PDLP Chapter 434 The Imperial Edict Arrives in the Northern Desert, The Night Before Departure
Chapter 434 The Imperial Edict Arrives in the Northern Desert, The Night Before Departure
The capital city, the Grand General's Mansion, the reception hall in the front courtyard.
When the former steward of the Wen family returned to the capital from the south with his family, the guards on duty at the gate quickly welcomed them in.
"Greetings, Great General Protector of the Nation!"
"This old servant greets the master, sob sob sob."
When the housekeeper and his family saw Wen Qilin in the front yard, they knelt down without saying a word, tears welling up in their eyes.
"No need for formalities, no need for formalities, get up, Dazhi, get up quickly."
Wen Qilin took two steps forward and helped Dazhi up. "Dazhi, you are no longer slaves. There's no need for this. Everyone, get up quickly."
"No, sir, Dazhi's family is willing to return to the manor to serve you and your family."
After saying that, Liao Dazhi reached out and handed over a stack of indentures.
Then, Dazhi's family members behind him kowtowed and said...
"Master, this old servant sincerely wants to return to the Wen family mansion, even if it's just as a janitor in the outer courtyard."
“My lord, I share the same thought as my father. As long as I can return to the Wen family, I will do whatever you ask me to do.”
"Master, just like my parents, I am willing to be a lowly maid as long as I can return to the Wen family."
Just then, a weak female voice rang out: "Reporting to the master, my fate depends on the Fifth Miss's decision."
Huh? That's so unconventional?
Wen Qilin looked up.
The girl in front of me is Liaoyu. Several years have passed since I last saw her. The little maid who accompanied my little girl as she grew up has grown into a young woman, about the same age as my own daughter.
Since this girl has this idea, let's grant her wish, and her family can stay as well.
"Since your fate depends on the Fifth Miss's decision, you should stay in the manor for now and wait for her to return. Her decision will then be made."
Then Wen Qilin said, "Dazhi, now that your whole family is back, you can temporarily take over the outer courtyard. We'll rearrange everything when the old master returns."
"Yes, sir."
Subsequently, all matters concerning the Wen family were handed over to the steward, Dazhi, and his family for handling.
From then on, the Wenfu government gradually returned to normal operation.
It no longer feels as chaotic as it did in the first few days.
On this day, Liaoyu and several maids were drying and washing gauze curtains in the backyard. While they were working, they were also chatting quietly.
"Alas, I wonder if the masters have received the imperial edict yet. Yesterday, when I went out, I heard that the edict was sent out from the capital a few days ago, which means it has been almost four or five days."
"The northern desert is so far away, it probably won't be that fast. Sigh, autumn has already arrived in the capital. I wonder if it's getting cold where the masters are."
"I heard from some traveling merchants that it gets colder in the northern deserts earlier and warmer later than here. I guess it's already snowing there, right?"
"Our girl has really suffered..."
Liaoyu didn't participate in the conversation; her hands kept busy with her work. She listened to everyone's words, but in her heart, she was silently thinking about her mistress—the fifth young lady of the Wen family.
Little did they know, just as these young maids had said.
The first snow fell in the northern desert just as the imperial edict arrived there.
......
In the northern desert, at the barracks on the northern mountain, in front of the gatehouse.
On this day, early in the morning, light snow began to fall from the sky.
The imperial eunuch and his entourage rushed to the northern desert, where they arrived at the gate of the northern mountain barracks, led by Lord Shen of the northern desert government.
"Imperial edict has arrived, Wen family members, receive the edict—" the eunuch announcing the edict.
The government had sent someone to inform them in advance, and upon hearing the eunuch read the imperial decree, the entire Wen family knelt down to receive it.
The eunuch delivering the imperial edict, enduring the cold, read it aloud with trembling hands: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Wen Qilin has rendered meritorious service in pacifying the border troubles and is hereby appointed as the Grand General Protector of the Nation. His family shall return to the capital on a chosen date... This is the imperial decree."
"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
The Wen family knelt down to express their gratitude.
Upon hearing this, everyone else in the Beishan camp was filled with envy and joy for the Wen family.
After Wen Qikang and the imperial eunuch finalized the departure time, the imperial eunuch couldn't wait to follow Lord Shen back to the guest quarters of the Mobei government office to rest.
"Sir, the hot tea is ready. Have a cup to warm yourself up."
Lord Shen instructed the eunuch to deliver the imperial decree, and then said, "Your Excellency has arrived in the northern desert today, just in time for the first snowfall there. As the saying goes, a timely snowfall promises a bumper harvest. Your Excellency, this is a good omen!"
Regardless, one shouldn't hit a smiling face. Lord Shen was a shrewd man. Observing the eunuch's expression, he chose to say only flattering things. Finally, the eunuch lazily replied, "Yes, a good omen. May everyone have a good New Year!"
......
After the eunuch delivering the imperial decree left, the bustling activity in front of the North Mountain camp continued for a while.
After dark, everyone gradually dispersed and went home.
The Wen family members entered their house one after another, and once inside, they all quieted down.
No one spoke; everyone was tacitly trying to find something to do.
However, the luggage had already been packed, and there was really no work for everyone to do in the room.
So, those who couldn't find work to do would find a quiet spot to sit down, either picking their fingers, keeping their heads down in silence, or spacing out and biting their lips.
An eerie silence permeated the atmosphere, and even the children's faces were tense.
Especially Zhou Ruirui's little hand, which suddenly grabbed Wenwen's hand, but the grip tightened, as if she was about to cry.
Wenwen let the child hold onto her.
He teased in a low voice, "What's wrong? Are you unhappy about leaving for the capital tomorrow?"
She turned to the other children and asked, "What's with all those expressions? Isn't it good to be able to go back to Beijing? Xiaomi, what about you? Aren't you happy either?"
Judging from their expressions, these children all looked worried and distressed when they heard that they would be leaving for the capital tomorrow. They didn't seem to want to go back to the capital at all; rather, they seemed to be forced to go back.
Her question only brought out the children's painful words.
Xiaomi was the first to break down, bursting into tears with snot and bubbles. The little one sobbed, "I don't want to go back. If I go back, I won't be able to play with my cousins anymore. Waaah, Mom and Dad, can we not go back? I really don't want to go back."
That wasn't all. The little guy darted over to Wen Yuanqian, tears streaming down his face, and promised, "Grandpa, can I stay at your house? I don't eat much, just like my cousin Qing, I only eat a tiny bit at a time. Please let me stay at your house, okay? I can work, I can do a lot of work, and I promise I won't be naughty. Is that alright, Grandpa?"
This was quite something! No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhou Ruirui exclaimed, "Grandfather, I eat even less, but I can do a lot of things. I want to live at home too!"
Zhou Ruirui didn't forget to try and get others to help her. She turned to her grandmother and said, "Grandma, please say something! I'm all grown up now, I can do chores, and I can even catch bugs for the fruit trees!"
The little girl turned to look at Wenwen and said, "Sister, you can be my witness."
After saying that, she took Wenwen's hand and raised it up.
Wenwen looked on in astonishment: Good heavens, she was caught off guard and became a witness.
When the rest of the Wen family saw the little girl's last move, they couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Puch-"
"Hahaha."
Goodness, to prove that he eats little and can work, he even found a strong witness.
Look how capable they are.
Finally, it was Master Zhou who stepped in and explained the situation to the children in great detail, finally managing to persuade them.
However, when Yao Maimai revealed her flower-growing plan, Zhou Fuzi's efforts were completely in vain.
Sigh! The kids are growing up, they've become opinionated, and they've started to disobey. They're hard to manage!