Both Wei Ting and Chief Steward Chi were curious about Yang Haiyan. Because they all knew that the military camp land policy and saltpeter ice making were proposed by this woman.
Before meeting Yang Haiyan, they all knew that Yang Haiyan was once the head maid of the legitimate daughter of Taifu Yang. That daughter Yang was also one of the pearls of the capital, so they looked up to the head maid of her. However, it was only a few points. Even though Yang Haiyan is now an official's wife, she was once a slave and a maid. Ordinary people don't think much of maids. Maybe they will look up to them because the girl used to be a maid in a wealthy family, but the aristocratic family will not. The aristocratic family has
a deep concept that a maid is a maid. Even if this maidservant became the emperor's concubine today, there would still be people who would say behind her back that she was just a maidservant before. What's more, Yang Haiyan was only a fifth-rank official's wife?
However, Wei Ting and Chief Steward Chi did have a different view of Yang Haiyan from the ordinary maidservants because of the military camp land policy and the saltpeter ice-making incident. She was a different and talented maidservant.
But... that was all. They looked up to her a little, but only a little.
However, seeing Yang Haiyan in person at this moment, these few points were added a few more points. She was different from the ordinary timid maidservants. The woman in front of him had a beautiful appearance, wearing a light blue skirt, a gold hairpin inlaid with white pearls on her head, and a Hetian jade bracelet on her slender wrist. She looked very gentle.
Such a woman is easy to make people feel good about. Of course, this good feeling is not the love between men and women, but the pickyness of ancient men towards women. Many ancient men like this type of wife when choosing wives: dignified, gentle, generous, and elegant.
Wei Ting and Manager Chi did not feel surprised about Yang Haiyan. In their impression, a maid should not be like this, but they also felt that Yang Haiyan was not particularly surprising.
Speaking of appearance, there are many beauties in the capital, not to mention that Manager Chi is used to seeing all kinds of beauties in the harem. If Yang Haiyan was in the harem, she could only be considered average. She is indeed beautiful, but not outstanding. If you have to say something good, it is probably that she has a temperament and does not look like a maid.
Wei Ting's feelings towards Yang Haiyan were similar to those of Manager Chi. Apart from her aura that seemed like she came from a wealthy family, he did not think she was particularly outstanding.
However, such a woman made people feel very comfortable. She was not flattering, her eyes were clear, and her behavior was generous. Wei Ting thought that she was worthy of being the head maid of Jingcheng Mingzhu. Jingcheng Mingzhu was so dazzling back then, and his brother... Thinking of this, Wei Ting could only sigh.
Qin Haiyan said with a smile: "I have met Lord Wei and Manager Chi. Speaking of which, Lord Wei and Manager Chi were the first guests in the mansion since we arrived in Yunxiang County." The voice she spoke was different from the soft whisper she used to speak to Qin Fang. At this moment, her voice was still gentle, but much more generous than usual.
Wei Ting couldn't help asking, "That's a bit embarrassing. Although we are guests, what should we do if we don't prepare gifts for our guests?"
Manager Chi searched his body with both hands and said, "Indeed, I didn't prepare any gifts either."
Qin Fang was confused: "..." Why did he get to this point?
Yang Haiyan said, "If you two can stay in my humble home for a few more days, and let your husband do his best to be a good host, that would be the best gift."
Wei Ting and Manager Chi smiled at each other. This Mrs. Qin is indeed not an ordinary person. They were intentional in what they said just now, with a bit of teasing embarrassment. However, this woman solved it easily.
A woman who can think of military camp land policy and saltpeter ice making is indeed not an ordinary woman.
Chief Steward Chi said: "Although we haven't prepared any gifts, we have brought gifts to Xiangjun."
Yang Haiyan was stunned: "Xiangjun?"
Chief Steward Chi's face became serious: "The imperial edict has arrived, Qin Yang Haiyan will receive it."
Yang Haiyan and others all knelt down: "Long live the emperor."
Yang Haiyan's heart was pounding, thinking of Chief Steward Chi calling her Xiangjun just now. Is this Xiangjun the Xiangjun she understands? Did the emperor confer the title of Xiangjun on her?
"The Emperor of the Heavenly Kingdom proclaims that Qin Yang Haiyan is virtuous, gentle, dignified, virtuous and wise... She has made contributions to the country and is truly a role model for women. She is hereby conferred the title of a third-rank Xiangjun, and the name Bingyun. I am so grateful! Thank you!"
A third-rank Xiangjun, and a title?
The surprise came too suddenly, and Yang Haiyan hadn't reacted yet.
Qin Fang saw his wife kneeling blankly, and thought she was very happy. She was shocked by the surprise, so he was also happy in his heart. If the merit could make his wife happy, he thought he knew it. Qin Fang pulled Yang Haiyan's sleeve: "Yanyan?"
Yang Haiyan came back to her senses and said hurriedly: "I am rude, I was too surprised at the moment, I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
Chief Steward Chi: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Xiangjun, accept the order, thank you."
Yang Haiyan: "Bingyun accepts the order, thank the emperor for his grace." Bingyun, the emperor's title is not bad. Bing, should be taken from the ice made from saltpeter; Yun should be taken from the Yun in Yunxiang County. Speaking of which, with this title, Yang Haiyan feels much more at ease than before. Although there were many powerful people in ancient times, she was a lady of the state appointed by the emperor himself, and she was not an ordinary official's wife. With the title, her status was naturally different. As a lonely person, she also felt a sense of security in this strange world.
Yang Haiyan felt that the emperor would send her whatever she needed. This emperor was really good. Speaking of which, in the novel, the emperor was indeed a wise ruler in other matters except for appointing the wandering prince as the crown prince and asking him to succeed the throne.
Yang Haiyan stood up and took the imperial edict, her heart still pounding. Although she guessed that the emperor's appointment of her as a lady of the state was related to Qin Fang's memorial this time, the title of lady of the state was still beyond her expectations. However, for the time being, she could only suppress her doubts. Yang Haiyan turned and looked at Qin Fang: "My husband, the two distinguished guests came from the capital, and they must have been tired all the way. I have asked people to prepare snacks for the two distinguished guests to fill their stomachs first, and then they can rest for a while, and have dinner when they wake up. What do you think?"
Qin Fang felt that this arrangement was all right, so he looked at Wei Ting and Manager Chi: "What do you think?"
Wei Ting and Manager Chi were speeding up their journey because the sulfur and saltpeter mines were more tense, and they were worried that something might happen if they were late, so they didn't dare to delay on the road. So they were really tired on this journey. Although they didn't wrong themselves in terms of food every time they arrived at the place where they stayed, they were very tired after rushing for days. Now they heard Yang Haiyan's arrangement, and they also felt it was very appropriate.
Wei Ting said, "That's very appropriate. I'm sorry to bother General Qin and the lady."
Steward Chi said, "I'm bothering them too."
Yang Haiyan turned to Kun Shi and said, "Captain Kun, take the distinguished guests to the courtyard, I'll go see the kitchen."
Kun Shi said, "Yes."
Kun Shi led the way, and Qin Fang accompanied Wei Ting and Steward Chi to the guest house. The general's mansion was very large, but the simple environment inside also made Wei Ting and Steward Chi have a better understanding of Qin Fang. For example, this General Qin was not a man who enjoyed himself, and his character was more honest, otherwise such a big general would definitely have designed it in a unique way.
Kunshi led everyone to the guest house and said, "The courtyards of the two nobles are adjacent, and there is a guard standing guard at the gate of each courtyard. Madam said that because she did not know the living habits of the two nobles, she did not directly arrange for servants. The nobles can tell her about their living habits, and Madam will select servants to come." In fact, Yang Haiyan did not arrange for servants, but she could not say that.
Wei Ting said, "No need, I have brought people, and my followers will tell me if you need anything."
Manager Chi said, "We don't need servants at home either."
Qin Fang spoke at the right time, "Then Qin will not bother you two. If you have any questions, you can send someone to call Qin."
Wei Ting and Manager Chi said in unison, "General Qin is polite."
After Qin Fang left, Wei Ting and Manager Chi sent someone to prepare hot water, and they wanted to take a bath first. They had been rushing these days, and even bathing was a hassle.
When they came out of the bath, Nanny Lian brought some snacks, all of which were homemade snacks. They looked inconspicuous, but they made people feel very attentive.
After changing his clothes, Chief Steward Chi looked at the eunuch setting the dishes, and said, "It smells very good. What are they?" As he spoke, he came out from behind the screen.
The eunuch said, "It's wontons, buns, and some snacks. They are all ordinary things. I thought they would be some special food. It seems that the General's Mansion doesn't care about the chief steward."
Chief Steward Chi glanced at him.
The eunuch had been serving Chi, and he could guess what Chi was thinking from Chi's eyes: "Chief, don't you think so?"
Chi sat down, drank a few sips of warm water, and then picked up a wonton with chopsticks: "It tastes good."
Seeing this, the eunuch was even more confused. On weekdays, when he was in the palace, the chief steward was also a noble person, and his food was no worse than those nobles in the palace.
After Chi ate a bite of wonton, he picked up a piece of red bean cake and ate it. The red bean cake with a little milk flavor tasted better, and Chi ate two in one breath. "Things are just like people. Some people are very thoughtful and can say two different things in one sentence. Although their words sound nice, you will feel very nervous when you are dealing with such people. Things are the same. You can buy things with thoughtfulness. But the thoughtfulness may not be the real thoughts of the owner."
The eunuch shook his head: "I don't understand this." He was also a person who was not interested in good things in the palace. They all did things for money, and they would look at whoever gave more money and whoever looked good. In the past, Chief Steward Chi was also like this, but why did he do it today?
Chief Steward Chi didn't waste his words on him. He ate something to fill his stomach and went to bed.
Compared to Chief Steward Chi, Wei Ting was quiet. He usually worked late, and the food prepared by the small kitchen was nothing more than wontons and dumplings, so he was used to it.
Inner Courtyard
Yang Haiyan took the imperial edict and asked Qin Fang in confusion: "Why did the emperor issue such an imperial edict? What about you, my husband? What did the emperor reward you with?"
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