"When I first met my beloved minister in the grand hall, I was often reminded of a poem I read earlier."
"Qing Yang Yao Ling, He Feng Rong Yu."
"What does Minister Lin think of the characters 'Qing' and 'Yu'?"
An imperial bestowment was naturally an exceptional honor.
Yet the moment Lin Jinghuai bowed in gratitude, he suddenly remembered - this poem by Ruan Ji had been a favorite of his mother's as well.
She had even joked when he was young that if not for the Lin family's tradition of using 'Jing' for his generation, she might have named him after this very poem.
Qing Yang Yao Ling, He Feng Rong Yu.
Lin Jinghuai silently recited the lines to himself.
They spoke of the brilliant sunrise illuminating the world with spiritual radiance, yet also carried the gentle breeze's unhurried grace.
Mother indeed loves me best.
Though privately, he felt this poem suited his mother far more than himself.
In fact, accompanying the Emperor's personal bestowal of this courtesy name came an official title for An Ning herself.
By convention, as a sixth-rank Hanlin Imperial Lecturer, Lin Jinghuai's family should have received a sixth-rank 'Anren' title from the Ministry of Rites.
But the Emperor had unexpectedly been generous - not only issuing the decree personally, but granting a proper fourth-rank 'Gongren' title instead.
After a brief moment of surprise, An Ning happily accepted.
In this era, one's social standing meant everything, and higher was always better. Princess Zhaohua, rubbing her pregnant belly nearby, beamed:
"I knew it! His Majesty never forgets to reward merit. Mother's past contributions were bound to be recognized!"
Though what exactly those contributions were, even Zhaohua wasn't entirely clear.
Naturally, the old Lin family understood even less.
This didn't stop Madam Jiang from turning green with envy. That night, she complained to her husband:
"Ah, an imperial title for a daughter-in-law so young! What fortunate destiny!"
A lifetime of blessings already.
"Tell me, old man, when will I get such fortune?"
Current dynasty rules allowed officials below third-rank to petition titles for wives and mothers, while only those above third-rank could request them for grandmothers.
But realistically, climbing the bureaucratic ladder took decades. By third-rank, would one's mother even still be alive, let alone grandmother?
Master Lin pressed his lips together, unusually silent.
Given Ah Jing's imperial favor, his wife might still have hope if she lived long enough. As for himself? He'd never see such honors in his lifetime - but had he complained?
Still, grandfather to a Tanhua scholar! From his line came an imperial examination laureate, establishing their family's official lineage.
Even if he died tomorrow, he could face their ancestors proudly.
Master Lin's brief regret vanished instantly.
With sound judgment, the old man turned to admonish his wife:
"Stop this jealous nonsense. Doesn't our daughter-in-law deserve credit for her own capabilities?"
Otherwise why bypass Ah Jing to exceptionally honor her?
Clearly their remarkable daughter-in-law must have proposed something brilliant again.
"Ah, the advantages of a clever mind!"
The old master clicked his tongue admiringly.
So she deserved lifelong subordination to two generations of daughters-in-law because she wasn't born clever?!
Turning away, the old lady took a deep, aggrieved breath.
Truthfully, before the princess arrived, Madam Jiang had anticipated some entertainment from her daughter-in-law's predicament.
Given how particular An Ning had been, surely a noble princess would be infinitely more demanding! To better enjoy the show, she'd even feigned illness temporarily relinquishing household authority.
Expecting the newly burdened An Ning to struggle, she was stunned when her daughter-in-law simply established new rules before delegating everything - managing the entire household in under half an hour daily.
All while lounging on her daybed snacking on fruit, having maids read reports aloud!
Compared to Madam Jiang's former routine of all-day management and late-night struggles: "..."
More infuriating still was seeing the proud princess and equally formidable daughter-in-law - who should have clashed terribly - instead becoming inseparable, barely noticing anyone else.
The rooms An Ning casually arranged? The princess adored them. The jade pendant gifted during tea ceremony? Still worn regularly.
Whereas Madam Jiang's lavish gift - a thousand-tael Guanyin fertility statue, specially blessed by monks - had never been seen again since gifting.
Only after her husband left cheerfully the next morning did Madam Jiang finally vent to Wang Ma:
"Tell me, has any mother-in-law ever been more wretched? Three mistresses here, and I'm the lowest!
One an imperial title-holder, one a princess - each more exalted than the last!"
And these two exalted beings? Completely allied.
Absolutely maddening.
Yet however much Madam Jiang grumbled, she still instinctively smiled when encountering An Ning the next day.
An Ning easily saw through her mother-in-law's petty grievances, but found them harmless enough.
The unexpected title brought a flood of social invitations. Surprisingly, noblewomen's pastimes - equestrianism, throwing games, card games - while not as varied as modern times, provided decent entertainment.
With her daughter-in-law nearing childbirth, An Ning temporarily set aside her usual leisure.
Earlier during New Year's, Eldest Miss Lin had written with joyous news - nephew Jiang Zhi had passed the provincial exams and become engaged.
When the Lin family moved to the capital, Master Lin had invited Lin Wan to bring Xiao Zhi along. Surprisingly, she refused.
After confirming from An Ning that her son was nearly ready for the provincial exams, she chose to remain at their Taohua County ancestral home.
Even now, with the family's changed fortunes, when Second Brother Lin's family hinted about sending descendants to "attend" the elders, Master Lin sharply refused.
The letter explained Jiang Zhi would study several more years in the prefecture city before attempting the metropolitan exams.
An Ning sent some study materials as usual.
She understood Lin Wan's reasoning - at twenty-five, Jiang Zhi was long overdue for marriage, delayed only by examinations.
However close their cousinhood, adult dependence would inevitably strain relations - for both parties and their families.
Better this occasional connection than forced proximity.
Learning his cousin and aunt wouldn't come to the capital, Ah Jing felt genuine regret, though recognizing their considerations. He included additional study materials in his reply, hoping for Jiang Zhi's swift success.
After lively New Year celebrations, the household soon gathered for Princess Zhaohua's delivery.
Even being helped into the delivery room, the princess clung to her mother-in-law's sleeve, murmuring:
"All merciful Buddhas, Daoist immortals, please grant your protection..."
Catching snippets of this, a bemused An Ning: "???"