Conferred the title of County Lord
Xie Zhuo had only been back in Beijing for less than half a month when he decided to go out again, which infuriated Zuo Murui.
Qingzhou! Back to Qingzhou again!
They're already engaged, but they still won't give up.
She was extremely dissatisfied and went to Prince Duan, Xie Chi, to complain: "There are so many capable people in the court, why does His Majesty always send Huai Yan out of the capital? Your Highness might as well go and plead with His Majesty to let Huai Yan stay in the capital."
It hasn't been long since the Emperor began to suspect the Prince Duan's residence. If Xie Zhuo hadn't distinguished himself on the battlefield, the Emperor probably wouldn't have let go of his wariness of the Prince's residence yet. Xie Chi was speechless. "What do you know, you woman? How can His Majesty's decree be changed so easily?"
During the two weeks Xie Zhuo returned to the capital, he only rested at his residence for a few days. The rest of the time he slept in the military camp. Every time Zuo Murui saw him, it was only a brief encounter, and the mother and son did not have much time to talk.
When her demands were not met, Zuo Murui turned away in anger. After a long while, Xie Chi showed no intention of coaxing her.
Turning her head, she saw Xie Chi playing with the parrot, and she became even more furious: "Your Highness is so leisurely. Huaiyan hasn't been home for several days. Why don't you, as his father, care about him?"
"I don't know whose fault it is that Huaiyan doesn't want to go home!" Xie Chi saw that the fire was about to spread to him, so he left these words and immediately picked up the birdcage and walked away.
Zuo Murui was left alone in the room, sulking.
While she was angry, she also felt a little melancholy. Had her son become so resistant to the marriage that he wouldn't even come home?
*
When Xie Zhuo went to Qingzhou on official business, he did not bring any of the elite cavalry with him. He was accompanied only by Wang Qianxin and a squad of Imperial Guards sent by the emperor.
The temperature continued to rise in July, and the hot weather was a great burden on the horses. They were panting heavily after traveling for less than two hours.
Xie Zhuo could only travel during the cool mornings and evenings, stopping to rest after the sun rose at noon, and continuing his journey in the evening. After two days of this stop-and-go travel, he finally entered Qingzhou territory.
Due to weather conditions, they arrived in Qingzhou two days later than expected. Before entering the city, they briefly freshened up at the post station outside the city.
In the Great Wei Dynasty, officials were distinguished by the color of their official robes: officials of the first and second ranks wore purple robes, officials of the third, fourth, and fifth ranks wore scarlet robes, officials of the sixth and seventh ranks wore green robes, and officials of the eighth and ninth ranks could only wear blue robes.
In addition, there were clear regulations regarding the embroidery patterns on the official robes of civil and military officials. Civil officials' robes were embroidered with birds such as cranes and wild geese, while military officials' robes were embroidered with beasts such as tigers, leopards, and black bears.
After washing up, Xie Zhuo changed into a scarlet official robe, with golden auspicious cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs and collar. He stood tall with his hands behind his back, radiant and exuding heroic spirit.
He went directly to the Fu residence with the imperial edict.
A luxurious carriage entered the city, followed by a group of imposing Imperial Guards. The impressive procession immediately attracted the attention of the people.
The people of Qingzhou rarely saw such a spectacle, and they watched from a distance, whispering among themselves.
At the same time, a post station official rushed to the yamen: "Sir, the young master has entered the city!"
Upon hearing the words "Young Master," Li Wenkang was so startled that he dropped the book he was holding. "Who entered the city? Explain yourself clearly!"
The post station official took a breath and said, "The young master has arrived in Qingzhou with His Majesty's imperial edict and is going to the Fu family in Lingshui Lane to deliver it."
The news that Xie Zhuo was coming to Qingzhou with the imperial edict was not released in advance, and Li Wenkang was completely unaware of it beforehand. He wondered to himself, why was the imperial edict delivered to the Fu residence instead of the yamen? What kind of edict could possibly require the young master to deliver it personally?
Li Wenkang muttered to himself, but dared not delay in his actions. He quickly tidied his clothes and hat, and led a few accompanying officials to the Fu residence.
The reading of the imperial edict must not be neglected!
Li Wenkang rushed to the Fu residence in a hurry. After looking up at the plaque on the gate to make sure he hadn't gone to the wrong place, he waved to his accompanying officials to knock on the door.
After receiving the order, the official went to the door and pounded on it forcefully.
With a creak, the gate opened, and the gatekeeper of the Fu residence, after recognizing the official's attire, asked respectfully, "What brings you here, sir?"
"Is your master home? Go quickly and inform him that the Prefect has arrived."
The gatekeeper stood on tiptoe and peeked out. Sure enough, there were people dressed in official robes and wearing black gauze hats. He immediately opened the gate and became even more respectful: "Please come in, gentlemen. I will go and report to them right away."
As the weather got hot, Fu Zhiqiao became lazy. At this moment, she was resting with her eyes closed on the chaise longue, with two maids beside her massaging her legs and fanning her.
Yinxing pushed open the door and came in. "Miss, the Prefect has arrived."
Fu Zhi Qiao opened her eyes. What did Li Wen Kang want with her?
After putting on her outer robe and confirming that there was nothing wrong with her attire, Fu Zhi Qiao went to the front yard to meet the person.
Li Wenkang sat at the head of the table, and servants served him fine tea.
Upon seeing Li Wenkang, Fu Zhiqiao stepped forward and curtsied, saying, "Lord Li's presence is an honor to my humble abode."
"Mr. Fu, you're too kind. There's no need for such formalities."
Li Wenkang knew that Fu Zhiqiao was someone Xie Zhuo had his eye on, and that the two had a somewhat ambiguous relationship. He didn't dare to underestimate Fu Zhiqiao, so he said, "I've come today to congratulate Boss Fu. The young master is on his way with His Majesty's decree. Boss Fu, you'd better make your preparations quickly."
Fu Zhi Qiao could not hide her surprise. Xie Zhuo had come to Qingzhou with the emperor's edict? And he specifically asked her to receive the edict?
No wonder he said they would meet again soon when they parted last time. Suppressing her shock, Fu Zhi Qiao immediately ordered the servants to get to work, sweeping the floor and preparing the incense table...
Seeing Fu Zhiqiao's methodical arrangement of her subordinates, Li Wenkang's eyes flashed with complex emotions. How could this Boss Fu be more composed than him?
More than a dozen servants worked together and quickly tidied up the courtyard and set up the incense table.
Seeing that preparations were almost complete, Fu Zhiqiao instructed Yinxing, "Go and invite Madam over."
This was also the first time Yu Roulan had to deal with officials. It was true that she came from an official family, but that was decades ago. At this moment, she could see some nervousness on her face.
Li Wenkang didn't put on airs in front of Yu Roulan. He stood up and greeted her, "Greetings, Madam Fu."
Yu Roulan was flattered and said, "Greetings, Lord Li."
After exchanging greetings, the group returned to their seats.
The main gate of the Fu residence was wide open, and an incense table had been set up in the courtyard. All the servants in the residence had arrived and were waiting to receive the imperial edict.
While waiting, Yu Roulan's palms were sweating with nervousness.
Seeing the somewhat tense atmosphere, Fu Zhiqiao asked Li Wenkang, "Does Your Excellency know what His Majesty's decree is?"
Fu Zhiqiao was pondering this question, and so was Li Wenkang. The news that the young master had arrived with the imperial edict was very sudden, and he couldn't understand why the emperor's decree hadn't been sent directly to the government office, but instead to the Fu family.
After much thought, there's only one conclusion: it seems this decree is aimed at Fu Zhiqiao.
Li Wenkang shook his head, guessing it was probably a good thing. "Boss Fu, there's no need to worry."
He hadn't had much contact with Fu Zhi Qiao. He had only met her a few times when she helped prevent the plague at the yamen. Given how much the young master valued her, this news certainly wouldn't be bad.
While the two were pondering this...
Xie Zhuo has arrived.
The Imperial Guards first cleared the area in front of the Fu residence.
As soon as Xie Zhuo stepped off the carriage, he immediately attracted everyone's attention. The embroidered bird patterns on his scarlet robe shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight.
The people in the Fu family looked in the direction of the sound and saw a person leisurely stepping into the courtyard.
Her sword-like eyebrows slanted upwards towards her temples, her nose was high and straight, her lips were perfectly shaped, and her phoenix eyes, with their upturned corners, were sparkling and captivating, making it hard to look away.
A look of amazement flashed in Fu Zhiqiao's eyes; it was the first time she had ever seen Xie Zhuo dressed in such a full set of official robes.
"Imperial edict has arrived!"
The people who had followed along the way, and the neighbors who had gathered to watch the spectacle nearby, all knelt down in unison upon hearing that it was an imperial edict.
Xie Zhuo stepped through the gate and into the courtyard of the front hall. "Fu Zhiqiao, receive the imperial decree."
Fu Zhiqiao, Li Wenkang, and the others immediately knelt down, and the maids and servants behind them followed suit.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Xie Zhuo held a golden scroll: "Lady Fu is both benevolent and righteous. She donated grain to aid the people, and developed alcohol to fight the plague, saving tens of thousands of people from suffering. I am very pleased. To commend this righteous act, I hereby bestow upon her the title of Lady of Ming'an County. So be it!"
After Xie Zhuo finished speaking, he snapped the imperial edict shut.
Fu Zhiqiao knelt on the ground, "This commoner thanks Your Majesty for your grace!"
She raised her hands high above her head and waited for Xie Zhuo to place the imperial edict in her hands before standing up.
In addition to bestowing upon her the title of County Lady, the emperor also granted her a thousand taels of silver, ten bolts of gold silk satin, and five bolts of smoke-colored gauze and jasmine cloth, among other items.
Fu Zhiqiao not only received a reward from His Majesty the Emperor, but was also granted the title of County Lady. The imperial edict caused a stir as soon as it was announced, and the onlookers who were peeking out of the Fu residence were green with envy.
Fu Zhi Qiao herself was also surprised that she had suddenly transformed from a merchant's daughter into a county magistrate.
The rank of a county magistrate was not very high, ranking below princesses, county princesses, and county magistrates, but above township magistrates. Although the title of county magistrate was merely an honorary one without real power, it was a legitimate noble title, and the holder could receive a salary from the imperial court.
Moreover, such titles are generally reserved for women of the royal family and members of the imperial clan, as well as the children of officials who have made great contributions.
This is the first time a commoner has received a title from His Majesty the Emperor.
Looking at the imperial edict in her hand, Fu Zhiqiao felt a surge of immense satisfaction. She couldn't help but smile, and her eyes shone brightly.
She looked up and met Xie Zhuo's gaze.
Xie Zhuo's gaze never left her. When he met her eyes, he felt as if ice and snow were melting instantly under the scorching sun.
Li Wenkang stood up and happened to see this scene. At this moment, there was no trace of sharpness on the young master. He clicked his tongue in amazement. See, I told you there was something between these two!
However, he didn't dare to say anything and naturally turned his head in another direction.
The occasion was not the right time to speak. After announcing the imperial edict, Xie Zhuo left with Li Wenkang and the others. As he left, he gave Fu Zhiqiao a meaningful look.
After Xie Zhuo left, the entire Fu family was filled with jubilation.
Yinxing greeted her with a smile, "Greetings, County Lady."
"Congratulations, County Lady!" "Congratulations, County Lady!" The maids and servants' congratulatory shouts rose and fell.
"Alright, alright, everyone has received a reward. However, from now on, please still call me Miss."
"Yes." The master had received a personal reward from His Majesty the Emperor, which made them, the servants, very proud.
Yu Roulan's hands trembled with excitement: "A Qiao, is this true? You've been granted the title of County Lady! This is such a glorious thing for our family! I'm going to burn some incense to tell your father."
Yu Roulan was overjoyed. Her daughter had become the county magistrate's wife. What a proud thing this was!
As she spoke, Yu Roulan ran towards the Buddhist hall, wanting to tell Fu Changyue the good news.
Fu Zhiqiao gestured to the servants to take out candies and cookies and distribute them to the neighbors in the neighborhood, so that everyone could share in the joy.
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