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 maidservant of the daughter of the Yang family. That daughter Yang was also one of the pearls of the capital, so they could give her a little more respect. However, it was only a few points. Even though Yang Haiyan was now an official's wife, she was once a slave and a maid. Ordinary people didn't pay much attention to maids, and they might even give them a little more respect because they had been maids in a wealthy family, but the noble families would not.
The concept of the aristocratic family is very deep, a maid is a maid. Even if this maid becomes the emperor's concubine today, there will be people who say behind her back that she was just a maid before. What's more, Yang Haiyan is only a fifth-rank official's wife
However, Wei Ting, the chief steward of the pond, was indeed dissatisfied with Yang Haiyan's treatment of the ordinary maid because of the military camp's land policy and the issue of making ice with saltpeter. This was a unique and talented maid.
But... that's all, a little bit high, but just a little bit.
However, seeing Yang Haiyan in person, these points were increased. The maid who was usually timid was not like that. The woman in front of her was beautiful, wearing a light blue skirt, a gold hairpin inlaid with white pearls, and a Hetian jade bracelet on her slender wrist. She looked very gentle.
Such a woman is easy to make people like her. Of course, this kind of like is not the love between men and women, but the pickyness of ancient men towards women. Many ancient men like this type of wife, who are dignified, gentle, generous and elegant.
Manager Wei Ting and Manager Chi were not impressed by Yang Haiyan. In their impression, a maid should not be like this. However, they also felt that there was nothing particularly surprising about Yang Haiyan.
Speaking of appearance, there are many beauties in the capital city. Not to mention that Manager Chi is used to seeing all kinds of beauties in the harem, Yang Haiyan, if she is in the harem, can only be considered average. She is indeed beautiful, but not outstanding. If she has to say something good about her, it is probably her temperament, and she does not look like a maid.
Wei Ting's impression of Yang Haiyan was similar to that of Manager Chi. Apart from her aura as if she came from a noble family, he really didn't think she was that outstanding.
However, such a woman makes people feel comfortable. She is not flattering, her eyes are clear, and her behavior is generous. Wei Ting thought, she is worthy of being the maidservant beside the pearl of the capital. How dazzling the pearl of the capital was back then, his brother... Thinking of this, Wei Ting could only sigh.
Qin Haiyan said with a smile: "My concubine meets Lord Wei and Steward Chi. To be honest, Lord Wei and Steward Chi were the first guests to visit our mansion since we arrived in Yunxiang County." Her voice was different from the soft whisper she used to give to Qin Fang. At this moment, her voice was still gentle, but much more generous than usual.
When Wei Ting heard this, he couldn't help but ask, "That's a bit embarrassing. Although we are guests, we don't have any gifts for them. What should we do?"
Manager Chi searched his body with both hands and said, "Indeed, I didn't prepare any gifts."
Qin Fang was confused: “…” Why did we get to this point
Yang Haiyan said: "If you two can stay in my humble home for a few more days, and let me show my hospitality, it will be the best gift."
Wei Ting and Chi looked at each other and smiled. Mrs. Qin was indeed not an ordinary person. What they said just now was also intentional, with a bit of teasing embarrassment. However, this woman solved it easily.
The woman who could think of the military camp land policy and use saltpeter to make ice was indeed no ordinary woman.
Manager Chi said: "Although we didn't prepare any gifts, we did bring gifts for the township master."
Yang Haiyan was stunned: "County gentleman?"
Chief Steward Chi's face straightened: "The imperial edict has arrived, Qin Yangshi Haiyan will receive it."
Yang Haiyan and the others all knelt down and said, "Long live the emperor."
Yang Haiyan's heart was pounding as she thought about how Chief Steward Chi had just called her "Xiangjun". Was this Xiangjun the one she understood? Did the Emperor confer the title of Xiangjun on her
"The Emperor, by the order of Heaven and Mandate, declares that Qin Yang Haiyan is virtuous, gentle, dignified, and wise... She has made contributions to the country and is truly a role model for women. She is hereby conferred the title of Third Rank Xiangjun, and given the name Bingyun. I decree this! Thank you!"
A third-rank county lady was also given a title
The surprise came so suddenly that Yang Haiyan hadn't reacted yet.
Qin Fang saw his wife kneeling blankly, and thought she liked it very much and was shocked by the surprise, so he was happy in his heart. If meritorious service can make his wife happy, he thinks he knows everything. Qin Fang pulled Yang Haiyan's sleeve: "Yanyan?"
Yang Haiyan came to her senses and said hurriedly, "I am sorry for being so rude. I was so surprised. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
Chief Steward Chi: "Your Majesty, I am innocent. My Lord, please accept my order and thank you."
Yang Haiyan: "Bingyun accepts the order, thank the emperor for his grace." Bingyun, the emperor chose this title well. Bing should be taken from the ice made from saltpeter; Yun should be taken from Yunxiang County. Speaking of which, with this title, Yang Haiyan felt much more at ease than before. Even though there were many powerful people in ancient times, she was a county lady personally appointed by the emperor, not an ordinary official family member. With the title, her status was naturally even higher. It made her, a lonely person, feel a little safe in this strange world.
Yang Haiyan felt that the emperor sent her whatever she needed, and this emperor was really good. Speaking of which, in the novel, the emperor was indeed a wise ruler in other matters, except for making the wandering prince the crown prince and asking him to succeed the throne.
Yang Haiyan stood up and received the imperial edict, her heart still beating. Although she guessed that the emperor's title of Xiangjun was related to Qin Fang's memorial, the title of Xiangjun was still beyond her expectations. However, for the time being, she could only suppress her doubts. Yang Haiyan turned to Qin Fang and said, "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 appropriate, so he turned to Wei Ting and Chi, the chief steward, and asked, "What do you two want to say?"
Wei Ting, the chief steward of the pool, was speeding up the journey because the sulfur mine and saltpeter mine were in a hurry. They were worried that something might happen if they were late, so they dared not waste time on the road. Therefore, they were really tired on the way. Although they did not wrong themselves in terms of food when they arrived at the place where they stayed, they were very tired after traveling for days. Now they heard Yang Haiyan's arrangement, and they also felt it was very appropriate.
Wei Ting said: "That's appropriate. I'm sorry to bother you, General Qin."
Manager Chi: "I'm sorry to bother you too."
Yang Haiyan turned to Kun Shi and said, "Captain Kun, you take the guests to the yard. I'll go to the kitchen."
Kunshi: “Yes.”
Kun Shi led the way, and Qin Fang accompanied Wei Ting Chi to the guest house. The military mansion was large, but the simple environment inside also allowed Wei Ting Chi to have a better understanding of Qin Fang. For example, this General Qin was not a person who enjoyed himself, and his personality was more honest, otherwise such a large military mansion would definitely have a unique design.
Kun Shi 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 since she does not know the living habits of the two nobles, she has not directly arranged anyone to serve them. The nobles can tell her about their living habits, and Madam will then select someone to serve them." In fact, Yang Haiyan did not arrange anyone to serve her, but she could not say that.
Wei Ting said, "No need, I have people with me, my followers will let me know if you need anything."
Manager Chi said: "We don't need anyone to serve us anymore."
Qin Fang spoke at the right time: "Then Qin will not disturb you two. If you two have any questions, you can send someone to call Qin."
Wei Ting and Chief Steward Chi said in unison: "General Qin, you are too polite."
After Qin Fang left, Wei Ting, the chief steward of the pool, sent someone to prepare hot water for them to take a bath. They had been traveling so fast these days that they had to make do with their baths.
After they came out of the bath, Nanny Lian brought some snacks, all of which were homemade snacks. They looked inconspicuous, but made people feel very thoughtful.
After changing his clothes, Chief Steward Chi watched the young eunuch arranging the dishes. He said, "It smells really good. What are these dishes?" As he spoke, he came out from behind the screen.
The young eunuch said, "It's wontons, buns, and some snacks. They are all common things. I thought they would be some special food. It seems that the general's mansion doesn't care about the chief steward."
Manager Chi glanced at him.
The young eunuch had been serving Steward Chi. He could guess what Steward Chi was thinking from a glance: "Standard Chi, don't you think so?"
Manager Chi sat down, drank a few sips of warm water, and then picked up a piece of wonton with chopsticks: "It tastes good."
The young eunuch was even more confused when he saw this. On weekdays in the palace, the steward was also a noble person, and his food was no worse than those of the palace nobles.
After eating a bite of wonton, the butler picked up a piece of red bean cake and ate it. The red bean cake with a little milk flavor tasted better. The butler Chi ate two pieces in one breath. "This thing is just like people. Some people are very thoughtful and can say two different things. Although the words sound nice, you will feel very nervous when you are interacting with such people. The same is true for things. You can buy things with thoughtfulness outside. But this thoughtfulness may not be the real thought of the owner."
The young eunuch shook his head: "I don't understand this." He was also a person who didn't like good things in the palace. They all took money to do things, and whoever gave more money would be the one to be favored. In the past, Chief Steward Chi was also like this, but why did he do it today
The butler didn't waste any time talking to him. After eating something to fill his stomach, he went to bed.
Compared to Manager Chi, Wei Ting's side was quiet. He usually got off work late, and the things prepared in the small kitchen were nothing more than wontons and dumplings, which he was used to.
Inner Courtyard
Yang Haiyan held 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?"