Grandpa Li, an old neighbor of Zhu Ping'an's, once again sat on the roof of his house and had a clear view of the grand scene in Zhu Ping'an's yard. Then he looked at the crowd climbing trees and standing on tiptoe outside Zhu Ping'an's house. Grandpa Li's face was full of pride. Who can compare with me? I can see everything clearly without any effort.
But the big fat dog in Grandpa Li's house was different. Its voice just got better two days ago, and it had only learned to bark for one day. Today, so many strangers passed by the door, and the big fat dog barked at the top of its voice for a while. However, because there were too many strangers coming and going, the big fat dog got tired of barking and couldn't bark anymore.
"Everyone has worked hard, drink some water and take a rest."
After Chen gave instructions to the carpenter Li Dahei, she warmly invited the people who brought the good news to sit down and have a cup of tea. According to the good news reports of Zhu Ping'an's success in the past, after these people brought the good news and received the reward money, they basically took a break and had a wedding banquet before leaving.
"Ma'am, please wait a moment."
To Chen's surprise, the officer who brought the good news did not rush to sit down. Instead, he seemed to have some other errand to do.
"You're welcome, please sit down." Chen thought that these servants were being polite, so she greeted them warmly. Chen was in high spirits as her son had won the top spot in the imperial examination. Chen was in a very good mood, so she couldn't hide the smile on her face when she spoke.
However, something unexpected happened to Chen. Just as Chen had finished being polite, the scene that appeared before her eyes made her open her mouth in surprise.
Plop, plop
All the officers in front of Chen knelt down in front of her, one after another, leaving Chen completely unprepared.
"What are you doing? Get up..." Chen's eyes widened in surprise.
"The imperial edict has arrived..."
Just when Chen was surprised, a clear imperial edict came from behind.
Chen turned around in surprise and saw the well-dressed man to whom she had just stuffed the red envelope, slowly opening a bright yellow scroll in his hand.
In fact, just when Chen was warmly inviting the officers to sit down, this man stood up and took out a bright yellow scroll. When the officers saw the man standing up and then looked at the scroll, they knelt down without hesitation because they knew what was going on.
The county magistrate knelt down quickly. The people outside the yard who were watching dared not stand anymore. They all knelt down. Uncle Li who was isolated also knelt down on the roof without hesitation. The guys on the tree also knelt down on the branches with difficulty. Even the big fat dog in Uncle Li's house knelt down with his front legs pressed by someone...
There were only two people standing at the moment, one was the Lord of the Palace who was holding the imperial edict and reading it, and the other one was Chen.
The imperial edict has arrived, kneel down quickly. Zhu's father, who had knelt earlier, tugged at Chen's clothes, and then Chen knelt down belatedly.
Imperial edict
The people of Xiahe Village were all stunned. It turned out to be an imperial edict? The ancestors must have shown their power. This was the first imperial edict Xiahe Village had ever seen. This would be something they could brag about to others.
Didn't Zhu Ping'an already announce his success in the imperial examination? Why was there an imperial edict? What was this imperial edict for
People's curiosity reached its peak at this moment.
"By the Will of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..." The Lord of the Palace stood there holding the imperial edict and began to announce.
"By the Will of Heaven, the Emperor decrees so." Zhu Pingjun, who was kneeling in the corner, nudged his father Li Shouren, who was also kneeling in the corner, with his arm after hearing the beginning of the imperial edict. He asked in confusion, "Dad, isn't it all by the Will of Heaven, the Emperor decrees so?"
"What do you mean by 'Emperor's decree'? It has always been the Emperor's decree.' Read less nonsense books in the future!" Upon hearing this, uncle Zhu Shouren gave Zhu Pingjun a lecture, thinking that Zhu Pingjun had told too many stories.
Envy, jealousy and hatred, at this moment, Uncle Zhu Shouren was very depressed and was worried about where to vent. Zhu Pingjun had caught up, it would be strange if Uncle didn't scold him. Of course, he had to wait until the imperial edict was announced.
After the palace master finished reading, he continued to read: "Zhu Ping'an's mother, Chen, is a good person. She is virtuous and has a good way of educating her children. I decree that Zhu Ping'an's mother, Chen, be made a woman of peace."
Buzz buzz buzz...
Hearing this, there was a buzz in the courtyard. The imperial edict was actually for Chen? The emperor knew Chen? The second son of the Zhu family was too powerful, right? The villagers inside and outside the Zhu family courtyard were all stunned.
Uncle Zhu Shouren, who was kneeling in the corner, was so surprised that his jaw dropped. It was unbelievable. Zhu'er actually asked for the title of Consort of Imperial Concubine for Chen? !
"Receive the decree, Zhu Chen..." After Lord Mansion finished reading the imperial edict, he said to Chen.
"What is Anren?" Chen took the imperial edict and asked in confusion.
"Anren is a title bestowed by imperial decree. Your Majesty has awarded this title to your son, who has won the first place in the imperial examination." Lord Fuzun explained. Seeing that Chen still looked confused, he smiled slightly and said, "In simple terms, this is what people often call a royal consort. Anren is a sixth-rank official."
"Lady of Imperial Concubine... Sixth rank..." Chen's eyebrows almost flew up when she heard this, and she could hardly contain her excitement. Before leaving, Zhi'er said that he would earn a title for himself, and I thought that Zhi'er was just coaxing me, but I didn't expect that this Lady of Imperial Concubine was really earned back by Zhi'er.
What are they so proud of? Looking at the beaming Chen, Old Lady Zhu and the eldest aunt were so jealous that their teeth almost fell out.
My son is awesome! He said he would earn a life for me and he did! Some people must be regretting this now.
Chen raised her head and glanced at Mr. Zhu, Mrs. Zhu, her uncle and aunt. She was so proud that she almost went to heaven.
"Carpenter, make me a better watch frame with carvings on it..." Chen waved the imperial edict in her hand and called Li Dahai, a carpenter in the village, again.
"Congratulations, everyone." The county magistrate came over and cupped his hands to congratulate Chen.
"My Lord..." Although Chen was in high spirits now, when she saw the county magistrate, she still subconsciously knelt down because of the hierarchy.
"I dare not, I dare not, Mr. An, please don't embarrass me. Mr. An is of the sixth rank, and I am only of the seventh rank. I am the only one who has met Mr. An, how could Mr. An bow to me." The county magistrate hurriedly gave Chen a fake support and wiped the unnecessary sweat from his forehead.
The county magistrate's behavior made Chen even more arrogant.
The county magistrate then introduced Chen and Zhu's father to the Lord of the Mansion who was going to read the imperial edict. Zhu's father and Chen paid their respects to him. The Lord of the Mansion praised Zhu Ping'an highly, which made Chen even more elated.
The governor and the county magistrate had many affairs to attend to and could not stay for long, so they left soon. However, more than a dozen runners who came to report the good news stayed.
Farmhouse wine and wild game were soon served on the dining table by the quartermaster from the neighboring village. Dozens of tables were set up outside Zhu Ping'an's house. The messengers who came to announce the good news and the villagers who came to watch the fun all sat at the tables and began to eat and drink happily.
"This Anren is a sixth-rank official, a real one. You all bowed to the county magistrate when you saw him..."
"As for me, from now on, I can do nothing every day and still get a salary of ten stones every month..."
Chen was obviously speaking in a low voice, but Zhu's father, who was two tables away with his back to Chen, could still hear her clearly. He could even imagine Chen's excited look, so a smile appeared on Zhu's father's slightly dark face.
"I am also a sixth-rank cultivator. Zhu'er is no longer alone and weak..."
After everyone had finished eating and drinking and left one after another, Chen said something slowly to her eldest uncle Zhu Shouren, who was the last to leave. The meaning was very clear, and it was directed at what Zhu Shouren said before the good news came.
Uncle Zhu Shouren... ... (To be continued.)>