Chapter 386 A Great Nobleman Arrives?
"See what? What do you mean, 'see' that village woman? Do you think she's some noble lady? You think you'll ever see her again?" Eunuch Wang scoffed.
Xiao Linzi chuckled awkwardly, and was about to leave with the altered gift box when he was suddenly stopped by Eunuch Wang: "Remember, the plaque bestowed by the Emperor must not be touched. Send it over intact. Be quick on your feet and speak fluently, we'll be busy today."
As he spoke, he lay back on the soft cushions inside the carriage and closed his eyes to rest.
Xiao Linzi carefully picked up the bundle and tiptoed off the carriage. Seeing him arrive, the guard quickly pointed the way: "The one with the red lanterns up ahead is it."
Xiao Linzi glanced at the tall gate and was surprised, but then he nodded. If he was His Highness's benefactor, how could he really live in such a dilapidated courtyard? It did look quite proper.
As soon as the door knocker was knocked three times, a boy wearing an apron rushed out from inside.
Xiao Linzi stared at the flour mark on the other boy's nose, thinking to himself that for some reason, this young man looked somewhat familiar. Then he realized he was being silly; how could he possibly recognize someone in the mountains? He cleared his throat and straightened his back: "This is a New Year's gift from the Sixth Prince to Physician Jiang. Is this Physician Jiang's home?"
Upon hearing this, Ping'er was overjoyed and turned around to call out, "Baozhu, waiter! Xuan Ting has sent someone to deliver New Year's gifts!"
Having said that, he shook his hands, which were covered in paste, and went to take it. Little Linzi was so frightened that he backed away, crying, "Ancestor! This brocade face can't get wet!"
Xiao Linzi glanced inside subconsciously and saw only an elderly woman and a few young children. Feeling bored, he took the opportunity to toss the package onto the platform. He then pulled out an envelope and waved it: "This is a letter from His Highness to Physician Jiang. These two packages are His Highness's token of appreciation. Please convey our regards to Physician Jiang."
After saying that, he gave the guard a wink, and the guard immediately brought over the plaque.
Xiao Linzi said, "This is a gift from the Emperor. Our whole family should kowtow to welcome it, but since it's in the countryside, let it be. Just give it to Physician Jiang. We have a long way to go and are in a hurry to report back to His Highness, so we'll be leaving now."
Ping'er took the plaque, paused for a moment, and then quickly called out to the person, "Wait a moment! We have also written letters these days, but the heavy snow has blocked the door and we can't send them out. Please take them back to the Sixth Prince."
With that, Ping'er turned and went into the house.
Xiao Linzi didn't say anything. Although he thought to himself that His Highness might not even read the letters from these people who were trying to curry favor with the powerful, he had still come all this way. If His Highness became interested and asked about it, he could at least give a reply with the gifts. If he could please his master, he might even get a reward.
Just as they were making their plans, the boy who had gone away returned, like a magician, carrying several bulging bundles on his body.
"Mother prepared these foods and some personal items for your Sixth Prince earlier. Please also take these two jars back to him. The letter is also included."
Xiao Linzi was stunned for a moment, and he was genuinely impressed by this family. They were really going all out to climb the social ladder. Were they going to fill half a cart?
Inside the carriage, Eunuch Wang was lounging on a soft stool, shelling peanuts. When he saw Xiao Linzi and the guard returning with two large bags and a pickle jar, he raised his hand and threw the peanut shells at them: "I told you to deliver a New Year's gift, and you brought back a pickle jar?"
"It was pickled by Doctor Jiang's family..."
"Pickle my foot!" Eunuch Wang snatched the jar, intending to smash it, but then thought better of it and shoved it back into Xiao Linzi's hands. "Oh well, since we've already brought it back, let's keep it. At least His Highness should see a glimpse of it, right?"
Eunuch Wang opened the package and examined it carefully. When he saw the letter, his gloomy eyes turned to Xiao Linzi's face.
"You've done a good job as a messenger, haven't you? You've sent so many letters. Now that the Sixth Prince is asking about these fine items, what do you think your godfather should say?"
Xiao Linzi's heart skipped a beat, and he swallowed hard twice. "Godfather, these letters were written by them some time ago. They originally intended to have someone send them to the capital, so they certainly wouldn't mention today's items. I think that if we don't bring something back with us on this trip, it will be difficult to explain to His Highness if he asks. It's better to do him a favor."
After he finished speaking, Eunuch Wang stared at him quietly. Xiao Linzi listened intently, his forehead already beaded with cold sweat despite the cold winter day.
"Pfft, you're quite clever." Eunuch Wang's gloomy face suddenly brightened, and he pinched Xiao Linzi's fair face: "Good son, hurry up and pack some more good things. We should go and visit our important sir."
Xiao Linzi felt a sudden weight lift from his shoulders, his legs trembling. He immediately put on a smile and asked in surprise, "Godfather, do we have other plans?"
Eunuch Wang seemed to be in a good mood: "It's almost the end of the year, did you really think your godfather would come all this way for nothing?"
After saying that, he looked out the car window and said, "Don't underestimate Qingquan Village. It's like a golden phoenix has emerged from a chicken coop."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Linzi's eyes lit up immediately: "Please, godfather, show some love to your son and give him some pointers."
Eunuch Wang chuckled and scolded, his shrill voice tinged with a hint of smugness, "Speaking of which, this is the Empress's grace. She sent someone to give me a heads-up. You, just go and find some good things, preferably food and clothing, something that will make people feel comfortable."
After saying that, he waved to the guards outside: "Go to the village entrance and ask if there is a family surnamed Zhao. Their youngest daughter was born in the year of Ji Hai and is only four years old. She has a crescent-shaped scar on her shoulder. She lost her mother at a young age and lives with only her father and grandfather."
"Godfather, what's wrong?" Xiao Linzi scratched his forehead. "I've got a brain fart. This is such a rural place..."
With a smile, Eunuch Wang reached out and poked Xiao Linzi's forehead: "Can this country bumpkin be compared to that country bumpkin? If we curry favor with her, that's our ladder to heaven. His Highness has An Dehai by his side; he can't possibly be more powerful than him. But this one is different."
After saying that, he kicked the man in the butt: "Hurry up and pick out the things. This is a timely help. If you do a good job, it won't be a waste of my trip. You'd better be a little quick-witted."
...
"You brat, where's Fatty Jiang?"
Chun Tao stood reluctantly at the door of Jiang Nuan's house, fiddling with her handkerchief and looking at Ping'er, asking.
Ping'er was putting up Spring Festival couplets at the time. When she heard this, she looked over, her expression cold and emotionless: "What are you doing at my house? Are you busy?"
Just then, a string of firecrackers suddenly exploded at the east end of the village, the smell of sulfur mixed with the rustling of red paper scraps. Ping'er raised an eyebrow in surprise. Firecrackers were a precious commodity in rural areas, usually set off at night, followed by a late-night snack and New Year's Eve vigil. Why was the Zhao family setting off firecrackers during the day?
"Did you hear that? Zhao Yuniang's family has a big celebration. A very important person is coming. They said they've prepared ten tables and are inviting the whole village to a banquet. They specifically told me that they've invited Jiang Pangya to the banquet. Where is your stepmother?"
(End of this chapter)
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