Yan Qingqing was quite surprised by Ling Ziyuan's words. Although she felt that she would go to the capital sooner or later, she didn't know what Ling Ziyuan meant by these words.
Seeing Yan Qingqing's puzzled expression, Ling Ziyuan walked up to her and whispered, "Whether it's this disaster relief or the 200,000 dan of grain donated to the border soldiers, you deserve the greatest credit."
I heard that you are quite familiar with Prince Chen, and even saved his life.
He is the only legitimate son of the current emperor. Although the current emperor is not a monarch of great talent and ambition, he can be considered a wise ruler who is fair in rewarding and punishing.
Therefore, I deduce that his reward to you will certainly not be light.
Ling Ziyuan, being the eldest son of the Ling family, knew relatively more inside information.
Few people in the capital knew that Yan Qingqing had saved Xiao Mochen's life, but Old Master Ling definitely did.
So he immediately sent a message to Ling Ziyuan by carrier pigeon, instructing him to be on good terms with Ming Zhaoshuo.
The news that Xiao Mochen had been conferred the title of Prince Chen spread throughout the Great Yan Dynasty. Just from this title, Yan Qingqing could deduce that the newly appointed Prince Chen by the emperor must be Xiao Mochen.
However, Xiao Mochen has not sent back a single letter since he went to the capital.
If Yan Qingqing hadn't known Xiao Mochen's character, she would definitely have called him an ingrate.
Yan Qingqing was so engrossed in thinking about Ling Ziyuan's words that she didn't even notice how close he was to her.
Ling Ziyuan was a full head taller than Yan Qingqing, and from his angle looking down at Yan Qingqing, he was facing her profile.
Yan Qingqing's skin was smooth, delicate, and flawless; even the fine downy hairs on her face were clearly visible in the sunlight. She didn't look like someone in her thirties at all.
Moreover, Yan Qingqing exuded a unique fragrance, which made Ling Ziyuan's mind wander for a moment.
However, Yan Qingqing moved slightly, and Ling Ziyuan regained his composure and took a step back.
Yan Qingqing turned to look at him and smiled, "It would be a lie to say I don't hope for a promotion and wealth, but I think life is pretty good right now."
As long as the family is safe and sound, that's more important than anything else.
Yan Qingqing neither confirmed nor denied Ling Ziyuan's words.
Ling Ziyuan didn't press the matter further. After chatting for a few more minutes, Ling Ziyuan cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Yan Qingqing and said, "The future is long and we'll meet again someday."
Yan Qingqing replied with a smile, "Have a safe journey and a bright future."
Ling Ziyuan laughed heartily twice, then waved goodbye to Yan Qingqing.
Yan Qingqing did not go to see him off the next day. She thought that since Magistrate Ling had already come to say goodbye to her in person, it would be redundant for her to go and see him off as well.
But Yan Qingqing didn't know that Ling Ziyuan had been waiting for a long time at Shili Pavilion in Chengyang County, with wave after wave of people coming to see him off.
He waited for Yan Qingqing until it was almost dark, but she never came.
Ling Ziyuan seemed a little angry. Butler Ling, who was standing to the side, said, "Master, it's getting late. Let's set off as soon as possible."
It seems that Ming Zhaoshuo is not coming.
Besides, you already went to say goodbye to Ming Zhaoshuo yesterday. Wouldn't it be redundant for her to come and see you off again today?
Upon hearing this, Ling Ziyuan became somewhat embarrassed and angry, then glared at Steward Ling and said, "Who said I was waiting for her? I have many friends in Chengyang County. I'm afraid that if I leave too early, they won't be able to see me off and will complain about me later."
"But you're right, it's getting late. It's fine if those ungrateful fools don't come to see me off. I don't care anyway."
Ling Ziyuan's words were ambiguous, especially the phrase "ungrateful," which he used with great venom.
However, he still glanced in the direction of Chengyang County to make sure no one else was coming before mounting his horse and heading towards the capital.
Yan Qingqing was discussing the wheat harvest with Li Xiangping.
This year, the Li family planted wheat on all their land. After experiencing last year's disaster, they all felt that money is sometimes an external thing, but food is something that can truly save lives.
Thanks to the scientific farming methods summarized by Li Xiangping and his personal guidance, the wheat grown by the Li family was exceptionally good.
The Li family's crops were growing exceptionally well, and Li Xiangping naturally became a favorite among the agricultural officials.
Li Xiangping did not become arrogant because of this. Instead, he told them that if he, as an agricultural official, could not even cultivate his own land well, how could he win the respect of the people?
That day, Li Xiangping and Yan Qingqing were discussing the harvest when the gatekeeper received a letter and hurriedly delivered it to Yan Qingqing.
Yan Qingqing's face lit up with joy when she saw the handwriting; it was Li Xiangjian's.
This child hasn't written in a long time.
Yan Qingqing became even happier after opening the letter. Seeing this, Li Xiangping quickly asked, "Mother is so happy, is something good happening to Third Brother?"
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Third brother has made something of himself."
After saying that, he handed the letter to Li Xiangping. The more Li Xiangping read it, the wider his grin widened.
Then, smiling, he asked, "Mother, how many people does a seventh-rank Martial Virtue Captain command?"
Yan Qingqing didn't really know much about the ranks of military officers, but after thinking for a moment, she said, "When the third brother didn't have a rank, he had about a thousand men under his command."
Now that it's a seventh-rank official position, Mother thinks it should have at least ten thousand men.
Although the rank of a seventh-rank military officer is not very high, there is a fundamental difference between this rank and that of a centurion.
Although a centurion commands a thousand men, it is not a formal official position; it is a temporary appointment bestowed by a prestigious general in the military camp.
They also have the right to replace them at any time.
But the rank of captain is different. It's an official post bestowed by the emperor, a legitimate rank. Even if someone makes a mistake, no one but the emperor has the right to remove them.
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangping laughed happily and said, "Third brother has really made something of himself. It must be so impressive to have so many people under his command."
Our family has never produced a general since our ancestors.
If the village chief found out, he'd probably open the ancestral hall again to worship the ancestors.
Yan Qingqing laughed and said, "You silly child, ancestor worship is not such an easy thing. Besides, our family shouldn't be too high-profile right now."
Moreover, although the third brother has been promoted to a seventh-rank captain and seems to be enjoying great prestige, it is something he earned by risking his life.
Moreover, given the current situation, our Great Yan and the Northern Liang people will inevitably clash sooner or later.
That will be the real test for the third son.
Li Xiangping nodded in agreement. He knew that joining the army was not easy, and that the path his mother had chosen for his third brother was probably the most difficult.
But one has to admit that this is the most suitable path for the third brother.
However, Li Xiangjian is far away at the border, so their worries are futile, since no one can replace him.
Yan Qingqing and the others were relieved to know that he was doing well in the military camp.
After all, no one can predict what the future holds.
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