Chapter 141 Only by wielding power can one protect oneself.

Dongrou, Yunniang, Niqiu San, Lü'er, Steward Chen, Yang Niangzi, Shimozi... and all the embroiderers and assistants in the embroidery building were filled with excitement and pride!

They witnessed their employer receive this honor firsthand, and felt a surge of pent-up anger dissipate, transforming into excitement and pride.

"The owner donated all the treasury's silver back then, gritted his teeth and closed the business, struggling to survive... He's been waiting for this day!"

Dong Rou's eyes were slightly red, and her voice was choked with emotion.

"It was worth it! It was all worth it!"

Mudfish Three vigorously wiped his face and laughed, "Following an employer like this, my life has been worthwhile!"

The way everyone looked at Lu Zhaoruo was filled with even deeper faith and admiration.

Even the few embroiderers who had previously harbored doubts and muttered to themselves were now completely convinced and glad that they had not left.

Sun Jing and Shi Mozi, who had just rushed back, witnessed this shocking scene.

Sun Jing stood with her eyes gleaming and her fists clasped, secretly praising, "Our boss is far-sighted and a woman who is just as capable as any man!"

Stone Mill was so excited he couldn't speak, he just nodded vigorously.

In a secluded corner where no one was watching, Wan Wanning leaned silently against the door, peering through the crack at the scene that had everyone watching.

She had previously felt ashamed and indignant, and wished she could escape this place of trouble immediately.

I never expected this—

In the blink of an eye, General Xiao actually won a great victory and returned in triumph. With that earth-shattering kneeling, all the honor and glory were bestowed upon Lu Zhaoruo!

However, her gaze did not linger on Lu Zhaoruo, but was fixed on Xiao Yeming's cold and handsome profile.

Xiao Yeming's battle-hardened demeanor and his solemn, unyielding spirit struck her heart fiercely.

She twisted the handkerchief tightly between her fingers.

I thought to myself.

If only I could marry General Xiao...

Xiao Yeming's gaze slowly swept across the entire room, taking in every face filled with astonishment, awe, and ecstasy.

A slight smile played on his lips—

This is exactly the kind of scene he wanted!

He wanted to use his illustrious military achievements and the respect of countless soldiers to cleanse her of her past stigma and elevate her to a high platform where no one would dare to criticize her!

He would use this thunderous force and the might of a commander to intimidate all villains and firmly protect her under his wings!

He wanted to repay her kindness in helping him in his time of need with this most solemn ceremony and public thanks, and to give her the glory she deserved!

He withdrew his gaze and looked at Lu Zhaoruo again. His voice was still low and hoarse, but his words were firm and resounding throughout the hall: "Master Lu! I have already dispatched an envoy to deliver the victory report to the court with an urgent message!"

"Your memorial has already detailed your righteous act of donating funds to support the army and boost morale!"

"When I return to the capital to report, you will accompany me to meet the Emperor!"

A fleeting, elusive heat flashed deep within his eyes.

He naturally knew that Lu Zhaoruo had originally planned to go to the capital, and this move suited his own selfish desires—from then on, they would travel together for thousands of miles and weather any storms in the capital side by side.

The people were horrified upon hearing this, and an uncontrollable gasp erupted from the crowd:

"Heavens! Are you going to speak directly to the Emperor?"

"An audience with the Emperor! Master Lu is going to have an audience with the Emperor!"

"If she were to meet the Emperor, she would at least be granted a sixth-rank imperial title!"

The sound was like a tidal wave, surging with incredible shock and awe.

Lin Yingyu swayed, but fortunately, the maid beside her supported her firmly.

She actually got an audience with the emperor?

I went to great lengths to gain access to the capital, yet she managed to reach the emperor directly.

Zhou Dongjia's forehead was covered in cold sweat as he thought, "It's over! It's all over! If she gains favor with the emperor, will my Zhou family still have a chance to survive in this Jizhou City? If I had known this would happen, why did I ever oppose her in the first place!"

The more he thought about it, the more regretful and resentful he became, and he couldn't help but glare venomously at Lin Yingyu beside him.

If it weren't for her stirring up trouble, how could I have been so bewitched as to follow her to this Lu Ji Embroidery Building and utter so many arrogant and ignorant words?

A desperate roar escaped his lips: "You scourge! You lowly mistress! You've ruined me!"

Gu Yun, standing to the side, was already ashen-faced, his body stiff as a puppet, unable to even move his fingertips.

Tu was filled with remorse, recalling her vicious words just now...

She secretly turned her back and slapped herself hard several times.

Now, this daughter whom he once called a "cheap slut" and "unwanted" is about to be heard by the emperor and receive a reward!

She timidly shrank her neck, stealing glances at Lu Zhaoruo's cold profile, praying frantically in her heart: "Buddha, please bless me! Bodhisattva, please grant my wish! Please, she's magnanimous and won't hold a grudge against this old fool... and will still acknowledge me as her mother... so I can also share in her good fortune..."

Lu Zhaoruo calmly curtsied, her voice clear and steady, showing no sign of panic: "Zhaoruo, thank you for your guidance, General."

She slowly straightened up, her eyes gleaming, and looked towards the horizon—

The clouds dispersed and the sky was clear and blue; the sky was exceptionally bright and clear today.

In the past, he gave away all his wealth to support the army; it was not for mere empty fame.

It is precisely by leveraging these illustrious military achievements that one can strive for a respectable and honorable official title!

Only by wielding power can one protect oneself and no longer fear the wanton bullying of petty villains!

At this moment.

Another commotion erupted at the street corner, as the procession cleared the way and the crowd parted to both sides like a tide.

The prefect of Jizhou, dressed in his official robes and with a ruddy complexion, arrived in a sedan chair, surrounded by his subordinates, and stopped directly in front of the embroidered tower!

He strode out of the sedan chair, his voice preceding his arrival—a loud, heartfelt laugh: "Hahaha! Good! Good! Good! General Xiao fought valiantly, upholding our national prestige! Master Lu, with his profound understanding of righteousness, donated funds to support the army! These are the two pillars of Jizhou, a blessing for the people!"

The prefect bowed deeply to Xiao Yeming, saying, "General Xiao, you have worked hard! I have prepared a small feast at the government office to welcome you back and wash away the dust of your journey!"

Then, he turned his gaze eagerly to Lu Zhaoruo and took the heavy reward plate from a yamen runner behind him who was carrying a tray.

The plate held five hundred taels of snowflake-shaped official silver, each ingot distinct and neatly piled up, dazzling to the eye.

"Master Lu!"

The prefect's voice was loud and clear, deliberately so that all the people around him could hear it clearly: "I have come here today to congratulate General Xiao and my soldiers on their great victory!"

"Secondly, this is to commend you for your great sense of righteousness, your generosity, and your meritorious service in assisting the army!"

"This five hundred taels of silver is a special reward from the prefectural government! We hope you will continue to run the embroidery shop well and bring benefits to your hometown!"

These words caused an uproar in the room!

Manager Zhou, Lin Yingyu, and the others were now deathly pale.

Just moments ago they were mocking the dilapidated state of the embroidery pavilion and Lu Zhaoruo for having no one to marry, but in the blink of an eye, she became a meritorious official personally commended and rewarded with five hundred taels of silver by the prefect!

Lu Zhaoruo bowed calmly, neither humble nor arrogant: "This humble woman thanks Your Excellency for the commendation. Protecting the country and defending the home is simply my duty."