Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 748 Reward
Wang Yan had no choice but to suppress his desire to go to the South City Wharf and continue driving his horse back to the mansion.

Sang Dian breathed a sigh of relief. He realized that whenever he encountered a difficult problem, as long as he brought up Madam Xie or something related to her, he could always get a solution.

No matter what you do, you must master the right method so that you won't get tired and your husband will be willing to do it.

The master and servant returned to the Wang family home. The steward was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing Wang Yan, he immediately stepped forward and said, "Young master, you're finally back. Come inside quickly to wash up and change your clothes. The people from the palace will be here soon."

When receiving a reward, one must perform a ceremony; there can be no slightest negligence.

Wang Yan nodded and asked, "Where is Mother?"

The steward said, "In the main house."

"I've changed my clothes, then I'll go pay my respects to my mother." Wang Yan quickened his pace.

Wang Yan quickly washed up and changed into the long robe his mother had prepared for him. He glanced at the bronze mirror, a rare occurrence, because after receiving the reward, he would go to see A Yan.

"My lord, the people from the palace have arrived."

The people arrived faster than the Wang family had anticipated, but fortunately everything was prepared.

Wang Yan did not delay and went to the courtyard to greet him.

Madam Lin also came out from the main courtyard. The mother and son gathered together. Wang Yan only had time to greet Madam Lin. Madam Lin smiled and said, "My son is especially dashing today. I am very happy to see him."

That's true. At her age, these are the only things she thinks about.

The reward was for Wang Yan, so there was no need to summon him back from the yamen. Eunuch Huang came in person with his men.

“Your Excellency,” said Eunuch Huang with a smile, “His Majesty knows that Your Excellency has had a hard time in Fujian this time, so he specially sent us to deliver this reward.”

Wang Yan immediately stepped forward to bow and express his gratitude. The eunuch Huang also put away his smile and became solemn, reading out the list of gifts bestowed by the emperor.

It contained everything from farmland, silk, gold and silver artifacts to sable fur and tea cakes.

“And there’s more!” said the eunuch Huang, waving his hand. Two eunuchs appeared, one carrying a goose and the other leading a sheep.

Huang, the eunuch, paused for a moment before continuing, "These were ordered by His Majesty to be retrieved from the imperial estate, and he specifically instructed that they be bestowed upon the court officials."

Before the eunuch brought out the wild goose and sheep, Wang Yan and Madam Lin had already noticed something amiss. The items bestowed by the emperor, such as silk, were mainly in shades of blue and red.

The gold and silver artifacts were mostly in sets, with patterns of lotus scrolls and mandarin ducks playing in the water. Even the vases came in pairs, and there was even a gold pendant.

The gold pendant was meant for noblewomen, yet it was bestowed upon Wang Yan; the intention behind this is quite obvious.

In addition to the wild geese and sheep, although the marriage was not officially arranged, it was still considered as preparing a betrothal gift for Wang Yan.

Wang Yan bowed again: "Your subject Wang Yan thanks Your Majesty for the reward."

The eunuch Huang handed the gift list to Wang Yan and said with a smile, "I would like to extend my congratulations to the Imperial Attendant." After he finished speaking, he clearly saw the joy in Wang Yan's eyes.

To be honest, this was the first time in all the time that Eunuch Huang had seen Wang Yan so openly express his emotions. Perhaps Prime Minister Wang would find it improper, but Eunuch Huang thought this kind of court attendant was even better. The Emperor thought the same way, otherwise he wouldn't have unconsciously laughed out loud when he saw the court attendant's memorial requesting a marriage decree.

Wang Yan saw the eunuch Huang and the others out, then turned back to his residence and carefully reviewed all the rewards once more.

Madam Lin smiled and said, "You and your son have received quite a few favors since you entered officialdom, but I think this one is the best." Especially those two living creatures.

Wang Yan looked at Sang Dian: "Take good care of the geese and sheep."

Sang Dian replied, "Don't worry, my lord, we will take good care of them, and we'd better not let them shed a single hair." Sang Zhi looked at Sang Dian's fawning smile and planned that if the sheep shed its wool, they would collect it all and stuff it into Sang Dian's mouth.

Madam Lin continued, "The rewards for Ayan should be similar." She didn't mean that the rewards would be the same, but rather that they would be roughly related to their marriage.

Wang Yan nodded.

Madam Lin looked at her son and said, "It seems that it was right not to rush you into marriage." In the past few years, the people around her have been talking about Yan Ge'er's marriage, as if it were shameful for Yan Ge'er not to get married, and they should use their parental authority to force him to find a noble lady so that they could have children.

The master had also had such a thought, but she stopped him.

If there's someone in the family you don't want to face, it's better to be alone and carefree. Life outside is already tough enough; at least home should be the place they long to return to.

Perhaps she read a lot of Taoist scriptures and came to accept these things.

Unexpectedly, letting things take their natural course actually led to a good outcome.

“You are blessed,” Madam Lin said, reaching out to straighten Wang Yan’s robes. “Ayan is a good child.”

As Madam Lin spoke, she recalled Xie Yuyan's words: "You will certainly not meet another person like this again, so my son should put in more effort and not disappoint Ayan."

Wang Yan nodded.

Knowing that Wang Yan was anxious and eager to see Xie Yuyan immediately, Madam Lin asked, "Do you know what Ayan said to me last night?"

Wang Yan was taken aback. His mother had brought this up on purpose, so it must not be an ordinary matter.

Madam Lin's smile deepened: "Ayan said..."

As she spoke slowly, she felt her son's eyes grow even brighter.

……

South City Wharf.

Xie Yuyan and others were greeted by officials from the Ministry of Rites who came to deliver the imperial edict.

Zhang was the most excited when she heard the news that Su Man had sent back.

Zhang had never experienced anything like this before. Upon receiving the news, she immediately began to busy herself, wishing she could clean the entire courtyard inside and out until it was spotless. This matter was very important to Ayan, and even though Ayan seemed quite indifferent, she had to help take care of it.

She had made thorough preparations, but when the official entered the house, Zhang stood there frozen for a moment. Fortunately, her mother reached out and pulled her, which brought her back to her senses and allowed her to catch up with Xie Yuyan.

"Lady Xie, please step forward to hear the imperial edict from the Ministry of Rites. Xie Yisong, the magistrate of Qujiang County, was framed by treacherous officials for his service to the Loyal Prince… Your courage in overcoming difficulties and dangers to clear your father's name is not only a testament to filial piety within your own family, but also a demonstration of the law to the world. I am deeply gratified. In remembrance of your father's loyalty and integrity, I hereby posthumously grant him the title of Grand Master of the Palace Attendants to comfort his heroic soul…"

"Considering your unwavering loyalty and the merits you have made in your hometown, we hereby grant you the Xie family's former residence. We also bestow upon you one hundred bolts of silk and five hundred strings of cash for your use."

The Ministry of Rites officials delivered the imperial edict to Xie Yuyan. In addition to the edict, there was also a gift list, which included not only silk but also jewelry and dowry.

A eunuch stepped forward and whispered, "This is His Majesty's will."

Zhang, who was standing nearby, mustered up her courage and glanced at the items the palace maid was holding, especially the dressing case... which seemed to resemble a dowry.

Could it be... that this is to add to Ayan's makeup?

(End of this chapter)