Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 268 - 268 269 The Imperial Edict Arrives_1

Chapter 268: Chapter 269 The Imperial Edict Arrives_1 Chapter 268: Chapter 269 The Imperial Edict Arrives_1 After bidding farewell to Lord Lu, Muniang returned to the village and shared the news with Madam Liu, who was naturally overjoyed. Although it was a companionship in study, wasn’t it the same as being taught by a Master? Moreover, studying alongside the County Chief’s daughter was a great honor indeed.

“I’ve made arrangements with Lord Lu, and in a few days I’ll take Tianniu to be seen. Lord Lu had an excellent impression of Honghai and Hongde, and Tianniu is even more outstanding, so she definitely won’t disappoint Lord Lu,” Muniang said.

Tianniu was ecstatic, “Mother, can I really go to school? Can I really do it?”

Madam Liu tenderly stroked her child’s head, “Yes, from now on you’ll go to school and study hard.”

In her heart, Muniang actually felt a bit of regret, as she had originally planned to teach Tianniu by her side. But after all, she wasn’t really teaching material, and a Master would be more professional. Besides, she had many other things to attend to every day and probably wouldn’t be able to teach her every day. And with the preparations for her big wedding underway, she might have to be away for half a year.

Suddenly, Muniang raised her head sharply. Was she thinking too far ahead now?

Madam Liu took Tianniu to meet the County Chief. After all his years of experience, Lord Lu had a keen eye for people. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to discern the truth from just a brief observation of the dispute between Honghai, Hongde, and Shitou. Upon seeing Tianniu’s bright and lively eyes, Lord Lu nodded repeatedly and agreed without a second thought.

Qinghe was also due this month, and her delivery was likely to be any day now. Muniang was constantly at her side, afraid that they wouldn’t have enough time to call for the midwife when the moment came.

“You’re as nervous as if you’re the one having the baby. Is it really necessary?” Qinghe chided with a laugh.

Muniang glared, “Fine, if looking after you earns me scorn, then I’ll go where it’s cool and stay there.”

Qinghe quickly held on to Muniang and started to laugh, “Alright, alright, my mistake.”

Muniang then touched Qinghe’s belly, grumbling, “Baby, you see what your mother is like, right? So mean, always picking on me. You must side with your godmother in the future.”

Qinghe responded, speechless, “Now you’re playing the victim? Don’t believe her, baby. She’s formidable. Just take care of your mother.”

The two sisters laughed together merrily.

The news that Tianniu would be studying with the County Chief’s daughter quickly spread throughout the village, and in everyone’s eyes, it was a remarkable honor.

But there were also those who were jealous and spoke sourly, “What kind of study companionship? Isn’t she just being sold off to be a maid in their house? Tianniu doesn’t know a single character. Why on earth would the County Chief want her to accompany his daughter in studying?”

Mrs. Du couldn’t stand it and rolled her eyes, “Does Qiao Laosan’s family need to sell their daughter with their current conditions? Shouldn’t you be selling off all your children then? The County Chief simply took a liking to Tianniu, and you can’t stand it in your heart, can you? Don’t irritate everyone with your sour words. If you have the ability, send your own daughters there. But I’m afraid they won’t want them!” At this, everyone burst into laughter.

The woman’s face turned red with embarrassment, and she stomped her foot in frustration and walked away angrily.

Qingya reported this to Muniang, who remained unfazed and simply said, “Everyone’s enthusiasm is just a passing phase. After a while, they’ll turn their attention elsewhere.”

Muniang had casually made that remark without much thought, but who knew it would come true so quickly. The next morning, a piece of monumental news exploded through the village.

“The Emperor has passed away, a new Emperor ascends the throne, and there’s a general amnesty for all.”

Mrs. Liang was crying so hard that she felt like her innards were about to break. Why issue the imperial pardon now, after the beating had already taken place!

Meanwhile, Muniang’s home didn’t erupt into chaos because of Mrs. Liang’s issue but because of a sudden imperial edict.

A delicately crafted carriage slowly made its way through Tupo Village; many villagers pointed and gawked as it passed, clearly never having seen such a fine thing before.

Eunuch Li pulled aside the curtain to glance outside, noting the thatched cottages and vast fields. He furrowed his brows repeatedly. Why did General Yu enjoy staying in such a desolate backwater? And these ignorant villagers who had never seen the world, could it be that a decade on the frontier had dulled his wits?

“How much longer before we arrive? The bumps on this road are almost killing me,” Eunuch Li complained impatiently.

The coachman outside hastily replied, “We’re close, we’re close. General Yu’s house seems to be at the very end of the village.”

Only then did Eunuch Li wave his hand dismissively, “Fine, fine, let’s hurry up. If I get jostled much more, my old bones will come apart.” Eunuch Li was a favored figure in the presence of the Emperor, accustomed to silk garments and jade meals, always traveling on smooth official roads. How could he have ever traversed such rural lanes? Naturally, he was exhausted now.

Muniang was talking with Qinghe in the house when Qingya rushed in, flustered, “Lady, Lady, a Noble Lady has come from the Capital City, seeking our master.”

Muniang furrowed her brows and instinctively asked, “A man or a woman?”

Qingya was taken aback before answering, “A man.”

Qinghe couldn’t help but snicker, “You’re like someone bitten by a snake and now scared of ropes for the next ten years. You ask if every visitor is male or female.”

Muniang glared at her irritably, “Do you think I want to?” Despite her words, she still went out to have a look.

In the courtyard, she saw that everyone was already waiting outside. Muniang was puzzled why they had all come out when she heard a raspy voice calling, “Yu Ze, come receive the imperial decree!”

Muniang was startled, not yet processing what was happening when Yu Ze pressed his large hand on her back, and they both knelt down. The others were also taken aback, especially upon hearing the words “imperial decree”; they almost thought they were dreaming. But seeing Muniang and Yu Ze kneeling, they quickly followed suit.

Eunuch Li cleared his throat and unrolled the imperial decree he held, reading it aloud with resonance, “By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Nation General Yu Ze has guarded the borders for ten years, venerating the nation’s merit. With the new Emperor’s ascension, the meritorious are greatly rewarded, henceforth, Yu Ze is conferred the title of He’an Prince.”

Muniang looked up in astonishment. A prince? Wasn’t that rank even higher than his father’s? The Emperor’s favor toward him was not ordinarily high.

But immediately after, the eunuch’s next sentence nearly burst Muniang’s eardrums.

“Out of consideration for He’an Prince’s decade of service, the sovereign especially grants a marriage to He Suxue, the daughter of the He Family, to be a Consort, with the Empress Dowager herself presiding over the wedding,” the eunuch finished reading the imperial edict and looked at Yu Ze with a smile, obviously expecting a reward. It was a tremendous honor for anyone, not to mention the ennoblement. Above all, the royal marriage order and the wedding presided over by the Empress Dowager were unprecedented.

Muniang’s face darkened entirely; indeed, she couldn’t have a shred of hope for the future.

Qinghe gripped Muniang’s clothes tightly, afraid she would act impulsively in the moment. Muniang gave a wry smile; where did she have the strength to be impulsive now?