After the wrong flirtation, I became the villain's favorite

The hall was silent for a moment, and the officials' eyes returned to the slender woman kneeling in the hall.

She was undoubtedly very beautiful, with a calm brow and a calm demeanor. She was also well-mannered and articulate in her speech in the throne room. Her hair was meticulously combed in a woman's hairstyle.

If she had a husband, why would she come to the palace to offer treasures on her own?

Song Nihuan bent her slender waist, knelt down again, and replied: "I am a widow."

The eyes focused on her were much more relaxed than before. It was really intriguing that a widow with a stunning beauty could go to the palace alone with such a huge fortune.

"Since you've been married, who are your husband's family members?" an official asked.

If there is a husband's family, the reward should be given to the husband's family, and the honor of the family should also be given to the husband's family.

Song Ni Huan said: "My husband's family bullied my brother, and I have broken off relations with him. Your Majesty has stabilized the world, and now the country is rich and powerful. This map was originally obtained by an old friend. I am lucky to be able to see the emperor and present it to him, but it is just a humble contribution and I don't deserve your majesty's reward."

According to the Zhaoxingtong, if a husband murders his wife's younger brother, his wife can unilaterally divorce him, and can even sue him in the government.

In that case, there is nothing more to say. The fact that she could say in public that she has broken off all ties with her husband's family means that her husband had indeed done something wrong.

"You are too modest." The emperor said, "Song, please accept the title."

"If you were a man, I would promote you to a higher position. However, you are a woman, and your contribution of iron ore is a gesture of kindness and noble virtue." The emperor said, "Song, since you have no husband or father, I will pardon your father's crime, abolish your status as a slave, and confer you the title of Lady Mingde, enjoy the salary of a second-rank lady, and grant you a residence in Xuande Hutong, Yunjing."

Song Nihuan looked up in surprise.

She knew that these achievements were not enough for Xie Tan to make her his queen, so he probably wanted to take her into the harem with a better reputation.

She never expected that he would give her the title of Lady of Honor.

Since she had no husband's family and could not become a real lady of honor by marrying a noble man, he gave her the title "Mingde".

Although she enjoyed the salary of a second-rank lady, she did not have the official rank of a second-rank lady. However, this title was unique and demonstrated that she was in the emperor's favor.

Xie Tan stood there, looking at her quietly.

She was exempted from the status of a slave, given honor, and the Song family's original house was given to her. She should be happy with this arrangement, right?

As soon as the emperor finished speaking, all the ministers fell silent.

Because this reward really surprised everyone, including Xie Yunjie who had just raised the question of "whether she is married or not".

As men, they all thought that the emperor wanted to take this beautiful but lonely widow into his harem.

But the emperor did not do so. Instead, he bestowed on her the title of "Mingde" and granted her the treatment of a lady of high rank.

It really surprised everyone.

This woman was originally of low birth, but that was a thing of the previous dynasty. Her father’s family has all died out, and she is the only one left, so just let her go.

Xie Yunjie was stunned.

Song Nihuan was also stunned, with tears flashing in her eyes. The man on the podium had never thought of keeping her all to himself.

Instead, I hope she can shine.

Even though ten years have passed and things and people have changed, his original intention has not changed.

Although this reward was not quite in line with the norms, the ministers looked at each other and saw that she was just a lady of the upper class in name only, and was only given some food and salary. It sounded good, but was of no use.

As long as the emperor is happy.

All the civil and military officials in the hall bowed their heads and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your reward." Song Nihuan bowed her head and knelt with her forehead touching the ground. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. I am very worried. I only hope that our emperor will be healthy and the world will be stable."

The silver-haired emperor on the high platform stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the slender figure with a smile.

Huan'er, Huan'er...

I also hope that you will be reborn and find joy again.

*

On the other side, a carriage stopped in front of the Xie Mansion.

The carriage was covered in dust, even the original green curtains had turned gray, and there was a lot of mud on the wheels.

An old man and a young man got out of the car.

The doorman came up and asked, "Who are you? Why are you stopping here?"

The next moment, the young man tore off the skin on his face, revealing a handsome face. His eyebrows, and expression were no different from those of the elegant Master Xie from Yunjing!

He said, "Zhou'er, don't you recognize me?"

The servant boy who was called by his nickname opened his eyes wide. The young man in front of him had a pale face with hard lines on his face. He was tall and thin, and there was a bleak look between his eyebrows. Where was he, with any trace of the elegance and grace he had in his past?

But this voice, this behavior, is clearly that of the eldest son Xie Yunji!

Zhou Er stuttered for a long time without being able to speak, and when he spoke again, his voice was choked with sobs, "Master, Master, you're back!?"

The young man finally showed some expression on his face, and said calmly, "Well, lead the way."

It's not that Xie Yunji didn't know the way to the mansion, but his father was not young anymore and he was afraid that his sudden return would shock the old man, so he asked the servant to lead the way and inform him in advance.

When he arrived at the upper room, even though he already knew his son's return, Xie Zhihuan's hands couldn't stop shaking.

I haven't seen my son for nearly two years. He has lost a lot of weight, his eyes are dark blue, and he looks very tired.

The father and son stared at each other for a long time, and only said, "I'm glad you're back."

Let’s not talk about the cause and effect for now, just good thing is that you’re back.

Xie Yunji walked out from the upper room, with his hands behind his back, and stopped at the fork in the road between Liufeng Courtyard and the inner study.

The new servant was called Xie Xuan, only fourteen or fifteen years old, and followed behind all the way. When he saw Xie Yunji stop, he couldn't help but ask, "Master, where are we going?"

Xie Yunji hesitated for a moment, but still walked towards Liufengyuan.

In fact, he had never returned to Liufeng Courtyard since Song Nihuan moved to the other courtyard. After her death, he completely closed the courtyard.

His pace slowed.

Xie Xuan no longer had to follow in a hurry. He walked slowly and calmly, following Xie Yunji towards Liufeng Courtyard.

A servant like him who has just graduated and can serve his master is not qualified to enter Liufengyuan. Now, he can see what this carefully maintained forbidden area looks like.

Xie Yunji pushed open the gate.

Two years have passed since I left, and everything in the yard remains the same, even the crabapple tree has not changed.

She used to stand under that tree waiting for him to return from court, and when she saw him, she would always throw herself into his arms with a look of joy on her face.

But now, there is nothing under the tree.

He pushed open the door of the inner room again and glanced around. The furniture was dust-free, the paintings had not changed, and even the burning incense was the same as before, as if everything happened just yesterday, as if he had just returned from duty at the Hanlin Academy.

This is where he and Song Nihuan lived for four years.

The whole room was filled with her scent, which was evidence of their love.

Xie Yunji's eyes swept over the paintings on the wall, which were of her that he had drawn, and the poems that she had written imitating his handwriting. On his desk were the inkstone and small ornaments that she had chosen for him, as if he could see the care she put into choosing them.

He looked at their couch, the green gauze curtains were neatly tied on both sides, the bedding was also neatly laid out, and the pair of mandarin duck pillows were very close together. It seemed as if she was crawling into his brocade quilt and playing with him right in front of him.

Sleeping in the same bed...really sleeping in the same bed.

There was also the round fan in front of the dressing table. The withered lotus was painted by him. The misty petals were caused by the paint dripping from her brush tip when he suddenly stepped onto the boat. She was shy and timid at that time. Her loose collar revealed her beauty without her realizing it. She watched him paint the withered lotus with one stroke. The admiration and attachment in her eyes made him hold the brush but lose the heart to paint anymore.

The incense burner was burning with the incense she had mixed herself. It was elegant and light, with the coolness of plum blossoms, and it was refreshing.

Xie Yunji felt a tightness in his chest.

He stood there blankly, unable to take a step.

Nothing had changed, yet it felt empty. Her laughter was gone, and she no longer called him husband.

At that time, when I was with her, I should have cherished her a little more.