After Xiao Chuan left, Meng Zhao's family gathered around the box that Eunuch Li had brought, carefully examining the rewards mentioned in the imperial edict. The most eye-catching item was naturally the box of gold ingots, which gleamed in the sunlight, almost blinding them.
Meng Zhao picked one up to examine it, and saw that the bottom was clearly marked with "Yongning 3rd Year, Shangrao Treasury Gold". She frowned slightly and asked Granny Sun, "Granny Sun, can we use this imperial gold?"
Granny Sun took the gold ingot and saw that it was labeled "Treasury Gold" on the bottom. She said, "It can certainly be used, but most small shops would be afraid of getting into trouble if they saw this official seal, so they would not dare to accept it. It would be best to find a silversmith to melt it down first, and then use it."
Meng Zhao nodded in understanding and gently put the gold ingots back into the brocade box. As long as they could be used, that was fine. However, there was no urgent need for money at home right now, so these imperial gifts of gold should be kept safe for the time being, and plans could be made for when needed in the future.
Then, looking through the rewards, she found two more land deeds, each for fifty mu. Wasn't this just a godsend? A few days ago, she was planning to buy land to build greenhouses for growing vegetables, and now someone had delivered it. After the New Year, she would go and take a look at the land. If the location was suitable, it would save her the money of buying land.
The rest of the rewards were mostly silks and gold ornaments. Although the fabrics were luxurious, they were all common patterns and would not be considered presumptuous to wear as clothes. However, the gold ornaments were extremely exquisite. It would be a pity to melt them down, but if they were to be pawned, no pawnshop would dare to accept them. After thinking it over, Meng Zhao decided to put them in the storeroom for the time being and make further plans when a suitable opportunity arose.
After the imperial gifts were tidied up, Xiao Chuan returned and repeated what Wang Xian had said.
"Sister Meng, Lord Wang said that he has always felt guilty for not receiving the reward you deserved in Qingshi County. Over the years, he has been thinking of reporting this to the Emperor, but he has not had a suitable opportunity. This trip back to the capital has provided the perfect opportunity, allowing him to reveal the truth." Xiao Chuan said solemnly, mimicking Wang Xian's tone. "Lord Wang also said that Sister Meng made a great contribution to the fertilizer matter, and now that you have received the Emperor's reward, it is well-deserved, and there is really no need for thanks."
To be honest, when Meng Zhao first learned that all the credit for the fertilizer project had gone to Wang Xian, and he had only received some silver, he did feel resentful. However, after witnessing firsthand how much effort Wang Xian had put into promoting the fertilizer, Meng Zhao gradually let go of his resentment.
So much time has passed that she had almost forgotten about it, but she never expected that her wish would come true today. Meng Zhao finally let go of the last bit of resentment in her heart.
However, Wang Xian said that he had no opportunity to report to the Emperor. Coincidentally, the Emperor mentioned this matter when Shen Qinghe was present today. Meng Zhao's heart stirred slightly. Could it be that Shen Qinghe was also involved in this?
Thinking of how embarrassing the two of them had been yesterday, she felt quite awkward about coming to inquire now. She paced back and forth in the courtyard, but then she thought that it would be even more inappropriate to go after dark. Meng Zhao sighed, straightened her clothes, and stepped out of the mansion.
Upon arriving at the Shen family home, she went straight to Shen Qinghe's study as if she were returning home and knocked on the door.
"Come in." A familiar voice came from inside the house.
When Meng Zhao pushed open the door, Shen Qinghe was sitting at the table. He was not surprised to see her and got up to greet her.
Meng Zhao didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "Was it you who facilitated that imperial edict today?"
Shen Qinghe walked slowly to Meng Zhao's side and said softly, "I merely found a suitable opportunity to present this matter to the Emperor. The reason His Majesty issued the decree of commendation is because you already possess sufficient merit." His gaze softened. "How are you feeling? Are you feeling better now?"
Hearing that it was indeed him, Meng Zhao felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She breathed a sigh of relief, "Of course I'm happy. It means that all my efforts back then weren't in vain." A slight smile played on her lips. "It's a blessing in disguise. If I had reported my achievements back then, I would at most have received credit for developing the fertilizer. Now that the fertilizer's promotion has proven effective, reporting it now adds the credit for its promotion. In that sense, I've actually benefited from Lord Wang's generosity; otherwise, the reward wouldn't be so generous."
At this point, Shen Qinghe's smile faded slightly: "It's still too little. With your achievements, you would be deserving of a title like Lady of a Township or County. I didn't expect His Majesty to only give you some gold and silver as a reward."
Meng Zhao, however, didn't seem to care. "I'm already more than satisfied with these rewards. If I were given a title, I'd worry it would affect my future business."
After all, both the title of "township lord" and "county lord" are considered titles of nobility, and having a title of nobility would impose many restrictions on engaging in business.
Having spoken, the two fell silent for a moment. Meng Zhao was about to leave when she caught a glimpse of a basin of water on a shelf, with a clean handkerchief and wound medicine on a tray, all of which appeared to be clean. She frowned and couldn't help but ask, "Why hasn't the medicine been applied yet?"
Shen Qinghe looked up at her, a hint of embarrassment in his eyes: "The wound is on my right shoulder, it's not very convenient."
"Why didn't you ask Afu for help?" Meng Zhao pressed.
Shen Qing lowered her eyes and her voice grew softer, "I dare not let anyone else know."
Upon hearing this, Meng Zhao immediately recalled the absurd situation from yesterday, and her anger flared up: "Now you finally know how to have a sense of shame!" However, remembering that this person had just done her a great favor, Meng Zhao finally sighed: "Take off your clothes."
Then he added, "Just show the wound."
A glint of triumph flashed in Shen Qinghe's eyes. He obediently sat back down in his chair. He first slowly and deliberately untied the belt around his waist and gently placed it on the table. His slender fingers then stroked his clothes, his fingertips lingering at the collar for a moment before slowly loosening it. As his fingers slipped inside the collar, the clothes slid down his shoulder line, revealing the wound on his shoulder.
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