Chapter 6 The Marquis's Mansion Has Great Spirit
That night, Song Zhimian rested alone in the room, and all the people that Ding had temporarily sent to serve her were driven out by Song Zhimian.
Everyone in the Song household knew that it was Madam Ding who had taken away Song Zhimin's only maid.
But no one dared to say anything. Over the years, the Ding family had held absolute power, killing, beating, and selling out countless people. Everyone knew the truth.
The fact that the madam targeted the young lady's people shows that she didn't want anything outside her control to happen around her.
Song Zhimian slept very well that night.
Lock the door properly. There's really nothing to be afraid of. After tonight, it will be a different day.
...
Early the next morning, two magpies flew into the tree in the Song family's courtyard and chirped incessantly.
When Song Kaishan, who was on leave at home, saw the two magpies, he was overjoyed.
"Great! A good omen! There's a high chance of something good happening today!" Song Kaishan smiled as he looked at the two magpies in the tree.
Ding also chimed in.
"The Marquis has been having a very smooth time lately. Many noble families can't even get promoted from a second-class marquis to a first-class marquis in their entire lives!"
The Marquis was quite lucky and was promoted to a first-rank military marquis, and also held the command of the patrol battalion. What could be more joyous than this?
Perhaps, there is even better good news to come…
"My lord, my lady! People from the Censorate have arrived!" Before Madam Ding could finish speaking, the steward rushed over.
Both Song Kaishan and Ding were taken aback.
"People from the Inspection Department? What are they here for?"
The Supervisory Department is responsible for supervising the accounts of the Six Ministries and the Dayu Merchants' Accounts. How could they possibly be here at the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence?
Could it be... that there's something wrong with the accounts of the shops in your household?
"Do you know what it is?" Song Kaishan's face immediately darkened.
He didn't want to be targeted by the Censorate; being targeted by the Censorate was far more terrifying than being targeted by the Imperial Censorate...
Having been targeted by the Censorate, he could only hope to find a way out by pleading with the prince.
If you're being targeted by the Inspection Department... well, you're just waiting to be skinned alive.
"It's a joyous occasion! My lord, my lady, it's a joyous occasion!"
The Censorate is here to deliver a plaque to the young lady! It's said to be a plaque bestowed by the Emperor himself.
"My lord, my lady, you must go and see! The people from the Censorate are already at the gate. That plaque is an imperial gift; you must set up an incense table to personally welcome it!" the steward said hurriedly.
Upon hearing this, Song Kaishan and Ding breathed a sigh of relief.
When Ding heard that the plaque was bestowed upon Song Zhimian by the Emperor himself, her expression was still somewhat unpleasant.
The imperial family personally bestowed the plaque...
Song Kaishan was overjoyed.
As he walked briskly toward the main gate, he didn't forget to give instructions to the butler.
"Hurry up and prepare the incense table! Also, why would the imperial family bestow a plaque upon Mian'er so readily?"
Are you sure this is for the young lady...?
Soon, Song Kaishan arrived at the main gate of the Song residence with his men.
Song Kaishan immediately spotted four constables from the Censorate carrying a plaque and standing at the entrance of the Song residence.
The plaque with the four characters "德才兼备" (meaning "possessing both virtue and talent") written in a vigorous and elegant style is quite eye-catching.
The crucial point is that it also bears the personal seal of the current Emperor Xuan...
Song Kaishan quickly led everyone in the mansion to perform the full kowtow ceremony.
Unexpectedly, my eldest daughter, whom I never wanted to see, had this opportunity and received the praise of the imperial family.
Those who had followed to watch the spectacle were also whispering among themselves.
"The one who received the imperial plaque is the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Zhongyong's family?"
"Of course! Didn't that Vice Minister of the Censorate just say that this plaque is for the eldest daughter of the Song family?"
"Oh my, this is incredible! A plaque bestowed by the Emperor himself! This is an unparalleled honor. With this plaque, Miss Song can walk with impunity, whether in the Song family or in her husband's family in the future."
"Yes! The eldest daughter of the Song family has finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel..."
Song Kaishan listened to all of these words.
He was also thinking that Song Zhimian's life as a second wife after marrying that Deputy General Wu would be much better, thanks to this plaque.
Even looking at this plaque... Deputy General Wu wouldn't dare to attack Song Zhimin!
This plaque is for Song Zhimin, and also for the entire Marquis Zhongyong's mansion.
After respectfully performing the grand salute, Song Kaishan quickly stood up.
He walked toward the woman leading the group, a fifth-rank official in the Censorate, and also the daughter of the Vice Minister of Revenue, Wen.
"Lord Wen, why did my daughter receive this plaque?" Song Kaishan asked in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, Wen Shaoqing immediately laughed heartily.
"The eldest daughter of the family has a great sense of righteousness and cares about the soldiers in the north. She has generously donated to the Inspectorate's fundraising campaign, truly a heroine among women."
Our lord admires Miss Song's righteous act and has specially reported this matter to His Majesty.
His Majesty also praised Miss Song's righteous act, which is why he inscribed these four characters as a reward to her.
Song Kaishan immediately understood.
Two days ago, Song Zhimian not only donated some silver to the Censorate, but also donated some unused jewelry and hairpins.
Oh, I see...
However, there are many people in the capital who donate a lot, so why was Song Zhimin the only one to be awarded a plaque?
He didn't know the exact amount donated by other households, but the Marquis of Zhongyong's household donated two thousand taels of silver!
Could it be that Song Zhimin donated more than other young ladies from other families...?
"This... is just a small favor. As citizens of Dayu, it is only natural to care about the soldiers in the north."
"That's something our household should do," Song Kaishan quickly said.
Upon hearing this, Wen Shaoqing quickly bowed respectfully to Song Kaishan.
"The Marquis of Zhongyong's family has an excellent tradition, which is why such a fine young lady as Miss Song was raised."
His Majesty said that Miss Song's righteous act is unique in the capital.
He must be awarded a plaque as a sign of commendation.
Song Kaishan smiled, but he was even more puzzled.
Is it the only one of its kind in Beijing?
How could that be? It's only a matter of two or three hundred taels of silver, which is unique in the capital!
The onlookers around became even more curious.
How much silver did the eldest daughter of the Song family donate that made His Majesty say it was the only one in the capital to do so, and even bestow a plaque upon her for it?
As far as they know, even when the Prime Minister's daughter generously gifted him five thousand taels of silver, His Majesty didn't reward him like this!
The emperor's niece, Princess Jia Hui, also gave him five thousand taels of silver, but His Majesty didn't seem to care about it at all!
Could it be that the eldest daughter of the Song family donated more than the other two...?
That can't be!
Since the death of the Marquis of Zhongyong's first wife, everyone knows that this legitimate eldest daughter lives a life worse than even that of a concubine's daughter.
Where did she get so much money?
"Lord Wen, how much silver did Miss Song donate?"
"Yes! Something that could earn His Majesty such a reward must be worth more than ten thousand taels of silver!"
"That's right! Lord Wen, please tell us! That way we'll have more motivation in the future!"
The onlookers started asking questions one after another.
In the past, Wen Shaoqing would never have paid any attention to these people.
But today's situation is different. In the north, when it comes to fundraising, the more money the better.
With such a good role model here, others can't just donate a little and call it a day, even if they don't necessarily follow suit!
Thinking of what Lord Ye had told him before he left, Wen Shaoqing smiled.
"Miss Song is a woman of great righteousness, thinking of the soldiers in the north."
"She donated the dowry of 100,000 taels of silver that Madam Song left her back then. Don't you think Miss Song's righteous act deserves His Majesty's praise?" Wen Shaoqing said loudly.
There was a moment of silence, and then suddenly it was as if the water was boiling.
Song Kaishan was also stunned, and then he couldn't even maintain the most basic smile on his face.
"This... Lord Wen, please come inside!" Song Kaishan could only force a smile and invite Wen Shaoqing into the mansion to talk.
There's definitely something fishy going on here, there's definitely something wrong!
Ding almost lost her footing...
That brat donated her dowry...
How dare she! How could she do such a thing!
Song Zhimian, who had been in her own courtyard, breathed a sigh of relief after hearing the commotion outside.
It's finally here!
Dear Father, do you like this first big gift from your daughter?
Don't worry, there are more surprises to come!
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