Liu Residence
"The Emperor has implemented your disaster relief plan in the South" Liu Tiancheng said with a smile as he hugged Chen Jinyu.
"You're only smiling because I'm useful huh?" Chen Jinyu thought as she managed to let out a bashful smile.
"Tge Emperor has been singing your praises so much that I have managed to gain back face in the court." The Marquis said with a hearty laugh.
"Chen Wenjin was useful after all." Chen Jinyu thought with an evil smile while she remained innocent outwardly.
"You have managed to save the face of the Liu Family and for that I thank you." The Marquis said with gratitude.
"This kind of thing doesn't need to be mentioned father." Chen Jinyu said innocently.
"I was the reason why the Liu family almost lost face in the capital so it's only right that I restore it." Chen Jinyu said with a bashful smile.
"What a sensible daughter-in-law." Madam Liu said as she grabbed Chen Jinyu's hand and placed it in hers.
"Chen Jinyu, this mother in law is sorry for how she treated you when you first came into the family and hopes that you can forgive her." Madam Liu said as she rubbed the back of Chen Jinyu's palm and Chen Jinyu shook her head.
"Mother was only worried about the Liu family's reputation," Chen Jinyu said with a smile.
"Chen Jinyu will never hold it against mother." Chen Jinyu said in a mock sincere tone.
"Just wait until I become the madam of this household." Chen Jinyu thought with a smile.
"I will make sure to pay you double for the injustice I faced." Chen Jinyu thought as she smiled at her mother in law.
The Palace.
"Greetings your Majesty." The Chen and Liu family said as they bowed.
"I have gathered you two families here because of Chen Jinyu's merits." The Emperor said and Chen Jinyu smiled bashfully.
"For two weeks her disaster relief plan have offered relief to the victims of flood in the South so today I want to declare my intention of formally honouring her with the honorary title "Defender of the Land" in the presence of both families and for easing the burden of the Emperor both families will be given a 100 gold taels." the Emperor said and both families bowed.
"The Emperor is wise." both families said before they were dismissed.
As both families stepped out of the throne room, Madam Liu attacked Chen Lihua.
"Is Chen Jinyu still part of the Chen family?" Madam Liu asked as she moved to stand before Chen Lihua.
"From what I remember the Chen family carted Chen Jinyu off like she was a disgrace but now, aren't the Chens being honored thanks to her?" Madam Liu asked with a smug smile that she managed to grab the right daughter.
"Mother," Chen Jinyu said in reference to Madam Liu, as she stood next to her.
"Though mother might have abandoned me," Chen Jinyu said, referring to Chen Lihua.
"Mother still took care of me for twenty years." Chen Jinyu said with an innocent expression.
"Honouring her is the least I should do." Chen Jinyu said with a smile as she threw a light jab at Chen Wenjin and Chen Wenjin clenched her fists.
Sensing what Chen Jinyu did, Madam Liu smiled widely but Chen Lihua looked at them both with an unbothered stare.
"Good," Chen Lihua said with a nod.
"It's great that you are here," Chen Lihua said as she snapped her fingers to signal the servants carrying the 100 gold tael reward.
"I was thinking of how we could return it to his Majesty in private later but this saves us all from unnecessary conversations." Chen Lihua said as she ordered the servants to place the box carrying the 100 gold tael reward by Madam Liu's feet.
"You can have this reward because I no longer recognize Chen Jinyu as part of the Chen family." Chen Lihua said and Madam Liu and Chen Jinyu looked at her in shock.
"As a married woman, your identity document has already been transferred to the Liu family's registry so there is no real bond between us." Chen Lihua said flippantly.
"To us, Chen Jinyu doesn't exist." Chen Lihua said firmly.
Looking to her husband and her daughter, Chen Lihua said "Let's go" and the Chens boarded their carriage home.
After opening and closing her mouth like a fish out of water, Chen Jinyu finally said "How could she?" in a heartbreaking tone.
"It's okay, it's okay" Madam Liu said as she patted Chen Jinyu on the back.
"She is not worthy of you anyway." Madam Liu said as she led Chen Jinyu to the second carriage headed to the Liu family.
"Just you wait!" Chen Jinyu thought in anger as she gripped the skirt of her hanfu
"Very soon you will beg to be associated with me." Chen Jinyu thought as she boarded the carriage.
The next day
"His Majesty has officially bestowed an honorary title on Chen Jinyu." The Marquis said in glee with the imperial decree in his hand and Madam Liu grabbed it to confirm.
"It was announced in court this morning and you should have seen the envious gazes from the other court officials." the Marquis said with a smile.
"Now that it has officially been announced, let's hold a banquet." Madam Liu told the Marquis.
"We should use this chance to restore the Liu Family reputation and show off our daughter in law." Madam Liu said with a smile and the Marquis agreed.
Chen Jinyu's living quarters
"Young Mistress," Chun Tao said as she rushed into Chen Jinyu's room.
"The Madam and Marquis have set a date for a banquet in your honor and they are inviting the prominent families of Longcheng." Chun Tao said and Chen Jinyu smiled happily.
"Was the Chen family invited too?" Chen Jinyu asked and Chun Tao nodded.
"Good." Chen Jinyu said with a nod and Chun Tao continued speaking.
"The Marquis and Madam announced it today and maids will soon be here with clothes and jewelry handpicked by the Madam herself" Chun Tao said and the maids of the Liu Residence walked in with two boxes that Chen Jinyu rushed to open.
Bringing out the gorgeous hanfu from its box, Chen Jinyu felt the material and put the hanfu before her as she stared at the mirror.
"Young Mistress, your luck has finally turned around." Chun Tao said and Chen Jinyu nodded in glee.