Chapter 781 The Emperor's Personal Gift of Calligraphy
Old Mrs. Zhao was a straightforward person, and she quickly struck up a conversation with the Empress.
Sun was a woman who didn't discriminate between meat and vegetables, saying whatever came to mind, and she was very open about the privacy between the couple.
Having seen many people who spoke with trepidation, the Empress found joy in chatting with the Zhao family, and before she knew it, she had talked for a long time.
Meanwhile, the emperor and Old Man Zhao were also having a pleasant conversation in the front courtyard.
Old Zhao would tell some interesting stories about farming, with Zhao Youyin and Zhao Youcai adding to them. Some neighbors would also share their opinions, and everyone would say whatever they wanted without hesitating for a long time for fear of being questioned.
"Our Dahe Town is amazing now!" Old Zhao said, beaming. "Before, the villagers relied on just a few acres of land to make a living, life was incredibly hard. Now that we have a market, more and more people are starting businesses. Some people say merchants have low social status, but so what? As long as we can make money and not starve, that's enough. And speaking of farming, since we got waterwheels and threshing machines, farming has become much easier..."
"How old are you, sir?" the emperor asked gently. "At such an advanced age, do you still work in the fields?"
"I'm sixty-three this year, and I'm still very healthy," Old Zhao said with a smile. "In our village, unless someone is bedridden and can't move, everyone will go out to work. Our Dahe Village has become Dahe Town, and it's getting better and better, all thanks to the hard work of our people... However, my eldest daughter-in-law said that after this year, we two old folks won't be allowed to work anymore, so we can enjoy the blessings of our children and grandchildren."
Zhao Youyin continued, "Life has been much better for our family these past few years. Our parents are getting old and shouldn't have to work so hard anymore. In a few months, it will be Grandpa's 64th birthday. Although it's not a round number, we've thought about it and decided to have a big birthday banquet. Anyway, we're not short of money right now. Let's make the old man happy and live a few more years."
Zhao Youcai said, "When the time comes, I will ask our county magistrate to write a calligraphy piece for our father, wishing him a long and healthy life."
The emperor's finger twitched, and he glanced at Eunuch Ming beside him.
Eunuch Ming immediately understood and said, "Our Master Huang has excellent handwriting, why don't he write a piece for Master Zhao?"
"That's wonderful!" Old Zhao said immediately. "Second son, quickly go to Si Dan's study and get the best writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone!"
This Master Huang must be at least a second or third-rank official, much higher than the county magistrate. If he were to return to the village with a piece of calligraphy by a second or third-rank official, countless people would envy him, especially that old bastard, the county magistrate. After becoming the county magistrate, he has been showing off in front of him every day. When he returns to the village, he will show off back and make that old man furious!
The writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were quickly brought over and placed neatly on the table.
The emperor picked up a wolf-hair brush, dipped it in ink, and began to write four characters: "福寿康宁" (blessings, longevity, health, and peace).
"Master Huang's calligraphy is so beautiful!" Old Zhao exclaimed in astonishment. "Every stroke is like a dragon soaring and a phoenix dancing; it's so captivating to look at."
The courtiers at the next table silently grumbled to themselves: The current emperor started practicing calligraphy at the age of three, and by the age of nine, he already had beautiful handwriting. However, none of the officials, concubines, or princes in the harem had ever received a piece of the emperor's calligraphy.
Unexpectedly, the first person to be bestowed with calligraphy by the emperor was an ordinary old farmer.
After finishing writing, the emperor was in a very good mood and laughed loudly, saying, "Dahe Town is truly a blessed place. If I can find the time in the future, I will definitely go there for half a month. When that time comes, the old man will have to take care of me."
Old Zhao nodded hurriedly: "Of course, we must treat him well and make sure that Master Huang won't want to leave once he arrives."
This banquet for the top scholar was a great success.
The emperor and empress experienced the joy of sharing happiness with the people, and were in a very good mood.
After the banquet, Cheng Wanwan and Zhao Sidan personally escorted the Emperor and Empress to the door.
"Now that you've finished dealing with your son's affairs, is Wanwan planning to return to Dahe Town?" the Empress asked, holding her hand. "Could you postpone your departure for a few more days?"
Cheng Wanwan didn't give a direct answer, but instead asked, "Sister Yan, is there something you need?"
"His Majesty mentioned to me that the Assab royal family will be visiting our Great Yu Kingdom in a few months. If it's just for business, the Court of State Ceremonies can handle it. But the royal family needs to be entertained by the Great Yu Dynasty's royal family. No one in the Xiao family understands the Assab language, so I was thinking of having you stay a little longer. After the Assab royal family leaves, you can return to Dahe Town, how about that?" the Empress said slowly. "In the meantime, you can also help Jing Si establish herself in the capital."
The Emperor and Empress had given Cheng Wanwan such a great deal of face, so naturally she couldn't refuse this small favor.
Moreover, she was originally a member of the Court of State Ceremonial, receiving a salary from the imperial court every year, so she couldn't just do nothing but translate.
She immediately nodded: "This is my duty, and I will do my best to assist Her Majesty the Queen in entertaining the royal family of Assab."
The Empress patted the back of her hand before stepping onto the horse stool and boarding the carriage.
Ming Gonggong got into the carriage, cracked his whip, and the carriage slowly drove away.
At this point, the guests in the courtyard took their leave one by one.
After they left, these people couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
"The Emperor and Empress themselves have come to drink the wine for the top scholar; this has never happened before."
"Madam Sui is capable herself, and the son she raised is also capable. The Emperor and Empress naturally have to give her some face."
"I think the Emperor is planning to promote Lady Sui's faction. With Lord Cheng in the past and Scholar Zhao Si in the future, Lady Sui's faction should not be underestimated."
"There are quite a few people on Madam Sui's side. Her own son is in the Hanlin Academy, another son is in the military, the Shen family is her godparent family, the Lin family is related to the Shen family by marriage, the Cheng family is related to the Situ family by marriage, and she has also recognized Madam Ruan as her sister... In short, we can't say that Madam Sui has no background or connections anymore."
"In another three to five years, the landscape of Beijing will really change."
"..."
Old Mrs. Zhao overheard something outside, then turned and ran into the courtyard. She grabbed Cheng Wanwan's arm, glared at her, and asked, "The ladies outside are saying that the Emperor and Empress have arrived. Could that Madam Huang be the Empress herself?"
"Grandma, how come you only just found out?" Donghua said, cracking melon seeds. "When I was wandering around the courtyard with Xiaozhuzhu, I heard Old Madam Lin say that Xiaozhuzhu even went up close to look at the Empress several times."
"What?! Madam Huang is the Empress?! My God!" Madam Sun slapped her thigh. "You brat, why didn't you tell me sooner... What did I say to the Empress? I'm too ashamed to face her again..."
Donghua said with a grin, "The Empress is not like an old lady on the street that anyone can see whenever they want. It's a great stroke of luck to see her even once in a lifetime. Besides, if the aunties and grandmas in Dahe Town knew that I was eating at the same table as the Empress, they would be so envious of me."
Madam Sun immediately perked up: "That's true, I've dined and spoken with Her Majesty the Empress..."
Old Zhao was completely stunned: "Master Huang, Master Huang is the Emperor... That calligraphy, isn't it the Emperor's own work! My goodness, what incredible luck I've struck, to receive such a gift from the Emperor himself... Second son, where's the calligraphy? Quickly, bring it out so I can take another look..."
Together, Zhao Youyin and Zhao Youcai carefully "lifted" the light, flimsy characters out, and the whole family immediately gathered around to watch.
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