After Ah Da reported to Yan Qingqing, Yan Qingqing got off the carriage.
Then he asked Ah Da to invite Gao Zhiyan over.
Upon seeing Yan Qingqing, Gao Zhiyan was about to perform the formal courtly ceremony, but Yan Qingqing quickly stopped him, saying, "What are you doing, Lord Gao? Don't cause me any trouble!"
Gao Zhiyan replied, "His Majesty has already issued an edict that all officials should regard the Lady as if they were seeing the Emperor himself. Naturally, I cannot disobey the edict."
Furthermore, the lady has shown me great kindness, and I am truly honored by your bow.
Gao Zhiyan spoke with such sincerity that Yan Qingqing could not refute him and could only accept his bow.
After Gao Zhiyan stood up, he clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I originally planned to wait for Madam to return so I could say goodbye before going to the capital."
But he was afraid of missing the deadline for taking office, and he was even hoping to run into his wife on the way.
I never expected that my wish would come true.
Yan Qingqing also laughed and said, "We went sightseeing along the way, and since there were many of us, including a few children, the journey was a bit slow."
After all these years of hardship, Master Gao's efforts have finally paid off; a hero has finally found his place to shine.
Gao Zhiyan smiled and said, "If it weren't for your recommendation, Madam, I might have died of old age in the position of county magistrate."
I was prepared for this.
"I will never forget the immense kindness and virtue that you have shown me, Madam."
Yan Qingqing laughed again and said, "That may be true, but one must be strong to forge iron."
"If Lord Gao didn't have the ability, you wouldn't be able to hold onto your position as Minister of the Court of Judicial Review."
Gao Zhiyan nodded seriously. The Dali Temple was in charge of criminal cases. Even with Lady Mingzhao's protection, he wouldn't be able to hold his position if he didn't have real skills.
After chatting for a few more minutes, Yan Qingqing noticed that it was getting late and urged Gao Zhiyan to leave quickly, as she was also eager to go home.
Gao Zhiyan then bid farewell to Yan Qingqing.
Yan Qingqing also got into the carriage.
Gao Zhiyan watched Yan Qingqing's carriage depart, then led his entire family to respectfully kowtow on the ground before instructing his servants to set off.
When Yan Qingqing arrived in Canghe Town, Li Kaishan was already there with a group of people, young and old, to greet her.
Upon seeing Yan Qingqing, they all knelt down and exclaimed, "Welcome, Madam Mingzhao!"
When Yan Qingqing got out of the car and saw this scene, she was both amused and exasperated. Whose idea was this? Did they really think she was the Empress Dowager?
This needs to be addressed carefully, since the emperor's mind is the most unpredictable thing; when things are going well, everything is wonderful.
But if things go wrong, these are all mistakes.
But let's not talk about that now.
Yan Qingqing stepped forward, helped Li Kaishan up with one hand and helped Old Master Li up with the other, and said, "Father, Mayor Uncle, what are you doing? Get up! We're all family, there's no need for these formalities."
Everyone then stood up.
Yan Qingqing noticed that although Li Kaishan and Grandpa Li had aged a bit compared to a few years ago, they were in very good spirits.
Li Kaishan spoke first, saying, "I thought I would never see you again in this lifetime. I never expected you to come back. I'm so happy."
Just as Old Master Li was about to speak, a violent cough interrupted his thoughts.
Yan Qingqing quickly looked at Grandpa Li and asked with concern, "Dad, what's wrong?"
Grandpa Li waved his hand and said, "It's an old ailment, nothing to worry about."
Li Kaishan, who was standing to the side, said, "Your father caught a cold last year and has been ill ever since. The doctor said that he needs to use some kind of Tian Shan snow lotus as medicine."
We searched every pharmacy in Chengyang County but couldn't find it.
Grandpa Li said nonchalantly, "That thing is very precious. I'm an old man with one foot in the grave. Why bother with that?"
Ah, to see Qingqing again in my lifetime, I have no regrets in this life.
Yan Qingqing smiled and comforted him, saying, "Father, what are you saying? I said I would come back when I left."
I never imagined that I would be gone for four years.
I do have some Tian Shan snow lotus here; I'll have someone send some to Father later.
Upon hearing this, Old Master Li did not refuse. In fact, he was also afraid of dying, after all, he had not yet had enough of such a good life.
Li Xiang'an, Yuan Huiniang, and the others also got off the carriage and greeted Li Kaishan and the others.
Grandpa Li was overjoyed. Li Xiang'an had gotten married two years ago and became a father a year ago.
Looking at the group of children, Grandpa Li was so happy that his eyes were practically splitting with joy.
Seeing this, Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Let's go, let's talk about it at home."
So the large group of people followed Yan Qingqing to the Li family.
The Li family's plaque had long been changed to the three characters "Mingzhao Prefecture".
The house was also cleaned spotlessly, showing that the servants had not neglected their duties.
Yan Qingqing said to Yuan Huiniang, "These children have taken good care of the house. Remember to give each of them a big red envelope as a reward."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Huiniang quickly agreed.
The servants of the Li family were all delighted to hear this.
Their wife was truly generous; she rewarded them as soon as she returned.
After talking with Li Kaishan and the others for a while, Yan Qingqing got up to say goodbye.
After all, Yan Qingqing and the others had just returned and were exhausted from their long journey, so everyone was very considerate.
After resting for a few days, Yan Qingqing began to miss Grandpa Yan and Grandma Yan.
They immediately sent someone to pick up the elderly couple.
The two were incredibly excited to see Yan Qingqing.
But seeing that Yan Qingqing looked even more radiant than a few years ago, I knew that my daughter had been doing quite well these past few years.
In the days that followed, Yan Qingqing would spend her free time with the elderly, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, truly enjoying her retirement life, which was incredibly pleasant.
That day, Yan Qingqing sat in a rattan chair basking in the sun, looking at the bright spring scenery and every blade of grass and tree, and felt particularly at peace.
Although she had no extraordinary abilities or ambitions to become a king or ruler.
But she also lived a wonderful life in this era.
She did not let herself down in this second life, and I hope that good days will come from now on.
The book is finished!
Sprinkling flowers…… ...
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