Tokens could be passed down generations or gifted to others, holding significant value.

From today, the Shen Family’s influence in the military would become more solidified, almost unshakeable.

Xie Xun continued to read:

"Martial King Xiang Yuan, guardian of the state and protector of the imperial capital, meritorious and remarkable. Bestowed the title of Prince Zhenwu, rewarded with five thousand taels and five hundred bolts of celestial silk."

Xiang Yuan came forth, grinning: "I, Xiang Yuan, thank Your Majesty for the great favor!"

Already holding high rank and power, this reward increased his noble title, but in actual influence, there wasn’t much change.

However, Xiang Yuan didn’t care about these; his mind was never on court power.

"Deputy Mansion Master of the Inspection Office, Xiao Wuque, faithfully serving the King’s affairs and discerningly sharp. Bestowed..."

"Divine Might King Li Tianwen,..."

...

One after another, the rewards were announced.

Recipients included princes of the royal family, key civil and military officials, and officers who sided correctly during the palace coup.

The entire square was solemn yet fervent.

Some were openly joyous, others maintained their composure, while some secretly clenched their jaws, envious of those receiving the rewards.

Finally, after reading most of the reward list, Xie Xun paused briefly.

His gaze lifted from the decree, scanning the crowd, finally resting on Jiang Ning clad in a black robe.

"Lastly—the reward for Dongling Marquis Jiang Ning!"

The atmosphere instantly turned grave.

All eyes nearly simultaneously focused on Jiang Ning.

Everyone knew that the true highlight of today’s rewards was at this moment.

Jiang Ning, credited with aiding the ruler’s rise, single-handedly turned the tide, propelling the Eighth Prince Ji Minghao to ascend to the throne.

This merit surpassed any other deeds of aiding a ruler.

If the reward were too light, it would not adequately demonstrate his merits.

All were eager to know how Ji Minghao would reward this young Dongling Marquis.

Xie Xun took a deep breath and announced loudly:

"Dongling Marquis Jiang Ning, meritorious and renowned, a minister of the state. In the national crisis, turned the tide, supported the new ruler, his merits unparalleled. Now specially bestowed as—"

He paused slightly, his voice growing more resonant:

"King Luoshui!"

Xie Xun did not pause, continuing the decree:

"The four counties surrounding Luoshui—the counties of Luoshui, Qinghe, Pingyang, and Anyuan, all granted as the fiefdom to King Luoshui. The four counties, thirty-six cities, all as fiefdom, hereditary in perpetuity, enduring with the nation."

Upon hearing the last four words, many civil and military officials gasped.

Perpetually enduring with the nation, signifies that as long as Great Xia exists, the four counties surrounding Luoshui belong to Jiang Ning and his direct descendants.

Hereditary in perpetuity, enduring with the nation.

Combined, it is akin to a nation within a nation.

Spanning across Three Prefectures, four counties, and thirty-six cities!

This fiefdom surpasses the range of most princely fiefdoms, even exceeding some aged princes’ territories!

And these lands, in a prime location, backed by the Luoshui, the entire Luoshui also falls within its domain.

Henceforth, all products of Luoshui and the surrounding thirty-six cities would not be subject to taxation by the court, and the appointments of officials within the fiefdom could be entirely decided by Jiang Ning, with the court merely recording them nominally.

This power is almost equivalent to a small kingdom within Great Xia!

Truly a nation within a nation.

However, Xie Xun’s reading was not yet finished.