After Luo Sheng left, Xiao Yunying's life became much more peaceful.
Just when she thought this peaceful life could continue until Luo Sheng returned, she was unexpectedly greeted by a group of uninvited guests.
At the end of July, Xiao Yunying went to Shijinfang to settle the accounts for the past two weeks. After counting the silver notes, she returned to the village in the afternoon.
When we were halfway up the mountain path, eight men dressed in black suddenly jumped out of the woods on both sides.
The farmhand driving the carriage was startled for a moment. He first pulled on the horse, then drew a dagger from his waist: "Master, someone is stopping the carriage."
Xiao Yunying held onto the carriage wall to steady herself. Hearing what the farmhand said, she lifted the curtain and looked outside.
The man in black at the head of the group looked at them coldly. When Xiao Yunying showed her face, he said loudly, "Is the one in the carriage Miss Xiao Yunying from Xiaqu Village?"
Xiao Yunying didn't know what their purpose was, but judging from their demeanor, they must have already found out about her.
This group of people didn't seem like ordinary robbers, so she didn't presumptuously deny it: "I am Xiao Yunying. May I ask what business you have with me?"
At the same time, he thought of all the enemies he could remember, and the most likely ones were Luo Sheng's side, or Zuo Lanzhi, whom he had stabbed.
The man in black at the head of the group said, "My master would like to invite Miss Xiao to the capital as a guest."
Xiao Yunying's heart sank to the bottom. Regardless of which side they were on, the capital city was not a good place for her right now.
She glanced at the longswords at the waists of the eight men, then at the dagger in the farmhand's hand, and silently pressed down on the farmhand's hand.
Mustering her courage, Xiao Yunying asked, "May I ask who your master is? And why did you invite me to the capital as a guest?"
The man in black said loudly, "You'll know when you get there, young lady."
Well, it's the same as saying nothing at all.
After much thought, Xiao Yunying concluded that the problem was more likely on Luo Sheng's side.
She felt that no matter how much Zuo Lanzhi's mother loved her, she wouldn't send people to arrest her after knowing what her precious daughter had done.
After all, she was still Luo Sheng's wife in name only.
Xiao Yunying knew from their expressions that she couldn't refuse: "May I go back and pack some valuables?"
The man in black remained silent, which was his way of refusing.
Xiao Yunying continued, "The fact that you didn't knock me out and take me away shows that your master still wants to get along with me. Since you invited me to the capital as a guest, you probably won't stop me from packing my belongings, right?"
The man in black pondered for a moment, then stepped aside.
"We will prepare a carriage and wait for the girl at the village entrance before dark. If the girl does not come, we will have no choice but to go to the Xiao family to look for her."
Xiao Yunying sensed the threat in his words and her face turned cold. Her tone lost its previous gentleness: "I will be there before dark."
Then he lowered the curtain: "Let's go back."
The farmhand sheathed his dagger and cautiously drove the carriage away from the area.
Xiao Yunying got off the carriage as soon as she entered the village. She instructed the farmhand not to tell anyone about the matter and asked him to call Uncle Dai over. She then went back to her parents' home first.
Many people greeted her on the way, offering their congratulations. Xiao Yunying, unaware of what was happening, absentmindedly responded and quickened her pace.
She finally managed to get the door open: "What are you doing in the house with the door closed in broad daylight?"
Her sister-in-law, Zhang, pulled her into the main room: "It's good news, good news for you."
As Xiao Yunying entered the main room, she was greeted by a table full of gold ingots.
This was the first time she had ever seen so much gold: "Where did this gold come from?"
Mu Lianrong handed her a stool: "This was delivered by the government this morning. It's a reward from His Majesty. There are one hundred taels of gold here."
Xiao Yunying picked up a gold ingot and looked at it: "Is this for me?"
Mu Lianrong, having had her fill of admiration, picked up the wooden box beside her and placed gold ingots inside: "You forgot, the method you taught everyone for irrigating the land was reported to the county magistrate by the village chief. To be honest, our county magistrate is a really good official. He didn't embezzle the credit. When he reported it to higher authorities, he also mentioned your name, saying that it was your idea."
This gold is a reward specifically given to you by the Emperor. The county magistrate personally delivered it to our house this morning, but since you weren't home, your parents have been keeping it for you.
Xiao Yunying handed the gold ingot in her hand to her mother: "Did the county magistrate say anything else?"
"No, I just complimented you and then left."
Mu Lianrong was overjoyed. She was so happy that her daughter had received a reward from the Emperor. This was something they had never dreamed of. It would bring them great honor in the village.
Looking at the box of gold, Xiao Yunying suddenly felt a little lost.
Will I be able to return safely from this trip to Beijing?
Mu Lianrong closed the wooden box: "It's quite heavy. Have your older brother take it back to you."
Xiao Yunying looked at her family. Everyone was smiling at her, and no one showed any greed or jealousy.
She said, "Mother, you should keep this box of gold for now. There are no men in my family, and it's not safe to keep such a large sum of gold."
Mu Lianrong thought for a moment and felt that her daughter was right: "Then leave it here with your mother for now, and tomorrow your father and your two brothers will accompany you to the city to exchange it for silver notes."
"No need, consider this box of gold as my retirement money for my parents."
"What are you saying? Your parents aren't old enough for you to take care of them in their old age yet."
Xiao Yunying had no choice but to say, "Then I'll exchange the silver notes for you and keep them safe for me. I'll come back to you when I need them."
Xiao Shan Hai suddenly spoke up: "Daughter, is something wrong?"
Taking this opportunity, Xiao Yunying revealed her intention to go to the capital: "The Emperor recently bestowed a marriage upon us, and we should have met with him to express our gratitude. Today, Luo Sheng sent someone to fetch me, and I must go to the capital immediately. I will probably be staying for a while."
Xiao Yuntao asked nervously, "Are you going to see the Emperor?"
Xiao Yunying said, "Yes, the carriage is waiting at the village entrance. I came here to tell my parents to take care of the family for me during this time."
Xiao Yunbai perked up: "That's great! Little sister, you've brought honor to our Xiao family!"
Xiao Yunying laughed and said, "It's not that exaggerated."
Xiao Shanhai was overthinking things: "Daughter, will there be any danger if you go to see the Emperor?"
Xiao Yunying said, "I'll just kowtow to express my gratitude and then I'll be out. Besides, Luo Sheng is with me, so what danger could there be?"
Mu Lianrong patted him on the shoulder: "That's right, our son-in-law is a general after all. Besides, Yunyun is going to express her gratitude, not to receive punishment. What danger could she possibly be in?"
Xiao Shan Hai was slightly relieved: "Then go ahead, girl. Your father is here at home. I'll make sure he takes good care of the vegetable garden for you."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
