Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 140 - 138 The Imperial Edict Arrives

Chapter 140: Chapter 138 The Imperial Edict Arrives

The villagers understood the meaning of "harm" when they heard this. Subsequently, many people’s opinions of Shen Jingwen changed.

What a completely unreasonable person he is!

"What do you mean by what you’re saying, are you implying that my knowledge is poor?" Shen Jingwen became even more furious!

Shen Chengyao shook his head at Jingrui, signaling him to stop speaking.

"No, I haven’t said that!" After Jingrui said this, he sat down.

"You didn’t explicitly say it, but that’s what you implied! Are you belittling me now? You think that you’re more knowledgeable than me because you are studying at the Juxian Academy? Your whole family is so disrespectful. You act so high and mighty just because you have some money. You all are the classic definition of uneducated, and lacking in refinement. If you’re so capable, then try to pass the entry-level examination next year and show me!"

Jingrui: Should I bite back after being bitten by a dog? Never mind, too dirty! How could a person be petty with a dog! I will bear with you, to avoid making a scene!

The villagers, after hearing this, felt that Shen Jingwen was going too far. He had been receiving elementary education from a young age and only passed the entry-level examination in his teens. He was pushing his brother to take the exam after only a year of schooling, saying that it’d only be impressive if he passed his exams! This was just too outrageous.

Wasn’t this clearly an attempt to pick a fight? That was no way to bully people!

Master Shen hurriedly pulled Jingwen away, asking him to stop talking. What was going on with his well-behaved grandson today? Why was he behaving like a completely different person?

Was it really easy to pass the entry-level examination? If he made his own cousin go for the exam after just one year of schooling, everyone would perceive him as being harsh and impulsive, lacking the fraternal love and magnanimity expected from an older brother.

"Did you pass the entry-level examination after studying for just one year? Or have you seen someone who passed the entry-level examination after studying for one year? Even a top talent can’t do it that fast!"

The village chief was also displeased with Shen Jingwen. He started trouble during such a joyous occasion at his own house. Look at what he’s saying, accusing others of lacking respect for their elders, does he even respect his third uncle? So-called ’brotherly love, respectful sibling’, if the brother is not loving, how can the sibling be respectful?

"Wen’er is still young, he failed the examination, so he’s upset and speaking nonsense, I will take him home now." Master Shen smiled apologetically.

Shen Chengguang glared at Shen Chengyao when he saw everyone blaming his son, feeling that his son was at fault, "Third brother, are you satisfied now? You deliberately made Wen’er lose face!"

Like father, like son!

Shen Jingwen is indeed the spitting image of his father!

He who doesn’t do, doesn’t die!

"Shut your mouth!" Master Shen said finishes and then left with a dark face, pulling the two of them with him.

Master Shen is the clear-headed one. However, while in front of outsiders, he always handles matters meticulously, otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to create such wealth! Owning a grocery store in town, and owning land and houses in the village, isn’t something everyone could manage, right?

Shen Chengyao apologized to the village chief.

The village chief shook his head, "It’s not your fault, everyone knows who is right and who is wrong."

Moreover, in addition to making Shen Chengyao feel uncomfortable, Shen Jingwen might also be trying to add fuel to the fire for his own family!

The village chief uncovers the truth!

There were indeed some vengeful intentions in Shen Jingwen’s actions. Who made someone send an invitation to his house just now, ostentatiously inviting them for a meal? It was a blatant slap in the face!

After this topic was brought up, everyone started to get excited again.

After eating and returning home, Jingrui told Xiao’er about this.

"It’s a joke! They don’t even know who they’re tarnishing! Don’t mind them, one’s strength will be learnt when going a long way, one’s heart revealed when one takes a long time! The eyes of the public are as bright as snow!"

Do they genuinely believe that by saying a few words against our family, they could tarnish us? This is totally absurd!

The two then started discussing the individuals who achieved good results in this scholar selection examination.

Both Lai Zhewei and Ming Zhijie had passed, with Lai Zhewei being the first, and Ming Zhijie the eighth.

All of their friends achieved good results, and Xiao’er was also happy for them.

――

One day, Xiao’er was picking apples from the tree, pilfering the best apples from her hidden space and replacing them with the ordinary ones.

Du Juan came on her bicycle, shouting from the bottom of the hill: "Miss Xiao’er, Miss Xiao’er, Xiao Fuzi is here, said that the sacred decree will soon arrive, so we should prepare to receive it quickly!"

Xiao’er was aware that the imperial edict was coming. Shangguan Xuanyi had hinted it before he left. She just did not anticipate it would arrive soon!

Xiao’er jumped from the tree hurriedly, sat on the backseat of Du Juan’s bicycle, and rode back to her room.

As she was heading to her room, she ordered, "Tell everyone in the household to change into the new clothes we distributed earlier and gather in the front yard to prepare for the reception of the decree."

"Madam had already given the order."

"Is the incense table set up yet?"

"Madam had already instructed people to prepare it!"

"Has anyone been told to clean the room?"

"The instructions have already been given."

"Have my brothers been notified?"

"Qian Jin has already taken the carriage to pick them up."

"What about my father?"

"Master Shen and Madam are already in the front yard."

"You should also change your clothes and help in the front yard!" Xiao’er thought for a moment, and after making sure she had taken care of everything she needed to, she quickly went to her room to change her clothes and get ready.

As soon as everyone had prepared, the people delivering the sacred decree arrived. Officer Li and a white-faced, beardless eunuch walked in first, followed by several other unknown officials, including the County Magistrate and County Governor.

"Shen Chengyao receiving the decree!"

All present hurriedly knelt down.

"By the Heaven’s mandate, the Emperor decrees: Shen Chengyao has made meritorious contributions with the invention of the cart, cement, and threshing machine, and his improved rice species offer even more benefits to citizens and the country... establishing remarkable achievements for our nation and society. Therefore, I reward him with 100 taels of gold, 100 acres of fertile land, confer him the title of Marquis Shengping, and give him the salary of a third-class marquis. I also award him a mansion and the hereditary succession of his title. His daughter, Shen Xiao’er, is intelligent, agile, dignified, and wise... thus, I grant her the title of the Countess of Rui’an. Chen hereby. Marquis Shengping, receive the decree!"

"Thank you for your majesty’s kindness, long live the Emperor, long live, long live!" After bowing, Shen Chengyao raised his hands above his head to receive the decree.

Once the sacred decree was declared, Xiao’er handed a purse to the eunuch, who warmly thanked her, bid her farewell, then left. As he had to respond to the Emperor, and with the Sixth Prince’s presence through Xiao Fuzi, he didn’t need to remind an extra word. Xiao Fuzi would tell all.

The officials who came with him gave their congratulatory speeches before leaving.

"Congratulations to Marquis Shengping and Countess of Rui’an. My master says that Marquis Shengping and Countess of Rui’an should come to the Imperial Capital as soon as possible to report, and then you can return to the countryside after a month there. However, you must stay at the Imperial Capital for some time every year. This is a special favor from the Emperor."

Though the conferred titles carry no actual power, they usually require people to stay in the Imperial Capital. How much better it is to be free in the countryside than confined in the Imperial Capital!

On hearing this, everyone hurriedly thanked the Emperor for his grace; though Xiao’er inwardly felt helpless as there was no one to hear their gratitude.

Nevertheless, this grace was good. It would allow them to venture at will, unrestricted by the confines of the Imperial Capital. It was perfect!

The Imperial Capital was indeed the most prosperous but also the most dangerous. Their family had shallow roots, so it was better to defer the decision to reside there permanently!

Listening to the mention of going to the Imperial Capital, Shen Chengyao wasn’t initially willing to go. He would have preferred to refuse the nobility title and receive more fertile land instead! But learning he could leave after just a month there, he felt relieved.

"Thanks for reminding us, Xiao Fuzi. We will make our preparations and start our trip as soon as arrangements here are taken care of."

Master Shen, members of the main family and the secondary branch all arrived after receiving the news.