So they pretended not to hear the gossip. They didn't care that their sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren weren't close to them. After all, they had been away for more than ten years, their grandsons had gotten married, and they had several great-grandchildren. Their relationships had become distant.
Besides, they had great faith in their daughter. With her looks, even if she couldn't bear the emperor's child, she would still be favored. So they weren't worried at all.
When they left more than ten years ago, the house and land were divided among their three sons. This time, the elderly couple came back and rented the old house of the village chief in the village. The elderly couple lived a carefree life, buying whatever they needed.
Later, when the villagers saw the life they lived, they became extremely envious. Even their three sons and daughters-in-law shamelessly came to visit them, but the old couple had long since stopped paying attention to them. Since the old couple didn't like them, they could only push their great-grandchildren over, hoping to get some benefits for the sake of the children.
After all, who would bother with the old couple if there were no benefits? They're well-fed and clothed, so it's obvious they're wealthy. Their daughter, who's been married off, is also married. Once their parents pass away, the money will be theirs.
They had a lot of plans in mind, but the old folks were wiser. The elderly couple had already figured it out. When their great-grandson came, they would tease him, but if he didn't come, they wouldn't force him. Even when they gave them good food, they would eat it right next to them. They wouldn't let him take it back. The old couple wouldn't spoil them.
On a quiet afternoon in a small mountain village, during the off-season for farming, all the men and women in the village, who were free, sat under the big tree at the village entrance, chatting and boasting.
Old Man Tang and Mrs. Tang were also sitting there. After all, they didn't work anymore and spent most of their time wandering around. It was lively under the big tree, so they frequented this place every day.
From afar, they could see a group of people on horseback, followed by carriages, heading towards the village entrance. This startled everyone; how could an official have come to their small town?
They quickly called for the clan chief and village head to come over, but the other villagers didn't have the courage to step forward.
Only Old Man Tang and Mrs. Tang were excited, thinking of their youngest daughter. Could it be that their daughter had sent someone to pick them up? They could only suppress their excitement and wait on the sidelines, knowing they would find out soon enough.
Soon the clan chief and village chief arrived. It was quite a feat for the two old men, both in their sixties and seventies, to run so fast that they even lost their shoes. Luckily, someone behind them saw them, picked up their shoes, and chased after them, which prevented them from being too rude.
At this moment, the group of people finally arrived at the village entrance. Xiao Douzi, who was sitting in the carriage at the back, quickly came to the front and immediately saw Consort Bao's parents in the crowd, after all, he had met them before.
Old Man Tang and Mrs. Tang also saw Xiaodouzi approaching. After all, it was he who had driven the carriage to take his daughter away, so they quickly went forward.
The others nearby were startled, fearing that the elderly couple had offended someone important.
Little Bean dared not be presumptuous. Seeing the old couple approaching, he quickly stepped forward and said, "My lord, my lady, I am Little Bean, a eunuch serving Consort Bao in the palace. I hope you still remember me."
"I remember, I remember. How is my Baozhu doing these days?"
"I was just about to congratulate you two gentlemen! Your youngest daughter has made a name for herself. She entered the palace as a Noble Lady and became pregnant after only two months of serving the Emperor. She was directly promoted to the rank of Consort and given the title of Bao. Now she is the Consort Bao, the head of the palace. His Majesty was worried that the Consort missed her parents, so he specially ordered me to bring people to bring you two gentlemen to the capital to relieve the Consort's longing."
When Old Man Tan and Mrs. Tang heard this, they were also happy for their daughter, as it seemed that their daughter had finally made something of herself.
"Very well, why don't you come inside and have a cup of tea with these gentlemen? My humble abode is simple and I'm afraid I might be neglecting you all."
"My lord, there's no need for you to be so polite. I wonder how many days you'll need to pack your luggage? We'll be waiting in the county town with the guards. Just let me know the time, and we'll come to pick you up. Oh, by the way, Consort Bao's brother can also come along. Whether he wants to go or not is up to you, my lord."
When Xiaodouzi arrived, he received a decree from the Empress. His brothers and sisters were to be brought along depending on their parents' wishes. If they thought it was acceptable, they could bring them along; if they didn't, they shouldn't.
The other villagers nearby overheard their conversation and were utterly shocked. Wasn't it said that she could just find any family in Tongcheng to marry into? It turns out she went to the palace! They kept it a secret so well, not a single word leaked out.
Now they looked at Old Man Tang and Tang Li Shi with envy, jealousy and hatred. After all, everyone knew that the emperor was almost 30 years old and still had no offspring. If Old Man Tang's youngest daughter could give birth to a prince, she would practically become the emperor's father-in-law!
Why weren't they so lucky? If they had known, they would have sent their daughters to the talent show too. But by the time they found out, it was already over, since it was too far from Tongcheng.
Now that's great! He's going straight to the capital to enjoy a life of luxury, and he can even take his other three sons with him. It's like one person achieving enlightenment and all their relatives and friends benefiting from it!
Old Man Tang and Mrs. Tang knew that it would ultimately be their daughter's suggestion, and they were very touched by her sentiments.
Although they felt a little guilty towards their daughter and that they would be causing her trouble, the elderly couple decided to be selfish for once and take them out of the mountain village. As for whether they would amount to anything in the future, that was up to their children and grandchildren.
"In that case, I'll trouble you to come and pick me up in three days."
I think everything should be settled in three days. I just don't know if my daughters-in-law's families will make a fuss when I go to the capital. After all, no one doesn't envy this immense wealth.
"Alright, then we and all the guards will take our leave now. We will come to pick up the two elders in three days."
Little Bean bid farewell to the two elderly people, sat directly on the carriage, and headed towards the county town.
As soon as the others left, Old Man Tang and Tang Li were surrounded by excited villagers who all wanted to know what had happened and how their daughter had entered the capital.
People from Tang's three sons' families had already come to inform them of the news. To them, it was like a windfall. They never expected that their little sister, who had been like a burden to them since childhood, would have such a promising future and such great abilities.
Thinking about this, I felt a chill of fear. Luckily, my parents insisted on giving birth to me when I was little, otherwise I wouldn't have such good fortune now!
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