Wu Jingzhi spoke up to defend Yan Qingqing, saying, "Mother, you haven't had any contact with Aunt Li. Aunt Li isn't that kind of person."
The most popular headwear in our house right now was designed by Aunt Li, who not only single-handedly supports seven children.
She also opened an embroidery workshop and shop, built a food processing workshop, a mushroom cultivation workshop, and created an ecological orchard and peony garden.
I think that although Aunt Li is a woman, her abilities are absolutely no less than a man's; in fact, my son is ashamed of his own abilities.
Madam Wu was even more displeased when she saw the admiration in her son's eyes for Yan Qingqing.
Because she always felt that Li Jia's status was not worthy of their family. Although their family was a merchant family, they had some connections with the government over the years.
Wu Jingzhi is the eldest son of the family. If he cannot marry a woman who can help him, how can he gain a foothold in the Wu family in the future?
Seeing the impatience on Madam Wu's face, Wu Jingzhi felt somewhat uncomfortable, but still said, "I will not marry anyone but Xinniang in this lifetime."
If Mother is alright, I'll head back to Chengyang County in the next couple of days.
Madam Wu was furious upon hearing this. Why was her son so disobedient and unfilial?
Who was she doing this for? Master Wu had a harem of wives and concubines, and a whole bunch of illegitimate sons. Weren't they all eyeing them and their daughter with predatory intent?
She finally found a suitable marriage that could be a help to her and Wu Jingzhi, but who knew that Wu Jingzhi would refuse so decisively.
No matter how much Madam Wu cried and wailed behind him, Wu Jingzhi did not turn around.
His mother has been doing this since he was a child. If he doesn't take a firm stance today, there will be even less chance for him and Xinniang to get back together.
Wu Jingzhi knew very well what he wanted, and he had a well-thought-out plan.
He had left himself plenty of options; in addition to managing the Wu family's businesses, he also had his own business.
Even if he leaves the Wu family, he can live a very comfortable life.
Wu Jingzhi originally planned to return to Chengyang County in a couple of days, but that night he had a nightmare in which Li Xinniang got married.
In her dream, Li Xinniang wore a red wedding dress and was incredibly beautiful.
But with tears in her eyes, she told him she was getting married and asked him to forget her.
The dream was so vivid that Wu Jingzhi was startled awake.
The thought that Li Xinniang might marry someone else made Wu Jingzhi feel unbearable.
So he quickly ordered his personal servant to pack his things, as he wanted to return to Chengyang County that very night.
Before leaving, Wu Jingzhi thought for a moment and left a letter for Madam Wu. The letter stated that he was unfilial and hoped that Madam Wu would forgive him.
He could never marry Channiang from his aunt's family. The only woman he truly loves is Xinniang. He is going to find her now and hopes that Madam Wu can understand.
After writing this letter, Wu Jingzhi quickly left the capital.
No sooner had Wu Jingzhi left the capital than a caravan carrying goods entered the capital.
There was also a horse-drawn carriage in this long transport procession.
When they arrived at the city gate, the people in the carriage lifted the curtain and sighed, "This journey almost killed us, but fortunately, we handled the task well this time."
This man was none other than Eunuch Xiang, who was on his way to Chengyang County to deliver an imperial edict.
He could have rushed back to the capital, but considering the great importance of these potatoes and sweet potatoes—the Emperor had rewarded them handsomely—he decided to return to the capital with the merchant caravan instead.
All the hardships along the way were worthwhile. He did a good job on this mission, and he was one step closer to the position of Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Department.
Thinking of this, Eunuch Xiang immediately perked up and called out, "You all have had a long journey. We have reached the city gate. We will reach the palace in another half hour."
"Once we reach the palace, I will request rewards for you."
Upon hearing this, everyone became incredibly excited. They were a professional caravan that traveled all over the country, but they had never been inside the palace before.
If they could even enter the palace and receive a reward from the emperor, that would be enough for them to boast about for a lifetime.
Thinking of this, they all became excited.
The emperor was lost in thought in the palace. They knew he hadn't been in a good mood lately, so the maids and eunuchs around him didn't dare to utter a sound.
They all hoped that Eunuch Xiang could return soon, after all, Eunuch Xiang had grown up alongside the emperor.
When the emperor was unhappy, only Eunuch Xiang could offer a few words of advice; even the Grand Eunuch would step aside.
People can't stand being nagged, and under the collective nagging of these palace maids and eunuchs, Eunuch Xiang finally returned.
Upon hearing that Eunuch Xiang had returned, the emperor's expression softened, and he said, "Now that he's back, why don't you let him in right away?"
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Xiang rushed over to pay his respects to the Emperor without even changing his clothes.
When the Emperor saw that Eunuch Xiang had lost a lot of weight and looked travel-worn, he frowned and asked, "How did you lose so much weight after your trip? You must have suffered a lot along the way."
After all, this eunuch had served the emperor for decades, so the emperor couldn't help but show him more concern when he saw him like this.
With a grateful expression, Eunuch Xiang replied, "This servant thanks Your Majesty for your concern; it's hardly a hardship."
Those potatoes and sweet potatoes were, after all, painstakingly grown by Mingzhao's men. This servant feared something might go wrong, so I followed the entourage the whole way. I suffered from some acclimatization issues and fell ill for two days on the road, thus causing the delay. I beg Your Majesty to punish me.”
Although Eunuch Xiang said so, he knew that the emperor would not only not punish him, but would also value him even more. No one understood the emperor better than him.
As expected, the emperor said, "Alright, get up. You have done a great service this time, and I will reward you handsomely later."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Xiang quickly expressed his gratitude and then got up from the ground.
The emperor asked him about his journey, then changed the subject, saying, "What do you think of the magistrate of Mingzhao? Is he worthy of the title Mingzhao?"
Eunuch Xiang laughed and said, "This Mingzhao is a rare and extraordinary woman that I have never seen before."
He then recounted what he had seen and heard in Canghe Village and his opinion of Yan Qingqing.
The emperor's brows relaxed upon hearing this. Some court officials submitted memorials saying that the rewards bestowed upon Yan Qingqing were too excessive, and that she was not worthy of her position.
The emperor later realized that while the title of Fifth-Rank Official was not particularly significant, the words "Mingzhao" carried immense weight. Even among his own consorts, very few were qualified to use these two words as a title.
But at the time, I don't know why I gave Yan Qingqing that title.
However, the reward was already a done deal, and he couldn't take it back. He could only hope that Yan Qingqing could live up to those two words.
Having served the emperor for so many years, how could Eunuch Xiang not understand his thoughts?
However, since he had sided with Yan Qingqing from the very beginning, he was determined to stick with her to the end.
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