Xiao Yu, the Prime Minister of the Great Xia Dynasty, who was second only to the emperor, never forgot his benefactor when he was saved by the Marquis of Zhanbei when he was a child and left with travel expenses for the imperial examination. Even though he had become a high-ranking official, the most important person in his heart was only one person - Song Lan!
"Having been given a new life, I hope you can think more about yourself and live for yourself this once..."
Muttering to himself, Xiao Yu smiled bitterly: "I was presumptuous. If you were willing to live only for yourself, why would you have tried to send those 'divine objects' to the Great Xia after being reborn in the new world?!"
You are who you are, wholeheartedly devoted to the country and its people. No matter where you are or when, you always think of the Great Xia and its people… Today, the Emperor has ordered me to assist the Ministry of Agriculture officials in planting the high-yield crops you provided… Rest assured, I will do my utmost to ensure their widespread adoption throughout the Great Xia as soon as possible.
"So that the people will no longer go hungry or cold... By the way, the Emperor plans to build a shrine for you, and I... I suggested erecting a statue of you in the square outside the palace gates. I didn't expect the Emperor to agree so readily, and even directly say that a bronze statue should be erected."
Xiao Yu's expression softened, and his voice was gentle: "You won't blame me for meddling, will you? But... but even if you blame me, I will still do it. I want the people of Great Xia to remember your contributions to this country, and I want all the officials to keep it in mind. You deserve everyone's respect and remembrance!"
At the same time, at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
Main courtyard.
"Father, what did you say?"
After accompanying Emperor Wenzhao to the Valley of Divine Physicians to retrieve the package and escorting him all the way to the palace, Song Pengju bid farewell to the emperor and returned home, intending to tell his children and grandchildren about Song Lan.
However, the second son, who is now the heir of the Duke's mansion, Song Jinyan, was not at home. So, after Song Jinyan returned from Baiyun Temple, he summoned everyone in the household to the main courtyard to hear what he had to say.
It should be said that ever since Song Jinyan was crippled on the battlefield, he met Master Wuming of Baiyun Temple by chance. The two became close friends despite their age difference after exchanging only a few words. Yesterday, Song Jinyan learned that Master Wuming had returned from his travels, so he decided to go to Baiyun Temple to visit him.
He set off early this morning, arrived at Baiyun Temple, listened to Master Wuming preach Buddhism, and also enjoyed tea and played chess.
Time passed quickly, and it was almost mid-afternoon when the young master of the Duke's mansion bid farewell to Master Wuming and returned to the Duke's mansion by carriage.
Upon entering the dormitory, the servant Song Huai informed him that the Duke of Zhenguo was waiting in the main courtyard.
To Song Jinyan's surprise, when he arrived at the main courtyard and met Song Pengju and Madam Han, he heard a shocking piece of news from the Duke of Zhenguo. To be honest, he found it hard to believe.
Well, apart from Song Jinyan, the grandchildren and eldest daughter-in-law who were summoned to the main courtyard by Song Pengju's servants also looked surprised at this moment.
"Yes, Dad, are you sure you're not lying to us?"
This is the voice of Yun Wan, the wife of Song Jinxing, the former heir of the Duke's mansion.
Without a doubt, the so-called former heir of the Duke's mansion was actually Song Lan's elder brother, the eldest son of the Duke of Zhenguo who died on the battlefield.
Logically, if Song Pengju were willing, Song Jinxing's son should have succeeded him as heir after Song Jinxing's death in battle. However, considering that his grandson was still young, and with Emperor Wenzhao issuing a decree to appoint Song Jinyan as heir, the current heir of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is Song Jinyan, the second son.
However, Song Jinyan promised his elder sister-in-law Yun Wan in front of his parents that once his nephew Song Zihan came of age, he would go to the palace to ask the emperor for permission to appoint Song Zihan as the heir apparent.
In other words, he is only a replacement for now, and will step down later.
Song Pengju and Madam Han knew the reason, but they didn't say anything. It wasn't that they didn't want to, but they understood Song Jinyan's personality; once he made a decision, it was difficult to change it.
So what decision did Song Jinyan make in front of her parents?
—I will never marry!
Song Jinyan didn't want to be looked at with strange eyes by his bedmate. This stemmed from the disability he suffered on the battlefield, which made him unable to walk properly. Given his condition, what woman would sincerely marry into the Duke's mansion and become his wife?
He doesn't need to settle!
He doesn't need sympathy!
The reason Song Jinyan had this idea was that news of his disability on the battlefield reached the capital. His fiancée, with whom he had been engaged for almost three years, took a firm stance and, through the intervention of her elders, proposed to annul the engagement.
There is absolutely no room for negotiation!
It would be a lie for Song Jinyan to say he didn't care. After all, he had his moments of glory and had fought countless battles. He had his dignity and pride, and he wouldn't allow others to trample on it again and again.
Perhaps his thinking was a bit extreme. Not to mention how many well-educated and kind-hearted women there are in the entire Great Xia Dynasty, even in the capital city alone, there are probably quite a few.
However, before Song Jinyan went to the border after getting engaged, his fiancée secretly went to the city gate to see him off without telling her family. She also gave Song Jinyan a hand-embroidered purse. How could a young man not be moved?
Besides, the other party is his fiancée!
Unexpectedly, because he was disabled on the battlefield, his partner forcibly wanted to break off the engagement. Upon learning this, Song Jinyan felt that he was ridiculous. The relationship he cherished so much turned out to be nothing but a joke.
His fiancée, who said she would wait for his return and that she would spend her life with him no matter what he became, a woman full of affection, immediately turned her back on him when faced with the fact that he had become disabled.
Song Jinyan was hurt. Based on this, and because he didn't want to burden his partner, didn't want to endure the strange looks from his bedmate, and didn't want to settle, he ultimately made the decision to never marry!
"Grandfather, are you telling the truth?"
Song Zihan and her brother looked at Song Pengju with longing eyes.
"Are my words really that unreliable?"
Song Pengju's expression was complicated.
"Father, we just...we just find it unbelievable!"
As soon as Song Jinyan said this, Yun Wan and Song Zihan, the siblings beside her, nodded in unison, indicating that they shared the same opinion as Song Jinyan. Then, including Song Jinyan, everyone looked at Han Shi.
"Whether it's true or not, you'll know after tomorrow's morning court session. However, the Emperor will probably use the explanation of 'ascending to immortality' to explain it away."
Han said, "Now I only hope that Lan'er can get that system to send over a portrait of her, so that when your father and I miss her, we can look at the portrait to comfort our longing."
"Grandmother, Han'er is so happy!"
The young boy, Song Zihan, said with a smile, his eyes brimming with tears.
"Grandmother, Ruier is so happy too!"
Song Rui, Song Zihan's younger sister and Song Lan's niece, came to Han Shi's side and nestled in her grandmother's arms: "Grandmother, Rui'er misses her little aunt so much. She misses her day and night, she misses her all the time!"
"You're so sweet-talking!"
Gently tapping the little girl's forehead, Mrs. Han said, "Your aunt also said she misses us all very much!"
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