Yan Qingqing had originally planned to have a few more rounds with them, but she was getting a little annoyed.
She's just raising her child and running her business peacefully; what did she do to deserve this? She doesn't believe she's done anything wrong. Why are these people bothering her?
Just as Yan Qingqing was thinking of confronting them head-on, Ah Er rushed over, panting, and said, "Madam, hurry! Let's go home quickly, Magistrate Ling is here!"
Yan Qingqing was somewhat surprised that Magistrate Ling had arrived at this time. But before she could ask,
Madam Shen said with a smug look on her face, "It seems that the magistrate of Chengyang County is quite sensible. Knowing that I am here, he rushed over without stopping."
"Very well, it saves me the trouble of sending someone to the county government."
After speaking triumphantly, Madam Shen pointed at Ah Er and said, "You servant, go and tell Magistrate Ling that I am here and that he should come to see me immediately. If he is late, he should be careful with his head."
Yan Qingqing: ……
Surrounding crowd: ...
How could Shen Tongzhi have fallen for such a stupid person? Or was she addicted to showing off her power?
Seeing Ah Er looking at her with a bewildered expression, Madam Shen said angrily, "You insolent servant! Go now!"
Ah Er twitched his lips and completely ignored her. Instead, he turned to Yan Qingqing and said respectfully, "Madam, please go back quickly. Magistrate Ling has come to deliver an imperial decree."
Yan Qingqing was startled upon hearing this, but then became happy. It seemed to be good news.
So he ignored Madam Chen and the others and hurried home with Li Xinniang and the others.
Behind her came Madam Shen's angry roar, which was completely unlike that of an official's wife.
When Yan Qingqing returned home, she saw the courtyard filled with things, and Magistrate Ling was talking to a pale-faced, beardless man. Yan Qingqing immediately knew that this must be the eunuch from the palace who delivered the imperial edict.
Ah Er is a bit unreliable; he didn't explain things clearly beforehand, so she thought only Magistrate Ling was coming.
When Magistrate Ling saw Yan Qingqing enter, he smiled and said to the man, "Well, the main character has arrived."
Yan Qingqing walked up to the two men, bowed, and said, "This humble woman greets the magistrate and the imperial envoy."
The eunuch delivering the decree was taken aback when he heard the title "angel." This was the first time he had ever heard anyone address him that way. "Angel," the emperor's messenger, was a much more respectable title than "eunuch."
Sure enough, the eunuch smiled kindly upon hearing this address.
Magistrate Ling looked at Yan Qingqing speechlessly. He had no idea that Yan had become such a sycophant. He had never seen her flatter him before.
However, upon closer reflection, Yan Qingqing did indeed possess such skill; she managed to make Eunuch Xiang in the palace beam with joy simply by using a title.
After Magistrate Ling introduced the two, Eunuch Xiang said with a smile, "Madam, you are very righteous and have done something great that benefits the country and the people."
The emperor was delighted after reading the report and rewarded the person handsomely.
"Madam, quickly gather your family members, bathe, change your clothes, and burn incense before receiving the imperial decree."
Fearing that Yan Qingqing might not understand the procedure for receiving the imperial decree, Eunuch Xiang gave her a brief reminder.
This was Yan Qingqing's first time receiving an imperial edict, and she wasn't very familiar with the process.
Yan Qingqing smiled and thanked Eunuch Xiang, then had A'da invite Magistrate Ling and Eunuch Xiang to the front hall for tea.
They then sent Ah Er and the others to invite Li Xiangping and Li Xiang'an back.
Yan Qingqing was also dressed up in her finest clothes and personally did her own makeup.
Yan Qingqing felt somewhat ashamed as soon as she started applying Ruyi's makeup. The lady rarely did her own makeup, but when she did, the sophisticated and exquisite feeling was something Yan Qingqing couldn't replicate.
Ruyi once complained about why Yan Qingqing's makeup was so beautiful. Yan Qingqing just smiled and said that it was one of the world's four great "magic arts," and besides, she had been wearing makeup since college. How could she not look good after more than ten years of wearing it?
Yan Qingqing was all dressed up, and her children were all ready to go.
Li Xiangping and Li Xiangan were waiting for Yan Qingqing in the courtyard. Yan Qingqing glanced at the two of them; they were clearly excited but also a little nervous.
Yan Qingqing gave them both a firm look. The two took a deep breath and followed Yan Qingqing out.
They didn't know what the emperor's reward would be, but they knew it was a moment that would completely change their family's fate.
Eunuch Xiang and Magistrate Ling had already finished their tea, and the servants had set up the incense table in advance.
With a flick of his whisk, Eunuch Xiang solemnly proclaimed, "Li Yanshi of Canghe Village, receive the imperial decree!"
Yan Qingqing quickly led Li Xiangping and the others to kneel down, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"
Although Yan Qingqing had never liked this kind of kneeling ceremony, this time she was truly willing to do it.
Yan Qingqing felt that it was probably because she had been in ancient times for so long that she had developed a sense of class and a servile mentality.
Before Yan Qingqing could think further, Xiang Gong unfolded the imperial edict and read aloud: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
Li Yanshi of Chengyang County, despite being widowed, was concerned about the fate of the nation and devoted herself to cultivating high-yield varieties, relieving the urgent needs of our Great Yan. Her contributions will last for generations.
Moreover, I have heard that he is of upright character, cautious by nature, diligent and gentle, harmonious and pure, and unparalleled in integrity and righteousness.
He is now granted the title of Fifth Rank Official, a title that is clearly proclaimed.
This proclamation is hereby issued to the entire nation, so that all may be informed.
Yan Qingqing was quite shocked upon hearing this. She knew the emperor would bestow rewards, but she didn't know he would be so generous.
Not to mention Yan Qingqing, even Magistrate Ling was somewhat surprised.
In the Great Yan Dynasty, the ranks of noblewomen were divided into nine grades: the ninth grade was Ruren, the eighth grade was Anren, the seventh grade was Yiren, the sixth grade was Gongren, the fifth grade was Lingren, the fourth grade was Shuoren, the third grade was Shuren, and the first and second grades were called Furen.
However, the rank of a noblewoman usually changed with her husband's official position, unless it was bestowed by the emperor, like Yan Qingqing.
Yan Qingqing's fifth-rank official title was already impressive, but she also had a double title, using the characters "Ming Zhao," which carried considerable weight.
This title is among the most prestigious even in the capital.
Just as Yan Qingqing was about to get up to express her gratitude, Eunuch Xiang took out another imperial edict and read it aloud: "I have heard that the eldest son of the magistrate Mingzhao is of gentle character and extremely skilled in agriculture. He has worked diligently to cultivate high-yield crops and has made great contributions."
Moreover, he lost his father at a young age and was extremely filial to his mother, which greatly comforted me. Therefore, I have made an exception and appointed him as an eighth-rank agricultural official.
I hope you will continue to perform your duties diligently and dedicate yourself wholeheartedly to the Great Yan."
Li Xiangping never expected that he would become an official in his lifetime, and he excitedly shouted "Long live the Emperor!" on the spot.
Before the imperial edict was finished, Eunuch Xiang took out another list and read it aloud: "The Emperor has bestowed a reward."
The emperor bestowed upon Mingzhao a thousand taels of gold, ten chests of palace forging, a pair of jade ruyi scepters, and a fifth-rank carriage.
Ten pairs of specially made palace hairpins, a set of ruby headdresses, ten gold-inlaid jade hairpins, one large pearl, and a set of grand palace attire.
The eighth-rank agricultural official Li Xiangping is hereby awarded one hundred taels of gold and a set of eighth-rank official robes. So be it!
It took Eunuch Xiang a long time to finish reading the emperor's reward.
Yan Qingqing and the others quickly kowtowed to express their gratitude.
With a smile, Eunuch Xiang handed the imperial edict to Yan Qingqing and said, "Congratulations, Mingzhao! His Majesty was overjoyed after receiving Lord Ling's memorial."
I have been specially ordered to come and deliver this imperial decree at top speed.
"Those potatoes and sweet potatoes haven't been touched, have they? We must take them back to the capital this time. The Emperor is eagerly waiting."
Yan Qingqing thought to herself, "No wonder the emperor is so generous; he wants to exchange these things for potatoes and sweet potatoes."
That's more than enough; in short, Yan Qingqing really struck gold this time.
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