Free Web NovelChapter 395: Chapter 154: Commotion (Part 3)
They stared at the box Chen Wanqing cradled in her arms, their eyes red with excitement, wanting to touch it but not daring.
Who would have thought!
They were just common folk, and yet they lived to see a Holy Decree.
Mrs. Zhao’s lips trembled. "This is wonderful, just wonderful!"
"It’s all thanks to our sister-in-law. If she hadn’t wanted to dig for huangqi, the treasure chest would never have been found. Without the treasure chest, how would my elder cousin have caught the eye of the higher-ups?"
"With this accomplishment, we don’t have to worry about Jing’s future. Jing, you’ve really made it! Don’t forget to help out your cousins when you’re successful."
With so many people chiming in, a mix of pleasant and rather tactless comments began to surface. Hearing it all, Mr. Zhao frowned and told everyone to disperse.
But who was willing to leave?
Who didn’t want a look at the Holy Decree?
Left with no other choice, Mr. Zhao could only make a promise. "Everyone, go home for now. Once we’ve determined an auspicious date and time, you can all come back to pay your respects. If you have some free time, go help build the ancestral hall next door. The sooner it’s finished, the sooner we can move the Holy Decree there."
As soon as he said this, the crowd of onlookers erupted.
"Let’s get to work!"
"They’re providing meals! We’ll eat lunch here. Let’s try to get the ancestral hall built in two days!"
After dismissing the majority of the onlookers, Mr. Zhao called Chen Song over, and they headed to Zhao Jing’s house together.
Mr. Zhao was immensely grateful to Chen Song and showered him with praise, which in turn made Chen Song feel rather embarrassed.
"I was worried there might still be some lingering threats back then," Chen Song explained, "so I didn’t report the children’s names. I just took credit for the discovery myself."
"Of course, of course, I understand."
"Thankfully, His Majesty is wise and just, and didn’t let the children’s efforts go to waste."
Mr. Zhao spoke with heartfelt sincerity. "You have no reason to feel embarrassed. Of the three children involved, two are your own and the third is your son-in-law. You shouldered all the risk for them, so it’s only right that you benefit. Chen Song, I truly believe that Wanqing brings prosperity to our family. Since she married into our family, life has improved for everyone in the Zhao Family. It’s just... the matter of clearing the land for the huangqi came up so suddenly, and my clansmen handled it poorly. They really wronged Wanqing."
"It’s a joyous day. Let’s not talk about such things. Let’s not."
Naturally, they stayed at Zhao Jing’s house for lunch and drinks. The elders ate and drank to their hearts’ content, and by evening, they were all so drunk they could barely stand. Only then did they finally leave one by one.
As De’an led the ox-cart to take his father back to Qingshui County, he couldn’t help but complain to Chen Wanqing, "I don’t even know why I came back."
"The relatives from both sides have everything arranged. We’re like props—we just show up and then have nothing to do. The whole time I was just pouring tea and listening to them drone on with their tired old stories. I feel like the whole day was a waste."
"I wouldn’t call it all a bunch of nonsense, but it really tries your patience. I just hate this kind of thing. It’s so pointless..."
De’an sighed wistfully. "It’s times like these I really wish I could move to the Prefecture. You don’t have all these meddlesome relatives or so many useless rules. It’s peaceful and you’re free to do as you please."
Chen Wanqing shot her brother a look. "We’re still in our hometown. Be careful someone doesn’t overhear you. They’ll say you’re ungrateful—that you’ve gotten a bit of good fortune and now you’ve forgotten all about your own kin."
De’an’s mouth twitched in exasperation, but he ultimately swallowed his complaints.
He glanced at the sky. Summer days were long. Though it wasn’t dark yet, it was definitely well into the evening. In the winter, it would have been dark for an hour already.
"Alright, I’ll stop talking, or it’ll be dark before we know it. I’m going to take Dad home. You get back to what you were doing, Sis."
"Alright. Go home and focus on your studies. Once we’re done with all the family business here, we’ll head to the Prefecture."
De’an perked up immediately. "Are we moving to the Prefecture, or are you just taking us there for school?"
"We’re moving! But this is just what Jing and I want. We haven’t spoken to his mother about it yet."
"Sis, you should talk to our mom about it too. Our family should move to the Prefecture as well!"
"Mom could go, and so could you and Yao’an. But Dad is the county magistrate’s assistant for Qingshui County. He’s a government official. If he were to resign, I’m afraid he wouldn’t be able to find a better living in the Prefecture."
It wasn’t easy for a common man to get to his position. It would be such a shame for him to just resign.
Unless a transfer order comes from the Prefecture assigning Dad to a post there, Mom and Dad won’t be moving with us anytime soon.
De’an lowered his head in disappointment. "Resigning or getting transferred... both are difficult. Forget it. We can figure it out later. It’s getting really late. I’m heading back."
After seeing De’an off, Chen Wanqing was about to head home when she saw Zhao Jing round the corner and appear down the street.
He had just seen off the two drunken Mr. Zhaos, and his clothes were a wrinkled mess from having to support them.
"Has De’an left?"
"He’s gone."
Chen Wanqing replied as she smoothed out the wrinkles on his clothes. Then, they held hands and walked home.
