Chapter 674: Zhang Zhan Gets Married (2)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“The Emperor gave us three months of rest. Three days later, I’m going to the inner palace to be conferred the title. After the official position is handed down, 1 can make my own arrangements for the next three months. As long as 1 reach the appointed place before 1 take office, it’s fine. I’ve specially asked and 1 can bring my family along.”
Madam Ma did not know much about this and only asked, “1 heard from Ah Yu that after entering the imperial civil service, you can still go to the Hanlin Academy to continue your studies. Don’t you want to study anymore?”
“I’m old, so I won’t compare myself to the young people. I’ll seek an official position to set Mother’s worries at ease. The top-scoring scholar in the Imperial Examination has already received an appointment from the court, and Qin Huai, as the top scorer, has already been appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. In three years, he will receive another official appointment.” Wang Chuangui patted his wife’s hand, “These years have been hard on you. With you supporting the family, our children and grandchildren are all successful. When 1 become an official, 1 may not be too ambitious, so you can relax and be the virtuous wife of an official without worrying too much.”
“Husband, what are you saying? Husband and wife are one. In terms of hard work, my life is not even half as difficult as Mother. Mother’s hard work is all in her heart.” Madam Ma looked at Wang Chuangui and wanted to say something, but in the end, she held it in and looked up at the door.
In May, the night was dark. A not-so-round moon hung in the sky, illuminating the dreams of countless people.
After soaking her feet, Madam Ma got up to pour the wastewater away, but she was stopped by Wang Chuangui.
“I’ll go.”
“Even though I’m an Imperial Scholar now, I’m still your husband. You can’t deny me even this chance to be solicitous.” With that, Wang Chuangui carried the foot basin and walked away.
As Madam Ma watched, her eyes moistened again. Her originally heaving heart suddenly fell for some reason.
She slowly walked into the inner room and took out a small box from the drawer. Old Madam Wang had once given it to her to keep.
Perhaps, before accompanying her husband to take office, she should write off his debts for him.
The next day, All Yu found out that Qin Huai was already a member of the Hanlin Academy. She was immediately overjoyed.
“That’s great. In the future, we can work together. If you’re tired, you can even come to the Astrology Divination Bureau to eat. Now, Big Sister Tang Yuan has a good relationship with the chef in the small kitchen over there and our Astrology Divination Bureau’s chef, Auntie Fatty. She cooks in different ways everyday. It’ll be even better with you to share!”
Qin Huai pushed the hair away from All Yu’s mouth and smiled at her. “Yes, but I’m only officially on duty in three months. I’ll have to trouble you to wait for me for another three months.”
“Coincidentally, Grandma said that she wants to return to Hu Family Village and hold Third Brother and Fourth Brother’s weddings. Otherwise, when everyone takes office and goes to school, it will be very difficult for the family to gather again. We might as well take advantage of the three months to settle the weddings first.” Ah Yu leaned close to Qin Huai’s ear and said in a low voice, “Moreover, Aunt Zhou is going to marry Uncle Zhang Zhan. It’s in the middle of next month. It’s just right for us to go back.”
Apart from that, Village Chief Hu and Old Master Hu had already convinced the entire village to officially build an ancestral hall for the Wang Family in Hu Family Village. The structure had already been built. It was tall and imposing, and they were just waiting for the Wang Family to return.
Wang Chuanfu was the one who nodded in fear.
The fact that Wang Chuangui had become an Imperial Scholar was a huge matter. It was considered a huge matter in the entire Yongding County. From his classmates in the prefecture city to the neighbors in Nanhe Town and the villagers around Hu Family Village, they were all waiting for this Imperial Scholar to return.
Of course, they also hoped that the Village Lord would return with their Top Scholar son-in-law. Then, they would really be honored!
“Big Brother All You, are you going?”
Qin Huai replied without thinking, “Yes.”
In the end, when Duke Yong Manor finally finished holding a grand banquet for Qin Huai becoming the top scholar, Emperor Minghua worked hard for three days and three nights to quickly approve the court matters. He openly brought the recovered Empress Qin to the banquet, only to find out that Qin Huai had left long ago.
The guests could only reveal awkward but polite smiles as they praised Young Master Qin, whom they had never seen before.
As for Emperor Minghua, he sat on the master seat and exuded a cold aura.
He looked at Empress Qin bitterly and gritted his teeth. “When are you going to let Huai’er assume his position?”
Empress Qin smiled slightly and picked up the calming tea offered by others. She took a sip calmly and after a moment, she replied slowly, “1 don’t understand what Your Majesty is saying.”
“I know my mistake. When he comes back, you can do whatever you want. 1 won’t stop you. Is that not enough?”
He was just short of begging.
He felt really aggrieved that he couldn’t show off such an outstanding son!
Empress Qin held her forehead and sighed. “All, my head suddenly hurts…”
Emperor Minghua was so shocked that he immediately stood up and pulled Empress Qin away in front of the even more terrified guests.
“Return to the palace and summon Imperial Physician Xuan.”
In the end, as soon as she left Duke Yong Manor, Empress Qin walked leisurely and bowed to Emperor Minghua. She said gently, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I feel much better. I’ll have a walk around first and take it as a distraction. When it’s time, I’ll go back.”
H j ii
“Goodbye, Your Majesty.” Empress Qin bowed slightly.
Emperor Minghua took a deep breath and planned to mention his dignity as an Emperor. “I—”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Empress Qin bent down even more.
Emperor Minghua’s gaze became even more resentful.
She might as well be as ruthless as before. He could still deal with that. Now, he was at a loss.
In the end, he could only watch helplessly as Empress Qin left.
Emperor Minghua glanced sideways at Eunuch De.
Eunuch De was caught off guard and was stunned.
“Your Majesty?”
“A month of your salary will be deducted!” Emperor Minghua frowned.
Eunuch De: “Huh?”
Seeing Eunuch De’s surprised and aggrieved expression, Emperor Minghua felt a little better.
Not long after, Hua Hong, who served beside Empress Qin, returned and handed over something. She said to Emperor Minghua, “The Empress specially left this for Your Majesty.”
With that, she left.
Emperor Minghua gestured for Eunuch De to bring it over. He opened it and saw a jade pendant wrapped in the handkerchief. From the carving, it looked like the work of the King of Carving.
The jade was clear and exquisitely carved. It was the type he liked.
Emperor Minghua was delighted. He immediately pulled off the jade piece on his body and threw it to Eunuch De. “This is your reward.”
Then, under Eunuch De’s surprised expression, he affixed the new jade pendant and returned to the palace with light footsteps.
In the blink of an eye, it was mid-June. Hu Family Village was decorated very festively.
Ah Yu and the others stood at the entrance of Hu Family Village, their eyes full of eagerness.
A faint bugle sound approached from afar. Goutou, who was on the yellow-horned tree, shouted, “They’re here, they’re here. The bridal escort team is here!”
Ah Yu was extremely excited. She pulled Bian Dan and Tang Yuan over and hurriedly said, “We have to test Uncle Zhang Zhan properly later.. We can’t let him underestimate Auntie Zhou!”