Imperial Rewards and the Marquis of Loyalty’s Daughter

For once, the palace envoys have not come to make trouble for Serena Feng, but to deliver an imperial edict and announce the Emperor’s rewards to Feng Manor.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: ...”

The Emperor had promised to richly reward Serena Feng, and he truly delivered: gold, silver, jewels, fine silks, and jade ornaments were all included—but the greatest honor was the posthumous ennoblement of Serena’s father as Marquis of Loyalty, and her mother as Lady Hao-ming.

Holding the imperial edict, Serena Feng’s face remained expressionless.

“Master, aren’t you happy?” Simon Sun asked, puzzled.

This was an extraordinary honor—how many people could be like General Feng, receiving a posthumous title so many years after death? What’s more, the Emperor allowed Serena’s future children to bear the Feng surname and inherit the marquisate.

With this, Serena Feng was no longer a fallen young lady, but the sole heiress of the Marquis of Loyalty’s household. From now on, anyone in the capital who wanted to bully her would have to think twice about whether they had the ability to do so.

“Happy? I’m very happy.”

Drip... A tear fell onto the imperial edict. Simon Sun reacted quickly and moved the edict away: “Master, staining the imperial edict is a capital offense.”

“Oh.” Serena Feng hurriedly wiped away her tears. “Simon, help me put the edict away—I’m afraid I’ll stain it.”

Seeing the imperial edict makes her want to cry.

Her father died fighting and not even his life could earn the Emperor’s praise. Her mother died saving the Empress and didn’t receive a shred of compassion. But now?

Two horses have suddenly bought her father a marquisate and her mother a noble title.

How little is a human life worth.

Master, I know you’re upset, but some things have already happened and we can’t change them. At least now the Emperor remembers your father and mother—that’s something.

Back then, your father died on the battlefield with no body recovered; your mother fell from a cliff and her remains were never found. For years, they’ve had no grave.

You were young then, and the Emperor was displeased with your father’s defeat, so no cenotaphs were built. Now that the Emperor has posthumously honored your father, we should build clothes-and-hat cenotaphs. The dead deserve at least a grave, even if not a grand burial, so descendants have a place to worship.

The old Serena Feng was either useless or unfilial—she never mentioned searching for her parents’ remains, nor building cenotaphs for them.

On the Nine Provinces Continent, filial piety is paramount. Even the most talented person will be rejected by scholars if deemed unfilial. That’s one reason the old Serena was despised.

A woman with no parents in her heart—how could anyone expect her to care about others?

Though Serena Feng comes from the modern world, she was influenced by Confucian culture. After experiencing rebirth, she now half-believes in destiny and spirits—otherwise, how could she explain her own rebirth?

Building graves and monuments for her deceased parents is important—this way, they are no longer wandering spirits and can reincarnate in peace.

Simon, help me find a fengshui master and choose an auspicious location. Serena had met geomancers and even Thai sorcerers in her previous life—some truly had skill.

She hopes to find a good place for her parents so they may rest in peace after death.

She never met her parents in her previous life and felt nothing toward them.

But for the parents of this body, whom she’s never seen, she feels deep, aching affection. Just thinking of them makes her chest hurt.

Don’t worry, Master. I’ll handle everything properly.

...

The Emperor’s edict restored Feng Manor’s favor. The manor’s glory now surpasses even the days when General Feng lived.

Feng Manor’s visitors never stopped. Duke Allen’s manor and Jinyang Manor sent gifts early, and even came in person to visit her sickbed.

Serena expected this. She refused to see guests but accepted all the gifts without exception.

It’s not that Serena is greedy—surviving in the capital means maintaining ties with the powerful. She doesn’t expect their help, only that they won’t scheme against her like Yara and Su Wan.

Open attacks are easy to avoid; hidden ones are hard to defend. If possible, it’s best not to offend anyone unnecessarily.

But with so many social obligations, Serena has no idea how to handle them—especially the return gifts.

Return gifts are a technical art: too cheap and you seem to despise the giver; too valuable and you reject their kindness. Never return the same item.

Serena has no idea how to judge the value of these things.

To her, they’re all antiques she can’t appreciate. Vincent Su and Caleb Wang anticipated this and sent a steward to help.

Caleb Wang is one of the few allowed into Serena’s sickroom. He points out bluntly, 'Feng Manor isn’t what it used to be; you can’t run it with so few people anymore.'

Serena sighs, 'I know, but where am I supposed to find suitable people overnight?'

Being made a marquis and general is a great honor—no matter where Serena comes from, she now pursues the same things as everyone else in this world.

She doesn’t want power or beauty, only prosperity and freedom from bullying. In this world, ordinary people must bow and scrape just to survive. If she wants to live freely, she needs more leverage.

No matter how dissatisfied Serena is with the Emperor, his reward is generous. As the only heiress of the Marquis of Loyalty’s household, even the capital’s snobs won’t dare trouble her.

But all these social calls have left Serena exhausted. In just three days, more than sixty families have brought gifts.

Caleb Wang doesn’t push Serena. These things take time to learn, and Feng Manor was always far from the center of power. 'Let my steward help for now—replace him when you find someone better. Serena, my elder brother rushed back when he heard you were hurt.'

William? Who told him? I said not to let him know!' Serena was startled—the person she most wanted to see after leaving the palace was William Wang Jinling.

William Wang Jinling is gentle and refined, reserved and steady, but not weak or naive. He’s the Wang family’s eldest son—someone Serena could never hope to reach.

If she hadn’t met Nolan first, she would definitely have fallen for William. Given time, anyone could love a man like him.

She feels safe with William. She even thought, if William were in the capital, he wouldn’t let her suffer like this. If she could marry him, she’d be happy.

Serena’s reaction made Caleb Wang feel better—at least his brother’s efforts weren’t for nothing. He mattered to her.

Serena, it’s good my brother is back. It’s time to settle some old scores.

The Wang clan has been quiet too long—people have forgotten they’re the leading family, with influence across the Nine Provinces.