Chapter 31: Ah——（1 / 2)
Who wouldn’t want to be a marquis? That’s a marquis we’re talking about!
At the founding of the dynasty, with so many opportunities to earn military merit, there are only 155 marquises to date. By comparison, there are 1,188 capital officials, making marquises about one in ten—a distinction of extraordinary value.
Back then, achieving a marquis title was about conquering the world. Now, with the empire stable, earning such a title is immensely challenging, and ascending to a princely rank is near impossible.
Over time, Xie Luoshui had come to understand the immense power wielded by marquises and kings.
At this moment, the elderly but imposing emperor held her hand, making a solemn promise, enunciating each word clearly: “I’ve heard from maritime traders about a foreign land where three unique crops grow. If you can bring them back, I’ll confer a marquisate upon you. If you want Kuaiji as your fief, you shall be made the Marquis of Kuaiji. If not, I’ll grant you a title in Luoyang County.”
Luoyang County was where Xie Luoshui’s foster parents resided. Receiving a title there would be the epitome of returning home in glory.
It rarely rains in winter, yet it did today. Raindrops pattered on glazed roof tiles, echoing with the voices around her, each strike reverberating in her chest.
Xie Luoshui stared at the elderly emperor in a daze. With every word he spoke, light began to gleam in her eyes—a light of hope, a promise of a brilliant future.
The elderly emperor promptly announced the removal of the Marquis of Kuaiji’s title, imprisoned him and Madam Du, and sentenced them to execution in autumn. As for the false heir, while his actions could have been judged as rape, the emperor reclassified it as murder, given the victim’s death. The false heir was to pay with his life.