The maid's road to success

On the second day, Chen Luoxi gave a direct order for everyone to speed up and return to Kyoto. When Wen Niang couldn't stand sitting in the carriage, Chen Luoxi would hold her and sit on the horse.

Or we just walk together.

The speed was much faster than before when they walked and stopped for a while to rest. By mid-February, they had arrived in Kyoto.

Zhuhai had already galloped back on horseback to report the news. When Wen and the others arrived at the city gate, quite a few people were already waiting there.

Even Mrs. Bai is here.

"You little kid, you left without saying a word. My grandfather and I were so worried. How could you two girls be so brave? It's so dangerous outside."

During the time when Wen Niang left, Chen Luoxi was in a bad state. He became an alcoholic and gave up on himself.

Only then did the Bai family and their ancestors realize how wrong they were.

Wen Niang disregarded her own safety and helped them protect the Chen family's hopes.

Chen Luoxi has already made it clear that without Wen Niang, he would not have been able to persist until the day of revenge.

He was obviously the greatest benefactor of the Chen family, but because of their status and class, the two of them were separated in a pedantic way.

It was a good family, and the living people were finally able to be together again, but they made it no longer feel like a home.

Fortunately, Chen Luoxi found Wen Niang, so they didn't regret it for the rest of their lives.

"I'm sorry for making Madam and the old ancestor worry. Wen Niang knows she was wrong."

Seeing that Bai's eyes were red, Wen Niang understood their worries and apologized obediently.

"My dear child, it's our fault. We were too superficial and too pedantic, which is why you have suffered so much. Now that you are willing to come back, we will definitely treat you well."

Wen Niang looked at Chen Luoxi. Bai was crying and she didn't know how to comfort her, so she asked him to help.

"Mom, Wen Niang is tired after traveling all the way. Let's stop blowing the wind here. Let's go back and let her rest. Mom, you are crying. The good skin you worked so hard to maintain is gone again."

When Mrs. Bai heard her son acting foolishly in front of her as he did before, she couldn't help laughing and slapped him twice.

"You are just a jerk, you just talk nonsense."

Then he looked at Wen Niang and took her hand to get into the carriage.

"Today, go back to your courtyard and have a good rest. The old ancestor can't wait to see you, but tomorrow the imperial decree to make you a princess will probably come down. You have to have a good rest. Tomorrow I will send someone to help you receive the decree and then bring the old ancestor to see you. "

Wen Niang nodded and let Bai make all the arrangements.

In fact, Bai was also considering her. Chen Luoxi was anxious to return to Kyoto to get married, and she was rushing all the way. Wen Niang's face was not looking good, and it would not be appropriate for her to receive the order tomorrow.

Moreover, she cannot receive the imperial decree at the Duke of Protectorate's residence. If she gets married at the Duke of Protectorate's residence before getting married, people will gossip about her in the future.

So it would be best to stay in her house in Xiaohe Lane, and that place needs to be cleaned up.

Chen Luoxi sent Wen Niang to Xiaohe Lane, and said something to her reluctantly before being pushed out of the yard by Wen Niang.

"Okay, we'll see each other tomorrow. Look at your appearance, be careful that Wen Niang will dislike you."

Bai was also happy that the two of them had a close relationship. Seeing her son alive again, she could only feel grateful to Wen Niang.

"Mom, Wen Niang won't dislike me."

Bai curled his lips.

"When your father was young, he was more handsome than you and had military merits, but I still didn't like him."

Chen Luoxi curled her lips in the private room where Bai Shi couldn't see. It was obvious that her father had another woman and misunderstood her mother, which was why her mother had always disliked her father. Now she was saying nice things.

"Mother, have you told the Queen about my request?"

Chen Luoxi looked at Madam Bai expectantly, and Madam Bai slapped Chen Luoxi on the forehead.

"Seeing you like this, your grandmother went to the palace to see the Queen herself. The decree for your marriage will be issued tomorrow. This is how your grandmother and I make up for you."

Chen Luoxi covered her head and leaned against the wall of the carriage with a smile. With the emperor's decree granting the marriage, who would dare to look down on Wen Niang's mother?

Bai looked at her son. He was no longer as jumpy and uninhibited as before.

Whenever he and his ancestors thought of Chen Luoxi's changes, they felt very distressed.

Now looking at his happy face, it’s finally not too late.

As Mrs. Bai thought about it, she suddenly smiled. Chen Luoxi looked so excited, she must be able to hold her grandson soon. It would be better to set the wedding date earlier, so that she can get married earlier and have a big fat grandson earlier.

Fortunately, Wen Niang is almost 20 years old, so it is suitable for her to have a baby right away. Noble families get married early, and many of them become parents at the age of or , but that is very harmful to the body.

Bai originally planned that when she got a daughter-in-law in the future, she would raise her until she was 18 years old before letting her have children. She didn't want to have children too early, as this would cause her to have diseases in the future.

Now it was just right that the Chen family’s blood feud had been settled, and Luo Xi had found a lover. She and the ancestors were just waiting for the birth of the next generation in the family.

When Wen Niang returned to Xiaohe Lane, the place had already been cleaned up in advance. Chen Luoxi had already transferred several girls aged fifteen or sixteen from Black Hawk to serve her.

When Wen Niang was not around, they were learning the rules at the Duke of Huguo's mansion. Now that the master is back, they naturally have to be sent here.

Wen Niang was very tired and didn't have time to think about anything else. She ate, washed up, and went to bed.

I was called up early the next morning and asked to dress up.

The Duke of the Protectorate had already sent someone over to deliver a table and other items to welcome the imperial edict, as well as a maid who was specifically there to help Wen Niang with the etiquette of receiving the imperial edict.

"Young lady, take a rest first. After the morning court session is over, the people from the Ministry of Rites will be here to deliver the imperial edict."

Wen Niang also asked carefully about some rules and etiquette.

The servant who was investigating outside ran in to report the news.

"Girl, the messenger is here."

Wen Niang looked at her clothes, smoothed out the wrinkles on her clothes, and came to the door to greet them.

"The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: I have heard that the An family has a daughter, Wen Niang, who is virtuous, gentle and charming. She provided porridge and medicine to the flood victims in Yuzhou, and is a role model for women. I hereby confer her the title of Princess Hejia and grant her marriage to Chen Luoxi, the son of the Duke of Huguo. I hope that the two of them will treat each other with respect and grow old together. I decree this!"

Wen Niang took the imperial edict, and the nanny beside her had already handed her a thin purse.

The person who announced the decree originally thought that Princess Hejia was of ordinary birth and that this mission would not be very lucrative, but he did not expect that he was actually too narrow-minded.

Having read the imperial edict so many times, he naturally understood that a bulging bag of silver could not compare to such a light purse.

Just by rubbing your fingers, you can tell that the things here are silver bills.

"Then Princess Hejia will present the imperial edict first. I still have to go to the Duke of Huguo to announce the edict. So I'll take my leave now."

Normally, the decree should be announced by going to the Duke of Protectorate to announce the marriage first, and then coming to Xiaohe Lane. However, the Duke of Protectorate and the Queen Mother made it clear that they wanted to honor Princess Hejia, so they had her come here first.

But it doesn’t matter, both sides can get a good result.

After seeing off the people who announced the imperial edict, Wen Niang placed the imperial edict in a Buddhist temple that had already been set up.

She is a daughter of the An family and cannot open her own ancestral hall. Although Chen Luoxi has used An Zizhong's identity for a long time, he had died in the coal mine long ago.

Naturally, she was not qualified to open an ancestral temple of her own.

However, Chen Luoxi had already sent someone to report the news that Wen Niang had been conferred the title of Princess to Anjia Village in Lin County.

Wen Niang knelt on the cushion, looking at the bright yellow imperial edict offered on the incense table, and a warm current seemed to flow in her heart.

With this imperial edict, she was no longer a slave in the Huaiyuan Marquis Mansion. She had the capital to make a living on her own and was qualified to stand with Chen Luoxi.

Even if someone really knew her identity, they would not bring it up openly in front of others.

She was Princess Hejia, who was personally conferred by the Emperor. It was a marriage personally granted by the Emperor and the Empress. No one would dare to argue about a marriage granted by the Emperor.

However, An Yun was the one who paid the most for this imperial edict. When An Wenniang thought of An Yun, she felt a little guilty.

She changed into an ordinary dress and went to Yuan's house with her people.

After An Yun returned to Kyoto, it was no longer suitable for him to run around with Chen Luoxi, so he naturally had to return to the Yuan family.

"I'm here to meet the eldest daughter of the Yuan family. This is my business card."

The gatekeeper took the business card, took a glance at it, and then asked someone to open the door and let An Wenniang in.

"My master said that if Miss An comes, she can go in directly."

An Wenniang didn't expect that An Qing had already informed the people in the mansion.

Feeling happy, he followed a maid to the flower hall in the inner house, where An Yun was already waiting with his younger brother and sister-in-law.

"I thought you would come, but I didn't expect you to come today."

Wen Niang took An Yun's hand and sat under her.

"I feel guilty looking at the imperial edict, so I came to talk to you."

An Yun knew Wen Niang's temper.

"Why should you feel guilty? The young master was very kind to us in the beginning, which allowed us to survive. But after all, the young master couldn't take care of us, so we still need you to take care of us. Yuxi and Yuhuan were fostered in Anjia Village, and it was because of you that they were raised under the care of others."

An Yun called An Nian and An Rui. Their previous names were Yuan Yuxi and Yuan Yuhuan.

"Thank you, Sister An, for your protection."

Wen Niang hurriedly pulled over the two people who were about to pay their respects.

"Niang Wen, your kindness to our Yuan family is no less than that of the young master. We can serve the young master and repay his kindness in saving us from the wolf's den, but I always feel that I can never repay you."

"Now is the perfect time. I am happy to be able to do something to help you. Moreover, although this credit is good for me, it can't play a big role. But with you here, the Duke of the Guardian Mansion will be our support in the future, and my brother and sister-in-law will also have a good future. I am willing to do it."

Wen Niang held An Yun's hand, her eyes moistened. She knew that An Yun was trying to comfort her.

She was just taking care of the four siblings of the Yuan family in life, so as not to let them be blinded by hatred and grow up astray.

Whether the Yuan family can avenge their hatred still depends on Chen Luoxi and themselves.

But An Yun treated her so well, she really had no way to repay him.

"You don't know that Yuxi Yuhuan still missed her friends in Anjia Village after she returned to Kyoto. I just found out that you sent money and other things to the village from time to time so that they could grow up happily in Anjia Village. You also sent a lot of things to other people in the village, asking them not to bully Yuxi Yuhuan."

"I know you have good intentions and are trying hard to protect their innocent hearts, Niang Wen. You deserve all this."

Wen Niang couldn't hold back any longer and started crying while holding An Yun.

"I just feel ashamed that I took all the credit from you, and I need you to comfort me."

Yuxi Yuhuan and Wen Niang have met many times. She knows that their happy life in the village was arranged by Sister Wen Niang, and she is very grateful to her.

Now seeing her crying so sadly, I hurried over to comfort her.

"Sister An, don't cry."

"Sister An, we owe you more."

After crying for a while, An Wenniang finally felt better. She looked at Yuan Yuxi and Yuan Yuhuan, and pulled them to look at them carefully.

An Yun is unreliable, and An Qing is not much better. One is an imperial physician in the Imperial Hospital and has no time to take care of his family, while the other spends all day studying poisons.

It's hard for Yuxi Yuhuan to take over the household affairs when she comes back. I should pay more attention to her and take better care of her in the future.

It would be better to compensate for it.

Yuan Yuxi and Yuan Yuhuan mentioned things about Yuanjia Village. Everyone found it interesting and laughed for a long time. An Wenniang finally felt relieved.

"Speaking of the people in the village, I would like to ask if there are any people willing to come to Kyoto to make a living. When Chen Luoxi and I took back Anjia Village, they took good care of us. Now I want to help them too."

When talking about the people in the village, Yuxi and Yuhuan were more excited than An Wenniang and Anyun. They talked about their friends and the elders who took care of them on a daily basis.

"I'll have someone write a letter and send it back. I think they can arrive around the same time as you receive the imperial decree. You have a farm there, so if they come, just put them there. If they are capable, they can help run the shop. It's always more reassuring than being strangers. If they are powerful, see if they can get a job as a yamen runner or join the army."

An Yun already had an idea, and An Wen's mother thought it was a good idea. All the people in Anjia Village were from the same clan as her, and they could help manage the land and shops, which would be more reliable than finding someone she was not familiar with to manage the business.

Managing the villa and the shop is better than working hard to make a living every day in Anjia Village and worrying about how to have enough food to eat.

An Yun glanced at the person who followed Wen Niang when she came, and spoke to her in a low voice.

"Do you still remember Ping'er?"

Wen Niang thought about it and nodded. It seemed that she was someone from the Black Hawk. She went to Duke Xu’s mansion by herself and helped rescue Chen Luolan.

"What's up with her?"

An Yun glanced at her younger brother and sister-in-law, who were still discussing how to entertain their friends from Anjia Village, and did not notice this side.

Only then did he continue speaking with confidence.

"She is now in charge of the counter-cards of Duke Xu's Mansion."

An Wenniang exclaimed.

"She married Duke Xu?"

An Yun shook his head.

"No, after all, she entered Duke Xu's mansion as a maidservant of the old lady. She couldn't become the mistress of the house. Duke Xu himself wanted to be the mistress, but the elders in the clan were very opposed to it, so Duke Xu gave her the title of concubine."

"My brother developed an antidote for the Wuxin Powder and gave it to her. She has already given birth to a pair of children, and Old Madam Xu likes her very much. She is also smart, and she quickly gained a foothold in the mansion. She even manages the mansion's general affairs very well, and she is the one who attends all banquets, big or small. If she is not the Duke's wife, she is almost the same."

Wen Niang nodded. Ping'er was smart and decisive, but also cruel, and even crueler to herself.

She had worked hard to have such an ending.

"I guess you and Chen Luoxi helped a lot."

When An Yun heard this, he laughed like a mouse that stole oil.

"You guessed it right. Chen Luolan suffered so much. I heard that she was beaten by the second master of the Xu family. Madam Bai felt very distressed when she heard this. She told the master to make sure Chen Luolan got revenge. Xu Guogong's wife Wang was not divorced and sent home except for that incident. Wang's family gave a lot of benefits to the Xu family to keep Wang in the Xu family and keep her as the legal wife."

"But after all, that incident happened. The Xu family is not an old cuckold. They couldn't stand it. Not long after, Wang was killed on the way to burn incense and pray for blessings in a rainstorm. The Wang family had no evidence and was afraid that if the Xu family exposed the incident, it would affect the other daughters of the Wang family, so they didn't pursue the matter."

"I gave Ping'er a pill that can keep the plum fragrance forever, to help her gain the exclusive favor of Duke Xu, but the requirement is that she must make the second master and the old lady of the Xu family suffer."

"You don't know how capable Ping'er is. She found four or five beautiful women who came from brothels and have many ways to seduce men. She led the second master to do many absurd things and got beaten many times."

"He is still lame now. His career is over. No one is willing to marry him anymore. As for the old lady, she has been in trouble ever since Ping'er got a foothold in Duke Xu."

Wen Niang said so much in one breath and was stunned for a long time. She never thought that Ping'er played such a big role.

"However, the master also sent Ping'er a few useful people, and Ping'er also earned a good fortune."

An Wenniang spoke a few more words to Yuxi Yuhuan before saying goodbye and leaving.

When I left Yuan's house, the knot that had been in my heart for so long was finally gone.