Rongrong’s heart beat like a small drum, feeling as if she had been caught doing something wrong.

After thinking it over, she felt she hadn’t done anything wrong.

Since it was something bestowed upon her, it was only right for her to handle it.

But no matter how justifiable her thoughts were, Rongrong felt insecure and dared not to look back, hurriedly lowering her head and pretending not to know.

Fortunately, at this moment, a eunuch came forward to report that the auspicious time had arrived.

“Then issue the decree,” the Emperor said.

Today’s events were being conducted with great ceremony by the Department of Rites, and even the time of the decree had been calculated by the Astronomical Bureau to ensure everything went smoothly.

Receiving the imperial order, Grand Eunuch Li from the Department of Rites held the decree and stepped forward, “The decree arrives; the Eastern Palace receives it.”

The Crown Prince, leading Yuanbao, walked to the center of the hall and knelt to receive the decree.

The eunuch announced, “By the will of Heaven, the Emperor’s edict states: The land of straw and earth shall be divided and used as a screen for the imperial family; the gifts of the Paulownia and jade shall be bestowed as a significant reward to the royal family.

The first son of the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, my grandson, known for his purity and diligence, is now bestowed the name Jing and awarded a golden book. Jing’s birth mother, Lady Fu Jingrong, gentle and modest, renowned for her virtue and chastity, has passed away too soon. Thus, she is posthumously honored as a noble consort of the Crown Prince. Thus decreed.”

When Rongrong heard the name Lady Fu Jingrong, she was momentarily stunned, as if she were not hearing her own name.

The title she had yearned for in her previous life was now being posthumously bestowed upon her, but she was surprisingly calm.

Had she once been surnamed Fu?

She remembered being part of a criminal’s family, selected by the Ministry of Rites to enter the palace.

She was too young at that time and had since forgotten her family name.

Hearing the decree now, mentioning the surname Fu, she seemed to recall that it was indeed her surname.

Yuanbao knelt and received the decree with both hands, also accepting the golden book for the side consort on behalf of his mother, “I, Liu Jing, accept the decree and give thanks. Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, ten thousand years!”

The Emperor, pleased with Yuanbao’s composed manner, personally walked down to lift him up, “From today on, you are Liu Jing.”

Yuanbao looked at the Emperor and nodded vigorously, his face breaking into a smile, “Liu Jing thanks Grandpa Emperor for the bestowed name.”

Seeing the Emperor’s favor towards Yuanbao, everyone approached with congratulatory words and competed to offer blessings.

The Emperor waved his hand, and Grand Eunuch Li, who was beside him, bowed and brought forward a brocade box.

Before Yuanbao could open it, a hurried announcement came from outside the hall: “The Old Duke of An Guo has arrived, the Duke of An Guo is here.”

Four years ago, after a falling out with the Eastern Palace, the old Duke of An Guo had harshly criticized the Crown Prince in the court.

He had not entered the palace for years, and now he was visiting the Eastern Palace?

It was indeed unexpected.

The people in the hall were momentarily stunned, with some harboring thoughts of watching the excitement.

Old Duke of An, a figure so formidable that even the Emperor and Empress would not dare to offend him.

Upon hearing the announcement, the Emperor’s expression became slightly more solemn.

He glanced at the Empress and then took his seat with her, saying, “Announce them.”

Moments later, Old Duke of An and Duke of An entered the hall together.

Their expressions were quite telling—one was stern and imposing, while the other wore a gentle, spring-like smile.

Duke of An stepped forward and respectfully bowed, saying, “This subject arrives late and has missed the auspicious time. I ask for Your Majesty and Her Majesty’s forgiveness.”

Old Duke of An said nothing, standing motionless beside Duke of An.

“Grant them seats,” said the Emperor.

Immediately, chairs were brought for the Old Duke and the Duke.

The Old Duke snorted coldly and sat down.

The Empress had not seen the Old Duke for years.

She had lost her mother when she was young and had a deep bond with him.

Seeing him again after such a long time, tears welled up in her eyes.

“Father, how is your health these days?”

“Thanks to you all, I’m not dead yet.”

The Old Duke’s voice was like a bell, and everyone in the hall heard it clearly.

Some people couldn’t help but take pleasure in this.

The Empress, who was usually so commanding and unyielding in front of the Emperor, found herself unable to speak, her earlier composure shattered by the Old Duke’s presence and words.

As the Empress’s tears began to fall, Yuanbao, who had been sitting on the Emperor’s lap, jumped down and went to wipe her tears.

“May I ask what brings you here today, Grandfather?” The Crown Prince, noticing the Old Duke’s tone, slightly furrowed his brows and asked loudly.

The Old Duke, seeing the Crown Prince speaking up for his mother, became spirited and, stroking his graying beard, sneered, “What’s this? Are you going to drive me away? I heard you have a son. I came to have a look. Is that alright?”

The Crown Prince stood up and walked over to the Old Duke, his gaze steady and serious.

The old Duke snorted disdainfully, thinking to himself, what a little brat, showing off his airs.

As a military general, he had faced gods and demons alike and had no regard for the Crown Prince.

“Since that’s the case,” the Crown Prince said calmly, “Liu Jing, come and pay respects to your great-grandfather.”

Yuanbao didn’t like the old man who had scared his grandmother, but upon the Crown Prince’s order, he still stepped forward and respectfully knelt to offer a bow to the old Duke of An Guo.

“Great-grandson Liu Jing pays his respects to his great-grandfather.”

The old Duke of An Guo remained indifferent, not even glancing at Yuanbao or instructing him to rise.

On the other hand, the Duke of An Guo, standing beside him, took a long look at Yuanbao, and his smile quickly faded, his expression darkening.

The heavens were certainly not aligning with human desires.

The Duke of An Guo took a deep breath and forced a smile, “So this is Prince Yuanbao, is it? He really is… handsome. I’ve heard he has been studying in the Imperial Study and will surely be as outstanding as the Crown Prince in the future.”

However, as soon as these words were spoken, the Empress, who was turning to wipe her tears, suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said, “Father, please look at Yuanbao.”

The Crown Prince was somewhat displeased with the Empress’s action.

He understood her longing for her father, but Yuanbao was his son. If anyone wanted to see Yuanbao, they should be asking to see him, not the other way around.

At this moment, the old Duke’s eyes lazily swept over Yuanbao.

As soon as he saw Yuanbao’s face, he was struck as if by lightning, his whole body shook, and he jumped up from his chair.

Was he going to hit Yuanbao?

Seeing the old Duke’s intense reaction, Rongrong, who had been standing beside, couldn’t hold back any longer.

She rushed into the hall and shielded Yuanbao behind her.

The Crown Prince, initially intending to pull Yuanbao behind him, saw Rongrong rush forward.

His face, which had been darkened by the old Duke’s actions, instantly softened a bit, returning to his usual calm demeanor.

He stood tall in front of Yuanbao and Rongrong, saying coldly, “Please, Grandfather, speak carefully. Otherwise, do not blame me for being disrespectful.”

The Old Duke stared directly at Yuanbao, seemingly ignoring the Crown Prince’s warning.

He tried to bypass the Crown Prince to see Yuanbao but could only see Rongrong protectively holding Yuanbao close, not allowing him to be seen.

“Crown Prince,” the Emperor called out, his tone neither too heavy nor too light.

The Old Duke of An was a veteran of two reigns.

In his youth, he had led troops to repel the Rakshasa and defended the northern borders, making significant contributions to the court.

Just this accomplishment alone gave him enough clout to act with impunity in the court.

Moreover, as a senior figure to the Emperor, his influence was considerable.

Given this layered authority, even when the Old Duke had once pointedly scolded the Emperor and Empress in the court, no one dared to question him.

Seeing Liu Zhen speak so harshly in front of so many people today, there was still a need to show him some respect.

Otherwise, rumors might spread that the Crown Prince disrespected his elders and the meritorious officials.

The Empress, having regained her composure, dried her tears with a handkerchief and walked to the center of the hall.

She stood beside Yuanbao and said gently, “Yuanbao, don’t be afraid. Let Grandfather see you.”

“Your Majesty,” Rongrong pleaded softly. The Old Duke’s reaction had been so frightening; what if he really intended to harm Yuanbao…

Although it was an incident from four years ago and no one had explained it in detail to Rongrong, she could guess that the Crown Prince’s cancellation of the engagement with the Duke of An’s residence was indeed a slight against them.

However, Yuanbao was not afraid at all.

Seeing the Empress’s words, he smiled and nodded at Rongrong, reaching out to hold the Empress’s hand.

The Empress led Yuanbao forward, and Yuanbao, looking at the Old Duke who was staring blankly at him, bowed again, saying, “Paying respects to Great-Grandfather.”