Chapter 154 New Year and Rewards
On the early morning of the New Year's Eve, the snow that had fallen for several days finally stopped. A faint red sun hung on the eastern mountain. From time to time, there were a few firecrackers and children's laughter. Quite lively.
"Old Ancestor, Father, Mother, child is back." In the main room of the compound courtyard where Xiao Family lived temporarily, Xiao Lin Yu, who had already changed into a clean and warm brocade robe, lifted up his long gown, and knelt straight in front of the elders of Xiao Family. He knocked his head heavily three times.
Mrs. Yu had already turned into a tearful mess. Even Xiao Hai Ru, who didn't say anything when he came back from the disaster, had red eyes. Sitting next to Mrs. Song, the husband and wife were both happy and crying.
"Good child, it's snowing outside. It's hard on you to rush all the way back." Xiao Hai Ru brothers chose to keep the news of Eldest Son's death a secret from Mrs. Song when they returned. Mrs. Song who was in the dark was overjoyed. It couldn't compare to how excited Mrs. Yu when her son escaped from death: "Is everything in northern Xinjiang handled properly?"
Back then, Xiao Hai Ru and the others used the excuse that Xiao Lin Yu had important matters to deal with in northern Xinjiang. That's why Mrs. Song asked this question. She took Eldest Grandson's hand and patted it: "You lost weight. You lost weight."
Although a man does not cry lightly, he had been separated from his family for so many years. Xiao Lin Yu, who was alone outside, finally realized that even though his father was indifferent to him and his mother had a lot of demands on him, they were all his blood relatives. It cannot be erased.
Xiao Lin Yu, whose eyes were slightly red, stood beside Mrs. Song, and responded: "Grandson was away and can't be filial to old Ancestor. I made old Ancestor worry. Grandson is really unfilial!"
Second Master Xiao and Mrs. Zhao sat at the side. Seeing their eldest nephew come back, they were happy on the one hand, but also missed her son a little bit. The husband and wife looked at each other. Mrs. Zhao murmured: "It would be great if Lin Wen is here now."
"As long as the children are well, there will always be a day when we will meet again." Second Master Xiao patted his wife's hand and said a few words of comfort.
***
Xiao Lin Yu's return made Xiao Family's New Year more reunited. The three generations talked for a long time in the main room before Xiao Hai Ru and Second Master Xiao called Xiao Lin Yu to a small study in the compound to discuss matters.
"What happened back then?" Xiao Hai Ru stared straight at his son. He had watched his son being carried out with his own eyes. Although it was a good thing that his son was doing well now, what happened back then?
Xiao Lin Yu was sitting at the bottom. He stood up and bowed to the two elders before explaining to the two elders the ins and outs of the matter one by one.
After listening to Eldest Son's words, Xiao Hai Ru sat on the chair blankly. Slightly in disbelief, he uttered: "You mean, the current emperor saved you?"
"That's exactly the case. It was his Majesty's doing when Father and Second Uncle went into exile. At that time, his Majesty promised to protect Xiao Family and restore our family's innocence. I worked for his Majesty to raise funds for his Majesty to fill the treasury." Xiao Lin Yu nodded his head. He sat back to his original seat: "The former emperor was foolish, corrupt officials and cruel officials were rampant in the court, and the national treasury was empty. His Majesty is ambitious and far-sighted, so I should be loyal."
"Ping Wang, no, his Majesty has now been enthroned. How is the situation in the court?" Second Master Xiao was initially an official in the court. It went without saying he cared about the affairs of the court. Fifth Prince's treason and the seventh prince's sudden death had not yet spread to Luohe Prefecture. Naturally he didn't know about it.
Xiao Lin Yu briefly talked about the process of his Majesty's ascension to the throne and then said: "When I set out to Luohe Prefecture, I heard his Majesty that he wanted to call Second Uncle back to the capital. I think the order will be fulfilled after the New Year."
"Really?" Although Second Master Xiao had gone through hardships, his passion for helping the world, saving the common people, and helping the community was still there. When he heard his nephew say this, he lost his composure for a moment. Leaning forward slightly in both suspicion and full of hope, he anxiously stared at Xiao Lin Yu: "Your Majesty really said that?"
Xiao Lin Yu nodded with a smile: "It's true that his Majesty recognizes talents with his eyes." Second Master Xiao didn't choose a side when the late emperor was alive. Now that his Majesty was enthroned, he wanted to clear up the power of those aristocratic families. Second Master Xiao was both capable and not from an aristocratic family. So he was naturally among the candidates whom his Majesty intended to heavily use.
His Majesty's will and reward arrived earlier than Xiao Lin Yu expected. The second day of the New Year was the day when You He, You Yin and other married daughters return home. A group of people who came on horseback from the south stopped outside the gate of Su's house.
After the incense table was set up, the eunuch with the imperial edict stood behind the incense table. Dozens of people from Su and Xiao families knelt together, quietly listening to the somewhat shrill voice of the eunuch chanting loudly: "By the decree of his Majesty, Xiao Hai Feng receives the order. Today..."
Second Master Xiao knelt at the front. After hearing the eunuch finish reading, he accepted the edict with tears in her eyes: "Official Xiao Hai Feng thank his Majesty's kindness!" The hands that received the bright yellow imperial edict were still trembling slightly. He wasn't reinstated to his original position. Instead, he climbed a rung up and became a fourth-rank Ministry of Work's attendant!
After the eunuch read the first edict, he took out another one. This time it was to grace Xiao Lin Yu: "...conferred the position of second rank Commandery Duke; grant the title of Luo; grant 30 hectares of Yongye farmland and add a sixth-rank vice director of Department of Revenue position!"
"Official thank his Majesty's grace." Xiao Lin Yu knelt on the ground with a calm face and respectfully accepted the edict. Everyone in Xiao Family was agitated. Second-rank Commandery Duke! This meant Xiao Family finally rose above!
There was also a third edict. This was for Su Family. What was rewarded was a booklet written by his Majesty's imperial brush, a flamboyant 'Su Family produces good female' plague, as well as two boxes of silks and satins, jewelry, and fashionable palace flowers, etc. from the imperial court. Full of praise of Su Family's daughter for being affectionate and righteous.
"Common girl thanks his Majesty's grace." You Jin's face remained unchanged. She raised her hands above her head and received the imperial edict.
After reading the three edicts, the eunuch stood in front of Xiao Lin Yu and Second Master Xiao who had already stood up with a smile and said, "Duke, before coming, his Majesty specially instructed that you and Official Xiao to spend the Lantern Festival with peace of mind before returning to the capital. The Commandery Duke's manor in the capital is still under construction. While the previous Xiao's manor had been repaired."
"Troubled Eunuch to make this trip during New Year celebration. There's tea and snacks prepared inside. Please take a break, Eunuch." Although Xiao Lin Yu was suddenly granted the title of Commandery Duke, he still had a neither humble nor overbearing attitude and had a poker face.
The eunuch nodded with a smile, followed him in, and drank a cup of tea. After half a day of rest, he hurried back to the capital.
The second day of the New Year was bustling in Wuliqiao Village. Many villagers saw the flurry of people and horses. Those who were curious went to Su's house to inquire. It turned out that his Majesty had given the imperial edicts and rewards!
Within half a day, the news that Su Family had received the reward from his Majesty had already spread throughout Luohe Prefecture. Even the Magistrate Qin, who had already retreated home to celebrate the New Year, heard the news. He said: "Madam, prepare two generous gifts. Let's make a trip to Wuliqiao tomorrow."
Magistrate Qin wasn't the only one who heard the news. Many families who had good relations with Su Family also prepared rich gifts one after another and sent visiting letters to Su's house. They all wanted to get in contact with the real dragon emperor's dragon essence. And it would be great if they could have some relationship with Su Family.
Because of the imperial edict and rewards, this year had become the most tiring and busiest year for Su Family since they came to Luohe Prefecture. There were business clients that they worked with, all big and small official housholds, curious ordinary folks from Wuliqiao coming to the door, and matchmakers who were about to level the threshold of Su Family.
"What's the current number of matchmakers coming today?" You Yin, who was three months pregnant, crossed the threshold with the help of a nervous Han Li. She saw Auntie Song sending a happy matchmaker out. Finally, she mischievously looked at the helpless eldest sister: "Eldest Sister got peach blossom eyes?"
You Jin feebly pinched the center of her brows, feeling a little dizzy in her head. She helplessly replied: "You have become more and more mischievous since you got married."
But seeing her younger sister's rosy face, You Jin was happy in her heart.
"You don't know. Just now, that one came to find match for Kang-er!" Mrs. Su also felt a little headache: "I don't know what these people are thinking."
Currently, only You Yin was married in Su Family. You Bao's marriage was originally scheduled for the December. Because of the death of his Majesty, wedding weren't allowed for half a year. So the wedding was postponed. Except for these two sisters, the others from the eldest to the eighth, had been mentioned many times.
"Kang-er is only one month away from seven years old! Already get matches?" Sitting on the soft and comfortable cushion, You Yin couldn't help but click her tongue in amazement when she heard her Mother say this: "Our family only got a sign and it's like this. Wouldn't Xiao Family's threshold be broken?"
"This child. You are about to become a mother now and you have become even more rash." Seeing You Yin, who didn't look pregnant yet and coming from outside, Mrs. Su couldn't help but feel a little worried: "What are you doing here in this cold weather? What to do if you catch a cold or freeze?"
While nagging, she hurriedly told someone to serve honey water: "Those teas and wines can't be touched now, understand?"
You Yin, who was nagged by Mrs. Su endlessly, didn't seem impatient .She just smilingly nodded: "Don't worry, Mother. Even if I want to steal a sip, I can't find it at home now! Don't you know that Han Li wishes to torch all the tea at home?"
Although she was complaining, the smile on her lips never dropped.
While Su Family's mother and daughters were having a lively chat, Xiao Family's side was also having a lively time.
After the news of Xiao Family's sentence being overturned was spread to Xijing, Xiao Lin Feng brothers threw caution to the wind and hurried all the way to Luohe Prefecture. After three years of ups and downs, Xiao Family was finally reunited.
"Mother, Lin Yu and I are going back to the capital after the Lantern Festival." Sitting next to Mrs. Song, Second Master Xiao was wearing a dark red embroidered robe. Because of the imperial decree on the second day of the new year, he became more energetic: "Must aggrieve Mother tol stay in Luohe Prefecture for a while longer. After spring, I'll send someone to pick you up."
Mrs. Song squinted her eyes and patted her youngest son's hand. Smiling gratifyingly, she responded: "When people get old, they should return to their roots. Luohe Prefecture is pretty good. Mother will not leave."
Mrs. Song had lived in Luohe Prefecture since she was born and grew up there. She came to the capital after marrying into Xiao Family. Although she had been away for more than forty years, she still didn't want to leave.
"Mother?" Initially squinting his eyes with delight, Xiao Hai Ru frowned in surprise when he heard what Mrs. Song said.
Mrs. Song smiled and sighed: "Although the capital is wonderful, our roots are still in Luohe Prefecture. Mother is old and doesn't want to go through trouble anymore. You are still young. So go back to the capital and continue to work hard."
"Mother (old Ancestor)!" Everyone in Xiao Family cried in unison when they heard Mrs. Song's somewhat discouraged words.
Mrs. Song looked at the distressed faces of her children and grandchildren and stated, "You don't need to persuade me anymore. I have food and clothing in Luohe Prefecture. The rules are also less. How much more comfortable it is than in the capital!"
After finishing speaking and seeing her children and grandchildren were still concerned, she changed the subject: "While Lin Yu, you are almost twenty-six. It's time to let old Ancestor to hug Great-grandchild, right?"
Xiao Lin Yu, who was suddenly called out, was stunned for a moment before saying, "Grandson..."
"You Jin is a good girl. If you don't have this kind of thought, then don't delay her." Mrs. Yu pursed her lips and said lightly: "If you have no intention, Mother will recognise her as goddaughter."
Xiao Lin Yu didn't know that Mother had this thought. He didn't know whether to cry or laugh: "Back then, Mother disliked You Jin's background as a country people?"
When Eldest Son brought up the past, Mrs. Yu couldn't help but blush. Then she sent him a sharp look: "Who needs you to overspeak!"
Although her son was now a second rank Commandery Duke, she sincerely liked You Jin from the bottom of her heart. In her opinion, with the way You Jin was, it wasn't a waste to match with a duke. Let alone this dumb and stupid son of hers?
Xiao Lin Yu, who didn't know that he had become 'dumb and stupid' in his mother's heart, smiled wryly: "It's not about me not wanting to?"
"Oh?" Mrs. Song's eyes lit up when she grasped some clues. Could it be that her grandson went to propose marriage to Su Family's lass and was rejected?
Xiao Lin Yu, who was a little uncomfortable being stared at by old Ancestor, coughed dryly. His jade face flushed slightly: "I have my own plans. So don't worry about it."