Eunuch Yue vividly recounted how Xiao Mochen argued with the court officials on her behalf, and how Ling Ziyuan fought and beat up Lord Wu on her behalf.

Not only were Li Xiangping and Yuan Huiniang stunned, but even Yan Qingqing found it hard to believe.

But at the same time, she felt warm inside. She hadn't spoiled Xiao Mochen for nothing, and she hadn't made Ling Ziyuan as a friend for nothing.

Why would Lord Wu target me when I have no grudge against him?

Just wait and see. Once she gets to the capital, we'll definitely deal with her.

However, what Yan Qingqing didn't know was that Xiao Mochen had already finished preparing the food for her.

Not only was Lord Wu beaten up by Ling Ziyuan in the court, but after the court session, Xiao Mochen also had him beaten up again.

Then he reported to the emperor the information he had gathered about his embezzlement, bribery, abduction of women, and driving people to their deaths.

The emperor was furious on the spot and berated Lord Wu as a parasite on the court.

Immediately, someone was sent to imprison Lord Wu and sentenced him to be executed in the autumn.

Who knew that Lord Wu would be poisoned to death in prison for no apparent reason.

When Xiao Mochen found out, he just sneered a few times and didn't say anything. The Yu family was in such a hurry to kill someone to silence him because they were afraid that Lord Wu would reveal information that would be detrimental to them.

He only wanted to vent his anger for his aunt, and didn't expect to get any useful information from Lord Wu to bring down the Yu family.

In Xiao Mochen's opinion, the game of cat and mouse is more fun.

It's no fun if you condemn someone outright.

Besides, the emperor is currently in his prime.

Prematurely defeating the eldest prince might arouse the emperor's suspicion.

It would be better to take it slow, gradually weeding out the Yu family's henchmen and strengthening our own power.

Once he becomes powerful enough, the entire Great Yan Dynasty will be under his control, and these people will be nothing more than clowns.

No one could know what Xiao Mochen was thinking.

Meanwhile, on Yan Qingqing's side, the kitchen quickly prepared the wine and dishes.

Then Yan Qingqing asked Ruyi to go to her room and bring over the box she had locked and the two sets of clothes she had made.

Yan Qingqing thought for a moment, then opened the box and took out a prescription from inside.

Better safe than sorry; it's better for her to hand over something this important to Xiao Mochen herself.

Then Ruyi brought in 50,000 taels of silver notes and put them in. It wasn't that Yan Qingqing was stingy; Canghe Li Ji had just recovered, and their next step was to open workshops and shops in the capital.

Prices in the capital are high, and they still need to make a considerable expense. This is all they can give Xiao Mochen for now.

After Eunuch Yue and the others had finished their meal, Yan Qingqing handed the things to Eunuch Yue and said, "Eunuch Yue, do you know that I have some connection with His Highness Prince Chen?"

Could you please take these things to him for me?

Tell him to take good care of himself in the capital; I will definitely go to Beijing before the New Year.

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Yue quickly nodded in agreement and carefully carried these items with him.

Li Kaishan and Grandpa Li had been waiting outside.

Although Li Kaishan is now the town mayor, he can now speak fluently and confidently in front of the county magistrate.

However, I still felt genuine awe towards the people who came from the palace.

They don't even realize that these are all close ministers of the emperor. What is the emperor? He is someone who can decide the life and death of everyone.

Although Li Kaishan had seen this kind of scene before, he always kept his distance whenever someone from the palace came to deliver an imperial edict.

This time there's been progress; at least he dared to stand outside Yan Qingqing's house and watch.

That's how people are; they get used to things after seeing them a lot.

Of course, the villagers who came to watch the spectacle were not just Li Kaishan and Grandpa Li, but also other villagers.

One of them whispered to Li Kaishan, "I heard that the people who serve you closely in the palace are all eunuchs. These eunuchs have no connections, I wonder what it's like for them?"

Upon hearing this, Li Kaishan glared at the man. He really knew how to bring up the most sensitive topic. Didn't he see that Old Master Li was standing there? Everyone in Canghe Town knew about Li Daniu's situation.

Besides, these are all people from the palace. Even though they have physical disabilities, they are still people that ordinary people like us can't afford to offend.

If others overhear this, they won't let them off easily.

As expected, Old Master Li's face darkened upon hearing this.

Having such a good-for-nothing son as Li Daniu is a disgrace to him for the rest of his life.

But what can he do when he's already half-buried?

Fortunately, although Li Daniu has been depressed in recent years, he has not caused any trouble. He just often locks himself in his room, and no one knows what he is doing.

Soon, Eunuch Yue left Canghe Town with a troop of Imperial Guards.

Only then did Li Kaishan and Old Master Li dare to come to the door.

The news that Yan Qingqing had been promoted to the rank of Second-Rank Lady Mingzhao had already spread from Yan Qingqing's family after the imperial edict was read.

So as soon as the people from the palace left, the gate of Yan Qingqing's house was surrounded by villagers who came to offer their congratulations.

Unlike Li Kaishan and Old Master Li, who had the same influence and could freely enter and leave Yan Qingqing's house, they could still stand at the door and offer their congratulations.

According to usual practice, they can usually get a lot of lucky money by saying a few auspicious words.

The gatekeeper quickly reported the situation at the entrance to Yan Qingqing.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Huiniang slapped her forehead and said, "Oh dear, it's all my fault. I was so happy that I forgot to give everyone some lucky money."

Yuan Huiniang had already exchanged these lucky money coins.

Even Ling Ziyuan was promoted because of his role in the fight against the epidemic and disaster relief efforts.

Li Xiangping had mentioned it to Yuan Huiniang before. It was only a matter of time before their mother received another promotion.

So at that time, Yuan Huiniang prepared the wedding money.

So all we need to do is find someone to carry those baskets of copper coins out.

Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "I trust you to handle things. Go ahead."

I'd like to talk to your grandfather, the town mayor, and the others.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Huiniang quickly nodded in agreement and then sent someone to the storeroom to fetch the wedding money.

Li Kaishan and Grandpa Li came in quickly, and both of them smiled broadly when they saw Yan Qingqing.

Li Kaishan laughed heartily and said, "Oh my, Qingqing really brings honor to our Li family."

You are the pride of our Canghe Town and even the entire Chengyang County.

A wife of a second-rank official—that must be a very high-ranking official.

"Even our Great Yan Dynasty doesn't have many like that."

Grandpa Li chimed in, "Yes, if it were promoted another level, wouldn't that be the first rank?"

This is the highest rank of official, the first rank. Aside from bowing to the emperor, everyone else must bow to you.

Old Master Li was illiterate and not very familiar with the official rank system of the Great Yan Dynasty. He only knew that a first-rank official was the most outstanding.

While the idea itself wasn't flawed, he failed to consider the princes, nobles, and concubines in the imperial harem.

In his opinion, achieving even the highest quality is the ultimate goal.

Yan Qingqing didn't explain these things to him. When you get old, you should be happy for as long as you can.