Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

The music started, and the eight Guide Officers led Yang Zhenshan from the east gate of Fengtian Gate to stand below the auspicious wall of Fengtian Hall. When the Crown Prince, Prince Cheng, and Prince Gong arrived at Fengtian Hall, the music stopped.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites, holding the imperial decree, ascended the western steps of the auspicious wall and also stood before the altar to await their turn.

The imperial decree is what the Emperor uses to grant titles to princely states, nobles, royalty, consorts, and meritorious officials, declaring the bestowed titles.

The decree is the proof of nobility; only with the decree can one be legitimately considered a marquis.

Empresses, imperial consorts, and princes all use gold decrees, whereas commandery princes and princess consorts use silver decorated with gold, and dukes and lower-ranked nobility use paper.

Ministry of Rites officials took their places before the podium and chanted in sequence while Yang Zhenshan advanced three bows and nine prostrations.

Then music played again; the official in charge of conferring the title knelt to receive the imperial command inside Fengtian Hall, then exited through the hall’s middle door. Standing between the inner and outer areas, he declared, ”By imperial command!”

The chant observer then sang, ”Kneel!”

Yang Zhenshan knelt again, followed by the Ministry of Rites officials starting to declare the lengthy decree, their recitations making the ceremony particularly solemn and resonant.

Yet, Yang Zhenshan was kneeling before the hall’s door muttering under his breath.

Damn it, how long do I have to kneel?

This is the first time in my life I’ve knelt for so long.

And he wasn’t even kneeling before the Crown Prince or others, but before the empty imperial seat.

The old Emperor is no longer here, and although the enfeoffment ceremony was presided over by the Crown Prince and organized by him, the Crown Prince actually has no authority to confer titles.

The Crown Prince was merely using the name of Emperor Chengping to confer titles.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that the conferment ceremony goes against the rituals and laws. The Cabinet and Ministry of Rites have consented, and with the full court of civil and military officials witnessing, even in the absence of the old Emperor, this conferment ceremony is still legitimate and proper.

The lengthy ceremony continued for more than two hours before Yang Zhenshan received the imperial decree, signaling the near end of the ceremony.

Finally, Yang Zhenshan held the jade imperial booklet, kowtowed three times and nine times to express his gratitude.

As he expected, his title as Marquis Jing’an was a hereditary third-rank marquis.

The title of a hereditary third-rank marquis meant that Yang Mingcheng would only be a first-rank count upon inheriting the title.

Although the title of a third-rank marquis is somewhat low, Yang Zhenshan didn’t have the qualifications to disdain it.

He became a marquis by a combination of circumstances and coincidences.

If not for Emperor Chengping’s illness, if not for the struggle between the Crown Prince, Prince Cheng, and Prince Gong, if not for the rebellion led by Prince Qing and the invasion by the Wuliang Hu Clan, and if not for the changes in the court’s situation, he would not have had the chance to be ennobled.

”Marquis, you may rise now!” A deacon from the Ministry of Rites came by Yang Zhenshan’s side to remind him.

Yang Zhenshan took a long breath, finally able to stand up.

He stood up and looked around, the expressions of the civil and military officials varied, some showing goodwill, some filled with envy, and of course, some filled with jealousy and animosity.

There were not a few jealous people, but not many who showed animosity.

Among the nobles, an elderly man with white hair looked at Yang Zhenshan as if his eyes were poisoned.

No need to think, Yang Zhenshan knew who this person was.

Marquis Jingyuan, Su Qian!

Aside from him, who else would hate Yang Zhenshan so much!

Yang Zhenshan glanced at Marquis Jingyuan, his expression remained calm as he looked upwards at the Crown Prince, Prince Cheng, and Prince Gong.

This was his first time seeing the Crown Prince, Prince Cheng, and Prince Gong together!

All three were extraordinary, handsome, and dignified in appearance.

However, their expressions varied.

The Crown Prince looked at Yang Zhenshan with praise, as if Yang Zhenshan was someone he favored and supported.