Chapter 249 The Emperor's Reward Arrives, Conferring Xiao Ying the Title of Ninth Rank Lady
After the shock came curiosity, and even so many guards with swords could not stop people from gossiping.
Some brave ones immediately went to inform Chen Jie, and some people followed to watch, wanting to see what these people were going to do.
Chen Jie was also stunned when he saw this scene. He was a man who had seen some of the world, but even the county magistrate of Yun'an County did not have such a grand ceremony when he traveled!
Before he could figure out what was going on, the team suddenly stopped.
A guard leader came forward and looked at the surrounding villagers with a stern expression.
"Is this Chenjia Village?"
"Your Excellency, this is Chenjia Village." Chen Jie reacted quickly and stepped forward to speak. "I am Chen Jie, the head of Chenjia Village. I wonder what brings you here, my Excellencies?"
When the guard commander heard his name, his expression softened.
"Are you the village head Chen Jie? It just so happens that you are also included in this reward, so come along."
"reward?"
Chen Jie was even more confused. What had he done? He was actually rewarded. Who was willing to reward him?
Then the guard leader asked again, "Where does Xiao Ying live? Why don't you take us there quickly?"
"So you gentlemen are here to see Madam Xiao?"
Chen Jie suddenly realized something, and a guess suddenly emerged in his mind. He was so excited that his palms were slightly sweaty.
"Madam Xiao lives in the largest house in front. I will lead the way, sirs. Please come this way!"
The men and horses started moving immediately, and the villagers followed curiously, wondering what this group of people wanted to do with Madam Xiao.
With Chen Jie leading the way, the group arrived at Xiao Ying's house smoothly.
Chen Jie took the initiative to knock on the door, his excitement barely contained.
Little did they know that this group of people were discovered by Xiao Ying's men as soon as they entered the village. After hearing the conversation with Chen Jie, they immediately came back to report.
Xiao Ying guessed the identities of these people as soon as he heard them, and felt both surprised and expected.
The surprise was because the emperor and the Yu family seemed to have noticed her unusualness, and Yu Fuyao came to test her yesterday.
This was as expected because the potatoes really attracted the other party's attention. From this point of view, the emperor was quite sensible and generous.
Therefore, she immediately closed the courtyard protection formation and the spirit gathering formation, fearing that the presence of cultivators in the team would arouse the other party's vigilance.
Just as I was getting ready, I heard a knock on the door.
He Changgui suppressed his inner shock and calmly opened the gate.
"The imperial edict has arrived!"
In an instant, a loud shout resounded throughout the house, shocking the onlookers so much that they all opened their eyes wide in disbelief.
An imperial edict? These people were actually here to deliver an imperial edict? Doesn't that mean it came from the palace?!
What on earth did Madam Xiao do to catch the emperor's eye and earn him the special decree for her?
As everyone was astonished, they saw a fat eunuch in his early thirties getting off the carriage with the help of two young eunuchs. He was holding a roll of bright yellow stuff in his hands, which was the imperial edict.
Several young eunuchs and palace maids also got off the other carriages one after another, each holding a tray covered with red silk. No one knew what was inside.
Seeing this situation, even though He Changgui was prepared, he was still shocked and hurriedly looked at Chen Jie.
Chen Jie was also stunned, but he quickly recovered and urged in a low voice: "Why don't you invite your master out!"
“Yes, yes.”
He Changgui immediately ran back, only to see Xiao Ying already leading a group of people out.
Walking behind her were Chen Xinghai and his four siblings. Chen Xinghe was at home on vacation today, so he just happened to catch up with them.
The four of them were all delighted and excited. They didn't expect that the emperor would actually issue an order to reward their mother, and it came so quickly.
Although they are already monks, they still retain awe and admiration for the imperial power in their hearts. In the past, this was something they would never have dared to even think about.
The four of them were followed by a large group of servants, including Kang Ruolan, Yuan Xiangyu, He Chunyu, Li Jincheng and others. Ling Yun and Xiao Qian did not show up, and the other Xiao Wei were not there either.
Xiao Ying did this just in case. Although Yu Fuyao had already found out her identity, she didn't know how many masters were around her, so she tried to keep it a secret for the time being.
"Are you Xiao Ying, the one who discovered the potatoes and reported them?"
When the fat eunuch in the lead saw her appear, he couldn't help but look her up and down curiously, with a hint of amazement and surprise in his eyes. He didn't expect that the other party was so young.
The woman in front of him looked to be no more than twenty-three or twenty-four years old. She was extremely beautiful and her temperament was even more extraordinary.
Such appearance and demeanor are not inferior to the two ladies in the palace, and yet she is just a woman from a mountain village.
"I am Xiao Ying, a commoner, greeting you all."
Xiao Ying bowed and saluted, neither hurriedly nor slowly, neither servilely nor arrogantly.
The fat eunuch was even more surprised and felt more and more that she was extraordinary, with admiration appearing in his eyes.
"Well, he's quite polite. My last name is Wang, so you can just call me Eunuch Wang."
Xiao Ying readily agreed: "It's Eunuch Wang. I didn't know you were coming, so I apologize for not welcoming you. I hope you will forgive me. Please come inside and take a seat."
Eunuch Wang waved his hand and smiled kindly, "No hurry. We are here on the orders of the Emperor to deliver his message."
Then they sang in unison: "The imperial edict has arrived! Xiao welcomes it!"
"I, Xiao, welcome your order."
Xiao Ying immediately knelt on the ground, and the others also knelt down with their heads lowered.
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Chen Xiao, a villager from Chenjia Village, Hongye Town, Yun'an County, Xizhou, is virtuous, gentle, diligent, intelligent, and virtuous. She has presented potatoes for merit..."
"Hereby, as a token of grace, she is conferred the title of Ruren, and is granted Ruren's clothing and seal, and is entitled to the imperial salary."
"A reward of one hundred taels of gold, one thousand taels of silver, ten pieces of silk and brocade each, and a pair of jade ruyi."
"And a two-story house in Yun'an County, and twelve servants. This is my order!"
"Congratulations, Madam Xiao."
Eunuch Wang finished reading it aloud, and finally wisely changed his words, his attitude becoming more gentle and polite.
He handed the imperial edict to Xiao Ying, who took it with both hands and expressed his gratitude immediately.
"Xiao Ying accepts the order and thanks the Emperor for the reward."
After she stood up, the others stood up one after another, and their eyes could not help but look at the imperial edict in her hand.
Although they didn't quite understand what a Ruren was, they seemed to be very powerful and had received so many rewards!
Not only did she have countless gold, silver, and jewels, she also had a two-story house in Yun'an County and twelve servants. It was simply the life of a noble lady.
At the same time, a row of palace maids and eunuchs holding trays came forward and lifted the red silk. Countless golden things immediately dazzled everyone's eyes.
The twelve servants also stepped forward respectfully and saluted: "This servant greets Miss Xiao."
Xiao Ying smiled and nodded, quite satisfied with the emperor's reward.
Although Ruren is only of the ninth rank and does not have real power like a real official, she is still an imperial edict. From now on, she is no longer a commoner!
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